Richardson out

[tidus_mi2]

Our luck ran out. This ‘collapse in form’ was always there ready and waiting. Waiting for us to stop scoring with our only shot on target. If we were playing well and it dropped off I’d be in agreement with you. But it’s not like that. We’ve been mostly dog shit from the moment the fraud arrived.

I think the reason for disparate opinions is due to it being quite difficult to pinpoint the problems with any confidence. It’s reasonable to argue that Leam is the problem, having watched poor team performances somewhat rescued by moments of individual quality, particularly Marriott’s remarkable goal scoring form. But then there are reasonable arguments to be made in defence of Leam too; a ramshackle squad stripped of its core, patched up with summer signings that were either struggling to gel or simply not good enough. And of course a string of injuries that no doubt meant two steps backwards each time it felt like we were moving forwards.

Ultimately, whether his fault or not, we just don’t have any real idea what Leam’s football is supposed to look like, either because he lacks the quality to impose it, or circumstances somewhat out of his control has delayed its development. Some people think time will give us an answer. Others think we already have our answer.

I honestly flip flop from one to the other on a weekly basis. I hate sacking managers after only a short time in charge, especially if we aren’t in any immediate danger. But then I also hate the idea of waiting for something that might not ever happen. I do think there is a chance things will change. You don’t, which is fair enough - he’s not exactly got a pedigree that screams positive, attacking football, and we are yet to really see much of that ourselves. But maybe it’s right to wait and see. As I’ve said before, his excuses might sound convincing now, but they won’t really work after the summer.

The only things I would add are:

The list of things beyond his control is a longer list, but again should get less significant with time.

Reading has a long and distinguished history of giving managers time and it working out. Are memories really that short?

Do think a lot of the excuses for the end of season collapse and overall poor style of play will go away with a pre-season and Summer transfer window unless they make the same mistakes of last season.

[Hound]

Very disappointed with the way the season petered out and some very questionable decisions along the way

But sacking him now would cause more issues than it would solve imo

So whilst I’ve no affection for him or what he’s done so far, give him a couple of months to see if he can improve things. Think that’s my final position on it

[nailseabiscuitman]

As stated before I am quite firmly so far embedded on this fence that it’s actually starting to hurt. But if I remember rightly Inces philosophy was to be hard to beat and then build a team from there. Consolidate etc…. So what’s the difference other than experience between the guvnor and Leam. Both have inherited poor squads with very little other than loans to make a difference.

Maybe Leam just needs time…. Or maybe he is just s**t time will tell….

Leam’s record so far is a solid, just-shy of playoffs, one. Collapse in form at end adds a sour note but not much more.

If we’d just stayed up, then yeah, there might be a point here, but we really didn’t. And in terms of summer business, I think we’re talking about the right few additions not a complete squad rebuild.

Our luck ran out. This ‘collapse in form’ was always there ready and waiting. Waiting for us to stop scoring with our only shot on target. If we were playing well and it dropped off I’d be in agreement with you. But it’s not like that. We’ve been mostly dog shit from the moment the fraud arrived.

I think calling someone a fraud is disgusting. OK, you don't rate him but your bile poured upon him since his appointment seems completely over the top. I'm not convinced by him, was surprised at his appointment but was prepared to see how it would go. Not pretty but think he deserves at least this summer's signings the chance to change things. I know you will be as dismissive as usual with anyone who disagrees with you, quoting my obvious age as the reason. I hope after 65 years of supporting them you are as passionate and loyal to the team as I am.

[Brogue]

Leam’s record so far is a solid, just-shy of playoffs, one. Collapse in form at end adds a sour note but not much more.

If we’d just stayed up, then yeah, there might be a point here, but we really didn’t. And in terms of summer business, I think we’re talking about the right few additions not a complete squad rebuild.

Our luck ran out. This ‘collapse in form’ was always there ready and waiting. Waiting for us to stop scoring with our only shot on target. If we were playing well and it dropped off I’d be in agreement with you. But it’s not like that. We’ve been mostly dog shit from the moment the fraud arrived.

I think calling someone a fraud is disgusting. OK, you don't rate him but your bile poured upon him since his appointment seems completely over the top. I'm not convinced by him, was surprised at his appointment but was prepared to see how it would go. Not pretty but think he deserves at least this summer's signings the chance to change things. I know you will be as dismissive as usual with anyone who disagrees with you, quoting my obvious age as the reason. I hope after 65 years of supporting them you are as passionate and loyal to the team as I am.

