Bolton fall out

[Snowflake Royal]

Most people's gripes are having something, anything, to gripe about, hence all the goalpost moving.

[Brogue]

Most people's gripes are having something, anything, to gripe about, hence all the goalpost moving.

I don’t see anyone complaining about the ppg or league position- the two metrics SDR used. People are complaining about the poor performances, poor individual performances, boring football, poor tactics and missed opportunities in games. All normal stuff and correct stuff when observing our games. To suggest people are not entitled to air their frustrations on these metrics is a bit weird, and to bring Dai into it, is even more weird. If SDR attended games or even watched the games on tv i doubt there would be any confusion on his part. Hence me asking whether he attends many games.

[Whore Jackie]

Don’t get me wrong, not intending to do down JP, he’s still probably the best keeper in the division. It doesn't help that as the last line of defence every slight misjudgement a keeper makes can be amplified greatly. However he unfortunately had a hiccup last night and his distribution hasn’t been ideal recently so needs to be working on that. It’s just stuff that happens from time to time and nothing to worry about as long as those elements are improved on.

Don’t get the poor impression on Stevens, he’s done perfectly well when called.

Stevens looked excellent against Pompey in the League Cup. He's looked anything but since.

JP is very good, and without him and Marriott we'd be right in the relegation mix. But the reason he's a L1 or Championship keeper at best, has always been his distribution. And the occasional lapses in concentration which have cost us a few goals and points over the last few games. That's the life of a goalie, excellent for 95 minutes and then you make two mistakes. Exactly the same happened at Wimbledon.

[Orion1871]

We're all happy with the points. What we aren't happy with is 40 shots and over 70 crosses faced in two HOME games. It is just not sustainable, as Stam also found out when Al Habsi left and Kermorgant got injured, that your only hope is a player continues the form of his life to get you out of trouble.

You want to play long ball? If you have the players to do it then that's great. If you want to play short, and you have the players to do it, then that's also great. Results are good, but they are just not going to last if this continues to be our approach.

I just hope Richardsom adapts, even if it has to wait until the summer, and he can come up with a better plan as to what we are going to set up like when we are in possession.

[under the tin]

Although I have yet to really warm to him as a person, I did find Richardson's interview after the game addressed most of the points we're all making pretty well. Impressively realistic about where we are.

We all desperately want an instant turn around, promotion, liquid football etc. It is obviously going to be more difficult than we perhaps hoped. We are undoubtedly going in the right direction.

My view is usually if things are improving, you give the manager credit and time. If things are getting worse, they get a chance to change the trajectory. If they don't change, they go and you get someone else.

We are firmly in the first of those three positions right now I'd say.

^^^^ This.

[Hound]

We're all happy with the points. What we aren't happy with is 40 shots and over 70 crosses faced in two HOME games. It is just not sustainable, as Stam also found out when Al Habsi left and Kermorgant got injured, that your only hope is a player continues the form of his life to get you out of trouble.

You want to play long ball? If you have the players to do it then that's great. If you want to play short, and you have the players to do it, then that's also great. Results are good, but they are just not going to last if this continues to be our approach.

I just hope Richardsom adapts, even if it has to wait until the summer, and he can come up with a better plan as to what we are going to set up like when we are in possession.

Yeah this pretty much. It’s painful viewing and can’t be a lot of fun for the players when we play continuous long balls up to Marriott, Ritchie, Doyle, Lane etc when it’s so much not their game. Though tbf Marriott seems to be thriving on reacting to a second ball (I reckon him sniffing round long balls to Kelvin may work fairly well longer term)

LR keeps mentioning fitness and athleticism and suggesting we lack it. Targetting Lisbie may also point us in a direction we may go. Reckon we may well change the front line considerably next year - get more pace and height in there. Personally I hope we do also

[stealthpapes]

Most people's gripes are having something, anything, to gripe about, hence all the goalpost moving.

