x

We Need To Turn The Liverpool Section White

An interesting map appeared on Sky Sports news pages this morning when they released a graphic showing which team is the most popular in each area of the country.

There was no real surprise to see that South West Wales saw Swansea being the most popular but elsewhere across the South Wales area it was the red of Liverpool that was the most popular and this is something that we need to work on.

Of course these are TV viewing habits across 500,000 homes that create the results but a stadium expansion would, for me, work at nipping away at these numbers by giving people a chance to watch us sometimes live in the stadium and therefore it would mean that when they cannot get to the ground we could be the team they choose to watch on TV.

Notable results included Chelsea and Liverpool dominating in Scotland, while Arsenal had a stronghold in the south east - and Leicester City were the viewers' choice in the Outer Hebrides.

Matthew Roberts, Sky Sports’ Head of Sports and News Research, said: "This data is invaluable for Sky Sports as it allows us to understand what our customers enjoy and want. The results also produced some interesting surprises and regional trends.

"Arsenal really do dominate the south east and several areas in Scotland enjoy watching Chelsea more than any other Premier League team, while Manchester United and Liverpool really do enjoy support across England, Wales and Scotland."

Manchester United topped the poll with 49 regions whilst Arsenal (33) and Liverpool (21) were the 2nd and 3rd most popular.

There are no real major surprises in the poll but - aside from the stats - this is a time for us to capitalise on the popularity that we have which will never have been higher than at any point in our history. If we can get extra seats in the stadium then that means extra fans watching us and maybe we can knock a few of these Liverpool areas to white.

Not expanding would be a missed opportunity that we could regret for years?

What to read next:

Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures 2
In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures
We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ?
Southampton V Stoke City The Preview
Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned.
No Togetherness No Character No Fight
Not my words, but those of Southampton manager Russell Martin, who should ask himself the question why two months ago we had all those attributes and now we don't !
Southampton At Leicester The Debacle
The big question is how can a side that was so tight at the back, so clinical up front and who could pass the ball around almost with their eyes closed, become the disorganised rabble that they were at the Leicester City this evening.
Southampton Side Announced For Leicester Game
Russell Martin has revealed his side for the game against Leicester City, find out what surprises he has for Saints supporters this time out.
Southampton At Leicester City The Preview
Saints travel up to Leicester knowing that it is almost certain that they will just be in the play offs come the end of the season, however there is still the feint hope of 3rd place to play for, however the Foxes are playing for a bigger prize.
A Rough Guide To Leicester City FC
Saints head up to Leicester City this evening with their automatic promotion hopes just about over, so for the 3,000 fans who bought their tickets when there was hope here are the details.
Southampton At Cardiff City The Verdict
There can be no excuses for this defeat, a loss that effectively means that it will be a play off spot and not an automatic promotion place for Southampton, so where did it all go wrong.