Noel Hunt Confrimed

[Clyde1998]

Happy for Hunt and the only choice really

I didn’t rate his spell a few years ago but I’m sure he’s worked closely with Selles and hopefully learnt a bit in that time

Good we have someone we can get behind and support which is what we need right now

A few years ago it was a hospital pass. This time, despite everything, he has a decent team for this level.

Agreed. I think he did fine given the circumstances, but wasn’t given time to actually change very much.

He drew with Burnley (0-0), who won the league, and Luton (1-1), who won the play-off final. We lost 2-1 away to the other play-off finalist too - Coventry.

The final day defeat against Huddersfield (2-0) was after we were relegated and he brought in some young players - CBC started in goal; Abrefa, Senga and Camara came off the bench. Not sure we could read too much from that game; it meant nothing to either side at that point.

The only disappointing result was the Wigan draw (1-1) and, based on the stats, we dominated that game. Had we won that, Huddersfield may have had something riding on it and we would’ve played a stronger team.

[East Grinstead Royal]

Interesting to read several comments that any new owner will want to bring in his own management team. Tim Dellor and Ady Williams seemed to think the same. Given how much most owners actually know about football, I do wonder if that will be the case. The last owner of Reading who knew anything about football was Roger Smee. I suppose the real issue is whether a new owner just wants to make a big impact and is under the influence of an agent who sees a chance to make some money.

[Sutekh]

Interesting to read several comments that any new owner will want to bring in his own management team. Tim Dellor and Ady Williams seemed to think the same. Given how much most owners actually know about football, I do wonder if that will be the case. The last owner of Reading who knew anything about football was Roger Smee. I suppose the real issue is whether a new owner just wants to make a big impact and is under the influence of an agent who sees a chance to make some money.

Just speculation NOT fact, they haven’t got a clue about any negotiations, or with whom, let alone what any new regime will do when it gets in. If the side is running well then new regime is not likely to knacker its investment by changing things as soon as its in (unless the new regime come from the Dai school of football management). Of course, come a new season and things have had a chance to bed in a bit, then it might change but then so might anything at any club. But of course all this is supposing the club gets a new owner at some point and Noel’s 2.5 year contract might be about the length it takes the current * to actually sell.

[Royal_jimmy]

What'll be interesting to see is if Hunt can make clever and game changing substitutes like Ruben did. Hopefully he can grow into that as manager.

[Pepe the Horseman]

What'll be interesting to see is if Hunt can make clever and game changing substitutes like Ruben did. Hopefully he can grow into that as manager.

If in doubt, sub the full backs. Ruben 101.

[Snowflake Royal]

What'll be interesting to see is if Hunt can make clever and game changing substitutes like Ruben did. Hopefully he can grow into that as manager.

If in doubt, sub the full backs. Ruben 101.

Which makes some sense given how he asks them to do, getting up and down the pitch.

Yids was on commentary recently and talking about how much Selles expects of his fullbacks and its on a par with central midfield, which is typically one of the most demanding roles.

[Uke]

Think this is a good deal for Noel

If the club gets sold, then they will probably install their own team - compensation and a return to the U21s?

If the club doesn’t get sold he has a chance to prove himself. But if it goes tits up he can blame the shitshow

[Snowflake Royal]

Think this is a good deal for Noel

If the club gets sold, then they will probably install their own team - compensation and a return to the U21s?

If the club doesn’t get sold he has a chance to prove himself. But if it goes tits up he can blame the shitshow

Would expect his old job to be filled soon, so wouldn’t see a way back for him.

[MouldyRoyal]

Am a big Hunt fan, one of my favourite players from the period I was most invested in RFC. Sensible, affable, positive.

That said I was a bit dubious about the appointment given it felt like the cheap easy option. Was expecting a short term deal til the end of the season though.

After sleeping on it and reading the chat coming from him and the senior players, I am much more optimistic. Maybe that's the copium (as the kids would say) but I will absolutely be giving him the chance. He is a Reading man through and through, clearly cares a ton and seemingly has a good connection with the existing players. Fingers crossed he doesn't get the rug pulled out from beneath him in January though...

[Mr Angry]

Had Ince been sacked sooner (as he should have been) then NHunt may have been able to save us from relegation from the Championship.

I can recall the sense of optimism that he brought to the team immediately after he took over, and I wish him every success as the full time Manager of the club.

[Snowflake Royal]

He's in post, so regardless of any concerns, uncertainties or misgivings, he's got to get the full backing of every single fan, for at absolute minimum of 10 games.

Then see review how he's done and whether it's good, bad or indifferent.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Often did a great somersault after scoring a goal.

Bring back those theatricals to the team Hunty!

[scumbag]

Speaks eloquently in his first interview as manager on Royals TV on the official website.

[morganb]

Often did a great somersault after scoring a goal.

Bring back those theatricals to the team Hunty!

Jayden Wareham somersaults when he scores. Wasn't taught it by Noel though as he used to do it when with Chelsea

[AthleticoSpizz]

Often did a great somersault after scoring a goal.

Bring back those theatricals to the team Hunty!

Jayden Wareham somersaults when he scores. Didn't copy it from Noel though as he used to do it when with Chelsea

yes but, obvs we don’t get to see that too often.

C’mon Noel, let’s have players cavorting and doing cartwheels all over the pitch

[Norfolk Royal]

Often did a great somersault after scoring a goal.

Bring back those theatricals to the team Hunty!

Jayden Wareham somersaults when he scores. Didn't copy it from Noel though as he used to do it when with Chelsea

yes but, obvs we don’t get to see that too often.

C’mon Noel, let’s have players cavorting and doing cartwheels all over the pitch

This isn’t a circus you know. Quick rethink, yes it is actually.

[Millsy]

Fully behind Hunt.

We have far far bigger fish to fry than who our manager is. He's up for the job, he's a decent chap, he knows enough about the team and this division, he's relatively cheap presumably. As long as he doesn't take us down it's fine.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

He was the only possible option. With no money, no one to recruit a manager, and the ownerless / leaderless club looking like a difficult job for any outsider, it was always going to be him..

Doesn't mean he's a bad option. He's got so many things stacked against him, but if he can keep most of the young talent after the next window, he could start to build something great.

[Sutekh]

Jayden Wareham somersaults when he scores. Didn't copy it from Noel though as he used to do it when with Chelsea

yes but, obvs we don’t get to see that too often.

C’mon Noel, let’s have players cavorting and doing cartwheels all over the pitch

This isn’t a circus you know. Quick rethink, yes it is actually.

I have it down as a pantomime.

[Stranded]

The only guarantee is that is the beginning of the end of the Noel Hunt/Reading relationship - he will leave the club once his stint as manager is done and likely never return.

It was the only sensible option and Hunt appears to have all the attributes to succeed - the only question is if he can bring the success he has had at Academy level to the first team.