Ben Small is a sort of London-based gloryhunting(!) fan from York who has taken The Bees under his wing. Ben is of the opinion that Wednesday are a Premiership team (how long ago does that seem?) and thinks we have been robbed twice by Brentford! Take it away...
1. Tell us a bit about yourself , name, age, where your from etc...
I'm Ben Small, a student from York currently studying up in West London, always had a thing for the Bees (a couple of mates support them) so moving here at the start of this year just increased my interest in them, I must be some kind of lucky omen!
2. What was the first football match you attended?
First game I ever saw was York City against Oldham at Bootham Crescent, a shocking game, a cold night a rubbish 0-0 draw! As far as the Bees go my first game this season was against Hartlepool which wasnt exactly much better!
3. Which have been the best and worst matches you've been to?
Best - This season the home leg against Southampton in the cup even though we lost was quality, amazing atmosphere, shows how much the cup means to us 'real' fans! Worst - Any game we've played away this season has been pretty bad, barring a couple where we've won, the journey back is always a nightmare!
4. How would you assess Brentford's season, achievement, underachievement or just about right?
I'd say we've definately overachieved, bookies had us favourites to go down, shows why betting is a mugs game! I knew we'd be in with a shout for a small club our spirit gets us a long way, around December time I was always confident we'd comfortably make the playoffs.
5. Same question, but swap Brentford for Wednesday...
I'd say about right I think, obviously you are a massive club but that doesn't always get you results, Hull and Luton have comfortably been the best teams in the league this year after them i'd put you and Tranmere neck and neck for 3rd.
6. What's been your best moment this season?
Comming back from the dead (and 0-2) down at Saint Mary's stadium was incredible, we didnt play amazingly well to get back in the game but we battled hard and took our chances. We've had so many good moments this season, Tranmere and Hull home in the last 3 weeks have been quality as well.
7. Playoffs?! Bit dodgy arent they? What would you say is the defining factor which would lead to your sucess?
Luck! Nah we just need to put the ball in the back of the net and play our own game really! to many times we've tried to out pass teams when we're not as gifted as them technically, our football might look scrappy but it's effective, get the ball in the air and let runners from midfield create our chances. We also need to not let an early goal in or we'll get mashed like we did at Bradford a few weeks ago.
8. What did you make of the 2 regular season games between our teams?
To be honest we should have been wearing black and white stripes both times, cos we committed severe daylight robbery!!!! You played us off the park both games but we managed to come back and steal 4 points from you, thats the London way I guess!
9. Who's the Wednesday player you need to watch out for?
Wednesday are a great side I'm worried about them from all angles! I've always thought Proudlock was a good player not sure if he plays much though, McLean obviously scores goals so he would be a threat if he was playing. I saw Peacock play a couple of times for Bristol City too and he looked to be a decent footballer!
10. Who's the Brentford player's you feel we need to watch out for?
As you can imagine with a -3 goal difference scoring isnt our forte! We've got a solid base, Sodje has been a wall this season and he's very John Terry-esque when it comes to attacking corners. Jay Tabb was magnificent in our recent win over Hull so he could be key! I'd be impressed if anyone from the Bees shone on Thursday, we've played 52 games this season they'll be dropping like flies by the end of the game!
11. What's your team like generall? Strong areas, weak areas, backroom staff, manager etc...
We've got a great manager which is always a good start, Martin Allen is a little eccentric at times but he gets the job done! Our tactics arent the best but they seem to be quite effective against the 'bigger' sides to i expect him to have something planned, our staff generally are very supportive, like I said we've got an excellent spirit. Players wise we dont really have any stars, barring Burton non of our players have played higher than league one but they are doing very well for themselves
12. How do others in this league see Wednesday?
Like a big fish in a small pond! Wednesday shouldn't be in league one! They are a Premiership team at heart, they've got history, cups, prestiege! Lord knows how you got down next to us! Funny how things go! Everyone in this league fears the reputation of Sheffield Wednesday even if their team doesn't match up to it, you've got a great stadium, great fans and I honestly hope that if you beat us you get promoted!
13. Make a prediction for the first leg at Hillsborough on Thursday...
Tough one! Playoffs are funny games, it's totally different to any normal cup game because even with so much riding on them, there always high scores! My heart says we nick it 1-0 but by head says 2-0 wednesday, after all we cant rob you 3 times in a season! Good luck to both sides!
Many thanks to Ben Small for his help with this piece, for his page and my predictions, keep checking http://www.brentford-mad.co.uk/.