Back from the (last PL) game

[Dirk Gently]

Pretty irrelevant, really, as performances a few weeks ago made what we did on the pitch today pretty academic as long as we won, which we did at a canter.

A few random observations :

Inflatables good fun but not as good as at Blackburn where the stand was more compact and not as deep.

Our first goal was truly a peach, we knocked it around with real style, then a great finish by Harps.

Derby truly are abysmal - their worst ever PL team record is well deserved. I've seen 4th division teams with more desire, flair and invention than them. And a good proportion of their fans are charmless oiks too - gloating is fine, but when you're 4-0 down?

[true*blue*loyal*royal]

gloating? about being relegated?
when they've been relegated themselves?
im looking forward to an easy 6 points against them next season,
remind me again,
how on earth did they make to the premier league?

its must've been pretty horrible being at the match at the end.
now we know,
dont rely on other teams to do you favour

[Thou Voice]

Yesss....

...but what has happened today will hopefully give us fight for next season...

2006 / 2007 - 1 Point Away From Europe
2007 / 2008 - 1 Point Away From Safety

...I believe we will not let failure (in terms of targets) strike three seasons in a row and we'll be back up.

Either way, download a nice new screensaver viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75619 based on Pick A Picture...

[Arch]

The travelling fans were absolutely incredible today. Well done to the lot of you. The most poignant moment - for a few seconds after the final whistle there was a depressed hush, then a gradual crescendo of noise for the team. Great stuff.

[winchester_royal]

Yesss....

...but what has happened today will hopefully give us fight for next season...

2006 / 2007 - 1 Point Away From Europe
2007 / 2008 - 1 Point Away From Safety

...I believe we will not let failure (in terms of targets) strike three seasons in a row and we'll be back up.

Even with the 'balding guy' as our manager

[cmonurz]

2008/09 - one point away from the play-offs.

[Thou Voice]

Yesss....

...but what has happened today will hopefully give us fight for next season...

2006 / 2007 - 1 Point Away From Europe
2007 / 2008 - 1 Point Away From Safety

...I believe we will not let failure (in terms of targets) strike three seasons in a row and we'll be back up.

Even with the 'balding guy' as our manager

What is done, is done. Now this is interesting, as Steve Coppell was more at home in the Championship. If he does not leave, hopefully he'll learn from this and good progress will be made.

[2.8 lita injection]

Yesss....

...but what has happened today will hopefully give us fight for next season...

2006 / 2007 - 1 Point Away From Europe
2007 / 2008 - 1 Point Away From Safety

...I believe we will not let failure (in terms of targets) strike three seasons in a row and we'll be back up.

Even with the 'balding guy' as our manager

What is done, is done. Now this is interesting, as Steve Coppell was more at home in the Championship. If he does not leave, hopefully he'll learn from this and good progress will be made.

Indeed, i hope he stays as he will have learnt a lot & will be even hungrier.

[Dirk Gently]

Yesss....

...but what has happened today will hopefully give us fight for next season...

2006 / 2007 - 1 Point Away From Europe
2007 / 2008 - 1 Point Away From Safety

...I believe we will not let failure (in terms of targets) strike three seasons in a row and we'll be back up.

Even with the 'balding guy' as our manager

What is done, is done. Now this is interesting, as Steve Coppell was more at home in the Championship. If he does not leave, hopefully he'll learn from this and good progress will be made.

He won't, I'm sure.

He's said that one of his failings is that he's too loyal to "his own" players and so he lacks the objectivity to wield the axe when it's required. So he thinks the best thing that can happen for the team is for someone else to come in and look at the team with and objective eye and get rid of the deadwood. Sad as it is, I'm convinced he'll be gone in a few days.

Today really is the end of an era for RFC.

[Southbank Old Boy]

I'm guessing that was one of the things to come out last Thursday night?

A very fair self assessment if you ask me. I've said for a while that I think he's ready to leave and this just seems like it confirms it.

