Personally, I just don't see that. I've seen maybe two posts from people who said they absolutely didn't like SEV. Pretty much everyone else likes it to one degree or another. Sure, people are picking out little things they don't like, but almost everyone tends to compare the new to the old. In time most of the little things will be fixed/tweaked (or even left as is), and most people will accept the new things and keep playing. Personally I had some serious reservations about the game before it was released. I wasn't too happy about the 3d system view, or the real-time (sorry..continuous-time
)tactical combat. After playing the demo (and seeing the *massive* potential of it), I am most definately looking forward to getting a copy, even though I still don't care for the CT combat model, I'll probably get used to it eventually, and might even end up liking it.
As far as people developing/spreading irrational opinions, well, people tend to do that. The best response is to correct any wrong info, or just ignore it. In a worst case scenario Arron could make a post to correct any wrong perceptions.
I just don't see a problem.