Don't disagree with any of what you've said - the reasons you gave are spot on so perhaps wishing for old times again is hasty, but in the years since 11/12, constant bemoaning the atmosphere has just led to people giving up on it altogether besides 1894 and spontaneous bouts. That, and I think a lot were priced out until SS 3rd tier. The 1st game of the new tier against Chelsea was very, very loud so we can do it.Mate I understand where you're coming from, but can you name a single ground where the atmosphere is as good now as it was 20 years ago?
I've been to the Swamp, Klanfield, St James' many times and they are like fucking libraries most of the time!
I always used to like Fratton Park and Goodison for away day atmospheres, I went to Goodison last season and it was fucking dead.
It's not just a City problem, or a new stadium problem, or an us being good problem, it's just the way football has gone. Life moves on, not always for the better. I know lads who went in the 70s and 80s and preferred it when the was the threat of imminent violence in the air, but time moves on, you can't go backwards.
The atmosphere is pretty shit at home games now, but would it be any better if we finished 15th last season? I don't think it would. What if we'd stayed at Maine Rd and it got even more dilapidated? Well look at Villa Park, Goodison etc, similar grounds and the atmosphere has got progressively worse at those grounds.
Realistically, the only way atmosphere is ever going to come back to English football is with safe standing, cheap tickets and cheap beer. It really isn't rocket science.
Makes it easier for them to chuck stuff down like the Everton fans did when we hammered them in the Cup.
It's awkward now as the ground is packed, but if we expand the ground, I'd definitely consider giving away fans South Stand Lower. It would be a fantastic atmosphere if that happened. Remember Blackburn away. There are some grounds where you really look forward to going: Sheff Weds, Blackburn, Sheff Utd because the way the away end was set up. Splitting it over 3 tiers in a narrow strip can't be good.Good that's how it should be or shall we give them all of the South Stand Lower??
We had a divided section of the upper tier at Blackburn as well as lower with the same divide, I've been in the lower tier at the swamp with those twats throwing paper cups of piss down on us just after half time. Sheffield Wednesday we get upper and lower death trap, Sheffield United upper and lower. Klanfield we get lower and spat on throughout the game from the upper tier.It's awkward now as the ground is packed, but if we expand the ground, I'd definitely consider giving away fans South Stand Lower. It would be a fantastic atmosphere if that happened. Remember Blackburn away. There are some grounds where you really look forward to going: Sheff Weds, Blackburn, Sheff Utd because the way the away end was set up. Splitting it over 3 tiers in a narrow strip can't be good.
Any idea when the tickets go on sale?
Did you get an email saying it was shut against Bucharest? I ask because it was empty with half an hour to go, then about 500 fans suddenly appeared - that's what makes me think they're keeping it empty to put the away fans that are thrown out / refused entry from the home area.Hope youre right but a similar message was sent for the game v Bucharest and it was shut.Its open v Barca as well.
Most times we got the whole of the end at Blackburn. Almost 8,000. There were a few clubs who'd take a lot to Blackburn, and everyone liked itWe had a divided section of the upper tier at Blackburn as well as lower with the same divide, I've been in the lower tier at the swamp with those twats throwing paper cups of piss down on us just after half time. Sheffield Wednesday we get upper and lower death trap, Sheffield United upper and lower. Klanfield we get lower and spat on throughout the game from the upper tier.
It doesn't work and it's not safe. Quote me Newcastle and I'll ask about people throwing smoke bombs.
You've completely missed the point- you can not safely have opposing fans above/below each other.Most times we got the whole of the end at Blackburn. Almost 8,000. There were a few clubs who'd take a lot to Blackburn, and everyone liked it
It would be good to make City the same. It's a fantastic ground, close to the pitch. A big game. Good City. If we get the extra capacity we could do it, and it would be good for home fans too as it would be a much better atmosphere. If it was a Boro visiting then give them 1,000 k in the corner and make the rest of it match-day sales to City fans.
I am sure I read somewhere that the Premier league are going to stop clubs sticking away fans in the top stands in the corners. Sunderland have done that. Quite a few clubs. Not good for the atmosphere in a ground. Only time it's any good now is when its a big game, or on a European night and you get the foreign ultras