MATCHWATCH : Northampton Town (h)

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Think this will be the crunch game for Hunt. Lose or draw and he's gone.

I doubt that.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

I think anyone telling themselves its lose or gone for Hunt is going to be disappointed, assuming we lose, and I think we'll win.

I can't see Couhig sacking him until the earliest after Doncaster, maybe Stevenage. And that's assuming we don’t win any of them.

I can see us getting 2/3 points in the next two.

Then we get to the fa cup break in pretty much the same situation we are now. The naysayers will say hunt out the hunt lovers will say hunt in and the rest will be meh as they are now.

[Clyde1998]

I was listening to R5 and they were talking about Rangers fans already saying they have doubts about the new manager because he isnt a name like Gerard (LOL).

Then I switched on West Ham Brentford. And the WHU fans are pissed off like they always are. I lived right among them in East London early 90s and they had ideas above their station even then (and were pissed off).

It got me thinking. Do we really want to be like the terrible cnuts at those 2 clubs? I've always thought at RFC we've always had a *little* bit more class than those absolute morons demanding name managers, mythical perfect football and entitled success.

Maybe we should be showing a bit more loyalty to Hunt give him a few more games than the next 2?

As an overall fanbase, you could argue we moved away from the idea of being content of giving a manager a few seasons before sacking them went with McDermott.

Obviously we're nowhere near the level of Rangers and West Ham have been with managers, but it does seem like we only need a poor four or five game run before the calls to replace the manager start and that's true at almost all clubs these days.

I don't think Sellés would've gotten anywhere near as long as he got had we had the finances to sack him in October/November 2023. The time he ended up having allowed him to end up having a very good relationship with fans; playing some good football; and getting positive results on the pitch.

[Clyde1998]

Lady referee, she was one of the better ones we had last season.

Had to check it wasn't the one who did the West Ham U21 game, as she was shocking. Turns out that was Kirsty Dowle, who mainly does National League level in the men's game.

It's Abigail Byrne tomorrow, who's mainly done League Two recently.

[stealthpapes]

I was listening to R5 and they were talking about Rangers fans already saying they have doubts about the new manager because he isnt a name like Gerard (LOL).

Then I switched on West Ham Brentford. And the WHU fans are pissed off like they always are. I lived right among them in East London early 90s and they had ideas above their station even then (and were pissed off).

It got me thinking. Do we really want to be like the terrible cnuts at those 2 clubs? I've always thought at RFC we've always had a *little* bit more class than those absolute morons demanding name managers, mythical perfect football and entitled success.

Maybe we should be showing a bit more loyalty to Hunt give him a few more games than the next 2?

As an overall fanbase, you could argue we moved away from the idea of being content of giving a manager a few seasons before sacking them went with McDermott.

Obviously we're nowhere near the level of Rangers and West Ham have been with managers, but it does seem like we only need a poor four or five game run before the calls to replace the manager start and that's true at almost all clubs these days.

I don't think Sellés would've gotten anywhere near as long as he got had we had the finances to sack him in October/November 2023. The time he ended up having allowed him to end up having a very good relationship with fans; playing some good football; and getting positive results on the pitch.

leon - this has essentially been my argument, plus the related point that short term thinking might relieve the immediate pressure but put us in a worse position six, twelve months down the line, when we end up with a squad that's been chopped and changed like an andouillette sausage.
who wants that?

Clyde - my memory of the summer was a general dissatisfaction with signings (and, yes, we have lost a lot of goals/attacking prowess and, yes, this season had a strong risk of being a struggle anyway) but since that Swindon game in the EFL Trophy there's been a constant background noise. I mean, it's our fourth tier competition this year and it still looks like we might qualify for the next round, so the sheer weight of about it astounds me.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I was listening to R5 and they were talking about Rangers fans already saying they have doubts about the new manager because he isnt a name like Gerard (LOL).

Then I switched on West Ham Brentford. And the WHU fans are pissed off like they always are. I lived right among them in East London early 90s and they had ideas above their station even then (and were pissed off).

It got me thinking. Do we really want to be like the terrible cnuts at those 2 clubs? I've always thought at RFC we've always had a *little* bit more class than those absolute morons demanding name managers, mythical perfect football and entitled success.

Maybe we should be showing a bit more loyalty to Hunt give him a few more games than the next 2?

As an overall fanbase, you could argue we moved away from the idea of being content of giving a manager a few seasons before sacking them went with McDermott.

Obviously we're nowhere near the level of Rangers and West Ham have been with managers, but it does seem like we only need a poor four or five game run before the calls to replace the manager start and that's true at almost all clubs these days.

I don't think Sellés would've gotten anywhere near as long as he got had we had the finances to sack him in October/November 2023. The time he ended up having allowed him to end up having a very good relationship with fans; playing some good football; and getting positive results on the pitch.

leon - this has essentially been my argument, plus the related point that short term thinking might relieve the immediate pressure but put us in a worse position six, twelve months down the line, when we end up with a squad that's been chopped and changed like an andouillette sausage.
who wants that?

