The SFL fixture planner has really put Arbroath up against it in fixture planning for the upcoming Division 2 2012-13 season. Here's why
1. A good start can often set the tone for the entire season - we've 3 tough aways out of the first 4 away. Uphill struggle thereafter
2. A decent number of home fixtures early doors usually guarantees higher crowds enjoying better weather and while hopes remain high - we face only 4 games in the first 100 days. That is - until mid-November
3. Our extra home games come along in midwinter - liable to postponment and also poor crowds (since there no derbies then) so this does NOT redress the balance. Playing 5 of the last 8 at home may be too late
4. The traditional Home-Away-Home pattern which helps all fans plan and get into a routine only occurs mainly for the last 7 games, plus a few from january. On 8 other occasions (ie almost half of all fixtures), you have either two aways or two homes in succession
I conclude they're out to get us.
If the League Cup draw also doesn't involve a home tie and we depart the Ramsdens Cup, football at Gayfield will be a rare event until the depths of winter