Why is the atmosphere so flat…

[fisherrich]

21 hours ago, PFree said:

We were debating this earlier, and why after four wins and a draw at home, the atmosphere is just so poor.

What are your thoughts…

Is it not having the singing section behind the goals?

Are people bored of Manningball, which let’s be honest can be a hard, tedious watch?

Is it that our football often tends to be negative and defensive based, and because we lack the sort of quality attacking footballers that regularly get you off your seat?

Are some fans still feeling disconnected with the club after the NP debacle?

Do fans feel lied to by our current, poorly qualified leadership team, has all trust in the strategy and people gone?

Is it our lack of ambition and feeling that we will always be a nearly, mid table, Championship side?

Are some of us simply awaiting the news of new ownership, investment and ambition?

Is the club not communicating well with the fans hence why as an example, the BT ‘story’ started and why we speculate so frequently as fans?

For me, it’s a combination of many of those points - even today, I just felt bored, and when I did join in the singing, nobody around me in S22 joined in. Okay, we had four or five good quality attacks, but once Fally came on, and we tried to see the game out, lets be honest, it was an awful watch.

Finally, I am a ST holder for a few decades, I will always support City but I seldom look forward to coming to the Gate nowadays and can be ambivalent towards games and results. That play off final at Wembley seems a distant memory now.

If the Board & Team deliver on the pitch, the fans will deliver off the pitch. It is as simple as that.

The current dross sends most of us to sleep. Its awful to watch most games.

[Mr Popodopolous]

20 hours ago, Mendip Broadwalk said:

Grounds been gentrified. Fan culture controlled. 

Isn't a good chunk of that modern football- or have we gone above and beyond somewhat too?

Edited January 5 by Mr Popodopolous

[Rob k]

5 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Isn't a good chunk of that modern football- or have we gone above and beyond somewhat too?

It’s the way it is now - there isn’t an intimidating ground in the country now to go too. 20 years ago, away fans wouldn’t have been able to walk around Ashton Gate singing without some sort of reaction. It’s a lot different now. 

[fisherrich]

Been to Leeds a few times as work up there now and then. Elland road is still good atmosphere but again that is an old school ground. Most modern day stadiums (not grounds) are soulless IMO.

[Lew-T]

Listen to Anfield now then.

[exAtyeoMax]

I'm not keen on music being played pre-match. Too much chat on the mic (please don't shout!!!) 

Watches of Bath at 15 minute intervals… I know KO is next…

I wish they'd get the announcement/ match music right.

William Tell… let's people know it's time to get to your seat.

Match announcement (I know Bristol City are my home team/boys in red and white). Yesterday they didn't announce Derby County?

One for the Bristol City : Teams emerge from the tunnel.

 

*The atmosphere was flat yesterday, it hasn't always been like that this season. Sometimes there's guys in the South Stand who start a song but perhaps they were sat elsewhere yesterday. 

[Mendip Broadwalk]

36 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Isn't a good chunk of that modern football- or have we gone above and beyond somewhat too?

yeah its modern football and control. there will never be a A/B like it was in the dolman before again but a small part of the ld show could be done? thats never going to happen with BS who think fan culture is the singing section and that show ends there. 

Having a lame singing section is part of why ashton gate is so tame.

Edited January 5 by Mendip Broadwalk

[Chairman Mao]

20 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

The only season's there has consistently been a great atmosphere at AG in recent memory are 2006 - 2008 and 2014/15. 

I'm sure everyone can join the dots. 

Even then, my first game after moving to Bristol was versus Doncaster Rovers in October 2006. Skuse scored and we won 1-0. The atmosphere was absolutely terrible and I was sat in the Atyeo Stand with the singing section. Lots of misguided nostalgia on here. 

Edited January 5 by Chairman Mao

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, Mendip Broadwalk said:

yeah its modern football and control. there will never be a A/B like it was in the dolman before again but a small part of the ld show could be done? thats never going to happen with BS who think fan culture is the singing section and it ends there. 

Possibly went Post East End (modern iteration) too?

The fact it is labelled by anyone as a Singing Section..I outright refuse to label it that as if is a horrible term for a Football Stadium. I begun late 1990s  would be willing to get more noise per capita even if less there.

I fully yet it from a Commercial standpoint, modern game needs to drive Revenue but feels like we could do more.

Edited January 5 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mendip Broadwalk]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

Possibly went Post East End (modern iteration) too?

The fact it is labelled by anyone as a Singing Section..I outright refuse to label it that as if is a horrible term for a Football Stadium. I begun late 1990s  would be willing to get more noise per capita even if less there.

