Bolton fall out

[MR. CYNICAL]

The Port Vale game has been mentioned in here. Not sure if that will go ahead. They've had 2 home games called off recently and there's a lot of rain forecast between now and then. Can see a pitch inspection on Friday, their Fa Cup tie was called off last Friday afternoon. Would be disappointing if it is off, especially as we now all know what we're like with breaks of over a week, which I should add goes back to pre Richardson. I've thought we struggle in those situations for a very long time!

Break or not makes no difference, the football is still shite

[KC Royal]

The Port Vale game has been mentioned in here. Not sure if that will go ahead. They've had 2 home games called off recently and there's a lot of rain forecast between now and then. Can see a pitch inspection on Friday, their Fa Cup tie was called off last Friday afternoon. Would be disappointing if it is off, especially as we now all know what we're like with breaks of over a week, which I should add goes back to pre Richardson. I've thought we struggle in those situations for a very long time!

Break or not makes no difference, the football is still shite

The results this season have definitely been worse after a break. Just 1 pt from 4 games.
Anyway, personally think its always disappointing when games are called off.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Most people's gripes are having something, anything, to gripe about, hence all the goalpost moving.

I don’t see anyone complaining about the ppg or league position- the two metrics SDR used. People are complaining about the poor performances, poor individual performances, boring football, poor tactics and missed opportunities in games. All normal stuff and correct stuff when observing our games. To suggest people are not entitled to air their frustrations on these metrics is a bit weird, and to bring Dai into it, is even more weird. If SDR attended games or even watched the games on tv i doubt there would be any confusion on his part. Hence me asking whether he attends many games.

I get to about 6/7 matches per season. Far fewer than most on here, I appreciate that.

[Clyde1998]

We're all happy with the points. What we aren't happy with is 40 shots and over 70 crosses faced in two HOME games. It is just not sustainable, as Stam also found out when Al Habsi left and Kermorgant got injured, that your only hope is a player continues the form of his life to get you out of trouble.

You want to play long ball? If you have the players to do it then that's great. If you want to play short, and you have the players to do it, then that's also great. Results are good, but they are just not going to last if this continues to be our approach.

I just hope Richardsom adapts, even if it has to wait until the summer, and he can come up with a better plan as to what we are going to set up like when we are in possession.

Yeah this pretty much. It’s painful viewing and can’t be a lot of fun for the players when we play continuous long balls up to Marriott, Ritchie, Doyle, Lane etc when it’s so much not their game. Though tbf Marriott seems to be thriving on reacting to a second ball (I reckon him sniffing round long balls to Kelvin may work fairly well longer term)

LR keeps mentioning fitness and athleticism and suggesting we lack it. Targetting Lisbie may also point us in a direction we may go. Reckon we may well change the front line considerably next year - get more pace and height in there. Personally I hope we do also

It's been horrible football. I don't think anyone should be surprised our fans are unhappy. Things could get very problematic for Richardson quickly as and when the results start to turn assuming nothing changes.

[leon]

Long term season ticket holders I know aren’t going because it’s so shit. I go because I’m a fcuking stoic legend.

I get where papes is coming from but I’m afraid neither he nor Ian go to the home games and that is where you perform in front of your fans.

And the performances have been shocking. Last night and last Saturday being cases in point. A decent well organised side would have seen off a spirited but limited Bolton team reasonably comfortably.

Hence the high levels of dissatisfaction.

[Clyde1998]

Long term season ticket holders I know aren’t going because it’s so shit. I go because I’m a fcuking stoic legend.

I get where papes is coming from but I’m afraid neither he nor Ian go to the home games and that is where you perform in front of your fans.

And the performances have been shocking. Last night and last Saturday being cases in point. A decent well organised side would have seen off a spirited but limited Bolton team reasonably comfortably.

Hence the high levels of dissatisfaction.

It feels like Stam in that regard. I'm aware of long-term season ticket holders/supporters who stopped going during that period, including some who didn't bother with the play-off final (lucky them).

