Opta Nationwide Football League
Division Two Index
[matches played
 March 17- April17 2000]

Goalkeepers
Top Man: A convincing win over rivals Colchester, a new three-year contract in the bag and now a place at the top of the goalkeepers' Index - life can't get much better for Wycombe custodian Martin Taylor.
Riser: A 1-1 draw against Bury won't be enough to save Chesterfield's season, but 'keeper Mark Gayle pulled off eight stops in the game to haul his way up the Opta Index.

Defenders
Top Man: Two recent clean sheets and there are Wycombe players all over the Index. Veteran full-back Jason Cousins is now top defender for his role in some exciting form down in Buckinghamshire.
Riser: After Ian Cox's departure to Burnley, Eddie Howe has proved himself top stopper at Bournemouth and rises into the top ten after some fine performances.

Midfielders
Top Man: A fantastic goal and assist in Stoke's Auto Windscreens Shield triumph at Wembley may not affect the Opta Index, but Graham Kavanagh remains top midfielder thanks to his stunning Division Two form. 
Riser: Young midfielder Wade Elliott is combining studying with scoring goals after joining Bournemouth from non-league Bashley. His university course does not end until the summer, but Elliott is still making a name for himself in Division Two football.

Attacking midfielders
Top Man: Having been crocked for the last three games, Andy Liddell will drop out of the Index next week after several weeks at the top. His form before his untimely injury means he remains in pole position for the time being.
Riser: Terry Cooke may have been surplus to requirements in Man City's promotion push, but Wigan are making maximum use of the winger in their charge towards Division One. He is ninth in the attacking midfielders' category.

Strikers
Top Man: A 3-1 win at Brentford drew Millwall level on points with second placed Wigan in the Division Two table, while a hat-trick for striker Neil Harris sees him move to the top of the strikers' Index.
Riser: Luton's ginger giant Gary Doherty played in defence to great effect this season and is now proving a handful as a striker, too. The Irishman has scored in four consecutive games to move into third in the striking chart.

statistics supplied by Carling Opta

* 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.

See also

OPTA - Chairboys Easter Preview
looking at the games with Notts County and Reading.

OPTA - Stat Attack up to 15 April 2000
Sean Devine still high in the charts

OPTA - Div II Team of the Week
15 April 2000
Keith Ryan and Steve Brown rewarded for memorable displays against Colchester.