I agree with Robbie Savage

[Snowflake Royal]

Well after yesterday we sit one place and three points outside the drop zone and with two difficult games coming up it`s not inconceivable
to think we will be entrenched there by the end of the month, still early days obviously but it won`t stop the bed wetters here or on twatter going into a panic frenzy.
Of course Robbie is right, our main aim this season is to maintain our current status, top half will be a tremendous achievement.

Being in the bottom 6 after 10 games would obviously be very disappointing. But I think heads and tactics would have to go completely for us to stay there all season.

Obviously would have been good not to move Bristol as we should have been favourites for that.

But let's not rate Bolton too highly. They've played all the bottom 3, and you'd expect those teams to be down there, and that's where half their points have come from. They drew with Burton, got stuffed by Wigan and lost to a poor Middlesbrough.

I'll not be suprised with any result out of that game given we're at home.

Then it's Blackpool - mid-table
Burton - bottom 3
Northampton - midtable.

We should really be looking at a minimum of 5 points and not unrealistic as an unbeaten 8 or 10.

[Royal_jimmy]

It's not been a good start to the season but this team will get better for sure. Lots of potential.

The away results have been disappointing but we look a solid side at home. Keep that up and we'll be midtable.

[Sutekh]

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

Even Kitson managed to miss a couple, although that’s basically inevitable.

I think Le Fondre deserves to be considered on that level. Had a lot of faith in Gylfi and Harte too, but not sure they took very many.

I don't remember Jimmy Quinn missing many.

The only one can I remember him missing was when he allegedly managed to hit the top of York Minster from one of the penalty spots at Bootham Cresecent in 1994.

[tidus_mi2]

While it's not good to be just outside the relegation zone at this point, it also doesn't feel like a relegation battle season, coupled with our poor pre-season I do think we'll eventually catch up but probably nothing more than a mid-table finish.

[From Despair To Where?]

Even Kitson managed to miss a couple, although that’s basically inevitable.

I think Le Fondre deserves to be considered on that level. Had a lot of faith in Gylfi and Harte too, but not sure they took very many.

I don't remember Jimmy Quinn missing many.

The only one can I remember him missing was when he allegedly managed to hit the top of York Minster from one of the penalty spots at Bootham Cresecent in 1994.

I was there for that one. That penalty was so wayward, it was named Hale- Bopp.

[Clyde1998]

We all love xG stats. By their measure we are 12th best at creating chances at 6.65 xG, but we have only scored 3. Only 3 teams are underperforming more than us. We also create a high proportion of our chances from open play, which I also view as encouraging.

At the other end, we're 4th in xA with 5.23, and have conceded 5.

So overall, we're solid defensively, create chances but have not been converting. Bring in Ballard and Smith and hopefully that changes. There is reason to think we'll push up the table, compared with last year where we simply didn't create chances from open play.

But I would still be surprised if we make top 6 this season.

A 20% success rate on penalties is another stat that will hopefully improve too.

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

From what I've found, our all time top penalty scorers are:

1. Ray Reeves - 21
2. Stuart Beavon - 15 (+1 in shoot-outs)
3. Jimmy Quinn - 15
4. Darren Caskey - 15
5. George Harris - 13
6. John Murray - 12
7. Richie Bowman - 11
8. Gordon Cumming - 10
9. Trevor Morley - 10 (+1 in shoot-outs)
10. Shane Long - 10 (+3 in shoot-outs)

I don't know what the conversion rate is for each player historically, but for recent(ish) players (who took at least five penalties, including shoot-outs):

1. George Puscas - 100% (7/7)
2. Nick Blackman - 100% (5/5)
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson - 89% (8/9)
4. Adam Le Fondre - 88% (7/8)
5. Stephen Hunt - 88% (7/8)
6. Hal Robson-Kanu - 83% (5/6)
7. Shane Long - 81% (13/16)
8. Yann Kermorgant - 80% (4/5)
9. Kevin Doyle - 71% (5/7)
10. Lucas Joao - 70% (7/10)
11. John Swift - 67% (4/6)
12. Ian Harte - 63% (5/8)
13. Garath McCleary - 63% (5/8)

[Clyde1998]

Even Kitson managed to miss a couple, although that’s basically inevitable.

