1884andforever

It's obviously not all of them that think this, but have to agree some of their fans do seem convinced about it. It's a strange take especially as the city/council has been under Labour majority control since 2007.

Thoughts below on home atmosphere, Union FS/SK1 section, reputation etc... Firstly, this will probably come across as a complete rant but is meant to be constructive. I would just be interested to see if people are on the same lines as me. I personally think we have become an anomaly in terms of our home and away support, aside from numbers. Since the title win in particular, I think a lot of our fans lost an element of motivation and desire. It's strange because you would think it would fuel the motivation for more success but when you win the PL and reach the CL quarter-finals for a club like us, people sort of believed we had reached our pinnacle it seems. At home games, to me the main problem is everyone being separated out which makes it difficult to gain any real traction in terms of noise within the ground. I don't think the section has been a complete failure and really like UFS in general, but it certainly hasn't worked as everyone had hoped either. It's too small and aside from the first 5 rows or so, there isn't enough noise from the rest within the section. But even then, it can't be heard on the other side of the ground and to be frank, when you have 20 lads clapping with their arms in the air at the front, when no one else joins in, it's not a good look, sorry. It doesn't give off the impression of a proper club, not that we're one of those anyway with clappers. We lack passion in the fanbase, that's the uncomfortable truth. I look at clubs like Villa, Forest, Leeds, Wolves, Wednesday, even Derby, they seem to have more passion and vocal support than we do, yet all fairly similar sized clubs. We absolutely need a bigger presence near the away fans, L1 has been declining for years and obviously if the section moved to the opposite end both groups could supplement each other. Yes this was trialled once against Brighton in the cup a few years ago but is that really enough to show whether it can work or not? This obviously raises the safe standing topic but if there was a real desire for a change of location, the club might re-consider where safe standing goes. From what I gather, UFS aren't keen on this but it's not working where it is IMHO. Yes the Tifo issue also becomes apparent but do we want a potentially better atmosphere or a handful of Tifo's a season? (impressive Tifo's by the way). The club quite obviously don't help things at all regarding working with UFS and other groups. On away games, I just don't get why it's like it is. Even on TV against Arsenal for example, Justin scores a belter to equalise at 2-2 and visually the celebrations look very average at best. Maybe it's the priority system I don't know. It just pains me how far standards have dropped since Filbert Street. We used to be a proper club, with a proper old style English atmosphere. Now it's European style chanting and a complete library. We aren't the only ones but it's like the soul has been ripped out the club. Why can't everyone be in one place? Why can't it be more authentic? What's happened to us? Aside from Chelsea last season, it's few and far between in terms of seeing proper celebrations from our fans. Preston away was a rare W as an away end but that's all that comes to mind really. This isn't meant as a pop at UFS or anyone in particular but I just don't think the current configuration is working. I want us to be a force again, we can do it but it's gonna take some shift of thinking. However unlikely it may be from the club's side, I think the opposite end of the ground should at least be looked into for the good of the atmosphere, whether that's centrally behind that goal or in P block. We absolutely cannot rely on the alleged expansion to plan anything anymore, we need to improve it ASAP.

Corberan may be one of the preferred options but with PSR already mentioned as a potential issue in getting him, there's obviously a strong possibility that the club will have to go for someone who is currently available rather than already in a job. Not ideal of course but this search was never going to be anyway.

Agreed but there's probably very little chance of it happening, his stock is still too high for this job.

It goes without saying we have to be realistic in terms of who we’ll be able to bring to the club. Wolves’ situation last summer was on a lesser scale to what ours is this summer, but we need to try and replicate what they did by appointing a manager who can work well within a challenging financial environment.

Prior to what David Ornstein said about Cooper, did feel he was one to watch as his profile as a manager will probably suit what the club is looking for. Not my first choice but he's potentially a good option. Looking at the other contenders, the standouts at the moment are probably Graham Potter (unlikely), Moyes and Corberan.

There should always be a lot of importance placed on the character of a stadium, which is desperately lacking at our place. However, new builds do not always have to be this way if clubs make concerted efforts to retain at least some elements of character.

I've seen a fair amount of reaction to this recently, and it seems to be a case of head or heart for your fanbase. It's understandable that the majority want to stay but at the same time, there's obviously that acknowledgement of what a new stadium does for a club in the modern era. By the way I think the reaction to your post on here has been over the top!

It's obviously not a major trophy but there's still nothing quite like winning a trophy, and a nice looking one at that. At the same time of course, it doesn't negate from the fact that relegation was completely avoidable.

Waking up on Saturday morning with promotion confirmed... there's nothing quite like that feeling. Let's seal the title tomorrow now!

Coady on the OS: “The lads have spoken about it. This place is where we want to play football. We’d play here every week if we could. To be on the pitch and play in front of the crowd is fantastic. The supporters understand how much we need them at this moment in time. “We understand what is at stake, what we’re all playing for, what the supporters want and how they turn up to support us every week. There is a focus within that dressing room and that is the most important thing moving forward. “We had four games; we’ve won the first one and now we’ve got three. It’s a huge on Tuesday against a real top side and we’ll need this crowd more than ever. Tuesday night under the lights, it can’t be better, so it’s something that we’re really looking forward to.”

Coady on the OS: “The lads have spoken about it. This place is where we want to play football. We’d play here every week if we could. To be on the pitch and play in front of the crowd is fantastic. The supporters understand how much we need them at this moment in time. “We understand what is at stake, what we’re all playing for, what the supporters want and how they turn up to support us every week. There is a focus within that dressing room and that is the most important thing moving forward. “We had four games; we’ve won the first one and now we’ve got three. It’s a huge on Tuesday against a real top side and we’ll need this crowd more than ever. Tuesday night under the lights, it can’t be better, so it’s something that we’re really looking forward to.”

But it’s worth bearing in mind our like-minded fans aren’t all in one place, instead in three main pockets. Not suggesting it would ever be like Leeds but the current configuration doesn’t maximise noise.

In terms of a complete performance, I felt at the time Leeds were the best side we’ve played at home and still maintain that.

Leeds fans will probably be surprised at our lack of confidence being top of the league, but have to say I agree with this.

Southampton also got 2k and Middlesbrough 2.2k, from what I’ve seen online. Apparently due to incidents of trouble with bigger away followings, Sunderland have had to reduce the allocation.

Despite how Middlesbrough's season has gone, they're still probably one of the better teams in this league.

This one won’t be as straightforward as some are making out, it’s just got that feeling about it. It’s also never as simple as turning up and winning, as Enzo recently reiterated. Hoping we can put right that November game.