by RedRedWine » Fri Aug 21, 2020 10:42 am
I've seen a few people react negatively to the fixtures.... not sure they could've been much better for us to be honest in the current climate. Consider that currently clubs are working through implementing their protocols to operate safely, and that an early/mid October date for stadiums to host fans is slated, and that initially at least no away fans will be allowed to attend games (likely to be a temporary measure, but could last all season).
We get some of our less attractive games out of the way initially (by design, clubs requested this apparently) and some of the more local games are later on in the year when hopefully we can attend. Due to the late start in the season and the continuation of all cup competitions, there was always going to be more Tuesday night games. Many of these are local, which under normal circumstances most people would prefer them to be on Saturday.... but these aren't normal circumstances. Salford, Carlisle and Bolton away on Tuesday nights are all doable with a late dash from work, that is if we are allowed to attend at all - but again the fixtures have seemingly been constructed so that it gives us the best chance of being able to do that. Carlisle is a bad one for a Tuesday, as no trains home for those that don't drive.... but the other local ones should be fine.
Feel for the hardy souls that usually travel to the likes of Exeter on a Saturday (which is now on a Tuesday), but in the new year, when some measures may have been relaxed, having games that are a reasonable commune will give the majority of fans the opportunity to attend. Highlights for me are Harrogate and Walsall away on Saturdays in the new year - Harrogate will be a get weekend, just like York was a few years ago.
It would have been nice to have a 'derby' game on Boxing Day (we have Grimsby), but these festive games usually draw a ground anyway - better to play those types of games in the new year when we could potentially host an away following. The important thing is that we have a home game on Boxing Day, regardless of the opponent - and we should be able to go all being well. I think it worked out well for Barrow (also at home boxing day to Cheltenham), I'm sure they'd rather have a home game vs an away game that they might not be able to attend.
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