Interesting debate. I think the lay out will be ok. I am in the North Stand and there will be atmosphere in the new place. The bad start at Widnes has left people worried about the atmosphere, had we got on the front foot against wire and been playing at the top of our game the atmosphere would have been electric, with east and north stand singing and really getting behind them. 24 - 0 down the atmosphere would have been flat as a pancake at KR! Harlequins next up, not a fixture to get the pulse racing, KR like a morgue even when beating Harlequins! Bradford, best game, atmosphere thus far, because we played some decent stuff and had something to shout about. Just like at KR when we play the big games at the new place the atmosphere will be electric as long as the team gets on the front foot and really rips into the likes of pies, wire and leeds.

Im sure I read somewhere they had a rethink.

They were never going to sell 5-6 k corporate tickets, but leaving that stand till last will ensure that the other three stands are always reasonbly and usually completely full. Then put the TV cameras on the South stand and hey presto, stadium looks full on TV every game

I'm sure the board have worked it out.

I think we can confidently say that 6k at Widnes is our base figure. When you switch that to a game at KR that would add an extra 1k - 2k in walk ups.

In terms of crowd figures I would expect the new stadium to have a higher baseline figure for fans.

It could be something closer to 10k. With the big games doubling that figure with additional Saints fans and additional away fans.

Also with the location of the stadium it's basically been built on a dual carrage way so for away fans there will be none of that sat waiting to drive away whilst the walk ups get out the way. There will also be ample parking given the link to the town centre and the car parks there.

I'm going to miss sitting in traffic, inching slowly towards the Nag's Head and listening to the post-match on the radio....

I can't understand why Saints didn't just replicate the old ground in a new way.

Standing for the away fans at one end.
A popular side holding 6-7k ish, the camera would probably face here.
A smaller seating end for people who would like a seat but a view behind the goals.
A stand for the prawn sandiwch eaters.

One thing is for sure, on derby days it will be bouncing, the ground will be full and loads of away fans will be there. On normal match days it could look quite emtpy, especially if the team doesn't take any momentum in the move.

We had many of the same problems though. If I were you I would just be happy that you have your own stadium which can be used exactly how the clubs wants it to be used, you also have standing room and enough capacity to hold international matches and semi-finals.

I wouldn't complain too much.