After five games last season, Notts County had four points on the board - exactly the same number as this time around.
On paper it seems worrying, with last year being one of the worst in the club's history under the departed Steve Thompson. 
Despite this, there is still a relatively upbeat mood around Meadow Lane because Notts are now looking like a team with great potential.
Rather than relying on heroic defensive performances to get by, Ian McParland's side now look like they can break teams down to create goal-scoring opportunities - a rarity last season.
Trading in a long ball system, pivoting around the target of Jason Lee's head, Notts have adopted a more aesthetic passing game.
Rather than being a one trick pony, County seem to have something about them, utilising the midfield effectively for the first time in years.
Jay Smith, Richard Butcher and Myles Weston have all excelled in this new look style, shaking off any unhappy memories of a painful relegation battle.
Rather than ping the ball up-front with every touch, these players now look composed on the ball and able to bring their team-mates into play with a simple pass, allowing the team to attack as a unit.
Mixing in well with the new recruits, such as Matthew Hamshaw, Jamie Forrester, and Delroy Facey, Notts look a better balanced and more capable outfit.
Such positives were absent at this time last year, with Notts looking set for
another struggle in the basement division.
Now it appears that just one win will lift all the pressure and send the Magpies soaring; especially now some of the division's weaker sides are being approached on the fixture list.
There is no doubt that McParland will target a victory against this weekend's opponents, Accrington Stanley, who are a team that his side must beat if they are realistic about a top-half finish.
To progress, however, Notts must find a killer touch and learn to cut out the mistakes.
Notts' manager re-iterated this to the Nottingham Evening Post after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. He explained: "We cannot keep shooting ourselves in the foot.
"The players have to learn when they get a goal ahead to shut-up shop, show a bit of character, even if it means turning them for a few minutes and sticking it in behind them.
"I am happy with that as long as it takes the sting out of them."
County have faced a very tough opening to the season, coming up against some of the division's best sides.
Although no victories have yet been recorded, it looks like one is about to come, with Notts at least matching these top teams - a huge contrast to last season's shambles.
If the Magpies continue to produce this manner of performance and stick to their guns, it will be just a matter of time before it all comes together.
After all, it was the sixth game of the season that Notts recorded their first three points last year, defeating a poor Dagenham and Redbridge 1-0.