Perspective

[Snowball]

I don't see how you can consider QPR v Leeds a "mutually throat cutting" game (mmmmm - nice imagery there, and a very clever use of cut & paste to boot....).

QPR could very, VERY possibly still have points deducted. 6-8-10-12. If they did, they would be pulled down into the chasing pack or even just outside it. MEANWHILE, of course, if they are NOT to be deducted points, then we'd want them to win.

But unlike those with limited intellects, I remain in the position of trying to consider ALL likely possibilities. You could try it. Go on.

The only result that matters in that game (and in any game where QPR are involved with teams we are competing against) is a QPR win. A Leeds win would be a terrible result for us! (unless you seriously think that we can overtake QPR of course........)

QPR could very, VERY possibly still have points deducted. 6-8-10-12. If they did, they would be pulled down into the chasing pack or even just outside it. MEANWHILE, of course, if they are NOT to be deducted points, then we'd want them to win. So, YES, it is not impossible to catch QPR if they have points deducted

The same with Swansea v Hull, and Norwich v Forest; in those games the best result for us are victories for Swansea and Norwich respectively, or, at worst, draws. There are 6 promotion places up for grabs, and we only need one of them. It doesn't make much sense to hope those teams we are most likely to overtake take points off those teams we are less likely to overtake.

I disagree. Both Swansea and Hull are still eminently catchable and our best result would be a draw or maybe a Hull win if we match them that weekend. BECAUSE we have so many RELATIVELY easier games than our rivals.
If one side wins, they get three points. We have to win to keep pace. If they draw, a reading win gains two points on both, a draw keeps pace, even a defeat is not a tragedy. MUCH better for our rivals to keep drawing.

Therefore, when any of QPR, Cardiff, Swansea and Norwich play any of Leeds, Forest, Burnley, Watford, Leicester or Hull, the best result for us are wins for any of those 4. We could also do with those 4 teams taking points off teams currently just below us to reduce the threat of a Pompey or Millwall coming through as well.

NO. The best results are DRAWS, especially if we win the same weekend.

Where 2 of our genuine rivals are playing each other (eg: Forest v Burnley), the best result is a draw, as it is if any of the 4 highlighted teams above play each other.

You seem to be presuming QPR-Norwich-Swansea-Cardiff are shoe-ins. I don't. IMO the only "cert" in those four is Norwich, the best TEAM in the league IMO. QPR are solid/good with a bit of extra from Taraabt and Faurlin.

But we should presume NOTHING.

Forest came through strongly and went second with 2 games in hand on us. They looked top contenders. Now they look like the most likely to fall out of the top six.

Burnley were winning for fun, had two games in hand on us and were two points ahead, WWWWW. All of a sudden they are stuttering and totally catchable.

Cardiff have picked up six points in their last SIX games (of their last 15) while we have gained FIVE points on them with WWDWW in the first 5 games of our last 15.

Leeds are averaging 1.5 points per game the first six games of their last 15.
We are gaining .7 ppg in our last 5/15 on them (played one less)

QPR will stay top IF they don't have points deducted. Norwich looked nailed on for a top six place.

But none of the others look safe. Cardiff and Forest are on terrible runs. Forest CANNOT get out of the trouble they are in without beating a lot of top clubs. They play Swansea Away, Leeds Away, Reading Home, Burnley Home, Norwich Away, Leicester Home, and then have a tough game at Bristol City

Swansea v Nott'm Forest
Leeds v Nott'm Forest
Nott'm Forest v Reading
Nott'm Forest v Burnley
Norwich v Nott'm Forest
Nott'm Forest v Leicester
Bristol City v Nott'm Forest
Nott'm Forest v Scunthorpe
Crystal Palace v Nott'm Forest,

Excluding our game, Forest play 5 challengers on the trot. If they are to get, say, a measly 7 points from those 5 games (not enough) they have to WWDLL or DDDDW. Either they will drop out of the top six very soon or they take points off Swansea, Leeds, Burnley. Hopefully they will lose at Norwich.