Clyde - my memory of the summer was a general dissatisfaction with signings (and, yes, we have lost a lot of goals/attacking prowess and, yes, this season had a strong risk of being a struggle anyway) but since that Swindon game in the EFL Trophy there's been a constant background noise. I mean, it's our fourth tier competition this year and it still looks like we might qualify for the next round, so the sheer weight of about it astounds me.

Quite smug to say we're better than others. We've got a good squad in the relegation zone - it's a perfectly legitimate opinion that another manager could do better with these players.

I would disagree with the statement "we're entitled to see Reading in the Championship" and hound out every manager who fails. Yes, that is where we've mostly been for the past 25 years, but the squad isn't there yet and no team has a right to playing at a higher level. I don't see much of that, I mainly see fans concluding that we're under performing and a manager change could help that.

It's nothing like West Ham fans and Moyes, for example.

I guess what nobody wants is getting onto a hire and fire conveyor belt, like pre Selles. Ideally we'd find our guy and back him over a few years to help us rise like we did with Pardew last time we were in the third tier. I'm personally not convinced Noel is our guy, in the same way that Burns wasn't.

[stealthpapes]

Couple of questions.

Quite smug to say we're better than others

Where in leon, Clyde or my posts do any of us say that?
There's the line about a bit more class, but that's a different sentiment entirely.

I would disagree with the statement "we're entitled to see Reading in the Championship"

On a similar note, has anyone made that statement?

[traff]

I think fans would be a lot more patient with the slow progress if the football wasn’t so painfully dull to watch.

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah as above really

Is it a problem if people were being pessimistic after a couple of weeks? Arguably they’ve been proven right depending on what the expectation was

I guess the lack of goals in preseason (yeah I know that’s not esp relevant) but then the lack of ability to create chances in the early games, along with some of the signings not impressing had that effect

Yes, I think so. Negativity breeds negativity and toxicity. We've seen how much better the club felt and performed against the odds when everyone was pulling together.

[Hound]

I’d be a lot more patient if he hadn’t prioritised playing loans and new signings over academy players personally. But yeah also I’ve only really enjoyed a few games this year - Cardiff being one of them

I’m not actually particularly fussed if he gets sacked or not. This season’s gone in terms of any interest. Though I don’t think we’ll ever be a good side with Hunt in charge sadly and it’s only really a matter of time until the owners lose patience themselves. As long as we don’t completely shit the bed and lose the next 4 then suppose we may as well wait a bit

The squad will completely change next summer anyway I expect

[Hound]

Yeah as above really

Is it a problem if people were being pessimistic after a couple of weeks? Arguably they’ve been proven right depending on what the expectation was

I guess the lack of goals in preseason (yeah I know that’s not esp relevant) but then the lack of ability to create chances in the early games, along with some of the signings not impressing had that effect

Yes, I think so. Negativity breeds negativity and toxicity. We've seen how much better the club felt and performed against the odds when everyone was pulling together.

It’s not like it’s translated to the crowds at the games though as far as I can see. I didn’t go to Swindon but hear there was some there. Otherwise I’ve barely heard a boo or negative chanting at any game I’ve been to this year

If they read what C Scott and his muppet mates say on Twitter then more fool them

[The Cap]

I was listening to R5 and they were talking about Rangers fans already saying they have doubts about the new manager because he isnt a name like Gerard (LOL).

Then I switched on West Ham Brentford. And the WHU fans are pissed off like they always are. I lived right among them in East London early 90s and they had ideas above their station even then (and were pissed off).

It got me thinking. Do we really want to be like the terrible cnuts at those 2 clubs? I've always thought at RFC we've always had a *little* bit more class than those absolute morons demanding name managers, mythical perfect football and entitled success.

Maybe we should be showing a bit more loyalty to Hunt give him a few more games than the next 2?

Great post Leon. You talk so much sense there mate. In fact, I nearly became emotional

[tidus_mi2]

Yeah as above really

Is it a problem if people were being pessimistic after a couple of weeks? Arguably they’ve been proven right depending on what the expectation was

I guess the lack of goals in preseason (yeah I know that’s not esp relevant) but then the lack of ability to create chances in the early games, along with some of the signings not impressing had that effect

Yes, I think so. Negativity breeds negativity and toxicity. We've seen how much better the club felt and performed against the odds when everyone was pulling together.

It’s not like it’s translated to the crowds at the games though as far as I can see. I didn’t go to Swindon but hear there was some there. Otherwise I’ve barely heard a boo or negative chanting at any game I’ve been to this year

If they read what C Scott and his muppet mates say on Twitter then more fool them

The biggest surprise for me when he won that shirt contest is that he actually goes to games.

