Matthew Le God

Just look at Wolves for example, they are increasing Molineux up to roughly 37k over the next few years and potentially to 50k. UEFA rules mean clubs need to maximise turnover, stadium capacities - maybe with pricing structures to help are one of the best ways for a club to increase revenue. Nothing in Wolves attendance history of the last 50 years suggests they are a bigger club than Saints.

- Bigger capacity, more away fans. - Season ticket prices mean the actual cost per game won't be anywhere near that. I think a 40k to 45k average is realistic if the team is a top half Premier League team, so does the guy you have as an avatar!

How is that relevant when you take into account the other factors I listed? i.e. - It was an FA Cup game live on terrestrial TV. - The Saints team was a Saints League One team (with some players rested), not a Saints Premier League team - The Man Utd team was far from full strength. When Saints played Man Utd in the Premier League at St Mary's, it sold out in all four seasons.

Not the best example to compare with a Premier League Saints vs Man Utd game because that FA Cup match... - was to watch a League One side (with some players rested) vs a Man Utd reserve team - was tied to a League One game against Carlisle United and would potentially cost an adult £57+ in total

Following Saints in a stadium restricted to 15k for much of the 1990's actually tells us very little. What it does show however, is that Saints maxed out a 15k stadium in the Premier League from 1992 to 2001 and then also maxed out a 32k stadium from 2001 to 2005.

A larger stadium allows for more flexible pricing structures to help boost numbers. Pretty much West Ham's idea for the 60k Olympic stadium. Maybe it won't work, but Gold, Brady and Sullivan have far more football business than you or I.

Because Cortese has commissioned studies into it and you haven't? Thus he at least has some actual evidence (even though it could be wrong).

In terms of supporters at a game yes. But you are ignoring that some of the clubs you listed like Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Villa are also restricted by current capacities and even though Saints could say get 45k - Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs could (if their stadium allowed them to) get 60k+.

Your logic is fundamentally flawed because it assumes, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa are at their maximum at the moment. The fact is, all four are looking to expand their stadiums because they are currently too small! Also as a side note, between 1985 and 1995, Chelsea in the top flight averaged less than Saints did in League One in 2010/11. Once people started to invest in Chelsea their support shot up!

That season saw an average of 31,699, clearly showing demand outstripped supply and St Mary's was too small! Had it been bigger more would have gone to a large number of those games. The club could have sold a lot more than 32k for Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Leeds, Liverpool, Chelsea etc games. It was also not achieved by investment in the club at board level as I indicated. More down to good management on Strachan's part on a very tight budget. If Strachan had Cortese/Liebherr behind him in 2002/03 instead of Lowe, imagine what could have been achieved and how high ticket demand could have been!?

Saints averaged 30k+ in all four seasons in the Premier League at St Mary's, including the relegation season. In none of those seasons did the board do anything that would particularly captivate the fanbase to help raise attendances. If Cortese put the structures in place to provide the city with a strong team, Saints will need a much bigger stadium than 32k. (p.s. I noticed Blackpool got relegated even though you were adamant that they wouldn't )

What is any of that based on? In a way, I hope you are just fishing for a bite. If your mind really works like that, you have more problems than I do!

"I heard it from someone who oversee's the supply of the electricity there" What a source that is!

From a positive Hypochondriac last month...

Why would someone need to leave? You can't go into a 46 League game campaign with two or three first team strikers in your squad. Four (possibly five if you include Guly) is a good size.

It would also match Saints' record signing as a Premier League team for Rory Delap!

It is very much a hit and miss posting style. I'll try to rein in the overly pedantic posts.

You should both be pleased! After midnight and on TV, is better than 11:20pm and not on TV isn't it?

From Hypo when he was in a good mood...

Why is promotion in 2011/12 not realistic? I said top half or better in the Premier League asap, not the Championship.

I think if you lined up all the woman in the world aged 18 to 35, most men would put Rachel Riley and whoever the other woman is, easily in the top 30% or 7/10 or better. In this case it isn't even pedantry really, the opening post made a request and nearly everyone in the thread ignored it. Including Crab Lungs who started it!

I bet you the target is much higher than that for next season! Why would Cortese set a target of mid table when he wants top half (or better) of the Premier League football asap? Aim low and you will most likely achieve low or lower. The longer it takes to get to the Premier League the harder it will become as you will have to rebuild the squad. May as well use the momentum the club has now and push on ala Norwich.

It was on TV but it wasn't the opening game of the season, Saints played Aston Villa the week before.

A lot of people in this thread haven't read the opening post (including Crab Lungs himself!)...Which said... Are these not all higher than 7/10's?