MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h)

[Notts Royal]

We’ve drawn the last 3. Keep that going and we’ll prob be ok

The problem with that is Hull (17th), Bristol (13th) and Birmingham (16th) are rubbish, and Preston (8th), Burnley (1st), Luton (3rd) and Coventry (9th) are not.

Exactly. We’ve had plenty of time over the last few months to pick up more points, and now it’s catching up with us.

Anyone know what that fan said to Carroll afterwards to rile him up? It was really difficult to know how to respond to that. It wasn’t worthy of booing, as the performance was ok. But the 2nd half performance was not good enough, partly due to the players being knackered. So I didn’t think it was worthy of a clap personally.

The booing & anger needs to be directed at the ownership, and he’s got off far too lightly for a while now

[blythspartan]

Another dreadful game of football to endure. I am still going to the final 6 games but on this showing we won’t be winning any of them. I felt before today that we’d get 2 more draws against Brum and Wigan but lose the rest. I think Huddersfield will be a nothing game as we’ll already be relegated by then.

I honestly feel that if we survive this season we won’t next and League One will be a better place to rebuild without Ince in charge. Not sure how long it will take us to bounce back but I can’t see how the football can possibly get much worse.

[Notts Royal]

Once again the set up was completely wrong. Left the game thinking:

- Why did we play 2 players on the left who can’t use their left feet, when we have a perfectly decent player in NGW who could’ve played in arguably either position? Fornah I thought played ok but was out of position. Yiadom played well but had to keep cutting inside. Square pegs in round holes.
- Why did we start all 3 of Meite, Joao & Carroll? Meite was clearly injured & could well be done for the season now. Time & time we’ve seen that Carroll & Joao do not work up front together. Granted the goal did come from that combination, but the game passed Joao by beyond that moment. Carroll & Azeez would’ve worked more effectively. Or Joao & Azeez.
- The centre backs played well together today, but had no protection.
- Ince can blame the injuries all he likes, but he’s responsive for setting up the team correctly, which he is clearly incapable of doing.
- Birmingham had a better balance to their side, and look better than us.
- We’re heading for League One. At least there’s plenty of new grounds to tick off the list

[Gunny Fishcake]

Lovely sunny day , wonderful Reading goal were the two good things about today .....there after we looked very slow , no creativity and most worryingly no real fight. As in recent games we sat back far too much and seemed very frightened to attack and push forward.

After getting away with it last few seasons this is going to go to the wire and probably the last game

Not good.

[Royal_jimmy]

Our next 3 are very tough. We could lose all 3.

Our home form has tailed off recently and we're still toothless on the road.

We could or we could win one

We haven't beaten a team in the top half since mid-December and we've won just 2 games out of 15 this year. Blackpool and Rotherham. It seems pretty unlikely.

Looking forward to us losing at home to Fleetwood next season Ian?

[Sutekh]

We could or we could win one

We haven't beaten a team in the top half since mid-December and we've won just 2 games out of 15 this year. Blackpool and Rotherham. It seems pretty unlikely.

Looking forward to us losing at home to Fleetwood next season Ian?

Think Carlisle are the one team that Reading have previously played in the league that they’ve had no games against for the longest period (early 1981 was the last time they played I think). That could easily be changed next season.

[Fezza]

Thought we were ok today, but in the context of where we are that isn't enough.

In the first half Mbengue kept getting isolated against Khadra, with both centre backs being static for their goal.

The ref was poor throughout his 70 minute performance.

Casadei looked very effective.

Gripes: why do none of our wide players try to beat their man? Why does Hendrick always look for the safe pass? Why wan't there any energy in the six minutes added on? The lack of a press killed us.

[Snowflake Royal]

We could or we could win one

We haven't beaten a team in the top half since mid-December and we've won just 2 games out of 15 this year. Blackpool and Rotherham. It seems pretty unlikely.

Looking forward to us losing at home to Fleetwood next season Ian?

League One will be fun.

[Snowflake Royal]

Thought we were ok today, but in the context of where we are that isn't enough.

In the first half Mbengue kept getting isolated against Khadra, with both centre backs being static for their goal.

