Agree entirely. All this bollox about creating artificial atmosphere, getting safe standing, drinking at your seat etc etc ignores the fact that it is what happens on the pitch that gets the crowd on their feet, always has been and always will be. We had some real shit times at the Goldstone, pretty much most of the nineties up until Fans Utd but I think people forget that.The atmosphere has got absolutely nothing to do with those who aren't there.
There is (was) a Big Match Revisted on ITV4 of us v Liverpool, the early 80's 3-3 game.
3 or 4 times the commentator mentions how quiet we are.
Then notes how we finally had some atmosphere as the team clawed their way back into the game.
Now there's 2 parts to this:-
A) Scroll forward 40 years and nothing has changed that's because we were, we are, we always will be a reactionary crowd.
If the AMEX was only filled with fans who aren't allowed in it will still be silent 10 minutes into a 0-0 against Wolves, Burnley, WBA or any other no mark team who don't travel.
2 - Anyone who harks back to the cauldron that was the Goldstone is talking bollox.