Football in empty stadiums

claret wizard · Post by **claret wizard** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:08 pm

It’s just rubbish. Boring, even the best bits of skill are just meh.

Let’s wrap the season up as soon as.

fanzone · Post by **fanzone** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:10 pm

How many challenges have been backed out of in what's supposed to be a fierce derby in Germany - Awful spectacle

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:43 pm

: 15896399455231128957013.jpg (1.67 MiB) Viewed 3602 times

bloody weied no fans......its crap, lets just end the season now

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:45 pm

Needs must for now, and get the season done.
I wouldn't even contemplate starting a new season until its 100% safe to return back and for normality to resume and that includes the fans.
If that's 2021, then so be it.

Football is nothing without fans, i may aswell be watching a training session....
The passion comes from the fans to the players and makes the game what it is

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:46 pm

At least it’s something to watch.

BUT this will kill the argument that the game and tv companies don’t need the fans. The TV companies need the fans more than you could ever imagine.

Shows that 3pm kick offs on tv would be possible even when fans return.

Perhaps when it’s safe, before they reopen the gates to everyone they should put ALL games on tv AND let ‘non vulnerable’ fans back.

pushpinpussy · Post by **pushpinpussy** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:50 pm

claret wizard wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 3:08 pm
It’s just rubbish. Boring, even the best bits of skill are just meh.

Let’s wrap the season up as soon as.

it didn't take long for someone to start moaning.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:51 pm

pushpinpussy wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 3:50 pm
it didn't take long for someone to start moaning.

He has a valid point though .

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Sat May 16, 2020 3:59 pm

Had Dortmund had 80,000 on today it’d still be crap.

We’re not germans, we (most of us) don’t watch german football and have any interest in it.

Once the epl get underway in the same circumstances it’ll be completely different. German fans will feel different about it. It’s their football, it’s their clubs. Let them enjoy their football being back and we’ll enjoy ours when it returns.

Rojales Claret · Post by **Rojales Claret** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:02 pm

You can't just let 'non vulnerable' fans back. Surely when it is safe to let any fans back it is then up to the individual to decide if they attend. You can't discriminate against anyone based on age or health. A person who is 80 isn't any more likely to catch or spread the virus than a person who is 20!

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:10 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 3:46 pm
At least it’s something to watch.

BUT this will kill the argument that the game and tv companies don’t need the fans. The TV companies need the fans more than you could ever imagine.

Shows that 3pm kick offs on tv would be possible even when fans return.

Perhaps when it’s safe, before they reopen the gates to everyone they should put ALL games on tv AND let ‘non vulnerable’ fans back.

Of course the fans are needed,but the important issue just now is ensuring as many clubs as possible weather the storm and come out the other side,if closed doors football for a temporary period helps in that process then great.

I can't see fans attending games in Europe this calendar year,so some solution has to found in the interim to keep clubs solvent.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:14 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 3:46 pm
At least it’s something to watch.

BUT this will kill the argument that the game and tv companies don’t need the fans. The TV companies need the fans more than you could ever imagine.

Shows that 3pm kick offs on tv would be possible even when fans return.

Perhaps when it’s safe, before they reopen the gates to everyone they should put ALL games on tv AND let ‘non vulnerable’ fans back.

Can’t have 3 pm kick offs on tv once fans are back in. It would kill even more smaller clubs. That has to be a non starter.

And no way should they decide who goes and who doesn’t if and when it is open to crowds. It’s either open or behind closed doors.

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:26 pm

Quite enjoyed the Augsburg v Wolfsburg game. Last minute winner too for the away team. It worked under the circumstances and is better than nothing. If this is how it has to be for the rest of the season then lets go for it and watch some footie on TV.

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:28 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 4:14 pm
Can’t have 3 pm kick offs on tv once fans are back in. It would kill even more smaller clubs. That has to be a non starter.

And no way should they decide who goes and who doesn’t if and when it is open to crowds. It’s either open or behind closed doors.

