I reckon that coach greeting before the game probably had a bigger impact than anything City could do with the ground configuration, not specifically it being a coach greeting but large numbers of fans before the game congregated together outside the ground getting an atmosphere going, then that feeding onto the concourse, then the stands.
The lack of anywhere decent to go around the ground for a drink and a singsong is shocking really, a covered City Square (with no farce entertainment) or a beer hall just off site (Mercedes garage?) would do wonders.
It's great being in and around Ancoats and Northern Quarter pre-match, it's probably one of the best areas in the UK, but it doesn't build an atmosphere.