View from the opposition: Thanks for the invite

When I first saw the name Trotters I thought it was another p1ss take from one our neighbors

For me the names Sheffield Wednesday & Aston Villa summon up the thought of big clubs, certainly not clubs in the second division, we have been down here & further since 2000, way too long really, however you get what you deserve in football I reckon & we certainly deserved what we got....Aston Villa, although you've been down before, it's still a surprise to see you down here...I remember the 74/75 season when you went up just behind the Mancs, you played us at Hillsborough in a night match, our last home game before we took the drop to the third...Villa fans just about took over Hillsborough that night, I know I couldn't get on the Kop as usual as I'd turned up a bit late, so went in the North Stand, you beat us 4-0...I've never seen so many away fans in our ground as that except for maybe Man Utd that same season.

As for Wednesday now, I feel we're on our way back, the tide is finally turning, we're a good side but I'm not sure we're ready for the top two just yet, this Sunday I hope you give Barry Bannan a good reception, he's been fantastic for us, a proper footballer & I genuinely think Villa fans will be surprised how hard the Championship is these days, it won't be easy to go straight back up, it's a very competitive league, teams seem to press harder all over the pitch compared to the prem so not as much room to play...out of the three who came down I think Norwich will fare the best, they know what it's about & have recently done it before, I hope Villa are ready for the battle cos it's going to be hard all the way.

The way I see it I reckon Norwich, Newcastle, Derby, Brighton, yourselves & us, plus a dark horse, maybe Birmingham or Cardiff will take out the top six...having said that though any one of the teams in there could make a run, it's that sort of division...Forest & Leeds are due to make a challenge at some point.

Anyway, all the best for the season, hope we take the three points this Sunday but whatever happens then it'll be a good season...I hope.

Welcome mate. Great read.

One consistently good thing about last season was our support....especially away from home so I think your ground will be hit with some almighty sound in a little over 24 hours.

Interesting that you think Norwich will be up there. They were one of, of not THE worst team to face us last season and I'm not sure they've strengthened any. Maybe there's something to be said for league-knowledge!

I'm not so sure your dark horse pick will be warmly received though. And we will expect your lot to humiliate them again this season. Please.

Reading more on your forums leads me to think that the fullbacks on both sides are suspect at defending. I think both managers could have exactly the same pre-game speech...

"Don't underestimate this lot just because you think we're better. But by the same token, let's hammer them early and hammer them hard. No space in the middle and get behind their fullbacks. If we get the ball to our strikers we'll score a heap"

Might have to change my original 1-1 prediction to 4-4 !

Our of interest, if you're still about, what are your thoughts on your new badge? I find it strange that you've gone from one of the most recognisable "crests" to one that's. ..well, a little odd looking. Was the company responsible the Randy Lerner Design Group?

Villa have always had great away support which in turn will get our boys going.

I just think Norwich will know the division very well....about Birmingham, do you guys argue over attendances?...Sheffield supporters are obsessed with them & it drives me nuts.

I quite like the new old crest, the one you have at the top of the page isn't correct, it's been altered slightly with the Owl having bigger & open eyes, also it appears to be slightly off the perch...Chansiri chose it from badges we've had before & while the old one was distinctive I've never really liked it that much. too simplistic for me, we've had it since the 70's so maybe time for a change.

A more important change was the shirt, we've ditched the traditional stripes for what I guess is a pinstripe, hopefully it's short lived & the proper stripes come back, also with blue shorts it's just too much blue.

See as much as our last owner was a complete cock-spank, he held our traditions in high value. You can't just be going around altering a look of the ages. Especially when the fan-base isn't going to be impressed by it.

As for attendances between us and the noses, I'll have to leave that for a local to answer. The only thing I can say about it is that if they charged £42 for a ticket, their average gate receipt would be about £420.

Oh....and I'll look into getting your Owl done correctly. Apologies for that.

Memories of Big Fat Ron's first game, what a first game of the season that was all those years ago, similar result would be just the job although Villa are carrying a lot of baggage from last year.
When I saw Bannan in a Villa shirt, I didn't rate him at all but seeing some of the highlights last year he played very well for Wednesday.
You are right Aussieowl, you do get what you deserve in football & we unfortunately have had relegation coming for the last five years, I hope RDM hits the ground running because confidence in the Villa camp must be brittle.
I have been to Hilsborough several times, but is everywhere in Sheffield uphill?
This is a proper test tomorrow, against a strong team at this level, it will be a decent gauge of how much more work needs doing at VP.
PS, I should be relocating from the Midlands to Sheffield in the next week or so for a new job, so come on Villa, give me something to take the pi55 out of my new colleagues ay up then the knows
Lets hope for a good game between two proper traditional clubs.

Yep big welcome AussieOwl and thanks for the insight.  I've always liked Wednesday mainly cos a good mate of mine who I played football with for years was a mad Owls  fan. I mean he hated Utd with a passion and always said he hated bacon cos it was red and white - that kind of hated! Agree with the above Sheff is uphill in every direction.  Had a few good times in a place called the Lead Mill, bet it's long gone now. TBH I'd really rather not be playing SW this early as we are at best a raw team and could still be fragile. I think you guys have had a steady period and will be at least play off possibilities,  so a tough visit for us. I hope we get a result but if not I at least want to see real signs of improvement, which I think we will. Is all so new I just hope we adjust in time so we don't have to much ground to make up later.

De Kuip wrote:Yep big welcome AussieOwl and thanks for the insight.  I've always liked Wednesday mainly cos a good mate of mine who I played football with for years was a mad Owls  fan. I mean he hated Utd with a passion and always said he hated bacon cos it was red and white - that kind of hated! Agree with the above Sheff is uphill in every direction.  Had a few good times in a place called the Lead Mill, bet it's long gone now. TBH I'd really rather not be playing SW this early as we are at best a raw team and could still be fragile. I think you guys have had a steady period and will be at least play off possibilities,  so a tough visit for us. I hope we get a result but if not I at least want to see real signs of improvement, which I think we will. Is all so new I just hope we adjust in time so we don't have to much ground to make up later.

It was a good game, I think we just about deserved the win, good to see many Villa fans there as usual...nice to get the first game out of the way with a win but you guys shouldn't worry too much, I'm sure you will be right up there when it matters, looking forward to the game at your place already.

Cheers

It would be nice if all opposition fans were invited to have a say on this site ( except for the Villa hating, slum-dwelling, 12-toed, inbred freaks'cos they are neanderthals and abuse is ALL they know). I am sure there are reasonable and rational fans of most teams.
what does everyone think? - A special section or an official invite every time?

That was the plan, Wendy. And I should be able to make up a banner for our opposition as I did the Wednesday one to run for a day or two.

Was nice to have AussieOwl come along and hopefully he'll be come back for the return leg at Villa Park.

To that end, if anyone has a mate from our opposition who has a decent bit of knowledge of their own team as well as the league in general, invite them along.