A fan's guide to PL away days

Joel travels home and away - cash permitting - and is a veteran of 17 of the grounds Brendan Rodgers, his team and several thousand travelling Kopites will visit in the Barclays Premier League during 2013-14.

Here's his guide:

Arsenal - Emirates Stadium
The second largest away ground in the Premier League is four hours on the coach. One noticeable thing about this particular stadium is the seats are not just your average bit of plastic used in most grounds - they are large and padded! A particular highlight from my visits to the Emirates has to be back in April 2011 when Dirk Kuyt's last-gasp penalty earned a point for Liverpool, queue wild celebrations and a lovely bruise on my shin after falling over said padded seats. The only negative has to be the atmosphere (or lack of it) and very rarely have the 3,000-plus Reds been out-sung by their hosts.
Verdict: 3/5

Aston Villa - Villa Park
The thing I like about Villa Park is the fact that it has managed to retain its individuality despite its vast redevelopment over the past 20 years or so. Located just over two hours away, but for all its straightforward accessibility, the away end is a bit of a pain with Reds fans situated in the upper and lower tiers of the Doug Ellis Stand, running from the corner flag near the North Stand up to the half-way line - all of which results in a bit of neck straining.
Verdict: 4/5

Cardiff City - Cardiff City Stadium
I must admit I'm yet to visit this ground but having read a review on footballgroundguide.com, it seems encouraging: "As you would expect from a new stadium the view of the playing action and facilities are good. The acoustics are also good, with the stadium having a loud PA system. The concourses are spacious, have televisions to keep you entertained and serve the usual fare of food as well as alcohol."
Verdict: N/A

Chelsea - Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge is not everyone's cup of tea, but for me there's something about winning there that makes it all the more enjoyable. Despite the cramped seating and costly ticket prices, the Shed End has been the setting for many a memorable goal celebration in recent years. Another positive about visiting SW6 is that there is not much space between the pitch and stands, which can benefit any atmosphere that emanates from those of a Red persuasion. Any win there more than makes up for the nightmarish traffic which greets the away coaches after the final whistle.
Verdict: 3/5

Crystal Palace - Selhurst Park
Another ground that I am yet to visit. So instead I will have to rely on footballgroundguide.com to give me an idea of what I'll be likely to expect should I make the trip to South London: "Just over 2,000 away supporters can be accommodated. If you are seated towards the rear of the stand then you will find that you are sitting on old wooden seats and there is very little leg room. Plus the views of the playing action are not particularly great from the back of the stand, due to the overhang of the roof. And if that is not enough then there is the odd supporting pillar to contend with too!" Sounds great...
Verdict: N/A

Everton - Goodison Park
One of the first games every Red looks for when the fixtures are released and no matter what date it falls on, it's a welcome break from the travelling up and down motorways. For all the wooden seats and obstructed views in the Bullens Road Stand, there is nothing like a victory at Goodison amongst a backdrop of intense atmosphere from both sets of fans. That more than makes up for the dubious facilities that are on offer.
Verdict: 4/5

Fulham - Craven Cottage
This may surprise some, but Craven Cottage is my favourite away ground in the Premier League. It may not be the biggest or have the best atmosphere, but there is something about a trip to the Cottage on a pleasant sunny day that other away grounds lack. Be it the walk through the park behind the Putney End (where away fans are situated) or even the view of the River Thames (if that's your kind of thing) a football match in this idyllic setting is rather strange yet pleasant at the same time.
Verdict: 5/5

Hull City - KC Stadium
Although The Tigers were a Premier League team for two seasons, I never made the trip across the Yorkshire Pennines as my £30 a week EMA grant from 6th form couldn't stretch far enough to pay for an away day out. That said, now I am a jobless university graduate, it will be interesting to see if I make it there this season! In the meantime, I'm relying on the mixed opinion of friends who have visited the KC Stadium. For some it was an enjoyable day out with impressive facilities and not a single bad view from the away end; others felt the ground was a nightmare to get to due to traffic and lack of parking spaces available.
Verdict: N/A

Manchester City - Etihad Stadium
It may be one of the shortest trips Reds fans have to endure throughout the season, but getting to the east side of Manchester can be a pain. Depending on how you travel (by train or car), parking around the stadium is limited, and should you opt for the train a shuttle bus from Manchester Piccadilly station is recommended. Another problem away fans may encounter is being held up further by over-friendly stewarding resulting in multiple searches before you even enter the stadium. Problems aside, the Etihad is a brilliant venue for football, with spacious concourses and stands close to the pitch, and with an upper and lower tier being allocated for away fans, it can help make for a good atmosphere.
Verdict: 4/5

Manchester United - Old Trafford
In contrast to their 'noisy neighbours' Old Trafford is easier to reach. Located in the corner of the East and South Stands, nearly 3,000 away fans have a great view of the pitch and are in a prime location to make sure their presence is heard. Despite United being one of Liverpool's main rivals, Old Trafford is one of the most iconic grounds in English football (behind Anfield of course!) and is even more special when your team wins there. Apart from a defeat, the only other downside to any visit is away fans being kept behind for a while after the final whistle before being allowed to leave.
Verdict: 4/5

