Rodgers is still the right man

[Victor Meldrew]

On the point about the defence.
The defence isn't just the back 4 and the keeper,it's all over the pitch.
Yesterday we lined up with 5 in midfield who can barely make a tackle between them.
Remember also in Liverpool's golden era Ian Rush was called their best defender because not only did he score masses of goals but closed down opposition defenders and not allowing them time on the ball.
Dave Kitson was our best defender at set-pieces.

Unfortunately at the moment our players just don't do enough defending-who's fault?
The ultimate blame always rests with the manager,although there are mitigating circumstances for our man in the quality of players that he has to work with so I would suggest that it is a joint blame for the chairman,the D.O.F and the manager and his coaching staff.
Is he still the right man?
I don't know but results over the coming weeks will dictate whether he actually remains the man.

[79Royal]

There's a long way to go yet and an opportunity to put right in January the mistakes of the summer. Until then, we've got to at least match the results of the teams around us.

However, you can forgive a mistake once, but to make it again is unforgivable. The transfer window is massive. We clearly don't have enough quality in the squad to feel comfortable about avoiding relegation and we must put that right. I fully understand Madejski's point of view as a businessman - in these times and with his desire to sell, we must be prudent. But he will also know that the club will be far less attractive if we get relegated and sometimes you have to invest to ensure survival. Now is that time.

Rodgers is still learning and he is doing so in diffcult circumstances. It's difficult to judge him fairly in that situation and he deserves a bit more time, a bit more money and another transfer window. But sadly, it really is do or die time. If we react to our problems now, we've got a chance of climbing clear of the relegation zone. If we fail to do that, we'll pay the price.

[Wimb]

Yawn, the same predictable panic has one again gripped HNA? after a defeat

Rodgers got the majority of decisions right for the last 4 games and we could have taken 12 points. Instead we ended up with 7 which still isn't a bad haul really but ho hum.

So we go up to Derby with injury worries to 2 or our 3 strikers then lose a midfielder central to our system 20 minutes in. Still we manage to get a lead only for shocking defending costs us and a stupid red card reduces our chances of overturning a deficit even more. Despite that by all accounts we battered them for the last 10 and were unlucky not to walk away with a point from what is a tough place to go (see Derby's home record).

Are we going to have this same panic, Rodgers out mentality, after every single bloody defeat? every team loses now and again, it's about moving in the right direction something it's hard to argue against given recent form.

I still think some fans are struggling to deal with the reality that this Reading team has absolutly nothing to do with the Reading club of 2002-2009. You have to manage expectations against the circumstances and reality of what we're facing. Those who slag off the club for 'selling all the family silver' need to take a stiff look at the way football finances are now and look at what it takes to try and compete and survive at PL level without actually going bust.

Dissapointed this week but glad we went somewhere competed and COULD have won the game. For me, I'll settle for a footall club that puts out a competitive side every week and isn't afraid to try new things and give some younger players a chance. Winning would be nice but it really isn't everything.

[Royalee]

On the point about the defence.
The defence isn't just the back 4 and the keeper,it's all over the pitch.

We're a lot weaker defensively with Kebe on the pitch.

[winchester_royal]

Yawn, the same predictable panic has one again gripped HNA? after a defeat

Rodgers got the majority of decisions right for the last 4 games and we could have taken 12 points. Instead we ended up with 7 which still isn't a bad haul really but ho hum.

So we go up to Derby with injury worries to 2 or our 3 strikers then lose a midfielder central to our system 20 minutes in. Still we manage to get a lead only for shocking defending costs us and a stupid red card reduces our chances of overturning a deficit even more. Despite that by all accounts we battered them for the last 10 and were unlucky not to walk away with a point from what is a tough place to go (see Derby's home record).

Are we going to have this same panic, Rodgers out mentality, after every single bloody defeat? every team loses now and again, it's about moving in the right direction something it's hard to argue against given recent form.

I still think some fans are struggling to deal with the reality that this Reading team has absolutly nothing to do with the Reading club of 2002-2009. You have to manage expectations against the circumstances and reality of what we're facing. Those who slag off the club for 'selling all the family silver' need to take a stiff look at the way football finances are now and look at what it takes to try and compete and survive at PL level without actually going bust.

Dissapointed this week but glad we went somewhere competed and COULD have won the game. For me, I'll settle for a footall club that puts out a competitive side every week and isn't afraid to try new things and give some younger players a chance. Winning would be nice but it really isn't everything.

KFOTB

[Wimb]

Yawn, the same predictable panic has one again gripped HNA? after a defeat

Rodgers got the majority of decisions right for the last 4 games and we could have taken 12 points. Instead we ended up with 7 which still isn't a bad haul really but ho hum.

