The first eight games have been a case of deja vu. The fans frustration is that we can be a good team on our day but we have too many periods in games where we don't click. We seem to be slow starters in games. I noted with interest that when it was mentioned to Chris Lumsdon ( who does an excellent job of the co-commentary ) that we had not scored in the first half this season, he said that in his day we would always look to get really fired up and try to get an early goal. Now the game may have changed and be a bit more tactical but particularly at home should we not be looking to whip up the crowd and get some early momentum ? The formation of the team is a constant cause for debate. Are you pro or anti diamond ? Is it a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 ? For me Thirlwell and Tiawo in the same team is too negative. We signed the striker that fans were craving for and with 3 goals in 2 games, Lee Miller has made a great start. My personal opinion is that he thrives on crosses and so we must play with wingers. I still feel we are vulnerable in both full back areas. Our current full backs lack positional awareness at times and in some ways are too attack minded whereas the should be first and foremost defenders. Two clean sheets out of eight is not a good enough return. If you don't concede, you don't lose. I know everyone wants to see exciting football but ultimately it's results that get the fans in.

I've had some dialogue with the club recently around commercial activity. The London Branch have agreed to raise money towards an upgrade of the floodlights. Our £1000 initial donation we hope will be followed by a further £4000 over the next two seasons under what we are terming the ' Shine A Light ' appeal. We hope to work with the club on fund raising initiatives starting with a raffle later this year. Merchandising opportunities are being researched with a baseball cap seeming to be a popular choice. There is still lots to do to get more fans interaction with the club. There is no recognised formal fans engagement process that has in the past led to ideas launched by the club falling flat. I was personally disappointed with the turnout at the fans forum. Does this mean that all is well with United fans. Reading the messageboard you'd think not !

Are the Club doing enough to get fans into home games ? The much criticised new ticketing entry system should help in this regard. One of the benefits is customer profiling. The Club should be able to quickly build up a history of attendance for each fan that will allow them to target offers at absent fans. I still think that we miss a big trick by not looking for a small team of volunteers that could proactively call fans and offer them tickets for matches. There are no costs involved here as they are volunteers. What about packages for businesses to bring clients along ? Why not get out and about and ask people what it would take to encourage them to come along ? How many of the occasional fans just need a little nudge over the phone with an incentive attached ? Although it is not the be all and end, it would significantly improve turnover if you get more people into Brunton Park. Once in they buy a pie, a beer, programme, etc and they might come back. Possibly the presence in the city centre at Debenhams will help to raise the profile. This along with the bus travel offer are good moves but so much more could be done.

These are only my views as an exiled fan. I hope that if you see things differently you will look to contribute to this fanzine.

Keep well,

Simon Clarkson