have to say that i wasn't a huge fan on these changes, especially the configuration taking up twice as much space on the left than before when it was at the top.
plus .. from reading comics .. you want to direct the eye in the path you want them to follow. going from the left panel .. then up to the top to open the table .. then to start .. and not being able to see who is around the table is hard to get used to.

if it was up to me .. i would return the configuration stuff to the top .. maybe in another column to the right of the 'configuring game table' that is in the current header (though it would be better to squeeze it in.between the game logo and the current column .. leading the eye .. with the start game button at the farthest right). the left sidebar can then have the 'players around this table now' right up to the top.
just my 2 cents.
plus .. from reading comics .. you want to direct the eye in the path you want them to follow. going from the left panel .. then up to the top to open the table .. then to start .. and not being able to see who is around the table is hard to get used to.

if it was up to me .. i would return the configuration stuff to the top .. maybe in another column to the right of the 'configuring game table' that is in the current header (though it would be better to squeeze it in.between the game logo and the current column .. leading the eye .. with the start game button at the farthest right). the left sidebar can then have the 'players around this table now' right up to the top.
just my 2 cents.