As you say, most of my concerns are regards the whole financial mess and some of the obvious missing pieces in the transport plan. Hopefully both resolvable, but needless to say, the finances are taking us (club and fans) right to the edge, which has always been my main fear!
There was no massive surprises. Like the rest of you, I have followed all the brilliant video updates from Baz and the rest of the drone lads. Plus of course the club's internal pics/videos too. Tbh, I would've been able to picture it fairly well in my head just from the plan drawings and cross sections, but of course there is nothing quite like actually standing in the place.
I've taken lots of pictures of stadia in the past but have rarely if ever been able to capture the true depth or drama of the view I was trying to record. Similarly, on this occasion the reality was far more dramatic than what you can lift from any photo. I watched as everyone in the group stepped out onto the stand.... it was a bit like when you take your kids to their first game at Goodison, with that pure sense of wonder written all over their faces as they stepbout onto the stand for the first time. Everyone in the group were like those kids again. One old fella looked a bit emotional. It may have been a bit of construction site dust.
It is obviously modern clean lines and sightlines everywhere, as you would expect. Personally, I would've preferred a bit more design variation on the side stands to add a bit more contrast and interest. Say for instance a triple-decker on one side and/or just 5 to 7 more rows overlap on the North, East and West stands.... which could've generated another 3,000+ seats for the same footprint and been a bit more reflective of Goodison..... but that might be subjective. Equally, some might well prefer the simplicity of the bowl.... If proportions are right, sometimes, less is indeed more etc!
The high roof does make the stadium feel very airey inside and I would've preferred to see it extended further than just barely covering the front rows, for both greater weather protection and acoustic enhancement.
I was tempted to give a shout of "What's our Name?" To test those acoustics in the South stand and claim the honour of starting the first ever chant in our new stadium.... but there was only 8 in our group and noticed the roof covering above was not yet fully in place to be tested anyway.
Also noticed that there was no second steps yet fitted to the safe-standing area row treads. Of course they could be retrofitted if the ratio is ever increased in the future. The super-riser also looks to be quite a bit higher than the one at Spurs' south stand, but that might be an optical illusion.