So we go up to Derby with injury worries to 2 or our 3 strikers then lose a midfielder central to our system 20 minutes in. Still we manage to get a lead only for shocking defending costs us and a stupid red card reduces our chances of overturning a deficit even more. Despite that by all accounts we battered them for the last 10 and were unlucky not to walk away with a point from what is a tough place to go (see Derby's home record).

Are we going to have this same panic, Rodgers out mentality, after every single bloody defeat? every team loses now and again, it's about moving in the right direction something it's hard to argue against given recent form.

I still think some fans are struggling to deal with the reality that this Reading team has absolutly nothing to do with the Reading club of 2002-2009. You have to manage expectations against the circumstances and reality of what we're facing. Those who slag off the club for 'selling all the family silver' need to take a stiff look at the way football finances are now and look at what it takes to try and compete and survive at PL level without actually going bust.

Dissapointed this week but glad we went somewhere competed and COULD have won the game. For me, I'll settle for a footall club that puts out a competitive side every week and isn't afraid to try new things and give some younger players a chance. Winning would be nice but it really isn't everything.

KFOTB

sorry what I meant to say was

ROGERS OUT!!!!11!!!!

[Royalee]

Nicely summed up Wimb.

[rhroyal]

Yawn, the same predictable panic has one again gripped HNA? after a defeat

Rodgers got the majority of decisions right for the last 4 games and we could have taken 12 points. Instead we ended up with 7 which still isn't a bad haul really but ho hum.

So we go up to Derby with injury worries to 2 or our 3 strikers then lose a midfielder central to our system 20 minutes in. Still we manage to get a lead only for shocking defending costs us and a stupid red card reduces our chances of overturning a deficit even more. Despite that by all accounts we battered them for the last 10 and were unlucky not to walk away with a point from what is a tough place to go (see Derby's home record).

Are we going to have this same panic, Rodgers out mentality, after every single bloody defeat? every team loses now and again, it's about moving in the right direction something it's hard to argue against given recent form.

I still think some fans are struggling to deal with the reality that this Reading team has absolutly nothing to do with the Reading club of 2002-2009. You have to manage expectations against the circumstances and reality of what we're facing. Those who slag off the club for 'selling all the family silver' need to take a stiff look at the way football finances are now and look at what it takes to try and compete and survive at PL level without actually going bust.

Dissapointed this week but glad we went somewhere competed and COULD have won the game. For me, I'll settle for a footall club that puts out a competitive side every week and isn't afraid to try new things and give some younger players a chance. Winning would be nice but it really isn't everything.

KFOTB

??? I hate some pointless abbreviations on this board.

[winchester_royal]

Yawn, the same predictable panic has one again gripped HNA? after a defeat

Rodgers got the majority of decisions right for the last 4 games and we could have taken 12 points. Instead we ended up with 7 which still isn't a bad haul really but ho hum.

So we go up to Derby with injury worries to 2 or our 3 strikers then lose a midfielder central to our system 20 minutes in. Still we manage to get a lead only for shocking defending costs us and a stupid red card reduces our chances of overturning a deficit even more. Despite that by all accounts we battered them for the last 10 and were unlucky not to walk away with a point from what is a tough place to go (see Derby's home record).

Are we going to have this same panic, Rodgers out mentality, after every single bloody defeat? every team loses now and again, it's about moving in the right direction something it's hard to argue against given recent form.

I still think some fans are struggling to deal with the reality that this Reading team has absolutly nothing to do with the Reading club of 2002-2009. You have to manage expectations against the circumstances and reality of what we're facing. Those who slag off the club for 'selling all the family silver' need to take a stiff look at the way football finances are now and look at what it takes to try and compete and survive at PL level without actually going bust.

Dissapointed this week but glad we went somewhere competed and COULD have won the game. For me, I'll settle for a footall club that puts out a competitive side every week and isn't afraid to try new things and give some younger players a chance. Winning would be nice but it really isn't everything.

KFOTB

??? I hate some pointless abbreviations on this board.

Sorry, you'd have to read AE to understand.

Just basically saying that well reasoned and rational posts have no place on this board.

[Compo's Hat]

He's brought two centre backs in and yet we're still leaking soft goals. The amount of times we've already led this season and let go stinks of relegation and there are managers out there who would of done a better job than Rodgers. He believes we have some of the best goalies in the world here for goodness sake!

[Ryn]

Rodgers is still the ONLY man for the job.

Regardless of how well or badly we are playing, he is going nowhere. Get used to it.

[Royalwaster]

On the point about the defence.
The defence isn't just the back 4 and the keeper,it's all over the pitch.

We're a lot weaker defensively with Kebe on the pitch.

You're so boring Royalee.

[Royalee]

Bothered?

[Southbank Old Boy]

We've lost 14 points when we've been leading (4 matches winning then lost and 1 match winning then drew).

That is the worst record in the division.

It kind of indicates the problem is conceding goals rather than scoring them.