A few weeks ago we needed to WIN at Forest. Now we just need a draw and could still do it with a defeat, their run is so tough. While they should beat Scunny, they are at Palace last day, aPalace who may very well need to win/draw to stay up. Forest could end up mid-table

[Mr Angry]

QPR could very, VERY possibly still have points deducted. 6-8-10-12. If they did, they would be pulled down into the chasing pack or even just outside it. MEANWHILE, of course, if they are NOT to be deducted points, then we'd want them to win.

But unlike those with limited intellects, I remain in the position of trying to consider ALL likely possibilities. You could try it. Go on.

You see, when you post something as gratuitously offensive as this, it simply makes you look like a total pcunt; I cannot believe that you would speak like that to someone if they were standing in front of you, so why do you do it when you have the anonymity of the internet?

You are the typical "keyboard warrior"; big man when hidden, testicles the size of mustard seeds when not.

To me, that says far more about your character and personality then the reams and reams of stats that vomit out of you Snowball.

[Snowball]

QPR could very, VERY possibly still have points deducted. 6-8-10-12. If they did, they would be pulled down into the chasing pack or even just outside it. MEANWHILE, of course, if they are NOT to be deducted points, then we'd want them to win.

But unlike those with limited intellects, I remain in the position of trying to consider ALL likely possibilities. You could try it. Go on.

You see, when you post something as gratuitously offensive as this, it simply makes you look like a total pcunt; I cannot believe that you would speak like that to someone if they were standing in front of you, so why do you do it when you have the anonymity of the internet?
You are the typical "keyboard warrior"; big man when hidden, testicles the size of mustard seeds when not.
To me, that says far more about your character and personality then the reams and reams of stats that vomit out of you Snowball.

Oh, I see.

You mean like when you posted this morning..

I skim read it; if something really silly stands out, I read it properly; if it is totally stupid, I'll comment,
but generally now I just leave it cos its wrong to mock the afflicted.

Mine was a general remark, yours was specific, directed at me personally.

Did you think I was referring to you, then? Are you worried about your intellect? is that it?

Do you not think that some people are too simplistic, even knee-jerkers, or do
you REALLY believe that every "insight" on this board is cerebral?

[Maguire]

Here we go again

[Snowball]

Where's that Mags? Barnsley?

[Mr Angry]

Mags is right; lets knock this on the head Snowball, cos it detracts from an interesting thread that is getting more interesting as each game goes by and what was the impossible a few weeks ago now appears possible.

No more snide remarks by me about you, and you stop posting comments about other people's intellects.

[Schards#2]

I'd be wary of building hopes up on the basis that our position is improving whilst we are not playing league games.

It always seems Reading's best player is the one who is injured at any given time. Particularly if we are in a bad run, the reputation of anyone who is not playing suddenly becomes the stuff of legend and this smacks of the same mentality.

I would be staggered if this squad makes it into the play offs as its showing signs of wear and tear and we are down to the bare bones, pleasantly astonished.

That said, kudos to McDermott for it even being a possibility as, on paper, this squad shouldn't be close.

[brendywendy]

based on your negative assessment of it?

[Schards#2]

based on your negative assessment of it?

Based on my assessment of it, that you percieve to be unduly negative.

[brendywendy]

based on your negative assessment of it?

Based on my assessment of it, that you percieve to be unduly negative.

apologies-posting as a reflex action.


i am of the mind that you get what you deserve. if we are in with a shot, then its because we deserve to be, and if this squad gets us close to having a shot, its cos theyre good enough to.

but you are correct not to want to build hopes.

[Hampshire Royal]

I just love these mediocre, mid-table seasons!!

[Schards#2]

I just love these mediocre, mid-table seasons!!

Each to their own

9th last year

Currently 11th

[Hampshire Royal]

Last year was 'a season of two halves, Brian'. First half crap, second half brilliant - about as exciting as it can get after such a start. To say that we are only 11th this season without any sort of qualification (game in hand on most teams above us, 6th Round FA Cup, finding form at the right time, is simply clutching at straws to try and prove a point that is rapidly being shown to be false.

