The rationale for the introduction of the system of three points for a win in the Football League in 1981-82 was, presumably, that more reward for winning games would encourage more positive attitudes from teams and that the consequent more attractive and attacking football would bring in bigger crowds. Certainly the philosophy of many away teams, or at least their managers, that they began a game at 0-0 with one point to hang on forhad become commonplace in recent seasons.