Hey guys, you'll know I'm a Reading fan, and ⦠what a big week for us this is turning out to be!! The team needs to somehow focus on the big game Saturday â well, big for us, but maybe just routine stuff for yourselves. Iâm pretty active on our friendly forum âRoyals Rendezvousâ and here is our match presentation and game thread â http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9840589/1 and 80% of the info is about the Red Devils and not the Royals. So I'd be interested in your views as always ... So, what do you make of the game at the weekend? Will Readingâs trauma produce an immediate desire to produce an improvement, or will we be wallowing in our sorrows? Are you looking forward to the encounter, and what's the team news your side? Any comments and views welcome, and any questions for us just get back on this thread ⦠daib0 (David)
What do you think of McDermott's sacking then? And who would you like to perform the miracle? It won't happen as it's not possible but you must have a preference. Was listening to the radio yesterday evening and a couple of Reading fan callers in the aftermath of the sacking claim that the big majority of Reading fans prefer life in the championship, how true is this? Many questions for you there.
Tbh it's the kind of game I'd expect us to win. Maybe not comfortably, and probably with some drama and maybe some controversy, but regardless of what's happening with Reading I'd expect us to win by a goal or two. Hard to say. Sacking the manager is always a bit of a gamble - if it works the chairman is a genius, if not he's an idiot who's condemned you to relegation. Tho' regardless of how it turns out I think you were sleepwalking towards the drop with McDermott and the chairman had to do something before it was too late. You'll probably see an immediate improvement, as most teams do when they change their manager, but whether it will be enough or not will have to wait and see. Not really looking forward to it - it's a game we should win imo which makes it a banana skin. Even if we win and score lots and play great it's still only three points, although one less chance to drop points avoided. Team news, I reckon Nani will be out, Jones may play a wee bit if he's fit, Scholes and Fletch still missing. I think we'll play a strong squad to move on from the disappointments against Real and Chelsea - no point resting players right before the internationals. Rooney and RVP may start together as they both missed one of the last two games.
There's still large shell shock today in Reading. Why now, and not at Christmas. Only 33 days since he won manager of the month he's been sacked. Perhaps he was still in the job so long out of loyalty by the Russian president ... but is it now too late to save the Royals? Probably, but who knows ... It was probably on the cards early December, then for some strange reason we went on a run, now we can see it was a 'lucky fluky run', but that covered our eyes up to the naked truth. Now last four of five games it's gone wrong, and heck we realize that there are less than a dozen games left! Panic button it was ..So it was a 'desperado' move, but Zingarevich had a five year plan. Probably sounds crazy to an established team like yourselves, but included increasing the stadium from 24,160 to 38,000, a new training ground + match pitch for reserves/academy, and being on the fringes on Europe in 5 years. I don't think relegation at all entered his equations, and I believe he is secretly now wishing he made this move earlier. Yet Brian IS much loved, so it was very delicate all the way.
I'd personally prefer Adkins, but the club might go for a fiery name ... Nope, championship might be a bit more comfortable, but most on my forum are 'healthily ambitious', premier every time. But I must admit, that when we got promotion almost unexpectedly last season (at least if you'd seen the table first half of season!), I was a bit nervous about signing up for a number of new forums, I do quite a bit of RR's 'outreach activity' as it were. But I've been mightily impressed, far better received than I'd dared hope for (except a couple of places, no names!), and would love the chance to continue that. So I'm crossing fingers for the big escape ...
The two bits in bold don't equate though do they? He had to spend some money to bring in some premier league quality players for this to work and he didn't, instead he sacked the manager and will now hope that whoever he brings in can stay in the premier league with those very same championship players. That man does not exist.
Indeed. Glad you told me the new series starts tonight as i had no idea. Just ope it doesnt interfere with Great British menu.
Whenever I hear an owner or manager has an "X year plan" or "long term plan" I roll my eyes. People like that have no understanding of football - the best plan in the world can be ****ed by a couple of unlucky injuries or key players losing form. You have to be ready to roll with the punches, prepare for the worst and expect that everything isn't going to go how you planned it would. Seems like Reading are the latest in a long line of clubs to have finally realised that, probably too late.