Many haven't bought a season ticket since, as they found something else to do on Saturdays, and now just pick and choose matches.

People will tolerate this whilst it gets results, but won't when results inevitably turn. These poor performances have longer term consequences, especially when it doesn't feel like we're building towards anything stylistically.

[URZZZZ]

It is just not sustainable, as Stam also found out when Al Habsi left and Kermorgant got injured, that your only hope is a player continues the form of his life to get you out of trouble.

Stam’s first season was a sustainable blueprint on which to build on. Certainly don’t accrue 88 points off two players “getting us out of trouble”. Stam was the one that messed it up beyond that changing what had worked so well previously

[URZZZZ]

Peterborough - luke williams comes in turns them from dead cert relegation team to chasing the play offs whilst playing decent entertaining football - i don't see him complaining about preparation and fitness

(1)
It's only because I saw it yesterday but ... post match interview after their midweek loss.

“It was a really good action for our goal and we had a really good opening. There was some really good attacking play and it would have been a different game if we had scored when Kyrell crossed the ball to Harry Leonard.

“We did start to look a bit tired in the second half. It has been quite a tough schedule and it showed. There was still a lot of attacking endeavour and willingness to make openings and get into the box though."

(rest of interview is much more positive, also addresses being down to bare bones from a squad of 37).

(2)
He's got only a marginally better, if that, record than Richardson. Boils down to < 0.1 pt PPG
Pld 15 won 9 drawn 1 lost 5; 21st up to 10th. PPG 1.87
vs
Pld 18 won 9 drawn 5 lost 4; 19th up to 8th. PPG 1.78

Yep as I said above, every single club is going to have a few leggy players this time of year. What Richardson is saying is we have some fundamental fitness issue dating back to hunt and pre season which is just nonsense and excuses. And it’s not about results. As I said earlier no one is complaining about results richardsons ppg is very good. it’s performances that people are complaining about. and Williams had Peterborough playing decent normal football not conceding 70 crosses and 40 shots in two hole games with only 35% possession in both.

You are aware Peterborough have conceded 66 shots in their last three games? Albeit three away games but high nonetheless?

[Jackson Corner]

Whilst l accept we are a work in progress. And this seasons team is not a patch on last season’s. What concerns me is we made Bolton look like Man City and they are in the same league as us. I bet whoever they play this weekend they will not dominate in the way they did Tuesday. Our inability to pass the ball to a teammate or hold the ball was embarrassing for professional players. We hardly got outside our half in the second period. Over Xmas and new year l thought we looked competitive at least, and kept a few clean sheets. Forget the playoffs l would be just happy to see an upturn in performance between now and the end of the season.

[Snowflake Royal]

Kelvin. Marriott. Yiadom. Rinomhota. Nyambe. Ritchie. Maybe Lane, he's struggled with a couple of injuries and looked leggy at times.

If you include pace in that certainly O'Connor and Burns.

Obviously there's Williams, Williams, Kyerewaa and Elliott all out. Now Roberts too. Bound to be forgetting someone.

But no, it's just Richardson, Jacobson and Couhig are all shit isn't it Brogue.

Why are you so aggressive and argumentative. I shut you down after trying to stick up for SDR. After you started chatting shit, then you move on to the next subject. You consistently just make yourself look a fool. All of the above are just normal football fitness issues you get in a 46 game football season whilst in the middle of feb. Which every single club goes through I might add. it’s the same for all teams this time of year. Other than Williams at cb and Danny k we are full strength.

And you’ve mentioned a load of people there that I have no idea why. Kelvin? What’s wrong with him? He’s fit. Nyambe PoC Yiadom Marriott are all fine. What Richardson was saying in his interview was there is a fundamental issue with fitness in the squad as whole. He’s chatting shit. We are not performing badly in matches because of fitness. We are performing badly because of his shit tactics

Surely you have enough self awareness to see how comical it is for you to call out anyone for being aggressive and argumentative.

The idea he shut anyone down is quite funny.

