I agree with much of that, however I don't think we'll lose existing fans, as you don't give up on your team because of a stand. I think you are also slightly underestimating the more professional feel of a completed stadium. Whenever you see the N, W&S from the E it looks miles better, so seeing that all around will finally give that proper stadium feel, not looking at a shite east.
But it'll be a show of intent whatever happens. Sadler has already said he prefers it smaller, so the 4600 was it we thought. Possibly no corner.
It could be great to make a statement no doubt and people saying we haven't sold this much before etc have no vision about where we could be long term or even short term, you have to build for the future and we haven't tried that hard yet, also under odd circumstances. 1st Championship season was post covid and many were cautious. 2nd season under Appleton, hardly going to inspire the masses under a hated man at the high prices we chose too. So we could have done far better even if we wet up this season.
I could though accept the 4600 east, although definitely better with a corner too, but on it's own would take us only slightly higher capacity wise than now, but would allow maybe 14k home fans and 2.2k away, or whatever splits.
That would be enough for now, but under the right circumstances if things went well it might not be long before that was filled.
I don't doubt SS when he says we could add to it in the future, which is good to hear, but obviously you need the fans to be able to attend when the occasions call.
I would love to see though, a 2 tier north, as I wonder if you'd be able to get a large part of the steelwork etc done over a slightly longer summer, then populate it below still whilst it's finished...
Probably just a pipe dream anyway.
1 more thing to mention, the reason we wouldn't be going any higher than 24 rows high is someone said that's the limit of ground entrances we have, any higher and you need them tunnels mid stand or something.
So for me just max out the 24 rows high from east to NE corner.