While we're on a roll:
The lengths some of our fans go to to defend our owners against "the media" and opposition supporters is embarrassing. There's a difference between sticking up for your football club and coming across a massive sycophant for billionaires who will never know you exist.
At the Etihad, during live games, black players on our team receive a level of criticism that's far more intense and incessant compared to the criticism our non-black players receive. Jesus Navas is the only non-black player to receive similar levels of abuse and he scored 2 goals across three seasons.
We're definitely spoilt as a fanbase now.
The "empty seats" banter is total nonsense but the jibes about our atmosphere are true. The introduction of the 3rd tier and the increase in season ticket prices since 2012 have both contributed to a less hostile, more middle class, more relaxed mood in the ground. I'm one to talk, sitting in the North Stand, but the point stands.
The club has been purposefully disconnecting itself from proper fans for years. There was a happy medium between 2009 and 2012 under Garry Cook but as soon as Ferran Soriano came in and took over the commercial side of the club, fan engagement has absolutely tanked. He doesn't give a shiny fandango about us.