We drew 0-0, we're 8th - Let's find a scapegoat.

[readingbedding]

I can see the moans and groans from the usual suspects should we fail to qualify for Europe next season a mile off.
In our first season in the Prem, by players who the majority have played 0 minutes in the top flight prior to August 2006.

[RG30]

Any point is a good point in the Premiership but on 1st half chances and what was created, should have done better in front of goal.

[Stranded]

I can see the moans and groans from the usual suspects should we fail to qualify for Europe next season a mile off.
In our first season in the Prem, by players who the majority have played 0 minutes in the top flight prior to August 2006.

But surely you can see how the events unfolding affect people's perceptions and expectations.

At the start of last season, a lot of people were expecting a push for the playoffs at best, some less than that.

By Xmas, failing to get automatic promotion would have been seen as a failure of a season because of how the team had gone about it.

At the start of this season, all most of us wanted was to put up a good fight of trying to stay up, succeeding or at worst going back down having given it a go.

Now the team have shown they are much better than that - as a result expectation and perception of our team changes. They have shown they are certainly good enough to finish top 10 or even in a European place - the amount of minutes they played in the Prem prior to August is now a mute point.

[Huntley & Palmer]

I can see the moans and groans from the usual suspects should we fail to qualify for Europe next season a mile off.
In our first season in the Prem, by players who the majority have played 0 minutes in the top flight prior to August 2006.

Am I included in this group? My expectations for next season will be based on the signings before a ball is kicked and then probably reviewed after ten or so games.

[crossie]

Hunt has no talent, and Harper cannot head the ball and apart from his energy there is nothing to him.

Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.


What are some of you on?

This is the best time to be a Reading fan since 1871 and still there are people looking for scapegoats.

You've never had it so good.

thats why i haven't read many threads or posted for a few days, cos i am just pissed off that people would criticise our players. theyre doing a lot better than most of you guys could do.

And? By your position, that means that nobody can discuss anything ever as there is probably someone who can do it better.

Here's a shock for you - football fans want their team to be the best they can and if they see/feel that a player has not done the job for any particular reason they will use an outlet like this to get rid of fustrations.

Yes we are having the greatest season in our history (with the possible exception of last season) but it's human nature to want your team to improve and move forward.

This would be the same whilst sat 8th in the top flight or 14th in the Ryman Premier.

i understand that, but people seem to pick on players for small things...like Harper's heading...and some people boo Seol, then complain when he plays crap. i just think that maybe we should be congratulating the players that are putting 100% in and showing it, rather than whinging about the ones who aren't.

[Darren Caskey's Dietician]

I blame Andy Hughes. He's a useless waste of space. Why play someone on the left with no left foot!

[Stranded]

Hunt has no talent, and Harper cannot head the ball and apart from his energy there is nothing to him.

Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.


What are some of you on?

This is the best time to be a Reading fan since 1871 and still there are people looking for scapegoats.

You've never had it so good.

thats why i haven't read many threads or posted for a few days, cos i am just pissed off that people would criticise our players. theyre doing a lot better than most of you guys could do.

And? By your position, that means that nobody can discuss anything ever as there is probably someone who can do it better.

Here's a shock for you - football fans want their team to be the best they can and if they see/feel that a player has not done the job for any particular reason they will use an outlet like this to get rid of fustrations.

Yes we are having the greatest season in our history (with the possible exception of last season) but it's human nature to want your team to improve and move forward.

This would be the same whilst sat 8th in the top flight or 14th in the Ryman Premier.

i understand that, but people seem to pick on players for small things...like Harper's heading...and some people boo Seol, then complain when he plays crap. i just think that maybe we should be congratulating the players that are putting 100% in and showing it, rather than whinging about the ones who aren't.

Never going to happen. You just get both, which you do on here.

[Yorkshire Royal]

I am prepared to put myself forward as the scapegoat...

[readingbedding]

I wonder what the ex-Soton season ticket holder thinks of all this?

[Barry the bird boggler]

I blame Andy Hughes. He's a useless waste of space. Why play someone on the left with no left foot!

Have you asked Steve MacLaren that one?

[.:BigDaveInTheDungeon:.]

