Johnnyrotten

I get your point, but 3-0 for either side, and its job done. 2 goals is doable in the 2nd leg, but we also have to be realistic, we don't have a habit of getting both the 1st and 2nd goals away. And we don't do clean sheets, home or away. We need to be not losing on Saturday and I also think a draw after 2 legs favours them because we cocked up by getting the 2nd leg away, we need to win within 180 minutes for me.

I agree the red button games - Salford v Cheltenham on a Tuesday night etc - must have absolutely tiny viewing figures. Even a Boro v Southampton on a Tuesday would be smallish, given that there are probably 20 other games on the same night. But I bet the potential viewing figures for play offs are substantial - with very few games to choose from, and Sky bars all across Europe showing that game and that game only. There will be millions watching across Europe for nearly every play off game I bet.

I'm agreeing with you by the way - but can't really class PNE and Blackburn with Burnley. Small away end at Turf Moor, not like the good old days of thousands of us stood on that massive terrace. I've virtually accepted I probably won't go there again due to demand, it used to be my favourite away game in the 80s/early 90s.

Yes, its their rules, I suppose they think they are doing away fans a favour by having a minimum 10% or 2k. I don't know why they don't up it to 10% for any ground that holds over 20k. If Spurs or West Ham are in the play offs next season (playing us?!), only 2k away fans in a crowd of 60k-ish. There was a play off game at MK Dons a couple of years ago when Wycombe were restricted to 2k for the away leg after winning the home leg, and they could hardly be seen on TV up in the gods, its a turn off for neutrals who'd need some persuading to watch that game.

Taking Middlesboro as an example, one of those games we traditionally take a poor following to (and always seem to lose apart from Gavin McCann day). When its Lincoln, about same distance, there's big demand (and not just this season). It has a different feel to it for some reason, hopefully that's a conversation to be had in a few weeks.

I'm also surprised EFL.com don't have a say in wanting their product to come across in all its glory. They'd want to see two games with stadiums packed out, and there could have easily been 25k on at both games if more away fans had been allowed. Folk that aren't invested in a game will quickly turn off when they see a half empty stand or 2, if I was the EFL or Sky I'd want a good reason for the restricted attendance.

I must admit it will be my most sober Saturday night since I was in hospital over a year ago 😀

If its going to be an evening kick off, I'd agree Saturday is the best one. Hull-Millwall is Friday and Chesterfield v Notts is Sunday at 6pm - both of those are worse. Boro v Southampton 12.30 Saturday not the best either for generating atmosphere as we know.

It was 24.5k v Barnsley, and it was a 2nd leg with virtually guaranteed Wembley celebrations at the end of it. And just a guess, but if a couple of thousand can't make it because of pre-arranged nights out - birthday do's, tickets for concerts, weekend away booked, that's perfectly normal. 2 years ago we knew well in advance we'd be playing our 2nd leg at home, nobody was expecting it this time.

130. Anywhere near?

How is it slow? Been on sale less than 4 days and around 20k sold seems unbelievable to me. Probably the biggest turnout of home fans in 2 years, and the only game (except cups) where everyone has to go to the trouble of buying a ticket, for a game they didn't know was happening 5 days ago.

I'm on row P but often sit in the one behind depending who turns up on the day, and every time I do it I have to convince myself I'm right in going to row R.

That's one way of prioritising ticket sales. Auditions to be held in the Premier Suite prior to tickets going on sale. If you have the requisite enthusiasm and can hold a tune, you get an access code for purchasing tickets. Maybe with a reasonable distribution of voice types to prevent an embarrassing number of sopranos getting in at the expense of some tenors and baritones. Preferably we'd want a certain % of females attending for those harder to reach notes in the ACD and Dalby songs.

I've hosted a few fans of other clubs at our home games - its just not right though. Twice v Liverpool I've had a mate sat next to me supporting them (we won both). A West Ham fan in that relegation 6 pointer. A WBA fan in a game Campo scored for us. A Spurs fan travelled up from London and stood next to us in the Burnden Paddock for that 6-1 league cup win. Its just not right, it shouldn't be allowed, its dire for them and its spoils the game for us! Uncomfortable all round.

I've been in hospitality twice at City, one was that championship winning game, the other we lost 6-2 at Etihad (Anelka was scoring for them). Also hospitality at Leicester in the Prem and Derby (lost 4-0). And Man U when Nolan scored the winner. Notts County (Coyle, 1-1), Preston (Ricketts winner). No desire to sit in the home end properly, going to the game is meant to be fun 😀