Done on tickets sold and not tickets used. Every single sporting club in the country does it this way. I always remember Arsenal announcing 60k one night when there was a tube strike a huge storm and the ground was empty.

If we announce 7k because 1k ST holders didn't turn up then the taxman would be all over us when we tell him we made £x on that game. For the same reason, nobody would inflate their crowds because they'd pay more tax and lose money.

Thursday night crowds will always be announced higher than the actual numbers because a whole host of people don't/can't come. At least 6 ST holders missing on my row last week for example.

Free tickets I imagine also need to included in the figure whether they are used or not because there'd be no other way of distinguishing between the two at the turnstile.


On the point of whether or not they turn up and how many are at each game, I'm not really concerned. Fans don't win trophies. The worry is when the number of tickets sold comes down but there are many contributing factors to that which will be impacting every single club.

Nsemba is a wide running second row, Hill and Max Wood are the up and coming props along with Toby Brannan. I was surprised that Silva didn't get a run out in the reserves yesterday.

It seems to be a tougher year for the academy this season. Are there any standouts in there?

I think Silva is on his way out though he has missed a lot of game time due to injury. he also has a decent off load in him. Nsemba is more of a second row than prop. I have been impressed with Hill's performances and also Max Wood. Nsemba and Hill tend to break the line whereas Wood make a lot of yards in contact as he keeps his legs pumping bringing in 3 or 4 defenders to stop him.

The three I mentioned plus Zach Eckersley who plays at centre or fullback, tall athletic and fast!! Regan Sumner looks very quick but a bit on the small side.

I was really impressed with the kick chase on this game. We've only recently started doing this with 100% conviction and actually competing for the ball. French flying on really puts the defender under pressure and is one of the things Saints do so well.

Watching Cooper's leg drive and gain 5m. After contact in many tackles - I find it staggering Powell wanted him out in a season where they so obviously need someone like him. I think he brings the missing part to our game when we're faced with a really well organised defence.