I think you've made a fairly decent effort at rationalizing what may be, but you, just as everyone else, are guessing and projecting a theory. Much the same could be done about any variation on the seating change - in fact, why argue whether or not one is needed; after all, the endless comments on here, and elsewhere, criticizing the atmosphere, might be just hot air, just like a dislike of away supporters intimidating behind the goal might be seen as nonsense (I've never understood why we allow it) Personally I think the actions are a move forward; they may, through experience, need tweaking, but that's life, isn't it?
This idea of consultation is interesting. Who would the owners consult with, what is the respected representative group they should have approached? You see expressing yourself on here as a form of adding to consultation, so did the owners take notice of past threads criticising the atmosphere and act accordingly?
What about timing; with everything else that has swept our season to a close, where, in a dynamic commercial world, that operates with hard deadlines, was this consultation to take place? Would the available time have meant a rushed consultation.
Whichever way, I can't help but think that the same posters would have found a reason to post their anger and annoyance; it's a Bruce Hornsby kind of thing. Perhaps that placid lake was due a bit of a stir, ripples will eventually still, waves may not form and folk will find something else to be unhappy about.
Forty year supporters walking away is sad, on a number of levels. I did not attend games from the name-change application to the FA verdict; that was my choice, as I (we) was challenged by the owner to do so. I am curious about the reason for these 40 year supporters action; is it being together (has that been given a shot?), location (the same?), cost, or just being pissed off at a business trying to listen to it's customers trying to improve? I'm certainly not criticizing anyone for leaving the fold, but I am curious about the haste.
As for your final thought to me, better is an understatement, but it was the manner in which he berated folk to drum home his very obscure point that grated on everyone. I agree that the answer he eventually got, to a question he never actually asked,he probably did already know. Unfortunately that indicates, to me, that he deliberately set out to be obtuse and bombastic, being free with insult, eventually (mis)using the powers and tools of a moderator to score his petty points. But life will go on, as it does, until the next time, which we all know will come.
all smoke and mirrors. A wavy davy corner but the rest of the ground is standard prem library.
); the fact that Allam will not recognise it is besides the point. They, or any other substantial group, don't have to represent the views of all supporters.