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah as above really

Is it a problem if people were being pessimistic after a couple of weeks? Arguably they’ve been proven right depending on what the expectation was

I guess the lack of goals in preseason (yeah I know that’s not esp relevant) but then the lack of ability to create chances in the early games, along with some of the signings not impressing had that effect

Yes, I think so. Negativity breeds negativity and toxicity. We've seen how much better the club felt and performed against the odds when everyone was pulling together.

It’s not like it’s translated to the crowds at the games though as far as I can see. I didn’t go to Swindon but hear there was some there. Otherwise I’ve barely heard a boo or negative chanting at any game I’ve been to this year

If they read what C Scott and his muppet mates say on Twitter then more fool them

I've definitely heard some through the broadcast.

[mikey_1871]

Yes, I think so. Negativity breeds negativity and toxicity. We've seen how much better the club felt and performed against the odds when everyone was pulling together.

It’s not like it’s translated to the crowds at the games though as far as I can see. I didn’t go to Swindon but hear there was some there. Otherwise I’ve barely heard a boo or negative chanting at any game I’ve been to this year

If they read what C Scott and his muppet mates say on Twitter then more fool them

I've definitely heard some through the broadcast.

Been to every home game bar Port Vale so far and there's not been much, if any.

There was booing at the end of the Mansfield game but that was for the ref as most of the crowd thought MO'M should have had a penalty at the end

[leon]

Couple of questions.

Quite smug to say we're better than others

Where in leon, Clyde or my posts do any of us say that?
There's the line about a bit more class, but that's a different sentiment entirely.

I would disagree with the statement "we're entitled to see Reading in the Championship"

On a similar note, has anyone made that statement?

Yeah I was scratching my head at that. I think WYR has completely missed the point* of our posts.

*taken the the diametrically opposite point

[leon]

I was listening to R5 and they were talking about Rangers fans already saying they have doubts about the new manager because he isnt a name like Gerard (LOL).

Then I switched on West Ham Brentford. And the WHU fans are pissed off like they always are. I lived right among them in East London early 90s and they had ideas above their station even then (and were pissed off).

It got me thinking. Do we really want to be like the terrible cnuts at those 2 clubs? I've always thought at RFC we've always had a *little* bit more class than those absolute morons demanding name managers, mythical perfect football and entitled success.

Maybe we should be showing a bit more loyalty to Hunt give him a few more games than the next 2?

Great post Leon. You talk so much sense there mate. In fact, I nearly became emotional

I was crying as I was typing it, Cap.

[URZZZZ]

Would bring in Kelvin for this one but to play off Marriott - clever dummy for Lane’s blocked shot off the line. LB all much of a muchness at the moment but would be tempted to give Ryan an extended go in the side as Dorsett plays too much like a CB at LB and has a tendency to allow the winger too much room. Actually think Jacob is given a tougher time than deserved but not sure he offers something extra we don’t already have

Wing continuing to cause a conundrum with his ability to dictate the game from deep marred by a lack of defensive responsibility - Cardiff’s only chance in the first half as a result of him losing his runner and not convinced he couldn’t have done better for their winner

Stevens

Abrefa
Burns
O’Connor
Ryan

Wing
Savage

Ritchie
Ehibhatiomhan
Lane

Marriott

Norcott, Yiadom, Dorsett, Elliott, Doyle, Kyeweraa, O’Mahony

[Hound]

It’s not like it’s translated to the crowds at the games though as far as I can see. I didn’t go to Swindon but hear there was some there. Otherwise I’ve barely heard a boo or negative chanting at any game I’ve been to this year

If they read what C Scott and his muppet mates say on Twitter then more fool them

I've definitely heard some through the broadcast.

Been to every home game bar Port Vale so far and there's not been much, if any.

There was booing at the end of the Mansfield game but that was for the ref as most of the crowd thought MO'M should have had a penalty at the end

Yep

It was a huge amount worse under Selles first season. It’s more a bit of apathy and resignation this year rather than negativity

[Hound]

Would bring in Kelvin for this one but to play off Marriott - clever dummy for Lane’s blocked shot off the line. LB all much of a muchness at the moment but would be tempted to give Ryan an extended go in the side as Dorsett plays too much like a CB at LB and has a tendency to allow the winger too much room. Actually think Jacob is given a tougher time than deserved but not sure he offers something extra we don’t already have

Wing continuing to cause a conundrum with his ability to dictate the game from deep marred by a lack of defensive responsibility - Cardiff’s only chance in the first half as a result of him losing his runner and not convinced he couldn’t have done better for their winner

Stevens

Abrefa
Burns
O’Connor
Ryan

Wing
Savage

Ritchie
Ehibhatiomhan
Lane

Marriott

Norcott, Yiadom, Dorsett, Elliott, Doyle, Kyeweraa, O’Mahony

Yeah wouldn’t argue with that side

Expect Jacob will be in there somewhere though