Not sure what people expect. The weather is still very cold but is forecast to be above freezing from early morning ie. Improving. But we don’t control the weather.
The pitch isn’t currently a write off and they are trying to get it played.
If they wanted it off they would have done less to keep it on. It’s a cost to call it off especially if we have incurred expense in under soil heating / blowers etc.
Quite usual for a further pitch inspection as I recall.
To be fair, there is a lot more information in this comment than in the official update - all they have said is the pitch has been inspected - nothing about the current condition of the pitch, when a second inspection will take place (other than "in the morning") or even what actions are currently being undertaken to ensure the match goes ahead (e.g are they using the undersoil heating or not?)
I'm sure it is quite usual in the conditions to have multiple inspections, but not adequately explaining (or explaining at all) the outcome I would suggest is not usual or proper at all.
Well yes they could say more. But it’s not improper. They have an obligation to the opposition presumably hence an interim update.
But we are collectively falling into the trap now (as we did with RD) of looking for fault in every act or deed regardless of significance.
We have been led to believe we have fired up the under soil heating for the first time but the club hasn’t said that.
Surely the boiler has to be able to get sufficiently hot water in the pipes. You would think a boiler fit for a five story building would be up to the job, although I am not a boiler engineer.
Nor is the person that made the decision about the boiler, but they saved Tommy a few quid and will throw the Groundstaff under the bus when tomorrow gets cancelled.
The nearest comparable PWS is close to the Blackwall Tunnel Approach and is showing an air temperature of -1.3. Today’s max was 1.4.
The last 2 night minimums were -4.1 (last night) and -5.1 (night before last). Grass temperatures would have been several degrees below those numbers. I would expect the Valley pitch temperatures to be lower due to coldest air flowing to the lowest locations. The undersoil heating better be good !
It would do us a favour if the match is cancelled.
Much better chance of winning if we play them later in the season with a new manager, more players back fit (a few have been ill this week) & hopefully a new owner that brings in new players in Jan.
This was sent to me earlier this evening………. A similar one used at SL someone (yes that one again) decided it would do a job at The Valley
************ The undersoil heating boiler was only put in at the valley as the womens games pushing promotion it was a requirement for that league. the boiler is hired monthly as it the academy building heating at the training ground. So TS hasnt actually bought anything! They use heating oil to heat them…. ………………
Why are you no longer optimistic? Is the undersoil heating working or not?
It appears that although we have undersoil heating it appears we've never actually tested to see if it works.
I mean wtf !! Who does that. Installs something & never test it to see if it works. At the very least you'd be testing it annually just to make sure nothing is broken & it all works as it should.
Why are you no longer optimistic? Is the undersoil heating working or not?
It appears that although we have undersoil heating it appears we've never actually tested to see if it works.
I mean wtf !! Who does that. Installs something & never test it to see if it works. At the very least you'd be testing it annually just to make sure nothing is broken & it all works as it should.
Do we know it’s not working ? I assume the fact that’s it’s not yet off suggests it is working but maybe we are not 100% confident enough power to withstand a further night of very low temperatures.
It’s surely cheaper to call it off earlier rather than later.
Not sure what people expect. The weather is still very cold but is forecast to be above freezing from early morning ie. Improving. But we don’t control the weather.
The pitch isn’t currently a write off and they are trying to get it played.
If they wanted it off they would have done less to keep it on. It’s a cost to call it off especially if we have incurred expense in under soil heating / blowers etc.
Quite usual for a further pitch inspection as I recall.
To be fair, there is a lot more information in this comment than in the official update - all they have said is the pitch has been inspected - nothing about the current condition of the pitch, when a second inspection will take place (other than "in the morning") or even what actions are currently being undertaken to ensure the match goes ahead (e.g are they using the undersoil heating or not?)
I'm sure it is quite usual in the conditions to have multiple inspections, but not adequately explaining (or explaining at all) the outcome I would suggest is not usual or proper at all.
Well yes they could say more. But it’s not improper. They have an obligation to the opposition presumably hence an interim update.
But we are collectively falling into the trap now (as we did with RD) of looking for fault in every act or deed regardless of significance.
We have been led to believe we have fired up the under soil heating for the first time but the club hasn’t said that.
It’s bloody cold. That is the bottom line.
I wasn't criticising the owner, as far as I know he isn't even in the country so how would he know what state the pitch is in?
My criticism is of the statement on the website. - in that it doesn't really tell us anything a day before the game when people may be travelling a long distance.
Not sure what people expect. The weather is still very cold but is forecast to be above freezing from early morning ie. Improving. But we don’t control the weather.
The pitch isn’t currently a write off and they are trying to get it played.
If they wanted it off they would have done less to keep it on. It’s a cost to call it off especially if we have incurred expense in under soil heating / blowers etc.
Quite usual for a further pitch inspection as I recall.
To be fair, there is a lot more information in this comment than in the official update - all they have said is the pitch has been inspected - nothing about the current condition of the pitch, when a second inspection will take place (other than "in the morning") or even what actions are currently being undertaken to ensure the match goes ahead (e.g are they using the undersoil heating or not?)
I'm sure it is quite usual in the conditions to have multiple inspections, but not adequately explaining (or explaining at all) the outcome I would suggest is not usual or proper at all.
Well yes they could say more. But it’s not improper. They have an obligation to the opposition presumably hence an interim update.
But we are collectively falling into the trap now (as we did with RD) of looking for fault in every act or deed regardless of significance.
We have been led to believe we have fired up the under soil heating for the first time but the club hasn’t said that.
