Were they in the pub drinking?
Last updated : 15 March 2007 By Tony Scholes
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Some time ago the League held a fans' survey and incredibly this was one idea that appeared, and that's prompted Mawhinney to put it on the agenda for the Football League meeting with Chairmen and Chief Execs. Not only that, Mawhinney has given the idea his backing.
Bristol City Chairman Steve Lansdown has not only given it the thumbs down but has described it as one of Mawhinney's 'Eureka' moments, adding: "Chairman I've spoken to think on the same lines as me, and managers make it clear it is not something they'd want."
Three Championship managers have spoken out against the idea. West Brom's Tony Mowbray said: "There's no need for scrapping draws, the game is in fine fettle," whilst the Legend of the Palace Peter Taylor commented: "I would be so against this idea. It's a stunt and it would be like a circus. I would be very disappointed if they voted for that."
Plymouth boss Ian Holloway was almost speechless when the suggestion was put to him; it was all of four or five seconds before he could say anything at all. When he did he asked: "Has an American taken over the Football League or something? They don't like draws in their soccer matches."
He added: "Whose idea is that?" When told it had come from supporters he responded. "Were they in the pub drinking? Did they survey them AFTER they had been drinking? The whole thing about football is you win, lose or draw. If you want my opinion this is total madness."
It might well have been the fans who came up with the idea (according to Mawhinney) but fans have been rubbishing it and laughing at it since with virtually no support whatsoever. We've got Chairmen, managers and supporters as one on this one, and that's a rare event.
The last word though from Neil Warnock who said today: "They have probably got little else to discuss on the agenda if that is the main directive. I don't see anything wrong with the Championship. If they want to titivate and mess about they should try to get to FIFA and get the divers and the people who are injured treated while the game is in progress to get the game moving quicker."