With 16 Conference fixtures played, the 2014/15 campaign is already a third gone for Barnet. So with Martin Allen’s side sitting top of the pile, what have we learned thus far?

1. Scoring goals is no problem: With Barnet the top scorers in the Conference after 16 games having netted 36 goals and boasting a goal average of 2.25 per game, it’s hardly earth shattering to opine the Bees are not finding any issue scoring goals.

But cast your mind back to a pre-season which yielded just three goals in six matches, and this has been a welcome relief. Arguably the Bees put any concerns over goal-scoring to bed at Chester on the opening day, not only running in five unanswered goals, but notching the first of the Conference season.

To play devil’s advocate, though, Chester were hopelessly poor and scoring five goals against a side which have shipped 26 goals this season already – or twice as many as Barnet for that matter – is perhaps not indicative.

The value of a 20-goal-a-season striker cannot be underestimated and in John Akinde (nine in 16) and Charlie MacDonald (six in eight), Barnet potentially have two on their books.

2. The squad is strong enough to cope with injuries: The aforementioned MacDonald has been sidelined since early September and is expected to be out for up to another month, Allen revealed on Saturday. And whilst it is indisputable the Bees have missed their captain in the following eight games, it could have been worse.

After netting five goals in just eight games, MacDonald’s injury could very easily have de-railed Barnet’s promotion bid, but instead – and it is a great source of encouragement – strike partner Akinde has stepped up and shouldered the burden of being the main man.

It is not just MacDonald, though; Jack Saville, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Sam Muggleton, Luisma Villa, Lee Cook and Mauro Vilhete have all been injured for varying lengths of time in recent weeks. And, whilst the Bees’ results have faltered somewhat, they are still top of the pile – the position they have held for 11 games now.

3. The squad is versatile: It has been a theme since the opening weeks of the season, but this Barnet squad boasts a great degree of flexibility – demonstrated most impressively by Elliot Johnson’s midfield outings this term.

The left-back has been excellent in his natural position, but has thrived in the centre of midfield to such a degree one might be tempted to utilise him there more often. Indeed, it is perhaps only the fact there isn’t a natural heir at left-back which has seen him return to his usual position in recent weeks.

Having said that, Vilhete impressed at left-back last term and made his first start of the season as part of the back four in the 1-0 win over Eastleigh and rightly scooped the man-of-the-match gong for his near-faultless display.

Luisma has taken to a number of roles impressively and even Jon Nurse has plugged gaps at right back and right midfield.

It’s no accident though, and Allen confirmed as much recently when he said: “He is a good player Elliot and he can play anywhere for our team, but they all can, because we work on it on the training pitch all the time.

“They all learn how to play in each other’s position and they all know what to do.”

4. Fast starts are crucial: Five times already this season the Bees have taken the lead inside the opening 20 minutes of a game; four of the six games Barnet have failed to win, they did not take the lead in; only twice after taking the lead at any stage have Allen’s side failed to win (at AFC Telford United and at home to Kidderminster Harriers).

Those three stats highlight the importance of making a fast start, something the Bees have done from the outset – going 2-0 up inside 20 minutes on the opening day of the season. The average time of Barnet’s opener in each of their ten wins is the 24th minute and only twice has the opener in a win come in the second half.

Conversely though, and it is worth noting, the Bees have yet to come from behind to win a game. They have been behind four times (against Lincoln City, AFC Telford United, Wrexham and Macclesfield Town) and taken just one point from those fixtures.

5. John Akinde wins penalties for fun: The powerful frontman has won six penalties this season, four of which have come from fouls by the opposing goalkeeper.

Again, it started in the opening-day win over Chester, and since then Big John has proved he has something of a penchant for drawing contact from goalkeepers. That is not to say the former Alfreton Town forward goes down easily, but he knows exactly how to keep the ball under control whilst luring the keeper into an ill-advised challenge.

Incidentally, Barnet have won eight spot kicks this term, with Andy Yiadom and Luke Gambin winning the other two.