League one forever

It’s never that simple. People have their own circumstances, and if they can only make a few games they have as much right to comment as someone who goes every week. I mostly agree with this- especially the size of the fanbase/club, the vibe, selling to sponsors. Where I’d disagree is associated expenditure- I think season ticket holders are just as likely to miss as POTD as their game cost is very cheap, loads of times this season the announced attendance is nowhere near the actual attendance- and that can only be season tickets giving it a miss- but still included in the gate.

They are mate. The conversation started with somebody saying- I hope those not buying a season ticket don’t moan about the playing budget. Agreed. But the key word there is aspect. They’re an aspect to the overall budget/incomings but nowhere near the whole thing.

You seem very angry again. You ok?

Season ticket sales provide income to the club over the Summer. Why was the closing date set for just after the last game of season? How can they set a budget when they don’t know which contracted players they can move on? But much more that- The season ticket sales last season generated circa 1.1 million. That’s 21.5k a week. We know Nors and Nutall are on very good money- let’s 8-10k a week. How are we paying the other 28 members of the squad if the season ticket sales were paramount to setting a budget?

Oh dear. Personal - again. Tut tut.

Ahhh. Riiiiiight. Well their ‘gauge’ of last season was an absolute country mile off what they’ve actually spent. So hopefully they’ll rethink and budget for a whole instead of a ‘gauge’.

Except you. .

Of course- it’s a big part of the budget. My point is- season tickets aren’t the whole budget. . as this season obviously shows. There is no way last seasons ticket money alone is paying for the current squad.

I know. But that’s a myth. We sold circa 4000 season tickets last season at £280 a pop. That’s 1.1 million. There’s no way we set our budget off that last season. Norwood Nuttall Reid Kurt Fondop Them five alone would be the best part of a million in wages. So what pays the other 20 odd players in the squad?? In the article on the official website it says our average home attendance is 6800- that is what the playing budget will be decided on. 1.1 million in season ticket sales divided by 52 - £21.5k a week. Circa 3000 POTD paying £25 for 23 games- gives you 1.725 million. 1.725 million divided by 52- 33k a week. Our playing budget is therefore anything up to 54.5k a week. Which is far more realistic with a squad of 30 players.

Your season ticket buys you a season ticket not a superior right- Season ticket is important money over the summer, but it doesn’t fund everything over the course of the season. That’s where match day and POTD revenue comes in. I’ve spent more this season by POTD, than people paid for their season tickets. So by your rationale- I deserve a bigger say than you because I’ve financially made a bigger contribution. . . Or maybe we should realise it’s each to their own, no fan is better than the other and each individual does what works for them.

How do you correlate the two?

Here’s what will happen. We’ll get enough points from, Flyde Alty, and Rochdale to still have a sniff. We’ll lose at Oxford, who are worse than awful- then win at Halifax- somehow we’ll still be able to sneak in but need to be beat Wealdstone on the last day and hope other results go for us. The results will go for us and we’ll draw - snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Flyde- D Alty- W Dale - W Oxford - L Halifax - W Wealdstone - D Finishing 8th.

True, but it is beyond the realm of possibility that we’ll win at least 4 of the last 6 in my view.

Yeah, the apathy has kicked in again. I only going on Friday because I promised my daughter, I’ve tried suggesting other things but she won’t budge. The excitement in our house is palpable. . .

If he had played every game, I’d say that was a bit underwhelming. But he hasn’t. He’s scored 1 in 2 for a side that creates very little. That’s decent- and to answer your question, yes he meets expectation at 1 in 2. Some strikers are scorers of great goals and some are great goal scorers. He is the latter. I can’t remember one worldie, but I can remember his movement, his calmness and his poise in front of goal. All of which are levels above anyone else at the club. Plenty. This does need to improve.

Things that need sorting. A right back. Competition for Kitch. Signing some wingers. Having a consistent style of play. Playing to a tempo for 90 minutes. Passing to a team mate 10 yards away. Things that don’t need sorting. Identifying our top goal scorer as a major issue.

Spitting abuse doesn’t help, and a line needs to be drawn. But booing at the end is an acceptable way to demonstrate your frustration. The idea everyone just quietly walks away and suppresses their frustration to protect the players is never going to happen- and nor should it. They love coming over after a win, they need to be big enough to cop a bit when we are abject.

I have such mixed feelings about us. On the one hand, I see the bigger picture and the health of the club is very positive. On the other hand, we should be doing better this season given the calibre of manager and the pedigree of players. I suppose I’m just struggling with a few places higher being seen as enough progress. Feels like clutching a little bit. Even Mickey said the target was playoffs. . .

Yeah, agreed. I’ve stayed off here all weekend because the dreaded apathy has set in a bit, as I don’t think we’ll make it now. We need a complete turnaround in form and it’s not happening. Marc White said at the start of the season we’d finish 8th, and I want his lottery numbers because I think he’ll be spot on. I’ve defended Mellon, and if- as expected we don’t make the playoffs, he still gets the summer to rebuild and the start of next season to see if he can push us on. But- there’s no denying, he has underachieved this season. We were mid-table when he came in, he had an underachieving squad and got some results, he has then been backed with 5/6 signings and the net result is- we are a few places higher. That’s a poor return. He’s wasn’t brought in for gradual improvement, he was brought in to win promotion. He said himself the target this season was playoffs- that doesn’t look like happening and he’s under big pressure next season.

Yep. Good to luck him. As far as we are concerned, he’s a development player in my view. He looks and plays like an enthusiastic boy in a man’s game. Loads of energy, and picks up good pockets of space but if you get knocked off the ball so easily it’s difficult to be effective. A summer in the gym, and hopefully he kicks on next season.

Did the club get back to you Dave?

I know. I’m pretty sure the novelty will wear off after 3 minutes, and like me- she’ll be thinking wtf am I doing here.

Two more bought today. Taking my daughter to her first away game.

Any team that has only lost 3 in 12 should be confident of a strong finish.