IT'S becoming increasingly difficult to fathom how Grimsby Town can be so deadly on the road but so inconsistent at Blundell Park.
Prior to this afternoon's clash at Tamworth, the Mariners have played eight games at home and eight games away in the Blue Square Bet Premier.
On their travels, they are yet to be beaten, with three wins and five draws, and have conceded just four goals.
Fifteen points on the road already – that's definitely promotion form.
However, the story back on home turf is less impressive.
Rob Scott and Paul Hurst's men have been beaten four times in Cleethorpes this campaign, including their FA Cup defeat to Kidderminster.
The opening home loss to Stockport, when Town conceded twice in the final ten minutes, could be put down to rustiness.
And the following Saturday's stalemate with Nuneaton Town was definitely a bad day at the office.
But the Mariners looked to have put all that behind them with four league victories in North East Lincs on the bounce.
Mansfield were swept aside 4-1 on Bank Holiday Monday and Forest Green were dispatched 1-0, before Luton (4-1) and Gateshead (3-0) got the BP treatment.
With plenty of points being accumulated on the road, Town were adhering to the old adage of 'win at home, draw away'.
But it all came to a shuddering halt with a 2-0 loss to Dartford, and, after defeat to Kidderminster in the cup, Macclesfield then drove back down the M180 with three points for their efforts.
But why? How can a team that looks so solid, and also incisive on the road, struggle at home?
The system remains pretty much the same, home or away, with a traditional 4-4-2 formation.
In the centre of midfield, the discipline and experience of Derek Niven and Craig Disley allow the Mariners to play with two out-and-out wingers, Scott Neilson and Joe Colbeck.
At the back, Shaun Pearson and Nathan Pond have been faultless, with Ian Miller filling in well when called upon.
The energy of the two full-backs ensures Town remain solid defensively while offering an extra attacking threat.
Behind them, keeper James McKeown has that rare talent of being able to combine occasional top-class saves with long spells of inactivity.
At the other end, the strikers – although not prolific – have all chipped in with goals this season and each offer something slightly different.
In summary, Town are approaching games in exactly the same way, with largely the same line-up.
So it's the opposition who are causing all the problems.
While teams entertaining the Mariners are required to push forward and at least try for three points, it's a different story for these sides on their travels.
Only the Conference's genuine title-chasers will come to Blundell Park with real ambitions of winning.
And the two obvious candidates that fit into that category – Luton and Forest Green – have left with nothing.
Most of this season's other visitors have opted to defend deep and say 'break us down if you can.'
For Stockport, Nuneaton and Dartford, it worked like a charm, while Macclesfield came to play and can thank an inspired display from their keeper for their victory.
It's not rocket science but, as Scott and Hurst have found out, it's harder to rectify than identify.
Is a change of formation the answer?
The bosses experimented with variations of 4-3-3 in pre-season but soon dispensed with the system after mixed results.
With most teams lacking ambition on their visits to Cleethorpes, maybe going three at the back could be an option.
After all, what's the need for four defenders to mark what is often only one striker?
The extra man could go into the centre of midfield, in the shape of Frankie Artus or Andi Thanoj, to provide some extra creativity in the engine room.
Or the a third attacker could be employed, maybe just behind an orthodox front two.
Neilson or even the currently out on loan Louie Soares seem tailor-made for the 'Teddy Sheringham role'.
It's not a perfect solution – you can only send out 11 players after all – but it could help to break down stubborn visiting defences ready to face the usual 4-4-2.
As Hurst said in yesterday's Telegraph: "We always feel that you need to be able to mix it. If you just play one way you become predictable and easier to play against."
Maybe next Saturday's visit of Woking could be the perfect time to mix things up.
Could a change in formation be the answer to Town's home woes? Let us know your thoughts by emailing sport@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, commenting on this story online at thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sport, or tweeting us at @grimsbysport
