I was just about to write how the Jets were travelling after seven rounds, when I reminded myself they had only played five matches.
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Only three A-League sides have played every week and the rest, outside Newcastle, six times.
Not the easiest balance sheet to read.
We could start with those teams who haven't missed a fixture.
Melbourne City have started the season very well, have Jamie Maclaren in red hot goal scoring form and also showed their depth by winning in his absence earlier this month.
They top the table right now but have the first of their three byes (no points) this weekend.
The new boys Western United kicked off the 2019-20 campaign as well as anyone, but have suffered consecutive 1-0 defeats to the Jets and Mariners in games they had plenty of opportunities to secure points.
Those two losses have curtailed an impressive start, but they have generally looked very robust and competitive.
They will get an excellent guide to where their level is on Sunday when they entertain competition heavyweights Sydney FC in Geelong.
The other team to have played a full quota of matches is Melbourne Victory, and they have struggled to find any form.
Five points from seven appearances is sub par by their lofty standards.
Theories abound as to why, but it seems fairly obvious from afar that they have lost an abundance of talent in key areas and haven't adequately replaced them at this stage.
In midfield they are down, all at once - Valeri, Antonis, Troisi and Honda.
That is some measure of quality, composure and control in anyone's language.
It leaves a relatively young back four facing more questions as a result.
The front three of Toivonen, Kruse and Nabbout will score goals but, with due respect, it's hard to see club stalwart Leigh Broxham and converted striker Elvis Kamsoba leading a midfield capable of providing the foundation required.
The majority of outfits have played six games and Sydney FC are the clear standout in that group.
Adelaide have impressed in recent weeks with Troisi and McGree very much at the fore.
The Wanderers, this weeks opponents for the Jets, look much more competitive than last season and copped a horror penalty call to rob them of a point on Friday.
In my eyes, Western Sydney are a contender for the bottom half of the top six and, as such, an important rival for Newcastle.
Perth Glory sit in the bottom half of the table after half-a-dozen appearances.
They are one point below the Mariners, who had a shock win over Western United in Gosford on Sunday.
That ladder situation will be rectified, sooner rather than later.
The Glory side don't have the fitness or mobility that was a feature last season and if that can't be rectified on the training pitch it will be addressed in the January transfer window.
Still a top-four team and title chance.
Brisbane Roar have been competitive without being convincing.
They are organised, passionate and feisty but, seem to me in terms of quality, destined to finish between fifth and ninth.
And, if I'm honest, that's where I think the Jets will end up.
A semi-final berth would be an excellent achievement, given the club's budget and roster, and there have been enough indicators to suggest they are capable of that type of result.
You don't have to be Einstein to work out that scoring enough goals seems to be the most obvious problem at the moment.
Five in five is not awful but is currently, if understandably, the lowest tally in the league.
There has been a significant number of chances created and the return of Wes Hoolahan in the new year will add a great deal to the creativity and flair of the team, but it's still difficult to highlight a proven goal scorer who can be relied upon to secure points regularly.
I wrote in pre-season that if Panamanian import Abdiel Arroyo could get 12 to 15 goals the Jets would make the play-offs.
And I stand by that. But if that's not to be, and the combination of Petratos, Hoffman, Fitzgerald, Thurgate and Hoolahan can't provide 18 to 20, there is another way.
The more conservative, cautious approach, favoured or forced in the past two games, fosters hope for clean sheets and 1-0 victories.
Minimal headlines but maximum effect in league standings.
Something approaching an even goal difference, with 35 to 40 goals scored and conceded, would finish in fifth or sixth at worst I reckon.
Certainly coach Ernie Merrick, by nature a positive and optimistic Scotsman (is that an oxymoron?), will aim higher for some time yet.
But is plan B a viable alternative if the goals don't flow?
We should know a lot more by Christmas with the next four matches being Wanderers at home on Saturday, Adelaide away on December 8, Melbourne City at home on the 15th and Perth away on the 21st.
Important time, indeed!
