@James96Lee I'm not sure that we ALL agree that the atmosphere is better at away matches. Maybe on the concourses they are singing but once they get into the seating/standing area not so much. That's if they even make it to the seating/standing area.
I am afraid you are 100% spot on. Whether the ground has loads of old timers from Maine Road or not, the reality is that many supporters in the Etihad have become somewhat complacent during the last 8 years. I remember the Spurs game you referred to and the atmosphere was astonishing. I remember the 4-2 against arsenal with the Adebeyor header, again incredible atmosphere - the game against Sunderland which we won 4-3 (not sure if memory is correct) and Hughes was fired afterwards - amazing atmosphere - the first few games against the Swamp dwellers at the Etihad in which I could not hear myself think...................since Mancini breaking new ground for city, the atmosphere has become dull and bland - and it is nothing to do with the corporates. Many of the fans seem to just expect incredible results all the time. I have sat in loads of places around the ground and always try to strike up conversations with those around me and so often, there appears to be abject underwhelming discussions, not necessarily harping back to the 'good old days' but generally unappreciative of what they are currently experiencing.
What about when Poznan came to town and had the whole stadium shaking with their 'bouncing' - which we then inherited for a while. As soon as other fans started to use it back against us whenever we were losing, we lost the will to keep it going. It was fucking brilliant and despite us nicking if off the poles, it was our thing and was a huge atmosphere pump and without doubt, all opposing fans were quietly jealous when we did the poznan.
Don't shoot me down, but the atmospheres at the likes of Anfield, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal (most of the time), the Swamp and a few of the others, are consistently at a highly charged level in comparison to the Etihad. That is by no means just down to the fans inside the ground - outside the ground, they have managed to turn it into some kind of homogenised beige shopping mall - rather than ramping up the character of the surrounds to get a real sense of excitement.
I fear there is not going to be much change in atmosphere for several years and then only if City are performing right at the top levels in all competitions - the whole time. I for one, feel like I am walking into the ultimate dream every time I come to watch City. As a 53 year old, I embarrass myself by how overexcited I get when I see the likes of aguero, silva, toure and most of the others playing or even on the bench - and even back to the likes of adebeyor, tevez and Robinho. The feast on the eyes and senses just knowing that these kinds of players are at City, let alone having full blown man-love for the likes of Pep is beyond words. But it saddens me when there are bloody loads of empty seats all over the place and apart from the stalwarts of blocks 109/110 etc, bugger all in the way of atmosphere is coming from anywhere else. I just don't get it.
The fact that we have relatively few match going fans in the 18-25 bracket doesn't help matters. Naturally you don't have to that age to actually sing but that age range is generally assumed to be the most likely to sing and be more demonstrative. Even away from home we have very few 'lads' in attendance compare and contrast to most other clubs most notably the rancid mob from M16.
The fact that we have relatively few match going fans in the 18-25 bracket doesn't help matters. Naturally you don't have to that age to actually sing but that age range is generally assumed to be the most likely to sing and be more demonstrative. Even away from home we have very few 'lads' in attendance compare and contrast to most other clubs most notably the rancid mob from M16.
If you think it's just us, think again.
A good but sobering watch about moving to a new stadium and the affect it has on the fans.
Ring any bells during our years at the Etihad?
Sort of tell me about it! But I will keep on clapping and shouting for all I'm worth! :-)
For me it's the feeling of not being connected to the club anymore , Mancini and Cook for all there faults made that connection , 93.20 was THE footballing nirvana , that run in and final day will never ever be beaten in any of our lifetimes, it's why a lot of fans never took to Pellegrini , the football was good but he left you feeling cold as a fan, we all started the journey with Mancini and watched it grow into something really special.
There seemed more of an energy around the place than there is now, we have always been a better fanbase when the chips are down and rallied round the club.
Managers and players shouldn't be cupping their ears telling us to pump up the atmosphere- it works the other way round for me, they look half arsed half the time, it's they who should rouse us, I get that sometimes we need to cheer them on but how much do we need to rouse them?
ALL PL clubs are distancing themselves from their fans , you ask united fans about their ticketing policies.
Where I will disagree with you is it being better charged at other PL grounds - United is pathetic for the numbers they get -ditto Arsenal , never heard it really loud at Everton or Chelsea either.
It's the club and their relationship with the fans that needs to change - acknowledge us once in a while would help.
Still of the opinion aswell that football and its popularity has peaked and is on the way down- it's not just us with empty seats either and we are becoming touchy about it-Arsenal have had recent games with 1000's of empties , United just hide there empties well.Skys viewing figures are 19% down on last season, it's biased bullshit and its not just City's fans saying it.Its TV and media driven bullshit.
I loved it 20 years ago, MOTD and the pink-happy days.
The flipside of the new singing section in 115 is that it's killed 110 and 111.
I stood in 111 for years, and both 110 and 111 were great when they got going. And because they are at an angle facing the away fans, the banter with them was always brilliant. Properly winding each other up.
There were quite a few characters in there. Younger lads who always came out with some decent windup chants.They were always in groups, mates, so that always got the chants going.
"He's got a pie in his pocket." "Have you ever seen a TV, have you f***." Etc.
Some people will say those kind of chants aren't supporting the team, but it created banter, noise, an atmosphere, and it would windup the away fans, and caused them to react, which in-turn created more chants. It was also the place were the Poznan started. Where the inflatable Fergie c*** was shown, etc.
111 and 110 always used windup up the SS for being quiet. Now it's the other away around. Most of the time the SS is now louder than 110 and 111. That is not a pop at 110 and 111. The Arsenal and Celtic matches were the only matches I've really heard 110 and 111 this season. It was like the good old day's in-there.
This might sound mad, and I don't know if it's possible, but I think the official singing section should be relocated from 115 to either 110 or 111, if there are enough seats available? There would be more singing, and much more banter with the away fans, which in itself will improve the atmosphere at the Etihad.