Match Day Thread Reading

Anyone know what the situation is with Manning?
Hope there wasn't a dressing room spat, I was quite surprised not to see him even on the bench

 

Manning wouldn't get in ahead of the three that started yesterday imo, but I wouldn't mind him as back up.

 

I believe when we were promoted with NW we were not outside of the top 2 all season. So far this year we've matched that feat.

 

We are ahead of Cardiff, which is my key objective for the season! If only because it will shut up the 'let's get Colin back' brigade. But also because they are Cardiff.

 

I agree Sooper. Defence will be vital to us this season. We need to have that solid base at the back; it sounds as though our midfield performed well yesterday and will have more license to be creative if we can get that defence into top form - however I don't see it being an easy task. Getting Hall fit will be possible as he has the right mindset, however someone like Caulker is highly fragile and could be very much a weak link (he also isn't deserving of a place and hasn't earned the right to be in the team yet). I wonder if the Hoban deal is off because of Caulker, or will he still be brought in?

 

Holloway was quoted as saying that he'd put Ariel on the bench instead as he'd been impressed with him in training / pre-season. Quite a turnaround from shipping him out on loan as he didn't rate him last season

The midfield was excellent yesterday, but it is good to have effective cover for when the inevitable injuries / suspensions etc happen

 

We definitely need more cover at centre back. Not sure that Caulker will ever play for us again, and Hall has spent a fair proportion of his time with us out injured. We really need a strong centre back who can head the ball - a lot of headers lost yesterday, and with a more effective strike force yesterday Reading could've placed us under a lot more pressure from the long balls forward

 

The three that played at the back yesterday are not good enough as a unit. Hall will improve things greatly when he returns and so would Caulker if he could back to get anywhere near his best. I think we still need to get a CB in.

 

We have quite a short team. I do fear a better team than Reading will muller us at set pieces.

Still, glass is about 3/4 full today.

 

Ollie left him out because he thought Ariel deserved the place in the bench.

 

Need to finish above Brentford too.

 

Yes I deed as lost £30 on bets with workmate as he's bees

 

Really? Where did you see that? If true if I was Manning I would be seriously peed off.

 

I don't see this as a problem. There's only so many places on the bench and if the guy has earned his place during pre-season then that's fair enough imo.

 

With so many midfielders it's going to be difficult to keep them all happy.

 

Dave Mac did a piece on it.

 

Ollie said it. He also said Manning would feature in the Northampton game. I thought the back 3 did well enough yesterday apart from Ned's error which Smithies fixed. A clean sheet can't be bad.Thought Perch covered well behind Ned and Lynch when they were going into 50/50 ish challenges. Seems Hall could be out a while, and Caulker already has been, so think we need a new CB or 2 anyway.

 

Cheers. Excellent service from the club. Looked really impressive.