Football 16-17

[kaosmark2]

1 hour ago, Hugh Jass said:

A fair point, but how many of these casual fans do lower league matches get every week? I genuinely don't know but I assume most League 1/2 and below clubs have their core fanbase of ST holders and regulars and not much beyond that. The occasional casual punter, but I can't imagine enough to make a serious impact on their finances. I could be wrong though.

Besides, the big matches like Arsenal v City would never be shown at 3pm on Saturday, they'll always have their own dedicated slot in the schedule - why take focus away from one of your premium products by putting other matches up against it? These days most 3pm Saturday kick offs are the preserve of mid-table fodder like West Brom and Stoke.

ST holders accounted for ~60% of Oxford Utd's gate receipts 2 seasons ago. If that's fairly typical (and I've no idea why it wouldn't be), then anything that impacted on the other 40% should be considered carefully. In terms of attendance that's obviously a greater proportion because STs carry a hefty discount, but still. 

Part of the reason those big matches have their own slots is because they're televised though? If 3pm kickoffs are allowed, some of the big games will be there. I agree the really top tier matches will usually be Sunday games, but is it really worth the risk?

1 hour ago, mjsell said:

Completely agree with you of course. But you have also stated several things that are problems whether they show 3pm games or not.

Yup, it's a problem clubs have competing with TV, but it is still a factor that's exaggerated by televised 3pm games.

[kaosmark2]

54 minutes ago, The Nal said:

I think we're about 25 years beyond the footie authorities caring about that now. 

"Fan who goes" = 50,000 people vs a possible television audience of hundreds of millions. 

Not entirely the case, the reason the 3pm television ban has been maintained is to try and help sell the idea of the English football atmosphere. If games televised around the globe are shown with empty grounds the brand is damaged. Are the UK armchair fans worth the loss of attendees and that brand damage?

[Wooderson]

2 hours ago, thetime said:

Exactly what is wrong with top level football, more emphasis on the people who don't go to games rather than the fan who goes.

Nice trips home in the middle of the night for away fans.

[TheGayTent]

3 hours ago, The Nal said:

I think we're about 25 years beyond the footie authorities caring about that now. 

"Fan who goes" = 50,000 people vs a possible television audience of hundreds of millions. 

It's one thing authorities and money men not caring, but doesn't mean to say numpties have to agree with it. 

[Gucci Piggy]

France's team for the near future is ridiculous. Mbappe/Griezmann/Dembele front three, Kante/Pogba CM pairing, Varane/Umtiti CB pairing, Mendy at LB, Lloris got a good few years left in him in goal.

We're hilarious in comparison. Alli, Kane and a load of Southampton-level turds.

[Gucci Piggy]

8 hours ago, Hugh Jass said:

Looks like Pickford might well be going to Everton, along with Klaassen from Ajax.

http://www.football365.com/news/everton-close-in-on-56m-double-deal-report

Said before that Everton's the perfect move for him at this stage of his career. Regular football at a big club without the added pressure that comes with playing for a massive club United or Liverpool.

Perfect move for him, yeah. Would be perfect for Michael Keane, too, if he insists on leaving Burnley. Hope he doesn't go to United or something to sit on the bench.

[pink_triangle]

18 hours ago, Hugh Jass said:

I don't think it would have much of an impact on the lower leagues to be honest. Let's face facts, most people who want to watch a Premier league match at 3pm know how to these days and have done for the last few years. Has it made that much difference to lower league attendances? Making them available via Sky/BT/whoever would just be legitimising an already well established practice.

I do wonder if the bursting of the bubble is getting closer. Sky are currently suffering huge losses in terms of subscriptions, as people have figured out they can stream every match for much less, and they aren't going to make them up with a few extra Saturday night matches. They'll be less willing to pay the hundreds of millions required for rights when it comes round again next year, and if they don't, who will?

I think it would have a huge impact. From having always followed a lower league club, I know there are many non season ticket holders particularly on Saturday as the evening games are too late for some kids. As the season reaches a climax these numbers increase for clubs with something to play for.

There may be some people watching live streams, however there are also still many who don't.