Actually, the fans on our forum do realize in large part, but it seems though that the club itself doesn't!!
Oh fans realise it very quickly - they've usually seen enough owners promise the world and end up ****ing it up. It's the owners who see Abramovich and Mansour waving their trophies around on the golf course and think "I'd like a bit of that" who don't realise the realities of football until it's way too late.
I think we'll either thrash Reading, or drop points. We haven't blown anyone out this season, we've come off two disappointing results and Reading just sacked their manager. We'll either put 7 past them or draw 1-1 or even lose.
Skipper's personal thoughts Royals captain Jobi McAnuff wanted to pass on a personal message following the departure of Brian McDermott and Nigel Gibbs earlier this week, and as we prepare for the final nine games of this season. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "On behalf of myself and all of the players I would like to express our massive gratitude to Brian and Gibbo. Starting with Brian, I must say a massive thank you to him for what he has done, not only for myself in making me captain and the faith he showed in me, but the rest of the squad and everyone associated with Reading FC, it's been a great period and he has been fundamental in that success. I don't think anyone can argue that he has left Reading in a far healthier position than when he came first came in with the club at the wrong end of the Championship. In his own calm, measured and respectful way he managed to take us to where we are today and for that everybody at the club will be eternally grateful and as players we certainly owe him a huge debt. He is a top manager but above all else he is a truly good man. It goes without saying we wish him all the very best in his next challenge, which Iâm sure will be soon. He and I spoke on the phone on Monday, obviously it was a difficult conversation but he handled himself with great dignity. He wished us all the best for the season, which is a mark of the man. He didn't talk about himself or what had happened, he just had the players' and the club's best interests at heart. I've also known Gibbo for many years and he is both a great professional and a real top football man. He has also been key in our success, his contribution cannot be underestimated and the players have huge respect for him on and off the training pitch and as a man of integrity. And although Yannis had only been here for a short period of time we all wish him nothing but good luck in the future. As players we all feel responsible for the decision that has been made as it's our performances out there on the pitch that dictate results, in that respect we understand the results - particularly of late - haven't been good enough and that's something we are trying our hardest to address. Now we've got nine games to go to turn things around for the players, staff and supporters. The whole squad met as one on Tuesday morning and Anton should be given credit for standing up in front of us and talking us through his decision at the earliest opportunity. It was clear to see it was a very tough decision for him to have to make, but one he feels is best for the club in our fight against relegation, as players we fully respect his decision and will now concentrate on the remainder of the season and try to maintain our Premier League status. Eamonn and I also spoke at length and I would like to wish him the best of luck and emphasise that he has the full support of the players as we concentrate on Saturdayâs game. He is very well known by the boys and has obviously worked wonders in our Academy with so many players coming through to do well, not just here but at lots of other clubs as well. All of the young lads speak very highly of him and preparing for Manchester United will not faze him in any way shape or form. He has been an integral part of the clubâs success over the past number of years and we will all pull together for him. One thing we pride ourselves on here at Reading is unity and Eamonn will no doubt focus on that moving forward together. We have nine games to go and with our supporters alongside us we will give it a real shot, starting on Saturday"
THE shortlist for the new Reading manager includes ennui, empathy and a sense of unfulfillable longing. Reflections on mortality is currently in charge of Ipswich Town After Brian McDermott was fired for having human traits such as fallibility and honesty, club scouts are searching their dictionaries for experienced nouns and adverbs. Reading owner Anton Zigarevich said: “In the battle to avoid relegation we may go for the word ‘battle’ until the end of the season. “But until then our caretaker manager will be a crushing awareness of futility.” If appointed, Reading’s new formless notion will be the first to manage at the top-level since England missed the 1994 World Cup under a vaguely remembered childhood holiday in Rhyl. Other Premier League clubs are on alert as Reading may try to poach Chelsea’s avalanche of farce, or the smell of fried onions in the Bobby Moore Stand at Upton Park. The club’s fans have been asked to be realistic in their expectations, but message boards have been buzzing with speculation that Barcelona’s smugness might be interested in a challenge. Zingarevich added: “We just have to avoid appointing a raving lunatic like Paolo Di Canio.”
