Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: UK Redsox on August 01, 2016, 03:17:18 PM
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Sheff Wed (A)
Sun 7th Aug - 16.30pm
English Football League - Championship
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Heart says a decent scoring draw. Head says loss
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3-2 Villa win.
2-0 down and a goal just before half time to get us back in it, before a couple of good un's in the second half see us through.
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1-1.
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12-0. Bannan 12.
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A defeat and the end of the world to follow it.
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Bloody hell, is it that time of year already, I was just beginning to enjoy the summer. 1-1.
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1-1. Gestede for us.
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If all fit and available (not including Traore as he is neither of those but seemingly invisible)
Gollini
Bacuna
Elphick
Baker
Amavi
Gardner
Tishbola
Grealish
Green
Ayew
RHM
Sub:
Gestede
Steer
Okore
Hutton
Westwood
Veretout
Lyden
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we'll play shite but win 2-1
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The bookies don't fancy us. We're 12/5. Wednesday just 6/5.
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Lose 2-0 :'(
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Putting it simply - we're not ready. 3-1.
Our time will come
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0-2.
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2-0 loss.
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3-1 defeat
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1-0 Villa. It will be alright on the night...erm afternoon
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3-1 defeat. We've still got the same crap players and bad eggs as last year but Sheffield Wednesday will see us as a scalp in front of their own fans.
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2-1 defeat.
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1-1. Kozak for us.
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i'll be behind the settee with the radio, praying RDM gets the boys at it.
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After watching the dissapointing performance on Saturday, cant see us winning. Sheffield Wednesday will be up for this game more than we will be for them. 2-0
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I reckon we'll keep it tight, look OK for a bit, then lose.
Hmmm...might put some Leonard Cohen on.
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I reckon we'll keep it tight, look OK for a bit, then lose.
Hmmm...might put some Leonard Cohen on.
Where defence or midfield??
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Narrow defeat. 2-1.
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1-2
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Putting it simply - we're not ready. 3-1.
Our time will come
This is What I think
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We will play well in spells and lose 3-1.
Two late goals will sink us.
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Wednesday will be up for it, and we could be if we make a few changes to last Saturday.
1-1.
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I'd go with Golding, Hutton, Elphick, Okore and Bennett at the back.
Tshibola, Westwood and then Grealish, Ayew and Green behind Gestede.
Missing some mobility at the tip of the spear, but at least some pace and guile in behind.
Actually if Gabby is fit, I think RDM will start him.
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I'd go with Golding, Hutton, Elphick, Okore and Bennett at the back.
Tshibola, Westwood and then Grealish, Ayew and Green behind Gestede.
Missing some mobility at the tip of the spear, but at least some pace and guile in behind.
Actually if Gabby is fit, I think RDM will start him.
Golding?
Gabby?
Wibble
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Golding is what my phone thinks I want to type instead of Gollini.
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3-0 loss.
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Head says Wednesday are solid at the back, we have the same group of lazy talentless players + a few new kids and Elphick so 1-0 home win with us never looking like scoring. The major work this summer is still to come hopefully because we haven't done nearly enough to challenge for automatic promotion.
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Not looking forward to this at all. A miserable end to the weekend I fear and tone set for another long season. Sorry to moan but have enjoyed a summer without avfc
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After that Boro horror show, my optimism has disappeared already. 3-0 defeat.
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I'd go with Golding, Hutton, Elphick, Okore and Bennett at the back.
Tshibola, Westwood and then Grealish, Ayew and Green behind Gestede.
Missing some mobility at the tip of the spear, but at least some pace and guile in behind.
Actually if Gabby is fit, I think RDM will start him.
Westwood?
Gestede??
Gabby!!! FFS.
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0-0.
I'd take that now if offered. Get some points on the board away from home; assess the lads in a competitive environment. Job done. I hope.
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3-1 defeat
I really haven't missed this at all.
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Will be watching in Lanzarote, hoping for a good result, but doubting it. Anyhow, will I care???? Will I Feck!!!
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0-1.
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Take a point now - We will be under fire from kick off - Wendy have something to prove after Wembley. This will like a second cup final for them. I just don't think our players will show the same passion; Sorry!
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Of more importance any of you on the train where are you off for a drink?
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Take a point now - We will be under fire from kick off - Wendy have something to prove after Wembley. This will like a second cup final for them. I just don't think our players will show the same passion; Sorry!
Good point, and with an away contingent of 4,500 I think that will inspire the home team more then us, and as others on here have observed when we concede our heads go down, oh fuck ive started getting pessimistic, must play Ayew and Grealish up front.
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Wednesday were a decent side last year and are used to this division, I can see us taking at least til Christmas to adjust and find our feet. 3-1 Weds.
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A 2-2 draw.
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And it's finally here the non premier league match which villa are in and hopefully just one season. Mixtures of feelings on all of this !
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We are going to get dicked 3-1
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think we will lose. hopefully will send a few shocks the boardroom's way to start impoving the squad. 3-1
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0-1 Gestede 56 mins.
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3-1 to Wednesday.
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We win 0-2 and look comfortable.
I hope anyway.
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0-1
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If we haven't signed anyone in a couple of days time, the realisation will start to sink in that we'll kick off the season with an attack containing gestede and bacuna
😟😟😟😟😟
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As already said, we are nowhere near ready. We will not start to win games until the new owner's money kicks in and the manager sees what we have been seeing for the last six seasons. Youngsters given their chance, better players bought and the 17 points a season lot disposed of. Never at the races in this game. 3-1 defeat. Poor start to the season with a late scramble for the play offs. We will improve once reality dawns.
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Wednesday. As it stands, we are still last season's Villa.
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Since when did Wednesday become Man Utd, we should beat them comfortably. I am going for villa to win 0-2 with goals from Ayew and Bacuna.
This league is at a level where most of last years dross will be above average.
The defence will benefit not only from dropping a level, but also from having some guts and leadership (Elphick) and a less flappable keeper behind it. For all we moan about them, Hutton and cissoko are above average for the Championship and Amavi when fit will be a star in it.
In midfield Grealish looks rejuvinated and pumped up for the season, he can be a big player for us this year. Bacuna will be above average at that level, Tsibola will be a good signing and give us some mucularity, Gardner is proven at that level. We also have signings to come in shortly.
Ayew is probably the best striker in the Championship. Gestede will be a useful option in some games, and we will likely sign a new first choice centre forward anyway.
It's going to be a good year for us methinks
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Routine defeat.
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As already said, we are nowhere near ready. We will not start to win games until the new owner's money kicks in and the manager sees what we have been seeing for the last six seasons. Youngsters given their chance, better players bought and the 17 points a season lot disposed of. Never at the races in this game. 3-1 defeat. Poor start to the season with a late scramble for the play offs. We will improve once reality dawns.
