Barnsley - back from the game

[Royal Lady]

Cheers for the responses guys. Glad BR has managed to compromise somewhat before it's way too late - shows he's still learning and willing to accept when some of his decisions have been wrong. Sorry to see that Marek and Harper don't seem to figure in his plans at all though.

Onwards and upwards!

[Royalee]

Cheers for the responses guys. Glad BR has managed to compromise somewhat before it's way too late - shows he's still learning and willing to accept when some of his decisions have been wrong. Sorry to see that Marek and Harper don't seem to figure in his plans at all though.

Onwards and upwards!

How have his decisions been wrong? He's given the players 4 games to show what they can do, has got them passing it to begin with just like he did at Watford, before adapting the style once they're comfortable with the ball. Of course he's still learning, but it was always going to take time to get the balance right, doesn't mean he's been wrong by trying to get the team to play.

As for Harper, I take it you didn't attend on Tuesday? I'd rather our 7th best central midfielder wasn't playing thanks.

[Royal Lady]

*sigh* Yes I DID attend the game on Tuesday.

I'm not going to drag up old arguments on here, but, quite clearly, having come back from injury and more or less being told he's not wanted here, isn't exactly going to have him 100% happy and that will, inevitably, affect his performance.

[Royalee]

But he said he's going to prove McCarthy wrong so he must have confidence in himself? It's quite amusing that when his own manager doesn't want him he's put himself between a rock and a hard place by talking himself out of a move as well!

...You'd rate him above the superb Karacan and very promising Sigurdsson then?

[ZacNaloen]

I don't think I've seen a decent performance from Harper since October last year tbh.

[Royal Lady]

*SIGH* I didn't say that - I merely stated that it's a shame Marek and Harper don't figure in Rodgers' plans. AT ALL by the looks of it.

[Royalee]

*SIGH* I didn't say that - I merely stated that it's a shame Marek and Harper don't figure in Rodgers' plans. AT ALL by the looks of it.

Why is it a shame if we have players who are performing better who will be on lower wages anyway? I'm a massive Marek fan but surely it's a positive?

[sandman]

But he said he's going to prove McCarthy wrong so he must have confidence in himself? It's quite amusing that when his own manager doesn't want him he's put himself between a rock and a hard place by talking himself out of a move as well!

...You'd rate him above the superb Karacan and very promising Sigurdsson then?

Several Premier League sides seem to rate Harper highly according to Hammond and his calls received list.

[Negative_Jeff]

So, did we play the same style we've been playing since beginning of season, or did we send some long balls forward without passing from side to side or side to back or whatever first? Any ideas why Marek and Harper weren't on the bench? Are they REALLY not as good as what we had playing out there yesterday? Delighted that we won, just wondering if we used new tactics. Also, have we played that starting 11 previously and if so, in what game? Or did Rasiak start - I know nothing about the game yesterday except for the score and scorers, so would be interested in the answers. Ta.

Rodgers may have hit on the right formula with two holding midfield players in Karacan and Gunnarsson, and plenty of width from Kebe and Robson Kanu. We played with a higher line and looked to get the ball forward earlier than in recent weeks but still passed it well. The revelation was NHunt as lone stiker who took low angled balls well and kept turning his marker, a constant threat.
A big improvment today albeit against a poor Barnsley team who were given a bit of a runaround by the end.

[Royalee]

But he said he's going to prove McCarthy wrong so he must have confidence in himself? It's quite amusing that when his own manager doesn't want him he's put himself between a rock and a hard place by talking himself out of a move as well!

...You'd rate him above the superb Karacan and very promising Sigurdsson then?

Several Premier League sides seem to rate Harper highly according to Hammond and his calls received list.

Good, they're welcome to him.

[sandman]

Well that is a matter of opinion and as they're professionals i'll take their opinion over yours.

[Royalee]

I'll take Brendan's opinion over yours thanks and trust my own.

[ZacNaloen]

Well that is a matter of opinion and as they're professionals i'll take their opinion over yours.

