|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 4, 2024 14:29:20 GMT
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 4, 2024 13:36:16 GMT
Recall not long after their demise from the Prem they came to the Mem and were less than complimentary on their first visit.One of their fans said ,'It's like being in Chernobyl'. Best not to ask him a description of Greater Manchester!.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 4, 2024 12:25:08 GMT
A hypothetical question. How many would you bring if you were allowed ?. On team selection I would go all out attack. We sit far too deep at home . If we play our usual defensive game then I expect a comfortable away win. If we drop two out of midfield and play Thomas and Brown . I reckon we could get a draw or scrap an unexpected win. Our current system is failing at home games .Good question. Probably around 3k at a guess. Not the easiest of journeys, but interest is high. 3k that was my prediction. I was looking at Pompey 4k Derby 4k Bolton 3k Reading 3k Charlton 2k maybe Barnsley 1.5k first away game plus Norwich 2k. Anything up to 15k extra away fans prevented due to a tight allocation of 1300.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 4, 2024 11:58:35 GMT
How are we all doing folks? Been a while. We frequently have the away allocation discussion on the Wanderers boards and personally I'm in the "give them what we can't sell" camp - it's much-needed money in the club's coffers. Security is always brought up as an objection, but this isn't the 70s with running battles before, during and after these days and it's not beyond the wit of man to come up with a solution that keeps everybody sweet. Now that we are more "community-focused" than we used to be, with a much larger percentage of kids and families attending, it bugs me to see a bunfight for home tickets at ours and an entire end of the Toughshit half or more than half empty which kills the atmosphere. One team recently brought less than 300 fans who were in an area that seats 5k.
In our last game against Reading we tried something different. It was one of our "community days" (events, entertainment and cheap tickets e.g. £10 for adults) and home fans were allowed in what is traditionally the away end. Massive crowd, zero trouble, great atmosphere. Obviously the discount tickets contributed, but it proved that in principle it might work going forward.
Aaron Collins: Our biggest transfer fee in years, so there were a lot of doubters. Evatt said he's had his eye on Collins for ages and was considering a bid next summer but with our strikers being decimated through injury his hand was forced and he felt he had to do it in January - and I suspect we paid over the odds, but needs must as they say. Personally I like him although he's not an out-and-out striker as such, but will run for England which is exactly what Evatt demands. Definitely won most of the doubters over with a fine hat trick against Reading. Dion Charles should theoretically be back soon but I doubt it will be in time to start building a partnership with AC. For now AC's partnering the ageing Jon Dadi Bodvarsson - a classy striker but past his peak. Evatt's early season strategy was to have Charles and Adeboyejo run themselves to a standstill up top and then sub both strikers for the last half hour but his only option recently has been the even older Cameron Jerome who is ostensibly with the club as a striker coach - but TBF he does a decent job when called upon. If only he was still the player he once was... I reckon Collins needs time to build a settled partnership but it won't happen this season.
How are we feeling? Gutted. Gutted that we were robbed at Derby where we dominated but couldn't get the ball over their line due to profligate finishing and some great saves from their goalie and then conceding a late goal to lose it - a set piece header from ex-City's Kane Wilson that was handled into the net by Waghorn - and allowed to stand. Ironically we tried to sign Wilson, agreed a fee but couldn't afford his wage demands so he went to Derby. Equally gutted that Pompey didn't do a job on them on Tuesday. All of which means our automatic promotion hopes are in tatters which is particularly annoying as before our injury crisis at the end of January we were 2 points behind the leaders with 3 games in hand - ours for the taking. Little or no chance of overhauling Derby now given their remaining fixtures - even though some fans still want to believe it. For the automatics to happen, we have to win every game, Derby have to at least lose one and we have to haul in a GD deficit of 4. We play Pompey at home and Posh away, whilst Derby have Wycombe, Orient, the U's and Carlisle so I'm not seeing much light there.
All that said, we have work to do, even if it's preparation for the playoffs.
