Can we rebuild and grow?

[Gus the teenage cow]

It's that time of year again - yes, time to reflect and ponder. And if we do pause then let us yearn for that feeling of rejuvenation that Spring promises to bring. And on that note then I ask myself can we rebuild and grow, not just as a team but as a club. We are as directionless and shapeless as a fart at the moment, yes the results are there but the belief isn't, the ambition isn't, the collective will isn't, and most importantly the identity isn't.

We all know we'll fade away and maybe sneak a play-off spot and lose, we aren't ready for promotion and none of us truly believe it will happen. I am not really enjoying the W's at the moment, they feel stolen and corrupted. We need to rebuild and grow - can we?

[WoodleyRoyal]

i would say a fart has a sense of direction but it depends on how hard you push

[NewCorkSeth]

It's that time of year again - yes, time to reflect and ponder. And if we do pause then let us yearn for that feeling of rejuvenation that Spring promises to bring. And on that note then I ask myself can we rebuild and grow, not just as a team but as a club. We are as directionless and shapeless as a fart at the moment, yes the results are there but the belief isn't, the ambition isn't, the collective will isn't, and most importantly the identity isn't.

We all know we'll fade away and maybe sneak a play-off spot and lose, we aren't ready for promotion and none of us truly believe it will happen. I am not really enjoying the W's at the moment, they feel stolen and corrupted. We need to rebuild and grow - can we?

This is pure crap.. must be a wum

[Green]

The mountain must come to Mohammed.

[Green]

It's that time of year again - yes, time to reflect and ponder. And if we do pause then let us yearn for that feeling of rejuvenation that Spring promises to bring. And on that note then I ask myself can we rebuild and grow, not just as a team but as a club. We are as directionless and shapeless as a fart at the moment, yes the results are there but the belief isn't, the ambition isn't, the collective will isn't, and most importantly the identity isn't.

We all know we'll fade away and maybe sneak a play-off spot and lose, we aren't ready for promotion and none of us truly believe it will happen. I am not really enjoying the W's at the moment, they feel stolen and corrupted. We need to rebuild and grow - can we?

This is pure crap.. must be a wum

And you must be new around here.

[sandman]

It's that time of year again - yes, time to reflect and ponder. And if we do pause then let us yearn for that feeling of rejuvenation that Spring promises to bring. And on that note then I ask myself can we rebuild and grow, not just as a team but as a club. We are as directionless and shapeless as a fart at the moment, yes the results are there but the belief isn't, the ambition isn't, the collective will isn't, and most importantly the identity isn't.

We all know we'll fade away and maybe sneak a play-off spot and lose, we aren't ready for promotion and none of us truly believe it will happen. I am not really enjoying the W's at the moment, they feel stolen and corrupted. We need to rebuild and grow - can we?

Are you saying we'll fade away and classify ourselves as Obsolete?

[seahawk10]

Now you're gonna believe us!
Now you're gonna believe us!
Now you're gonna believe uuuuuuus!
The Royals are going up!

[harry]

i would say a fart has a sense of direction but it depends on how hard you push

It needs is a good follow-through

[From Despair To Where?]

Saturday will be interesting. I think we are playing a style of football to survive in the Premiership but the Man Utd game will give us an idea of how far we are away from having the squad to survive. My guess is a fair distance away.

[Stranded]

Saturday will be interesting. I think we are playing a style of football to survive in the Premiership but the Man Utd game will give us an idea of how far we are away from having the squad to survive. My guess is a fair distance away.

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

[Forbury Lion]

Saturday will be interesting. I think we are playing a style of football to survive in the Premiership but the Man Utd game will give us an idea of how far we are away from having the squad to survive. My guess is a fair distance away.

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

However, in the 106 year we did knock a premier league team or two out of the cup and that if nothing else, would have given the players some belief that they could compete at that level when we found ourselves there the following season.

[Hendo]

Saturday will be interesting. I think we are playing a style of football to survive in the Premiership but the Man Utd game will give us an idea of how far we are away from having the squad to survive. My guess is a fair distance away.

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

FWIW we have to remember they have won their last 7 in all competitions and based on their League Cup games this season, I don't think it will be a near reserve team.

Their team for the Northampton game was pretty strong and while not everyone is a starter, they are all squad players and wouldn't look out of place in a team playing in the Prem.

20 Romero
24 Fosu-Mensah Substituted for Rashford at 55'minutes
12 Smalling
17 Blind
5 Rojo
21 Herrera
16 Carrick
28 Schneiderlin Substituted for Fellaini at 73'minutes
18 Young
10 Rooney
7 Depay Substituted for Ibrahimovic at 55'minutes

[Emeraldroyal]

Saturday will be interesting. I think we are playing a style of football to survive in the Premiership but the Man Utd game will give us an idea of how far we are away from having the squad to survive. My guess is a fair distance away.

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

This +1

But don't underestimate the motivation playing on the 'biggest stage' will mean to these players. Some have been there and done it. It should hold no fear and we should enjoy the occasion.
I'm quietly hopeful

Worst case scenario we get gubbed and lose the distraction of an FA Cup run and concentrate on the league and the ongoing progression of this squad.
It's win win surely ? Or more appropriately a 'lose win' ???

[paultheroyal]

Saturday will be interesting. I think we are playing a style of football to survive in the Premiership but the Man Utd game will give us an idea of how far we are away from having the squad to survive. My guess is a fair distance away.