The singing section was created by corporate types the corporate BS sticking fans in the box BS wanted in the corner so it doesnt disturb the moss of the other stands. dont like it want something different tough you can only do that thing in the singer section BS created. starts and ends where BS want it to. Ashton gate didnt have to be this way the suits engineered it to make it what it is. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

Just now, Mendip Broadwalk said:

The singing section was created by corporate types the corporate BS sticking fans in the box BS wanted in the corner so it doesnt disturb the moss of the other stands. dont like it want something different tough you can only do that thing in the singer section BS created. starts and ends where BS want it to. Ashton gate didnt have to be this way the suits engineered it to make it what it is. 

It's a shame, should be a bigger or 2nd area.

There is something that occasionally flickers in E34 but it seems to depend on the opposition, the occasion, profile of away fans etc.

[noize]

I think its because nobody really has any belief in the club.

People don't believe the club is going anywhere or has any real ambition, half the time people don't believe we will win a game when we are 2-0 up with 10 minutes left.

People are "flat", because the club is "flat", typical City managerial appointment, not going anywhere, boring football, uninspired signings. The club is "meh", which has cascaded down to the fans.

Edited January 5 by noize

[RollsRoyce]

31 minutes ago, Lew-T said:

Listen to Anfield now then.

Of course they are at the top, and are rarely far away from it. But it does show that there is another way of playing football that can excite fans (both teams today ) and "front foot" . We , and others who are trying the Pep way are too slow and ponderous. 

[Mendip Broadwalk]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

It's a shame, should be a bigger or 2nd area.

There is something that occasionally flickers in E34 but it seems to depend on the opposition, the occasion, profile of away fans etc.

Teensy bit better when theres a big show on as would be expected but a star of the old skool would be banned in E34 sharpish now because it not that A any longer. Big noises at away games like the lads from the Sandringham BS4 are struck dumb in E34 because thats what the big control on fans does except in the singing section.

[ZiderMeUp]

18 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

I’m a supporter of 75 years and this is how I feel.

Very pleased that we have won three home games at home. Pleased we are in the top half of the table.

BUT, I’m bored stiff by the way we play.

Passing sidewards and backwards in defence and so rarely passing forwards.

Our most expensive signing; yes he has scored a couple in recent games but I understood that we paid for him expecting a much more creative performance which should result with other players having goal scoring opportunities!

Our method of attack apart from corner kicks, appears to be to keep passing ball from one side of the pitch to the other. Making passes that rarely create openings for shots. It appears we are trying to walk the ball in the net! When did we have a shot at the target from edge of the penalty area?

Watching City has become a boring, unentertaining 90 minutes in most games. 

 

Twine set up Mcnallys goal on sat and set up knights goal against plymouth!!!

[Sleepy1968]

7 hours ago, Johnny Musicworks said:

Sorry mate I missed your ‘mirror’ observation. Yes it is ironic that as a pensioner I am as distracted by my phone as todays teenagers but sadly as a single Foster Carer of teenagers I cannot turn my phone off as the only way I am able to attend matches is if my boys are able to contact me at all times. Of course being teenagers they do not get that I would like to get through a match without interruption. As a 24/7 foster carer it goes with the territory but missing the goal was certainly my Chris Kamara moment.

As long as you only missed our first goal, no biggie

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 hour ago, Lew-T said:

Listen to Anfield now then.

I did a quick search and assume it was rocking?

What I would say is that my search suggested that the entire Kop now has Rail Seating, that makes a huge difference.

We just have our designated Safe Standing area tucked into a corner of 1.4kish.

[lenred]

5 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I did a quick search and assume it was rocking?

What I would say is that my search suggested that the entire Kop now has Rail Seating, that makes a huge difference.

We just have our designated Safe Standing area tucked into a corner of 1.4kish.

Complete other end to the away fans though.  Never seem to see any interaction between the two of them even the pool fans at the away end.   

[W-S-M Seagull]

23 hours ago, BITW said:

I think the Derby fans cheer when the attendance was announced sums it up. It’s not necessarily a slight on the club but as a season ticket holder I don’t think I’ve ever missed more games in a season and it’s only January. It’s just not as enjoyable as it used to be. That said 10 points from 12 and touching distance from the play offs? Strange times to be a city fan. 

I missed the Luton and the Derby games. I just couldn't be bothered. There is just no excitement there. I watched a stream of the game yesterday and it felt like a pre season friendly thats how flat the atmosphere was. 

I have not missed a home game in many years. Now I've missed 2 in the space of a week or so. 

[RollsRoyce]

Some interesting points being made. Of course some of the reasons are external to the club, and others of our own making. My take on the is that this leads to multiple elements at play.

