Realistically.....

[Stuttgart88]

friendly match = crap game usually = no effort from the crowd

big game= tense stuff = better than 50:50 chance of good atmosphere.

Agreed, and I have made the same point in another thread. At a friendly game I'm more interested in picking the details of players' performances. At a big game I just want a result. I think too much is made of the flat atmosphere at "less important" games.

That said, the Faroes game in October had a good atmosphere. The more that's at stake the better the noise, and for a big game I think you've probably underestimated the chance of a good atmosphere.

However, I think Thornley is right when he says that crowds these days tend to be reactive rather than proactive, hence the lack of certainty of a good atmosphere, as you point out. I also think he's right that we are inclined to "make more of our Irishness" when travelling for a game.

[bitored]

Anfield is the best option in terms of travel and the players would have no problem with playing there.

Thought I saw somewhere that Liverpool have got plans to build a new stadium. Surely if Lansdowne's redevelopment doesn't start 'til late 2006 and takes 3 to 4 years then we'll have to come up with an alternative because I'm sure Liverpool will have moved by 2010 and Anfield will be an apartment block or shopping centre or whatever.