Opta Nationwide Football League
Division Two Index
[matches played
 1 February- 26 February 2000]

Goalkeepers
Top Man: Gillingham's experienced goalkeeper Vince Bartram has recovered from an indifferent start to the season to produce a series of breathtaking performances. The most recent was a clean sheet at Deepdale as the Gills defeated Preston 2-0.
Riser: Simon Brown, the young Colchester shotstopper, has burst into the latest Opta Index, reflecting the role he has played in United's surge away from the relegation zone. A clean sheet at Wigan was a fine achievement.

Defenders
Top Man: Another beneficiary of the Peter Taylor revolution at Priestfield is lithe defender Barry Ashby, top of the Index for the second week running. His goal at Oldham helped the team to a vital win.
Riser: Ian Breckin, the man they call Breckinbauer, has been in superb form at Chesterfield and he moves into third place in the Index. He scored in the Spireites win against Reading last Saturday.

Midfielders
Top Man: Preston's impressive grafter Sean Gregan remains the top midfielder in Division Two, his probing and fierce tackling an integral part of North End's success this season.
Riser: Bristol Rovers signed the Latvian captain Vitaly Astafjevs after the Baltic side toured England. He has been a valuable addition to the squad, scoring his first goal away at Oldham last week.

Attacking midfielders
Top Man: Preston veteran David Eyres is back on top of the attacking midfielder's Index after some typically creative play for North End. He may not be guaranteed a first team place any more but can still carve open most sides.
Riser: Scott Murray has been highly impressive in Bristol City's recent revival. His goal against Scunthorpe was one of the best ever seen at Ashton Gate.

Strikers
Top Man: Preston's dominance of the Opta Index continues with Jonathan Macken's position at the top of the strikers Index. 19 league goals have come from his boot, six in the last six games.
Riser: Sean Devine sneaks back into the Index for the first time in 2000, thanks partly to his hat-trick against Bury at Adams Park. The Irishman has 19 league goals and is looking for a recall to the international squad.


* A team of specially-trained Opta analysts monitor and record every touch of the ball in the FA Carling Premiership, Nationwide Football League and Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League using state-of-the-art digital voice-recognition software. Each touch is awarded plus or minus points based on a system originally devised in conjunction with former England coach Don Howe. The Opta database then averages out each player's scores over the last six games to produce the Index, widely considered to be the quintessential guide to player form. Players must have played at least 225 minutes over the last six games to qualify.

Statistics supplied by Carling Opta
www.optasoccer.com