If we had serious ambitions of a European spot then we needed to win this game as we will lose at White Hart Lane. The game was there for the taking yesterday as Pompey were very poor, I am disappointed that is all. Our season will now end up being a whimper compared to something that could have been beyond our wildest imaginations.

at the start of the season finishing where we are now was beyond most people on this forums wildest dreams, in fact most people were rubbing there hands at the prospect of getting to moan about us being in the bottom three all year.

[Platypuss]

If we had serious ambitions of a European spot then we needed to win this game as we will lose at White Hart Lane. The game was there for the taking yesterday as Pompey were very poor, I am disappointed that is all. Our season will now end up being a whimper compared to something that could have been beyond our wildest imaginations.

at the start of the season finishing where we are now was beyond most people on this forums wildest dreams, in fact most people were rubbing there hands at the prospect of getting to moan about us being in the bottom three all year.

A word to the wise: it's not August 2006 any more.

[Fred Sharpe's Nose]

In terms of initial expectations, they were superceded by Christmas. They then adjusted as our good form continued.

Speak for yourself, by all means. But I'll repeat, this season is already pretty close to my wildest imaginations, and not qualifying for Europe won't change that one bit. I should think the same will apply for many of us. The problem is, as you point out, Coppell does seem to be sending out conflicting messages - 'we're not ready for Europe yet', but then the usual 'we aim to win every game'. In fairness, he did also say 'then we'll see what happens'. And who are we to gainsay the great man.

[.:BigDaveInTheDungeon:.]

If we had serious ambitions of a European spot then we needed to win this game as we will lose at White Hart Lane. The game was there for the taking yesterday as Pompey were very poor, I am disappointed that is all. Our season will now end up being a whimper compared to something that could have been beyond our wildest imaginations.

at the start of the season finishing where we are now was beyond most people on this forums wildest dreams, in fact most people were rubbing there hands at the prospect of getting to moan about us being in the bottom three all year.

A word to the wise: it's not August 2006 any more.

is it really.

[Huntley & Palmer]

In terms of initial expectations, they were superceded by Christmas. They then adjusted as our good form continued.

Speak for yourself, by all means. But I'll repeat, this season is already pretty close to my wildest imaginations, and not qualifying for Europe won't change that one bit. I should think the same will apply for many of us. The problem is, as you point out, Coppell does seem to be sending out conflicting messages - 'we're not ready for Europe yet', but then the usual 'we aim to win every game'. In fairness, he did also say 'then we'll see what happens'. And who are we to gainsay the great man.

Nothing but paying customers I am not dismissing this viewpoint on expectations, much as others should not dismiss those that don't wish to tow the club line.

[Behindu]

Surely Coppell is being his usual smart self ?


Talk of European qualificationis OK for us - we can dream and speculate and not worry about actually achieving anything.

Coppell and th eplayers on the other hand can only act in one way - and that is focus on the next game. Talking about Europe is pointless for them as they can't qualify for weeks yet. By definition discussing it means taking your eye off the immediate goal of 3 points at Spurs.

[Katie Marsden]

It's good to see Coppell's decision to rest first choice players from FA Cup games so they're in top form for the run in is proving a stroke of genius.

[Behindu]

It's good to see Coppell's decision to do his job and manage the team the way he sees fit is paying dividends.

Still a shoe in for manager of the season...

[Big Ern]

It's good to see Coppell's decision to rest first choice players from FA Cup games so they're in top form for the run in is proving a stroke of genius.

Good old alad. Different username, same old lame fishing attempts.

[Katie Marsden]

Why can't anyone make one comment about Coppell getting it wrong? He messed up and we all know it. Best chance of cup glory thrown away so a few fringe players could get a run out.

The ironic thing is if he had played his strongest team v Man Utd we would more than likely be in the UEFA Cup as a result of getting to the FA Cup final.

It would have definitely been alot easier to beat Boro and Watford that it will be to get results at Bolton, Spurs, Blackburn and at home to Newcastle and Liverpool. The trip to Charlton doesn't look quite so easy now either.

Coppell has done a great job this season but he's not beyond making mistakes and theres nothing wrong with people pointing those out