Come off it.

First, as several have already pointed out, we didn’t take anywhere near 27k to Wembley. 21k. Possibly 22k at a stretch.

We rarely sold out BP when we were in the top flight. What on earth makes you think we would have had any chance of a sellout for a run-of-the-mill fixture in L2.

You clearly have no faith in Mellon. Fair enough. You’re entitled to your opinion. But don’t make the mistake of assuming that the majority of the fanbase share your view.

Just under 7,500 home fans v Colchester. When was the last time we had that many for a home game which wasn’t a local derby? 20 years ago, perhaps? Certainly roughly 20 years since we had an average home attendance matching that.

Mellon’s reputation, borne out for the last two seasons since he has been with us, is for dour, attritional football. But, generally fairly successful. The early signs from the first two league games (not the league cup tie debacle) are that he intends to play more attractive, entertaining football than last season (playoffs excepted).

Of course fans prefer to see attractive, entertaining, attacking football. But, above all else, they want to see their team winning, more often than not. How many “winning” seasons have we had in the last 35 years. I haven’t counted, but reckon probably no more than you count on the fingers of one hand.

The most entertaining team of the last 30+ years must surely have been Kewell’s squad of 2020/21. Can’t tell what the attendances would have been that year, since it was played behind closed doors. But that team was entertaining in the way that clowns at a circus are entertaining. The team was something of a joke. Second highest scorers in the league but far and away the worst defensive record. Average and final league position 18th. Would have been rock bottom if judged on home performances alone. Won 6 Lost 15 at BP. I would bet the average attendance at BP, had fans been allowed in, would have been nowhere near what we got last Saturday.

As others have said, it takes time to build (or rebuild) a decent following. The away ticket sales for latics travelling fans are, so far, way up on last season. But those travelling fans are, almost by definition, the most committed supporters. It will take longer to bring around the average potential home fan. The feel good factor, first from the takeover, then from the playoffs, Wembley and promotion, won’t last indefinitely. It will be quickly lost if the team struggles this season, particularly if that is accompanied by dour football, such as we experienced for most of last year.

But attendances should start to gradually improve, so long as the feeling is that we are heading in the right direction. I would suggest anywhere above the bottom 6, should be regarded as progress.