I think Le Fondre deserves to be considered on that level. Had a lot of faith in Gylfi and Harte too, but not sure they took very many.

I don't remember Jimmy Quinn missing many.

The only one can I remember him missing was when he allegedly managed to hit the top of York Minster from one of the penalty spots at Bootham Cresecent in 1994.

https://youtu.be/ZyfUeWh7uk0?si=-b6-AH06rY8ChdPY&t=2728

[RoyalBlue]

I don't remember Jimmy Quinn missing many.

The only one can I remember him missing was when he allegedly managed to hit the top of York Minster from one of the penalty spots at Bootham Cresecent in 1994.

https://youtu.be/ZyfUeWh7uk0?si=-b6-AH06rY8ChdPY&t=2728

Maybe he felt guilty over being given that one. An incredible decision by the ref when the ball clearly hits the defender on the chest! Not a single Reading player can be seen appealing for a penalty! The Mighty Quinn stepped up and ensured justice was served!

[RoyalBlue]

A 20% success rate on penalties is another stat that will hopefully improve too.

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

From what I've found, our all time top penalty scorers are:

1. Ray Reeves - 21
2. Stuart Beavon - 15 (+1 in shoot-outs)
3. Jimmy Quinn - 15
4. Darren Caskey - 15
5. George Harris - 13
6. John Murray - 12
7. Richie Bowman - 11
8. Gordon Cumming - 10
9. Trevor Morley - 10 (+1 in shoot-outs)
10. Shane Long - 10 (+3 in shoot-outs)

I don't know what the conversion rate is for each player historically, but for recent(ish) players (who took at least five penalties, including shoot-outs):

1. George Puscas - 100% (7/7)
2. Nick Blackman - 100% (5/5)
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson - 89% (8/9)
4. Adam Le Fondre - 88% (7/8)
5. Stephen Hunt - 88% (7/8)
6. Hal Robson-Kanu - 83% (5/6)
7. Shane Long - 81% (13/16)
8. Yann Kermorgant - 80% (4/5)
9. Kevin Doyle - 71% (5/7)
10. Lucas Joao - 70% (7/10)
11. John Swift - 67% (4/6)
12. Ian Harte - 63% (5/8)
13. Garath McCleary - 63% (5/8)

I can't remember seeing Caskey miss any and can't find any reports of him doing so, although he may well have done. In 1999-2000 he apparently scored 9 penalties which let to his haters (in common with many of our more skilful/refined players over the years he seemed to attract quite a few) denigrating his 22 goals that season because so many came from penalties!

[Snowflake Royal]

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

From what I've found, our all time top penalty scorers are:

1. Ray Reeves - 21
2. Stuart Beavon - 15 (+1 in shoot-outs)
3. Jimmy Quinn - 15
4. Darren Caskey - 15
5. George Harris - 13
6. John Murray - 12
7. Richie Bowman - 11
8. Gordon Cumming - 10
9. Trevor Morley - 10 (+1 in shoot-outs)
10. Shane Long - 10 (+3 in shoot-outs)

I don't know what the conversion rate is for each player historically, but for recent(ish) players (who took at least five penalties, including shoot-outs):

1. George Puscas - 100% (7/7)
2. Nick Blackman - 100% (5/5)
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson - 89% (8/9)
4. Adam Le Fondre - 88% (7/8)
5. Stephen Hunt - 88% (7/8)
6. Hal Robson-Kanu - 83% (5/6)
7. Shane Long - 81% (13/16)
8. Yann Kermorgant - 80% (4/5)
9. Kevin Doyle - 71% (5/7)
10. Lucas Joao - 70% (7/10)
11. John Swift - 67% (4/6)
12. Ian Harte - 63% (5/8)
13. Garath McCleary - 63% (5/8)

I can't remember seeing Caskey miss any and can't find any reports of him doing so, although he may well have done. In 1999-2000 he apparently scored 9 penalties which let to his haters (in common with many of our more skilful/refined players over the years he seemed to attract quite a few) denigrating his 22 goals that season because so many came from penalties!

Do those include ones turned in on the rebound? Because by my count that puts McCleary at 100%, I swear he tucked away at least 3 saved.

And Morley had one saved he headed home against Steve Francis vs Huddersfield.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

A 20% success rate on penalties is another stat that will hopefully improve too.