[Snowflake Royal]

On fitness, perhaps a better word would be preparation and then it might follow that, having changed a manager, the new manager might have a different view of what players have the right preparation for the positions he wishes them to play in.

Related to that is recalling Hunt's quotes about running the squad hard in the pre-season. There's only so much of that you can do before it bites you in the arse.

In any case, fitness and matchday prep are both qualities that *are* hard to change mid-season. Particularly at this time of year when all the accumulated knocks and bumps start taking their toll. It's one of the many things about the current squad that will need time - and patience - to fix.

Taking Kelvin as an example. He's always looked a bit heavy, leggy and slow, especially after about 60 minutes.

[Sutekh]

(1)
It's only because I saw it yesterday but ... post match interview after their midweek loss.

“It was a really good action for our goal and we had a really good opening. There was some really good attacking play and it would have been a different game if we had scored when Kyrell crossed the ball to Harry Leonard.

“We did start to look a bit tired in the second half. It has been quite a tough schedule and it showed. There was still a lot of attacking endeavour and willingness to make openings and get into the box though."

(rest of interview is much more positive, also addresses being down to bare bones from a squad of 37).

(2)
He's got only a marginally better, if that, record than Richardson. Boils down to < 0.1 pt PPG
Pld 15 won 9 drawn 1 lost 5; 21st up to 10th. PPG 1.87
vs
Pld 18 won 9 drawn 5 lost 4; 19th up to 8th. PPG 1.78

Yep as I said above, every single club is going to have a few leggy players this time of year. What Richardson is saying is we have some fundamental fitness issue dating back to hunt and pre season which is just nonsense and excuses. And it’s not about results. As I said earlier no one is complaining about results richardsons ppg is very good. it’s performances that people are complaining about. and Williams had Peterborough playing decent normal football not conceding 70 crosses and 40 shots in two hole games with only 35% possession in both.

You are aware Peterborough have conceded 66 shots in their last three games? Albeit three away games but high nonetheless?

Indeed these stats aren’t impressive but what classifies as a shot exactly? If you get a team who happens to always let loose as soon as the goal is in sight no matter how likely it is that that shot actually goes near the goal then it’s going to push those stats up but would be slightly misleading. Same with crosses, define what is meant by a cross. Presume it’s what we all think it is, but sometimes a statistical definition of something can be surprising.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

Long term season ticket holders I know aren’t going because it’s so shit. I go because I’m a fcuking stoic legend.

I get where papes is coming from but I’m afraid neither he nor Ian go to the home games and that is where you perform in front of your fans.

And the performances have been shocking. Last night and last Saturday being cases in point. A decent well organised side would have seen off a spirited but limited Bolton team reasonably comfortably.

Hence the high levels of dissatisfaction.

I do find this a bit shocking.

If Vue don't have any films on I want to see, I don't go and buy a ticket out of loyalty.

If Tescos don't have what I want, I don't refuse to go to Sainsbury's because going to Tescos is part of my identity, passed down through the family.

But if Reading don't have a high-enough xG to keep me entertained, I'm not going to start going to Swindon or Oxford am I?

Yes I'd rather be entertained more. But I also, first and foremost, want the club to succeed, to avoid relegation, and to have a sustainable future.

The season ticket holders you reference may well have said, during the height of the Dai era existential threat, "I really want the club to survive, as long as they'e successful and the football is entertaining." I didn't hear that much at the time.

If you accept that a football club has a stronger emotional pull that just another entertainment business, it seems amazing to me that during a time of relative success on the pitch, with a team that is developing and improving, to decide you're no more committed than you are to a the brand of lager or clothing retailer.

[tidus_mi2]

I can understand not going because the entertainment is low, I'm not going to criticise people for that.

Find the regular comment along the lines of "If results start matching performances, Richardson is in trouble!" Couldn't the opposite happen? Performances start matching results.

[leon]

Long term season ticket holders I know aren’t going because it’s so shit. I go because I’m a fcuking stoic legend.

