ant

I contemplated dropping in, but it would've been really awkward if there was only the three of you as I don't think I've chatted to any of you on here! Ended up having a drink with a lovely lady that I've been chatting to on POF, so rest assured I made good use of the time.

Exactly that. One little run at the big boys and already we're acting like entitled brats.

Web/graphic designer at a digital agency just outside Southampton. Pretty self-explanatory, I should think.

Good shout. I'm amplifiedant (at) gmail (dot) com.

I've been tasked with getting a ticket as a surprise birthday present. Can't really ask the person in question for their customer details for obvious reasons... Got my own and several other ST numbers but they're no good until Thursday. Any customer numbers available that have been used to buy tickets this season but aren't season ticket holders?

Yep, seats were virtually disappearing in front of my eyes as I was attempting to book. Hopefully there'll be a little more of a buzz in the ground than there was against Ipswich.

Nothing new at Old Trafford.

Don't have a Vine, but captured a still of Koeman looking like a kid let loose in a sweet shop.

Well I've been in the same spot for the entire journey and have a near-autistic memory of individual matches, but if you say so! I'm not only talking about the sense of noise generated throughout the ground. Around me (halfway to two-thirds back in Block 42), almost everybody sang during our jaunt through the lower leagues. Most games now I feel blessed if a dozen in the vicinity pipe up, aside from during obvious moments such as goal celebrations. It is what it is and I do accept that my desired matchday experience isn't shared by all.

90% of the time you remain a lone voice. Encountered that enough this season, though I'll be buggered if I'm letting it ruin my matchday and persist regardless. If others don't want to vocalise their support then fine - but it's a shame that it's often quieter now than when we were in L1 and the Championship (and probably our PL spell before that too, by way of more direct comparison). Though it's the same at virtually all top-flight clubs that doesn't make it any less disappointing. On occasion this season (both home and away) I've heard fans being asked to shut up when attempting to get chants going. Bizarre.

Hahaha, deary me. You'd take 4-0 and 3-0 home wins against Liverpool and Spurs respectively!

Admiral were by far the cheapest when I passed in 2009. Not sure whether that's still the case for young 'uns but I've never needed to move - they've always been cheapest for me or close enough to easily do a price match. For some reason they often appear come out a few quid cheaper on their own website than via comparison sites (despite entering identical details). Cutting out a bit of commission perhaps? Back when I started they also ran an bonus accelerator plan which allowed you to build what was considered 1 year of No Claims in only 10 months. I'm not sure that NCB is honoured by other insurers however, so it does tie you in somewhat.

I don't remember this being the case at any other point of my lifetime though (granted I'm only 27, but the point stands). Our desire to support shouldn't purely hinge on what's happening on the pitch. Although we seemed to resist the 'Premier League hush' for about 18 months after our return, the difference this season has been noticeable. I love a good atmosphere and being part of it is a fantastic release. Yet increasingly I find myself one of only a handful (in the Northam) singing when the team's not firing on all cylinders. It's got nothing to do with trying to be a 'superfan' and everything to do with being saddened that some of the game's life and soul is dissipating.

Beaten to the punch by a few minutes. This is the only proper option. Unfortunately out of stock directly from Brewdog at the moment, but it's available at a very reasonable price from Tesco - http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=286182812.

There was somebody on the other thread with the username 'tunit' that was interested in swapping 3 upper tier tickets for my lower tier ones. Reading this thread by any chance? Can't send a private message as you're only a registered user. amplifiedant (at) gmail (dot) com Praying that we put everything into this match...

Definitely a bit odd to do it like that. I'll likely be going with a group of non-regulars so luckily it doesn't make much difference to me, but I can see how that might inconvenience a few. Kills any chance of a decent atmosphere, but FA Cup regulations aren't the club's fault. Migration to Itchen North for the day? Be good to get a load of young 'uns through the door - fans of tomorrow and all that. £3 a ticket for U17s is excellent.

Incredible. It's as if 'find and replace' was invented for this purpose.

I could (and do). Didn't see that quote until you specifically highlighted it.

I'm sure plenty are in the same boat as The9 - just nowhere near the full proportion of those that dash out early. Regardless of the other people's motivations or excuses, their leaving early demonstrates anything but strong support and is arguably a waste of money. Maybe that's all just a succinct reflection of where modern football is at. Fleeting, disposable and inefficient.

I live in Hedge End, yet it never takes more than 15 minutes to get home (after getting back to the car obviously). I've never, ever left before the final whistle either. Must be so many people getting stuck in traffic for no good reason!

Just to get a word in before the usual bickering about capacity starts up, that entire blog is worth a read (even if you couldn't care less about the pullquote posted above). The expandability is largely inconsequential information at the present time, though worth knowing. How many times do we completely sell out in a season? Really couldn't see an expansion meaning a reduction of ticket prices as the owners would surely look for a swift return on investment.

It was certainly that proportion in the blocks surrounding where I was stood. Same every game unless we're giving the opposition a comprehensive kicking (and sometimes even then).

Not helped at the end by people flooding out from the 85th minute. A time when we were still chasing the game, no less. What kind of a message does it send the players when 1/3 to 1/2 of the crowd has given up and gone home already?

We could beat Burnley and still lose a dozen matches after that, why is the next one specifically a 'MUST WIN'? If we were to lose to Burnley yet regain those points by beating, say... Chelsea, would Burnley still have been 'MUST WIN'? A strong result would help to build a little momentum again, but the next match is no more independently important than any other upcoming league fixture.

We got to 2nd/3rd on the basis of form against teams likely to finish 6th-20th. A similar run after these tricky fixtures would keep us right in the mix. I think it's absolutely correct to say that this - for the fans if not the squad - is the sort of game that can be taken as a 'bonus'.