Olympic Stadium : Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:30 am  

I wondered what you all thought about the watching the game at the Olympic Stadium yesterday.

Although we had a clear view I thought that it lacked the atmosphere of Wembley. Of course this might have been because a Challenge Cup Final engenders more passion anyway but I felt it was more than that. I also thought that the acoustics were awful. We were in block 114 and I couldn't make out a single word (no exaggeration) of any of the announcements. Even the pre-match music (not something I go for anyway) was impossible to recognise. The only thing that was clear was the Last Post. Was it a similar experience elsewhere in the ground?

There is talk of staging more games there (I don't know how West Ham would feel about that) but not, I hope, in preference to Wembley.

Re: Olympic Stadium : Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:34 pm  

I've been twice for athletics and it's a great stadium, but I haven't been there as a match venue. I thought it looked good on telly yesterday though.

Re: Olympic Stadium : Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:09 pm  

I thought it was a decent stadium, good transport links.. I do agree with the PA system being poor I was in block B behind the posts and couldn't make out a single word.
With regards to the atmosphere I think the performance had a lot to do with it, it was extremely flat from England very few fans out of their seats moments, but when England did make a half break you sensed the fans would have gone with that momentum in terms of making noise..

Re: Olympic Stadium : Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:27 pm  

The Stadium itself was fine. We were in block 232, great views and didn't have a problem with the PA apart from "the last post" which I think was more to do with someone pitch-side not turning the microphone on until halfway through the piece.
We went down by coach and didn't get back until 11 p.m last night, traffic was horrendous getting away. If I went again I'd probably go down by train and stay a couple of nights in London.
The game itself was very dour, but I think the heavy morning rain probably had some effect on that. Maybe also fans are not giving enough credit for the defense, by both sides, which was top class. England must have defended about 15 - 20 sets on their own line, and the only try conceded was very fortunate in that the ball bounced fortunately off Batemans back to NZ.

Re: Olympic Stadium : Sun Nov 08, 2015 2:24 pm  

Stadium was excellent. I was disappointed with the atmosphere although the professional "rabble rouser" did his best. The game was poor. I enjoy a committed tight fought game but felt there was a total lack of invention apart from the kick that led to the " no try".
There were 2 men next to me from Gloucester ( not RU fans, their son/grandson was in the choir). An opportunity to interest new fans definitely lost in their case!

Re: Olympic Stadium : Sun Nov 08, 2015 3:23 pm  

Yes, it was flat yesterday. The lack of crowd atmosphere was mentioned a number of times by the commentary team. To be fair there wasn't that much shown on the pitch to get excited about. Hopefully the weather will improve for the DW game.

Re: Olympic Stadium : Mon Nov 09, 2015 12:20 pm  

Loved it!! Game wasn't the best. England were poor, defended well, but very poor going forward. The stadium was great. The Fan Zone was a laugh, and was easy to get a pint to. My 8 year old lad loved it. Although £9 for popcorn was an absolute disgrace!! Even my lad looked surprised. haha. Id expect a full wheely bin full for that!!

Re: Olympic Stadium : Mon Nov 09, 2015 12:21 pm  

Thought it was crap to be honest. Definitely not fit for football/rugby. WHU fans will be disappointed I think.
Zero atmosphere and I don't think that will change given the design of the stadium and the proximity to the pitch.
Also, if your up in tier two, there's about 8 flights of stairs to get back down to the toilets on the ground floor, and no kiosks on the upper levels either so same again.

Next..

Re: Olympic Stadium : Mon Nov 09, 2015 3:08 pm  

Reasonable views.
Rubbish PA.
Plenty of food and drink outlets, if a little expensive.
Stadium had a 'not quite finished' feel about it.
Atmosphere quite flat, due in part to there being a lot of 'newbies' in the crowd. Hammers fans behind us and a group from Broadstairs next to us.
Dour arm-wrestle of a game definitely for the purist.
Very entertaining watching Arsenal Al arguing with a stadium jobsworth over the removal of his flag.

Re: Olympic Stadium : Tue Nov 10, 2015 8:47 am  

I liked it. Should make it our London home and play there once each series/Four Nations/World Cup whenever they're in this country.