Chappers

Just for the record, my wife is high risk, but you can’t just live in some bubble, there are many other things that could affect her, like flu. I just can’t go with this media hype and panic-mongering, sensible precautions yes, panic and over-reaction, no.

In some ways I agree, but you either do one thing or another, as there are economic impacts with any cancellation. A lot of Government responses (Particularly the oaf Hancock) just point airily to DWP support for self-isolation, yet he clearly does not know their rules and requirements. It’s like ministers are washing their hands (?) of any actual responsibility, or offering any real support to businesses/ individuals. Ironic thing is that Amazon will probably do well as people stay home... A company who contribute about zero in taxes!

Pretty sure that more people will die as a result of sleeping on the street than this virus. The advice from qualified people has generally been pretty good, sadly swamped by press hysteria and an incoherent and contradictory Government response. I just find it odd that they talk about cancelling sport and other events, but being crammed into public transport like sardines is somehow OK.

Sounds like the final deadlines might be extended again. If this carries on, Bury will start the season about 50 days before the end of the season, if saved.

Two less home games, how much will that cost the Sags?

Thanks for posting, an excellent read. Really glad that we have a committed and prudent owner.

Wigan were not automatically promoted, they were elected. They replaced Southport

The basic concept of Five Pillars is sound, and other than SL spending vast millions, the only realistic way for BCFC to move forward. There will be occasional blips as pragmatism comes to the fore, and we may have to be patient as it takes time to bear fruit.

I presume they have been re-stated. Does seem sensible really, running the club in a sustainable manner. I'd be more concerned with the return of the Four Tops.

reality creeping in, we are not a great side and a number of players are struggling at this level. We are well organised and committed so we will have good days, but will also have some bad days, and some very bad ones! We just have to hope that we can bring in a few solid players in January, and that in May, there are 3 teams worse than us. As for changing the manager, can't see that will achieve a great deal, as it is a poor squad, but who knows?

On my way, just had a breakfast. Still trying to work out how a place can have run out of fried bread, but still have freshly cooked toast.

Not surprised, promoted and add just 3 players, none with much experience at this level, hardly inspires confidence. No panic button yet, but a few worrying signs. Still, Bath City won and Steve Phillips had an excellent game, terrific signing at that level.

I get the impression that Higgs is just desperate to save face. Even if he won an appeal, no doubt Sainsburys would appeal that decision.

Loved the Qatar vote. The top officials in FIFA do a full study and report on the bidding nations, but still manage to miss the small detail that it's chuffing hot in summer!

No problem changing my plans, but I have great sympathy with those who cannot now make it, or have incurred significant expense as a result of this. Fans should look beyond the "I'm alright Jack", and look at the way that the late change to fixtures is becoming more common, and fans are basically being treated with contempt. The more that fans just accept this, the more that Clubs will just take the p**s. It would hardly be unreasonable to set a minimum notice of something like 21 days, with 14 days permitted only in very exceptional circumstances. Watching football is an expensive hobby, especially if travelling away regularly. Time for the clubs to treat it's customers with far more respect. Next time this happens, maybe it will be YOU that can't make it, or is out of pocket.

Did OK, but lacks pace and was not really tested today. Not a bad short-term loan, but exactly the type of signing to avoid if we are looking to progress long-term. Wonder why some people seem to rank every debutant as some sort of wonder-player.

Most managers say what they think we want to hear, or not hear in the case of SOD. To my simple mind, playing 4 centre backs is bullocks, but it may just be tired players and I'm not a winner so my opinion is invalid.

Don't recall Basso shafting us. I thought he fell out with the Manager who then dropped him. After that who knows? Seemed that nobody was big enough to back down and make the peace and the City PR spin machine went in overdrive to paint Basso as the evil villain.

As I recall, we did not give Henderson many chances, made a vanity signing in James that blocked his progress, and once both Gerken and James were re-signed, Henderson made the inevitable decision to look elsewhere. Always thought Henderson looked good, so signing James seemed a mistake at the time, and whilst Gerken is an adequate keeper, never understood why he was ahead of Hendo in pecking order. Thought Hendo hedged his bets, and once James confirmed he was staying, that was when he decided to go. Judging by what has happened since, career wise it was definitely a good move for him. As for Maynard, who can blame him? And at least we got £2M, a few months later and we'd have got nothing.

The only research most of us do is "Can I afford it"?

Demand - How many people will py £28 to watch City v Colchester, Barnsley, QPR, Scunny, Plymouth, Stoke, Palace, Cardiff, Burnley, Hull, and Blackpool (Possibly). Heaps of empty seats at half of the games. How many League games will we sell out if we don't do very well, my guess is NONE. Not at £28+ per ticket. Simple economics- 8,000 X £400 = £3.2 Mill 10,000 X £320 = £3.2 Mill Option 2 also gives more matchday revenue. The 'demand'/ 'we must raise more cash' argument falls flat unless we are seriously challenging at the top (Which I doubt). A short-sighted move that will backfire if we are not successful!

Personally, I think many are over-estimating the draw of Championship football. Likelihood is that we will be mid-low table, and after the first few weeks will hardly be packing fans in, especially for the more mundane opponents. Matchday takings may not be that great, and what really worries me is the knock-on effect next year, once the novelty and excitement of promotion wears off. And if we are relegated, the chickens will well and truly come home to roost. In my opinion, the prices went up just a bit too much, the axing of the early bird was a major error, the limit of 10,000 before inflicting another increase is a major mis-judgement, the lack of cheap family tickets will lose a lot of customers, and potential ones, and the unsympathetic utterances from City (Even if they don't give a damn, just pretend!) don't help. There just seems to be an assumption (And many posters are also making it) that fan numbers are static, and the increased prices = more money. A bit more thought and care, and we could have had the same revenue with more customers, thus increasing match-day revenues from food/ programme sales as well. And improving the atmosphere!