I don’t see anyone complaining about the ppg or league position- the two metrics SDR used. People are complaining about the poor performances, poor individual performances, boring football, poor tactics and missed opportunities in games. All normal stuff and correct stuff when observing our games. To suggest people are not entitled to air their frustrations on these metrics is a bit weird, and to bring Dai into it, is even more weird. If SDR attended games or even watched the games on tv i doubt there would be any confusion on his part. Hence me asking whether he attends many games.

Two main issues.

First, the complete lack of patience that people are showing. Second, the disconnect between this season and recent history.

Take Richardson's comments about fitness etc - that's something that will prove highly difficult, if not impossible, to fix properly this season. He's had one transfer window (the same number of meaningful transfer windows we gave Hunt - so that's it? one bad window when you're starting with seven pros and we're on your back).

Meanwhile, we're stitching together, somehow, one of the more solid seasons of the last decade or so. It's like every possible lesson we could have learnt about how a team evolves and develops, how a club might regain some identity and some spirit, has just been jettisoned because ... reasons.

[Brogue]

Most people's gripes are having something, anything, to gripe about, hence all the goalpost moving.

I don’t see anyone complaining about the ppg or league position- the two metrics SDR used. People are complaining about the poor performances, poor individual performances, boring football, poor tactics and missed opportunities in games. All normal stuff and correct stuff when observing our games. To suggest people are not entitled to air their frustrations on these metrics is a bit weird, and to bring Dai into it, is even more weird. If SDR attended games or even watched the games on tv i doubt there would be any confusion on his part. Hence me asking whether he attends many games.

Two main issues.

First, the complete lack of patience that people are showing. Second, the disconnect between this season and recent history.

Take Richardson's comments about fitness etc - that's something that will prove highly difficult, if not impossible, to fix properly this season. He's had one transfer window (the same number of meaningful transfer windows we gave Hunt - so that's it? one bad window when you're starting with seven pros and we're on your back).

Meanwhile, we're stitching together, somehow, one of the more solid seasons of the last decade or so. It's like every possible lesson we could have learnt about how a team evolves and develops, how a club might regain some identity and some spirit, has just been jettisoned because ... reasons.

LOL yeah it’s the fitness that’s the issue who exactly is not up to the required fitness? It’s just nonsense.

[Snowflake Royal]

I don’t see anyone complaining about the ppg or league position- the two metrics SDR used. People are complaining about the poor performances, poor individual performances, boring football, poor tactics and missed opportunities in games. All normal stuff and correct stuff when observing our games. To suggest people are not entitled to air their frustrations on these metrics is a bit weird, and to bring Dai into it, is even more weird. If SDR attended games or even watched the games on tv i doubt there would be any confusion on his part. Hence me asking whether he attends many games.

Two main issues.

First, the complete lack of patience that people are showing. Second, the disconnect between this season and recent history.

Take Richardson's comments about fitness etc - that's something that will prove highly difficult, if not impossible, to fix properly this season. He's had one transfer window (the same number of meaningful transfer windows we gave Hunt - so that's it? one bad window when you're starting with seven pros and we're on your back).

Meanwhile, we're stitching together, somehow, one of the more solid seasons of the last decade or so. It's like every possible lesson we could have learnt about how a team evolves and develops, how a club might regain some identity and some spirit, has just been jettisoned because ... reasons.

LOL yeah it’s the fitness that’s the issue who exactly is not up to the required fitness? It’s just nonsense.

Kelvin. Marriott. Yiadom. Rinomhota. Nyambe. Ritchie. Maybe Lane, he's struggled with a couple of injuries and looked leggy at times.

If you include pace in that certainly O'Connor and Burns.

Obviously there's Williams, Williams, Kyerewaa and Elliott all out. Now Roberts too. Bound to be forgetting someone.

But no, it's just Richardson, Jacobson and Couhig are all shit isn't it Brogue.

[Brogue]

Two main issues.

First, the complete lack of patience that people are showing. Second, the disconnect between this season and recent history.

Take Richardson's comments about fitness etc - that's something that will prove highly difficult, if not impossible, to fix properly this season. He's had one transfer window (the same number of meaningful transfer windows we gave Hunt - so that's it? one bad window when you're starting with seven pros and we're on your back).

