The lads at the back have forced the issue and I can see why the club has opted to trial the experiment where people are currently standing. If they made the change at the front, there's the risk the fans that are currently standing would continue to stand in the seated areas at the back whilst you'd have few takers for the safe standing down at the front.
Presumably supporters have been asked for their opinions and this was felt to be the best option. It's baffling to me that nobody ever thought up the idea of safe standing circa 1989/90, immediately post Hillsborough. Even before that when hooliganism started to become a serious issue circa 1974, it would have been a lot harder to organise or get involved in punch ups if every row had barriers along them.
Cue Uncle Derek again "Hindsight is a wonderful thing"
That?s also what we said about away fans in the Kop too.
Seems to be the general consensus on here at least that the atmosphere at Notts these days is somewhat flat. It could apply to football generally though, with the exception of the few clubs that are currently on a high of highs (Fword among them unfortunately).
I thought the Munto season-Martin Allen period was the best atmosphere I've ever heard at ML, better than Wilko/Warnock eras. I remember an away fan remarking at the time that we had a proper home end and that we were as loud as hell.
Could be that younger fans coming of age (traditionally the group you most rely on for generating noise and passion) are now generally much more passive than they used to be as a result of modern sensibilities smothering 'toxic masculinity' combined with a culture fuelled by downers rather than uppers (legal or otherwise). In addition, the passing game being adopted by most clubs may be entertaining for the majority, but it's crosses, goal mouth scrambles, keepers punching away multiple corners, fouls by the touchline, etc. that get people on their feet and properly involved as opposed to just sitting back and politely clapping a nice ball.
Maybe a return to standing will reverse the trend, but it will take more than small sections tucked away at the back of stands.
I like the idea of introducing safe standing to the stadium and the back of the Kop would be my choice for multiple reasons.
My first thought was the same as magicianpie about the sound reverberating at the rear of the stand as you are nearer the roof and have more roof ahead of you. So instead of the sound being lost like in the front sections it actually encourages others nearer the front to join in. Traditionally the more vocal fans locate at the back whether it?s the old Sirrel stand, Kop or away from home
From sitting in the kop since it was opened up to home supporters the atmosphere in the kop is generated from the back of the stand towards the middle. That's also where the drum is located. It's also been the area where stewards have had to spend the most time telling people to sit down.
So I think it's the right idea to make the upper section standing and that's coming from a season ticket holder in the upper kop who will likely have to move if I don't want to stand up.
By having the upper section safe standing it will mean the make up of fans where the atmosphere is generated remains intact as they appear to want to stand up anyway and then anyone else who does can go in there as well. Acoustically it is better as well as the noise generated will reverberate around the stand and onto the pitch whereas it wouldn't as much at the front.
Plus with having safe standing at the front then extra rows of seats would be lost as there would need to be a clear area before people could see who were sat down.
Will it be stand where you like or a space allocated on your season card or match ticket.
Another positive move by the club to improve the matchday experience.
I sit towards the back of the Kop but not sure I?ll personally stand as my dad is in his 70?s and my kids would rather sit.
I?ll gladly move though for this change. It makes sense to be at the back as that is where the atmosphere is generated and the majority are already standing.
I always used to feel like the Kop was so loud when I was in it, but then I had a couple of games in the Pavis and was surprised how little it travels.
The atmosphere is flat because the football is flat. We rarely attack the kop end, we haven't scored many goals in that goal at all this year, atmosphere is fine when we actually play at pace for more than a few minutes