Newcastle United - St James' Park
If you're afraid of heights and are not fond of exercise, then this particular trip may not be for you. With away fans situated high up in the Sir John Hall Stand, those with poor eye sight may find it hard to keep up with events on the pitch. On the plus side you do get an impressive view of the stadium as well as the Newcastle skyline which you can see very clearly on a sunny day. That aside, St James' Park is home to an impressive atmosphere which is hard to come by in most Premier League grounds nowadays, but if the away side dominate (such as the Reds did back in April) then expect to witness at close hand a Geordie boo-fest!
Verdict: 4/5

Norwich City - Carrow Road
One of the longer away days, Carrow Road can take a while to reach from Merseyside (about five/six hours depending on form of transport) but is one of the simpler grounds to access in terms of layout. Located in the South Stand, the away end is directly opposite the dugout and offers a great view of the pitch. Although traffic can be a nightmare to and from the ground, the Morrisons nearby and various takeaway outlets are an ideal option for fans to refuel before making the long dreaded trip home.
Verdict: 3/5

Southampton - St Mary's
Another long away day, St Mary's hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Reds since opening in 2002. Having lost four of our five visits there, the arduous trip back to Liverpool has not been a pleasant one for the away fans who may not get back until the witching hour depending on traffic and kick-off times. Housed in the Northam Stand, St Mary's has excellent facilities and offers a great view of the pitch. That said, I wish I didn't have a great view of our 3-1 defeat there last season! What made things worse was a second-half downpour which blew into the away end and soaked everyone around me.
Verdict: 2/5

Stoke City - Britannia Stadium
You know what they say about a cold, wet Wednesday night at Stoke? Well they're spot on. When the elements are poor, there is nowhere as cold as the Britannia which is perched atop a hill with hardly any buildings around it. Located in the isolated South Stand, away fans are exposed to any gusts of wind that may happen to seep in from either side. This makes for an even worse experience if your team is losing, which is what happened here last season when The Potters beat Liverpool 3-1. Apart from a fine selection of pies and pasties, the only good thing about a trip to Stoke is the fact that it is just over an hour away from Merseyside making for a short but sweet coach trip (as long as we win!).
Verdict: 1/5

Sunderland - Stadium of Light
Just like their North-East 'friends', Sunderland now houses the away fans up in the Gods of the stadium (or to be more specific, the North Stand). Should you make the trip up north, an oxygen mask may be handy if you are lacking in physical prowess and baulk at the sight of numerous flights of stairs. This vantage point at least offers a great view of an impressive stadium which when full, can produce a good atmosphere.
Verdict: 3/5

Swansea City - Liberty Stadium
Having grown accustomed to trips to South Wales over the past decade, Reds fans will now have to make two over the next season following Cardiff's promotion. Despite a lengthy coach trip through the Welsh countryside, the Liberty Stadium is home to a vociferous backing which gives the 2,000 away fans in the North Stand a tough task to out-sing them all game. As with many 'modern' grounds, an adequate view of the action is offered and the facilities provided on the concourse are more than ideal for Kopites to refuel at half-time.
Verdict: 4/5

Tottenham Hotspur - White Hart Lane

We all have our grounds that we have a particular dislike of due to certain reasons, and White Hart Lane for me is one of them. Having seen Liverpool lose there every time I have visited, it is a place that doesn't fill me with the kindest of memories (that and what seems a never-ending wait to enter the ground after robust searches from stewards). I must admit that White Hart Lane is home to one of the better atmospheres in the Premier League, largely thanks to its enclosed stands which loom over the pitch. However, with the away end stretched between the upper and lower tiers of the South Stand, it can be hard to co-ordinate any form of atmosphere between the 3,000 visitors at times. Throw in the fact that it is one of the more expensive trips and it can make for a pretty disappointing experience.
Verdict: 1/5

West Bromwich Albion - The Hawthorns
The highest ground in England above sea level, reaching The Hawthorns is a test in itself for away fans that have to climb a steep hill in order to reach the Smethwick End. Another strange thing about this ground is that supporters are allowed outside the ground at half-time for a smoke or to purchase food or drink should they wish to do so. One downside to a visit here is the lack of pubs nearby for fans to enjoy a drink before kick-off, meaning some may opt for an earlier than normal entry into the ground.
Verdict: 3/5

West Ham United - Upton Park
For those who like to revel in nostalgia, the Boleyn Ground is what many (myself included) would class as a 'traditional' football stadium. Home to arguably one of the most passionate sets of supporters in the Premier League, a trip to West Ham can be quite an enjoyable one, which is why their decision to relocate to the Olympic Stadium was met with some sadness by some who regularly visit when watching Liverpool play there. Located in the lower tier of the compact Trevor Brooking Stand, fans are seated close to the pitch which makes for a great sight when Liverpool score down that particular end. The only negative aspect about the away end is the concourse inside which is rather narrow and cramped which can make for an uncomfortable experience at half-time or after the final whistle when trying to make your exit.
Verdict: 4/5