Frankly, Harper has not performed for Reading for a while now. When people say he's not performed that means he's capable of more but he's not doing it. Sometimes you just have to move on, I really think it's Harpers time.

[ScottishRoyal]

Does anyone know the reason behind such drastic changes to the team each game? For example Davies, Cisse and Tabb have all performed well but didn't even get a run out yesteray. Is this because BR has been treating the first five fixtures as 'pre season' as I believe i've read, in which case he's weighing up his options and iving everyone a chance befroe settling on a side?

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Both Coppell and Alex McCleish were on Goals on Sunday today. They'll be going for the Barnsley job.

[juanpablo]

Both Coppell and Alex McCleish were on Goals on Sunday today. They'll be going for the Barnsley job.

wow big step down for Alex

[Ian Royal]

So, did we play the same style we've been playing since beginning of season, or did we send some long balls forward without passing from side to side or side to back or whatever first? Any ideas why Marek and Harper weren't on the bench? Are they REALLY not as good as what we had playing out there yesterday? Delighted that we won, just wondering if we used new tactics. Also, have we played that starting 11 previously and if so, in what game? Or did Rasiak start - I know nothing about the game yesterday except for the score and scorers, so would be interested in the answers. Ta.

No, much more direct, looking to get the ball forward quicker. Also lots of quick kicking from Federici. As someone said above, almost a realisation from BR that the "pure, passing" style won't cut it in the CCC, and he needs to compromise a bit.
Barnsley did make it very easy for us by defending a very high line, so we could pass it behind them and beat them with pace - that's something that is a left-over from the SC years. This was almost a composite "SC/RB" style.

Forgot to mention that Sigurdsson's corners are amongst the best I've ever seen from an RFC player.

If only he'd realised that properly at Watford, we'd have an extra 2 points at least, because replacing the fannying about and lack of desire to score with what went on today against Forest and we'd have certainly beat them.

[Compo's Hat]

Most things have been pretty much covered already to be honest. Had a couple of penalty shouts 1st half with The Sig being pulled back and a Moore hand ball both of which i've seen given before. Federici targeted the small Barnsley left back with Kebe's height who won his share of headers and did the business yesterday. Was good to see a lot of width and the wide players taking on the opposition and beating them before getting their crosses in. 2nd half was very comfortable and didn't look like losng once N. Hunt bagged the 3rd.

It will get better over time, if you had said to me The Sig would be playing and looking good after pre season i would of laughed in your face. The players will improve, get an understanding of each other and Rodgers is starting to find out what works and what doesn't in competitive matches.

Yesterday i was just as relieved as the manager to get that win. The pressure had we not, going into two week break would of been huge!

[Ian Royal]

Well that is a matter of opinion and as they're professionals i'll take their opinion over yours.

Frankly, Harper has not performed for Reading for a while now. When people say he's not performed that means he's capable of more but he's not doing it. Sometimes you just have to move on, I really think it's Harpers time.

It's a shame, because if Rodgers worked with him, he's already shown he is at his best in a 3 man midfield and that he could play the defensive and distributive role infront of the back 4 very well.

Harper has been semi-crippled in the last two seasons by not having a quality partner who could perform consistently next to him. He still managed to be one of our 3 or 4 best performers the season we went down. Unfortunately to excel he needs players playing well around him. That could have worked this season with two players working with him and allowing him to do the sitting back role, without exposing us in the middle.

[Royalee]

Well that is a matter of opinion and as they're professionals i'll take their opinion over yours.

Frankly, Harper has not performed for Reading for a while now. When people say he's not performed that means he's capable of more but he's not doing it. Sometimes you just have to move on, I really think it's Harpers time.

It's a shame, because if Rodgers worked with him, he's already shown he is at his best in a 3 man midfield and that he could play the defensive and distributive role infront of the back 4 very well.

No he hasn't - he doesn't have the discipline to do so and he can't tackle. If anything the defensive role is the one he's worst in.