Football has been gentrified, there is less testosterone on display on the terraces. It is also safer for that. The new stadium designs sometimes do not work, and for me AG is a mess up . When we rebuilt the east end, some forget that the singing section had already moved to the corner of the Atyeo, I have no idea why, but when the South stand opened, they all went to the corner again, and that is not helping one bit. There is also a lot to be learnt from Italy and Germany where supporters groups are very well organized. They will often use speaker systems (probably not allowed here) to lead songs and have extensive plans in place to coral supporters. There are many YouTube videos on this, it is impressive stuff. If we think of City, just what songs do we have now? Only when it is an easy "common you reds" do you get anyone joining in outside of the South stand. I also agree we give the away supporters too much of an easy ride by giving them the Atyeo which appears acoustically better than the South stand. Segregation is the issue for sure, but others have found solutions.

Then you come to the football side of things. There is certainly an element of mid table boredom. A relegation or promotion fight would tend to excite fans (in different ways) , we have tended to not be playing for anything. Which could be a good or bad thing, it depends on your perspective of where we are as a club. 

But for me there are two areas that are currently hindering the atmosphere. The first is related to the ownership. There has been a consistent and prolonged blatant lying to the fan base. It is not recent, it goes back years. The Sl comment about it being his club his money I know upset many of my friends and myself. You are the guardian , the club will outlive you. From comments like this the deterioration in trust was cemented. IMHO the fanbase, overall just do not trust, believe or ultimately respect the Lansdown family. Now how can that impact the atmosphere? Well it is subtle, it adds and builds to a feeling that as fans we are helpless, we can do nothing about things, and we are being (meaning the club) held hostage to whim of the owners. Now that is true at every club, I am sure. But others, clubs also beginning with B, Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford have all made substantial step change  from their historical 50 year league position. All without having the ownership wealth of SL. It is a feeling that we are going nowhere.

Now I get to the way we now play football. I applaud Manning for the recent results. But in my life I have never known such half hearted enjoyment following a win. The way we play is dull, boring 9but currently effective) . But it does not get you off of your seat. It is chess. When a team plays with speed, energy, pace and counter attacks rapidly (as all top sides do, and we used to) it creates energy. We do not do that. 

Then I get the impression, rightly or not, that there is a divide between the club and fans, and even within the club. We are not all on the same page. IMHO, and this is not a rehash of Nige leaving again, but there was a point with Nige that we all seemed to be on the same page. We could see what was going on, youth players being developed (which for me was very exciting and interesting) and a frugal approach to signings. But we still stayed competitive. Where it went badly wrong, and the reaction at the time confirmed it, was that we did not evolve that approach, we threw it out of the window . I can ultimately accept Nige leaving, what I do not accept is what we did next. We started buying players for millions that are unlikely to ever be Prem players (they had their chance) , random signings to a plan that was far from clear. To top it off, we have lost the pathway Lansdown has claimed for 25 years was his dream. Manning (doing well currently I add again) is also devoid of personality. He is dull as dishwater. I do not think the top bosses can ever be described as that. So he is not a unifying or energizing force. Like how football, he sends yo asleep. I cannot fathom how someone can be a real success in his role without having any charisma. But that is just me. Others might like it. Faced with all of that, certainly amongst my older age group of  friends , we are left scratching our head, we are also changing fundamentally the way we play to something unsuited to the squad. These elements lead to apathy and lack of belief, and certainly lack of unity. 

I study Liverpool a lot. There has been some tremendous work done during the last decade, and their data use for players and coaches, hey Slot was sought via analytics to match how they wanted to play and to evolve and build on Klopp. They have a process for developing youth into first team, and they sign a certain profile of player. We went from the Pearson baseline, and it was a great one, to what? As a fan , at least for me, it just conforms the club has no plan, no vision, no strategy. So I just do not believe in the club. Sometimes it feels like we are dealing with a political party not our football club. Back to Klopp, he studiously worked on getting the supporters lit up, it was a conscious ploy , he knew that the Anfield energy was worth gold. 

I also share the view of some that despite season tickets, are not going. I have been in Bristol when a game is on, been offered hospitality by friends, but for the first time ever, have said no. I even purchased hospitality, but on the morning of the game, decided I could not be bothered. Considering the efforts I used to make to get to games, traveling from abroad just for a day in Bristol, this is a huge change in your personal motivation.

I can add, that last season at the Cardiff home game, I could not believe how tame the atmosphere was. So this is not a recent thing, it is a build up over time. Maybe decades, we do of course have football overload on tv and streaming these days. Maybe it is saturation, too much of a good thing. You used to only see a few games a year on tv, but now you can watch all 46 via various means. 

