by loyalroyal4life » 08 Aug 2007 12:05
by Huntley & Palmer » 08 Aug 2007 12:11
79Royal Kitson was out top scorer in the Championship and he can't be judged by last season as he missed so much of it. Kitson was a better striker than Hulse in the Championship, so there's no reason why he can't score goals in the Premier League.
by Royal Rother » 08 Aug 2007 12:14
cmonurz Well if he doesn't I think we might be in a bit of trouble.
And to further paint myself into the negative corner, I think a lot of Reading fans are guilty of complacency. 'We'll be alright', 'we were fine last season', 'Kitson is back' - why are Reading fans so oblivious to other teams around us improving (at least on paper). West Ham, Newcastle, Fulham, Man City could all be much better sides than we faced last season.
Have just been talking about this with guys in the office - and we could only come up with Derby, Brum and Wigan who should, conceivably fare worse than Reading this season. That's not a long list, and doing 'as well as we did last year' won't get us as many points. I am hugely concerned about relegation this season, and I think a list of backup strikers (not including midfielders who can play up front) that reads Shane Long and Simon Cox is not allaying my fears.
by Stranded » 08 Aug 2007 12:17
cmonurz Well if he doesn't I think we might be in a bit of trouble.
And to further paint myself into the negative corner, I think a lot of Reading fans are guilty of complacency. 'We'll be alright', 'we were fine last season', 'Kitson is back' - why are Reading fans so oblivious to other teams around us improving (at least on paper). West Ham, Newcastle, Fulham, Man City could all be much better sides than we faced last season.
Have just been talking about this with guys in the office - and we could only come up with Derby, Brum and Wigan who should, conceivably fare worse than Reading this season. That's not a long list, and doing 'as well as we did last year' won't get us as many points. I am hugely concerned about relegation this season, and I think a list of backup strikers (not including midfielders who can play up front) that reads Shane Long and Simon Cox is not allaying my fears.
by Vision » 08 Aug 2007 12:22
Royal Rothercmonurz Well if he doesn't I think we might be in a bit of trouble.
And to further paint myself into the negative corner, I think a lot of Reading fans are guilty of complacency. 'We'll be alright', 'we were fine last season', 'Kitson is back' - why are Reading fans so oblivious to other teams around us improving (at least on paper). West Ham, Newcastle, Fulham, Man City could all be much better sides than we faced last season.
Have just been talking about this with guys in the office - and we could only come up with Derby, Brum and Wigan who should, conceivably fare worse than Reading this season. That's not a long list, and doing 'as well as we did last year' won't get us as many points. I am hugely concerned about relegation this season, and I think a list of backup strikers (not including midfielders who can play up front) that reads Shane Long and Simon Cox is not allaying my fears.
And how did you feel this time last year?
by cmonurz » 08 Aug 2007 12:46
by LUX » 08 Aug 2007 13:09
by Vision » 08 Aug 2007 13:26
cmonurz To reply and just some further points for discussion. I agree that in general, that list of names doesn't improve on what we have (although I have always rated Helguson and Hulse). Which would bring me on to my next 'moan' which would be that we are not making efforts to compete financially for better players.
As for 'did I feel like this last season?' Yes I did, I predicted we would finish 19th. On the back of our success last season I am plumping for 17th this time around.
Sorry, but I am not convinced our squad will be anywhere near as competitive this time around.
by Scarface » 08 Aug 2007 13:31
cmonurz Well if he doesn't I think we might be in a bit of trouble.
And to further paint myself into the negative corner, I think a lot of Reading fans are guilty of complacency. 'We'll be alright', 'we were fine last season', 'Kitson is back' - why are Reading fans so oblivious to other teams around us improving (at least on paper). West Ham, Newcastle, Fulham, Man City could all be much better sides than we faced last season.
Have just been talking about this with guys in the office - and we could only come up with Derby, Brum and Wigan who should, conceivably fare worse than Reading this season. That's not a long list, and doing 'as well as we did last year' won't get us as many points. I am hugely concerned about relegation this season, and I think a list of backup strikers (not including midfielders who can play up front) that reads Shane Long and Simon Cox is not allaying my fears.
by Skyline » 08 Aug 2007 13:32
Vision Well we're not competitive in terms of 80% of the player market for the Premiership so we're always going to be vulnerable in terms of the strengthening of squads "on paper" .
However that completely ignores the "strengths" that we possess, the strengths that took us so far last season. Coppell has "built" a team based on the fundamental principles of teamwork, endeavour and no little skill. Its the point that an awful lot of managers are missing while they throw around money they can't really afford on players that are, in an awful lot of cases mediocre to say the least.
Don't get me wrong i also think it will be harder this season due to the loss of Sidwell's influence and leadership (although whose to say Cisse or Fae don't match that or even add another dimension ) as well as Little's wit and imagination in the final 3rd. However over a 38 game league season i'd back "Coppell's Way" to see us retain our status over and above spending millions on mediocre individuals who won't/can't fit into our framework.
