How often have Reading seriously let us down?

rhroyal · by **rhroyal** » 29 Jun 2010 22:52

Following another shocking world cup for England, I've decided I'm utterly sick of Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Cole et. al. Even Rooney has never performed on the big stage since 2004.

Our "Golden Generation" has flopped again and again and let the country down countless times, big time. I didn't really expect us to win, but I expected to see the players reach something like the world class standards they have in the Premiership. I expected to see some real promise to get us excited about in the early stages and, if we went out, I wanted us to go out fighting. The team from 1990 can rightly be proud for going down fighting, as the 1996 euro squad. Being 22, 96 is a distant memory to me and I have no recollection of 90. Instead I remember this batch of players who have been nothing but a disgrace and embarrassment in an England shirt, whatever their club form. All the managers have made mistakes, but ultimately it's been the same players all the time. Good riddance.

It got me thinking. I've been through some lows with Reading and seen some painful defeats. However I can probably count on 1 hand occasions in which they've left me feeling let down like England do. Think of the play-off losses 1995 or 2003. We can be proud for those seasons. Even in 2001 we made a real fist of auto and lost it all late on in the cruellest fashion. Devastating at the time, but not a feeling of being let down. In 2007/08 there were some big mistakes made by the manager and chairman, but ultimately I think that a squad of that quality did a decent job taking the survival race to the final day. For me, here's a brief list of real let downs where I was disappointed with the players and management:

Fulham at home in 2008 - Gutless, pathetic. Apparently it was one of our biggest games of the season - who would have guessed?

2009 - The worst year ever and the whole time I felt like we were capable of better.

There have been a few individual games such as losing 3-1 at home to Swindon in 2001, but they were exceptions in teams which otherwise gave their best.

Individual mentions for Shorey in 07/08 and SHunt at times. Sad endings to careers to be proud of, not 10 years of being a flop like these jokes playing for England.

Win or lose, I get what I want as a fan from Reading. The best they have to offer. Whatever happens next season I'm confident we'll get it again. If we do I'll be satisfied enough.

On a side note, I was on a training conference at Wokefield Park, just out of Reading recently. The FA were doing some coaching badges there and there we some famous names about, such as Gianfranco Zola and Tony Adams. Most of the FA crew seemed rather aloof and didn't want to head to the usual bar or eating area so they could avoid "common people". One exception was a certain Brian McDermott, who I had a 10 minute or so chat with after I'd had a bit of wine. I just basically thanked him for above - putting my pride back in Reading.

Royal With Cheese · by **Royal With Cheese** » 30 Jun 2010 00:26

The prem game against Fulham.

We were seriously shit that day.

Compo's Hat · by **Compo's Hat** » 30 Jun 2010 00:38

Could be worse!

Jackson Corner · by **Jackson Corner** » 30 Jun 2010 02:42

The last season at EP was a mess as was the first season at the Mad Stad. For me the two worst seasons. I've been going since 78 but those two stand out as the level of expectation was so much higher.

Messiah · by **Messiah** » 30 Jun 2010 08:47

Compo's Hat Could be worse!

Needs a Photoshop of an England shirt.

Big Foot · by **Big Foot** » 30 Jun 2010 09:00

Losing away to Wigan last day of the 04/05 season (I think?) to let them go up automatically. Expected us to make their lives a lot more difficult than we did

Gordons Cumming · by **Gordons Cumming** » 30 Jun 2010 10:03

How long have you got?

Royal Lady · by **Royal Lady** » 30 Jun 2010 10:14

Gordons Cumming How long have you got?

LOL

Grumpy's back.

Thomas L'Heureux · by **Thomas L'Heureux** » 30 Jun 2010 11:33

Big Foot Losing away to Wigan last day of the 04/05 season (I think?) to let them go up automatically. Expected us to make their lives a lot more difficult than we did

Considering that day was the catalyst for what followed then I disagree. It affected the players and they reacted in the best way possible, so in my eyes they didn't let us down at all.

Barry the bird boggler · by **Barry the bird boggler** » 30 Jun 2010 12:03

1. Fulham at home in 2008
2. Bolton at home in 2008
3. *xf*rd away 1998
4. Anyone at home in 2009

Other times, such as season 1998, 1999 it was more the dreadful management at the club that was letting us down as the players were mainly a dis-organised and badly motivated rabble (OK we may also have had some limited players at the club but in the main you could see they were trying).

Big Foot · by **Big Foot** » 30 Jun 2010 12:15

Thomas L'Heureux
Big Foot Losing away to Wigan last day of the 04/05 season (I think?) to let them go up automatically. Expected us to make their lives a lot more difficult than we did

Considering that day was the catalyst for what followed then I disagree. It affected the players and they reacted in the best way possible, so in my eyes they didn't let us down at all.

I agree in hindsight, but at the time I felt let down by the performance

URZZZZZZZZ · by **URZZZZZZZZ** » 30 Jun 2010 12:22

Although it all turned out well in the end, going into the final game against Brentford I genuinely felt let down that we hadn't secured promotion yet. 10 draw on the trot or whatever it was simply wasn't good enough.

I'd say first half of 2009 we were let down by the players, second half we were let down by Rodgers.

Second half of 2004/2005 was pretty woeful, but did result in the 'push' for the 05/06 campaign.

Maguire · by **Maguire** » 30 Jun 2010 13:09

Apart from the odd exception, most years up to 2006. Then again in 2008 and 2009 but not in 2010.

We have been shit for most of our existence so let's not rewrite history here.

Platypuss · by **Platypuss** » 30 Jun 2010 13:36

Maguire Apart from the odd exception, most years up to 2006. Then again in 2008 and 2009 but not in 2010.

We have been shit for most of our existence so let's not rewrite history here.

But when you're shit and you know you are, being just averagely shit isn't really letting you down.

NR_Royal · by **NR_Royal** » 30 Jun 2010 13:51

2009 Birmingham at home summed up my disappointment of that season.

It was miserable.

Tutti Frutti · by **Tutti Frutti** » 30 Jun 2010 14:48

Norwich at home, 1998. 16,000 people and the last league game at Elm Park. Both teams with nothing to play for. The team might have bothered putting in an appearance.

bobbybottler · by **bobbybottler** » 30 Jun 2010 15:27

Exeter away in 1993 - we won 6-4 but I was desperate for another goal to see how Shaka was going to show us the score.

We shut up shop for the last couple of minutes - what a fukcing let down

Sun Tzu · by **Sun Tzu** » 30 Jun 2010 15:33

Tutti Frutti Norwich at home, 1998. 16,000 people and the last league game at Elm Park. Both teams with nothing to play for. The team might have bothered putting in an appearance.

It was also completely missed as an opportunity to say farewell to a much loved ground.

It was one of the few times I felt everyone at the club utterly let the fans down.

Having said that it was also one of the most memorable days as a Royals fan, purely because of the spontaneous nature of the post match time.

LOL at Maguire's idea that we've been let down most seasons !!!!!

SHORT AND CURLY · by **SHORT AND CURLY** » 30 Jun 2010 20:41

Most recently QPR away last season.

Dreadful, rubbish, disgraceful!

Dirk Gently · by **Dirk Gently** » 30 Jun 2010 21:26

SHORT AND CURLY Most recently QPR away last season.

Dreadful, rubbish, disgraceful!

Most recently?!? So you think Plymouth away 6 weeks after that was acceptable?

How often have Reading seriously let us down?

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