I still find away days much more enjoyable, as I know many others do.

So for me, there are multiple reasons, which one weighs the most I have no idea. But I do know you need unity and belief if you are ever going to achieve anything, and for that we are miles off right now. That translates to the atmosphere at AG. Forget Always Believe, it is now no one believes. 

 

[1team]

Cos the football's shit and we've all had our gonads removed.

[jbcfc]

people talk about expanding s82 but i couldn’t believe how poor it was on saturday and has been for a while. everyone by me stood around chatting, on their phones, or just not joining in with the chanting at all. only started to make noise once we scored before it died down again.

forget expanding it, it needs to be made smaller so that the ones who actually want to make noise can be congregated together. let the groups of teenagers who care more about snapchat and having a gossip go somewhere else.

as for the rest of the stadium getting involved, i’m not confident that we can bring it back at this point, aside from a few ‘come on you reds’ every now and then. we’ve branded ourselves as a family day out and that’s what we now are. those fans aren’t going to be belting chants all game.

i envy clubs like newcastle and villa where the majority of the crowd is on their feet and involved but i can’t see that ever being the case.

[W-S-M Seagull]

I've always said that Bristol City are at it's best is when the fanbase is as one. When there is unity. 

But right now it's just not there and I think that goes back to how the board acted last year. It wasn't just sacking a manager, it was all the other stuff. Whilst those people still remain in charge, it's difficult to see the fanbase uniting because it fractured the fanbase. 

The fan base has very clearly been split into two. We see that following a win or a defeat. It's pretty toxic at times. I don't know how those two sides get brought together again. 

I think this is why the atmosphere is so flat. 

[fisherrich]

Unfortunately I just cant see a raucous AG happening until change in ownership augments a different culture at AG.

[Red94]

17 minutes ago, jbcfc said:

people talk about expanding s82 but i couldn’t believe how poor it was on saturday and has been for a while. everyone by me stood around chatting, on their phones, or just not joining in with the chanting at all. only started to make noise once we scored before it died down again.

forget expanding it, it needs to be made smaller so that the ones who actually want to make noise can be congregated together. let the groups of teenagers who care more about snapchat and having a gossip go somewhere else.

as for the rest of the stadium getting involved, i’m not confident that we can bring it back at this point, aside from a few ‘come on you reds’ every now and then. we’ve branded ourselves as a family day out and that’s what we now are. those fans aren’t going to be belting chants all game.

i envy clubs like newcastle and villa where the majority of the crowd is on their feet and involved but i can’t see that ever being the case.

Very well put. The people who want to sing should move closer to the middle. Hopefully that will fire everyone else up .

[jbcfc]

9 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I've always said that Bristol City are at it's best is when the fanbase is as one. When there is unity.

if there isn’t unity now when we’re 3 points off the playoffs, when will there be? i just think that’s a very weak excuse. we should be supporting the boys on the pitch regardless of the background stuff, and helping turn ashton gate into a fortress. only two home losses all season.

i’m all for voicing frustrations when the time is right, particularly at some of the woeful away performances, but there is absolutely no reason for the home atmosphere to be toxic.

[Real Red]

Most home crowds are now quiet. Hence the regular songs from away fans and us when we travel (Is this a library, Shall we sing a song for you, etc etc) Not sure why, sanitation of football? But it's certainly not just a City problem. Moving the singing section behind the goal would make no difference at all. Maybe next to the away fans may help. 

Which is the best home atmosphere in our league?

[Mr Popodopolous]

14 hours ago, jbcfc said:

if there isn’t unity now when we’re 3 points off the playoffs, when will there be? i just think that’s a very weak excuse. we should be supporting the boys on the pitch regardless of the background stuff, and helping turn ashton gate into a fortress. only two home losses all season.

i’m all for voicing frustrations when the time is right, particularly at some of the woeful away performances, but there is absolutely no reason for the home atmosphere to be toxic.

The attendances don't scream unity and happiness. 22k yesterday minus 2.9k from Derby and 20k on Boxing Day minus 1k from Luton..I dunno maybe my post lacks context and expectations are too high but there has been booing at multiple Home Games this season despite just 2 losses (League).

*Sheffield Wednesday

*A smattering v QPR

*HT v Oxford, Cardiff and Luton

[Mr Popodopolous]

Vs Millwall at an equivalent time, New Years 2024 we got 21,766 inclusive of 600 odd away fans.

Maybe disunity is a bit strong but doubts? Certainly.