I get where papes is coming from but I’m afraid neither he nor Ian go to the home games and that is where you perform in front of your fans.

And the performances have been shocking. Last night and last Saturday being cases in point. A decent well organised side would have seen off a spirited but limited Bolton team reasonably comfortably.

Hence the high levels of dissatisfaction.

I do find this a bit shocking.

If Vue don't have any films on I want to see, I don't go and buy a ticket out of loyalty.

If Tescos don't have what I want, I don't refuse to go to Sainsbury's because going to Tescos is part of my identity, passed down through the family.

But if Reading don't have a high-enough xG to keep me entertained, I'm not going to start going to Swindon or Oxford am I?

Yes I'd rather be entertained more. But I also, first and foremost, want the club to succeed, to avoid relegation, and to have a sustainable future.

The season ticket holders you reference may well have said, during the height of the Dai era existential threat, "I really want the club to survive, as long as they'e successful and the football is entertaining." I didn't hear that much at the time.

If you accept that a football club has a stronger emotional pull that just another entertainment business, it seems amazing to me that during a time of relative success on the pitch, with a team that is developing and improving, to decide you're no more committed than you are to a the brand of lager or clothing retailer.

Who mentioned going to watch Swindon? Or x fcuking G for that matter?

We’re not talking kids here we’re talking about adults. With responsibility and other things that get in the way. Family, work, commitments etc

Your post does suggest you’re either in your twenties and/or you have none of the above.

[Hound]

I can understand not going because the entertainment is low, I'm not going to criticise people for that.

Find the regular comment along the lines of "If results start matching performances, Richardson is in trouble!" Couldn't the opposite happen? Performances start matching results.

That’s the hope isn’t it? We’ve a decent side with lots of good individuals. Really good CB options, JP, Wing, Marriott absolutely on fire and good depth

It’s difficult to quite know why it isn’t clicking atm. The standout for me is the awful pass completion percentage- why are good technical players experienced at this level unable to retain the ball? If we can sort that then we’ll be good

As mentioned that Marriott goal on Tuesday was superb football. Why is that so rarely happening?

[Armadillo Roadkill]

Long term season ticket holders I know aren’t going because it’s so shit. I go because I’m a fcuking stoic legend.

I get where papes is coming from but I’m afraid neither he nor Ian go to the home games and that is where you perform in front of your fans.

And the performances have been shocking. Last night and last Saturday being cases in point. A decent well organised side would have seen off a spirited but limited Bolton team reasonably comfortably.

Hence the high levels of dissatisfaction.

I do find this a bit shocking.

If Vue don't have any films on I want to see, I don't go and buy a ticket out of loyalty.

If Tescos don't have what I want, I don't refuse to go to Sainsbury's because going to Tescos is part of my identity, passed down through the family.

But if Reading don't have a high-enough xG to keep me entertained, I'm not going to start going to Swindon or Oxford am I?

Yes I'd rather be entertained more. But I also, first and foremost, want the club to succeed, to avoid relegation, and to have a sustainable future.

The season ticket holders you reference may well have said, during the height of the Dai era existential threat, "I really want the club to survive, as long as they'e successful and the football is entertaining." I didn't hear that much at the time.

If you accept that a football club has a stronger emotional pull that just another entertainment business, it seems amazing to me that during a time of relative success on the pitch, with a team that is developing and improving, to decide you're no more committed than you are to a the brand of lager or clothing retailer.

Who mentioned going to watch Swindon? Or x fcuking G for that matter?

We’re not talking kids here we’re talking about adults. With responsibility and other things that get in the way. Family, work, commitments etc

Your post does suggest you’re either in your twenties and/or you have none of the above.

You're quite rude, aren't you?

I'm in my 60s.

If their responsibilities are so cumbersome, why did they buy a season ticket in the first place?

I'm just making the point that a football club is not just another entertainment business.

Surely, if you read my post carefully, you'll see the point I was making. The club still exists. We're nowhere near relegation. That's enough to keep me attending.