I’m 43 and have been watching the club since I was about 8. I care deeply for the club. There are far worse things I can call him than a fraud. I thought that was being kind tbf. From now on I will no longer call him a fraud. I will only call him ‘LinkedIn Leam’ from now on.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Our luck ran out. This ‘collapse in form’ was always there ready and waiting. Waiting for us to stop scoring with our only shot on target. If we were playing well and it dropped off I’d be in agreement with you. But it’s not like that. We’ve been mostly dog shit from the moment the fraud arrived.

I think the reason for disparate opinions is due to it being quite difficult to pinpoint the problems with any confidence. It’s reasonable to argue that Leam is the problem, having watched poor team performances somewhat rescued by moments of individual quality, particularly Marriott’s remarkable goal scoring form. But then there are reasonable arguments to be made in defence of Leam too; a ramshackle squad stripped of its core, patched up with summer signings that were either struggling to gel or simply not good enough. And of course a string of injuries that no doubt meant two steps backwards each time it felt like we were moving forwards.

Ultimately, whether his fault or not, we just don’t have any real idea what Leam’s football is supposed to look like, either because he lacks the quality to impose it, or circumstances somewhat out of his control has delayed its development. Some people think time will give us an answer. Others think we already have our answer.

I honestly flip flop from one to the other on a weekly basis. I hate sacking managers after only a short time in charge, especially if we aren’t in any immediate danger. But then I also hate the idea of waiting for something that might not ever happen. I do think there is a chance things will change. You don’t, which is fair enough - he’s not exactly got a pedigree that screams positive, attacking football, and we are yet to really see much of that ourselves. But maybe it’s right to wait and see. As I’ve said before, his excuses might sound convincing now, but they won’t really work after the summer.

The only things I would add are:

The list of things beyond his control is a longer list, but again should get less significant with time.

Reading has a long and distinguished history of giving managers time and it working out. Are memories really that short?

Nod. I mean, you could argue with ease that the same excuses were applicable to Noel. But the difference then was that giving him more time could have resulted in relegation. The form was not good for Leam at the end of the season, but relegation wasn’t on the cards. If we are in the same situation with Leam come November then I doubt Couhig will hesitate to make the change. At it stands, Leam has a bit of time on his hands.

People want immediate results, I get that. Football is pretty brutal, and the cost of failure is enormous. But next season is a clean slate. Fingers crossed Leam can turn things around, just like other managers in our history.

[RoyalBlue]

For the benefit of our club, I truly hope to be proven wrong, However;

When it comes to this talk of Richardson being given (more) time to turn things around, I think there was a greater chance of Edward Smith turning the Titanic around.

[Hound]

I really did hope to see us play with a bit more freedom when it was clear we couldn’t make the play offs. Tbh it almost worried me more than anything previous that we seemed so tepid

Couple of good signings could make a huge difference of course.

[Extended-Phenotype]

For the benefit of our club, I truly hope to be proven wrong, However;

When it comes to this talk of Richardson being given (more) time to turn things around, I think there was a greater chance of Edward Smith turning the Titanic around.

Maybe. But we have enough time before the iceberg hits us to give him a chance. If we are still on collision course by November, the wheel can be given to somebody else.

It is of course tempting to say "well, that will be a waste of time - get rid and get someone new in now so we aren't constantly bringing in managers to waste seasons rescuing us from the crisis of the former". But as Papes has said: you don't tend to see managers sacked for any other situation but crisis.

[Extended-Phenotype]

I really did hope to see us play with a bit more freedom when it was clear we couldn’t make the play offs. Tbh it almost worried me more than anything previous that we seemed so tepid

Aye, me too. Felt like the perfect time to throw caution to the wind and neutralise his critics somewhat. Hey ho.

[Uke]

Richardson needs to come out and give a statement detailing a reset with his clear vision including bold moves, and not just vague promises of incremental change and saying he intends to stay for the next ten years...

[stealthpapes]

I think the reason for disparate opinions is due to it being quite difficult to pinpoint the problems with any confidence. It’s reasonable to argue that Leam is the problem, having watched poor team performances somewhat rescued by moments of individual quality, particularly Marriott’s remarkable goal scoring form. But then there are reasonable arguments to be made in defence of Leam too; a ramshackle squad stripped of its core, patched up with summer signings that were either struggling to gel or simply not good enough. And of course a string of injuries that no doubt meant two steps backwards each time it felt like we were moving forwards.