[Mikjizzle]

15 hours ago, jbcfc said:

people talk about expanding s82 but i couldn’t believe how poor it was on saturday and has been for a while. everyone by me stood around chatting, on their phones, or just not joining in with the chanting at all. only started to make noise once we scored before it died down again.

forget expanding it, it needs to be made smaller so that the ones who actually want to make noise can be congregated together. let the groups of teenagers who care more about snapchat and having a gossip go somewhere else.

as for the rest of the stadium getting involved, i’m not confident that we can bring it back at this point, aside from a few ‘come on you reds’ every now and then. we’ve branded ourselves as a family day out and that’s what we now are. those fans aren’t going to be belting chants all game.

i envy clubs like newcastle and villa where the majority of the crowd is on their feet and involved but i can’t see that ever being the case.

I lived in Newcastle for many years and the passion around the city for football is amazing but even St James Park was completely flat for years, when they weren't achieving anything and Mike Ashley was the owner. It only rocks now as they have something to cheer about. 

Edited January 6 by Mikjizzle

[Major Isewater]

The pre match music is too loud which doesn’t allow for the banter between the supporters.

Also , the announcement that Bristol City does not condone loud singing or humorous comments puts a bit of a dampener on the proceedings. 
Joking aside, football used to be the place to go to let off steam with your mates and likeminded people. Now it’s all sanitised, safe and woke. 
 

Edited January 6 by Major Isewater

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

The pre match music is too loud which doesn’t allow for the banter between the supporters.

Also , the announcement that Bristol City does not condone loud singing or humorous comments puts a bit of a dampener on the proceedings. 
Joking aside, football used to be the place to go to let off steam with your mates and likeminded people. Now it’s all sanitised, safe and woke. 
 

That is probably de rigeuer, mandatory the done thing but we do seem to go above and beyond in some areas too.

Edited January 6 by Mr Popodopolous

[plumb]

 

This video has similarities with the atmosphere at the Gate, no one joins in until they do.

 

Edited January 6 by plumb

[bcfcredandwhite]

Perhaps they should hang microphones from the roof in all the areas occupied by home fans, then amplify and blast it through heavy duty speakers, located EVERYWHERE - including the away end 

On second thoughts - maybe not - it would also amplify the boos and the ‘Manning Out’ chants. 
Maybe have someone controlling it, so the cheers get broadcast but the boos get silenced…? 

[One Team]

38 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

The pre match music is too loud which doesn’t allow for the banter between the supporters.

Also , the announcement that Bristol City does not condone loud singing or humorous comments puts a bit of a dampener on the proceedings. 
Joking aside, football used to be the place to go to let off steam with your mates and likeminded people. Now it’s all sanitised, safe and woke. 
 

Completely agree with this. The pre match music volume is ridiculous and kills any atmosphere. It’s right up until KO as well so impossible to get any chants going ahead of then, although people try to sing over it. 

[2015]

18 hours ago, RollsRoyce said:

So for me, there are multiple reasons, which one weighs the most I have no idea. But I do know you need unity and belief if you are ever going to achieve anything, and for that we are miles off right now. That translates to the atmosphere at AG. Forget Always Believe, it is now no one believes. 

It's ok, they'll do a promotional video narrated by Joe Sims telling you that The Robin is a fierce animal who is extremely territorial with our Head coach telling us 'We always believe'.

Cringeworthy shite. 

[Benneythered]

3 minutes ago, 2015 said:

It's ok, they'll do a promotional video narrated by Joe Sims telling you that The Robin is a fierce animal who is extremely territorial with our Head coach telling us 'We always believe'.

Cringeworthy shite. 

TBH id much rather this was our pre walkout video than the video with 'Gold' over the top, almost every away club that come here have a gold chant and it gives them a chance to get singing. The robin video has some personality to it atleast.

Been saying for a while that the whole horn walkout thing needs changing, the whole ground just goes through the motions with the video into the horn into them walking out, its lost all purpose. We have tons of kids walking round filming content pre game, why cant any of them create something modern to get the fans going.

The stadium lacks much identity because its used for many teams so the screens and advertising boards need to make the stadium look like Bristol City play there. Look at what other clubs like Norwich do with advertising boards as the players walk out, they have Norwich specific things flashing not ads at that time, the operational staff at our club have all the gear but no idea, we are a franchise.

[Topper 123]

21 hours ago, fisherrich said:

Been to Leeds a few times as work up there now and then. Elland road is still good atmosphere but again that is an old school ground. Most modern day stadiums (not grounds) are soulless IMO.

Difference is their winning 

[Topper 123]

21 hours ago, Lew-T said:

Listen to Anfield now then.

Because their winning 

[Maltshoveller]

2 hours ago, Mikjizzle said:

I lived in Newcastle for many years and the passion around the city for football is amazing but even St James Park was completely flat for years, when they weren't achieving anything and Mike Ashley was the owner. It only rocks now as they have something to cheer about. 

