EssEffCee

Leeds have some of the best away support in the country, do we really think they wouldn't have sang as much or our support wouldn't have been as nervous if they were somewhere else in the ground? Sounds a bit dubious to me.

And they all moan that the ground's got a terrible atmosphere too.

Away fans are louder at pretty much most grounds aren't they? Hardly think we're unique in that aspect and them being somewhere else won't make them sing less.

Was way before my time but surely we didn't finish 18th as would have been a 22 team league back then? Always forget United went down that year too. If they were only promoted in '75 is it fair to say they weren't one of countries best sides for '76? Always wondered why our upset never seems to be mentioned alongside Sunderlands and wondering if that's why?

Have they said it'll be cheaper prices? Seems like an assumption based on nothing to me.

That's the theory. Whether or not it's true remains to be seen. I'm personally very doubtful it'll make much difference but we'll soon find out I suppose.

Not considered that point about sitting being enforced in other areas. It's a good one though and makes you wonder if it'll have the opposite to the intended effect in the Northam.

Don't think we'd be allowed to convert the whole end.

Genuinely shocked by that. Thought it would take quite a while for this to sell out. Saw this as a dull draw when it happened but really looking forward to this now.

I suspect they'd block off the footbridge side and make them go through the industrial estate. Don't see a suitable route to escort say 3k Pompey fans going that way though.

Corporate are all in Itchen aren't they?

1-4 won't work due to corporate boxes and for FA Cup games the allocation would stretch further down the Itchen and be close to the dugouts and director seats which they'd presumably like to avoid.

What about high risk games where they want to police escort the train fans all in go and segregate the fans? Don't see how that would work in Kingsland North

Yeah Kingsland/Chapel corner seems most likely. Won't be Kingsland north as no easy way to segregate outside.

Well yes, anybody with a brain knows that it's primary goal was to keep the big clubs as the big clubs and kill off any potential competition. It was never about protecting smaller clubs from going bust that was just the spiel to get fans onside. As I alluded yesterday why do you think it's the Yank owners of United, Liverpool, and Arsenal who push this the most? It's because they have the most to lose from rich owners pumping money into other clubs to make them competitive. You think they give a fuck about the plights of Bury and Southend? If you took away owners investing money into their clubs then those 3 clubs are the only ones who would have won the league in the PL era.

It's remarkable that there are grown adults who still believe it was brought in to protect clubs.

Yeah no chance have we sold 2k for this today imo. Be shocked if they're not on general sale Wednesday lunchtime.

Success or no success Bristol was always going to be popular due to being one of the few southern aways this season. Watford in the cup should reach general sale and Blackburn will too if we take the full allocation, not sure we'd sell 5k mind. Be surprised if any others get below 2-3 aways if we continue to do well. Leeds if it's a dead rubber perhaps.

The very fact this was pushed by the American owners of the 3 biggest clubs in the country should have meant all smaller clubs were against it.

Or makes the entire competition a bit of a farce.

I don't see it as plus at all to be honest. The rules are extremely anti competitive in nature and just ensures the big clubs now will always remain the big clubs.

All of this talk of Leicester and Ipswich result next week, let's just focus on beating Swansea. Our away form has been patchy and 4 of next 5 are away so probably better to just focus on our own results.

Hasn't Russell himself said he had to make adjustments? Pretty sure he said something along these lines just last week? I'm not one of those who wanted him out but I don't agree that him making adjustments is a myth. We definitely seem more willing to mix up our play and go long occasionally now than earlier in the season for example. It shouldn't be seen as a negative anyway. The best managers are those willing to adjust and compromise on their principles occasionally.

Gutted. Watford in cup and Blackburn might be only ones rest of season then I reckon. Was quietly confident of Wba and Brum but the 2k allocation for the former makes it fairly unlikely I think.

Yeah will almost certainly reach general sale I reckon. Especially with the short sales windows - goes from the top bracket to general sale in two and half days. Good opportunity for those who've struggled this season to get to an away match. Reasonably local too.