Any suggestions for improving match updates?

Niall

All Powerful Super Being
Staff
Joined
Jun 13, 1999
Messages
24,547
If you follow match threads you'll have noticed that live match updates have returned this season.

@Damien does a great job of the pre-match updates and I do in game updates.

We're looking for feedback on these updates and any ideas people may have to make them better.

One idea Damien just put forward was embedding Getty Images from the match as part of updates. So if an update is about something Shaw did, it could have a picture of him during the match. Not sure if that idea will pan out but it's one example.

One thing I've been pondering is displaying the latest one or two updates on the homepage while the match is on. That may draw more attention to them as at the moment they're a little buried in the match thread. Again, just an idea at the moment.

So fire away if you have any suggestions...
 

Traub

Full Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2009
Messages
10,221
Not sure if this is possible or would work on phones, but what about having the updates (or a summary of the updates) on the right of the discussion during the game (where the score prediction and team lineup currently are)? Almost like the twitter feed on the homepage. That way people will see the updates if that’s what they hope to get from the matchday thread.
 

jojojo

JoJoJoJoJoJoJo
Staff
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
38,145
Location
Welcome to Manchester reception committee
Not sure if this is possible or would work on phones, but what about having the updates (or a summary of the updates) on the right of the discussion during the game (where the score prediction and team lineup currently are)? Almost like the twitter feed on the homepage. That way people will see the updates if that’s what they hope to get from the matchday thread.
I think that would be really nice, even if it just had the last couple of events on display.
 

Damien

Self-Aware RedCafe Database (and Admin)
Staff
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
97,066
Location
Also won Best Gif/Photoshop 2021
Not sure if this is possible or would work on phones, but what about having the updates (or a summary of the updates) on the right of the discussion during the game (where the score prediction and team lineup currently are)? Almost like the twitter feed on the homepage. That way people will see the updates if that’s what they hope to get from the matchday thread.
Like this?


There's already a tab for the Live Updates underneath the Burnley v Man Utd banner - and more spacious too rather than fitting them all in a little box like the twitter feed.
 

Levo

Band of Brothers
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
19,409
Location
Derby.
Have the updates scroll across the homepage somewhere non-intrusive?
 

ivaldo

Mediocre Horse Whisperer, s'up wid chew?
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
28,699
Read your bloody messages Damien.
 

ivaldo

Mediocre Horse Whisperer, s'up wid chew?
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
28,699
I do. The unread messages are either related to conversations I've been added to just so they can add more people, or various online game stuff. The things that matter I read and respond to fairly promptly.
As I'm sure you do. I don't think I could sleep knowing I have so many unread messages though, even if I know they're mostly crap!
 

Traub

Full Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2009
Messages
10,221
Like this?


There's already a tab for the Live Updates underneath the Burnley v Man Utd banner - and more spacious too rather than fitting them all in a little box like the twitter feed.
Yeah something like that, maybe further up and a bit longer. The reason I’d prefer it on the same page as the discussion is then it’s easier to see people’s reactions to events.

Another suggestion is to make it even closer to other sports sites: you could possibly also put stats on the side e.g. shots, possession etc.

The thing I like about the matchday thread compared to sky sports etc. is the discussion. But it’s easy to incorporate the best parts of those sites together with the best parts of this site.
 

Damien

Self-Aware RedCafe Database (and Admin)
Staff
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
97,066
Location
Also won Best Gif/Photoshop 2021
Yeah something like that, maybe further up and a bit longer. The reason I’d prefer it on the same page as the discussion is then it’s easier to see people’s reactions to events.
If it were to be implemented I don't think that'd happen. Priority real estate on the right will be for score and lineup predictions for matchday stuff. Having them shoved down means fewer people would see them.

Another suggestion is to make it even closer to other sports sites: you could possibly also put stats on the side e.g. shots, possession etc.

The thing I like about the matchday thread compared to sky sports etc. is the discussion. But it’s easy to incorporate the best parts of those sites together with the best parts of this site.
Yeah, I'd like to be able to implement tables and stuff via bbcode for the updates and whatnot - bit like what reddit does.
 

