Rival Lines: Cherry Chimes talks to Owls Alive

Rival Lines

Sheffield Wednesday v AFCB

Match Preview

Blogger Interview: Owls Alive

Cherry Chimes spoke last week with Danny Gooderson who writes on the Owls Alive website. Let's find out how Sheffield Wednesday fans are feeling ahead of the match and if they have reason to be confident of stopping the Cherries in their tracks up at Hillsborough.

CC: How is the optimism going among Sheffield Wednesday fans at the moment as you have made a descent start to the season?

The vast majority are still on board but after a few winless games you get one or two murmurs of discontent, that's all they are at the moment but compared to the nightmare that was last season and what happened during the summer with the failed takeover, we've done a lot better than what I personally was expecting. We're a tough side to beat but the fear amongst supporters is we don't have enough goals in us.

CC: Do you think Stuart Gray is getting the best out of your players and has found a style that they find easy to follow?

OA: Stuart Gray has built a team spirit in the camp that we've lacked for a long time, his style of play isn't that dissimilar to what occurred under his predecessor Dave Jones in my opinion, and when it clicks we look fantastic, when it doesn't we look like we could play until Christmas and not score. We do have one or two flaky inconsistent players as regulars like Jacques Maghoma and Chris Maguire, but overall there's not a lot more he can get out of this current bunch.

CC: How good do you think Atdhe Nuhui is compared to other Championship strikers?

OA: Adthe Nuhiu is probably the most technically gifted player we have at Hillsborough and perhaps the Championship, he can do things with his feet that lifts folk out of their seats and he does a lot of stuff that goes unnoticed. If Adthe could convert more of the chances he gets we'd be fighting off Premier League clubs for his services. I'm not sure he's comparable to another Championship striker because he's quite a unique player!

He's an opinion divider though, strikers are always judged on the goals column and he and Stevie May should have scored a few more than they have. He hit a purple patch at the back end of last season, I believe he scored at Dean Court as well and the hope was he'd push on, it hasn't quite happened yet but I believe he's more than capable of hitting another scoring streak.

CC: You have lost three home games against Forest and Watford but did you feel hard done by in any of those matches?

OA: Watford, I have no arguments about - yes, they scored a controversial goal and Keiren Westwood made his only error of the season so far, but they were just the better side on the day and for my money they're one of the best sides in the league despite the managerial instability.

Forest was a disappointment, but if you don't convert the chances that come your way, sides like Forest are likely to punish you and that's exactly what happened.

Our problem at home is we don't score enough goals, we're the lowest home scorers in the division with just three and we didn't create much against Norwich. It's a bit of a debate amongst our supporters whether it's down to our midfield not creating enough chances or our strikers not converting them when they do come their way.

CC: What do you make of Royston Drenthe coming to you on loan until January, Gary Taylor-Fletcher has also joined for a month, too many loan players?

OA: We employ a small squad so chances are we'll dip into the loan market. Royston Drenthe filled a need after the sale of Michail Antonio, but so far he's flattered to deceive. He reminds me a lot of the departed Jermaine Johnson as in he'll look like he could be a threat, but when push comes to shove he offers nothing.

We went through 10 loan players last season and had another three or four here on short term contracts so we've had issues with squad stability, I think we employed a dozen centre-half combinations last season!

Ideally a larger squad would do but in our situation with the wage budget, loan players seem to be the way to go. We've had a couple of cracking loan players in recent years - Ross Barkley and Connor Wickham benefited hugely from spells at S6 but it's a gamble - for every Connor Wickham you get a Jay Bothroyd.

GTF has been signed to try and shake up competition up front, the initial reaction to his signing was negative but I'm willing to give him time before dismissing him.

CC: Have you any injury worries at the moment?

OA: Yes, we're missing Sam Hutchinson who is a big loss. We knew that he wouldn't always be available when we signed him but he's been immense for us when he has been available. He and Kieran Lee looked like developing a promising partnership in the centre of the park, but so far it's not come to fruition. Lewis Buxton has also struggled in recent weeks with injury but he's no longer a certainty to start as young Liam Palmer has stepped in at right back and done a sterling job.

CC: Did the Man City thumping in the Capital One Cup do you no favours as the team has not won since then (Question set before Charlton match)?