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

From what I've found, our all time top penalty scorers are:

1. Ray Reeves - 21
2. Stuart Beavon - 15 (+1 in shoot-outs)
3. Jimmy Quinn - 15
4. Darren Caskey - 15
5. George Harris - 13
6. John Murray - 12
7. Richie Bowman - 11
8. Gordon Cumming - 10
9. Trevor Morley - 10 (+1 in shoot-outs)
10. Shane Long - 10 (+3 in shoot-outs)

I don't know what the conversion rate is for each player historically, but for recent(ish) players (who took at least five penalties, including shoot-outs):

1. George Puscas - 100% (7/7)
2. Nick Blackman - 100% (5/5)
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson - 89% (8/9)
4. Adam Le Fondre - 88% (7/8)
5. Stephen Hunt - 88% (7/8)
6. Hal Robson-Kanu - 83% (5/6)
7. Shane Long - 81% (13/16)
8. Yann Kermorgant - 80% (4/5)
9. Kevin Doyle - 71% (5/7)
10. Lucas Joao - 70% (7/10)
11. John Swift - 67% (4/6)
12. Ian Harte - 63% (5/8)
13. Garath McCleary - 63% (5/8)

Actually quite surprised Puscas took as many as he did. Can only remember 2 from memory, Wigan away and Sheff Wednesday at home.

[Stranded]

Well after yesterday we sit one place and three points outside the drop zone and with two difficult games coming up it`s not inconceivable
to think we will be entrenched there by the end of the month, still early days obviously but it won`t stop the bed wetters here or on twatter going into a panic frenzy.
Of course Robbie is right, our main aim this season is to maintain our current status, top half will be a tremendous achievement.

Being in the bottom 6 after 10 games would obviously be very disappointing. But I think heads and tactics would have to go completely for us to stay there all season.

Obviously would have been good not to move Bristol as we should have been favourites for that.

But let's not rate Bolton too highly. They've played all the bottom 3, and you'd expect those teams to be down there, and that's where half their points have come from. They drew with Burton, got stuffed by Wigan and lost to a poor Middlesbrough.

I'll not be suprised with any result out of that game given we're at home.

Then it's Blackpool - mid-table
Burton - bottom 3
Northampton - midtable.

We should really be looking at a minimum of 5 points and not unrealistic as an unbeaten 8 or 10.

Conversely, whilst Bolton have picked up most of their points against teams in the fledgling bottom 3, we have played most of our games against the early top 6 - yes, some of their points (bar Stevenage) have come from us but all have won around 4 from 6 matches. So in that sense its been a tough start for a new side, learning a new style of play without the benefit of a full pre-season - you could make arguments that if we were only moderately more efficient in the final 3rd we could have taken points from most of those games.

One would hope, if we can maintain the shape, performance and patterns that are emerging and with one or two key players back - Wing looks like he could be key to the whole thing working for example, then as we play teams who have started poorly or as inconsistantly as we have, then more points should come our way fairly quickly.

[WestYorksRoyal]

A 20% success rate on penalties is another stat that will hopefully improve too.

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

From what I've found, our all time top penalty scorers are:

1. Ray Reeves - 21
2. Stuart Beavon - 15 (+1 in shoot-outs)
3. Jimmy Quinn - 15
4. Darren Caskey - 15
5. George Harris - 13
6. John Murray - 12
7. Richie Bowman - 11
8. Gordon Cumming - 10
9. Trevor Morley - 10 (+1 in shoot-outs)
10. Shane Long - 10 (+3 in shoot-outs)

I don't know what the conversion rate is for each player historically, but for recent(ish) players (who took at least five penalties, including shoot-outs):

1. George Puscas - 100% (7/7)
2. Nick Blackman - 100% (5/5)
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson - 89% (8/9)
4. Adam Le Fondre - 88% (7/8)
5. Stephen Hunt - 88% (7/8)
6. Hal Robson-Kanu - 83% (5/6)
7. Shane Long - 81% (13/16)
8. Yann Kermorgant - 80% (4/5)
9. Kevin Doyle - 71% (5/7)
10. Lucas Joao - 70% (7/10)
11. John Swift - 67% (4/6)
12. Ian Harte - 63% (5/8)
13. Garath McCleary - 63% (5/8)

That Harte record is remarkably poor. Always had him down as a reliable taker. Funny how the memory plays tricks.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Well after yesterday we sit one place and three points outside the drop zone and with two difficult games coming up it`s not inconceivable
to think we will be entrenched there by the end of the month, still early days obviously but it won`t stop the bed wetters here or on twatter going into a panic frenzy.
Of course Robbie is right, our main aim this season is to maintain our current status, top half will be a tremendous achievement.

