Such are the slim margins of the Championship, Bristol City will feel they could easily have headed into the World Cup break with their position higher in the league.
The opening day defeat at Hull almost set the tone - the Robins were the better side but leaving without a point. Individual errors cost them against Sunderland and Blackpool while they failed to turn their dominance into victories in recent matches at home to Sheffield United and Watford. That's just to name a few.
There's a very valid argument that City have ultimately just been unlucky at times. Keeping with the trend of last season, Nigel Pearson's side have been on the receiving end of a number of dubious referee decisions but this isn't another rant about the inconsistencies and standard of officiating in the Championship.
There's a notable stat that has continued from last season which frustratingly continues to hold City back from climbing the Championship. Only one league rival has thrown away more points from winning positions this season.
Pearson's side have been in front 12 times from their 21 league matches and have ended up with 22 points from a possible 36. That's an average of 1.83 points.
Wigan have the worst record at keeping hold of leads with an average tally of 1.75. It's not just this season, however. City had the joint-second worst record last campaign with an average of 1.79 points after going ahead 29 times in total.
So as we approach the halfway point of the season, there has been some slight improvement. On the one hand, we can pick out the positives that City are giving themselves a great opportunity to pick up maximum points in over half of their matches so far.
On the other hand, it doesn't count for much when they are failing to capitalise on their advantage. Only five teams have been ahead in more games this season including Burnley, Sheffield United and Norwich - three clubs expected to challenge for promotion.
So it begs the question, what's the cause of the issue? It's impossible to pinpoint the root of the problem but there are several different factors that can be attributed to it.
The lack of squad depth is one and the quality coming onto the pitch when Pearson has to turn to his bench. The manager spoke a lot about trusting his players before the break after making eight changes to his side when they were on the receiving end of the defeat at Lincoln - that performance was the most glaring piece of evidence that some players aren't quite at the levels required just yet.
Aside from perhaps Andy King, City don't really have that defensive-minded option from the bench to offer that resilience and stability in midfield. For a handful of matches in October, there was no central defender to make the bench through illness and injury.
Another reason could be the mentality. It was a problem last season - City being a 'soft touch' and crumbling under the pressure of sides who were pushing for a way back into the game.
That mental fragility isn't as prominent as last season with the arrival of Kal Naismith contributing to the positive change and adding leadership in the ranks but the fact that City have dropped six points from the 75th minute onwards - more than any other club, proves that weakness still remains.
Pearson's game management also has to come into the equation. As mentioned above, a lack of quality from the bench will hamper the decisions and substitutions he has to make during a game especially when it comes to bringing on defenders.
The City manager has been vocal bemoaning his lack of reliable defenders and unless he's able to address the situation in January, conceding avoidable goals will remain a reoccurrence as the season goes on.
The Robins will return to league action on December 10 just a point adrift of the bottom three with their next two games coming against sides who are two points and one point ahead of them in Rotherham and Stoke City.
They'll be some who are anxiously looking over their shoulders heading into the festive period and into the New Year but on the flip side, just seven points adrift of the playoffs is no huge mountain to climb.
Perhaps City's inability to hold onto a lead will improve if, and it's a relatively big if at this stage, Pearson can invest in his backline therefore there it's fair to reserve judgement for later in the season. However, with the possibility of being in the bottom three over Christmas, it's a record that's worth being conscious of.
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