Excellent point Peter.
The 15ers seem to think they are popular; and we are loathed. This is purely down to the fact that they do not represent any form of challenge (on the pitch) to major clubs (Premier League and Championship clubs, in essence).
It is like being a fan of Accrington; nobody is going to mention them when asked to name a "hated club", because their club is pretty insignificant (with all due respect to them, of course !).
If you asked any fan which club they hated the most (after their local rivals), the chances are the top answer will be Man Utd.
The reasons being of course their success, and the size of their club.
This factor is completely lost on the assheads.