That pitch is the worst we've seen since we've been back at the Valley - to have a worse pitch than Selhurst is a disgrace, and we know it's not down to Paddy because he's produced some fantastic pitches over the years.
Yes it's the same for both teams, but it did cost us some good positions today - one in particular in the second half as Solly would have had a great crossing opportunity but for the ball holding up.
TBF the pitch was a state today, but as above its the same for both teams. I can't figure out why Hamer's said this in the press, maybe it's an issue which has been raised previously to no avail.
TBF the pitch was a state today, but as above its the same for both teams. I can't figure out why Hamer's said this in the press, maybe it's an issue which has been raised previously to no avail.
Andy Hughes comments suggest the players are pretty unhappy about it. Specifically he said Hamer had turned his ankle in the warm up in a previous game because of the state of it.
It's not the same for both teams, is it? Birmingham only have to endure it once.
TBF the pitch was a state today, but as above its the same for both teams. I can't figure out why Hamer's said this in the press, maybe it's an issue which has been raised previously to no avail.
Andy Hughes comments suggest the players are pretty unhappy about it. Specifically he said Hamer had turned his ankle in the warm up in a previous game because of the state of it.
It's not the same for both teams, is it? Birmingham only have to endure it once.
I agree the pitch is terrible and there is no pretending otherwise, but I know Paddy will be more aware of that than anyone and extremely frustrated. We know from many years' evidence that he is an excellent and very conscientious groundsman - most of the current board will not know that from their own experience and, putting it politely, there is internal as well as external concern about the fairness of their treatment of staff, so let's be careful.
It's highly likely that the financial crisis last summer may have had an impact, as well as the extremely wet weather, albeit other clubs have had to deal with the latter.
I'd expect the playing side to be concerned about the pitch and that Hamer's comments reflect that, but I don't think he has any business making them to the press. Have a look at Blackpool's pitch against Millwall, by the way. I thought they were playing on the beach.
If the board fire either Powell I will accept my lifetime ban with Great gracious behaviour after I have Done my best impression of a new breed of fan towards them and their property
The club are still going ahead with hiring the pitch out for private games at the end of the season. Surely it would be better to give the groundstaff extra time to improve the surface.
The bottom line is we have been walking a tightrope as regards the surface since we were relegated. This season we have had 3/4 games before Xmas that were played in heavy rain. The pitch won't re grow until it warms up. Until we get the dome back or undersoil etc we've gotta pray the weather stays fine. 100 games in May doesn't help with preperation time and I think heavy rain washed the first lot of re-seeding away in early June so it had to be re-done. All these other pitches like Watford etc have had a million pounds spent on drainage, undersoil heat and the desso system, we just had grass seed and top soil ! Looking back at pictures of games in october it looked pretty good so it has only got worse since Nov/Dec. Having said all that I thought we played some of the best stuff at home all season so no more bloody excuses, just get on with it for a few more weeks until the weather/pitch improve !
Yesterday it was absolutely dreadful. If we have to play any games when it is actually raining reasonably heavily I'm not sure it would remain playable. Big concern considering it is only February.
I don't think Hamer was strictly blaming it for our results. It IS a concern - the surface yesterday was begging for injuries, tackles going wrong or poor control of the ball.
We have to play half our games on it; other teams have to play one game on it. But for individual games we can't blame results and performances on it...
Looking past individual games though - I reckon it's a recipe for injuries and possible disciplinary action against players for dodgy tackles etc
Dopeople seriously think we can't afford a couple of packets of grass seeds? Seriously?
The pitch was fine at the start of the season, but has deteriorated badly. Playing the home games we've had in the pishing rain hasn't helped, and neither has the weather generally. Plus we're at the bottom of a Valley, in case you hadn't noticed!
It is not as simple as that mate the up keep of the pitch is not just seed and water , in grounds like ours due to the postition of the pitch and stands it needs more maintenance and more use of technology which we dont have the funds for
Comments
Yes it's the same for both teams, but it did cost us some good positions today - one in particular in the second half as Solly would have had a great crossing opportunity but for the ball holding up.
It's not the same for both teams, is it? Birmingham only have to endure it once.
Saying that we played some decent stuff today
It's highly likely that the financial crisis last summer may have had an impact, as well as the extremely wet weather, albeit other clubs have had to deal with the latter.
I'd expect the playing side to be concerned about the pitch and that Hamer's comments reflect that, but I don't think he has any business making them to the press. Have a look at Blackpool's pitch against Millwall, by the way. I thought they were playing on the beach.
Surely it would be better to give the groundstaff extra time to improve the surface.
The pitch hasn't been shit all season, so anyone blaming it for our home form needs to have a word with themselves.
Seriously, this blame game has to stop, it's becoming ridiculous.
Having said all that I thought we played some of the best stuff at home all season so no more bloody excuses, just get on with it for a few more weeks until the weather/pitch improve !
This picture from the Palace mascot thread shows the pitch at Selhurst, which seems to have a lot more grass on it...
Lots of grass and 10 well trimmed bushes. Lovely.
The Valley, March '65:
We have to play half our games on it; other teams have to play one game on it. But for individual games we can't blame results and performances on it...
Looking past individual games though - I reckon it's a recipe for injuries and possible disciplinary action against players for dodgy tackles etc
The pitch was fine at the start of the season, but has deteriorated badly. Playing the home games we've had in the pishing rain hasn't helped, and neither has the weather generally. Plus we're at the bottom of a Valley, in case you hadn't noticed!