Brian has summed it up perfectly, were not ready to go and get a result at Wednesday but better times will eventually follow when RDM sorts out the playing staff, Wednesday 3 Villa 1
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I'm going for a 3-1 Wednesday win too
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I'll go for a nervy draw followed by a goalless draw in first home game.
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Hopefully get a draw, but to be honest a defeat 2-0
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Was looking forward to this game when the fixtures came out, but after the past few weeks I think it is looking an increasingly tough test.
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I am going to be very happy with a point.
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This is a team that didn't do much better than Small Heath last year. We should beat them comfortably.
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This is a team that didn't do much better than Small Heath last year. We should beat them comfortably.
What? In the same way we struggled to beat Small Heath at home?
I think you're going to have a tough few weeks/months if you don't realign your expectations of this team/squad!!
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This is a team that didn't do much better than Small Heath last year. We should beat them comfortably.
What? In the same way we struggled to beat Small Heath at home?
I think you're going to have a tough few weeks/months if you don't realign your expectations of this team/squad!!
Really?
lets not re-write history.
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This is a team that didn't do much better than Small Heath last year. We should beat them comfortably.
What? In the same way we struggled to beat Small Heath at home?
I think you're going to have a tough few weeks/months if you don't realign your expectations of this team/squad!!
We didn't struggle to beat them, we were easily the better team. We have also improved the squad since then, and have new ownership management and coaching. I think we are overestimating teams like Sheffield Wednesday, and will be competitive this year. I also think we will buy 2-3 more players before the end of the window and be in even better shape.
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This is a team that didn't do much better than Small Heath last year. We should beat them comfortably.
What? In the same way we struggled to beat Small Heath at home?
I think you're going to have a tough few weeks/months if you don't realign your expectations of this team/squad!!
Really?
lets not re-write history.
In that first half you'd have struggled to tell which was the Premier League team. It was only when a motivated Grealish came on (which we no longer have) that we managed to score. One. At home.
Hardly beating them comfortably.
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This is a team that didn't do much better than Small Heath last year. We should beat them comfortably.
What? In the same way we struggled to beat Small Heath at home?
I think you're going to have a tough few weeks/months if you don't realign your expectations of this team/squad!!
Really?
lets not re-write history.
In that first half you'd have struggled to tell which was the Premier League team. It was only when a motivated Grealish came on (which we no longer have) that we managed to score. One. At home.
Hardly beating them comfortably.
Tactics Tim and his genius approach to play poorly, still doesn't mean we struggled as we bossed them second half.
They had one chance all game and it ended up being a back pass to Guzan. There was no struggle, it should have been more as Grealish and Ayew murdered them.
Not sure what you're on about regarding Grealish.
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Wow am a bit surprised that most have gone for a home win considering that most of you seem to think that Weds are no great shakes! ;)
Would like a win, but would take a draw. A battling 1-1 for me. Ayew to get off the mark for the season. Lets just hope he is there at the end of the transfer window.
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I clicked the wrong option in the poll!
I really want it to be an away win, honest guv!
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this is up there with my all time best away games - we cut them to pieces in the second half. If next week is half as good as this......
The Sunday Times (London)
August 18, 1991, Sunday
Atkinson's Hillsborough heist
BYLINE: Marin Searby
SHEFFIELD WED 2(4-4-2): Woods; Nilsson, Pearson, Warhurst, King; Wilson, Palmer, Sheridan (sub: Harkes 85min), Worthington; Hirst, Williams (sub: Francis (65min).
ASTON VILLA 3(4-4-2): Spink; McGrath, Mountfield, Richardson, Staunton; Mortimer, Cowans, Teale, Yorke; Regis, Atkinson (sub: Penrice 85min).
Goals: Hirst (3min) 1-0; Wilson (35min)
2-0; Regis (42min) 2-1; Atkinson (51min)
2-2; Staunton (85min) 2-3.
Referee: R G Milford (Bristol).
THE aftermath of a wonderfully vibrant start to the season at Hillsborough left a nasty taste in the mouth, Ron Atkinson, the Villa manager, reserving his comments for local television, and Trevor Francis, the man who replaced him in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, also failing to appear for the post-match press conference.
The managers' churlish behaviour apart, the players and a good-natured crowd graced a super occasion in a stadium which has 6,500 new seats at the Leppings Lane end of the ground.
The pre-match sideshow saw a crowd of some 2,000 awaiting the arrival of the Villa coach and greeting Atkinson with chants of ''Judas'' and ''Traitor''. His tanned features did not look remotely embarrassed at the demonstration caused by his defection in June. It might have passed with minimum comment but for his appearance, again on television, to announce that he had changed his mind and decided not to renege on his three-year contract with Wednesday.
''How could any one desert fans like this?'' he asked, only to shoot himself in the foot by having another change of mind 24 hours later. His excuse was that the drive from his Birmingham home to South Yorkshire was too far.
The reaction from the most dedicated of fans was to be expected. But within three minutes of the new season they were confident revenge would be sweet as Hirst scored the most splendid of goals, quite as good as any of the 30 he registered last season. Palmer won a block tackle and when the ball squirted free Hirst was on it in a flash, turning inside the expensive Richardson and curling a long, left-footed shot into the top right-hand corner of Spink's net.
When, having torn the Villa central defenders apart, he laid on a second for Wilson to side-foot home, the Wednesday supporters' joy knew no bounds and the Pounds 3.84m of talent Atkinson has brought in looked shaky. Well they might. Six of them were making their debuts: Staunton from Liverpool, Teale from Bournemouth, Regis from Coventry, Mortimer from Charlton and Richardson and Dalian Atkinson from Real Sociedad. Not unnaturally it took them time to settle and Villa had only one look at the Wednesday goal during the first half.
It was enough to put them back in the game, however, with Woods, the England goalkeeper who was bought for a club record fee of Pounds 1.2m last week, making a terrible hash of a punched clearance. The ball was still inside the six-yard box when Regis slid it home.
Villa's performance in the scond half could not have been more different with the two strikers, ably assisted by Mortimer, giving the Wednesday defence a tough time.
Wednesday were becoming increasingly ragged and when Mortimer burst through the middle, Woods was able to save his first effort only for Atkinson's speed to carry him first to the rebound and the equaliser.
Wednesday appeared to have lost confidence after their splendid start but they gradually recovered their rhythm for Hirst to give Sheridan the opportunity of a shot on the run. However, the Republic of Ireland international hit the ball over the bar when he should really have scored.
With Wednesday increasingly trapped up field, Regis burst down the left five minutes from time and Staunton, racing forward quite on his own, was able to bang the neat pass into the Wednesday net to deny the home fans the revenge they craved.
Atkinson told television viewers: ''They came zipping at us down the hill and we looked as though we were going to be overrun. They got a great first goal but I was pleased with the way we came back into it and Regis's goal was a really big one for us. With so many new players out there I had less idea how my team would play than Wednesday but you've got to be pleased with a result like that. Staunton is a real gem and his goal was a cracking clincher.''