When we started getting injury after injury, Evatt struggled to readjust, had a more defensive mindset and we went on an appalling run of results - and moreover, performances, that opened the door for the teams around us. In theory at least, we have the squad depth to cover but with players unfamiliar with each other, tactical tweaks to reduce risk and an attack that was about as ruthless as a dead kitten, we were all over the place at times and deservedly slipped back. But it was the performances that were most worrying. Our usually strong passing game went to pot, we overcomplicated things and errors started creeping in at the back too.
However there have been signs of improvement recently, notably a return to the high tempo, high risk cavalier attacking style that brought us success earlier in the campaign. From my perspective we need more of that. Yes we'll get caught out and concede but we'll give ourselves every chance of scoring more at the other end. And if we lose, we'll at least lose trying to play free-flowing entertaining football.
In reality we have two basic styles of playing depending on the opposition so my question is are you likely to sit in with banks of defenders or have a real go at us? Don't want to second guess Matt Taylor as he's an astute manager, but I was wondering what you expect from the team on Saturday?
A hypothetical question. How many would you bring if you were allowed ?. On team selection I would go all out attack. We sit far too deep at home . If we play our usual defensive game then I expect a comfortable away win. If we drop two out of midfield and play Thomas and Brown . I reckon we could get a draw or scrap an unexpected win. Our current system is failing at home games .
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 4, 2024 8:41:15 GMT
Can you post a link to where anybody has suggested giving Bolton 4,000 tickets? That's the limited 1300. Even though we may have 3-4k empty spaces in CAT A games. The club will not bend on the 1300 away allocation. Otherwise Derby Bolton Reading Peterboro would have brought 3-4k fans and we would have got crowds of 12000. That ok for you topper? Old market gas openly says he has been campaigning for bigger away support if there are tickets left, his prerogative. I happen to disagree hence my MK Dons comment. I have said that and I will stick to my view that if sells are poor. The club under review could increase away support incrementaly. However given the club are now selling STs up to the middle section and we need a ' sterile' area . The club will be very limited from now on to offer any additional tickets to away fans . At best it may be 200 extra tickets next season taking entire away allocation to around 1500. Therefore my argument have been lost and clearly the club and some fans want to Limited away income. Equally I find it difficult to understand that some fans would perfer empty terracing and a ' ghost town ' in some parts of the ground. In the last month I have heard fans pointing to the East terrace laughing ' look its empty there's nobody there '. I was told once capacity was increased we will be getting 10 11k gates. Personally it's frustrating we will get 9000 v Bolton when we could of got 11000 . Anyway now STs are selling in the south stand . There is a limited to what the club can do and the steadfast stance to only allow 1300 will roll over now to next season maybe increasing by a couple of hundred at very best.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 20:11:22 GMT
I just did a quick bit of research. Biggest away followings this season. Lincoln 1870 wycombe 1840 shrews 1654 Cheltenham 1516 Cambridge 1470 Northampton 1467. All smaller grounds offering bigger away followings. That will teach me to make assumptions without checking facts! I did look up some but not all. Well done Oldmarket. I think we are all surprised why a ground holding 12000 only allows 1300 away. Burton gave Derby 1484 Stevenage gave Derby 1392. I'm using Derby away allocation local derby's might get more v those teams I mentioned. I think Fleetwood holding 5300 gave Derby around 1200 so there is one that offers less. Plus we will be 3-4k short of capacity on Saturday. I would of thought clubs would want to fill stadiums and maximise profits ?.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 19:43:40 GMT
