Latics are averaging 12,600, we'll beat that this season.

I think the lack of a superstar player(s) can't be underestimated. Who in this team puts bums on seats? There isn't anyone. We've gone from playing the most exciting rugby in the league (2012) to probably the least watchable.

And the constant turnover of players is so frustrating.

Spot on IMO.

If your best players keep leaving so will some fans. We've consistently seen our better players leave year on year and that's deflating. It's good that the comp is now more competitive and that may eventually lead to more income and therefore is being able to hold our best players but until it does it'll be seen as a second rate comp.

Ask me to name the 20 most exciting players to watch in World rugby league and I'd name possibly none from superleague.

On the other hand, other clubs crowds are up. Wigan are not a barometer of the new structure. The entire league will be that barometer over a full season, not just a few games.

Wigan's falling crowds are an issue for Wigan. Maybe it's down to the style of play, maybe it the Brigantines banning has had an effect on that section of fans, maybe it's a lack of Tomkins. Maybe it's a lack of marketing. But I would also say it's early days.

Who's crowds are up?
Saints are down on last season, Wire are down, Leeds are down.

I'm sorry but that's us!!

Last night I watched the Penrith Panthers. Derided by some last season as a team of no stars (well, except Jamie Soward, and he was just returned from Superleague, so must be past it, right?), they exceeded expectations then, and this season are going from strength to strength. After an admittedly shakey start, they played the most exciting attacking rugby I have seen for a long time. confidence in the squad is obviously sky-high, and, as remarked in commentary, if they continue with that form, they will be packing them in. So yes, I do think the brand of rugby you're playing is the biggest factor.

I think it's quite simple, everything has declined (players, quality, coaches, refs) but yet prices have gone up?

I'm now paying more to watch a bunch of kids/also rans than what I did watching some of the best players In the world only a few seasons back!

The fans and the players have been treated like mugs by the RFL & owners for years. The players at least can go over to the NRL to get the money they deserve whereas the fans are stuck here and milked.

Who's crowds are up then ?

Saints are

Good summary.
I'd also add that the brigantine element is well down on a couple of years ago leading to the funereal atmosphere at a lot of the home games and even some of the away games.

Maybe "Beware Shadows" should be renamed "Beware Saints Fan having a go at all things Wigan"

And were up 6% overall in 2014 compared to 2013.

Using 2 games as an example is like saying that the league table at the moment holds any validity. There are lots of factors that can be said about both the catalan (first game of the season, last years winners) and Castleford (disappointment of the Souths game, on a Friday on sky vs Sunday in summer last year) games, overall, we were up last year, and have every chance of being overall this year.

So they are down then? and not up as you said.
I agree that it's too early to see how things will out, but a lot will depend on which teams you get at home after the split.

One is up, one is down in the same games in the first two home games last year vs hull and hkr the attendances are to a man the same and up by 2k on average of you include the first 3 games!

What's the saying about lies and statistics?

I think most clubs are seeing the post split games as bonuses regardless of who they're against ...