Meanwhile, we're stitching together, somehow, one of the more solid seasons of the last decade or so. It's like every possible lesson we could have learnt about how a team evolves and develops, how a club might regain some identity and some spirit, has just been jettisoned because ... reasons.

LOL yeah it’s the fitness that’s the issue who exactly is not up to the required fitness? It’s just nonsense.

Kelvin. Marriott. Yiadom. Rinomhota. Nyambe. Ritchie. Maybe Lane, he's struggled with a couple of injuries and looked leggy at times.

If you include pace in that certainly O'Connor and Burns.

Obviously there's Williams, Williams, Kyerewaa and Elliott all out. Now Roberts too. Bound to be forgetting someone.

But no, it's just Richardson, Jacobson and Couhig are all shit isn't it Brogue.

Why are you so aggressive and argumentative. I shut you down after trying to stick up for SDR. After you started chatting shit, then you move on to the next subject. You consistently just make yourself look a fool. All of the above are just normal football fitness issues you get in a 46 game football season whilst in the middle of feb. Which every single club goes through I might add. it’s the same for all teams this time of year. Other than Williams at cb and Danny k we are full strength.

And you’ve mentioned a load of people there that I have no idea why. Kelvin? What’s wrong with him? He’s fit. Nyambe PoC Yiadom Marriott are all fine. What Richardson was saying in his interview was there is a fundamental issue with fitness in the squad as whole. He’s chatting shit. We are not performing badly in matches because of fitness. We are performing badly because of his shit tactics

[Armadillo Roadkill]

LOL yeah it’s the fitness that’s the issue who exactly is not up to the required fitness? It’s just nonsense.

Kelvin. Marriott. Yiadom. Rinomhota. Nyambe. Ritchie. Maybe Lane, he's struggled with a couple of injuries and looked leggy at times.

If you include pace in that certainly O'Connor and Burns.

Obviously there's Williams, Williams, Kyerewaa and Elliott all out. Now Roberts too. Bound to be forgetting someone.

But no, it's just Richardson, Jacobson and Couhig are all shit isn't it Brogue.

Why are you so aggressive and argumentative. I shut you down after trying to stick up for SDR. After you started chatting shit, then you move on to the next subject. You consistently just make yourself look a fool. All of the above are just normal football fitness issues you get in a 46 game football season whilst in the middle of feb. Which every single club goes through I might add. it’s the same for all teams this time of year. Other than Williams at cb and Danny k we are full strength.

And you’ve mentioned a load of people there that I have no idea why. Kelvin? What’s wrong with him? He’s fit. Nyambe PoC Yiadom Marriott are all fine. What Richardson was saying in his interview was there is a fundamental issue with fitness in the squad as whole. He’s chatting shit. We are not performing badly in matches because of fitness. We are performing badly because of his shit tactics

Surely you have enough self awareness to see how comical it is for you to call out anyone for being aggressive and argumentative.

[stealthpapes]

On fitness, perhaps a better word would be preparation and then it might follow that, having changed a manager, the new manager might have a different view of what players have the right preparation for the positions he wishes them to play in.

Related to that is recalling Hunt's quotes about running the squad hard in the pre-season. There's only so much of that you can do before it bites you in the arse.

In any case, fitness and matchday prep are both qualities that *are* hard to change mid-season. Particularly at this time of year when all the accumulated knocks and bumps start taking their toll. It's one of the many things about the current squad that will need time - and patience - to fix.

[Brogue]

Kelvin. Marriott. Yiadom. Rinomhota. Nyambe. Ritchie. Maybe Lane, he's struggled with a couple of injuries and looked leggy at times.

If you include pace in that certainly O'Connor and Burns.

Obviously there's Williams, Williams, Kyerewaa and Elliott all out. Now Roberts too. Bound to be forgetting someone.

But no, it's just Richardson, Jacobson and Couhig are all shit isn't it Brogue.

