RFSC Fan's Forum
13 November 2001

Fans Forum in the Jazz Café Tuesday 13 November at 8pm
Present: Alan Pardew, Kevin Dillon and lots of members

Before the questions the members were updated on the following:

Supporters Trust
The committee have decided to move to the next stage in the formation of a Trust and so some of the reasons and benefits were put to the meeting

Parky Testimonial
Volunteers to help with ideas for Parky that do not clash with the official testimonial were requested

Xmas Party - Wigan game
Ideas to make the Christmas game a theme day with fun

Stewarding
The details shown in Reading Matter were expanded on and plans to expand communication with the stewards explained.

Further information on the Supporters Trust, Stewarding and Parky's testimonial will be posted on the RFSC web site. (And probably selected bits on Hob Nob Anyone?)

Questions to AP & KD

Questions were limited to 'on the field' matters. Due to the status of negotiations between the club and Martin Allen no questions were taken onthat subject.

How is Caskey gettjng on?
Getting bigger (joke!)

Now a manager for 2 years - is it easier?
Didn't feel that way. Upstairs more difficult this year- missed Maurice Evans.

Will Salako and Watson be signed?
JM back so trying to get Salako - determined doesn't leave now he is finally here.
Watson is skipper at Rotherham so still writing their programme notes! Great admirer and played with him, asked for the loan and has not yet asked more - wait and see - but unlikely.

Loan players rules?
Loan for 29 days for Salako because Charlton want him back at the end of the month. Most likely scenario if we can keep him will be we take him full time rather than extend the loan.
Max 3 months over 23, before December can take under 23 for the season and Nathan Tyson may stay at Swansea on this basis.

Kevin - what difference have you made?
Don't drive bus! Easier as the 1st team players finished article so contrasts with some of the reserves. Think coincidence now playing football, with loan players rather than coaching making the difference.

Why are we the best team away from home?
We dug a hole for ourselves at home after the West Ham game by raising expectations so much, not really recovered until this Sat. Hard to relate to fans what it is like, but the pressure meant the players hid from the ball. Missed Caskey in that he would always put his foot on the ball and was always willing to take a pass.

Why not in Berks & Bucks cup, does it imply reserves are doomed?
Reserves experience of Alan when they were scrapped last time will never happen again - Sat showed how important reserves were in stepping straight into team. Injuries playing non-leaguers and fixture pressure influenced the decision not to play.

What happens to Rougier & Smith if Salako joins?
Hughes & Smith did not perform as well as hoped especially at set plays. Will be cover for Salako if he comes, Rougier says and does right things but does not do it long enough in a game - also on a major fitness campaign (which unfortunately was interrupted by International call-up).

Mackie feature in future plans?
Brought him from non-league when no one else was after him. Winner and goes in where he shouldn't (for his own sake), unlucky with the centre halves in front of him but as he showed on Saturday he has pace as well.

Can you face the playoff finals again?
Would not worry to have go through it again - but not with this team as to lose a second knock back will break the team up. No fears of the play-off, but would hate to break this team up.

Neil Smith quality can we afford to let him go?
Has always fitted in as a character but has suffered at the hands of Parky. He is now fitter and sharper to the ball than last season. Budget may be too tight for long term, like Jimmy McIntyre but thinks he could be the surprise package of this season.

Do we let teams off the hook by strikers not defending and holding up the ball?
Understand, surprised at Martin Butler this season. Forster & Cureton were challenged to work hard against Bristol City - and it worked if they can keep it up we will not let teams off the hook. Darius has a role to play, he holds the ball up well and his height and defensive ability are a great help.

Once said Darius would save £2m how much is he worth now?
He gives us another dimension, he still learning so cannot put a price on him - a replacement would cost £1m

Now Forster has got 100th goal and will he now start passing?
In training Fozzy practised breaking down wing and passing to Butler for hours - he can't pass so better to shoot!

Is lack quality of balls the problem for forwards?
Without criticising midfield, tried to address this. Teams in second division do not let you play out they are now marking our full backs so that makes us kick it. Nicky Shorey and Murty can distribute. Shorey is great on the ball - but is he strong enough on the post? He will surprise a lot of people this year.

Joe Gamble - what does he have to do to get in the team?
Harper is the key to Gamble, Harper has only played in flashes he is above everyone in training but not enough of the time on the pitch. May just be too many young players with Nicky Shorey and Darius.

Injury update?
Ricky needs another op (a different surgeon). Butts in plaster. Chris Casper shoulder injury needs time (he must be the unluckiest player with injuries), Whitbread is fit and training, Adie Williams hurt calf in warm up but will be training Thursday Robinson near training

Do we have Graeme Murty cover?
No, cross your fingers !

Why is Curo always substituted?
Usually comes off when we are protecting leads. He is always inventive and a clever flick may not be appropriate at that time. Disagreement on Wrexham game, Curo felt he earned those chances (which he did) but Darius can hold the ball and can defend set plays. Fozzy is so fit it he is unlikely to be taken off first.

Discipline has improved recently why?
Down to Dill - he never got booked ( yeah right !!) Addressed four weeks ago to stop talking back to refs which has worked.

How close do you think you came to being sacked?
Too close, especially after the Swindon game when that was not my team. Meant thought about whether ought to stay. (From the floor - You were right to stay as you are the key to success here)

How close to quitting though the lack of appreciation?
This business you need to be thick skinned, as a player you have to dig yourself out. As a manager take it more personally so it did hurt. Love it here and will not quit.

Penalty taker now Butts is out?
Curo as he as has scored more ( he won a fight with Fozzie last Friday to decide !)

How close is Ashdown to playing and does Whitehead got a weakness to his left?
Best keeper in the division, dry sense of humour, great trainer and it is rubbing off on Jamie. Happy for Jamie to be in team

What think about fans who moan both home and away?
This has always concerned me here - can't see why we have more of that sort of supporter (both now and at Elm Park) than other clubs. Understand for some performances, but those supporters do not help. Can't tell how frustrating it is to hear it.

What do you think of a director of football?
Considered. Maurice was brought in to help turn around a poor squad and make it good enough to get out of this division. The support he gave to reinforce opinion of good players less necessary now. Keith Peacock and Steve Coppell both act as mentors when necessary (but Coppell's advice now unreliable!). A DOF may destabilise as it really has to be the right person to really work.

Does John Salako want to come?
Yes, emotion showed when he scored. Not a premier league player wanting protection, he has shown his desire in the games so far.

The third goal was from centre of defence with 4 touches start to finish how pleasing was that?
Great and with our strikers you will see more of that as we have such pace on the break. Second half there was one chance that would have been the best yet but the pass was just over hit.

Centre half - compare Linvoy with Whitbread.
Whitbread is so cool and calm but has no pace, as the other Adies so that is why we do not play the Adrian wall as they play too deep through lack of pace. But prefer him to Linvoy.

This completed the questions and the meeting finished with a word from each:

Dill thanks for tonight for being gentle - turnout better than last year and is appreciated.

Pards thanks those who sent messages of support in the dark days.