MATCHWATCH : Swansea City (h)

[skipper]

Would play:

Southwood; Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre, Dorsett, Bristow; Sackey, Rino/Laurent, Tetek, Azeez; Puscas

Subs: Rafael, Morrison, Moore, Laurent/Rino, Swift, Ejaria, Joao

Would love to see the Holmes/McIntyre partnership, as presumably that's our future pairing?

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Would play:

Southwood; Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre, Dorsett, Bristow; Sackey, Rino/Laurent, Tetek, Azeez; Puscas

Subs: Rafael, Morrison, Moore, Laurent/Rino, Swift, Ejaria, Joao

Its crazy to think if we fielded that team last season, the opposition would have a case of us putting out a weakened team. However this seems to be acceptable now!

But i quite agree with this line up, protect Swift, Morro and Joao. Only play one of Rino and Laurent seems about right too. I would chuck Moore into the starting 11 instead of Dorsett though.
Would be nice to have 7 subs to chose from.

[Hendo]

Would play:

Southwood; Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre, Dorsett, Bristow; Sackey, Rino/Laurent, Tetek, Azeez; Puscas

Subs: Rafael, Morrison, Moore, Laurent/Rino, Swift, Ejaria, Joao

Wouldn't be unhappy with that, I would be looking for Ejaria to be getting some minutes in the second half as well.

[Simmops]

A must win 6 pointer this is

Any chance you could quit the massive moron act? It's hard enough putting up with just your natural levels.

It's not funny. It's annoying.

Okay

Maybe in a few months it won't be annoying when we're in a relationship battle? I'll leave it till then

[John Smith]

This is Southwood's moment. Possibly the turning point of our season

[andrew1957]

We really cannot afford a cup run with a depleted squad and so this would be the ideal game to blood the likes of Ehibhatiomhan, Leavy, Osorio and Stickland but as far as I understand it we cannot do so as they would then too become "players of a professional standing"! This would make things even worse.

To me it makes little sense that under 23 Academy players count in the max squad of 23 but I suspect the FA want to make an example of us due to the huge losses we have made in past seasons and will be quite happy if we get relegated.

[John Smith]

will be quite happy if we get relegated.

Disgrace

[Snowflake Royal]

We really cannot afford a cup run with a depleted squad and so this would be the ideal game to blood the likes of Ehibhatiomhan, Leavy, Osorio and Stickland but as far as I understand it we cannot do so as they would then too become "players of a professional standing"! This would make things even worse.

To me it makes little sense that under 23 Academy players count in the max squad of 23 but I suspect the FA want to make an example of us due to the huge losses we have made in past seasons and will be quite happy if we get relegated.

Excellent foresight on their part to have previously created the rules we're falling foul of, ready for us to fall foul of them so we can be caught out by them.

[SCIAG]

We really cannot afford a cup run with a depleted squad and so this would be the ideal game to blood the likes of Ehibhatiomhan, Leavy, Osorio and Stickland but as far as I understand it we cannot do so as they would then too become "players of a professional standing"! This would make things even worse.

To me it makes little sense that under 23 Academy players count in the max squad of 23 but I suspect the FA want to make an example of us due to the huge losses we have made in past seasons and will be quite happy if we get relegated.

These are long standing rules (and aren’t they set by the Football League rather than the FA?).

I think they came in because when Portsmouth were under the embargo they were told they had to have a limited number of over 18s, which included a couple of 19 year olds who were well below the required standard.

I do think these rules create perverse incentives so hopefully they’ll be reviewed, but they are rules we should have known about, not something invented specifically to punish us.

[Hound]

We really cannot afford a cup run with a depleted squad and so this would be the ideal game to blood the likes of Ehibhatiomhan, Leavy, Osorio and Stickland but as far as I understand it we cannot do so as they would then too become "players of a professional standing"! This would make things even worse.

To me it makes little sense that under 23 Academy players count in the max squad of 23 but I suspect the FA want to make an example of us due to the huge losses we have made in past seasons and will be quite happy if we get relegated.

Excellent foresight on their part to have previously created the rules we're falling foul of, ready for us to fall foul of them so we can be caught out by them.

Guess we don't really know what has happened in previous discussions, and whether the rules are all that clear. If the club were made fully aware of the consequences of giving 15m against Luton to the likes of NML, Sackey and Camara knowing that they'd then count as one of the 24 (or didnt know via ignorance of the rules) then I don't have too much sympathy

I'd still be surprised if the league dont budge a little on it mind you.

[Coppells Lost Coat]

will be quite happy if we get relegated.

Disgrace

+1
One game in and transfer window still open.
I genuinely cant think of a good reason for people to be happy for relegation.