Hey guys, we've been linking up with Sunderland and Liverpool fans of late to do match previews and a league placings game too. I thought you might be interested in a pre-match assessment by 'Wolfy', RR's own resident Liverpool fan ... any comments back (sociable please!) especially welcome - I'd happily hand back to him, if reproducible! Match: Manchester United v Reading Date: 16th March 2013 Time: 17:30 Competition: Premier League Form: Man Utd - WWWWW Reading - LLLLW Last Meeting: Man Utd 2-1 Reading (FA Cup) It's the inevitable champions against the side many tip for bottom place. This game looks like a home win all over but once again, you can never put any team down in this league. Man Utd have won the last 5 league games but the last two results may have hurt them quite a bit. The 2-2 draw at home against Chelsea was just about earned in the end after an incredible comeback from the blues, while Ronaldo scoring the winning goal at Old Trafford for Real Madrid was a kick in the guts. But despite what many say, this Man United team is very talented. Van Persie only has one goal in his last 9 games but can still boast 19 league goals, while Rooney who has been labelled all kinds has 11 goals and 9 assists. The only problem is, after those two, United have no consistent scorers at the moment because the likes of Hernandez don't start. I think this affected them in the last two outings. They will dictate possession in this game so their should be chances for the forwards to get scoring again. I think they have more threat out wide. Many clubs would love to boast Nani, Young and Valencia as wingers so they do have more strength in the squad then even I personally thought at first. The defence is dodgy but the cover from midfield is usually enough in home games against the lower sides and United's on form keeper will be expecting a clean sheet as well as the 3 points. Reading have lost the last 5 including the FA Cup game at Old Trafford so this is the last place they want to visit at the moment, with or without a manager. They seemed to recruit well in January and hit some form but it looks like a bit of a fluke with the last 5 games showing little signs of Reading getting out of trouble. I've said from day one that their squad isn't good enough so McDermott always had a hell of a job on his hands but I don't think sacking him will save them either. At the start of the season, they had Pogrebynak who had swept Fulham fans off their feet, Le Fondre, the best striker in the lower divisions, Noel hunt and impact man Jason Roberts. But with Roberts injured a long while, the other strikers have really failed to impress. Le Fondre was on great form a few weeks back and I thought they had a star on their hands, but just like the points, his goals dried up. Someone needs to come in and make them get more goals because I don't think the middle is very uncreative, they are not premier league quality but can still create chances. They need at least 5 in midfield for this game because I can't see them having the quality to attack at Man Utd, before being ripped apart. Of course fans want to see goals and good play but Reading's only chance is to keep things tight and don't get tempted to be the hero, there will be breaks for them so there will be chances for goals, but will the striker(s) take them? Man Utd have won 5 of the last 7 meetings, drawing the other two and should be too strong here. 3-0. Twitter: @LFCWolfy
Here's dear Lawro from BBC Sport ... Man Utd v Reading (17:30 GMT) I don't understand what Reading's Russian owner Anton Zingarevich is trying to do by sacking Brian McDermott at this stage of the season. Does he really think somebody new is going to come in and kickstart them and get them enough points, because I don't see that happening. They might get a couple of decent results to begin with but the bottom line is something that I have been saying all season and that is there is not enough quality in the Royals' squad. The fact that they have still been competitive, and the spirit in the squad that was obvious from some of their results a few weeks ago, is largely down to McDermott and his coaching staff who have also departed. But depending on who he appoints next, we will find out more about what Zingarevich is after and whether he wants to be in the newspapers every day. It will be interesting to find out. Caretaker manager Eamonn Dolan will be in charge at Old Trafford, which is not exactly what you would call an easy start for him. United have been licking their wounds after a bad week by their standards, going out of the Champions League and then hanging on for a draw against Chelsea in the FA Cup. But I cannot see Reading denying United three points and denting the lead they have at the top of the table. If things were closer, then Robin van Persie's loss of form would be more crucial but the reality is that it has not made a difference to United domestically. Lawro's prediction: 3-0 -------------------------------------- As usual, full of rambling. He says Reading "might get a couple of decent results to begin with" but then predicts a 0-3 loss - or, is that in fact a decent result seeing how good Man Utd are??