Interestingly and I have said before there is the demand from home supporters for more seating and that is why the South Stand has become so popular. Over 900 season tickets have been sold for the South Stand/SW stand for next season. Bolton have been given 1,342 tickets which equates to 10.7% of the capacity of 12,500. However when you factor in the capacity less segregation the % increases to 11.18. There are quite a few teams in League 1 which give less to away teams than Rovers: Lincoln, Cheltenham, Cambridge, Burton, Fleetwood, Northampton, Exeter, Orient, Stevenage, Wycombe, Shrewsbury. That is nearly 50% of the sides in League 1. I just did a quick bit of research. Biggest away followings this season. Lincoln 1870 wycombe 1840 shrews 1654 Cheltenham 1516 Cambridge 1470 Northampton 1467. All smaller grounds offering bigger away followings.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 10:50:34 GMT
Sadly not STs being sold in South stand as we speak. And with separation it wouldn't be worth the outlay . S.Ts are too close to gate 3 and with the full sheet in section 3 . It be minimum of away extra seats next season maybe 50 -100. No season tickets in section G, but I take your point. Lets get the South east section done soon! Section G will be the sterile area next season. The away fans will get two sections which is similar to now ( except a small sheet ). Maybe an extra 100 seats. Once East terrace starts away fans will be limited to 700-800 seats. We are losing big money I.M.O.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 10:30:47 GMT
At this point in time, it's not that the club doesn't want to give more tickets. It's not physically possible to give them more tickets whilst keeping the segregation between the fans. My hope is that the South Stand will be full on Saturday. This seems to be correct. Hopefully in the close season some amendments can be made to make the SS allocations much more flexible (as intended?) Sadly not STs being sold in South stand as we speak. And with separation it wouldn't be worth the outlay . S.Ts are too close to gate 3 and with the full sheet in section 3 . It be minimum of away extra seats next season maybe 50 -100.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 10:28:30 GMT
That's the limited 1300. Even though we may have 3-4k empty spaces in CAT A games. The club will not bend on the 1300 away allocation. Otherwise Derby Bolton Reading Peterboro would of brought 3-4k fans and we would of got crowds of 12000. It be 9k plus with a mere 1300 away. Why they are steadfast in this policy I don't know. Its been the policy for years and it ain't changing !. P.S The above teams sold out in 24 hours 1300. We could of sold 10k extra tickets to the teams above very easily. At this point in time, it's not that the club doesn't want to give more tickets. It's not physically possible to give them more tickets whilst keeping the segregation between the fans. My hope is that the South Stand will be full on Saturday. I think we exhausted this before. And Yatton & Russgas suggested we put in an additional gate which could be done in a day or two. Either way the club isn't going to move on the 1300 away allocation. Maybe there are reasons beyond which we don't know about but it's not a gate !.
|
|
|
Sell ons
Apr 3, 2024 9:53:43 GMT
via mobile
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 9:53:43 GMT
I would assume we have a clause for Aaron to win promotion but what about JCH. No doubt we got some extra money when Peterborough went up before, but does the promotion clause come into effect more than once if it still from the same division? I assume it is based on the wording on the clause. Did we put in a EFL trophy clause? It be a legal minefield with J.C.H. I believe he signed a 4 year contract which expires on July 1st 2024. So technically it is within the ' contract' by the two clubs and not extended. That's if it was a 4 year contract. Surely AC would have perks for us .
|
|
|
Sell ons
Apr 3, 2024 9:47:30 GMT
via mobile
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 9:47:30 GMT
We would need to ask a legal expert about the JCH deal. It depends on the initial contract and the wordings and whether it's multiple.