You can't say that

The whole planet knows they are the greatest football fans in the world!!!!

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, Topper 123 said:

Because their winning 

The entire Kop has Rail Seating I read online which is bound to help.

[Mr Popodopolous]

20 hours ago, lenred said:

Complete other end to the away fans though.  Never seem to see any interaction between the two of them even the pool fans at the away end.   

That can work, I dunno if the Away End at Anfield has Safe Standing/Rail Seating too.

I suppose it must do from a Licensing perspective but two separate 'ends' going at it is one way and especially for a rivalry such as that one.

Unfortunately what we have is up to 3.4kish Away fans a lot of whom will likely stand anyway but only 1.4k if thereabouts in the Safe Standing area and b) Well away from the Away fans.

Somehow we have a combination that has led us to a low point for atmosphere generation..on pitch and playing style also play a role too of course.

[Galley is our king]

How can you support a "professional" football club when it's ran by rank useless amateurs who wouldn't get a similar job in football anywhere else?

Who lie through their back teeth and say anything to protect their own position.

When you're promised front foot attacking football and you end up with boring Manningball.

It actually suffocates the life out of supporting the club.

It's just not something I look forward to anymore..... after 63 years, man and boy....

[Red Army 75]

1 hour ago, One Team said:

Completely agree with this. The pre match music volume is ridiculous and kills any atmosphere. It’s right up until KO as well so impossible to get any chants going ahead of then, although people try to sing over it. 

Totally agree, couple of home games ago they had some sort of heavy metal song on 10 minutes before kick off. Really strange. 
I stand in S25 and the atmosphere has deteriorated this season. Loads of people want to get in there whose tickets are elsewhere, and contribute nothing. 
As for S82 they try their best ( some chants aren’t for me) but if they gave up, it literally would be a library.

Edited January 6 by Red Army 75

[One Team]

37 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Totally agree, couple of home games ago they had some sort of heavy metal song on 10 minutes before kick off. Really strange. 
I stand in S25 and the atmosphere has deteriorated this season. Loads of people want to get in there whose tickets are elsewhere, and contribute nothing. 
As for S82 they try their best ( some chants aren’t for me) but if they gave up, it literally would be a library.

Completely agree, the standing section atmosphere has deteriorated this season. 

[Lew-T]

2 hours ago, Topper 123 said:

Because their winning 

It was flat as you like in the first half, hence the emojis. My point being it’s the same everywhere across the country. 

[BS7]

5 hours ago, Lew-T said:

It was flat as you like in the first half, hence the emojis. My point being it’s the same everywhere across the country. 

It was. And I got your pin - drop emojis. But there is flat and then there is FLAT. AG is diabolical at the moment. On Sunday Anfield was clearly able to lift it before kick off and in the second half even before they went ahead. I rarely see that at AG at the moment.

 

There won't be one silver bullet that solves it all at City. Lots of reasons and suggestions in here make sense but just one won't solve it all. I would say there needs to be a spark from somewhere but it all feels like we are waiting for each other to solve it. A playoff push would certainly help but the general apathy from a large chunk of the fan base means that even a slight falter or knock to that means we are collectively more likely to boo than double down on support. Mid table mediocrity seems to fit. But that doesn't stop Palace at Selhurst Park...

 

At the Luton game I was in the Dolman (not my usual stand) and in amongst a group of clearly long time fans and season ticket holders. I was astounded by the propensity to moan and whinge and get on the players back. Sometimes even before a mistake or bad decision making. A few commentating through what felt like the entire game, predicting the next shit pass, touch or cross - almost willing us to be bad even before it had happened to prove their knowledge of the game. All while sat next to young lads who must think "this is what you do when you watch football."

 

I get it. You pay your money and you make your choice how you want to spend the 90mins. Especially as a ST holder. But for me that is why you need to get as many like minded people in the same place, preferably standing and let them have some fun at the match. It's not the only reason away atmospheres are better but it sure as hell helps.

Edited January 6 by BS7

[MattWSM]

On 04/01/2025 at 19:45, Alan Dicks said:

Almost every game we get outsung by the away fans, it’s embarrassing.

maybe we should have singing lessons

[NOTBLUE]

There seems to be a lack of belief,get that back and it will go a long way to improving the atmosphere.I know the fans are divided over Manning,and that doesn’t help,,and if you don’t believe in something then you are not going to fully get behind it,and that,for me,translates to the atmosphere in the ground.