VeevaVee

The worst "V"
Scout
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
46,248
Location
Manchester
I didn't realise you did the updates. Assumed they were from another live source.
I really like them popping up in the match threads the way they do already.
 

Damien

Self-Aware RedCafe Database (and Admin)
Staff
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
97,066
Location
Also won Best Gif/Photoshop 2021

Pogue Mahone

The caf's Camus.
Joined
Feb 22, 2006
Messages
133,350
Location
"like a man in silk pyjamas shooting pigeons

Garethw

scored 25-30 goals a season as a right footed RW
Joined
Feb 7, 2005
Messages
16,965
Location
England:
Offer the PL a billion pounds to broadcast the matches on here :D;)
 

VeevaVee

The worst "V"
Scout
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
46,248
Location
Manchester
Not what you're after, but I enjoyed it when a forum of whoever we're playing were asked a couple of questions.
Would be especially interesting at the moment.
Probably a bit too much work though.
 

Damien

Self-Aware RedCafe Database (and Admin)
Staff
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
97,066
Location
Also won Best Gif/Photoshop 2021
Didn't seem to be that popular towards the end (and some forums were very hostile) hence why I stopped doing it. It could be revived but would need more contributions from members for questions etc.
 

12OunceEpilogue

In perfect harmony
Scout
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
18,392
Location
Wigan
Didn't seem to be that popular towards the end (and some forums were very hostile) hence why I stopped doing it. It could be revived but would need more contributions from members for questions etc.
In what way were they hostile? You'd think any half-decent forum would welcome an honest and well-intentioned exchange of views with another one.
 

VeevaVee

The worst "V"
Scout
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
46,248
Location
Manchester
Didn't seem to be that popular towards the end (and some forums were very hostile) hence why I stopped doing it. It could be revived but would need more contributions from members for questions etc.
Might be more into it now?
Is football forum usage up?

I'd be up for contributing and even contacting forums on occasion (when you're bedridden, on holiday, or having your oil changed).
Any weird hostility could be shared and add to the enjoyment.
 

KM

I’m afraid I just blue myself
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
49,718
Might be more into it now?
Is football forum usage up?

I'd be up for contributing and even contacting forums on occasion (when you're bedridden, on holiday, or having your oil changed).
Any weird hostility could be shared and add to the enjoyment.
Contacting forums isn't an issue. Preparing the questionnaires was the issue!
 

Damien

Self-Aware RedCafe Database (and Admin)
Staff
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
97,066
Location
Also won Best Gif/Photoshop 2021
Might be more into it now?
Is football forum usage up?

I'd be up for contributing and even contacting forums on occasion (when you're bedridden, on holiday, or having your oil changed).
Any weird hostility could be shared and add to the enjoyment.
I'm sure you've cursed me somehow. Had been fine most of the year then picked up an illness over the weekend! I'll think about it.

In what way were they hostile? You'd think any half-decent forum would welcome an honest and well-intentioned exchange of views with another one.
Most were fine but had the odd response like this

Fvck off you manc tw@t
be fair, it's not likely he's from Manchester.
 

12OunceEpilogue

In perfect harmony
Scout
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
18,392
Location
Wigan
I'm sure you've cursed me somehow. Had been fine most of the year then picked up an illness over the weekend! I'll think about it.


Most were fine but had the odd response like this
Sick burn. It's quite ironic how United fans are seen as glory-hunting bellends who know nothing about football (fairly in many cases I'm sure) but when we try to take interest in other teams in the build-up to games that's the reaction from some.
 

anant

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
8,258
Maybe pin major match events- like goal, 1v1 feck up, red card, penalty decision, etc. to the top of discussion/updates

Or have a band in the top of the match updates page with labels like FM has towards the bottom like this


And then you click say the goal icon and it directs me to the gif that is present in the thread (basically threadmarking important events but in a more fancy way)
 

Damien

Self-Aware RedCafe Database (and Admin)
Staff
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
97,066
Location
Also won Best Gif/Photoshop 2021
The band sounds better.

What would be cool is seeing how many people picked each player on the admin side of things so I can bore people with exciting quips like '73 people picked Rashford against Watford despite him being suspended' or '87 people successfully predicted the starting XI today. Copycats.'