So who is to blame for the state of the Ricoh Arena pitch?
The pitch over the last few weeks has been complained about with Coventry City manager Russell Slade amongst those who have criticised the state of it.
Here are a few possibilities as to why it’s in the state it is and who is to blame.
1 – The Weather
The weather, whilst has not been severe as in previous winters, has been varied with rain, the odd bit of snow, temperatures going up and down to below freezing all cannot do the pitch any good.
2 – Football And Rugby Don’t Mix
Anyone who has been to a game at the Ricoh or seen City play at Swansea or Oldham will have seen the state of the pitches after hosting both football and either code of rugby. it’s clear that pitches who hold both sports will struggle, giving rise to those who want only rugby, either union or league, to be played at the Ricoh Arena all year round.
3 – Pitch Invasions
Whilst it should be stressed that the pitch was in a mess before the pitch invasions against Sheffield United and the celebration at getting to Wembley at the end of the win over Wycombe Wanderers. There are those always ready to blame City supporters and some did want City supporters not allowed into the Ricoh Arena on Saturday for the game against Gillingham if they could not be kept off the pitch, if certain rumours are to be believed.
Thankfully, a meeting attended by Mark Venus on behalf of Otium Entertainment Group who employ the stewards and who have to take responsibility for what the club has become under their running, which has led to supporters taking the action they have and representatives of City’s safety staff, were able to persuade those who wanted the Gillingham game played behind closed doors at the meeting that they could prevent any pitch invasions and supporters were admitted to the game and there were no pitch invasions.
4 – Pitch Not Being Able To Cope With The Amount Of Use
With the amount of football and rugby being played over the last six months, there has been little time for the pitch to fully recover from being used and the weather etc.