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

As much as I love City we have never been a club of fervent supporters that constantly sing throughout a game. It's nearly always been that the team has to ignite the fans rather than for the crowd to ignite the team. I have been watching City at the Gate since 1963 (and some on here could go back further than that) but in all that time I could count the number of times the ground was rocking in the tens rather than the hundreds. Some of those were very memorable such as the games against Liverpool and Portsmouth in our promotion to Division 1, the defeat of Man Utd in the League Cup, and I thought the Dolman was in danger of collapse in the play off 2nd leg against Hartlepool, but we have to face the fact that we're not a team from the North West or North East, or even that we're Portsmouth, and live with the truth that we will continue to do our best to create a good, atmosphere but it will never be a match for many. 

[plumb]

It's not so much the lack of singing that bugs me, it is the lack of any form of emotion/encouragement.

No roar when the winger gets the ball and we are attacking any more.

We have been drawing in games with a last minute corner, and still pretty much no noise at all.

[fisherrich]

16 minutes ago, plumb said:

It's not so much the lack of singing that bugs me, it is the lack of any form of emotion/encouragement.

No roar when the winger gets the ball and we are attacking any more.

We have been drawing in games with a last minute corner, and still pretty much no noise at all.

I suppose that is because the winger always plays it back. Bring back Alan Walsh.

[Mr Popodopolous]

14 minutes ago, fisherrich said:

I suppose that is because the winger always plays it back. Bring back Alan Walsh.

Working to a plan or?

Yu seemed to have a bit more spark when he first joined, IMO than he does now.

[Phileas Fogg]

4 hours ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

As much as I love City we have never been a club of fervent supporters that constantly sing throughout a game. It's nearly always been that the team has to ignite the fans rather than for the crowd to ignite the team. I have been watching City at the Gate since 1963 (and some on here could go back further than that) but in all that time I could count the number of times the ground was rocking in the tens rather than the hundreds. Some of those were very memorable such as the games against Liverpool and Portsmouth in our promotion to Division 1, the defeat of Man Utd in the League Cup, and I thought the Dolman was in danger of collapse in the play off 2nd leg against Hartlepool, but we have to face the fact that we're not a team from the North West or North East, or even that we're Portsmouth, and live with the truth that we will continue to do our best to create a good, atmosphere but it will never be a match for many. 

I always think takes like this are nonsense, not least because of how much less homogenous communities are these days. It's much harder to pigeonhole areas by stereotypes.

The atmosphere issues aren't exclusive to us, it's the case at most grounds. The ones that have great atmospheres have usually got the combination of success and the club fostering an environment conducive to atmosphere.. which ours has not. Even if it just has the club on side, regardless of success, that will do wonders.

[Numero Uno]

4 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Working to a plan or?

Yu seemed to have a bit more spark when he first joined, IMO than he does now.

How about analysts for the opposition now have something to look at? There’s always an opposition out there trying to stop us play.

[Mr Popodopolous]

16 minutes ago, Numero Uno said:

How about analysts for the opposition now have something to look at? There’s always an opposition out there trying to stop us play.

That too, dunno wherher we hone in and target in similar ways what with the lack of real time or even anticipating it in-Game Management and tweaks that we often see under Manning.

Edited January 7 by Mr Popodopolous

[Rossineri]

Make the whole of South Stand safe standing. S32 move from the little corner. Have the two whole middle blocks of South Stand as singing sections. Last 2 home games totally out sang by Portsmouth and Derby. I sat in A block v Pompey and you couldn’t even hear S32 from there. No wonder the stands never sing together. Watching the Derby game from the opposite corner of S32, it only looked like around 10-15 lads in the middle trying to bang a drum and sing their songs. So although S32 try their best, I agree that the atmosphere is at an all-time low. We need to try to make changes to help improve it. Perhaps move away fans to top corner of Lansdown and allow our singing fans back behind both ends of the ground. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

7 minutes ago, Rossineri said:

Make the whole of South Stand safe standing. S32 move from the little corner. Have the two whole middle blocks of South Stand as singing sections. Last 2 home games totally out sang by Portsmouth and Derby. I sat in A block v Pompey and you couldn’t even hear S32 from there. No wonder the stands never sing together. Watching the Derby game from the opposite corner of S32, it only looked like around 10-15 lads in the middle trying to bang a drum and sing their songs. So although S32 try their best, I agree that the atmosphere is at an all-time low. We need to try to make changes to help improve it. Perhaps move away fans to top corner of Lansdown and allow our singing fans back behind both ends of the ground. 

S32?

Away sides can request a minimum of 2k in this League and 10% of capacity in the PL..up to 15% in FA Cup albeit the max we can give is 3.4kish.

Those are regulatory factors to consider.

