The atmosphere at the old WHL could be different gravy on occasion, big European games, derby days etc.
The new stadium doesn't get close.
But I do agree if you were playing Bolton at home it could be even deader than the new stadium. And often people would pile out a few minutes from the end and the stadium would be half empty by the time the final whistle blew. Gazza put something in his biography about it, as he couldn't get his head around people leaving early. But those few minutes could make the difference between getting out of WHL in 20 minutes or being stuck in traffic for an hour.
There is always an element of rose tinted glasses but that doesn't change the fact that it doesn't feel like the football anymore, it feels far too corporate. It's almost like a trip to the theatre these days.
Of course the atmosphere at the old gaff could be poor at times but it could also be fucking amazing.
We can argue the toss on that for as long as we like but in my opinion the overall 'match day experience' back then was far superior.
I'd take it all day over the sanitised/gentrified product we are fed these days.
Each to their own. If other Yids are happy to keep forking out then good luck to them. It's their money their choice.
I'm firmly in the day tripper category now though.