The ref was poor throughout his 70 minute performance.

Casadei looked very effective.

Gripes: why do none of our wide players try to beat their man? Why does Hendrick always look for the safe pass? Why wan't there any energy in the six minutes added on? The lack of a press killed us.

Yes, very frustrated with Hendrick's minimal involvement being one touch passes back to a centre back or goalkeeper rather than take any responsibility. He's supposed to be our play maker and he spends all game hiding. Far from the only one who'd rather pass back than forwards though.

[Crowbar6753]

Thought we were ok today, but in the context of where we are that isn't enough.

In the first half Mbengue kept getting isolated against Khadra, with both centre backs being static for their goal.

The ref was poor throughout his 70 minute performance.

Casadei looked very effective.

Gripes: why do none of our wide players try to beat their man? Why does Hendrick always look for the safe pass? Why wan't there any energy in the six minutes added on? The lack of a press killed us.

Yes, very frustrated with Hendrick's minimal involvement being one touch passes back to a centre back or goalkeeper rather than take any responsibility. He's supposed to be our play maker and he spends all game hiding. Far from the only one who'd rather pass back than forwards though.

Bowen mentioned in his "Open Letter" that Reading FC had a plan on the type of players they need to move the club forward and that included young, hungry attack minded players!! However, its being reported that Reading are very interested in signing Hendrick on a free transfer!!! what part of young, hungry attack minded style of player fits Hendricks style of play.
P.Ince is telling us these players are not good enough, ok i get!! so why the phuck are we looking at buying Hendrick!! makes no sense to me at all.
Now Casadei, thats a whole different story...i would be on the phone right now trying to arrange a long term loan as this guys going to be a good player at he fits perfectly into Bowens plans for the type of player we need.

I would be inclined to switch the formation to the much used 4-2-3-1 moving forward and use Casedei as an AM as he clearly has a good shot and can pick a pass.

Lumley

Yids Holmes Sarr NGW

Fornah Loum

Meite Casedei Azeez

Joao

Loum is back and can play DM with Fornah so we can play out from the back and scrap this long ball crap and feed the ball to Joao.

[JR]

Whilst we are pretty doom ridden on here at the moment, I can confidently predict that the Fake Hoops forums are more catastrophic.

Good reason to - top of the league after 16 games, now plummeting to oblivion and managed by some dude who looks like he has stumbled in to the wrong profession with that hair and outfit.

Their next 4 games are Baggies, Cov, Norwich and Burnley. Not easy.

As an aside, I thought Joao, particularly in the first half, looked back to his best. If we play to his strengths and play in to his feet for rest of season then we will stay up.

[Crowbar6753]

Whilst we are pretty doom ridden on here at the moment, I can confidently predict that the Fake Hoops forums are more catastrophic.

Good reason to - top of the league after 16 games, now plummeting to oblivion and managed by some dude who looks like he has stumbled in to the wrong profession with that hair and outfit.

Their next 4 games are Baggies, Cov, Norwich and Burnley. Not easy.

As an aside, I thought Joao, particularly in the first half, looked back to his best. If we play to his strengths and play in to his feet for rest of season then we will stay up.

Indeed, Cardiff, Huddersfield and Rotherham showed they have the fighting spirit needed to get out of this and you are correct, Sir, QPR's next four is as bad as ours lol. We really need to get something out of this Preston trip and just get above them!!

[morganb]

Anyone know what that fan said to Carroll afterwards to rile him up? It was really difficult to know how to respond to that. It wasn’t worthy of booing, as the performance was ok. But the 2nd half performance was not good enough, partly due to the players being knackered. So I didn’t think it was worthy of a clap personally.

Don't know (saw it happening but in wrong stand and he wasn't so annoyed that he didn't then clap 1871) but he's started conversations on Twitter tonight, example -

https://twitter.com/moriordan1/status/1 ... zWp_A&s=09

[Royal_jimmy]

We haven't beaten a team in the top half since mid-December and we've won just 2 games out of 15 this year. Blackpool and Rotherham. It seems pretty unlikely.

Looking forward to us losing at home to Fleetwood next season Ian?