It has not been an entirely happy week for Francis, who apologised for misleading reporters over the signing of Woods. Having said he had no interest in the player, there was consternation when the announcement appeared the next day in a tabloid newspaper which has been known to pay players and managers for information.
But on the field, if entertainment of this quality is maintained throughout the season, then there really is a memorable winter in store.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
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McMessi against McCafu. Its no wonder the game's on TV
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That first match under Atkinson is also one of my favourite away days ever.
Think we'll start this season with an all too familiar defeat.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
Agreed. :(
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Bannans a better player than the pointer.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
You crazy!
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It's the unknown. Just want our lads to turn up - to play for the shirt ... that'd be a start .
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McMessi against McCafu. Its no wonder the game's on TV
Laaaaf
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
You crazy!
I always liked Bannan.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
You crazy!
I always liked Bannan.
at least Bannan tried to offer some attacking intent.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
You crazy!
I always liked Bannan.
at least Bannan tried to biff a long diagonal that worked once at Fulham and on no other occasion
Mr Choinks is shite. If Sir Pointsalot is shit then Bannan is utter shit.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
You crazy!
I always liked Bannan.
at least Bannan tried to biff a long diagonal that worked once at Fulham and on no other occasion
Mr Choinks is shite. If Sir Pointsalot is shit then Bannan is utter shit.
if Cafu had maybe set off a few seconds earlier, some of them long diagonal buffs would have been pin point passes ;)
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That first match under Atkinson is also one of my favourite away days ever.
Think we'll start this season with an all too familiar defeat.
Same here, it was an unbelievable day.
If we go two down this time, I won't be expecting a repeat.
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That first match under Atkinson is also one of my favourite away days ever.
Think we'll start this season with an all too familiar defeat.
Same here, it was an unbelievable day.
It's easy to forget how big a game it was at the time. Big Ron leaving them was massive news and this game was the story of the weekend for the media. Pure theatre, Wednesday were desperate to put one over us, we had a team full of newcomers, sun shining, wonderful day.
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I can see us getting a point 1-1 draw for me.
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That first match under Atkinson is also one of my favourite away days ever.
Think we'll start this season with an all too familiar defeat.
Same here, it was an unbelievable day.
It's easy to forget how big a game it was at the time. Big Ron leaving them was massive news and this game was the story of the weekend for the media. Pure theatre, Wednesday were desperate to put one over us, we had a team full of newcomers, sun shining, wonderful day.
It was a great day out I enjoyed it.
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Worth bearing in mind that if you think Westwood is crap as a holding player in the Premier League, Wednesday are going to line up with wee Barry sat in the same position.
I think Bannan is a decent player. I don't think the same about Westwood.
You crazy!
I always liked Bannan.
at least Bannan tried to biff a long diagonal that worked once at Fulham and on no other occasion
Mr Choinks is shite. If Sir Pointsalot is shit then Bannan is utter shit.
Bannan is a far better footballer than Westwood. You're welcome.
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I don't think Westwood is good enough for the top flight. In fact he prematurely aged me these past few seasons, but I've equally seen every game wee Barry played for us and cannot conclude how anybody could rate him.
One good pass at Fulham, one good home performance against Man United, one good away performance in Vienna the second time. Everything else... blergh. He is what he is, a meh championship player.
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3-0 McCormack hat-trick
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You read the Wednesday message board and you'd think we were playing Real Madrid.
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I don't think Westwood is good enough for the top flight. In fact he prematurely aged me these past few seasons, but I've equally seen every game wee Barry played for us and cannot conclude how anybody could rate him.
One good pass at Fulham, one good home performance against Man United, one good away performance in Vienna the second time. Everything else... blergh. He is what he is, a meh championship player.
I don't think we helped Barry by playing him a lot as one of a two man mid. Far too lightweight. Wednesday have given him a lot of freedom and playing him further forward and he's thriving off it. I think he's a very good championship player as it goes. Probably a little too good for the division but like Whittingham, he's in that purgatory where he's too good for this division but not quite good enough for the top flight. I'd have him over Westwood though.
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They've played him deep plenty too.
I just don't see it and never will. Maybe the Championship is shitter than I thought.
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I've lost track of who is fit and who isn't but I'd play:
Buffon II
Hutton
Okore
Elphick
Bennett (gets my vote over Aly and Amavi won't be fit enough)
Tish
Gardner
Grealish
Ayew
Green
Gestede
Not a brilliant side, but I think it could beat Wednesday. Let Hutton stay back. Make Bennett the more attack fully as he can actually deliver. Give Green a little freedom on the right with Hutton sitting. Get some width from the attacking three and let Ayew and Grealish alternate every now and again in the position behind Rudy. Cross, cross, cross.
I'd also have RHM on the bench. Give the lad a go if we need to inject pace up top. No Richards, Bacuna or Gabby anywhere near the matchday squad.
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I've lost track of who is fit and who isn't but I'd play:
Buffon II
Hutton
Okore
Elphick
Bennett (gets my vote over Aly and Amavi won't be fit enough)
Tish
Gardner
Grealish
Ayew
Green
Gestede
I can't wait for Tish to score a screamer. Mainly so as I can say BOOM Tish.
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I've lost track of who is fit and who isn't but I'd play:
Buffon II
Hutton
Okore
Elphick
Bennett (gets my vote over Aly and Amavi won't be fit enough)
Tish
Gardner
Grealish
Ayew
Green
Gestede
Not a brilliant side, but I think it could beat Wednesday. Let Hutton stay back. Make Bennett the more attack fully as he can actually deliver. Give Green a little freedom on the right with Hutton sitting. Get some width from the attacking three and let Ayew and Grealish alternate every now and again in the position behind Rudy. Cross, cross, cross.
I'd also have RHM on the bench. Give the lad a go if we need to inject pace up top. No Richards, Bacuna or Gabby anywhere near the matchday squad.
As good as it gets yet still ghastly.
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I like the idea of Grealish, Ayew and Green behind the striker.....
I don't like the idea that Gestede, Kozak or gabby has to be that striker though.
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If its Gestede we may as well not have one at all. Sellotape 5 traffic cones together and throw a shirt on it, it would still show a better first touch.
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2-0 to them. I can't see us changing the habit of the last four years with the squad we've got at the moment.
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2-2 Gardner, Ayew
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McCormack hat trick. 3-0 to the champions elect. That's us, by the way.
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I'd like to agree with Des.
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I don't think McCormack will be match fit for a while -he missed most of pre season
So we may get lumbered with gestede after all. 😟😟😟
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I dreamt we won 4-0
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I don't think McCormack will be match fit for a while -he missed most of pre season
So we may get lumbered with gestede after all. 😟😟😟
I don't think Rudy has "match fit" in him. His pace and anticipation are so poor that he always looks out of place. I'll take a chunky out-and-out striker who knows where the goal is over a perpetually slow and predictable match-fit player that can't dribble, pass, shoot or settle a ball.