Clubs like Newcastle, West Ham, Spurs - the very worst supporter bases in the country for that sense of entitlement that demands not just success but a particular way of achieving in, hounding managers out with protests and boycotts because the football on display does not meet their expectations. I would hate to think Reading's fan base were like that.

[Snowflake Royal]

Long term season ticket holders I know aren’t going because it’s so shit. I go because I’m a fcuking stoic legend.

I get where papes is coming from but I’m afraid neither he nor Ian go to the home games and that is where you perform in front of your fans.

And the performances have been shocking. Last night and last Saturday being cases in point. A decent well organised side would have seen off a spirited but limited Bolton team reasonably comfortably.

Hence the high levels of dissatisfaction.

I do find this a bit shocking.

If Vue don't have any films on I want to see, I don't go and buy a ticket out of loyalty.

If Tescos don't have what I want, I don't refuse to go to Sainsbury's because going to Tescos is part of my identity, passed down through the family.

But if Reading don't have a high-enough xG to keep me entertained, I'm not going to start going to Swindon or Oxford am I?

Yes I'd rather be entertained more. But I also, first and foremost, want the club to succeed, to avoid relegation, and to have a sustainable future.

The season ticket holders you reference may well have said, during the height of the Dai era existential threat, "I really want the club to survive, as long as they'e successful and the football is entertaining." I didn't hear that much at the time.

If you accept that a football club has a stronger emotional pull that just another entertainment business, it seems amazing to me that during a time of relative success on the pitch, with a team that is developing and improving, to decide you're no more committed than you are to a the brand of lager or clothing retailer.

Who mentioned going to watch Swindon? Or x fcuking G for that matter?

We’re not talking kids here we’re talking about adults. With responsibility and other things that get in the way. Family, work, commitments etc

Your post does suggest you’re either in your twenties and/or you have none of the above.

Come on leon, the odds of anyone on here being in their 20s, except maybe DD and Clyde are pretty much zero.

[Snowflake Royal]

I can understand not going because the entertainment is low, I'm not going to criticise people for that.

Find the regular comment along the lines of "If results start matching performances, Richardson is in trouble!" Couldn't the opposite happen? Performances start matching results.

That’s the hope isn’t it? We’ve a decent side with lots of good individuals. Really good CB options, JP, Wing, Marriott absolutely on fire and good depth

It’s difficult to quite know why it isn’t clicking atm. The standout for me is the awful pass completion percentage- why are good technical players experienced at this level unable to retain the ball? If we can sort that then we’ll be good

As mentioned that Marriott goal on Tuesday was superb football. Why is that so rarely happening?

It's easy to talk about awful pass completion after a half like Bolton, but its not representative of every match. 65% v Bolton, but our season average is 75%, which is 8th in the division.

Lane's absolute horror show where he and Nyambe both had about 55% passing accuracy at HT vs Wigan and Lane stayed about that level, our overall score was 78%

[Hound]

I can understand not going because the entertainment is low, I'm not going to criticise people for that.

Find the regular comment along the lines of "If results start matching performances, Richardson is in trouble!" Couldn't the opposite happen? Performances start matching results.

That’s the hope isn’t it? We’ve a decent side with lots of good individuals. Really good CB options, JP, Wing, Marriott absolutely on fire and good depth

It’s difficult to quite know why it isn’t clicking atm. The standout for me is the awful pass completion percentage- why are good technical players experienced at this level unable to retain the ball? If we can sort that then we’ll be good

As mentioned that Marriott goal on Tuesday was superb football. Why is that so rarely happening?

It's easy to talk about awful pass completion after a half like Bolton, but its not representative of every match. 65% v Bolton, but our season average is 75%, which is 8th in the division.

Lane's absolute horror show where he and Nyambe both had about 55% passing accuracy at HT vs Wigan and Lane stayed about that level, our overall score was 78%

Interesting enough: what’s your take? Tactics, players? I don’t think anyone can say everything is just fine and performances are as they should be