Home and Away

Kubicki's right boot · 24th March 2012, 08:51 PM

Reet. Bit philosophical for some no doubt, BUT why is home advantage so influential? Looking at the premier league this season (or any season for that matter) there are 131 Home wins versus 94 Away wins.

My belief is Fan backing is less important that once upon a time. So what is it that gives Home teams the advantage?

PhilSAFC · 24th March 2012, 08:52 PM

Familiar territory

Ironhide · 24th March 2012, 08:52 PM

Familiarity. Knowing your surroundings, it's more relaxing knowing where everything is etc.

Circus Clown Union Man · 24th March 2012, 08:53 PM

The home vocal support and familiarity of the pitch and conditions.

Buzzer · 24th March 2012, 08:55 PM

Travel could be a factor as well.

Kubicki's right boot · 24th March 2012, 08:55 PM

Familarity in Golf or Formula One I could understand but football pitches are (broadly) the same dimensions as are the dimensions of the goals?

Blyth · 24th March 2012, 08:57 PM

Now that we belong together, It's easy to see why home advantage counts.

Buzzer · 24th March 2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubicki's right boot

Familarity in Golf or Formula One I could understand but football pitches are (broadly) the same dimensions as are the dimensions of the goals?

There is a large part of sunken ground infront of the east stand from the Andy Reid days.

SproutMackem · 24th March 2012, 08:58 PM

I've thought the same myself. I think it's a psychological thing, get told often enought that it's difficult away then you believe it and it affects perfomance.

personally, I always hated having to play at home, putting the nets up and marking the pitch is a right clart.

Rambler10 · 24th March 2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SproutMackem

I've thought the same myself. I think it's a psychological thing, get told often enought that it's difficult away then you believe it and it affects perfomance.

personally, I always hated having to play at home, putting the nets up and marking the pitch is a right clart.

To answer the OP from another slant, I'll use Thierry Henri as an example. At Highbury he was smashing goals in from all over the place, as soon as they moved to The Emirates he struggled (by his standards) for a while. I put it down to points of reference and familiarity...