When we were a mid-table Premiership side, I thought that we could have made a bit more of the League Cup. It was a competition in which we might have progressed, bringing some excitement to the season.
Now it raises a dilemma. It would be a blow to morale to go out to a League 1 side like Yeovil Town. It might give us a tie against Premiership opposition - although that would inevitably mean defeat. But ultimately it is a distraction from the chase for promotion.
Clearly the answer is what is likely to happen: we put out a changed side to give the fringe players a chance, but have some firepower on the subs' bench in case it is needed to avoid humiliation. Someone was saying on Saturday that we are allowed seven subs, but only three can come on. A bit different from Keith Peacock's debut as the first ever sub. It will be like ice hockey soon.
We won't be at the Yeovil game as we are going on holiday tomorrow and I will probably be at sea when we play Watford. I think we could get at least a point out of that match and possibly three. I'll be back for the game against Reading.
I see that the old perennial of why the attendance figure doesn't match the number in the ground is being discussed again. The simple answer is that it would not be worth the effort and cost of counting all the ticket stubs to see if everyone who had a season ticket or bought a ticket had turned up.
Rick Everitt has raised some interesting questions about how some of those 'in attendance' are classified. For example, apparently the referee is allowed to bring a guest. Who does he bring? His mum or the president of his appreciation society? If the latter, does he say afterwards, 'I really liked the panache with which you showed that yellow card in the second half'?
Anyway, enjoy the games. Drinking During the Game thinks it might be called off. I'm not sure if we still have the 'whale' to suck up excess water, but I am sure that the Valley drainage system can prevent the pitch becoming waterlogged.
Enjoy the games!
3 comments:
quote
I see that the old perennial of why the attendance figure doesn't match the number in the ground is being discussed again. The simple answer is that it would be worth the effort and cost of counting all the ticket stubs to see if everyone who had a season ticket or bought a ticket had turned up
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I assume you missed out the word 'not' in that.
You're correct of course, but as someone who has firmly had a bee in my bonnet for a while on this subject. Surely we could announce a more honest figure.
Not 'todays attendance' But 'tickets sold for todays match'
I have written on the Official Forum, 'attendance' means those present. Our figures are not attendance.
People have questioned 'why do you care about this' the answer is simple. It makes the club look dishonest.
Thanks for pointing out the error which I have corrected. The club is simply following what I understand is the standard procedure at all clubs. It's possible that some people have been added in who shouldn't have been, but I suspect that happens elsewhere as well. Admittedly, the word 'attendance' is a bit misleading. But from the club's point of view what matters is whether someone has paid for a seat, not whether they are in it. The two figures are particularly likely to be divergent at holiday times.
Wyn - The sun came out about an hour after my post and it's been dry pretty much since. I'm guessing it could rain from 4pm until kick-off now and be playable. I've bought a ticket in any event. Enjoy your hols - Dave
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