Pre-season friendlies

[Lovely hot donuts!]

It's at Hogwood

See that really pisses me off. If no-one is going to make any money out of it AND no fans get to see it then it just seems that everyone loses out.

Everyone? I don't think the players will be missing out, they get the chance to get some much needed match fitness under their belts.

Ok, not quite everyone. BUT, I do sometimes wonder whether behind-closed-doors games can replicate those in front of fans. Surely they want these games to replicate league games as closely as possible.

[winchester_royal]

They absolutely do not. The last thing they want is the intensity of a competitive match so early into pre-season.

[Lovely hot donuts!]

They absolutely do not. The last thing they want is the intensity of a competitive match so early into pre-season.

But surely it's also not desirable for it to feel like a training session? They want it to at least give them some taste of having a match worth fighting in surely? If not then why not just have training games and not play friendlies?

[winchester_royal]

They absolutely do not. The last thing they want is the intensity of a competitive match so early into pre-season.

But surely it's also not desirable for it to feel like a training session? They want it to at least give them some taste of having a match worth fighting in surely? If not then why not just have training games and not play friendlies?

I'm sure if they could do it without getting all sorts of abuse from the fanbase then the majority of pre-season games would be 'behind closed doors', with the exception of a couple towards the end which you want to feel more like a competitive match.

[ZacNaloen]

I've asked for live commentary or something via the OS on twitter, they've done it before at short notice so shouldn't be too tough if they want to

[Royal Ginger]

If its at Hogwood, and it's a friendly, why not put it on both teams' subscription service, there won't be any Sky/BT rights to worry about. Surely enough people would sign up to cover the cost of a 2 camera film crew, and they can pump us full of propaganda/spin/advertising whilst we watch it.

[winchester_royal]

There's simply no way the RFC server will be able to cope with that kind of task. It struggles enough with radio coverage that only 20 people are listening to.

[ZacNaloen]

There's simply no way the RFC server will be able to cope with that kind of task. It struggles enough with radio coverage that only 20 people are listening to.

Video maybe, they've done audio before though

[winchester_royal]

Yep, would like to think they'll try and compens8 in some way.

[Royal Ginger]

Fair point about the server. That web-deal can't expire fast enough. A bit of innovative thinking would go a long way.

[kwik-silva]

Could they not host on YouTube or something similar or have they got rules against that?

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

behind closed doors friendlies also allow clubs to field foreign (non-EU) trialists, as they can't play in friendlies (or any other games) without a work permit.

That might be a benefit if we have anyone over.

[M Brook]

There must be a vantage point to be had at Hogwood - through the trees that separate it from the industrial estate next door maybe?

[ZacNaloen]

I'm friends with the mum of one of the u18's players and she said you can just wander in for their games, they don't check...

Would be different for a behind closed doors friendly though, I would guess

[Pepe the Horseman]

I'm friends with the mum of one of the u18's players and she said you can just wander in for their games, they don't check...

Would be different for a behind closed doors friendly though, I would guess

Is she hot?

[ZacNaloen]

In her day, now the daughter...

[parky]

Anyone going down to Newport today?

[Pepe the Horseman]

Jake Taylor playing tonight, but looks like Obita will be saved for tomorrow night.

[winchester_royal]

Looks like Neita is still here on trial

[Pepe the Horseman]

*Nesta