OA: It's easy to blame the Manchester City game and I don't think it helped but we didn't employ a full strength team that night. It shook Joe Mattock up for a couple of games afterwards but otherwise there's been no ill effect. The problems we've suffered since are the ones we had prior to our trip to the Etihad.

CC: Wednesday probably ended our outside hopes of a play-off spot last season, but are you optimistic that your team can make a top six finish or if not where will you come?

OA: I think top six is beyond us in all reality barring a miraculous run of luck with injuries and suspensions. Since the Owls dropped out of the Premier League in 2000 we've only finished in the top half of the Championship twice so my ideal season would be a top 12 finish and we're more than capable of achieving that if everything clicks.

CC: Are there any AFC Bournemouth players that you would like in your team?

OA: I'm a big fan of Matt Ritchie and think he could be the man who could provide the ammunition for our forwards. Callum Wilson would be a good addition to our strike force too.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match?

OA: Well,when I predict us to lose we usually win so I'll say AFC Bournemouth will nick it 1-0!

CC: Thanks Danny. Some very honest answers there. It is not often that the opposition expect AFCB to win away at their ground but the Cherries reputation has been bolstered by recent wins. It is interesting that Danny picks out Matt Ritchie along with Callum Wilson as the players he would most like to grab from the Cherries. Matt is doing extremely well with his assists this season and it shows me that it is not only the main strikers that are capturing the attention in AFCB's team. Safe travel for all those making the journey up to Hillsborough. Catch up with a preview of the match on the  Owls Alive website. You can also follow Danny @DGood83

All Departments podcast is out - Double Albion. Listen back to reviews of the WBA and Brighton match with Michael Dunne. You can listen by going to the All Department's website or by scrolling down Cherry Chimes' panel on the right until you see All Department's soundbar. It's a bumper 1hr 23 min podcast!! Mike Botto is on there as well!!

Cherry Chimes has a long conversation with Owls Alive!

Match Preview

AFCB v Sheffield Wednesday

Blogger Interview - Owls Alive!

Cherry Chimes tries to find out what Steve Beastie one of the writers on Owls Alive thinks about his team's performance this season and what needs to change to make Wednesday turn from something 'flakey' to a leading force in the Championship. I was worried that he may say they needed Eddie Howe, but even Steve believes Eddie's spiritual home is at Dean Court and that he has already done a magnificent job for our club.

CC: Is mid-table satisfactory for Wednesday this season or was it a poor season?

OA: It really feels like a poor season...I know that sounds poor when we've struggled for so long and quite a while now we've all said, 'we'd take mid-table obscurity in the Championship any year' but when it arrives it ain't all it's cracked up to be and it feels like a very dull season. Someone once said, I think was the sage David Pleat, football is only exciting when you're playing for something, either at the top OR bottom of the table and far be it for me to agree with Pleatipus, he was right.

One thing is for sure...I'm don't think I can take another dull season like this so I, and other Wednesday fans, are expecting more next season.

CC: You beat team like Leeds, QPR and Wigan this season so do you see plenty of potential in the team?

OA: We didn't beat Wigan...in fact we're one of the few teams that CAN'T beat Wigan...it's annoying watching everyone else beat them and seeing us play well but not come away with points against them.

CC: Right researcher - you're sacked! Or was Wigan put in deliberately to try and catch Steve out? 

OA: I think you may have meant Reading...who used to be a bogey team for us...not anymore :-) We've deserved those wins too....despite what Joey Barton said on Twitter and what's more we deserved to beat them at their on the opening day but couldn't do it and Barton not being given the red card for as clear a penalty as you'll see didn't help.

The win against Leeds was special...their worst defeat since the pharaoh was a lad by all accounts and again, we were good value for that victory and that margin. We were incredible that day and made them look what their fans don't see....a very, very average side at best.

We DO have potential but we've been way too flakey all season. We have a first 11 capable of competing at the top of this division...unfortunately we have no strength in depth so when they're inured, as they have been for large parts of the season, we look as average as everyone else

CC: What have you made of Stuart Gray since taking the helm?

OA: I like him...I think every Wednesday fan likes him. He's one of footys nice blokes and when he speaks, despite being a little on the dull side, talks a lot of sense but he's not making any great strides from when Dave Jones was in charge to be honest.

We play the same way with virtually the same players and even the tactics, subs and timing of subs is the same as Dave Jones used but the vibe about the club is better since he took over and I speak as a fan of Jones in saying that.