I’d agree with both your points but what if they made it:
Fri. Div.1
Sat. PL
Sun. Championship
Mon. Div.2
Within the Sat & Sun games you could have varied KOs. Say 12. 2.30. 5.30 & 8 decide these by travel distance for away fans.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:34 pm

huw.Y.WattfromWare wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 4:28 pm
I’d agree with both your points but what if they made it:
Fri. Div.1
Sat. PL
Sun. Championship
Mon. Div.2
Within the Sat & Sun games you could have varied KOs. Say 12. 2.30. 5.30 & 8 decide these by travel distance for away fans.

So Leagues 1 & 2 would be Friday and Saturday nights? And what about all the leagues below? They can’t deal with Saturday afternoon games on tv.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:35 pm

karatekid wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 4:26 pm
Quite enjoyed the Augsburg v Wolfsburg game. Last minute winner too for the away team. It worked under the circumstances and is better than nothing. If this is how it has to be for the rest of the season then lets go for it and watch some footie on TV.

I don’t have BT so not been able to watch but I’m interested in getting views on how it is.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:35 pm

Anyone back yet ?

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Sat May 16, 2020 4:36 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 4:14 pm
Can’t have 3 pm kick offs on tv once fans are back in. It would kill even more smaller clubs. That has to be a non starter.

And no way should they decide who goes and who doesn’t if and when it is open to crowds. It’s either open or behind closed doors.

Just imagine how much trouble that would cause if they banned people over a certain age from attending the matches..

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:01 pm

Augsburg had covered a lot of the seats in their Bob Lord stand , if you get my drift, as these were the ones that were in view of the main camera. They covered them with a huge club badge kind of thing that was draped across the front 20 rows or so. This was better than just empty seats. When the goals went in the commentator did a good job of trying to inject some atmosphere with his ' goooaaaallll' and passionate commentating. He seemed to be doing a lot of commenting to disguise the silence I suppose.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:03 pm

I don't have BT Sport. Did they have the recorded stadium/fans noise playing, or did it sound like a training session where you could hear the players shouting to eachother?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:05 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 5:03 pm
or did it sound like a training session where you could hear the players shouting to eachother?

Still not playing at Ewood

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:08 pm

Couldn't really hear the players shouting. I assume they took away the pitchside microphones. Their was a bit of cheering audible when the goals were scored but i'm not sure if it was recorded or not. Maybe just the bench noise. Overall it was as good as you can get without fans and it didn't feel like a training session at all. I don't support either of these teams but I still got into the game. Will be much better when it's the Clarets playing.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:10 pm

karatekid wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 5:08 pm
Couldn't really hear the players shouting. I assume they took away the pitchside microphones. Their was a bit of cheering audible when the goals were scored but i'm not sure if it was recorded or not. Maybe just the bench noise. Overall it was as good as you can get without fans and it didn't feel like a training session at all. I don't support either of these teams but I still got into the game. Will be much better when it's the Clarets playing.

Stadium noise could help? I read that Sky will be giving viewers that option when the Prem returns. I think there needs to be an atmosphere to watch and enjoy a game on tv.

HunterST_BFC · Post by **HunterST_BFC** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:12 pm

Curious to know if you hear all the swearing and ranting at the ref / each other on the pitch and sideline?

bfcmartin · Post by **bfcmartin** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:14 pm

I just watched Dortmund against Schalke, Dortmund won 4-0 and this is supposed to be the biggest derby in Germany but it just wasn't right. No fans just made the game seem like a pre season friendly. The buzz when your teams making a break or having a dangerous attack I'm sure inspires the players and the groans when you just miss a chance make a massive difference to the game as a spectacle. Before i watched this game i was all for the season being completed behind closed doors but now i don't think so and other than watching Burnley I won't bother with any other games

DAVETHEVICAR · Post by **DAVETHEVICAR** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:14 pm

Don’t normally watch any football unless English teams are involved
Prefer a match such as Stevenage v Macclesfield to Barcelona v Real Madrid
However I watched the Schalke game ( all 90 minutes) on a lap top as I don’t subscribe to BT because I wondered what it would be like to watch Burnley games behind closed doors and was pleasantly surprised.
Certainly no way should we stop the season now as most of next season will be played behind closed doors anyway, so do we cancel next season also.

