Hard to see any progress for the forseeable future

[Royal Lady]

I said I couldn't understand why last season it seemed Coppell was happy with three strikers and yet this season we have five. AP has already said, and I have agreed with him, that Coppell probably thought he'd lose Doyle and/or Lita at some stage - thus answering my question.

[SteveRoyal]

Take a look at your avatar, Schards

[RoyalBlue]

Why wait until the end of the year for Coppell to walk out, lets get rid now and get a fresh manager in to look at the squad prior to the January sales. This is a season of parachute payments wasted with the club just going backwards even more.

Having made the decision to stick with him in the Summer, I think Mr Mad et al would look exceeedingly foolish if they got rid of Coppell right now.

Plus Mr Mad will want Coppell on board through the January window...and we all know why.

I wouldn't worry too much. I don't think Coppell's heart is in it for the long ride i.e. a couple of seasons work or more. Therefore, if things (particularly our away form) haven't picked up and we are not in the top six by November, I reckon he will fall on his sword. This will allow time to find a new manager and for him to make his own assessment of the current squad before the window opens in January. Then we will see just how much JM is committed to getting us back up to the PL sooner rather than later.

[Uke]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

[RoyalBlue]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

All very well but prior to the start of this season, and coinciding with the sale of season tickets, who was building up the belief that a quick return to the PL was what we should aspire to? Step forward JM, NH & co! At that time more than happy for us to put our money where their mouths were!

Are you really suggesting that for the longer term benefit of RFC we should sit back and be happy if our team aren't pushing for promotion?!! If so, what's the point in supporting a team in a competitive sport!

I take it that should we unfortunately find our way into the playoffs, you will be cheering on our opponents for fear that we could end up back in the evil PL!!

I guess at least we would be treating the cups and league with the same level of respect!

[brendywendy]

they reduced ticket prices, sell fewer tickets, get less from TV, less from the league itself
and you expected us to spend more now than when we were in the prem?

[Uke]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

All very well but prior to the start of this season, and coinciding with the sale of season tickets, who was building up the belief that a quick return to the PL was what we should aspire to? Step forward JM, NH & co! At that time more than happy for us to put our money where their mouths were!

Are you really suggesting that for the longer term benefit of RFC we should sit back and be happy if our team aren't pushing for promotion?!! If so, what's the point in supporting a team in a competitive sport!

I take it that should we unfortunately find our way into the playoffs, you will be cheering on our opponents for fear that we could end up back in the evil PL!!

I guess at least we would be treating the cups and league with the same level of respect!

Separate Advertising/marketing from fact

I love wining ad promotion as much as anyone else, but I would not want to see it all spunked away for 3 or 4 seasons in the Prem if it leaded to the club folding - would you?

Ambition does not mean losing site of the long term view - in fact very much the opposite

[Man Friday]

they reduced ticket prices, sell fewer tickets, get less from TV, less from the league itself
and you expected us to spend more now than when we were in the prem?

Of course. That's why we went down. If we don't spend, we'll stay down. The money can come from sales of players, parachute payments or JM's back pocket.

[Scarface]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

If we don't at least strive to get back up I can see another 5 or 6 players leaving next year. Like Leicester we could easily see ourselves in Div 1 rebuilding in a few years (which might suit Coppell more, as the players will have smaller egos), so yes I believe it would be better for us to be back in the Prem next season.

Being a YoYo club will in the long run improve the squad and bank balance.

[Uke]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

If we don't at least strive to get back up I can see another 5 or 6 players leaving next year. Like Leicester we could easily see ourselves in Div 1 rebuilding in a few years (which might suit Coppell more, as the players will have smaller egos), so yes I believe it would be better for us to be back in the Prem next season.

Being a YoYo club will in the long run improve the squad and bank balance.

Look at the successful yo-yo's though - none of them spent big and they continue to yo-yo. By default this means for every up there will be a down and a restructuring.

Also the period does not need to be every season, so don't always expect a bounce back up. What matters is where you are yo-yoing and we are yo-yoing in the right place.

Unfortunately this doesn't get through to some people.

[Northern Git]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

But from a financial point of view it is. And as you, and many many others, regard RFC's financial well being as paramount, the only place we have been financialy secure without JM's assistance is in the Premiership.

I think it’s all a bit of a Catch 22 for JM

He has made it no secret that he finds the costs involved in being a premiership club ‘obscene’

He has made it no secret he wants to sell.

He has made it no secret that he wants the club to be self financing.

He has made it no secret that he no longer supports the club financially from his own pocket.

However.....

It only time in recent history the club has been profitable and self supporting is when ..... it’s been in the Premiership.