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Would be great if he can play I agree. Don't think we can carry anyone here tho
Personally I'd play ayew up top with grealish and Sinclair or green. 3 in midfield
Don't think RDM will go that way tho
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I assume we'll stick McCormack on the bench if he's signed in time.
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only for him to come on an score the winner
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I haven't a bull's notion how we'll do, which after years of expecting to be dicked on a near-weekly basis, is quite a pleasant feeling. To unknown pleasures !
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I haven't a bull's notion how we'll do, which after years of expecting to be dicked on a near-weekly basis, is quite a pleasant feeling. To unknown pleasures !
The Joy of this Division
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I fancy Rudy to nut one in. And I think Ayew will show his class on Sunday. Best player in that division IMO.
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I haven't a bull's notion how we'll do, which after years of expecting to be dicked on a near-weekly basis, is quite a pleasant feeling. To unknown pleasures !
The Joy of this Division
Yeah, we shouldn't get torn apart by anyone this season.
My prediction: 1 - 2
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It all depends on the atmosphere in the camp after last season tho
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Go two down but rally and manage a reputable draw
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2-1 to Villa. McCormack off the bench to score the winner.
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all I want to see is a good performance to show that we have progressed from that debacle last season....so 8 nil to the Villa :)
seriously ? a draw 1-1
UTV
The Doc
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I really want to see the likes of the Russian and Green given a chance, maybe not in the team from the get go but in the squad at least. We have seen what all the players have to offer, we are predictable, give the young guns a chance some times.
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It all depends on the atmosphere in the camp after last season tho
It was a regular atrocity exhibition.
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Same team that started last Saturday?
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Two minds on this one.
Thing is, if we win or even score there is a good chance I could get beaten up. Mate is a big Wednesday fan and we've tickets in the South stand. By all accounts they're not the most friendly.
Even he says he feels intimidated.
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I always thought Wednesday were the more tartan blanket over the knees types and that Sheffield United were the knuckle draggers.
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Two minds on this one.
Thing is, if we win or even score there is a good chance I could get beaten up. Mate is a big Wednesday fan and we've tickets in the South stand. By all accounts they're not the most friendly.
Even he says he feels intimidated.
Hmmm, I have a general rule that I don't wear colours to away games but was contemplating changing that on Sunday given I thought Wednesday were the soft and cuddly type?
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Two minds on this one.
Thing is, if we win or even score there is a good chance I could get beaten up. Mate is a big Wednesday fan and we've tickets in the South stand. By all accounts they're not the most friendly.
Even he says he feels intimidated.
Hmmm, I have a general rule that I don't wear colours to away games but was contemplating changing that on Sunday given I thought Wednesday were the soft and cuddly type?
After all, they are the warm, cuddly owls and Sheff United are the nasty, sharp blades
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Wednesday 0-5 Villa
Fuck the fuckers
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Wednesday 0-5 Villa
Fuck the fuckers
Please, please, please...
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2-2
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It all depends on the atmosphere in the camp after last season tho
It was a regular atrocity exhibition.
Hopefully it will not take decades to repair.
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3-1
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It all depends on the atmosphere in the camp after last season tho
It was a regular atrocity exhibition.
"He's lost control"
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We're playing Real Madrid if you read one of their forums.
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It all depends on the atmosphere in the camp after last season tho
It was a regular atrocity exhibition.
"He's lost control"
I don't want our new dawn to fade
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It all depends on the atmosphere in the camp after last season tho
It was a regular atrocity exhibition.
"He's lost control"
I don't want our new dawn to fade
There will be disorder if it does
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The natural concern is team chemistry and cohesion. Ours will take a little more time to come together. I expect some sides to get a faster start but for us to come together and close the over the course of the season. If all goes to plan stick the burners on from Feb onwards and be there or thereabouts for an automatic spot come March/April.
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0-1 ayew
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The first round of matches always throw up strange results, so not gonna read into the result either way. Remember, we won our first one last season.
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For the last 6 years our opening day record is W4 D1 L1, much good it's done us.
And last time we were down we didn't win until the 5th game and didn't win any of the first 7 at home.
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Gollini (I like Bunn myself but lets see what this kid is made out of. Wasn't De Gea around 21 when he made his debut? ;))
Elphick
Okore
Lescott (wouldn't be my first choice as the season progresses but as part of a three man centre back team is a flexible option)
Bennett
Bacuna
Sanchez
Tishibola (not so convinced of this signing but gotta back the manager's judgement at this point)
Grealish
Gestude
Ayew
Subs:
Bunn
Mccormack (if we're a goal down or 0-0 ten mins into the second half would bring him on, but if we're winning might wait 10 or 15 minutes before the end to give him a run out)
Veretout
Kozak
Sinclair
Hutton (not a big fan, but if things are looking a bit shakey at the back might bring him on in the second half to steady things)
Green
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I'm pretty much certain that won't be our team!
Will be pretty close the team that started v boro, pretty sure of that
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For the last 6 years our opening day record is W4 D1 L1, much good it's done us.
And last time we were down we didn't win until the 5th game and didn't win any of the first 7 at home.
I left school in 1987 and it was the first year I travelled home and away. The home games were quite grim. The only happy memories I have were beating Shrewsbury and Bradford right at the end. Two one nils Aspinall and Platt if I remember correctly. As for the away games we had a great time. Ipswich on the opening day, Albion, Leicester, Huddersfield in the rain, Bradford, Reading, Man City, Leeds twice. I missed the Small Heath game as I was on a family holiday in Australia. The last day at Swindon is right up there with Rotterdam and Wembley '94 for me. I wasn't at Highbury in '81 just following it on BRMB.
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Gollini (I like Bunn myself but lets see what this kid is made out of. Wasn't De Gea around 21 when he made his debut? ;))
Elphick
Okore
Lescott (wouldn't be my first choice as the season progresses but as part of a three man centre back team is a flexible option)
Bennett
Bacuna
Sanchez
Tishibola (not so convinced of this signing but gotta back the manager's judgement at this point)
Grealish
Gestude
Ayew
Subs:
Bunn
Mccormack (if we're a goal down or 0-0 ten mins into the second half would bring him on, but if we're winning might wait 10 or 15 minutes before the end to give him a run out)
Veretout
Kozak
Sinclair
Hutton (not a big fan, but if things are looking a bit shakey at the back might bring him on in the second half to steady things)
Green
is Amavi injured?
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I haven't a bull's notion how we'll do, which after years of expecting to be dicked on a near-weekly basis, is quite a pleasant feeling. To unknown pleasures !
The Joy of this Division
Yeah, we shouldn't get torn apart by anyone this season.
