tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059983310325678283.post4010379504196448939..comments2024-01-17T05:39:39.990+00:00Comments on The Power of Goals.: Home Sweet Home.Mark Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15514407542599931686noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059983310325678283.post-84340963917069307942013-04-29T21:51:34.596+01:002013-04-29T21:51:34.596+01:00If familiarity is a strong factor, would it be rea...If familiarity is a strong factor, would it be reasonable to suggest home advantage may be weaker earlier in the season? Most teams will have some new players in the side at the start of a season.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059983310325678283.post-33886450994818677122013-01-07T19:31:36.842+00:002013-01-07T19:31:36.842+00:00I didn't capitalise it in the first draft, the...I didn't capitalise it in the first draft, then I changed my mind. Mark Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15514407542599931686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059983310325678283.post-83370223489472818712013-01-07T13:48:42.837+00:002013-01-07T13:48:42.837+00:00Why do you capitalise 'the' in the middle ...Why do you capitalise 'the' in the middle of sentences? Surley saying (for example) the Goldstone Ground is fine?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059983310325678283.post-22251241935313216272012-12-31T10:51:04.478+00:002012-12-31T10:51:04.478+00:00An interesting, high quality analysis that is well...An interesting, high quality analysis that is well backed-up by the stats. I do wonder however whether there are further factors that go side-by-side with moving stadia, towards explaining this decline...<br /><br />With the move to all-seater stadia, and particularly at antiseptic new grounds, it's more difficult for your average home fan to generate noise and create an intimidating environment. For most games, most home fans are pretty quiet these days, with only the occasional burst of song after a goal etc. Away fans group together however, create a siege mentality, and often sing for much of the match, thus reducing home advantage in this respect when compared with the years when standing was allowed.<br /><br />Secondly, as money floods into the game, players are increasingly pampered, surrounded by all mod cons to make their journey to, and experience at an away ground more comfortable (huge hotel beds, luxury coaches, faster travel, heated changing rooms etc are now the norm).<br /><br />Just a couple of extra factors I thought of off the top of my head, to go alongside the factors you rightly mention.<br /><br />Cheers, MattAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com