Worst attacking options since January 2000

[Wimb]

Perhaps the better question is who would you buy then? and how much would they cost? It's not like we're in Division 2 where the pool of good strikers for that level is significantly greater compared to looking for a striker who'll move us from midtable Division 1 team to something higher.

Happy with Hunt, Rasiak has promise, Long is a decent impact player and Bignall and Church may or may not cut it in the future.

It's also pretty pointless having a great striker unless we're creating much. Last season we had Kevin Doyle a 6.5 million pound International, Dave Kitson and Leroy Lita, and still couldn't score

[Deathy]

I agree with Schards' post, but it's also how we use them, and one upfront is utter gash. Yet "the goals will come".

[Wimb]

Perhaps the better question is who would you buy then?

Jermaine Beckford and Simeon Jackson. That would have had to be before the transfer window shut, now it is likely Beckford will be very aware of Leeds impending promotion, and our impending relegation, so it would be impossible to make a deal with him...

I was going to deconstruct this... but I really can't be bothered

[winchester_royal]

It's a shame our fan base as a whole is never able to look at the positives.

There was enough talent on show yesterday to make me very optimistic for the season ahead. They haven't gelled yet, and they probably won't for another couple of weeks, but there is no way this side will be anywhere near the bottom 3 by January. If they are, then I'll never post on this board again, that's a promise.

[Ryn]

It's a shame our fan base as a whole is never able to look at the positives.

There was enough talent on show yesterday to make me very optimistic for the season ahead. They haven't gelled yet, and they probably won't for another couple of weeks, but there is no way this side will be anywhere near the bottom 3 by January. If they are, then I'll never post on this board again, that's a promise.

What positives are there in having two shots on target against Doncaster?

[winchester_royal]

It's a shame our fan base as a whole is never able to look at the positives.

There was enough talent on show yesterday to make me very optimistic for the season ahead. They haven't gelled yet, and they probably won't for another couple of weeks, but there is no way this side will be anywhere near the bottom 3 by January. If they are, then I'll never post on this board again, that's a promise.

What positives are there in having two shots on target against Doncaster?

5 shots on target.

[Ryn]

It's a shame our fan base as a whole is never able to look at the positives.

There was enough talent on show yesterday to make me very optimistic for the season ahead. They haven't gelled yet, and they probably won't for another couple of weeks, but there is no way this side will be anywhere near the bottom 3 by January. If they are, then I'll never post on this board again, that's a promise.

What positives are there in having two shots on target against Doncaster?

5 shots on target.

And no goals.

[Negative_Jeff]

Noel Hunt was excellent up front on his own up at Barnsley, as was Siggurdsson playing just behind him and the new Steve Heighway on the left (Robson-Kanu). This micro management stuff is a bit futile but it was disappointing to see the latter two make way for Brian Howard in the"hole" who I thought did not play well yesterday. The question is how poor were Barnsley?

Speaking of Howard Brian how many Reading players can you name that can transpose their Christian and Surnames? Off the top of my head I can only think of Terry Patrick!

[Forbury Lion]

Noel Hunt, Raziak, Long, Church - have we ever had a worse selection of forwards?

Well yes, but not, I would say, since January 2000 when we were labouring along with Scott, Williams, McIntyre and an unfit Forster.

Had Paul Brayson left by that stage?

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

The strikers are getting no service at all to score so it does not matter who you play up front.

Change the formation from the Brenda's 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system to a 4-4-2 system and we may start to see some delivery into the box for the strikers to score from.

[RoyalBlue]

Noel Hunt, Raziak, Long, Church - have we ever had a worse selection of forwards?

Well yes, but not, I would say, since January 2000 when we were labouring along with Scott, Williams, McIntyre and an unfit Forster.

In February 2000, we signed Martin Butler and since that point have always had forwards that looked capable of scoring and at least one that might get 20 plus in a season. I look at the current crop and doubt any will score 20 and also doubt more than one of them will get to double figures.

I like Hunt but in no way is he suited to a lone striker role and he won't be creating many chances himself. Raziak is a Championship journeyman and Long and Church are not up to it at this level.

The fight for survival starts here and it's all about games like yesterday's and scrabbling enough points together to limp home. Two years ago we were thumping Liverpool. That's the brick by brick for you.

