The Kraken

My point is: compared to last year? 500-600 because of price since last year? And I apologise for being terse.

Try reading the OP. Corporate and various other factors. We've had 32K+ in the PL. That's the point WG.

I admit, I did find that funny. "Sir, we need to charge 4 times more than those northerers because southerners have much less disposable income!"

I imagine it was very random that all these people didn't turn up in their seats that they had bought and paid for. 31,313 is significantly down on our possible maximum Only a complete ignoramus as yourself would try to argue against that.

I think you missed my point, mate. I'm not saying those aren't factors. Far from it. They obviously are. And the point you initially mentioned about over 12s, it's one I wasn't aware of but I'm sure you're right, that could well be a factor. I was more responding to Duncan's post that the reason we'd dipped 500-600 in average attendance just since last year was only due to streaming and ticket prices. Only those 2 factors, which I would disagree with. I know "ticket prices" falls into that, but it's a bit ovague which thankfully you've clarified. I actually think adult prices are about right, given our stadium size. If I'm honest, and it's a grandiose hope, it would be that through this thread and various other initiatives the club could be convinced to take on some more fan friendly pricing structures and get St. Mary's full to brimming much more often. Maybe a bit too much hope for an M-board, but one can hope. If anything, it allows you and others a platform to vent what is IMO a very valid point again about childrens' pricing.

Yes. But don't mention it, or you'll get called negative and a bedwetter. D'oh.

When did he do that, Digachoi?!

All true Baz. A lot of our fans have previously wanted us to do a Sunderland, build a massive stadium, and very rarely fill it. We're 2K short of our capacity right now, not there yet. Some day hopefully, though. Cortese's suggestions of a 50K stadium got a few of them agitated, we're doing alright as it is IMO.

Both of those have been similar since last season. Can you attribute an average loss of 500-600 just because of those factors?

Who actually did say it, Andy? Genuine question.

And poor old battered Olallana still clings on to thinking he was in any way right with this thread.

JWP is not a patch on Cork. Not even close. Not even the same type of player. Neither is Harry Reed.

It has to be Gerrard. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't know much about football. Even Jordan Henderson has been fairly adventurous for a defensive midfielder this season, so it's not as if he's had a Makalele figure there to bail him out.

Simple formula. Existing stadium + normal prices + 90 - 95% full = good revenue, and better than spending £20M+ that we don't have on a vanity exercise to get a stadium we won't come close to filling except for 3 or 4 games a season. Simples.

Thankfully the bellendery of that particular argument seems to have dissipated somewhat. I guess when you can't sell out the home end against a top 5 side it's a bit of a giveaway that the stadium is the right size, just for now.

There's a couple of things missing, f'sure. But then I quite enjoy the niggle and controversy. Meh. It's a bit sad if you can't accept some well placed negativity, even if some of it is a bit forced. Even Alpine makes me laugh these days, the poor old pessimistic prat.

Hmm. He's started 12 games in the PL all season. Chelsea have played a right back instead of him at left back. Fair enough if you think that; but for me it's the ultimate example of picking a player of past glories. There is no value to England whatsoever in taking him to Brazil. We're clearly not going to win the tournament, if we get out of the group it will be an achievement. May as well give our future players a go over some player who will retire from international football after the tournament anyway. Just my opinion, like.

And who would you make your first choice?

How is he going to get those? How many does he need? Tick tock...

Can't agree with that. Dribbling yes, but crossing no. Take our last home game against Villa, he got in so many opportunities but did absolutely nothing with them. Like I say, he will learn, but IMO his distribution is the part he needs to work on to become a truly top class left back.

Free in advance of his Director of Sport role next season.

Really? That's the one thing I think he massively needs to up his game at. When we had Bale his defending was pretty ropey but his attacking was amazing. And the free kicks, of course. Shaw for me is the opposite, solid defensively but naive going forwards. He'll learn, he's only 18, but I don't see him as a natural midfielder. Yet.

Wasn't up against Baines for the most part, but he took complete control of Deulofeu.

I'd suggest not without injuries. Clyne IMO would have had a great chance had he been in the Saints side all season (Roy Hodgson in attendance today yet again). But getting usurped at times by Chambers was his undoing. Today he showed why, IMO anyway, he is a better option than Chambers right now. A really good right back. Jack Cork's time will come after Gerrard and Lampard retire, both probably after this World Cup. He is quite possibly the most under-rated player in the Premier League, absolutely superb technique. If he could add goals, he would be in the England reckoning already.