Difficult one this.
First of all, Niall is spot on. He makes it crystal clear that he's not having a go at anyone who hasn't got the money to go to the games.
The reason attendances are down all over the PL is because we're in the worst recession since the 30s, and it's not going to get better with the Tories trying to slash public services and many people worried about losing their jobs. I must admit being taken aback twice in the last month when hearing from mates/relatives of mine, who to be honest had been comfortably off for years, suddenly worried about spending quite small sums of money because they are worried about finances.
Having said that, experience has taught me that there are two types of people who say "I can't afford it", those who genuinely can't afford it or those that just come out with a clicḫ̩̉̉d excuse.
What you do about such armchair fans though I don't know. To me, not going to the game when you could and instead watching on TV is like, I dunno, having your cock hard and your partner willing, but deciding to have a **** instead while reading an encyclopaedia article on human sexuality. Just devoid of any passion.
However, I come from a mixed family of SAFC, Mags & Smogs. NONE of the Mags or Smogs ever go to their games, ever, although they follow all the results, and that's nothing to do with finances. Of SAFC, only I sit down, plan and go to games (hardly regularly as I live out of the country) with my brother and cousin coming along sometimes when I push them, but never going on their own. Unfortunately it seems that armchair (or pub) fans have always been around and always will :-(