It’s bloody cold. That is the bottom line.
I wasn't criticising the owner, as far as I know he isn't even in the country so how would he know what state the pitch is in?
My criticism is of the statement on the website. - in that it doesn't really tell us anything a day before the game when people may be travelling a long distance.
Understood.
But whilst it may be interesting to learn if they are using the under soil heating or heat lamps if both it changes nothing for travelling fans. It’s less sunk cost to call it off early surely?
Can anyone imagine the club in the 1990s, the 2000s or even under Duchatelet not explaining what it is doing to get the game on? Or even what systems it has that can be utilised?
Now, some of us know because it can hardly be kept a secret from people around the place, but why is the club devious around it?
Incidentally, it’s not whether it can cope with an extra night - especially as it’s not getting colder. It’s whether they put it on early enough (and of course whether it’s fit for purpose).
It seems yet another error of judgment has been made, the same error of judgement that was made 2+ years ago when a decision was made concerning the pitch where the person was unqualified to make such a decision. As we expect the junior staff will be thrown under the bus, while those trying to save a few quid and to make themselves look good hide under their desk.
Those that understand these things are telling me, you’ll be Christmas shopping tomorrow afternoon and not freezing your nuts off. Don’t shoot the messenger
Why can't the clubs agree to move the game, especially loads will not turn up due to the rail strikes.
Change the date tomorrow, the day before?
If the pitch is playable the game must go ahead.
Games have been previously called off because the streets outside were dangerous
Home to West Ham about 20 years ago?
Was that about 30 mins before kick off? I stayed in the white swan and got the same 5:05 train home 😬
I seem to remember that. We were in a rich vein of form (for us) and Wet Spam were in the opposite situation. We fancied the match and the other lot didn’t and wouldn’t come out of the dressing room to warm up. Guess what ? …. the ‘appy ‘ammers got their way and the game was called off.
Didn't we call a game off in the early afternoon because the ref decided the side the linesman ran up and down on was too icy? We've also called games off due to the local roads being too slippery before, and like I said I doubt that's been rectified yet
Didn't we call a game off in the early afternoon because the ref decided the side the linesman ran up and down on was too icy? We've also called games off due to the local roads being too slippery before, and like I said I doubt that's been rectified yet
I walked around the ground yesterday and whilst the pavements and roads are clear in some places, there is still plenty of snow and ice. You have to tread carefully. It may improve a little today and Saturday will be warming up to 7C but it could still be only 4 or 5C at 11am for an inspection. What might help is the prospect of a tiny pre-Christmas gate...
3C according to this morning’s forecast.
Whatever happened to gritting pavements? Seen none around Battersea/Clapham.
Some ice around the streets shouldn't matter - and I walk with a stick and it's not easy on an icy pavement. We can all take responsibility for ourselves. But of course the pitch needs to be playable, and hopefully it will be, fingers crossed.
Can councils be sued if you slip on ice and break your hip? I’m sure that used to be the case. I think there’s a duty of care with public events.
Didn't we call a game off in the early afternoon because the ref decided the side the linesman ran up and down on was too icy? We've also called games off due to the local roads being too slippery before, and like I said I doubt that's been rectified yet
Scunthorpe at home afew years ago got called off at midday. I was getting off bus in Woolwich at the time when it had got called off.
We had been on the road already for 8 hours by then. Went to watch Gravesend and Northfleet play along with afew other Charlton fans.
Didn't we call a game off in the early afternoon because the ref decided the side the linesman ran up and down on was too icy? We've also called games off due to the local roads being too slippery before, and like I said I doubt that's been rectified yet
Scunthorpe at home afew years ago got called off at midday. I was getting off bus in Woolwich at the time when it had got called off.
We had been on the road already for 8 hours by then. Went to watch Gravesend and Northfleet play along with afew other Charlton fans.
January 2017 I believe?
Don't remember the Scunthorpe game you mention. Game against Barnsley was called off very late on a Saturday, think it was about a month after the abandoned Doncaster game.
Comments
Remember, the grass temperature is more important than the air temperature.
The last 2 night minimums were -4.1 (last night) and -5.1 (night before last). Grass temperatures would have been several degrees below those numbers. I would expect the Valley pitch temperatures to be lower due to coldest air flowing to the lowest locations. The undersoil heating better be good !
Much better chance of winning if we play them later in the season with a new manager, more players back fit (a few have been ill this week) & hopefully a new owner that brings in new players in Jan.
A similar one used at SL someone (yes that one again) decided it would do a job at The Valley
************
The undersoil heating boiler was only put in at the valley as the womens games pushing promotion it was a requirement for that league. the boiler is hired monthly as it the academy building heating at the training ground. So TS hasnt actually bought anything! They use heating oil to heat them….
………………
I mean wtf !! Who does that. Installs something & never test it to see if it works. At the very least you'd be testing it annually just to make sure nothing is broken & it all works as it should.
Bonkers.
I mean, who checks to see if they're ever fit?
My criticism is of the statement on the website. - in that it doesn't really tell us anything a day before the game when people may be travelling a long distance.
Now, some of us know because it can hardly be kept a secret from people around the place, but why is the club devious around it?
As we expect the junior staff will be thrown under the bus, while those trying to save a few quid and to make themselves look good hide under their desk.
Don’t shoot the messenger
And therefore no oil in the boiler.
For the sake of travelling fans they could have at least said when the pitch inspection is.
Don't remember the Scunthorpe game you mention. Game against Barnsley was called off very late on a Saturday, think it was about a month after the abandoned Doncaster game.