The question is, who's at fault for conceding goals ?

Or perhaps the problem is not scoring enough goals in the first place???

So if you were trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it then your first attempt to solve the problem would be to buy a bigger tap?

We havent taken enough of our chances when on top, if we can convert more of those chances the slip ups at the back wont matter so much, and you will more than likely find less slip ups anyway

Confidence builds from the back. If you fix the defence then you can't lose.

I actually think our main problem is no "General on the pitch". Murty gone, Ivar lost it, Pearce too young and Feds doesn't communicate like Marcus did.

I love the analogy!! Dont think it quiet fits the scenario though and but personally I think we dont have enough upfront to score enough goals to win many games

It creates too much pressure on the defence and means we up against it

I do agree about the need to address the problem at the back too, but I thnk the lack of firepower is the bigger and more pressing issue

A right back would be my 2nd priority in Jan though

[Southbank Old Boy]

Arguing about the reasons are an academic waste of time, competitions are about winning not just taking part!

If there were a steady improvement, drawing instead of losing, winning instead of drawing, competing and growing in stature I would be less concerned, but this is clearly not the case, we continue to flirt with imminent disaster and random results IMHO

The reasons are not academic, they give some background and perspective to the current situation and the current financial limitations have a massive impact on what Rodgers can do and what we should expect him to be able to do

There has been a pretty steady improvement since the start of the season so not sure what your point is

[zummerset]

There has been a pretty steady improvement since the start of the season so not sure what your point is

We have moved from shockingly poor to feeble!

[Southbank Old Boy]

There has been a pretty steady improvement since the start of the season so not sure what your point is

We have moved from shockingly poor to feeble!

We have gone from a side that couldnt score at home or even create a chance to one that actually looks half threatening yes

We still look shaky at the back, light upfront, and a bit low on confidence and prone to falling apart under pressure, but we are moving in the right direction

[zummerset]

Half threatening sounds like Frankie Boyles description on Mock the Week of the two junkies that tried to mug him in Manchester that could barely stand up.

Still a long way from getting away from a relegation battle I believe

[sandman]

Yawn, the same predictable panic has one again gripped HNA? after a defeat

Rodgers got the majority of decisions right for the last 4 games and we could have taken 12 points. Instead we ended up with 7 which still isn't a bad haul really but ho hum.

So we go up to Derby with injury worries to 2 or our 3 strikers then lose a midfielder central to our system 20 minutes in. Still we manage to get a lead only for shocking defending costs us and a stupid red card reduces our chances of overturning a deficit even more. Despite that by all accounts we battered them for the last 10 and were unlucky not to walk away with a point from what is a tough place to go (see Derby's home record).

Are we going to have this same panic, Rodgers out mentality, after every single bloody defeat? every team loses now and again, it's about moving in the right direction something it's hard to argue against given recent form.

I still think some fans are struggling to deal with the reality that this Reading team has absolutly nothing to do with the Reading club of 2002-2009. You have to manage expectations against the circumstances and reality of what we're facing. Those who slag off the club for 'selling all the family silver' need to take a stiff look at the way football finances are now and look at what it takes to try and compete and survive at PL level without actually going bust.

Dissapointed this week but glad we went somewhere competed and COULD have won the game. For me, I'll settle for a footall club that puts out a competitive side every week and isn't afraid to try new things and give some younger players a chance. Winning would be nice but it really isn't everything.

Shame a reasoned post was ruined with the last paragraph. Sorry to break this to you but winning is everything in football.And it's not just on the pitch. People behind the scenes lose their jobs if the team don't win. Some stewards for instance are already losing their jobs due to the falling attendances.

The team have been better recently but they need to make sure that Saturday was just a blip. Like it or not football is a results business and if you don't get them you're in trouble.

[Wimb]

Shame you had to ruin a reasoned post with the last paragraph. Sorry to break this to you but winning is everything in football.And it's not just on the pitch. People behind the scenes lose their jobs if the team don't win. Some stewards for instance are already losing their jobs due to the falling attendances.

The team have been better recently but they need to make sure that Saturday was just a blip. Like it or not football is a results business and if you don't get them you're in trouble.

Well if we win then that means other teams lose so thereby by your reasoning stewards elsewhere lose their jobs no? :/ Of course the success on the pitch leads to a better club off the field but you can't run a football club and EXPECT your club to win, just the same way as a fan you shouldn't EXPECT to win every game.

Fans go to matches to be entertained and to enjoy the experience, whilst hoping for a win. However if winning was everything we wouldn't have had a club for 90% of our existance as the team rarely bloody won anything.

Despite the above I agree that these days football is a results business and BR needs to get results not just positive signs and improved displays. But at least in my mind right now I'm patient enough to see the big picture and accept that the club might sacrifice a few wins this year for more wins in the future.