Gray's big test is the summer...let's see who he can bring to the club because he will have no excuse next season.

He needs to bring in quality and get them kicking on, certainly into the top 10 and probably top 8 with at least an outside chance of play-offs otherwise he won't see another season with us.

CC: Who would you say has been Wednesday's best player this season?

OA: My idea of players varies greatly from the consensus usually but we all miss Connor Wickham and would love him back next year but that's a pipe dream really....young Liam Palmer, a Wednesday product and 'local' lad has done well and impressed. He's been asked to play at right back when his skills are those of a midfielder...he has played on the wing and centre midfield too but he really got stuck into that right back position and from looking clumsy and out of his depth he has really come on in leaps and bounds and impressed no end. There's no one crosses a ball better than him and I'd put him as one of the best in the division for that.

I think my overall favourite has been Atdhe Nuhiu up front....Me and the Young Un and a few mates have loved the fella from the start. His eagerness, work rate and skill with the ball at his feet is breathtaking at times but it's taken a while for others to warm to him, in fact I've never seen a Wednesday player abused as much as him by his own fans in such a long time...probably ever.

His problem is for all his good qualities he IS a striker and he hasn't been scoring and he's missed some sitters, but he is more than that in my opinion and what he brings to the game others aren't capable of. The Wednesday fans are slowly coming round to him but it's a slow process.

Having said all of that about those two...our player of the season will once again be Chris Kirkland, I'm sure of it...he would be mine anyway. He's the best keeper we've had in decades and his contract is up at the end of this season I believe so we need to make sure he is top of the list of 'must dos'. I dread to think where we would have been without him...an incredible player, a good ambassador and someone who has really enjoyed his time at this club.

CC: Would you say the Owls are about the most inconsistent team in the Championship and can you see reasons for the up and down performances?

OA: As I said earlier, we are definitely flakey, but we are a match for anyone on our day and more than most if we could get our best 11 fit. Some of those injuries, like every other club I suppose, are key to our tickover and they've been at crucial moments in the season.

CC: What did you think about your last match against Nottingham Forest - I thought you were going to do us an even bigger favour?

OA: Yeah so did most Wednesday fans. We haven't won there for absolutely ages and this was our chance but in both games this season they've stolen points from us...at ours they took all three and were never in the game...one chance one goal BANG! Off they go down the M1 with the points tucked up.

They have been punching above their weight for a while now and are one of the worst teams in the division. If they make the play-offs let alone go up, it will be a travesty.

CC: If Stuart Gray has money to spend next summer who would you like to see come into the club?

OA: A big part of our flakeyness has been injuries to our defence and we've had to chop and change it a lot...our second and third string aren't up this level and it shows...we MUST make sure we have a good central paring.

I would make Kirkland top of any list for signings but if you mean who to bring in...it has to be a striker. Another area we've struggled in at times and only really flourished when Matty Fryatt and Connor Wickham were on loan. Our chairman has already said he is going out to get Matty Fryatt at the end of the season. I'm not really sure why you'd make that public so early but it's out there now and I'd love him at our place. Wickham is way out of our budget but maybe Fryatt is around the right price....I'd be all over either of them.

CC: It looked all set up for an FA Cup derby this year but it did not happen so do you miss that fixture or is it just great to be a league above them?

OA: Who would miss 2 weeks of sleepless nights, butterflies and nausea in the run up to the game only for everyone to say they'd take a draw twenty minutes into the game?

I LOVE being a division higher and I would take that for eternity over playing them every season...I am definitely not one who misses them....though I have to say there is absolutely nothing like a derby match victory.

CC: Have you been surprised by Bournemouth's results this season and are there any of our players that you are looking forward to see play?

OA: Not really. As I mentioned last time we spoke, I have a soft spot for Bournemouth and my daughter has one for Eddie Howe.

I love the connection the club has and HAS had with the Cherries fans over the years and the turmoil you've all been through to get here is fantastic.

Eddie Howe is at his spiritual home now and he will always do better here than anywhere else...other managers have done similar haven't they? Graham Taylor at Watford springs to mind...they can go to other places but the connection to their club is so great that they feel more comfortable back there and it brings good things.

Me and the Young Un have been watching with interest in the hope that you get into the play-offs just so Eddie can stick two fingers up at Burnley and the way he was treated there and just to show that he CAN do it and he IS a good manager.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match?

