I am still trying to work out whether the fact that the Liberty Stadium has been voted the best in the Premier League is a positive reward for a superb atmosphere or just a sad testament that the days of cracking football atmospheres has long since passed us.
After three seasons in the Premier League it is safe to say that I have long since accepted that you won't find many atmospheres that are noisy or hostile in this division and I have to say that sadly I probably include the Liberty in that.
We know that the Liberty can be hostile and there have been some cracking occasions in there in terms of quality atmosphere and the like but for large periods then it can be as quiet as most Premier League grounds and it is right enough that there are many occasions when the away fans outsing the home fans although that is not without a rendition of 'We're Swansea City, we'll sing on our own!'
Don't get me wrong here as I probably don't disagree that the Liberty has one of the better atmospheres in the division but as with every single ground then there could be more to bring that atmosphere up although at this point we should probably be grateful that we have an atmosphere in the first place as many grounds come nowhere near having one.
When we got promoted into this division I have to say that I was looking forward to experiencing some of the great support that they love to tell us exists on Sky. The commentators there will often make reference to the outstanding noise or loyal support of big teams but it is a complete myth in my experience.
When we played at Old Trafford last season in the league their fans were pretty much silent until they scored and that has been no different in the other two seasons we have been there in the league especially if you take away the flags and the fact that it was Sir Alex's last home game in the second season.
Liverpool fans can be noisy for the few minutes leading up to kick off but then it soon disappears and at Arsenal, Man City and Everton it is pretty much non existent for large parts of the game. Thinking on this gives you a much better idea as to why the Swans atmosphere is right up there at the top of the table.
Many grounds that we visit on the Premier League tour are grounds where the song 'You've only got one song' was probably invented for especially Tottenham where the drone like 'when the Spurs go marching in' which is probably the most irritating song in Premier League history?
It therefore does seem that the fact that we have been named the best atmosphere is a mixture of two things but we can improve the atmosphere at the Liberty no doubt whilst I am not sure that other sides will have that luxury so let's not ever completely go down their road of flat stadiums?
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