Phileas Fogg

Agreed. As respectfully as possible it would be for the greater good.

I wasn’t trying to be critical by the way - just think he gets lots of goodwill because of the bad feeling towards Ashton. The fact that he gets on with his job quietly and, compared to Ashton, keeps a low profile is refreshing.

Agreed, I think lots of people view him positively because of his predecessor. That’s not to say Gould hasn’t done a good job, obviously we wouldn’t know most of his day to day work.

How do other clubs manage then on away days? Loads of teams, especially the bigger clubs, have 100% standing in away ends aside from the first few rows.

Great - but the reality is that a bit of needle and goading tends to add to the atmosphere. Why is it that games vs Rovers or Cardiff will always have a better atmosphere than Wigan or Barnsley? Like it or not; tribalism (and to an extent aggression), is a big part of fan culture.

It’s difficult to prove - but the impression I get is that the desired consumer is families who are going to spend in concessions, spend in the club shop and not cause any bother. Groups of lads who drink in the surrounding pubs, don’t wear official merch and may require more stringent stewarding aren’t nearly as desirable.

That’s a given I think Mr. P. The first hurdle is the entrenched attitude of the club hierarchy which seems to be reluctant to encourage that ‘sort’ of support.

Same. It’s particularly good to see its young lads because despite the club’s best efforts to make things as tame as possible at AG - clearly the desire for better still exists. And yes - it’s amazing the arrogant pub bore got away with it.

Good post. I agree. I’ve never felt in genuine danger of relegation with Pearson. I think he’s done pretty well given the financial constraints. There have been some questionable signings - namely Simpson and arguably King.. but no manager gets them all right.

Several posters absolutely desperate for it to be underwhelming for some reason. What’s great is that it’s younger fans behind it. Good for them taking initiative.

Well then you clearly don’t understand it. Good job we have fans like those that give it a go in the Dolman and S82 otherwise AG would be a morgue.

Rubbish. All the factors being discussed contributed. Then again you were one of those who was fairly negative about it so you’re probably a bit annoyed that it worked.

The worst sort of stroppy OTIB reply too. Just missing a ‘petal’ in the mix.

Again trying to divert the discussion to somewhere irrelevant? I think you just need to take the L on this one Tony. You were needlessly negative for the sake of it and have a slapped botty to show for it. Don't let it happen again

That’s a straw man argument but you know that. I’m just pleased some fans took initiative to improve things.

It’s an odd mentality isn’t it. I genuinely can’t understand why some on here seemed to want it to fail. Well done to everyone who took initiative.

Probably not. But they’d hardly be alone in that. To them it just means a group of supporters who make noise and back the team. There’s no need to be so persnickety.

Just seems a bit negative for the sake of it. It’s a fan led initiative, mainly young fans behind it. You’re not obliged to knock it just because they called it ‘ultras’. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything.

You would say that though, you’d already decided you were going to be negative about the idea. Well done to them I say, took initiative and did a lot more for the atmosphere today than you did.

That’s great. But ‘don’t think so’ doesn’t add much to discussion. Why do you think that?

Some of those aren't all-seater stadia for a start. I don't think all the others are "whole ends" either. Just sections.

Not really. Most clubs of our level and below who have all-seater stadia seem to have standing 'areas' as we do.. but hardly whole ends standing like you see in the Prem.

Don’t think that’s true necessarily although fairly common for big Prem clubs for some reason.

Unfortunately I suspect Mark Kelly and his goons are already all over this