My prediction: 1 - 2
as long as we don't lose control again, we'll be ok- sorry that one's been done already. Taxi!
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For the last 6 years our opening day record is W4 D1 L1, much good it's done us.
And last time we were down we didn't win until the 5th game and didn't win any of the first 7 at home.
I left school in 1987 and it was the first year I travelled home and away. The home games were quite grim. The only happy memories I have were beating Shrewsbury and Bradford right at the end. Two one nils Aspinall and Platt if I remember correctly. As for the away games we had a great time. Ipswich on the opening day, Albion, Leicester, Huddersfield in the rain, Bradford, Reading, Man City, Leeds twice. I missed the Small Heath game as I was on a family holiday in Australia. The last day at Swindon is right up there with Rotterdam and Wembley '94 for me. I wasn't at Highbury in '81 just following it on BRMB.
5-0 v Hull on NYD. 5-2 v Plymouth afterwards weren't bad
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For the last 6 years our opening day record is W4 D1 L1, much good it's done us.
And last time we were down we didn't win until the 5th game and didn't win any of the first 7 at home.
I left school in 1987 and it was the first year I travelled home and away. The home games were quite grim. The only happy memories I have were beating Shrewsbury and Bradford right at the end. Two one nils Aspinall and Platt if I remember correctly. As for the away games we had a great time. Ipswich on the opening day, Albion, Leicester, Huddersfield in the rain, Bradford, Reading, Man City, Leeds twice. I missed the Small Heath game as I was on a family holiday in Australia. The last day at Swindon is right up there with Rotterdam and Wembley '94 for me. I wasn't at Highbury in '81 just following it on BRMB.
5-0 v Hull on NYD. 5-2 v Plymouth afterwards weren't bad
Yeah, the first home league win I witnessed was the 4-1 v Palace. Walters hat-trick, and I'm sure they'd beaten Blues 6-0 away a couple of weeks before.
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Wednesday 0-5 Villa
Fuck the fuckers
100% ... get into them, fuck them off !
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Why is Bacuna still in people's starting 11? More importantly, why is he in any manager's starting 11? He must look shit hot in training or something.
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It is the same with Gabby, how many times have I read that the manager will say "Gabby has been on fire in training"
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I'd go (fitness and attitude permitting);
Gollini
Hutton Elphick (c) Baker Amavi
Veretout Tshibola
Ayew Grealish Green
McCormack
Bunn
Okore
Bennett
Westwood
Gardner
Sinclair
Gestede
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I'd go (fitness and attitude permitting);
Gollini
Hutton Elphick (c) Baker Amavi
Veretout Tshibola
Ayew Grealish
are we playing Hull
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Dear Deirdre.
I am starting to get excited about the first game of the season and the season in general.
Am I setting myself up for disappointment?
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I'd go (fitness and attitude permitting);
Gollini
Hutton Elphick (c) Baker Amavi
Veretout Tshibola
Ayew Grealish
are we playing Hull
Very sharp, CL. Well done, sir.
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I'd go (fitness and attitude permitting);
Gollini
Hutton Elphick (c) Baker Amavi
Veretout Tshibola
Ayew Grealish
are we playing Hull
Very sharp, CL. Well done, sir.
I think Hull are applying to play in a 5 a side league.
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I'm getting excited about Sunday.
Haven't been to Hillsborough since Big Ron's return - I'm just hoping Lescott, Bacuna, Richards and Gabby ain't anywhere near the squad of 18.
I just want to like our players again. I want to see them actually give 100%.
I want to see them be strong and create chances, and maybe for a change, put the ball in the net more than the opposition do.
New beginnings....
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I'd go (fitness and attitude permitting);
Gollini
Hutton Elphick (c) Baker Amavi
Veretout Tshibola
Ayew Grealish Green
McCormack
Bunn
Okore
Bennett
Westwood
Gardner
Sinclair
Gestede
McCormack wont be up front by himself I would think, just off the main man ala Robbie Keane
Would be very surprised to see Veretout start ahead of Westwood
Suspect we will have a much different team by end of transfer window, will be interesting our bench at the weekend. Sincerely hope the three amigos are nowhere near it.
---------------Gollini
Hutton, Elphick, Baker, Amavi
Green, Westwood, Tshibola, Grealish
---------McCormack, Ayew
Bunn, Bennett, Okore, Gestede, RHM, Gardner, Veretout
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1 - 1. Ayew for us.... some fella i've never heard of for them...
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Depressed as hell 2 weeks ago but well excited now. Amazing what a bit of transfer news can do for you
A draw on Sunday
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I reckon it will be
Gollini - Hutton elphick baker cissokho - Westwood Gardner - bacuna tshibola grealish - ayew
Subs: bunn okore Bennett veretout green McCormack gestede
Tshibola is a bit of a wild card in that position but the alternative is ayew w gestede up front. Obviously McCormack plays there if he is fit
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I'm going for a repeat result of Saturday August 17th 1991.
The insanity and poetry of it being the opening fixture never quite sunk in and despite us all being a little bit on the stocious side, courtesy of The Fradley Arms, we elbowed through cries of "JOOOOduss" over and over again.
Then it was mind-blowing....the concept of BFR had not yet been developed so it was "Atkinson's Claret & Blue Army" for what seemed like an hour up to kick-off, at deafening levels and in perfect harmony. The Wednesday fans seemed gobsmacked into silence.
What a cracking day that was....here's to a repeat.
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I'm going for a repeat result of Saturday August 17th 1991.
The insanity and poetry of it being the opening fixture never quite sunk in and despite us all being a little bit on the stocious side, courtesy of The Fradley Arms, we elbowed through cries of "JOOOOduss" over and over again.
Then it was mind-blowing....the concept of BFR had not yet been developed so it was "Atkinson's Claret & Blue Army" for what seemed like an hour up to kick-off, at deafening levels and in perfect harmony. The Wednesday fans seemed gobsmacked into silence.
What a cracking day that was....here's to a repeat.
One of my favourite ever away-days. Seemingly endless choruses of 'Thank you very much for Big Fat Ron, thank you very much, thank you very much ...' The locals were unimpressed - which only added to the fun.
We were battered in the first half when David Hirst was outstanding but then goals from big Cyrille, Dalian Atkinson and a late winner from Stan Staunton gave us the win. Brilliant day.
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I'm going for a repeat result of Saturday August 17th 1991.
The insanity and poetry of it being the opening fixture never quite sunk in and despite us all being a little bit on the stocious side, courtesy of The Fradley Arms, we elbowed through cries of "JOOOOduss" over and over again.
Then it was mind-blowing....the concept of BFR had not yet been developed so it was "Atkinson's Claret & Blue Army" for what seemed like an hour up to kick-off, at deafening levels and in perfect harmony. The Wednesday fans seemed gobsmacked into silence.
What a cracking day that was....here's to a repeat.
