Why give weight to this argument? Because it's true. It's not an argument. Believe it or not, just like many on here I desperately wanted the new singing section to succeed. I moved from 111. I gave up a great seat and a great view. I also had some great times in there. Singing, banter, etc. I moved because I hoped the new singing section would be better. Is it? The jury is still out on that one as far as I'm concerned.
I'll give you an honest and unbiased view of the new singing section, in my opinion.
For a start I don't buy into the fact that the new 3rd tier claimed a large percentage of fans who originally decided to relocate to the new singing section. Fans who wanted to stand and sing would have still relocated to the new singing section, regardless of the new 3rd tier. We were led to believe there was as many as 400-500 fans relocating to the new singing section from other parts of the ground. In all honesty, is there even 50-100 singing fans grouped together in 114 or 115? Probably more like 20-30?(grouped together)
What we've got is very similar to blocks 111, 110 and 109. A mixture of fans who want to sing all the time, part of the time, or not at all. Those 3 groups of fans are completely mixed up and spread out in blocks 115 and 114. As it stands there isn't a large group of singers massed together in 114 or 115.
Let me make this clear. What l'm about to write is not a criticism of 1894. I've supported them and helped them right from the start. I also know some of the lads personally and I'm on speaking terms with them. TBH I consider them to be friends. What they've achieved at City and on the terraces has been great. And because of them we're heading in the right direction. However, there are a few things I've noticed that I think need looking at, which could make a difference, and could have a positive impact on the singing and atmosphere in blocks 114 and 115?
1. As far as I know, and I could be wrong, 1894 are reluctant to grow their numbers? They want to keep everything in-house. They have a tight knit bunch of lads. That's not to say they don't welcome more fans joining in singing on the concourse and on the terraces.
2. When I stand with them I see the same faces most of the time. I appreciate they know each other and they are mates. But unless you actively invite new fans into that close knit group, you will never increase the numbers, and increase the number of singers grouped together.
3. As I've already stated, many of the singers are spread throughout both blocks. From what I've seen there seems to be 2 groups of singers. The 1894 group at the back of 115, under the overhang, and another group to left of them. Don't know who they are. That aside, and in my opinion, if you've got 10-15 lads stood under the concrete overhang at the back of 115 that isn't going to help the songs and the noise to travel. The concrete overhang acts like a buffer, a dampener, and muffles the chants and any noise created. Whether by choice or by accident 1894 have decided to stand there during the games. From a personal point of view, and seeing where Palace and other Ultras stand, it would make more sense to stand near the bottom or in the middle of the block/s, so the chants and the noise can either travel up the blocks, or up and down the blocks. That being said, most of those seats have now probably been allocated to other season ticket holders.
Being honest, the new singing section has made the atmosphere better at the Etihad, but with more organisation, and ultimately more singers grouped together, and in a better location on the terraces, the support and atmosphere could and would be so much better.
That's my take on it, rightly or wrongly. :-)