Let the others do it their way, we'll just concentrate on doing whats best for us. It's not served us too badly so far.
by Scarface » 08 Aug 2007 13:35
SkylineVision Well we're not competitive in terms of 80% of the player market for the Premiership so we're always going to be vulnerable in terms of the strengthening of squads "on paper" .
However that completely ignores the "strengths" that we possess, the strengths that took us so far last season. Coppell has "built" a team based on the fundamental principles of teamwork, endeavour and no little skill. Its the point that an awful lot of managers are missing while they throw around money they can't really afford on players that are, in an awful lot of cases mediocre to say the least.
Don't get me wrong i also think it will be harder this season due to the loss of Sidwell's influence and leadership (although whose to say Cisse or Fae don't match that or even add another dimension ) as well as Little's wit and imagination in the final 3rd. However over a 38 game league season i'd back "Coppell's Way" to see us retain our status over and above spending millions on mediocre individuals who won't/can't fit into our framework.
Let the others do it their way, we'll just concentrate on doing whats best for us. It's not served us too badly so far.
As ever Vision, eloquently put and correct.
by Hoop Blah » 08 Aug 2007 13:40
by Platypuss » 08 Aug 2007 14:23
playoffs or layoffs Out for up to four weeks according to SSN
by Royal Rother » 08 Aug 2007 14:23
Hoop Blah However, we have to accept that the team Coppell has built will need investment to keep it at it's current level.
The squad has hit it's peak with the current personnel and we no longer have the luxury of developing it slowly whilst pushing for promotion.
We have to be hitting a much higher level of performance week in week out to maintain our position on the Premiership gravey train.
As much as it would be nice to continue doing it on a relative shoe string, at some point we're going to have to buy proven quality, which comes at a price, in order to compete at the level we've got to.
by Stranded » 08 Aug 2007 14:32
Hoop Blah As much as I want our current forwards to perform it's pinning a lot on their shoulders. I do believe that we have to throw these kids in the test them otherwise they miss the opportunity to learn and improve and all to quickly become lower league players (this is the reason I think our academy hasn't worked in recent years, not the time lag behind the 1st team etc).
I do worry that we're a forward light though, mainly because of Kitson's injury record and a lack of a physcial/linkup option apart from him (I suppose Cox can play that second forward role though) and I think that is a high risk gamble going into the season light upfront. To my mind we got away with it last season and I hope we see the same result this year.
However, we have to accept that the team Coppell has built will need investment to keep it at it's current level. The squad has hit it's peak with the current personnel and we no longer have the luxury of developing it slowly whilst pushing for promotion. We have to be hitting a much higher level of performance week in week out to maintain our position on the Premiership gravey train. As much as it would be nice to continue doing it on a relative shoe string, at some point we're going to have to buy proven quality, which comes at a price, in order to compete at the level we've got to.
by Vision » 08 Aug 2007 14:37
Hoop Blah As much as I want our current forwards to perform it's pinning a lot on their shoulders. I do believe that we have to throw these kids in the test them otherwise they miss the opportunity to learn and improve and all to quickly become lower league players (this is the reason I think our academy hasn't worked in recent years, not the time lag behind the 1st team etc).
I do worry that we're a forward light though, mainly because of Kitson's injury record and a lack of a physcial/linkup option apart from him (I suppose Cox can play that second forward role though) and I think that is a high risk gamble going into the season light upfront. To my mind we got away with it last season and I hope we see the same result this year.
However, we have to accept that the team Coppell has built will need investment to keep it at it's current level. The squad has hit it's peak with the current personnel and we no longer have the luxury of developing it slowly whilst pushing for promotion. We have to be hitting a much higher level of performance week in week out to maintain our position on the Premiership gravey train. As much as it would be nice to continue doing it on a relative shoe string, at some point we're going to have to buy proven quality, which comes at a price, in order to compete at the level we've got to.
by Hoop Blah » 08 Aug 2007 14:38
Royal RotherHoop Blah However, we have to accept that the team Coppell has built will need investment to keep it at it's current level.
The squad has hit it's peak with the current personnel and we no longer have the luxury of developing it slowly whilst pushing for promotion.
We have to be hitting a much higher level of performance week in week out to maintain our position on the Premiership gravey train.
As much as it would be nice to continue doing it on a relative shoe string, at some point we're going to have to buy proven quality, which comes at a price, in order to compete at the level we've got to.
I don't see how any of that makes sense when you look at the fact that we finished 8th with a team completely new to The Premiership last year.
by Huntley & Palmer » 08 Aug 2007 14:38
Platypussplayoffs or layoffs Out for up to four weeks according to SSN
Sc confirms 3 or 4 weeks out.
Just hope they're not Kitsonweeks.
by Hoop Blah » 08 Aug 2007 14:50
Vision I've no doubt we are on the lookout for forwards to improve ( as with all other positions ) the team but not at the prices the current market place is dictating.
Vision Investment in the team also doesn't just come down to a financial nature. It is also about investing time and faith in those on the fringes of the first team.
Vision The one point i don't understand is this "getting away with it last season" comment. We didn't escape relegation by the skin of our teeth, we finished 8th.
by 79Royal » 08 Aug 2007 14:55
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