Sheep game

[shedka]

Postponed which anyone with half a brain knew would be the case when you saw the forecast and ongoing crazy consistent rain in this area, I've been seen anything like it with regards how many days is been raining in recent weeks

Yet guys like Tek etc just use as something to criticise United about, I'm extremely bored of these negative fans laying into the club about anything and everything, it's pathetic stuff, nothing much can be done to have got these games on

Fair enough criticise a result and performance but acting like spoiled kids is what many fans do now

We managed much better to cope during the 1998-2006 era which was worse every year pretty much than anything this season has been

Anyway looks like three dry days to follow from tomorrow which might help for Tues night

[NOSCOTCAPS]

I think individual club criticism is unwarranted; however that said and as stated in another thread. It cannot be beyond the collective wit of the SFA and clubs etc. to ensure investment in a decent set of pitch covers. Lightweight and water proof materials have been available for a long time. Yes there is cost benefit analysis to be done. It does rain a lot in Scotland as does it gets cold and they made clubs install under soil heating. To me it’s makes sense to weatherproof for all seasons!

[shedka]

Yes of course should always have as much provisions in place but at the same time its unprecedented consistent rain over a long period of time we've had in the east, way way way more than average for this time of year, it's not like Dundee the other season where relatively light rain was causing issues

Saturday was always unlikely to be on, there was no chance this would be on tonight when you saw the rain got Tues evening onwards

It would have been more a surprise if it had been

[geofoxposse]

You would have also thought that with us and them not playing on the same day at home then even a joint cover venture that can be transported would be considered.

FFS its only rain and i remember some of the incredible games in mud from many years ago.

[NOSCOTCAPS]

You would have also thought that with us and them not playing on the same day at home then even a joint cover venture that can be transported would be considered.

FFS its only rain and i remember some of the incredible games in mud from many years ago.

Far too much common sense!

[Arabs4ever]

Goodwin now has the opportunity to do a Houston. How many games did we play in that short space of time? Houston come back and offer the wisdom to sort out the ills of Goodwin.

[ROMA84]

I dont think covers are the answer to the problem as the grass below will still need daylight to survive. Undersoil heating can make games playable but is not too good for regular use as the grass tends to dry out at root level and die away.

[pertharab]

I dont think covers are the answer to the problem as the grass below will still need daylight to survive. Undersoil heating can make games playable but is not too good for regular use as the grass tends to dry out at root level and die away.

I think you are right about covers killing the grass. I read somewhere that undersoil heating is only useful for temperature matters keeping the ground frost/ice free but that it compacts the soil and is actually detrimental to flooding issues. Shedka is right about the unprecedented rain in this area which is historically about the driest area of the country. Even with the almost consistent rain since the turn of the year there have been periods where it has been, say, not so heavy, rather than dry. We have been a bit unlucky that none of these 'not so bad periods' have coincided with games. That is of course if the pitch was actually playable yesterday as described by the club. A couple of seasons back when we had a bit similar rain, as heavy but not so consistent and long lasting though, we had our games on and Dundee games were off largely due to the timing of the rain. Since then their pitch has improved due to spending on the surface and if course pinching our groundsman, ours has deteriorates dreadfully. We really just spend heavily on the pitch in the close season and boost the groundstaff numbers and experience if required.

[JUSTaway]

Weird thing is it just seems to have been that part of the country that has had sustained rain for that long. Bad luck too, likelihood it would have been on if it had been yesterday. Can be both things though - horrendous weather and poor pitch. I thought the pitch held up surprisingly well against hearts despite its appearance, but I'm dreading to think what state our pitch is going to end up when we eventually play all these games,

[ROMA84]

I think you are right about covers killing the grass. I read somewhere that undersoil heating is only useful for temperature matters keeping the ground frost/ice free but that it compacts the soil and is actually detrimental to flooding issues. Shedka is right about the unprecedented rain in this area which is historically about the driest area of the country. Even with the almost consistent rain since the turn of the year there have been periods where it has been, say, not so heavy, rather than dry. We have been a bit unlucky that none of these 'not so bad periods' have coincided with games. That is of course if the pitch was actually playable yesterday as described by the club. A couple of seasons back when we had a bit similar rain, as heavy but not so consistent and long lasting though, we had our games on and Dundee games were off largely due to the timing of the rain. Since then their pitch has improved due to spending on the surface and if course pinching our groundsman, ours has deteriorates dreadfully. We really just spend heavily on the pitch in the close season and boost the groundstaff numbers and experience if required.

pitch repair work is dificult due to the u/soil pipes depth, there is a real possibility of damage when any machinery is used to carry out any work. I also think there are always too many people wandering on the playing surface and compressing the top surface using phrases like " if you press your foot here you can see the rainwater" this action just compresses the soil below and adds to the issues.

[num1adi]

You would have also thought that with us and them not playing on the same day at home then even a joint cover venture that can be transported would be considered.

FFS its only rain and i remember some of the incredible games in mud from many years ago.

Exactly I often watch match of the day repeats on itv4 from the early 70s some of pitches have barely any grass and yet some brilliant games were played on them ,

[NOSCOTCAPS]

I dont think covers are the answer to the problem as the grass below will still need daylight to survive. Undersoil heating can make games playable but is not too good for regular use as the grass tends to dry out at root level and die away.

Surely if the covers are ?pitched? off the grass and not directly laid on it, therefore still enough aeration and if the right coloured material then some daylight would still get through? Effectively a greenhouse or just like a poly tunnel concept, where stuff grows but protected from the elements. Tons of them around in the fields.

[ROMA84]

Im sure putting up poly tunnels and taking them down again to be stored would be a time consuming thing to do, not imposible but not very practical

[ROMA84]

https://youtu.be/hYEPg2zCRRY?si=N1v2XQ1SA9d-axcf Just had a look at erecting a polytunnel.

[TerryTheTerror]

It's amazing how many pitch experts we have in situations like this. Worth saying the fun have also had a match postponed because of the rain recently.