The Vanarama National League is almost 75% of the way through, but statistically which players would make the team of the season so far?
To work this out, I will be using the latest SofaScore ratings to work out what the current National League team of the season would be if the campaign was to end now, rather than a few months time.
To break this down, I have decided to go with a 3-5-2 formation (five midfielders) because eight of the top ten players in the division this season are indeed midfielders.
Amazingly, star players such as Solihull’s Jamey Osborne and Aldershot’s Josh Stokes haven’t made this list despite their outstanding individual performances so far this campaign.
SofaScore have worked out the best players so far this season, but to make the list – the players have to have played at least 60% of the total competition minutes so far this season.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the 2023/24 National League team of the season so far according to SofaScore…
Goalkeeper: Louie Moulden (7.40)
Between the sticks is goalkeeper Louie Moulden who spent the first half of the season with Rochdale but has since been recalled and is now with Northampton Town in League One.
The 22-year-old kept six clean sheets in 28 league matches for Rochdale as well as providing five assists despite being a goalkeeper.
Moulden won’t play another minute in the league this season but remains 0.06 rating above Dorking’s Harrison Male and Barnet’s Laurie Walker.
Defender: Cian Harries (7.33)
Aldershot’s Cian Harries has recaptured his old form in the National League this season and is the highest-rated defender in the league despite being 22nd on the ‘all players’ list.
The Welshman has made 30 league appearances for the Shots since arriving on a free transfer from Swindon Town in the summer. He has also scored five goals and is the club’s penalty-taker.
Harries is 0.02 higher than the second entry and is Aldershot’s second-best performer behind Lorent Tolaj.
Defender: Tom Eastman (7.31)
A surprising entry next is Dagenham’s Tom Eastman who makes the list despite his side’s frustrating campaign so far, sitting just below Cian Harries.
The 32-year-old has been at the heart of Dagenham’s defence so far this season, making 20 appearances in the National League and scoring four goals.
Eastman arrived from Colchester United but has excelled in the fifth tier and is 0.06 higher than the final defensive entry on the list.
Defender: Dan Collinge (7.25)
The final defender to make the squad is Barnet’s Dan Collinge and this entry does not come as a shock to me at all.
The 25-year-old has been a rock at the back for the Bees so far this season, making 22 league appearances for Dean Brennan’s men and scoring six goals in the process.
Collinge is almost certainly going to be in the EFL next season whether that’s with Barnet or not. He is 35th on the list, narrowly beating Southend’s Nathan Ralph to the final spot.
Midfielder: Chris Conn-Clarke (7.87)
Kicking off the midfield we have the National League player of the season so far in Altrincham’s Chris Conn-Clarke and once again I don’t think this will come as a shock to anyone.
The 22-year-old has contributed to 25 league goals so far this season despite only playing 29 games. This means he’s averaging a goal or assist in almost every match so far this season.
Like Collinge, Conn-Clarke will be an EFL footballer next season and Altrincham are in for a huge payment unless they make a promotion themselves via the playoffs.
Midfielder: Liam Mandeville (7.74)
Amazingly, Chesterfield finally have their first mention in this list as we reach the halfway stage, as Liam Mandeville makes the squad.
The 26-year-old is the second-best performer in the National League so far this season, despite only netting six goals in the division from his 30 outings.
However, Mandeville has operated in numerous roles/positions for Paul Cook’s side although he wasn’t the first player that would have come to mind if I had to choose someone.
Midfielder: Stephen Wearne (7.66)
Like Louie Moulden, former Gateshead midfielder Stephen Wearne also won’t play another minute this season in the National League but will be very difficult to beat.
The playmaker is the third-highest performer this season, contributing to 19 goals this season (11 goals, eight assists) before moving on to MK Dons in January.
Wearne was one of the National League’s standout performers this season and has also experienced a positive start to life back under Mike Williamson in League Two.
Midfielder: Ryan Colclough (7.65)
The second Chesterfield entry sees Ryan Colclough make the list for the Spireites following his impressive campaign for Paul Cook’s side so far.
The winger has managed seven goals for the Spireites so far this season as well as averaging 1.1 key passes per match, turning into one of the division’s best midfielders so far.
At an average rating of 7.65, Colclough ranks as the fourth-best player in the league although given he’s still with the Spireires, this score could increase or decrease before the season is out.
Midfielder: Jack Bridge (7.63)
The final midfielder for this squad is Southend United’s Jack Bridge who has recently been rewarded with a new contract as a result of his impressive performances under Kevin Maher.
Southend have had a frustrating season off the pitch but are now under a new lease of life. As for Bridge, he has ten assists so far this season whilst also netting five times this season.
Bridge is currently 0.02 score ahead of Rochdale’s Tyrese Sinclair who narrowly misses out. This means he will need to maintain his impressive campaign if he is to be within a shot of the actual team of the season.
Striker: Paul McCallum (7.60)
Kicking off the strikers, I begin with the runaway Golden Boot leader Paul McCallum from Eastleigh, a player who has consistently proven himself at this level.
So far this season, McCallum has scored 23 goals for the Spitfires as well as picking up an additional assist, which drew interest from the EFL in January.
At 7.60, McCallum is seventh on the list of the entire division and is 0.14 ratings higher than teammate Chris Maguire.
Striker: Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (7.50)
Finally, Hartlepool’s Emmanuel Dieseruvwe completes the National League team of the season so far, as a result of his impressive stint with the Pools.
Despite Hartlepool’s frustrating campaign so far, the forward has managed 16 goals for the club and is one of the very few reasons why the Pools still have an outside chance of the top seven.
So far this season, Dieseruvwe has averaged a match rating of 7.50, which is 0.11 higher than Aldershot’s Lorient Tolaj and 0.2 ratings higher than the next closest Hartlepool player.
What are your thoughts on this team? Who is missing in your opinion?