Playing towards the Holte End in the second half.

[danlanza]

Maybe we should have attacked the Holte for both halves this season,would have made no difference but worth a shot!

[martin o`who??]

Would you rather we score a last-minute winner in front of the Holte End or in front of the North Stand?

It'd just be nice to score a last minute winner tbh!

From a corner, just once before i die.

[martin o`who??]

This really started in the 70s under Saunders, how many times did we go a goal down before half time when kicking towards the old Witton, only to turn around at half time and absolutely batter teams when kicking towards the Holte, it got to the stage that teams would make sure we kicked towards the Witton second half if they won the toss. The 1977 season was a particular stand out for it. Oh sweet, sweet memories.

[Irish villain]

Psychologically I used to always feel we would attack more in the second half attacking the Holte End. It seems to have become less of a factor in recent years.

I'm sure the players (at least in former times) used to prefer attacking into the goal in front of their most vocal support.

[ez]

I prefer us to attack the Holte in the second half, even when I'm elsewhere, as was the case on Sunday. It's a tradition and as I spent my formative days watching from the old terrace I like to see it maintained.
Only the stats will show whether it makes any difference but two games stick in the memory when we were "the wrong way 'round". Milan in '90 and Small Heath 5-1.

Chelsea 2-0 was another.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Psychologically I used to always feel we would attack more in the second half attacking the Holte End. It seems to have become less of a factor in recent years.

I'm sure the players (at least in former times) used to prefer attacking into the goal in front of their most vocal support.

Spoke with Ken McNaught a few years ago who said running out to a packed Holte End sent shivers down his spine every time.
The players loved playing into the Holte second half.

[Hillbilly]

I remember in the 70's we always attacked the Holte End in the 2nd half, unless we lost the toss and the opposition changed ends.
We always used to applaud the opposition goalkeeper into the penalty area, they nearly always waved a thank you, only to be met by a chorus of whistles and V signs. The best thing was it always put a smile on their faces too.

It was when the same ones fell for it every year that I began to think goalkeepers are a bit soft in the head.

I actually think they enjoyed it Dave.
I remember Ray Clemence had a massive smile on his face from about 30 yards out, he knew what was coming and he still waved.

The late John Osborne of the Baggies used to play up to it. I have a vague memory of him recoiling in mock horror one year.

[Pat McMahon]

I remember in the 70's we always attacked the Holte End in the 2nd half, unless we lost the toss and the opposition changed ends.
We always used to applaud the opposition goalkeeper into the penalty area, they nearly always waved a thank you, only to be met by a chorus of whistles and V signs. The best thing was it always put a smile on their faces too.

It was when the same ones fell for it every year that I began to think goalkeepers are a bit soft in the head.

I actually think they enjoyed it Dave.
I remember Ray Clemence had a massive smile on his face from about 30 yards out, he knew what was coming and he still waved.

The late John Osborne of the Baggies used to play up to it. I have a vague memory of him recoiling in mock horror one year.

Spot on Hillbilly.

My mom used to know him at work - her boss was pals with Osborne and he would often pop in to their place and chat about footie, and she said he was as nice and grounded a bloke as you could ever wish to meet.

He actually did a playful bow down before the Holte one year - IIRC at half time in the 4-0 drubbing in 1976-7, when Andy Gray destroyed them with a hat trick.

[PeterWithesShin]

I used to enjoy the way David Seaman would always put a gloved hand over his nose and give it a rub as he ran towards the Holte as we sang "blue nose" at him. He always seemed to have a big smile on his face as he did.

[Damo70]

Would you rather we score a last-minute winner in front of the Holte End or in front of the North Stand?

My favourite late goals in recent times have been scored by Gabby at the Railway End.

[Witton Warrior]

I remember in the 70's we always attacked the Holte End in the 2nd half, unless we lost the toss and the opposition changed ends.
We always used to applaud the opposition goalkeeper into the penalty area, they nearly always waved a thank you, only to be met by a chorus of whistles and V signs. The best thing was it always put a smile on their faces too.

It was when the same ones fell for it every year that I began to think goalkeepers are a bit soft in the head.

I actually think they enjoyed it Dave.
I remember Ray Clemence had a massive smile on his face from about 30 yards out, he knew what was coming and he still waved.

John Osbourne of the Olbiun used to love the attention. He was caught cadging a drag off a roll-up during a Villa attack wasn't he?

[Witton Warrior]

I prefer us to attack the Holte in the second half, even when I'm elsewhere, as was the case on Sunday. It's a tradition and as I spent my formative days watching from the old terrace I like to see it maintained.
Only the stats will show whether it makes any difference but two games stick in the memory when we were "the wrong way 'round". Milan in '90 and Small Heath 5-1.

Chelsea 2-0 was another.
[/quot

The Liverpool 5-1 had all the goals at the Witton End in the first half

[E I Adio]

I imagine it's quite an old tradition at Villa Park. I'm fairly certain it was done in the '60's - and we were shit for most of that decade.

[ez]

I remember in the 70's we always attacked the Holte End in the 2nd half, unless we lost the toss and the opposition changed ends.
We always used to applaud the opposition goalkeeper into the penalty area, they nearly always waved a thank you, only to be met by a chorus of whistles and V signs. The best thing was it always put a smile on their faces too.

It was when the same ones fell for it every year that I began to think goalkeepers are a bit soft in the head.

I actually think they enjoyed it Dave.
I remember Ray Clemence had a massive smile on his face from about 30 yards out, he knew what was coming and he still waved.

John Osbourne of the Olbiun used to love the attention. He was caught cadging a drag off a roll-up during a Villa attack wasn't he?

I have an albion mate who told me he often used to go behind the goal to cadge a quick smoke from a fan when the play was at the other end.

[andyaston]

I used to enjoy the way David Seaman would always put a gloved hand over his nose and give it a rub as he ran towards the Holte as we sang "blue nose" at him. He always seemed to have a big smile on his face as he did.

I remember that penalty when Yorkey did that chip kick which fooled the keepers who commited one way or the other as the ball would slowly go down the middle. Seaman was laughing his head off as he went down. he had a good sense of humour also, Arsenal had the title wrapped up the week before so it wasn't a lack of professionalism.