[redsquirrel]

On 05/01/2025 at 10:39, Bazooka Joe said:

"May I impose on you to please pass me one of those prawn sandwiches, old bean."

It won't be long before we have a Waitrose unit in the concourse.

and a smiths to buy favourite mags to read during the game

[jbcfc]

On 06/01/2025 at 15:27, Red Army 75 said:

Loads of people want to get in there whose tickets are elsewhere, and contribute nothing.

nail on head. people want to be there without actually committing to the reason to be there.

[winsaw]

On 05/01/2025 at 20:48, jbcfc said:

people talk about expanding s82 but i couldn’t believe how poor it was on saturday and has been for a while. everyone by me stood around chatting, on their phones, or just not joining in with the chanting at all. only started to make noise once we scored before it died down again.

forget expanding it, it needs to be made smaller so that the ones who actually want to make noise can be congregated together. let the groups of teenagers who care more about snapchat and having a gossip go somewhere else.

 

That's hardly going to more people in that ground singing is it making s82 a little private club, 

Nothing stops the people you claim want to stand together to sing but can't from turning up at 2pm and claiming there spot together and doing what u say,

I would say an easy way to get more people in that area is for the singers near the drum who start most songs not spending so much time each match trying to start new songs that most people don't know, the odd one takes off but most end up being sung by 20 people as everyone else looks around with no idea what the words are, maybe do more of the stuff people know 

[MattWSM]

7 hours ago, fisherrich said:

I suppose that is because the winger always plays it back. Bring back Alan Walsh.

Mark Gavin

On 05/01/2025 at 19:14, W-S-M Seagull said:

I missed the Luton and the Derby games. I just couldn't be bothered. There is just no excitement there. I watched a stream of the game yesterday and it felt like a pre season friendly thats how flat the atmosphere was. 

I have not missed a home game in many years. Now I've missed 2 in the space of a week or so. 

It was cold though

[fisherrich]

10 hours ago, MattWSM said:

Mark Gavin

It was cold though

Howard Pritchard was better. Great winger. When you look back, we really did play some good football - entertaining football most of the time. Something Bristol City were known for even if we did lose a few, you always left the ground thinking “that was a good game” most of the time.

[KnowleUtd City]

If you want the rest of the ground to join in, there needs to be more of the old basic 'Come on you Reds' .. 'Ole Ole Ole Ole' ...'Drink up thee Cider' etc

Even at away games now the young uns seem to spend far more time with poor chants aimed at the home support, or nonsense stuff rather than actually getting behind our lads.

The last few home games I think there's been an air of trepidation playing sides below us in the league, now we are back in touch i'm sure there will be a lot more encouragement from the stands when we come up against sides higher than us. COYR.

 

[The Bard]

The fact is the football may be slightly more efficient but it is dull.  Really dull.  Good sport always sees the participants' personalities shown.  We play a kind of game with the emotion taken out. It might be purer than what went before but unless it involves us winning regularly at home and challenging, most of us are going to be bored.

[RedReg]

42 minutes ago, The Bard said:

The fact is the football may be slightly more efficient but it is dull.  Really dull.  Good sport always sees the participants' personalities shown.  We play a kind of game with the emotion taken out. It might be purer than what went before but unless it involves us winning regularly at home and challenging, most of us are going to be bored.

Bang on. We play emotionless football, it's very boring to watch. Happy to see us in touching distance of those playoff places but going to Ashton gate these days is like a mid afternoon nap.

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

1 hour ago, KnowleUtd City said:

If you want the rest of the ground to join in, there needs to be more of the old basic 'Come on you Reds' .. 'Ole Ole Ole Ole' ...'Drink up thee Cider' etc

Even at away games now the young uns seem to spend far more time with poor chants aimed at the home support, or nonsense stuff rather than actually getting behind our lads.

The last few home games I think there's been an air of trepidation playing sides below us in the league, now we are back in touch i'm sure there will be a lot more encouragement from the stands when we come up against sides higher than us. COYR.

 

I detest that Olé song (no offence to Olé on here!)

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

On 06/01/2025 at 15:04, Maltshoveller said:

You can't say that

The whole planet knows they are the greatest football fans in the world!!!!

Rubbish!

It's obviously our Timothy Claypole-attired neighbours.

[lenred]

9 minutes ago, Mike Hunt-Hertz said:

I detest that Olé song (no offence to Olé on here!)

It’s absolutely terrible I agree.  But I guess it’s not aimed at mid forties old buggers like me! 

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

Just now, lenred said:

It’s absolutely terrible I agree.  But I guess it’s not aimed at mid forties old buggers like me! 

You'm just a babber!