Fan Letters: "Could the playing field for loyalty points be evened up?"

03/23/2025 02:00 AM

RR reader Mark Penny feels that a possible revamp of the Black Cat points system could be the solution to ticketing concerns. Got something to say? Email us: RokerReport@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Roker Report,

Mike Wylde's recent email about season tickets got me thinking.

I live in the North East; I've had a season ticket for over ten years and have only missed three home games in that time. I used to go to some away games — albeit only one or two in the north — but not any this season because I don't have enough loyalty points to qualify for the phased sales.

The only way I can earn points is by purchasing cup game or away tickets, but these are always sold out in early phases — apart from at places such as Plymouth and the like — so its a catch twenty-two.

I'm not saying I'm any more or less loyal but it does show the current system and proposed changes has pros and cons depending on your personal situation.

However, I've thought of a possible solution to levelling the playing field for loyalty points, and 70% attendance of home games.

How about instead of awarding every season ticket holder two points at the start of the season, make it fifty instead and then deduct two points for every home game missed — whilst still being able to earn points back for buying cup and away game tickets.

Alternatively, why not limit each phase of away sales to a percentage of the total number of away tickets provided, so that a percentage is always available for general sale?

Some supporters will probably disagree but doesn't that prove the point — what should the club do? In most cases, they just can't please everybody.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, and keep up the good work!

Mark Penny

Ed's Note [Phil]: Hi, Mark. Thank you for your letter.

The changes you've suggested are certainly intriguing and given what we now know about the new season ticket regulations and possible penalties for non-attendance of home games, effectively having everyone starting from zero would theoretically make it fairer — although I'm sure that the fans who've built up significant amounts of loyalty points over the years would still claim that they deserve to be first in line for away tickets.

There's not an easy solution but I'd like to think that the club will consult the fans and listen to their concerns. From there, we can hopefully work together to ensure that the system is as fair as possible.

Dear Roker Report

I'm absolutely staggered by the recent articles from so-called experts, ex-players, spineless local media reporters and podcasters implying that our recent run of poor form is a result of Mike Dodds going to Wycombe Wanders to become their manager.

Is there something wrong with their football judgement, their memory, or both?

Every time Dodds was put in charge of the first team, it ended in complete and embarrassing failure.

This culminated in a shambolic second half of last season, where if it hadn't been for the points we accumulated under Tony Mowbray in the first half of the season, we would've been relegated back to League One, as only Rotherham accumulated less points.

For those people that are in any doubt, I repeat: if it hadn't been for the points accumulated in the first half of the season, we would've been relegated back to League One!

Since becoming Wycombe manager, they've won one game out of the last five and have dropped out of the automatic promotion places, and in response to the criticism, the 'master tactician' Dodds was quoted as saying his 'team are going through a massive learning curve'.

That response is straight out of the Kristjaan Speakman textbook, entitled 'If you can't give a credible answer, waffle on and baffle them with bullshit' — a copy of which Dodds must've taken with him to Wycombe.

Under the previous manager, the same team didn't need a 'massive learning curve' as they'd established themselves as automatic promotion contenders, yet along comes Dodds and they drop out of the automatic promotion places, so surely it's Dodds that needs the learning curve!

Please don't give me any nonsense about Dodds being a better coach than a manager, as if you're such a great coach you can't possibly be that bad of a manager.

I suggest we need to look elsewhere for reasons as why our form has deteriorated recently, such as the numerous chances created but missed, the wrong formation, the wrong selection, etc.

Steve Williamson

Ed's Note [Phil]: Hi, Steve. Thank you for getting in touch.

Although I can't say I've been following Wycombe's fortunes (too much of a League One throwback for my liking), I don't see Mike Dodds as managerial material at all.

As you say, we saw plenty of evidence of this during his disastrous caretaker spell during 2023/2024, but I do understand why he took the job after so many years on the coaching staff at Sunderland.

Perhaps he felt the need to prove himself at a different club and in a totally different environment, but I'm not entirely convinced that our recent performances and results have been down to his exit.

I've said this before but to me, players should play for the club, the fans and the shirt.

They should be able to adapt whenever a member of the coaching staff decides to move on, and I don't think the lack of mental strength we've shown recently is Dodds-related, either.

He was clearly highly regarded by the Sunderland players but they also need to prove to Régis Le Bris and Pedro Ribiero that they can continue to thrive now that he's no longer here. That's the least the current coaching team are owed.

Dear Roker Report,

Sunderland could have a huge advantage in the playoffs — if they have the sense to use it.

Burnley will be playing their strongest team in every game in an attempt to catch the top two and the teams trying to get into the three places below us will again have to play their strongest team for every game just to qualify.

That leaves Sunderland in a position whereby as soon as we've secured our place in the playoffs, we could rest the whole of the first team if that's what our manager thinks is needed.

If I was picking the team, I would fix my best eleven in my head then get any injured player to peak fitness for those games and my fully rested first team players chomping at the bit for those games as well.

If it's a long hard slog for the other teams, they too will be playing with players carrying knocks and in need of a rest, whereas we could be reasonably fresh with a full squad to choose from.

Gerald Kearney

Ed's Note [Phil]: Hi, Gerald. Thank you for your letter.

Whilst I do agree that we need to head into the playoffs with as fit a squad as possible, we also need to ensure that we don't lose momentum during the final games of the season by tinkering too much and running the risk of losing games.

For Millwall, for example, I'd be bringing someone like Alan Browne in, as our midfield definitely looks like it could do with being freshened up, and he'll doubtless relish the challenge that the visitors will pose.

The good thing is that with the likes of Dan Ballard and Enzo Le Feé hopefully nearing returns from injury, some excellent players will soon be back in the fold and as we all know, you need as much depth and quality as you can muster if you want to succeed in the playoffs.

Let's hope Régis Le Bris has a plan in mind.