Quote: Cherry.Pie "
I disagree with what DaveO said about the poor start deflating the crowd. The crowd was never 'inflated' in the first place and rarely is. Had the team started brilliantly the atmosphere would still have been poor because it always is except in bigger games or during games with plenty of quality and controversy (which are few and far between at the DW).'"
So you don't think conceding a try after less than five minutes ever silences a crowd? And continued poor play doesn't keep the crowd muted? Really?
Quote: Cherry.Pie "The poor atmosphere is pretty worrying. I find a good atmosphere really improves games while a poor one can make some seem to drag on. Not every game is going to have a good atmosphere but the DW is probably the absolute worst stadium in Super League when it comes to creating a bit of noise during most games.
I've often defending Wigan's renting of the DW when fans of other clubs have been sniping for whatever reason, but to be honest I hate the DW as a rugby league venue except for in big games. It's completely soulless. Size isn't necessarily the issue either as sometimes a half full stadium can still have a good atmosphere.
Fans who want to sing and make a bit of noise during games seem to be small in numbers, or perhaps it's just a case that they are so spread out that nothing can get started. Trying to create a singing section isn't necessarily going to make a huge difference either because as we've found previously, a small singing section in the south doesn't make much difference either because a small concentrated group of people in a corner doesn't create much of an atmosphere either.
I doubt the DW will ever be a ground that generates a good atmosphere but it's certainly been much better in the past than it is right now.
In a perfect world Wigan would have a stadium that holds about 20,000 that's enclosed, perhaps like a bigger version of the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster but possibly with a standing area.
While the stadium itself is pretty poor, I'd love a stand that could generate the same sort of atmosphere as the south stand at Headingley. Those at the back probably can't see a thing whenever the ball goes up in the air but the design helps create a bloody great noise.'"
This atmosphere has very little to do with the ground IMO and far more to do with the crowds expectations.
I mentioned this on another thread that cropped up a few weeks ago that instead of basking in the glory of watching a Champion team move onwards and upwards as you might expect after a double winning season the fans are not thick and realise we have a new team out there that in several positions is considered inferior to last seasons (whether that is true or not is not the issue but the perception is).
As I said previously I feel the crowd is kind of nervous and its expectations are lower or at least uncertain as to how the team is going to play.
If that is so continued poor starts to games as we have seen at home is not going to dispel any of those feelings. I think it is going to make it worse.
So I think you are way off the mark about the poor start not deflating the crowd. I think poor starts to games reinforce a view we are not as good as we should be and it will knock the wind out the crowds sails very easily.
If the team look sharp the I think the atmosphere will improve. How quickly I don't know because to certain extent poor starts are becoming far too normal and so expectations are IMO already lower and early points conceded hit the enthusiasm of the crowd.