The most chance of selling the club is when ..... Reading is in the Premiership.

The most chance of him never having to dip into his own pockets again is ..... if Reading are in the Premiership.

It will be interesting to see his reaction if we fail to go back up in the next two seasons and the £11,000,000 parachute payments stop.

Get ready for more ‘cut your cloth’ speeches and a wholesale dumping of anyone earning more than £50.00 a week.

[Uke]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

But from a financial point of view it is. And as you, and many many others, regard RFC's financial well being as paramount, the only place we have been financialy secure without JM's assistance is in the Premiership.

I think it’s all a bit of a Catch 22 for JM

He has made it no secret that he finds the costs involved in being a premiership club ‘obscene’

He has made it no secret he wants to sell.

He has made it no secret that he wants the club to be self financing.

He has made it no secret that he no longer supports the club financially from his own pocket.

However.....

It only time in recent history the club has been profitable and self supporting is when ..... it’s been in the Premiership.

The most chance of selling the club is when ..... Reading is in the Premiership.

The most chance of him never having to dip into his own pockets again is ..... if Reading are in the Premiership.

It will be interesting to see his reaction if we fail to go back up in the next two seasons and the £11,000,000 parachute payments stop.

Get ready for more ‘cut your cloth’ speeches and a wholesale dumping of anyone earning more than £50.00 a week.

Did you accudently forget to quote the bit about only selling to 'safe hands' to ensure the best interests for the club?

[Northern Git]

I really can't help but be amazed athow many people still think that getting into the Prem is still the best thing for RFC, given the news headlines yesterday and today!

Try and separate what you (individually) want from what is better long term for RFC.

But from a financial point of view it is. And as you, and many many others, regard RFC's financial well being as paramount, the only place we have been financialy secure without JM's assistance is in the Premiership.

I think it’s all a bit of a Catch 22 for JM

He has made it no secret that he finds the costs involved in being a premiership club ‘obscene’

He has made it no secret he wants to sell.

He has made it no secret that he wants the club to be self financing.

He has made it no secret that he no longer supports the club financially from his own pocket.

However.....

It only time in recent history the club has been profitable and self supporting is when ..... it’s been in the Premiership.

The most chance of selling the club is when ..... Reading is in the Premiership.

The most chance of him never having to dip into his own pockets again is ..... if Reading are in the Premiership.

It will be interesting to see his reaction if we fail to go back up in the next two seasons and the £11,000,000 parachute payments stop.

Get ready for more ‘cut your cloth’ speeches and a wholesale dumping of anyone earning more than £50.00 a week.

Did you accudently forget to quote the bit about only selling to 'safe hands' to ensure the best interests for the club?

No, the only person I quoted was you. And your post I quoted said nothing about safe hands.

[Uke]

But from a financial point of view it is. And as you, and many many others, regard RFC's financial well being as paramount, the only place we have been financialy secure without JM's assistance is in the Premiership.

I think it’s all a bit of a Catch 22 for JM

He has made it no secret that he finds the costs involved in being a premiership club ‘obscene’

He has made it no secret he wants to sell.

He has made it no secret that he wants the club to be self financing.

He has made it no secret that he no longer supports the club financially from his own pocket.

However.....

It only time in recent history the club has been profitable and self supporting is when ..... it’s been in the Premiership.

The most chance of selling the club is when ..... Reading is in the Premiership.

The most chance of him never having to dip into his own pockets again is ..... if Reading are in the Premiership.

It will be interesting to see his reaction if we fail to go back up in the next two seasons and the £11,000,000 parachute payments stop.

Get ready for more ‘cut your cloth’ speeches and a wholesale dumping of anyone earning more than £50.00 a week.

Did you accudently forget to quote the bit about only selling to 'safe hands' to ensure the best interests for the club?

No, the only person I quoted was you. And your post I quoted said nothing about safe hands.

It was Madejski that has always said he will only sell to a safe pair of hands

[Northern Git]

^ Correct. So your point is?

[Platypuss]

Did you accudently forget to quote the bit about only selling to 'safe hands' to ensure the best interests for the club?

Did you forget to add the relevance?

[Uke]

Did you accudently forget to quote the bit about only selling to 'safe hands' to ensure the best interests for the club?

Did you forget to add the relevance?

I think I did!

[Lower West]

It only time in recent history the club has been profitable and self supporting is when ..... it’s been in the Premiership.

and only beacause JM invested in the club many years ago.......

[Arch]

supporting Reading's going to be a whole lot duller and uninspiring than in recent years

Oh yeah.

[Uke]

supporting Reading's going to be a whole lot duller and uninspiring than in recent years

Oh yeah.

LOL