REMARKABLY, Mansfield Town will kick off 2013 in a similar, if not better, position than they began this year.
And, when you recall what has taken place in the last 12 months, it has been an eventful year in north Nottinghamshire.
Back on New Year's Day, the Stags were seven points off the play-offs in the Blue Square Bet Premier after 26 matches, with 20 still to play. At present, they are six points of the top five after 21 matches – and with games in hand on a lot of their rivals.
But what was to follow at the start of 2012 was a remarkable run that catapulted Paul Cox's side into third place in the standings.
By the time they had swept aside Kidderminster 3-0 on the final day of the season, they were 13 points clear of the Harriers, who finished in sixth, just outside the play-offs.
The stunning run started following defeat to Newport on February 18, when they embarked on an unbeaten run that went into the play-offs.
Cox always talked about coming around the bend into the new year, into the business end of the campaign, in good form.
And his side gelled, as he brought in the likes of trusted striker Matt Rhead, who had continued playing part-time while working at JCB.
In fact, in their last 15 games, Mansfield won 13, drew one and lost just the solitary game.
And all four points dropped out of a possible 45 came against eventual champions Fleetwood, drawing 1-1 at home and losing 2-0 away.
Also, in their penultimate match against Wrexham at the One Call Stadium, in front of the Premier Sports cameras, goalkeeper Alan Marriott scored with a huge punt downfield from his own goalmouth.
It was a remarkable achievement from the veteran and a highlight of the year.
But the real business was to follow with the play-offs and a two-legged date with York City.
Given the Stags' form and their best finish during their four seasons in the Blue Square Bet Premier, there was plenty of optimism around.
In fact, the 89 points they gained was 27 more than any other season and a great return for Cox in his first campaign in charge, after joining the previous summer from Eastwood Town.
But 30-goal top scorer Matt Green was sent off late in the first leg, in a match drawn 1-1 – with Ross Dyer getting the Mansfield goal.
The game made the news for other reasons, as chief executive and then fiancee Carolyn Still, now wife, of chairman John Radford was arrested outside the ground for using threatening words and behaviour and given a police caution.
But the much-anticipated second-leg at the One Call Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, with a final at Wembley at stake, did not go to plan.
A nervy, cagey affair went to extra-time and the Stags lost 1-0, the game ending with skipper Adam Murray and boss Cox shedding tears.
But once the dust had settled, expectation levels had never been so high as Cox penned a new two-year deal and went about building a big squad.
In came experienced players like George Pilkington and Jamie Tolley, as a 30-man squad was assembled.
But the season started with a 4-3 home defeat to Newport and then 4-1 thumping at Gateshead a few days later.
And while the home form was rectified – the Stags had not lost since the opening day prior to Boxing Day's match with Alfreton – away they failed miserably.
They suffered 4-1 defeats at Grimsby and Cambridge and a 2-0 reverse at Dartford as the fans started to turn on Cox and his side.
In the end, Cox culled his big squad with players like Gary Roberts, Pilkington, Jamie Hand and Tolley all axed as he looked to create a tighter, close-knit changing room.
Another low was November's replay defeat to Matlock in the FA Trophy at the first hurdle, but that was the only defeat in an 11-game sequence in all competitions, prior to facing Alfreton this week in the league.
In the league, the Stags were slowly getting themselves in position, gaining just a second away win in the league at Macclesfield, winning 3-0.
And in the FA Cup, they saw off Workington, Slough and then Lincoln in a pulsating replay to book a place with Liverpool in the third round in the new year.
It was a great way to close out a rollercoaster year, with fans queuing around the stadium in the pouring rain to get their hands on tickets for that match, which has sold out.
That will ensure the first week of 2013 goes off with a bang.
But when it comes to the league, the Stags are well placed, as the start of 2012 proves.
There have been highs and lows, but next year should prove to be just as much of a ride.
Maybe, just maybe, the Stags could be in the Football League come this time next year.
I'm sure that will be a wish many Mansfield fans are making on New Year's Eve – that and beating Liverpool of course!
