Matchday... but not as we know it
FAN’S VIEW
AS we all know, the
EFL in many ways is not exactly fit for purpose. The level of their incompetence is always a talking point, and no one has questioned this more in recent years than the Stanley Chairman.
In the last few months, I have found out first-hand that getting things done quickly isn’t exactly a priority with our EFL overlords. Alas, two months into the season and my media pass finally came through the door.
This means I am now able to attend the games representing this fine publication and report on the matches first-hand. I thought this would be a great opportunity to comment on my experience of seeing my first game at The Crown in eight months as when we are allowed back in. It might be a similar experience but multiplied by even more people. No fans. No atmosphere. No beer. Madness.
The feeling is strange. I knew it would be strange, but it was worse than what I’d imagined. Normally I would never make it into the ground 10 minutes before kick-off, so reporting an hour before the game already sent my head a bit West, then holding my head in front of a temperature scanner just made things worse.
The entrance for reporters is behind the Clayton End. You have your temperature checked by St John and as long you’re under 37.6c you gain entry. I must admit, even without seeing the friendly faces that usually greet me behind the stand, I was absolutely buzzing walking in. The last time I saw a game in person was the 7th March so it satisfied a bit of that itch and touch wood, I’m never away that long again.
Into the ground and you collect your pass and get escorted down to the press area. From there you’re left to your own devices, hot drinks are available in the Clubhouse for everyone as well. Whilst in there, getting my coffee, I couldn’t help but notice the Chairman is sat with some club officials enjoying Sky Sports News and a few drinks.
In these times of guidelines and yellow tape, seeing a group seemingly cracking on as normal all seemed very George Orwell to me.
You’re reminded by the PA system to stay seated whenever possible and music is blaring in an attempt to fake normality. May fans be allowed back ASAP. It’s certainly not the matchday experience we all fell in love with.
The game, despite having no goals, was entertaining to watch. Check the match report for specifics but after the red card (which is never a red card) we were holding on for our lives and I thought Lincoln should have had a penalty too. Both managers were disappointed with some decisions from the officials, and you can’t blame. The ref, drafted in as a last minute replacement was awful on the day and spoiled the occasion in the end.
Credit to the team, holding on against a side flying in the league is very impressive. Lincoln had a full 20 minutes at us with a man extra and the newly formed back line stood strong. That can only bode well for us. I was speaking to
Stanley media man, Luke, before the game and he said he would take a point against Lincoln and then a win on Tuesday. I think we all would.
McConville was the only substitute in the end. This is an issue that we’ve seen before with Coley where he very regularly chooses not to make many changes. I don’t know if this comes from a fear of making a mistake or not thinking we have enough quality on the bench; but with many double header weeks in the pipeline it could be time for John to consider getting some fresh legs on the field to blood in quite soon.