Why are you so aggressive and argumentative. I shut you down after trying to stick up for SDR. After you started chatting shit, then you move on to the next subject. You consistently just make yourself look a fool. All of the above are just normal football fitness issues you get in a 46 game football season whilst in the middle of feb. Which every single club goes through I might add. it’s the same for all teams this time of year. Other than Williams at cb and Danny k we are full strength.

And you’ve mentioned a load of people there that I have no idea why. Kelvin? What’s wrong with him? He’s fit. Nyambe PoC Yiadom Marriott are all fine. What Richardson was saying in his interview was there is a fundamental issue with fitness in the squad as whole. He’s chatting shit. We are not performing badly in matches because of fitness. We are performing badly because of his shit tactics

Surely you have enough self awareness to see how comical it is for you to call out anyone for being aggressive and argumentative.

nope. show me where I've been aggressive and argumentative Also, nice to see you aren't going to contribute to the discussion and just want your five minutes of fame interacting with me. dm when your next at a game and i'll let you take a selfie with me.

[Brogue]

On fitness, perhaps a better word would be preparation and then it might follow that, having changed a manager, the new manager might have a different view of what players have the right preparation for the positions he wishes them to play in.

Related to that is recalling Hunt's quotes about running the squad hard in the pre-season. There's only so much of that you can do before it bites you in the arse.

In any case, fitness and matchday prep are both qualities that *are* hard to change mid-season. Particularly at this time of year when all the accumulated knocks and bumps start taking their toll. It's one of the many things about the current squad that will need time - and patience - to fix.

yeah not buying it one bit.

man u - fcuked from top to bottom, playing like tossers, tired, lethargic not bothered, no passion. Carrick comes in every single thing improves immediately.

Peterborough - luke williams comes in turns them from dead cert relegation team to chasing the play offs whilst playing decent entertaining football - i don't see him complaining about preparation and fitness

and if this is the case as you suggest why are the fitness team still here, the same fitness team that's been here for years. its just excuses. we are not conceding 70 crosses and 40 shot in two games at home because of fitness/ preparation what ever you want to call it. we are playing shit football because we are set up wrong, and that's on Richardson

[stealthpapes]

Peterborough - luke williams comes in turns them from dead cert relegation team to chasing the play offs whilst playing decent entertaining football - i don't see him complaining about preparation and fitness

(1)
It's only because I saw it yesterday but ... post match interview after their midweek loss.

“It was a really good action for our goal and we had a really good opening. There was some really good attacking play and it would have been a different game if we had scored when Kyrell crossed the ball to Harry Leonard.

“We did start to look a bit tired in the second half. It has been quite a tough schedule and it showed. There was still a lot of attacking endeavour and willingness to make openings and get into the box though."

(rest of interview is much more positive, also addresses being down to bare bones from a squad of 37).

(2)
He's got only a marginally better, if that, record than Richardson. Boils down to < 0.1 pt PPG
Pld 15 won 9 drawn 1 lost 5; 21st up to 10th. PPG 1.87
vs
Pld 18 won 9 drawn 5 lost 4; 19th up to 8th. PPG 1.78

[Brogue]

Peterborough - luke williams comes in turns them from dead cert relegation team to chasing the play offs whilst playing decent entertaining football - i don't see him complaining about preparation and fitness

(1)
It's only because I saw it yesterday but ... post match interview after their midweek loss.

“It was a really good action for our goal and we had a really good opening. There was some really good attacking play and it would have been a different game if we had scored when Kyrell crossed the ball to Harry Leonard.

“We did start to look a bit tired in the second half. It has been quite a tough schedule and it showed. There was still a lot of attacking endeavour and willingness to make openings and get into the box though."

(rest of interview is much more positive, also addresses being down to bare bones from a squad of 37).

(2)
He's got only a marginally better, if that, record than Richardson. Boils down to < 0.1 pt PPG
Pld 15 won 9 drawn 1 lost 5; 21st up to 10th. PPG 1.87
vs
Pld 18 won 9 drawn 5 lost 4; 19th up to 8th. PPG 1.78

Yep as I said above, every single club is going to have a few leggy players this time of year. What Richardson is saying is we have some fundamental fitness issue dating back to hunt and pre season which is just nonsense and excuses. And it’s not about results. As I said earlier no one is complaining about results richardsons ppg is very good. it’s performances that people are complaining about. and Williams had Peterborough playing decent normal football not conceding 70 crosses and 40 shots in two hole games with only 35% possession in both.