[The Nal]

13 hours ago, TheGayTent said:

It's one thing authorities and money men not caring, but doesn't mean to say numpties have to agree with it. 

A lot of the Spanish games are on Saturday nights. Fuck all away fans go. They don't care. They get huge ratings and advertising revenue. Can see that being the future unfortunately. 

[Hugh Jass]

Fixtures are out for the PL. We have a fairly gentle opening set of matches:

Bournemouth, Burnley, Stoke, Brighton, West Ham

[Hugh Jass]

6 minutes ago, The Nal said:

A lot of the Spanish games are on Saturday nights. Fuck all away fans go. They don't care. They get huge ratings and advertising revenue. Can see that being the future unfortunately. 

TV money isn't shared equally in Spain though. The schedules are basically tuned to what suits Real and Barca, the other 18 teams can go fuck themselves.

[pink_triangle]

7 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said:

Fixtures are out for the PL. We have a fairly gentle opening set of matches:

Bournemouth, Burnley, Stoke, Brighton, West Ham

Does anyone know how random the fixture list is?

[Hugh Jass]

Just now, pink_triangle said:

Does anyone know how random the fixture list is?

I think it's fairly random, although they obviously have to factor in geography, policing, etc (ie United and City not at home at the same time for example) and I'm fairly sure Sky has some input so you get SuperDuperMegaSundays every now and then.

[pink_triangle]

6 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said:

I think it's fairly random, although they obviously have to factor in geography, policing, etc (ie United and City not at home at the same time for example) and I'm fairly sure Sky has some input so you get SuperDuperMegaSundays every now and then.

My perception is also that the teams who are seen as title contenders at the start are kept apart on the last day.

[Hugh Jass]

7 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

My perception is also that the teams who are seen as title contenders at the start are kept apart on the last day.

Yeah you're right, they should make big six play each other with three matches to go (title's usually wrapped up by the last day).

[TheGayTent]

39 minutes ago, The Nal said:

A lot of the Spanish games are on Saturday nights. Fuck all away fans go. They don't care. They get huge ratings and advertising revenue. Can see that being the future unfortunately. 

Spain has always been different to England when it comes to the size of away supports due to the size of the country. The average distance to an away game in Spain is something like 350 miles. 

The away fans do care, however they have such little power. 

Supporter apathy and tv dickheads have a lot to answer for. 

[TheGayTent]

Pickford will have a tough time of it at the start of the season if his deal with Everton goes through 

[TheGayTent]

Man Utd first up - bound to be on TV - which means can't book up travel or hotels until much later when they're announced - which means it'll be an expensive trip. 

Same old bollocks 

[Hugh Jass]

39 minutes ago, TheGayTent said:

Man Utd first up - bound to be on TV - which means can't book up travel or hotels until much later when they're announced - which means it'll be an expensive trip. 

Same old bollocks 

How many games are picked for TV opening weekend? Five?

Chelsea - Burnley (Champions are always televised)

Brighton - City

United - West Ham

Newcastle - Spurs

Watford - Liverpool

[lost]

Tuchel to the saints? I would think Southampton fans would be pleased with that. 

[TheGayTent]

1 hour ago, lost said:

Tuchel to the saints? I would think Southampton fans would be pleased with that. 

? Hasn't he said no?

[lost]

29 minutes ago, TheGayTent said:

? Hasn't he said no?

Dunno beeb has him down as favourite

[Hugh Jass]

38 minutes ago, lost said:

Dunno beeb has him down as favourite

There are no big PL jobs available or even on the horizon anytime soon. He might be thinking a good year or two at Southampton will set him up nicely for when one does come up.

[pink_triangle]

I would be slightly wary of taking a job where the previous manager has achieved the highest league position you could realistically expect.

[lost]

In other news Klassen to Everton is done which I guess means Barkley is on his way. I wonder where he will end up?

[Hugh Jass]

1 hour ago, lost said:

In other news Klassen to Everton is done which I guess means Barkley is on his way. I wonder where he will end up?

Spurs were the favourites, but is he better than Eriksen or Alli? I think not. Would be a lot of money to spend on a squad player.

Can't make up my mind as to whether Barkley is actually any good or not, looks quality every few matches but seem to disappear a fair bit.