One of my favourite ever away-days. Seemingly endless choruses of 'Thank you very much for Big Fat Ron, thank you very much, thank you very much ...' The locals were unimpressed - which only added to the fun.
We were battered in the first half when David Hirst was outstanding but then goals from big Cyrille, Dalian Atkinson and a late winner from Stan Staunton gave us the win. Brilliant day.
Other than Rotterdam and Highbury was fave away day too. Superb atmosphere
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Yep. Just a superb day - got a smile on my face just thinking about it.
That alone makes me believe that we will win 2-1 tomorrow - with someone on debut scoring the winner. You heard it hear first. UTV.
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Really looking forward to tomorrow although expecting a very difficult game. Going up with another Dorset based Villa fan and we were both at Wednesday in 91 so hopefully the same result.
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Thanks for posting - just enjoyed watching that.
What a team that was - and when he was 'at it' have we ever seen a better striker that Dalian Atkinson - perhaps better headers of the ball, maybe better poachers, etc. but in terms of a striker with pace, power, skill, awareness, goals with with either feet and his head ... what a player.
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I think I'd play;
Gollini
Hutton Elphick Okore Cissokho
Westwood Tshibola Veretout
Grealish
McCormack Ayew
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That game in '91 was the start of what seemed a new era, with a team / manager that wanted to play and win with style. For the next 6 years or so we had a decent side, culminating in beating Leeds at Wembley; which was the last time I felt we belonged at the top table.
We're a long way from there now but the road back starts tomorrow.
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I'm going for a repeat result of Saturday August 17th 1991.
The insanity and poetry of it being the opening fixture never quite sunk in and despite us all being a little bit on the stocious side, courtesy of The Fradley Arms, we elbowed through cries of "JOOOOduss" over and over again.
Then it was mind-blowing....the concept of BFR had not yet been developed so it was "Atkinson's Claret & Blue Army" for what seemed like an hour up to kick-off, at deafening levels and in perfect harmony. The Wednesday fans seemed gobsmacked into silence.
What a cracking day that was....here's to a repeat.
Well, I'd prefer the promotion evening 4-0 in 1974. Sir Brian was majestic. My wife to be was amazed at her first match.
'Is it always like this?'
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Love the smirk on Big Ron's face as he heads to the dugout in that clip.
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Bloody hell, was that really 25 years ago?? Don't time fly when you're having fun/supporting Villa!
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Looking forward to tomorrow, it's a new start for all of us i suppose. Last time i went there was Barry's debut. Should be a racket
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Buzzing for tomorrow, the atmosphere will be bouncing in our end.
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Thanks for posting - just enjoyed watching that.
What a team that was - and when he was 'at it' have we ever seen a better striker that Dalian Atkinson - perhaps better headers of the ball, maybe better poachers, etc. but in terms of a striker with pace, power, skill, awareness, goals with with either feet and his head ... what a player.
What a game that was. Virtually a brand new team after a woeful previous season. Exactly what we need now.
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Tough start but we should be lifted by some of our rivals dropping points. A draw and a solid display with things to build on would be do me. Then again I think a win would be the perfect boast.
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A 3-1 win with dominant display.
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With them having Bannan and Forestieri pulling the strings, we need to go with 3 in the centre of midfield. I would go...
Gollini
Hutton Okore Elphick Bennett
Gardner Tshibola Westwood
Grealish
Ayew McCormack
No point not giving McCormack 60 minutes. Get him fit.
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There's a scary amount of respect for us on here. I can see it being like this all season except for two clubs. http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/243721-ready-for-villa-fans-invasion/&page=1
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There's a scary amount of respect for us on here. I can see it being like this all seaspn except for two clubs. http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/243721-ready-for-villa-fans-invasion/&page=1
This comment struck me. Say what you like about the Geordies, but us and them, really, it should be harder to fuck things up than it is to get things vaguely right:
Think it really is a crime that teams like Villa or Newcastle get relegated and just show what mismanagement from above can do to a club. All that money for all those years. These two clubs should be near the top of the premier not the bottom. But we are where we are so hopefully we can finish above them both.
it should be one of the easiest things in the world with resources and support like that to at the very least bob along in mid table.
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There's a scary amount of respect for us on here. I can see it being like this all seaspn except for two clubs. http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/243721-ready-for-villa-fans-invasion/&page=1
I read that as well...massive respect. Goes both ways for me. always thought they were a big club, decent fans and always played good football. Haven't seen them all that much though, so much like the rest of the league, I have no idea what we will be up against. A lot of other fans seem to go on the basis that we have exactly the same side as last year and same attitude. The playing side is changing, I hope the latter does as well.
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There's a scary amount of respect for us on here. I can see it being like this all seaspn except for two clubs. http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/243721-ready-for-villa-fans-invasion/&page=1
They seem to get us even more than some of our own fans do.
To be fair I was born in the early 80's and I still class them as a big club were as I can't, even now, class Chelsea as one.
I remember a League Cup game sometimes in the late 90's/Early 2000's at our palce were they didn't shut up from the first whistle to the last.
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It really is odd how the clubs we have most in common with - Everton in the Premier League and Newcastle in the proper league - regard us with such vitriol when most of us seem to have a fair bit of respect for them.
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That thread over there was good, not so much love on this one. http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/243771-the-owls-vs-aston-villa-official-matchday-thread/
5-1? Delusional ::)
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They are. But they also all think they are going to smash us 3-4 nil.
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Those Wednesday fans seem a decent lot,having read that I hope they do well after today.
It's a while since I have been there but I allways found people from Shefield very friendly and down to earth. They were all Wenesdayites.
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Really looking forward to the game lets hope we get the same result as last time we invaded Sheffield en masse.
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Not the game I wanted first but perhaps the best time to play a hard fixture.
It's really difficult to predict, they were very well organised last year and we were abysmal.
0:2
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I'm worried.
Into the new season with crud like Gestede, Bacuna,Westwood and Cissokho still stinking out the first 11. We are in for a very, very difficult afternoon.
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I'm worried.
Into the new season with crud like Gestede, Bacuna,Westwood and Cissokho still stinking out the first 11. We are in for a very, very difficult afternoon.
Gestede had a a 1in2 record for Blackburn in this league arguably better than McCormack s at Fulham, if with cross the ball into the right areas he'll score.
Westwood outclassed by opposition in the premier league but we're not in the premier league I'm interested to see how he fears this season.
Cissokho will he be in the first XI?
Bacuna you have a point.
Let's try and be positive its a new beginning for the club lets not ruin it with the old negativity.
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i really have idea how today will pan out
wednesday should be in the playoff mix so will be a good barometer as will derby
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I like Sheffield Wednesday. Good, original name like ours and I've known a few Wednesday fans over the years who all have been good lads. They seem to have been out of the top flight forever, and on checking it's 16 years. I'd quite to see the likes of them and Forest back in the top flight, along with us. They can just wait to get their promotion push started after today though.