I have always said that we will go up this season, and so we will - maybe through the playoffs!!

[Snowball]

I just love these mediocre, mid-table seasons!!

Each to their own

9th last year

Currently 11th

13 Reading P36 W13 - D09 - L14 48-51 GD -03 48 Points This time last year
11 Reading P36 W13 - D15 - L08 59-42 GD+17 54 Points NOW (A LOT Better)

11 More Goals Scored

09 Fewer Goals Conceded

20 Goals better GD

6 More Points, and a MUCH easier run-in this season, no Newcastle and WBA to play


Last Season our opposition to come was average position 11.7 and included 4 of the top six and the top two (we WDDL)

We finished W4 D3 L3 15 Points 20-12 1.5 Points Per Game

H 1-2 League Position 01 Newcastle LOST
H 1-1 League Position 02 WBA Drew
A 2-1 League Position 05 Leicester
A 0-0 League Position 06 Cardiff Drew

H 3-0 League Position 11 Coventry
H 4-1 League Position 14 Preston
A 1-2 League Position 15 Ipswich LOST
A 0-3 League Position 19 Watford LOST
A 2-2 League Position 20 Scunthorpe (who needed a point off us to be safe DREW)
H 6-0 League Position 24 Peterborough


We will beat that 15-point haul, probably by a fair bit
so should finish off 7-14 Points better than last season,
that is on 70-77 Points


And, frankly, If McDermott and the lads get much more than 70 Points (Without Gylfi) they will have done us proud.

[brendywendy]

owned

[Snowball]

I'd be wary of building hopes up on the basis that our position is improving whilst we are not playing league games.

It always seems Reading's best player is the one who is injured at any given time. Particularly if we are in a bad run, the reputation of anyone who is not playing suddenly becomes the stuff of legend and this smacks of the same mentality.

I would be staggered if this squad makes it into the play offs as its showing signs of wear and tear and we are down to the bare bones, pleasantly astonished.

That said, kudos to McDermott for it even being a possibility as, on paper, this squad shouldn't be close.

Might not be too bad, plus there's been a week of recovery (and there's the loan market)

Strikers? OK. Long-Hunt still brilliant, Manset, Church, Williams, Taylor behind.

Midfield? OK. Elwood, Tabb, Karacan, Kebe... McAnuff didn't exactly limp off at Man C so's probably OK, then Antonio, HRK, Gunnarson, Taylor, Obita

Keepers? OK. McCarthy looks a real find. No worries. Andersen has a good rep. Feds coming back?



Defence? ??

CBs Zurab in Form. We have Morrison who should be fine. Pearce nearly back. Gunnarson can play there. (Harte) (Is Ingi out long?)

RB Griffin probably OK now (on bench at Man C), Karacan looked like a good RB, Cummings has done well this season

LB Harte playing at his RFC best, cover from Cummings, Williams, possibly Griffin

[Maguire]

i am of the mind that you get what you deserve. if we are in with a shot, then its because we deserve to be, and if this squad gets us close to having a shot, its cos theyre good enough to.

but you are correct not to want to build hopes.

'greed brendos

I still think the season will dribble out into a 9th place finish or whatever, but overall BMcD can take some credit from this.

[brendywendy]

i am of the mind that you get what you deserve. if we are in with a shot, then its because we deserve to be, and if this squad gets us close to having a shot, its cos theyre good enough to.

but you are correct not to want to build hopes.

'greed brendos

I still think the season will dribble out into a 9th place finish or whatever, but overall BMcD can take some credit from this.

agreed , thats probably the most likely scenario. just glad we still have stuff to play for tbf

[Snowball]

7 of our ten games are against sides in the bottom 8 on current form

1 of our ten games is against 13th on form

1 of our ten games is against 10th on form

The other is against Pompey, 2nd in the form table (but at home)

[Svlad Cjelli]

We're not foreigners - you don't have to shout when we don't take notice of what you say the first time.