Exclusive: Don Goodman names 3 hostile atmospheres he played in - they have all been in the EFL Championship in last 10 years | OneFootball

The Sky Sports pundit has identified the grounds that players hate visiting

Football stadiums up and down the land can create a certain level of atmosphere, but a specific few are famed for the hostility they produce.

Since the dawn of football, home advantage has always been viewed as a key factor due to the fact that one team has a wealth of supporters cheering them on, whilst creating an intimidating environment for the opposition.

The Football League is famed for its loyal fans who will follow their club home and away across 46 matches, always backing their side vocally to try and play their part in a potential result from the terraces.

Some fanbases manage to pull this off perfectly and, over the years, have created reputations for themselves for being particularly passionate.

This can be a massive plus for the teams that enjoy such engaged supporters, as it can play a massive role in what results they manage to achieve on home turf, especially in high-pressure moments.

Some players will fear certain grounds, wary of the atmosphere the opposition fans can produce. This can be a for a number of factors, such as returning to play against a club they left in bad circumstances or visiting the home of a rival.

Either way, there are a select few clubs across the EFL who stand alone in terms of the atmosphere they produce on matchdays.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit and former EFL striker, Don Goodman, has revealed the stadiums that players dreaded visiting during his playing days.

Don Goodman highlights the most intimidating atmospheres he experienced in English football

“I guess I was pretty lucky,” stated Goodman. “I didn't dread going anywhere. I actually loved playing in hostile environments.

“It sort of gave me inspiration and motivation. I embraced it. Clearly, it's not always the case with players.

“So, teammates of mine would generally feel pressure and atmosphere at hostile places back in the day, like Millwall, the old Den. Even the new Den. They can make that hostile.

“Newcastle, the Geordies, passion. And my boyhood love, Leeds United. Elland Road is obviously a hostile place.

“They're the three obvious places that I would say.”

The importance of an intimidating atmosphere can’t be overstated

Although times may have moved on from some of the classic ways football fans used to express their support, passion still plays a strong part in how certain supporters are perceived today.

Millwall have historically had excellent fans who have backed their team without hesitation, whatever that may consist of, and have a brilliant reputation today as a result. Newcastle and Leeds, meanwhile, have won EFL Championship titles in the last decade on the back of a hostile home support.

This can play a massive role across 46 games, especially when compared to some teams that don’t have such committed supporters.

Some clubs across the EFL struggle to create much of an atmosphere on matchdays, which leads to a flat feeling in the ground.

That quickly translates to the pitch, with players lacking that extra push to get them over the line in games.

In modern football, the smallest advantages can be crucial over an entire season and the importance of a brilliant atmosphere is an important one to have.

Even if it equates to just three extra points come May, that could be the difference between achieving promotion, survival or finishing within the play-offs.