Think Carlisle are the one team that Reading have previously played in the league that they’ve had no games against for the longest period (early 1981 was the last time they played I think). That could easily be changed next season.

God, it's further away than Newcastle is

[Royal_jimmy]

This seriously isn't a good situation for us. I don't see us getting out of the lower leagues for a long time, we're more likely to do a Bury with the Chinese clown who owns us.

[ayjaydee]

Anyone know what that fan said to Carroll afterwards to rile him up? It was really difficult to know how to respond to that. It wasn’t worthy of booing, as the performance was ok. But the 2nd half performance was not good enough, partly due to the players being knackered. So I didn’t think it was worthy of a clap personally.

Don't know (saw it happening but in wrong stand and he wasn't so annoyed that he didn't then clap 1871) but he's started conversations on Twitter tonight, example -

https://twitter.com/moriordan1/status/1 ... zWp_A&s=09

Fair play to AC for engaging, must have taken a lot to rile him enough to react though.

[URZZZZ]

Thought we were ok today, but in the context of where we are that isn't enough.

In the first half Mbengue kept getting isolated against Khadra, with both centre backs being static for their goal.

The ref was poor throughout his 70 minute performance.

Casadei looked very effective.

Gripes: why do none of our wide players try to beat their man? Why does Hendrick always look for the safe pass? Why wan't there any energy in the six minutes added on? The lack of a press killed us.

He’s supposed to be our play maker and he spends all game hiding.

Don’t disagree with the notion he doesn’t get involved enough but not quite sure where you’re got that idea from - certainly isn’t a playmaker

He’s done OK but not quite sure done enough to earn a contract next year. Sum of all parts though. Surround him with legs and energy and it’s tolerable. Play the likes of Carroll and McIntyre alongside him and it magnifies his weaknesses

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Was the ref to blame?

That’s Pince usual scapegoat

[URZZZZ]

Whilst we are pretty doom ridden on here at the moment, I can confidently predict that the Fake Hoops forums are more catastrophic.

Good reason to - top of the league after 16 games, now plummeting to oblivion and managed by some dude who looks like he has stumbled in to the wrong profession with that hair and outfit.

Their next 4 games are Baggies, Cov, Norwich and Burnley. Not easy.

As an aside, I thought Joao, particularly in the first half, looked back to his best. If we play to his strengths and play in to his feet for rest of season then we will stay up.

Indeed, Cardiff, Huddersfield and Rotherham showed they have the fighting spirit needed to get out of this and you are correct, Sir, QPR's next four is as bad as ours lol. We really need to get something out of this Preston trip and just get above them!!

It’s a mentality thing. Starts from the top

Huddersfield’s last three fixtures, Millwall (A), Middlesbrough (H), Watford (A). 9 points. No one would have predicted them to get more than 2/3 points but compare the way Warnock is with Ince. One is upbeat and positive, the one is negative and defeatist. In turn, that reflects onto how the respective teams play

[JR]

Whilst we are pretty doom ridden on here at the moment, I can confidently predict that the Fake Hoops forums are more catastrophic.

Good reason to - top of the league after 16 games, now plummeting to oblivion and managed by some dude who looks like he has stumbled in to the wrong profession with that hair and outfit.

Their next 4 games are Baggies, Cov, Norwich and Burnley. Not easy.

As an aside, I thought Joao, particularly in the first half, looked back to his best. If we play to his strengths and play in to his feet for rest of season then we will stay up.

Indeed, Cardiff, Huddersfield and Rotherham showed they have the fighting spirit needed to get out of this and you are correct, Sir, QPR's next four is as bad as ours lol. We really need to get something out of this Preston trip and just get above them!!

It’s a mentality thing. Starts from the top

Huddersfield’s last three fixtures, Millwall (A), Middlesbrough (H), Watford (A). 9 points. No one would have predicted them to get more than 2/3 points but compare the way Warnock is with Ince. One is upbeat and positive, the one is negative and defeatist. In turn, that reflects onto how the respective teams play

Couldn’t agree more - I was a vocal supporter of Warnock to replace Pauno last season.