Football 2011-2012

[kaosmark2]

Maiga signing fallen through. Failed a medical apparently.

Shame, I think he would have been a good signing. But if he is going to spend all his time on the operating table, there's not much point. Hope we've got someone else lined up though....

[eFestivals]

Though for the record I'm quite interested in seeing why you think WHU get bigger attendances when they're winning.

From what you said, and from nothing else.

If you're 'amazed' (as you said) at the attendances they're getting, then there's a reason why you're amazed.

We both can recognise (from what both of us have already posted) that teams who are generally winning are more likely to attract a bigger crowd than they would if generally losing. I put your amazement down to that fact but you not applying that fact to WHU.

It is a fact mind, that some clubs core support is stronger than others, and the percentage drop off of supporters at some clubs are much lower than others when performing badly.

Compare say Leeds and WHU as clubs I have already mentioned, against the likes of Villa and Everton and it's clear what I mean.

yep, some clubs have fewer glory hunters, but they'll still have some - which is why we're both able to recognise that teams who are generally winning are more likely to attract a bigger crowd than they would if generally losing.

You have indicated that you dismiss that factor for WHU from your considerations, at least to some extent.

So why are you amazed? Both enough to think I'm strange for pointing out the obvious, and to be amazed at the size of crowd in the first place?

[TheGayTent]

From what you said, and from nothing else.

[strummer77]

See that's the issue. Was it? Or was it used to wind him up in a mock consolatory way?

Context is everything here. Impossible to determine.

[eFestivals]

Which is incorrect - WHU attendances this season are (very slightly) down on last season - yet we're winning a lot more games this season than last.

but you're also playing in a less fashionable league, so the drop is easily explained by West Ham losing fashionista supporters (who, for a club such as West Ham who are unlikely to be winning things, are much the same as Man Utd's glory hunters).

There's fans coming to see West Ham when they're in the Prem who are really coming to see their opposition - but that's probably a factor to some extent for all Prem clubs from 7th downwards I reckon (and perhaps even some above 7th).

I guess amazed was too strong a word. I am surprised at the loyalty given the performances and cost.

Would the fall you mention above be greater if they were also doing shit on the pitch?

Given the facts of football, it's certain that the fall would be greater if they weren't getting the results, unless WHU only has a unique type of fan - but which the facts of the fall in numbers when in the Champs gets to prove they don't.

My perception is that due to the fact that getting a ticket is easier (in the sense that matches aren't sold out weeks in advance) than it was last season, there are more 'day trippers' coming this season.

then that's a good thing for West Ham and suggests they have a rosy fan-future.

There are less 'regulars' at each home game this season, than there were last season, even if the size of the crowd come match day is the same or close to the size of the crowds last season and in previous seasons before that.

Then I'd guess that you also regard that as a good thing because they 'regulars' you'll be likely to have lost are the fashionistas, glory hunters and those who come to watch the opposition and not West Ham.

[TheGayTent]

but you're also playing in a less fashionable league, so the drop is easily explained by West Ham losing fashionista supporters (who, for a club such as West Ham who are unlikely to be winning things, are much the same as Man Utd's glory hunters).

[eFestivals]

We've had this discussion before and I didn't agree with you then. Besides which, that argument would still be true (if it were in the first instance) for the top 6 clubs - unless you think Man Utd supporters get as excited by the visit of Wigan as they do Citeh or Liverpool...

while that's true (after all, I'm sure every Utd fan would rather watch them play City than Wigan), there's less flexibility for their crowds just by the fact that just about every game against the lowly or the high sells out.

Perhaps not...not if the move to the OS goes ahead...

that I guess will depend on what proportion of the crowd are less interested in the footie than they are the surroundings.

[The Nal]

Anyone been reading Keano's current thoughts on Utd/Fergie?

Very interesting stuff.

Here

And a great article by the always excellent James Lawton

[kaosmark2]

Anyone been reading Keano's current thoughts on Utd/Fergie?

Very interesting stuff.

Here

And a great article by the always excellent James Lawton

[TheGayTent]

while that's true (after all, I'm sure every Utd fan would rather watch them play City than Wigan), there's less flexibility for their crowds just by the fact that just about every game against the lowly or the high sells out.

[kaosmark2]

If WHU move into the OS in 2014, I fully expect attendances in 2016/17 to be worse than they currently are in the Boleyn.

[TheGayTent]

Safe standing campaign slowly but surely gaining momentum...

The Scottish Premier League will consider requests to pilot safe-standing areas. The SPL announced a relaxation of their rules on standing following a general meeting of all 12 clubs on Monday.

Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPL, said: "Since I joined the SPL in 2009, there has been widespread support amongst fans to reintroduce safe standing areas. "I am delighted that we have been able to respond positively to supporters' views on improving the match day experience."

Scotland is not bound by the law which banned standing areas in top-flight football in England, which came in to force after the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

[eFestivals]

If WHU move into the OS in 2014, I fully expect attendances in 2016/17 to be worse than they currently are in the Boleyn.

I guess I'we been living under the misapprehwension that footie fans like football but clearly I'm wrong.

Actually, I've always known that's wrong - you only have to consider the standard club fan who only has interest in their club.

[kaosmark2]

I guess I'we been living under the misapprehwension that footie fans like football but clearly I'm wrong.

Actually, I've always known that's wrong - you only have to consider the standard club fan who only has interest in their club.

[eFestivals]

I'd find a stadium with a running track between the seats and the pitch offputting. I doubt I'd be the only one.

I'm sure that lots of people would, but my impressions is that that's only a small part of things.

[strummer77]

And a great article by the always excellent James Lawton

Edited December 19, 2011 by strummer77

[strummer77]

Oh hold on a minute, noones mentioned the fact that Scott Dann's out with a ruptured testicle.

[kaosmark2]

Oh hold on a minute, noones mentioned the fact that Scott Dann's out with a ruptured testicle.

[pink_triangle]

Not as bad as Paddy Barclay though. That man is a complete buffoon. As can be Martin Samuel, but that brilliant Gary Speed piece means I can tolerate him now.

[thetime]

Sky sports Sunday supplement, horrendous but compulsive viewing.

[pink_triangle]

Sky sports Sunday supplement, horrendous but compulsive viewing.

[Ed209]

[The Nal]

Not sure Lawton's always excellent. He wrote one of the weirdest articles I'd ever seen. He stated categorically that Dalglish and Hodgson's records were similar before producing the following stats. Stats which actually contradicted his argument. Here's that section.

[eFestivals]

What time is the Evra/Suarez announcement today? Bored of it now. Just want it over and get on with football.

No idea.

But given the delay it's obvious that there's not any evidence to back up Evra's claims, so my guess is that Suarez will get cleared.

[Wooderson]

Pre game handshake from both players before the Old Trafford game might be a consiliatory gesture?