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:21 pm

Much of people's enjoyment of football comes from it either being 'your team' or from having a stake in the outcome. As I drove home from the Turf (in the days when games were open to supporters) I often listened to live radio commentary from a match on either Radio 5Live or talkshite. If it was a meaningless game to me then I would change channel or even put on a CD instead. German football is meaningless to us as we have no stake in the games. I couldn't care less about Augsberg (a very nice place, to be fair) v Wolfsburg (another nice place) nor Dortmund v Schalke etc.

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:23 pm

We are just discussing the first games played behind closed doors, that's all.

beddie · Post by **beddie** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:31 pm

I watched the first half of the Dortmund game. Without a crowd its absolutely awful to watch, I honestly think I'd have said that it was a good first half had a crowd been there.No atmosphere whatsoever,it put me off enough not to watch the second half.

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Sat May 16, 2020 6:29 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 4:34 pm
So Leagues 1 & 2 would be Friday and Saturday nights? And what about all the leagues below? They can’t deal with Saturday afternoon games on tv.

I obviously don’t have as much feeling as you for the minor non-leagues. I would suggest the people who go on are totally loyal to their club and fair play to them for that.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sat May 16, 2020 6:34 pm

It’s crap in empty stadiums. But it’s a start and it’s better than coronation street.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Sat May 16, 2020 6:40 pm

If we get up and running in this country I'd probably watch our games and that would be it. It's just not football without fans there, but I guess we're going to have to get used to it.

tarkys_ears · Post by **tarkys_ears** » Sat May 16, 2020 6:46 pm

This Bundersleague is rubbish, especially with no crowd. It's like when you watch the England U17s or whatever on Eurosport

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Sat May 16, 2020 6:47 pm

huw.Y.WattfromWare wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 6:29 pm
I obviously don’t have as much feeling as you for the minor non-leagues. I would suggest the people who go on are totally loyal to their club and fair play to them for that.

Its as much if not more about the next generation of 'loyal' fans. If kids can sit at home and watch all the top players and teams on the TV a lot less will bother going to lower league and non league football and build that connection.

The result would potentially be the death of football outside the top few leagues.

There is a tipping point we will reach (soon I think) where illegal streaming of 3pm games is so prevalent then the law becomes ineffective so you might as well allow it and try and take other measures to keep lower tier football alive

iFollow and VPNs in the EFL is also impacting 3pm football and that will only grow and influence the whole area even more

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat May 16, 2020 7:26 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 6:34 pm
It’s crap in empty stadiums. But it’s a start and it’s better than coronation street.

And there was me beginning to take your seriously.

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Sat May 16, 2020 7:58 pm

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 6:47 pm
The result would potentially be the death of football outside the top few leagues.

The death of football at lower levels will be brought about by the salaries these very average players are receiving. There will always be players and their will always be followers and at that level there is no saying the standard would drop.
For me below tier 6 should be amateur only.

Burnley1989 · Post by **Burnley1989** » Sat May 16, 2020 8:00 pm

Dyched wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 3:59 pm
Had Dortmund had 80,000 on today it’d still be crap.

We’re not germans, we (most of us) don’t watch german football and have any interest in it.

Once the epl get underway in the same circumstances it’ll be completely different. German fans will feel different about it. It’s their football, it’s their clubs. Let them enjoy their football being back and we’ll enjoy ours when it returns.

Exactly this for me

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Sat May 16, 2020 8:08 pm

huw.Y.WattfromWare wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 7:58 pm
The death of football at lower levels will be brought about by the salaries these very average players are receiving.

Dont disagree and in this sense football will eat itself.

The 3pm rule has been massive around keeping the standard and popularity of lower league football going strong and this is something we always appear to be rightly proud about

No Ney Never · Post by **No Ney Never** » Sat May 16, 2020 9:00 pm

Without the atmosphere created by the fans, the game at a professional level is nothing. There are no super stars, just good players.
We ought to be capitalising on the value of fans to the game, they don't have to pay me, I'd be happy with a free season ticket and shirt for my contribution to the 'product'.
Would players be receiving the wages that they are if football was played without fans all the time? I suggest not, there wouldn't be a product to sell if it weren't for us.

dermotdermot · Post by **dermotdermot** » Sat May 16, 2020 9:21 pm

Don’t you remember that in 1992, Arsenal played their games in front of a giant mural of painted supporters due to some redevelopment behind one of the goals. We could do the same. It would actually be an improvement on having to see close ups of ugly fist clenching, mouthy supporters from many clubs that we have to play.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Sat May 16, 2020 9:32 pm

I hope we put false crowds in the stands like Arsenal did when turning a Highbury terrace into seated.