Enjoy

I'd take McIntyre and an unfit Forster at present!

The striking options are limited, but good goalscoring forwards cost a lot of money to buy and to pay, there we have the crux of the problem, Mr "tightarse" Ego would never be prepared to do that, god forbid we have a successful team again, I have sympathy for BR and the slating he is going to get on here when the results dont go as we all wish, I sadly think that he has taken on the "poison challice" here, as we are now drifting down the league with the side rapidly being dismantled, by, to qoute a well known phrase "brick-by-brick"

Couldn't disagree more!

"brick-by-brick"? - Madejski and his minnions have swung an effing great wrecking ball into it!

[SCIAG]

Thanks to a few for some great chuckles on here.
I know some of you don't mean to be funny but you really are a riot !

There were some encouraging aspects yesterday, and some frustrating ones.

But nothing that would make me want to top myself.

The fake anguish from some of you deserves it's own Friday night late slot on Channel 5.

Thanks for brightening up a slow evening.

[Archie's penalty]

Thanks to a few for some great chuckles on here.
I know some of you don't mean to be funny but you really are a riot !

There were some encouraging aspects yesterday, and some frustrating ones.

But nothing that would make me want to top myself.

The fake anguish from some of you deserves it's own Friday night late slot on Channel 5.

Thanks for brightening up a slow evening.

No probs mate.

[prostak]

Noel Hunt, Ra[S]iak, Long, Church - have we ever had a worse selection of forwards?

3 internationals - yep pretty woeful.

I think my math needs work. I've counted and counted, but still can't get 3 internationals out of that list. Maybe 1.5, 2 if you count merely being in the squad as 'international'.

[Deathy]

Noel Hunt, Ra[S]iak, Long, Church - have we ever had a worse selection of forwards?

3 internationals - yep pretty woeful.

I think my math needs work. I've counted and counted, but still can't get 3 internationals out of that list. Maybe 1.5, 2 if you count merely being in the squad as 'international'.

Wooosh me if need be, I can't be bothered to read what you're on about with Paultheroyal, but that's 4 full internationals - isn't it?

Hunt and Long are full internations for the Rep.Ireland.
Rasiak is still a Polish international.
Church has 3 full internation caps for WaLOLes.

[prostak]

Wooosh me if need be, I can't be bothered to read what you're on about with Paultheroyal, but that's 4 full internationals - isn't it?

Hunt and Long are full internations for the Rep.Ireland.
Rasiak is still a Polish international.
Church has 3 full internation caps for WaLOLes.

Hunt's had how many caps? And what sort of injury crisis would be needed for him to start? I can think of 4 players Trap would choose over him, one of which is Long himself.

I've said this twice already on this board, but Rasiak has not played for Poland in 2 years. Smolarek was chosen over him against N.Ireland, and he's not got a club currently. Having said that, the PZPN have clearly decided that they've been relatively farce-free for too long and sacked probably the best coach we've had in recent memory, so maybe the new boss will give Grzeszek a try.

[PremAddict]

Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.

[Ryn]

It would be nice if we just made use of the attacking options that we DO have.

[Vision]

It could be argued that at the start of 2005/06 we had Kitson, Lita, Doyle & Long, only one of whom was even remotely proven at this level.

Now we have Hunt & Rasiak both of whom have good records at this level and to a lesser degree Long as well. Backed up with promising youngsters Such as Bignall and Church who may or may not prove good enough for this level. Hell it could be argued that even David Mooney's record in his brief spell @ Norwich showed he can score at this level.

Our problem isn't necessarily the attacking options with this personel but more the fact they are being asked to play in a system in which the main creativity & support comes from the likes of Kebe, Robson-Kanu, Henry and Siggurdson none of whom seem to know how to play as supplementary attackers in Rodgers' preferred 4-3-3 system.

FWIW I thought Hunt was our best player Saturday and Rasiak looked a threat when he came on. Before we criticise our options in the finishing department we need to look at how we're going to make chances for them.

[brendywendy]

and Siggurdson, none of whom seem to know how to play as supplementary attackers in Rodgers' preferred 4-3-3 system.

i woukld disagree vehemently about sigi, who has looked the best in that position all season
just behind the striker, not on the fecking wing