Supporters tend to be creatures of habit and disruption to the regular routine is not comfortable. The trend over the past few seasons to give control of kick off times to TV executives has caused chaos as the needs of the viewing audience are given priority over those who enter through the turnstiles.
Motherwell fans, deprived of their Saturday fix for the second consecutive week, cannot blame the chase for viewing figures. Last week's cup tie against Inverurie fell foul to the chill of the Scottish winter and this weekend sees our SPL fixture against Dundee United shifted to Sunday to allow Dundee to play Morton at
Though the cause is different, the effect is the same. Many fans have a regular pre-match routine. The whole day often centres round the 3pm kick off. It is surprising how a two hour afternoon slot can grow to dominate all the waking hours on a Saturday. The activities of the morning may have to be planned to ensure time for travel to the other end of the country. A visit to a local bookie may be included. Some will meet in a favoured watering hole to enjoy a pint and a chat with fellow fans about the prospects for the day.
Others make an effort to get to the ground early, eager for the first news of the team selection. Then there are the post match rituals. What were the views of the manager? How did the other results affect league standings?
Without the Saturday game much of this may not be possible. Instead there can be emptiness, a void to be filled, a need to avoid that long put off visit to a DIY store or worse.
Still, things will be much brighter after a win at Tannadice tomorrow!