By PAUL REES

PREMIERSHIP clubs believe the Covid pandemic is behind the drop in crowds for the first three weeks of the season with some fans concerned about joining mass gatherings.Just four of the 18 matches played in the first three rounds showed an increase in the gate from when the sides involved met previously before Covid restrictions were imposed and all six last weekend showed a drop, although an additional factor may have been the weather with heavy rain deterring anyone who had left it to the last minute.Crowds are down by an average of more than 1,250 a match, although...