He's been a fanastic manager and created a great team which has been a pleasure to watch. Every manager has a shelf life though and perhaps Coppell has reached his in his own mind. If thats the case then he'll have to walk away.

[Dirk Gently]

I'm guessing that was one of the things to come out last Thursday night?

A very fair self assessment if you ask me. I've said for a while that I think he's ready to leave and this just seems like it confirms it.

He's been a fanastic manager and created a great team which has been a pleasure to watch. Every manager has a shelf life though and perhaps Coppell has reached his in his own mind. If thats the case then he'll have to walk away.

He's got too much integrity and self-respect not to walk away - and from what he says it probably is the best thing (short-term) for the club.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Today really is the end of an era for RFC.

Indeed it is (and I hope that you are wrong about SSC), but for me, the Prem was one wonderous land that I never thought that I would see......job done

Just the FA and League Cup finals to dream of now.

[rotherwick_royal]

Can't believe I'm being more negative than TV but I think it's going to be hugely difficult to get back up to the PL. Just look at the teams that have been relegated in recent years, not many have gone back up.

Sadly, JM/SC's mantra over the last year is true. It is all about the money, and for that reason if any of this year's teams go back up next year, it'll be Birmingham.

[RoyalBlue]

What is done, is done. Now this is interesting, as Steve Coppell was more at home in the Championship. If he does not leave, hopefully he'll learn from this and good progress will be made.

He won't, I'm sure.

He's said that one of his failings is that he's too loyal to "his own" players and so he lacks the objectivity to wield the axe when it's required. So he thinks the best thing that can happen for the team is for someone else to come in and look at the team with and objective eye and get rid of the deadwood. Sad as it is, I'm convinced he'll be gone in a few days.

Today really is the end of an era for RFC.

If Coppell goes that really is a great pity.

However, if he is going to go he must go in the next few days and we must appoint his replacement as soon as possible so that he has as long as possible to build the team he needs before the start of next season.

Word of advice to any potential new manager, get Madejski to commit in writing to both transfer budgets and wages budgets for the next two seasons and, if he doesn't, tell him to stuff his job. If not, you are likely to end up carrying the can for his lack of the real levels of investment needed to get us back to the PL.

[2.8 lita injection]

His interview on ssn was very moving and i liked it when ssc mentioned he had great effection for the club, i hope he just has a good holiday & comes back hungry.

[URZZZZZZZZ]

I think Shorey will go, but can;t see anyone else who is deserving of moving on to a 'bigger' club, so think the spine of the team will stay. I also think that Derby may well be a force in the Championship next year, therefore by despatching of them so convincingly makes me feel confident. URZZZZZZZZ

[brendywendy]

nice to hear marcus pledging his future to the club after the game
few more people with hearts like his, and we'll be fine next year

id have money on kits and harps having loyalty enough to stay too
or is that really naive?

[Southbank Old Boy]

I'm guessing that was one of the things to come out last Thursday night?

A very fair self assessment if you ask me. I've said for a while that I think he's ready to leave and this just seems like it confirms it.

He's been a fanastic manager and created a great team which has been a pleasure to watch. Every manager has a shelf life though and perhaps Coppell has reached his in his own mind. If thats the case then he'll have to walk away.

He's got too much integrity and self-respect not to walk away - and from what he says it probably is the best thing (short-term) for the club.

To be honest I think he should go too.

As I said in another thread he is the one who holds the most blame for this season as at some point, unfortunately, those responsible have the shoulder the blame.

Interesting that Coppell is honest enough to look at himself and put his hands up whereas a lot of others just look around to blame others. It's a measure of the man that he's honest enough to do that.

[crossie]

It depends if they think we can go back up. I think they are all loyal enough (except Fae and Shorey, of course) to make sure we get back up there.

[Denver Royal]

Coppell is more suited to the Championship and getting teams promoted. He has one year left on his deal. So lets hope he stays for that year and gets us straight back up...and then leaves.