OA: Blimey it could be anything at all knowing us...6-0 to us...6-0 to you...or a 3-3 draw...I'd be surprised if it was dull but go on then, I'll stick my very ample neck out...2-3

Just know this...you will have a little part of the Wednesday fanbase cheering you into the play-offs no matter what happens and to every single Bournemouth fan that has been on this incredible ride, YOU DESERVE THIS!

More than anyone in any division in this country, you have been through the mill and to the depths of despair with your club through no fault of the fans...if you get there it is your reward, no matter what the results, enjoy the moment!

CC: What a pleasure it is always to have Steve Beastie on Cherry Chimes - I don't think he'll ever convert to being a full Cherry fan but he certainly has a soft spot for Eddie's Barmy Army and it is good to know that Eddie Howe's impact is been felt as far up the motorway as Sheffield! I reckon Wednesday fans get a real treat every week when Steve sits down to write some lines on Owls Alive and I have always found Wednesday fans deeply in love with their football, so it is good to know Steve's passion is never wasted. As for this season it may be one for Wednesday fans not to reflect upon for too long while Bournemouth fans are already joyous no matter what the results of the remaining fixtures. Winning sometimes isn't everything and just to have a club to love is something that AFCB fans hold onto very preciously. It is a huge match on Good Friday and the rewards for AFC Bournemouth are enormous, but we know that Wednesday have some great players and Steve's score prediction says it all really, but I will say it is bound to be another cracking Championship match. Thanks again Steve - catch up on his writings and fellow Wednesday supporters on Owls Alive.

Cherry Chimes talks to Sheffield Wednesday's Owls Alive

Sheffield Wednesday v AFCB

21 December 2013
Match Preview: Blogger Interview

Cherry Chimes talks with Steve Beastie, one of the contributors to Owls Alive on how the season is going for Owls fans and what they need to do to turn their form around.

CC: Are you enjoying this season?
OA: If I'm honest no....and I say that as someone who has seen be pretty much rubbish for all barring a handful of seasons over the last 40 years.

It's had a stagnant feel to this season, like we've been waiting for the spark to ignite the club and move forward and it hasn't happened...it takes a lot to get me down, to dash my hopes and expectations, however misguided and deluded they are but dashed they most definitely are

CC: Do you really think Dave Jones was to blame for the Owl's poor form in the early part of the season?

OA: No I don't....and to my mind that's been proven by the same players playing the same formation he used actually showing some spirit and winning games since he went. I was a big fan of Dave Jones and batted his corner many times but in the end he had to go, if only to bring the fragmented fans and club back together

CC: You beat Leicester City at home a few weeks ago and you have beaten Reading so your players can compete at this level. Are there any players that you don't think are not putting it all in for the club at the moment?

OA: At times all of them...they put in performances like those and against Watford, and Forest for that matter in a game we deserved something from, but then you see them play as they did against Derby and every single player to a man was truly awful...fans say 'not fit to wear the shirt' at every opportunity and a little too readily for my liking but in that game it was true. I suppose Giles Coke has been frustrating but I'm loathe to single him out especially it's just that he's shown he CAN do it, but doesn't for whatever reason, do it enough.

CC: Sheffield Wednesday are still looking for a new manager as I write this and Roy Keane has been approached - do you think he has the right kind of management style for your team or do would you hope for someone else?

OA: I've given up trying to second guess the chairman...I think we've approached pretty much everyone now and Roy Keane was the only one left on the list. I don't see what Keane would bring to the party if I'm honest, his record isn't exactly sparkling and he's not really the sort of manager I'd like if I'm honest but if he came I'd support him. I'd like to see someone given a chance...someone with potential, give them a proper go, a young manager, maybe a new one but the majority of fans wouldn't accept that and he wouldn't be given time. Being relegated isn't the death knell everyone says it is and it holds no fears for me as a fan so if we went down with a young manager who was showing he was trying to get things right and trying to move the club forward I'd be happy enough with that ride...though I appreciate, may be on the ride alone

CC: Why do you think the players have found it hard to get points away from home and how did they get it so right against Watford?

OA: I've no idea, that's the straight answer. We've had the excuse they don't like playing at home because of the pressure so what's their excuse away? We always take a good following and ALWAYS get behind them away from home...as for Watford it wasn't really a case of getting it all right. Make no mistake Watford were the better footballing side, but we went with a bit of fire in our bellies against a team that weren't really battlers...they didn't get in our faces and instead tried to play the ball about, they had 60% + of the possession, but did little with it by way of goal threat...we saw little of the ball but made our one chance count...and should popped at least one more in TBF. Most Wednesday fans will take that sort of attitude from the players every single game, win, lose or draw a bit of battling spirit goes a long way.