A.C is a yes!.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 9:30:19 GMT
The away teams get the same as before when we had the tents 1300. All my campaigning for 10 years plus to increase away capacity in order to increase gate receipts is lost. I estimate the club is losing up to 500k a season on limiting away fans to the lowest away allocation in division one maybe the entire leagues. Even Cheltenham give more. Anyway I give up now . It is what it is !. give them as many as they want if we could. Dead rubber for us so may as well get the coins in That's the limited 1300. Even though we may have 3-4k empty spaces in CAT A games. The club will not bend on the 1300 away allocation. Otherwise Derby Bolton Reading Peterboro would of brought 3-4k fans and we would of got crowds of 12000. It be 9k plus with a mere 1300 away. Why they are steadfast in this policy I don't know. Its been the policy for years and it ain't changing !. P.S The above teams sold out in 24 hours 1300. We could of sold 10k extra tickets to the teams above very easily.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 3, 2024 8:51:38 GMT
Fair enough, hopefully he isn't made to feel too welcome. I'm sure the club have given Bolton close to 2K tickets in the East terrace and South Stand, similar to the Derby game will feel like a home match. We are a soft touch. Because we are going to sell out the rest of the ground how? The away teams get the same as before when we had the tents 1300. All my campaigning for 10 years plus to increase away capacity in order to increase gate receipts is lost. I estimate the club is losing up to 500k a season on limiting away fans to the lowest away allocation in division one maybe the entire leagues. Even Cheltenham give more. Anyway I give up now . It is what it is !.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 2, 2024 13:24:23 GMT
Surely Taylor's that he just needs a Craig type player alongside him? No idea what we do with Wilson, as I can't see clubs will be lining up to take him off our hands. Baffling how he was part of Plymouth's promotion team last term. But Argyle realised as soon as they had promotion that he wouldn’t be part of their Championship squad. They knew his limitations and that age had caught up with him. Sadly with us he’s been injured, which at his age, affects him more and that’s led to him being not so good. And perhaps he’s realised that hence the frustration which affects his attitude. Who knows, but whatever it is he’s not been as good as he was with Argyle. Sadly. UTG! Talking of Muff sacked manager after 12 weeks . I expect its already been mentioned on forum. www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2024-04-02/plymouth-argyle-sack-ian-foster-as-head-coach-after-just-11-league-matches
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 2, 2024 10:45:18 GMT
Listen objectively to what he says about both clubs.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Apr 2, 2024 10:42:12 GMT
So you don't rate Conteh Topper? As I said did we really need spend £250K on just Conteh when we were lacking in so many other areas. Personally I'd start with yesterday's midfield, if Ward can't play 90 mins, rather than recall Conteh. The answer is NO. Let's remember this was a record signing which was given to Taylor by the board . We all knew poor Chris Martin will burn out and the man needs to be given full credit like Andy Rammell. Taylor should of focused on a striker early in the window This blame culture of pass managers isn't addressing the here and now. The fact is football is poor and the crowd is silent. I still can't understand why he plays one striker up front and they sit so deep at home. The Shrews manager in his post interview was very damming describing both clubs " As not division one teams and the performances well below divisionone standards ". A honest guy !.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Mar 29, 2024 17:59:49 GMT
Imagine if we didn't sign Chris Martin pushing 36 this year and one of the few players you could thank this season for effort!. In my opinion - This Manager certainly doesn’t breed any confidence. As this is a reflection in the team performance week in week out. if we lose on Monday, then surely there has to be some serious questions asked about the way the club is geing managed / run. He has obviously “lost the dressing room” and its beginning to be painful watching an overpaid and over rated squad that is not fit to wear the shirt based on the latest “effort”. Ollie ( as manager) was never the answer BUT I’m sure he would never allow us to sink to this level. NO SHOTS - CLUELESS its very very Boring and very frustrating watching my team these days. As mentioned…….. Chris Martin has kept us up! …..anything less than a win on Monday ……… well you know what the consequences should be…… no excuses! Totally agree but for various reasons he keeps his job regardless of results even if we lose 6 out the next 7. Otherwise based on the 'target' by not being in the 'top 8' he would of been gone . The board and management will be inflexible / flexible in order to avoid the appearance of a poor decision being made.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Mar 29, 2024 17:22:50 GMT
How is it, we go so long into a game against a team in the bottom four, without getting a shot away!?! Lack lustre, not a single player is worthy of a contract next season. I feel sorry for the fans that wasted their hard earned money going to support them… those players don’t deserve supports like that… especially considering their last showing!!! Imagine if we didn't sign Chris Martin pushing 36 this year and one of the few players you could thank this season for effort!.
|
|
|
Post by oldmarket65 on Mar 29, 2024 17:09:18 GMT
I seriously can’t see how 0 goals for and 9 against in the last 4 games is “moving in the right direction” as Taylor keeps telling us. He needs to get a serious grip because what he’s dishing out at the moment is nothing short of a disgrace Also our home record is W 2 D 0 L 6 since Christmmas.
|
|