I think his point is it that the type of fan who wants to go to a game and have a sing song etc. Have largely been priced out and replaced with people who just want to watch football.
I've only done 5 but I think it's mainly been good. Fulham wasn't great especially considering the numbers and second half at Brighton we were hit and miss in the second half (much like they were last night actually) but other than that I think the support is pretty damn good. I probably get an 8/10 success rate in starting a song away from home compared to 2/10 at home.
I said last night that a large percentage of songs were started from there and wondered if that's regular now? Selhurst was atrocious this season. No established Prem club has a good atmosphere consistently imo.
Pretty obvious how fans paying out hard earned cash, seeing multimillionaires acting like kids, the club hoarding cash etc, can get to people who have to sacrifice stuff to watch football. Making them feel depressed and out of touch with the game
I would say so. I sit in block 39 just infront of the really voal lot. Been this way for at least 1.5-2.5 yrs and was why I moved from 41 to 39 for this season. During Koemans last year and Puel's reign the Northam just seemed to be filled up with 'Chapel' fans. I finally moved after being told to sit down (along with 250+ others) for 1 old person during a game. I think people like the idea of being around the away fans to be get the experience - but by not getting involved they are killing atmosphere at all grounds. I kind of think thats why the Kingsland corner (it stops as soon as people sit) has had better atmosphere now as it is 90% ST holders, at least near the back where it is always the same faces.
I've always had a season ticket in the Northam and it was always the place to go to sing. It annoyed me actually to see fans standing there and not making a noise because it was always known that that's where the atmosphere came from. I appreciate people want to be involved with the atmosphere, but by doing that and not joining in with the chanting just leads to a **** atmosphere overall. It's got to the stage where too many people don't bother singing in the Northam now. All around me people are just stood there making no noise and I don't see the point in that as it's supposed to be 'the singing end'. And when it's just a handful bothering to chant, it seems a bit embarassing/pointless after a while when no one joins in. I think the club need to re-categorise it as the singing section and have it so only people who want to sing have their season tickets there. Or at least dedicate an area where only fans who want to sing can go. I'm sure with parts of the Northam, Kingsland & Itchen North and other parts of the ground we could gather those wanting to sing and generate good atmospheres. There was a time where we'd always seem to be singing throughout the majority of the first half, and there'd always be a 'constant' oh when the saints going in the second half, but now there's only really noise if we are doing well or on the attack and pushing for a goal. Which means there's never any noise anymore
Sounds like you need to join us over in block 39! Atmosphere and banter is still pretty good. I mean, it's obviously not good but has made me enjoy being at SMS again at least.. Last year in 41 was unbearable. Agree the club could do more for the atmosphere though, the fact that we attack the Chapel most second halves is evidence enough that the club couldn't care less about the atmosphere to me. Putting our horribly out of form keeper (FF) infront of an increasing bouyant away support every second half was shattering his confidence, as they tore him to pieces from the stands. It's common sense and makes me wonder if anyone who works for the club supports them or has any meaningful attachment to the local area. It certainly hasn't seemed so since Markus passed and Cortese left..
Most teams attack their designated "home end" second half, and if you talk to fans of other clubs they all ask why this is. The Kop is almost silent unless Liverpool score; ditto United and the Stretford End and so on. In the case of these two their opposite end isn't much better, but at least the presence of the away fans might engender a response.
Ok Beefy, you clearly disagree with me thinking that our fans should be supporting the team at the moment rather than moaning at them during the game. Edit: just read your earlier post saying you get it and people at breaking point..... in that case I’m right in thinking they haven’t got the stomach for a poorer period at the club. 6 good years, 1 ok year (and a Cup Final) followed by 1 bad year. Yep, whoever said our fans have become or are “entitled” may just be right.
Entitled or fed up. I just disagree with having a go at the fans for not cheering enough etc. When the whole club is to blame for the mess
Following on from Fats’ post above I wonder how many of the fans who moan and jeer at games nowadays were there during the 90’s when we we spent some part of almost every season in the relegation places, or just above. Were they there during the Lowe decline culminating in relegation to League One and administration? If it’s true that it’s mostly the older fans who moan and boo then to some extent I have a bit of sympathy for them as if they lived through the unmitigated filth that was served up in those former years they have paid their dues, and don’t want to return to those days again. If, on the other hand the moaners are fans who have come along during the last 8 or 9 years and are used to Saints being on a perpetual upward trajectory, then they should realise that football is and always has been a cyclical thing and that nothing lasts forever. I have lived through times when both Man Utd and Man City have been in the lower leagues, while clubs like Charlton Athletic and Millwall have been in the top flight. I would never boo the players I go to support. I might shout abuse at the board members after the game, but I just can’t see that getting on the players’ backs does any good whatsoever.
I have no problem with fans moaning if they do it at a volume the players can't hear. Only thing I don't like is the people that shout abuse or boo when we are playing. Fans that are silent or moan at talking volume are no problem
Agreed. As Fats knows, I do like a chat about things during a game (to a degree), and it’s not always about what looks right!
Is the Chapel really our 'home end' though? I also have friends who ask when they visit SMS, all think its a terrible idea as well, particulalry the last few years where we are routinely outsupported by the travelling fans. There is just no comparing the Kop and the Chapel as a home end... At least other clubs keep their vocal support together. Saints thought it was a blooming fantastic idea to split the vocal support with away fans which just makes them appear nosier as a result.. Give the whole Northam, Ithcen Corner and Kingsland Corner to home fans with blocks for vocal support/ families and put the away end elsewhere..