Being in the bottom 6 after 10 games would obviously be very disappointing. But I think heads and tactics would have to go completely for us to stay there all season.

Obviously would have been good not to move Bristol as we should have been favourites for that.

But let's not rate Bolton too highly. They've played all the bottom 3, and you'd expect those teams to be down there, and that's where half their points have come from. They drew with Burton, got stuffed by Wigan and lost to a poor Middlesbrough.

I'll not be suprised with any result out of that game given we're at home.

Then it's Blackpool - mid-table
Burton - bottom 3
Northampton - midtable.

We should really be looking at a minimum of 5 points and not unrealistic as an unbeaten 8 or 10.

Conversely, whilst Bolton have picked up most of their points against teams in the fledgling bottom 3, we have played most of our games against the early top 6 - yes, some of their points (bar Stevenage) have come from us but all have won around 4 from 6 matches. So in that sense its been a tough start for a new side, learning a new style of play without the benefit of a full pre-season - you could make arguments that if we were only moderately more efficient in the final 3rd we could have taken points from most of those games.

I don't know much about Bolton, but generally a young, talented team will struggle more against physical challenges in charged atmospheres away from home like Port Vale and Cambridge. I'd back us more against "proper footballing" teams, especially at home. I think Bolton fit that category more.

Also think our relatively bad start could make complacency a risk for some - any team that allows our young players to express themselves will get the Millwall treatment.

So I feel oddly optimistic about hosting one of the top teams.

[Snowflake Royal]

Well after yesterday we sit one place and three points outside the drop zone and with two difficult games coming up it`s not inconceivable
to think we will be entrenched there by the end of the month, still early days obviously but it won`t stop the bed wetters here or on twatter going into a panic frenzy.
Of course Robbie is right, our main aim this season is to maintain our current status, top half will be a tremendous achievement.

Being in the bottom 6 after 10 games would obviously be very disappointing. But I think heads and tactics would have to go completely for us to stay there all season.

Obviously would have been good not to move Bristol as we should have been favourites for that.

But let's not rate Bolton too highly. They've played all the bottom 3, and you'd expect those teams to be down there, and that's where half their points have come from. They drew with Burton, got stuffed by Wigan and lost to a poor Middlesbrough.

I'll not be suprised with any result out of that game given we're at home.

Then it's Blackpool - mid-table
Burton - bottom 3
Northampton - midtable.

We should really be looking at a minimum of 5 points and not unrealistic as an unbeaten 8 or 10.

Conversely, whilst Bolton have picked up most of their points against teams in the fledgling bottom 3, we have played most of our games against the early top 6 - yes, some of their points (bar Stevenage) have come from us but all have won around 4 from 6 matches. So in that sense its been a tough start for a new side, learning a new style of play without the benefit of a full pre-season - you could make arguments that if we were only moderately more efficient in the final 3rd we could have taken points from most of those games.

One would hope, if we can maintain the shape, performance and patterns that are emerging and with one or two key players back - Wing looks like he could be key to the whole thing working for example, then as we play teams who have started poorly or as inconsistantly as we have, then more points should come our way fairly quickly.

Yeah. Although worth noting the bottom 3 are all likely to finish fairly low, whilst a fair few of the top 6 are unlikely to finish that high.