Ultimately, whether his fault or not, we just don’t have any real idea what Leam’s football is supposed to look like, either because he lacks the quality to impose it, or circumstances somewhat out of his control has delayed its development. Some people think time will give us an answer. Others think we already have our answer.

I honestly flip flop from one to the other on a weekly basis. I hate sacking managers after only a short time in charge, especially if we aren’t in any immediate danger. But then I also hate the idea of waiting for something that might not ever happen. I do think there is a chance things will change. You don’t, which is fair enough - he’s not exactly got a pedigree that screams positive, attacking football, and we are yet to really see much of that ourselves. But maybe it’s right to wait and see. As I’ve said before, his excuses might sound convincing now, but they won’t really work after the summer.

The only things I would add are:

The list of things beyond his control is a longer list, but again should get less significant with time.

Reading has a long and distinguished history of giving managers time and it working out. Are memories really that short?

Do think a lot of the excuses for the end of season collapse and overall poor style of play will go away with a pre-season and Summer transfer window unless they make the same mistakes of last season.

Yes.

[nailseabiscuitman]

I feel part of our problems relate to the recruitment of central defence which hampered both Hunt and Richardson. Replacing Mbengue and Bindon was always going to be difficult but we signed players who were never going to play out from the back in the same way. I think Ward has gone some way to rectifying this, shame his injury restricted his season.

[stealthpapes]

Abbey, Mbengue and Bindon were all pretty rapid. Go back a season or two end see how many tackles Abbey was making recovering his own positioning errors.

For all I like D Williams, he’s slow (and injury prone). I don’t think Burns or O’Connor were fast either (and, of course, injuries).

[RoyalBlue]

For the benefit of our club, I truly hope to be proven wrong, However;

When it comes to this talk of Richardson being given (more) time to turn things around, I think there was a greater chance of Edward Smith turning the Titanic around.

Maybe. But we have enough time before the iceberg hits us to give him a chance. If we are still on collision course by November, the wheel can be given to somebody else.

I think the lookouts have been screaming 'Iceberg ahead' for at least the last six games and there have been warning flares on the horizon for quite a bit longer. Far from changing course, Captain Richardson appears to be doggedly steering in exactly the same direction and has even increased power to the engines!

November may well be too late to change course and we could well be on the way to seeing another season in League 1 sunk without trace.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

For the benefit of our club, I truly hope to be proven wrong, However;

When it comes to this talk of Richardson being given (more) time to turn things around, I think there was a greater chance of Edward Smith turning the Titanic around.

He didn't need to; if he'd ploughed straight into it the ship wouldn't have sunk as it would have only flooded the front compartments.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Too late for…what, exactly?

Promotion? Maybe. Though we changed managers around that time this season and were fairly close to making the playoffs.

Relegation? Nah. Even Leam managed to save us from that, at least.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Abbey, Mbengue and Bindon were all pretty rapid. Go back a season or two end see how many tackles Abbey was making recovering his own positioning errors.

For all I like D Williams, he’s slow (and injury prone). I don’t think Burns or O’Connor were fast either (and, of course, injuries).

We're crying out for pace all over the pitch really and have been for a while.

[West F]

The lack of pace, most notably at the back leaves us sitting deeper and deeper in matches. Richardson is terrified of losing possession leading to counter attacks. The general slowness when in possession is also an issue. Too many games feature centre backs, notably Dorsett, stopping the ball and reducing our phases of possession into mini set pieces. We don’t move the ball quick enough to pass through teams set in their shape, then the lack of pace becomes a two fold issue. Playing a game where we camp in and defend our box, to then counter attack relies heavily on both physical pace and speed of passing, and a striker playing on the shoulder of the last defender. We have neither, and are thus easy to play against.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Mbengue's pace at the back, Knibbs' relentlessness pressing to keep us up the pitch and the personality they both brought to the dressing room has been desperately missed. We're a top 6 side with those 2, much more so than Smith and Bindon.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Mbengue's pace at the back, Knibbs' relentlessness pressing to keep us up the pitch and the personality they both brought to the dressing room has been desperately missed. We're a top 6 side with those 2, much more so than Smith and Bindon.

Don't mean to state the obvious, but we didn't finish in the top 6 with those two....

We finished 7th...

I know vibes count for a lot nowadays, but history is history...