CC: Are supporters optimistic of a better second half of the season and what would need to happen to make you get more results?

OA: I'm sure it's the same for everyone...it's the footy fans way....we all use the phrase 'typical *insert club name here*' when things go wrong and it's the default setting for most footy fans to expect the worst and adopt a pessismisticstance...the last few results have perked us all up though TBF...but good results do that for everyone don't they?

CC: What is the financial position of the club are you able to spend do you think in January?


OA: No idea...and anyone that says they genuinely know the financial situation is either the chairman or a liar. I'd hope we can get players in in January, we'll certainly be losing quite a few key loan players as they go back to their clubs so something will need to be done.
It's my feeling, and I have nothing to support this, that the chairman is trying desperately to do everything on the cheap at the moment, mindful of wasting money he won't get back in a sale and as mentioned earlier it feels as though we're treading water through his apathy.

CC: Is Connor Wickham a player your fans are warming to and are there other good young players at the club?


OA: I think I can probably state confidently that every Wednesday fan loves Connor Wickham and every one of us would happily bear his children...without him we would be lost at the foot of the table...he is our saviour and so far and away better than anything we've had or can aspire to have in the foreseeable future it's quite sickening. He's another that returns to his club in January and he will be a huge miss for us but when he goes every single Wednesday through tear filled eyes will wish him only the best for the future.

CC: How have the crowds been at home are they sticking with the club at the moment?


OA: The crowds have been pretty good...a little bit of a drop off as we struggled under Dave Jones and the rifts appeared...with the usual amount in these instances saying they wouldn't go again until he left the club....and now he's gone and the feel good factor is returning so are the fans.

CC: Who should Bournemouth fans look out for as your best players who carry a goal scoring threat?


OA: Look no further than the wonderboy...our saint and saviour Connor Wickham...if he doesn't score, I'm not sure who will.

We used to rely on a good amount of goals from left back Reda Johnson, especially at set pieces but they seem to have dried up. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that he could return to scoring ways now the vibe at the club is better...

CC: What is it like for away supporters at Hillsborough, good burgers, big screen, wobbly seats, easy to park?


OA: Park over the road from the ground in the Wednesdayite car park, nice and safe and very reasonable price, fiver I think and a very short walk to the ground...you'll have to wait, as ya do, to get out though.

The burgers are the same as everywhere else...generic carpet burgers that you'd only ever eat at a footy match and never at any other time....there's a van on the edge of the car park, stick bacon and cheese on ya burger and go the whole hog....why not? It's not great food but it's not exactly expensive either....inside the ground we've just returned to Pukka Pies, THANKFULLY!
You know where ya stand with a pukka...proper footy pies.

I've not been in the Leppings Lane end for many many years so not sure what fans can expect these days, from what I'm told, it's like me, it needs a facelift but I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Big Screen? :-)

It's been talked about for so long...we have an old style dot matrix type thing that most of us have a bit of affection for...yeah it's behind the times...it uses stickmen for goals...the football looks like a bowling ball and it's cool in its naffness...it also has a unique 'T' feature built into it.
If the Blades are losing it gives an update but it usually follows the same path...

SHHHHHHHHH...
T

United 0 Port Vale 6

Always with the Shhhh...and always with the 'T'

It looks like it's broken when the 'T' appears and rumour has it, many years ago when it was the cutting edge of technology that the bloke that installed it put the fault in on purpose so he'd have to keep coming back to repair it.

Dunno if it's true but we love the 'T' now
-
I hope any Bournemouth fans that make the long journey North have a safe journey both ways and that they enjoy the day out (not too much).

Me and the Young Un always love our trips to your place, including driving down for an evening game, and she is in love with your manager, apparently he is her husband...or will be one day...mindstya, she does have a lot of em.

Cheers,
Beastie

Thanks Steve and Owls Alive. I am glad that you have loads of humour and that you are keeping faith in your team despite the difficult times. It looks like the matrix screen will be a highlight although Mrs Howe may decide to make the journey up to your ground to ensure her husband is not mobbed by your Young Un. Enjoy the game!