Matthew Le God

It would be a struggle to find any club media output that asks the owner difficult questions. Not just Saints.

Which is why raising revenue makes sense as it will help fund it.

There are not unconnected. Income raised can help improve quality on the pitch. Every little helps.

For those questioning the need for expansion please give an answer to this. As we sellout every PL game when it is this bad to watch what is on the pitch from a newly promoted team, how many tickets do you think we would sell on average in a bigger St Mary’s if we were mid table in the PL like we have been in the past? The answer should just be a number.

The City Council acknowledge that in the statement... "Enhanced Transport and Infrastructure plans to improve connectivity, making it easier for residents and visitors to access the waterfront area."

Very good point

Our last two Championship seasons have been averages of 29k+ under Martin and 26k+ under Adkins A very good chance of lots of wins will see big crowds if we are relegated.

Can you suggest an example of what they could say that would satisfy you?

Puzzled why you are talking about Burnley. Currently 4th with a decent chance of promotion. Same will be the case for many parachute payment clubs, especially those with players they can also sell for big money. Like we have with Harwood-Bellis, Dibling and Fernandes. Are you denying our squad is packed full of top Championship level players. Just take Archer, Brereton Diaz and Armstrong. They all struggle in the Premier League but score for fun in the Championship.

If not now... then when? Long term infrastructure projects shouldn't be based on fluctuations between leagues. What exactly do you want them to tell you regarding their plans this season that it would be worthwhile them disclosing publically?

Basing it on having a squad packed full of players that will stand out in the Championship.

Do you not think season ticket holders were expecting a relegation scrap this season? Sure not as poor as it has been, but still they purchased those tickets knowing we'd lose a lot of games! If we do go down, we'll be in the top 3 for favourites to go back up. We'll be winning regularly. So why wouldn't that bring the 29k+ average like we had last season?

It is possible to both act for this season and have longer term infrastructure plans that you are actively working on. It does not need to be one or the other... it can be both! Hopefully it is both, as they have messed this season up so far!

You did not grasp it because you said... "I would hazard a guess most other fans would prefer to hear more talk of what is being done to improve the return of 5 points so far this season rather than some PR exercise concerning stadium expansion" Which shows you think stadium expansion wouldn't benefit on field performance. Sure it wouldn't this season, but it would in the future. If you keep putting it off there is never a benefit and we'll fall behind the many clubs that are looking to increase revenue with long term infrastructure projects.

1) Talking to the council is an action requited for it to happen! 2) Based on what? 3) Based on what? Plus to dismiss as merely discussion is daft, discussions with the council is a required action to get things to happen! 4) We averaged 29k+ in the Championship. A lit of those empty seats were in the away end when clubs didn't fill it. Why would it be any different next season if relegated? 5) You keep failing to grasp that increasing revenue is a plan to make the team better. Higher turnover allows for more transfer/wage spending under new rules, so it is not a PR exercise, it is a credible plan to improve the squad and performance on the pitch.

Still avoiding!

1) That the owner, CEO and chairman have all spoken publicly about a desire to expand capacity. 2) That they have been planning for it for a long time. 3) That they are in active discussions with the city council about a wider development that includes expansion of the stadium 4) That selling out season tickets was a trigger mentioned by the board and it has happened this season. Plus selling out every home game in a terrible season is a positive sign the stadium is too small. As doing better will have more demand and we already sell out whilst 20th. 5) That increasing revenue with expanded capacity helps the club spend more under new financial rules Do you agree or disagree with those 5 points?

You are avoiding the questions... again I've not claimed insider knowledge, so not sure why you are trying to pin that on me! It is not tenuous to think it might happen when the club, city council, CEO, chairman and owner have been in talks and the latter three have publically stated a desire to expand the stadium capacity.

If you responded to all the counters and questions you've missed/avoided would be a good start.

Another potential factor is if we see a significant development around the stadium and along the riverside, plus an increase in capacity it potentially changes the perception of the club to supporters, the media, future owners, current and future players, potential sponsors etc and sets in place a snowball effect. No longer would it be a 32k identikit stadium in the middle of an industrial estate.

Selling out season tickets like we have now, but didn't back then might be a factor in @Lighthouse point.

I might if you directly responded to the points and questions I've asked rather than manoeuvring around them or outright avoiding them!

That is the issue you aren't getting. The purpose of expanding is to allow under the rules for more spending so we can do well. Plus we have sold out every game this season despite not doing well. That shows current capacity is too small.

Yet again... you ignored all the points I made and questions I asked. The post above is bizarre. Your logic appears to be that them not previously expanding the stadium means they won't in the future! That is daft. Plus in any case they have spent quite a lot of money on stadiums projects up to this point.

How have you come to that conclusion? Are they in talks about it for a laugh?