[Snowflake Royal]

We really cannot afford a cup run with a depleted squad and so this would be the ideal game to blood the likes of Ehibhatiomhan, Leavy, Osorio and Stickland but as far as I understand it we cannot do so as they would then too become "players of a professional standing"! This would make things even worse.

To me it makes little sense that under 23 Academy players count in the max squad of 23 but I suspect the FA want to make an example of us due to the huge losses we have made in past seasons and will be quite happy if we get relegated.

Excellent foresight on their part to have previously created the rules we're falling foul of, ready for us to fall foul of them so we can be caught out by them.

Guess we don't really know what has happened in previous discussions, and whether the rules are all that clear. If the club were made fully aware of the consequences of giving 15m against Luton to the likes of NML, Sackey and Camara knowing that they'd then count as one of the 24 (or didnt know via ignorance of the rules) then I don't have too much sympathy

I'd still be surprised if the league dont budge a little on it mind you.

I think they'll budge a smidge.

In my experience (compliance), if I was the FL I'd shrug at complaints and say, "You signed up to the rules and said you understood them. Not our fault you declared you would comply when you hadn't actually read them."

Obviously accessibility is unlikely to be great.

[andrew1957]

will be quite happy if we get relegated.

Disgrace

+1
One game in and transfer window still open.
I genuinely cant think of a good reason for people to be happy for relegation.

It is a disgrace that my words have been taken completely out of context. I never said "I" would be happy with relegation as you well know!!!!

[NathStPaul]

will be quite happy if we get relegated.

Disgrace

+1
One game in and transfer window still open.
I genuinely cant think of a good reason for people to be happy for relegation.

It is a shocking stance to take tbh.

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Disgrace

+1
One game in and transfer window still open.
I genuinely cant think of a good reason for people to be happy for relegation.

It is a disgrace that my words have been taken completely out of context. I never said "I" would be happy with relegation as you well know!!!!

Ah soz, skim read - FA dont care, bet they would if it was the power house Forest or Derby.

I stand by my comment though.

[Hound]

Excellent foresight on their part to have previously created the rules we're falling foul of, ready for us to fall foul of them so we can be caught out by them.

Guess we don't really know what has happened in previous discussions, and whether the rules are all that clear. If the club were made fully aware of the consequences of giving 15m against Luton to the likes of NML, Sackey and Camara knowing that they'd then count as one of the 24 (or didnt know via ignorance of the rules) then I don't have too much sympathy

I'd still be surprised if the league dont budge a little on it mind you.

I think they'll budge a smidge.

In my experience (compliance), if I was the FL I'd shrug at complaints and say, "You signed up to the rules and said you understood them. Not our fault you declared you would comply when you hadn't actually read them."

Obviously accessibility is unlikely to be great.

Do wonder if it was the reasoning behind some of the more surprising u23 releases like Lawless and Pendlebury. Noticed the only 2 from the 7 who signed up preseason who had first team minutes were Azeez and Sackey. That game against Luton may have done for Pendlebury/Lawless Reading career

[Snowflake Royal]

Guess we don't really know what has happened in previous discussions, and whether the rules are all that clear. If the club were made fully aware of the consequences of giving 15m against Luton to the likes of NML, Sackey and Camara knowing that they'd then count as one of the 24 (or didnt know via ignorance of the rules) then I don't have too much sympathy

I'd still be surprised if the league dont budge a little on it mind you.

I think they'll budge a smidge.

In my experience (compliance), if I was the FL I'd shrug at complaints and say, "You signed up to the rules and said you understood them. Not our fault you declared you would comply when you hadn't actually read them."

Obviously accessibility is unlikely to be great.

Do wonder if it was the reasoning behind some of the more surprising u23 releases like Lawless and Pendlebury. Noticed the only 2 from the 7 who signed up preseason who had first team minutes were Azeez and Sackey. That game against Luton may have done for Pendlebury/Lawless Reading career

Good spot. That would be a shame.

[Hound]

Doesn’t sound like McNulty will play

https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/foot ... n-21256935

[RoyalBlue]

Play the same team as we did today except Southwood in goal. Rather not blood too many youngsters in or the EFL will be even bigger pricks and count each youngster who plays as a senior player in the 23 limit.

Well yeah. That's the rule.

So as was suggested earlier just play the ones who have already made an appearance is the way to go. Certainly don’t want to see Swift or Joao play

Agreed. Likewise Ejaria. And if McNulty is off to Scotland shortly, maybe use him too. That having been said, maybe Veljko's concerns about McNulty are more related to his personality and attitude than technical ability.

[paultheroyal]

unreserved seating tomorrow? Not got a clue what sort of team we will put out.