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Now the start of term season is here I'm fairly optimistic (like last August!).RDM is steadily making some changes and there will certainly be a very different look side by season's end. Not expecting an immediate bounce back but feel we will be scrapping for the play offs so it will be an interesting and at times exciting season. Tough start today - Wednesday are a well drilled side - a draw 1-1.
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My dilema is do I switch over from BT to Sky to watch this crud or stick with the Community Shield which looks like a decent game. Its a tough one.
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My grandmother was born in Sheffield and brought up as a Wednesday fan so I still have a couple of relatives in the city of the blue and white striped disposition. I stayed with them in 1995 after we beat them 2-1 with a Dean Saunders double. Still a huge club without ever needing billions of pounds to make them big (Chelsea I'm talking about you).
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What pubs are other Villa fans going to? I don't want to be in with Wednesday fans!
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I'm worried.
Into the new season with crud like Gestede, Bacuna,Westwood and Cissokho still stinking out the first 11. We are in for a very, very difficult afternoon.
Gestede had a a 1in2 record for Blackburn in this league arguably better than McCormack s at Fulham, if with cross the ball into the right areas he'll score.
Westwood outclassed by opposition in the premier league but we're not in the premier league I'm interested to see how he fears this season.
Cissokho will he be in the first XI?
Bacuna you have a point.
Let's try and be positive its a new beginning for the club lets not ruin it with the old negativity.
It's not negativity, it's stark realism of what lies ahead. I'm as pleased as anybody that the football season is here, but lets not kid ourselves that we're going to be on the crest of a wave for the next nine months.
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I'm worried.
Into the new season with crud like Gestede, Bacuna,Westwood and Cissokho still stinking out the first 11. We are in for a very, very difficult afternoon.
Gestede had a a 1in2 record for Blackburn in this league arguably better than McCormack s at Fulham, if with cross the ball into the right areas he'll score.
Westwood outclassed by opposition in the premier league but we're not in the premier league I'm interested to see how he fears this season.
Cissokho will he be in the first XI?
Bacuna you have a point.
Let's try and be positive its a new beginning for the club lets not ruin it with the old negativity.
It's not negativity, it's stark realism of what lies ahead. I'm as pleased as anybody that the football season is here, but lets not kid ourselves that we're going to be on the crest of a wave for the next nine months.
The point he's making is that when you look at it, just because those players are crud at PL level doesn't mean having them in the lineup for a Championship game necessarily puts you in serious trouble. We probably don't want those players starting all season, but for a game here or there?
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We are going to struggle if the opposition talk about us and say "they try to get out wide and put the ball on Gestedes head. That's about it.".
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Be patient people, a draw wouldn't be a disaster. This is arguably one of the hardest away games we will face. The approach to the game will be the key. We have to be prepared to compete from minute one. None of the Barcode crap from Friday when they just walked onto the Craven Cottage pitch with the expectation that Fulham would just lie down through sheer respect. By the time they realised this it was too late to turn the game momentum around. We are going to have to earn our points this season no team is going to give us them easily. All I ask is that we put the effort in from Game 1. Today's result may or may not go our way but please don't lets go all doom and gloom if we lose. Remember even after we have played 10 games in this league we still have an almost entire Premier League season to play in terms of games.
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1-1
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I still think this will be a defeat. The squad still looks light to me. Any injuries and we'll struggle. Need to get a move on with these signings/loans.
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I think we'll have a team that can compete by the end of August
Today I think will be really tough though. I don't think we've got an xi we can put together at the moment that really works. Gestede and bacuna in particular.
Wednesday don't have a good record against promotion chasing teams though so that's positive
I'd take a good 1-1 and some spirit, good football and organisation today
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Absolutely sure Cissokho will be at left back.Fairly sure it will end 1-1 which will be a reasonable start to the season.
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Absolutely sure Cissokho will be at left back.Fairly sure it will end 1-1 which will be a reasonable start to the season.
i can cope with cissokho at left back with grealish in front of him
let him defend and jack attack, ayew and mcormack up top, plenty of movement.
traore wide right and a.n. other central midfielder to go with tshibola and that starts to look half decent
our quality out wide will lead to loads of space for the front two to exploit
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Bah, hell with it. Most seasons I only get one chance to be optimistic, and I'm taking it for now. Newcastle will be the imploders and not us, we'll storm the title and we'll start today.
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Absolutely sure Cissokho will be at left back.Fairly sure it will end 1-1 which will be a reasonable start to the season.
i can cope with cissokho at left back with grealish in front of him
let him defend and jack attack, ayew and mcormack up top, plenty of movement.
traore wide right and a.n. other central midfielder to go with tshibola and that starts to look half decent
our quality out wide will lead to loads of space for the front two to exploit
What about Bennett at left back Amavi in front?
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Leaving in about an hour...looking forward to our new adventure and this is a bloody good tester to start with.
Feeling optimistic but know that we need at least 2 or 3 players to make the team into decent challengers.
Nearly 5,000 of us there today should give the team something to hang their hats on!
UTV!
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Bah, hell with it. Most seasons I only get one chance to be optimistic, and I'm taking it for now. Newcastle will be the imploders and not us, we'll storm the title and we'll start today.
I looked at Newcastles lineup the other night and thought it looked really poor (poorer than ours). If Mitrovic stays I think he'll do well. Not sure why he wasn't playing. They've spent 45 million, but Diame aside I'm not rating their signings. Dwight Gayle isn't even proven at this level and he's spent 3 seasons being a bit parter at Palace. 10 million on someone unproven is a lot of money. I'm far happier to have got McCormack who's belted in 40 goals in two seasons and Elphick is also a solid signing, whereas they've just handed us 5 million for Clark.
Norwich I feel are the dropped side with the advantage as they have more unity and team spirit (they were lacking quality as much as anything last year), so that could aid them getting out the blocks quickly. But with Newcastle, I could see Benetiz walking before 2017 hits us. I'm not entirely sure how much he really wants to be there. The club still has Ashley's sweaty pitted stench all over it too.
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Bah, hell with it. Most seasons I only get one chance to be optimistic, and I'm taking it for now. Newcastle will be the imploders and not us, we'll storm the title and we'll start today.
I looked at Newcastles lineup the other night and thought it looked really poor (poorer than ours). If Mitrovic stays I think he'll do well. Not sure why he wasn't playing. They've spent 45 million, but Diame aside I'm not rating their signings. Dwight Gayle isn't even proven at this level and he's spent 3 seasons being a bit parter at Palace. 10 million on someone unproven is a lot of money. I'm far happier to have got McCormack who's belted in 40 goals in two seasons and Elphick is also a solid signing, whereas they've just handed us 5 million for Clark.