[stealthpapes]

Yeah, just a hard disagree on:

What Richardson is saying is we have some fundamental fitness issue dating back to hunt and pre season which is just nonsense and excuses.

You don't do any fitness training this time of the season. There's a reason for that. I don't think you can rule it out as contributing and I certainly believe a different manager coming in will have a different set of ideas as to what's required.
That's part of the risk of changing managers.

As for the rest, gets summed up as "League 1 is dross. We've got three players who are probably amongst the best in the division and a defence that, injuries permitting, is starting to take shape".

[Hound]

Yeah, just a hard disagree on:

What Richardson is saying is we have some fundamental fitness issue dating back to hunt and pre season which is just nonsense and excuses.

You don't do any fitness training this time of the season. There's a reason for that. I don't think you can rule it out as contributing and I certainly believe a different manager coming in will have a different set of ideas as to what's required.
That's part of the risk of changing managers.

As for the rest, gets summed up as "League 1 is dross. We've got three players who are probably amongst the best in the division and a defence that, injuries permitting, is starting to take shape".

I’m not sure that’s totally true - the chaps who play 90mins each week prob won’t but they should be flying at this stage anyway. The others will be

I don’t think there’s a real issue with fitness in terms of being able to play 90mins at good intensity. But I do think LR bemoans not having bigger, stronger, quicker players - also maybe we he seems to like Dorsett who matches that

Be interesting to see what that means pre season as certainly wouldn’t class the likes of Lane, Doyle , Ritchie as that. DK and Williams a bit more so (if short) but LR definitely seems keener on those two

[MR. CYNICAL]

Over the years I calculated just now that I have watched around 1400 Reading home games.

Today I feel that I have never watched such an unimaginative and and crude half of football as last night's second half.

I count among those games the 6-0 thrashing by Bristol Rovers and the 7-0 loss to Man City in the FA Cup when at least we had the excuse that we were 2 divisions lower and they were top level champions and FA Cup winners in waiting.
I would even include the second relegation from the Premier League when I can't remember us taking such a meek approach to a game.

What I feel we are watching now is the parody of an archetypal Northern lower division side.
2 big centre-backs who take no prisoners, a midfield packed with workhorses plus the normal lump of a striker up front (although that currently is the one difference )

Over the past few years we have had a generally good disciplinary record as a clean side but now we give away so many niggly fouls to break up the opposition play and last night's 4 or 5 yellows were perfectly justified.
We also waste time-word must have got round amongst referees as last night once again we had a big chunk of added time which ultimately led to dropping 2 points

So, is this the price we pay for "success" if success is doing anything to make the play-offs regardless of style?
Our points accumulation under Richardson is impressive and he should be congratulated for getting us away from the spectre of relegation.
Also any criticism has to be tempered with relief that we still have a club and an owner that has brought much needed stability.
But where do we go from here?

Under McGhee, Coppell and McDermott we could see something being built but if this current approach is maintained and we somehow fluke promotion we would be slaughtered in the Championship-seeing Coventry v Middlesboro on Monday and a bit of Bristol City v Wrexham last night we look like a National League side in comparison that just happens to have a top striker.

Would the manager change our style and would he have funds to bring in different types of players to play the different style?

Who knows but watching our performances has often been grim and regrettably last night's second half dross was the most grim yet.

Yep, agree 100% and on cold nights like last night, sitting there freezing your balls off makes it even more unbearable!

[KC Royal]

The Port Vale game has been mentioned in here. Not sure if that will go ahead. They've had 2 home games called off recently and there's a lot of rain forecast between now and then. Can see a pitch inspection on Friday, their Fa Cup tie was called off last Friday afternoon. Would be disappointing if it is off, especially as we now all know what we're like with breaks of over a week, which I should add goes back to pre Richardson. I've thought we struggle in those situations for a very long time!