Compare with us in the late 90's

after the optimism over an early return to the top division had gone. Our crowds were down around 13000-15000 (much easier to get out of County Hall car park.

Saints are at a similar point in their journey, eg my bro-in law is now rationalising that the Championship is more enjoyable than the Premier League (I tend to agree). The pent up demand from being in a low capacity Dell has dissipated and they need at least a playoff to get local sentiment on their side. Thye don't expect to win anything down there but were fixtures in the top division for most of the time from 1966, and expect to be there.

That said, Southampton is a much bigger city than Norwich and ought to be able to fill the ground, with the only competition being Pompey, a team held in similar regard to another team in blue I could name.

Speaking of which, time to head off there for a meeting with a couple of their season ticket holders (they do have some). I intend to remind one of them of his comment at the office Xmas meal that as long as they kept winning at home they didn't need to win away.

Posted By: watfordcanary, Jan 30, 06:37:12