Norwich I feel are the dropped side with the advantage as they have more unity and team spirit (they were lacking quality as much as anything last year), so that could aid them getting out the blocks quickly. But with Newcastle, I could see Benetiz walking before 2017 hits us. I'm not entirely sure how much he really wants to be there. The club still has Ashley's sweaty pitted stench all over it too.
See Tom they're all good points, but I've decided that analysis can go to buggery in order to boost my feelings today. Give me facts when we're 11th after 12 games and looking to make a run, but for now I'm just going with 'we're Villa'.
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Absolutely sure Cissokho will be at left back.Fairly sure it will end 1-1 which will be a reasonable start to the season.
i can cope with cissokho at left back with grealish in front of him
let him defend and jack attack, ayew and mcormack up top, plenty of movement.
traore wide right and a.n. other central midfielder to go with tshibola and that starts to look half decent
our quality out wide will lead to loads of space for the front two to exploit
What about Bennett at left back Amavi in front?
definately amavi as a wide midfielder, dont rate bennett at all
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We are going to struggle if the opposition talk about us and say "they try to get out wide and put the ball on Gestedes head. That's about it.".
In fairness, that plan worked for the first 90 minutes of last season.
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I have no reason to be optimistic but equally no reason to be fearful. Our team will shape up as the season progresses and we will l ow after 5 games where we are. I will be pleased if we don't get beat today.
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As we signed the new merse with goals -Ross mc confident of a solid win by 2 goals. 0-2 or 1-3 😊up the villa !
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We are going to struggle if the opposition talk about us and say "they try to get out wide and put the ball on Gestedes head. That's about it.".
In fairness, that plan worked for the first 90 minutes of last season.
so the ultimate bluff when we do not do it hah ha!
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For those of us watching on TV we have the pleasure of Ian Holloway, apparently not our biggest fan. Well ram those words down his throat with a workman like, organised 2-0 win.
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I'm finding it quite hard to equate the general tone of "we need loads more, this squad isn't good enough" which is fairly common here - with the level of optimism about winning away at a side that lost two home games all season and has an established way of playing!
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A win would be great, a draw more than acceptable and a defeat not the end of the world. Wednesday will be competing with us at the end of the season and they're a lot more settled than we are.
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Exactly, i'm expecting us to grow as the season progresses. Wednesday have a decent base, confidence wise, to build on.
Do our best, keep it tight, and who knows!
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Pictures on Twitter of Dr.Tone having his photo taken with fans at a motorway service station.
I think he could be becoming a legend!
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I can see him having fun and interacting with fans at every game he goes to, he has the aura of a kid in a toy shop.
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A win would be great, a draw more than acceptable and a defeat not the end of the world. Wednesday will be competing with us at the end of the season and they're a lot more settled than we are.
Our Rome won't have been built yet and it will take a few weeks to properly come together especially as there will be lots more chopping and changing to come for the squad. However over the course of the season I fully expect our overall talent and depth to come through and like Newcastle and Norwich we will be up at the top competing for the title.
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My dilema is do I switch over from BT to Sky to watch this crud or stick with the Community Shield which looks like a decent game. Its a tough one.
Community Shield? Who gives a shit, your team are playing. If this was a pre-season friendly I'd still be more interested in it than an FA Cup final without us.
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Pictures on Twitter of Dr.Tone having his photo taken with fans at a motorway service station.
I think he could be becoming a legend!
Some contrast to Mr Lerner! who said fuck all of note for 10 years.
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A win would be great, a draw more than acceptable and a defeat not the end of the world. Wednesday will be competing with us at the end of the season and they're a lot more settled than we are.
I think a loss would be incredibly damaging. We need to start to reverse the defeatist mentality and the negativity around the club, and losing the first game back at this level would set us back I fear.
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Pictures on Twitter of Dr.Tone having his photo taken with fans at a motorway service station.
I think he could be becoming a legend!
Some contrast to Mr Lerner! who said fuck all of note for 10 years.
To be fair he said proud history, bright future and something about sodomy or sodomites. And he got a Villa tattoo. I always think of him as a relative who always sends you a Christmas card but never phones or visits.
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Pictures on Twitter of Dr.Tone having his photo taken with fans at a motorway service station.
I think he could be becoming a legend!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpQcorFWgAAREH7?format=jpg&name=large)
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Tone retweeted the pic but said that he does look a bit sleepy
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Pictures on Twitter of Dr.Tone having his photo taken with fans at a motorway service station.
I think he could be becoming a legend!
Some contrast to Mr Lerner! who said fuck all of note for 10 years.
Now now, dont be harsh.
I'm sure he's settled down to watch us on his live feed in the States........
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A win would be great, a draw more than acceptable and a defeat not the end of the world. Wednesday will be competing with us at the end of the season and they're a lot more settled than we are.
I think a loss would be incredibly damaging. We need to start to reverse the defeatist mentality and the negativity around the club, and losing the first game back at this level would set us back I fear.
"A loss would be incredibly damaging" First game of a long season. That is plainly a ridiculous statement not worthy of you.
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Pictures on Twitter of Dr.Tone having his photo taken with fans at a motorway service station.
I think he could be becoming a legend!
Some contrast to Mr Lerner! who said fuck all of note for 10 years.
Now now, dont be harsh.
I'm sure he's settled down to watch us on his live feed in the States........
It isn't easy to cross the Atlantic regularly. Unless you are a multi millionaire with a private jet.
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A win would be great, a draw more than acceptable and a defeat not the end of the world. Wednesday will be competing with us at the end of the season and they're a lot more settled than we are.
I think a loss would be incredibly damaging. We need to start to reverse the defeatist mentality and the negativity around the club, and losing the first game back at this level would set us back I fear.
"A loss would be incredibly damaging" First game of a long season. That is plainly a ridiculous statement not worthy of you.
On the one hand I would agree we need to start on the front foot after all the kicks in the nuts we endured last season. On the other hand as I recall the last time we were in this division in '87-'88 we sort of 'grew into the season' rather slowly.
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A win would be great, a draw more than acceptable and a defeat not the end of the world. Wednesday will be competing with us at the end of the season and they're a lot more settled than we are.
I think a loss would be incredibly damaging. We need to start to reverse the defeatist mentality and the negativity around the club, and losing the first game back at this level would set us back I fear.
"A loss would be incredibly damaging" First game of a long season. That is plainly a ridiculous statement not worthy of you.
On the one hand I would agree we need to start on the front foot after all the kicks in the nuts we endured last season. On the other hand as I recall the last time we were in this division in '87-'88 we sort of 'grew into the season' rather slowly.
Well the last 3 seasons we've won on the opening day. Crucial wins in our annual relegation dodge.
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Tony's looking a bit more awake now
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpQxX3SXEAEUVp0?format=jpg&name=large)
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All out attack, Gestede, Ayew and Ross all playing
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Bacuna, Gardner, Westwood midfield. Terrible, definitely an area that needs strengthening, that's a bottom half midfield. The bench looks alright.