Exiled Bull apologies to the Stranglers and gives his thoughts:
Oh dear, where to start? I missed my first home game of the season on Saturday .. and it was a relief to do so. Burton was sufficiently deflating enough without another dose of penance quite so soon.
I could wax at some length about the obvious shortcomings of the squad ... couldn’t we all ... but I would like to concentrate on practical issues.
This silly all-ticket nonsense has to stop. This on a weekend when only two Premier League games sold out, the logic of such impositions on a routine Fourth Division affair is baffling. Yes the restrictions were oh so predictably lifted late on but come on no football club in United’s difficult position gives already apathetic followers an excuse not to attend. The closure of the Blackfriars End is obviously at the root of the problem but there has to be a better way. For me, one solution could be to offer well supported visitors the whole of the Cargill Stand. The small number of regulars could be accommodated in the main stand with possibly vouchers for Ascaris catering as a sweetener. It’s a tactic widely used elsewhere. The cost would be far less than that of erecting temporary stands.
Thinking of the Blackfriars End, United’s new owners would be well advised to postpone any thoughts around negotiating a release fee with the Richardsons for the lease. Why would we want to build a 3,000 capacity stand when we can’t half-fill the rest of the ground? The most pressing need is to boost the squad - with both talent and belief. There are hundreds of free agents available to try out - including some "name" players who may be desperate enough now to even consider United. Premiership sides are likely to only loan out raw kids but there must be Championship sides with fringe players to spare.
Not to invest in the squad now is to invite crowds to shrink further and continue the wretched downward spiral.