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

This +1

But don't underestimate the motivation playing on the 'biggest stage' will mean to these players. Some have been there and done it. It should hold no fear and we should enjoy the occasion.
I'm quietly hopeful

Worst case scenario we get gubbed and lose the distraction of an FA Cup run and concentrate on the league and the ongoing progression of this squad.
It's win win surely ? Or more appropriately a 'lose win' ???

Raise you with a lose win win perhaps?

[genome]

Saturday will be interesting. I think we are playing a style of football to survive in the Premiership but the Man Utd game will give us an idea of how far we are away from having the squad to survive. My guess is a fair distance away.

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

FWIW we have to remember they have won their last 7 in all competitions and based on their League Cup games this season, I don't think it will be a near reserve team.

Their team for the Northampton game was pretty strong and while not everyone is a starter, they are all squad players and wouldn't look out of place in a team playing in the Prem.

20 Romero
24 Fosu-Mensah Substituted for Rashford at 55'minutes
12 Smalling
17 Blind
5 Rojo
21 Herrera
16 Carrick
28 Schneiderlin Substituted for Fellaini at 73'minutes
18 Young
10 Rooney
7 Depay Substituted for Ibrahimovic at 55'minutes

Jose was harping on about how tired his team was after the West Ham match. I imagine he'll rest a few. (I'd quite like to see us up against Zlatan though). They have the League Cup semi final the following Tuesday and a league match against Liverpool next Sunday.

[Hendo]

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

FWIW we have to remember they have won their last 7 in all competitions and based on their League Cup games this season, I don't think it will be a near reserve team.

Their team for the Northampton game was pretty strong and while not everyone is a starter, they are all squad players and wouldn't look out of place in a team playing in the Prem.

20 Romero
24 Fosu-Mensah Substituted for Rashford at 55'minutes
12 Smalling
17 Blind
5 Rojo
21 Herrera
16 Carrick
28 Schneiderlin Substituted for Fellaini at 73'minutes
18 Young
10 Rooney
7 Depay Substituted for Ibrahimovic at 55'minutes

Jose was harping on about how tired his team was after the West Ham match. I imagine he'll rest a few. (I'd quite like to see us up against Zlatan though). They have the League Cup semi final the following Tuesday and a league match against Liverpool next Sunday.

Based on that, it will possibly be a weaker side.

I can see Martial playing though as he never got on v West Ham. Shaw will probably play, Rooney, Young, maybe Bastian. Yeah, reserve side

Never would I think that Reading would play against someone like Bastian Schwinstiger (sp?), someone who I thought was one of the best players growing up.

[Emeraldroyal]

Respectfully disagree.

One off cup games against the 6th placed team, who may end up playing a near reserve team will give us absolutely no guide to how the squad would cope if promotion is secured.

This +1

But don't underestimate the motivation playing on the 'biggest stage' will mean to these players. Some have been there and done it. It should hold no fear and we should enjoy the occasion.
I'm quietly hopeful

Worst case scenario we get gubbed and lose the distraction of an FA Cup run and concentrate on the league and the ongoing progression of this squad.
It's win win surely ? Or more appropriately a 'lose win' ???

Raise you with a lose win win perhaps?

Damn you. You win

[Chuckle Brother]

FWIW we have to remember they have won their last 7 in all competitions and based on their League Cup games this season, I don't think it will be a near reserve team.

Their team for the Northampton game was pretty strong and while not everyone is a starter, they are all squad players and wouldn't look out of place in a team playing in the Prem.

20 Romero
24 Fosu-Mensah Substituted for Rashford at 55'minutes
12 Smalling
17 Blind
5 Rojo
21 Herrera
16 Carrick
28 Schneiderlin Substituted for Fellaini at 73'minutes
18 Young
10 Rooney
7 Depay Substituted for Ibrahimovic at 55'minutes

Jose was harping on about how tired his team was after the West Ham match. I imagine he'll rest a few. (I'd quite like to see us up against Zlatan though). They have the League Cup semi final the following Tuesday and a league match against Liverpool next Sunday.

Based on that, it will possibly be a weaker side.

I can see Martial playing though as he never got on v West Ham. Shaw will probably play, Rooney, Young, maybe Bastian. Yeah, reserve side

Never would I think that Reading would play against someone like Bastian Schwinstiger (sp?), someone who I thought was one of the best players growing up.

You could have at least attempted to spell Schweinsteiger properly......

[Hendo]

Jose was harping on about how tired his team was after the West Ham match. I imagine he'll rest a few. (I'd quite like to see us up against Zlatan though). They have the League Cup semi final the following Tuesday and a league match against Liverpool next Sunday.

Based on that, it will possibly be a weaker side.

I can see Martial playing though as he never got on v West Ham. Shaw will probably play, Rooney, Young, maybe Bastian. Yeah, reserve side

Never would I think that Reading would play against someone like Bastian Schwinstiger (sp?), someone who I thought was one of the best players growing up.

You could have at least attempted to spell Schweinsteiger properly......

I did attempt to spell it properly. I only missed out 2 e's

[Lower West]

It's win win surely ? Or more appropriately a 'lose win' ???

Just a game. Whatever the outcome. There'll be players that benefit from the occasion. Hopefully the team as a whole will rise to the occasion. Jose will have them well prepared though. He'll have identified the weaknesses to exploit. Let's hope Stam calls his bluff with a change in formation.