[Sutekh]

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

From what I've found, our all time top penalty scorers are:

1. Ray Reeves - 21
2. Stuart Beavon - 15 (+1 in shoot-outs)
3. Jimmy Quinn - 15
4. Darren Caskey - 15
5. George Harris - 13
6. John Murray - 12
7. Richie Bowman - 11
8. Gordon Cumming - 10
9. Trevor Morley - 10 (+1 in shoot-outs)
10. Shane Long - 10 (+3 in shoot-outs)

I don't know what the conversion rate is for each player historically, but for recent(ish) players (who took at least five penalties, including shoot-outs):

1. George Puscas - 100% (7/7)
2. Nick Blackman - 100% (5/5)
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson - 89% (8/9)
4. Adam Le Fondre - 88% (7/8)
5. Stephen Hunt - 88% (7/8)
6. Hal Robson-Kanu - 83% (5/6)
7. Shane Long - 81% (13/16)
8. Yann Kermorgant - 80% (4/5)
9. Kevin Doyle - 71% (5/7)
10. Lucas Joao - 70% (7/10)
11. John Swift - 67% (4/6)
12. Ian Harte - 63% (5/8)
13. Garath McCleary - 63% (5/8)

Actually quite surprised Puscas took as many as he did. Can only remember 2 from memory, Wigan away and Sheff Wednesday at home.

Ray "Bomber" Reeves! Believe he was one of those players like Peter Lorimer in the 1970s that had a shot on him that you just didn't get in the way of you had any desire to stay healthy.

Sadly died in 2007 aged 76, there is a discrepancy though as wiki says he converted a record 22 penalties for the club, I can imagine it may also have been harder to earn penalties in the 1950s. Anyone recall seeing him play?

And yet the club couldn't wait to get rid of Puscas

[Snowflake Royal]

It's fair to expect a bit more from a striker than just scoring penalties.

[Clyde1998]

A poor penalty record seems to have been a theme of Reading through the ages, even when we were good. Kitson is the only player I remember going back to 2000 or so who I always trusted to bury them. I remember in Stam's first season we missed a hatful but somehow turned in the rebound on 90% of them.

From what I've found, our all time top penalty scorers are:

1. Ray Reeves - 21
2. Stuart Beavon - 15 (+1 in shoot-outs)
3. Jimmy Quinn - 15
4. Darren Caskey - 15
5. George Harris - 13
6. John Murray - 12
7. Richie Bowman - 11
8. Gordon Cumming - 10
9. Trevor Morley - 10 (+1 in shoot-outs)
10. Shane Long - 10 (+3 in shoot-outs)

I don't know what the conversion rate is for each player historically, but for recent(ish) players (who took at least five penalties, including shoot-outs):

1. George Puscas - 100% (7/7)
2. Nick Blackman - 100% (5/5)
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson - 89% (8/9)
4. Adam Le Fondre - 88% (7/8)
5. Stephen Hunt - 88% (7/8)
6. Hal Robson-Kanu - 83% (5/6)
7. Shane Long - 81% (13/16)
8. Yann Kermorgant - 80% (4/5)
9. Kevin Doyle - 71% (5/7)
10. Lucas Joao - 70% (7/10)
11. John Swift - 67% (4/6)
12. Ian Harte - 63% (5/8)
13. Garath McCleary - 63% (5/8)

Actually quite surprised Puscas took as many as he did. Can only remember 2 from memory, Wigan away and Sheff Wednesday at home.

I've got:

1. 13 Aug 2019 - Wycombe (A; League Cup penalty shoot-out)
2. 25 Sep 2019 - Wolves (A; League Cup penalty shoot-out)
3. 30 Nov 2019 - Wigan (A)
4. 12 Feb 2020 - West Brom (H)
5. 3 Mar 2020 - Sheff Utd (H; FA Cup)
6. 11 Jul 2020 - Charlton (A)
7. 22 Jul 2020 - Swansea (H)

The latter two were after the Covid break, when we were playing behind closed doors, so are easily forgotten. The penalty shoot-outs can be difficult to remember who actually took our penalties, as it does come down to who was on the pitch at the time.

[Clyde1998]

That Harte record is remarkably poor. Always had him down as a reliable taker. Funny how the memory plays tricks.

I think Harte had a very good record generally - at Carlisle, the season before he joined us, he appears to have scored eight of nine. Accurate data for misses prior to 2009 can be difficult to find (especially outwith the Premier League), but his overall record from 2009 until his retirement was 13/18 - which is roughly average.

He scored 35 in total, so it's possible his penalty success declined as his career went on.

[The Green Programme]

It's not even the same team that lost the first two matches! I am being selective for the benefit of my point, but this team has played 6, won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2 (both to late goals). Two of those games were against Championship opposition.

They're doing alright.

Spot on