With crowd noises being played.

I noticed a female football player on Twitter saying this is a major stumbling block for the women's game they have trying to sell it.

No Ney Never · Post by **No Ney Never** » Sat May 16, 2020 9:39 pm

Maybe we should be encouraged to send a photo of ourselves to the club so that they can create a cardboard cutout of each of us, and place it on our seat.

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Sat May 16, 2020 9:39 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 9:32 pm
I noticed a female football player on Twitter saying this is a major stumbling block for the women's game they have trying to sell it.

She's obviously not played against Arsenal Ladies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mRGpCnirqI

dermotdermot · Post by **dermotdermot** » Sat May 16, 2020 9:55 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 9:32 pm
I hope we put false crowds in the stands like Arsenal did when turning a Highbury terrace into seated.

With crowd noises being played.

I noticed a female football player on Twitter saying this is a major stumbling block for the women's game they have trying to sell it.

Crowd noise as well as the murals. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Sat May 16, 2020 10:09 pm

bfcmartin wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 5:14 pm
I just watched Dortmund against Schalke, Dortmund won 4-0 and this is supposed to be the biggest derby in Germany but it just wasn't right. No fans just made the game seem like a pre season friendly. The buzz when your teams making a break or having a dangerous attack I'm sure inspires the players and the groans when you just miss a chance make a massive difference to the game as a spectacle. Before i watched this game i was all for the season being completed behind closed doors but now i don't think so and other than watching Burnley I won't bother with any other games

I watched most of this game. Found something else to do at 4-0. I got the impression the German game isn't "high energy, pressing" as we usually see in Premier League - and the Championship, from what I remember. I'd have to see a few more games, with something significant at stake, to see if I've got the right impression of German league football. Yes, odd to see the goals go in with no crowd response and also only "limited excitement" among the scoring team with no physical contact allowed for celebrations - seemed to be a "quiet, excuse me tea dance" sort of celebration for self-conscious introverts. The subs spread out along the side of the pitch - so that they were all social distancing - seemed to be the only shouting that could be heard, but that was only for a second after the first goal went in. I can't remember hearing a cheer for the others. 4th goal was a good one. I assume the delay was while VAR checked for offside - though there was nothing said on commentary and I didn't notice the ref awarding the goal after getting VAR ok.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and watch one or two more games.

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Sat May 16, 2020 10:11 pm

No Ney Never wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 9:39 pm
Maybe we should be encouraged to send a photo of ourselves to the club so that they can create a cardboard cutout of each of us, and place it on our seat.

BT said one of the German clubs was selling cardboard figures with fans faces. How many do you think we'd get on at t'Turf if we sold "fans" for a £5, including any required tv fee?

MrTopTier · Post by **MrTopTier** » Sat May 16, 2020 10:23 pm

Not for me, I know it’s a means to end, but it felt like watching us in the 80’s. Not an experience I want to repeat.

Espia · Post by **Espia** » Sat May 16, 2020 10:24 pm

I don't get why subs are 2 metres apart wearing masks whilst sat on the bench when the minute they on the pitch they can be up as close as they like to the opposition players, breathing down their neck.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Sat May 16, 2020 10:30 pm

Out of interest, is the South Korean K-League still free to air on the BBC?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sat May 16, 2020 11:16 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 7:26 pm
And there was me beginning to take your seriously.

Corry has had its day. Sorry Tony. It peaked when I bought curly watts tie at auction

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sat May 16, 2020 11:18 pm

Espia wrote: ↑
Sat May 16, 2020 10:24 pm
I don't get why subs are 2 metres apart wearing masks whilst sat on the bench when the minute they on the pitch they can be up as close as they like to the opposition players, breathing down their neck.

Probably because four of them won’t be used. So those four have been less exposed than necessary.