Shorey...

[ReadingFlan]

Maclaren must have watched a different game from me. Useless Twit with a A.

[readingtillidie]

England would have won if Shorey had played against Russia.

Flippin Lescott was at fault for the Russian winner. Shorey would have been first to the ball.

Also that Russian geezer skinned Lescott a couple of times. If Shorey had played England would have defended better on the flank and would have had more attacking flair going forward.

McLaren really FFffd it up this time by leaving Shorey out.

Most subjective RTG comment in the history of hobnob.

Words fail me.

Not really......... Its the truth.

For some strange reason, as soon as it becomes clear one of our players want to leave. The fans suddenly change their opinions immediately. If Shorey was 100% committed to RFC at the moment and he publicly said he was staying then you just wouldn't see all these negative comments about Shorey's performances on this board. The tone would be alot more positive.

I guess Reading fans are psychologically preparing for a future team that doesn't contain our left sided wonder kid. The most cultured left foot ever to have played for Reading!

These types of comments surrounded Sidwell in the lead up to his departure as well.

Sidwell was a great player for RFC but the fans no longer recognise that. Shorey has been fantastic for the Royals as well. But again the fans are starting to stop recognising it. Its sad really.

some times it would be nice if the players showed loyalty to the club ie sidwell situation. for example take hunt long and doyle they were not really heard of before rfc took a gamble on them and now there playing top flight football week in week out and are international players. if a big club were to come in for them i would like them to say no thanks i want to repay reading for beliving in me and giving me the chance thats what i would like to see

[The whole year inn]

Player rating taken from Daily Mail for Lestcott:

JOLEON LESCOTT: Everton man took some time to settle on his first start for England. Was often drawn inside, and could perhaps have reacted quicker at second Russia goal - 5.

That was the lowest rating of any of the team, including Robinson

I personally think McClown got it wrong by not playing a specialist left back in that position but what do I know?

To follow the current trend (which is not something I do very often), Shorey>Lescott at left back.

minus 5 out of 10

[rabidbee]

who was it last week saying he'll never play a competetive game for england?

I did.

He hasn't... yet.

<Ahem...>

Still...

[Avon Royal]

Having now seen the pen on TV it was a correct decision.
First contact outside the box but also contact inside. Penalty.

But contact per se is not an offence. The only infringement, if any, took place outside the box.

[Oi Oi Saveloy]

Having now seen the pen on TV it was a correct decision.
First contact outside the box but also contact inside. Penalty.

Words fail me

LOL @ The team board

[Stranded]

Having now seen the pen on TV it was a correct decision.
First contact outside the box but also contact inside. Penalty.

And I thought the person claiming Shorey playing would have seen us win had lost it.

It was only a penalty because the ref gave it, the foul was outside the box, the Russian player even began to fall, outside the box. It was marginal though so can see why a pen was given. That's life.

[Top Flight]

Having now seen the pen on TV it was a correct decision.
First contact outside the box but also contact inside. Penalty.

And I thought the person claiming Shorey playing would have seen us win had lost it.

It was only a penalty because the ref gave it, the foul was outside the box, the Russian player even began to fall, outside the box. It was marginal though so can see why a pen was given. That's life.

Oi, Thats me you're talking about. The only thing that I have lost is my marbles. If you see them anywhere please let me know. I want my spotted dick back.

England would have won if Shorey had played. Russia damaged us down the Lescott left hand side. Lescott was at fault for their winner and there were numerous occassions where he was skinned. A specialist left back such as Shorey would not have had those problems and would have given us much better balance across the back 4. It would have given us much more going forward with good link up play with Joe Cole. The only thing we would have lacked would have been danger from set plays. Unless England would have been brave enough to let Shorey take corners instead of Gerrard. Shoreys Set piece delivery is every bit as good as any of the England team apart from Beckham.

[Huntley & Palmer]

Having now seen the pen on TV it was a correct decision.
First contact outside the box but also contact inside. Penalty.

And I thought the person claiming Shorey playing would have seen us win had lost it.

It was only a penalty because the ref gave it, the foul was outside the box, the Russian player even began to fall, outside the box. It was marginal though so can see why a pen was given. That's life.

Oi, Thats me you're talking about. The only thing that I have lost is my marbles. If you see them anywhere please let me know. I want my spotted dick back.

England would have won if Shorey had played. Russia damaged us down the Lescott left hand side. Lescott was at fault for their winner and there were numerous occassions where he was skinned. A specialist left back such as Shorey would not have had those problems and would have given us much better balance across the back 4. It would have given us much more going forward with good link up play with Joe Cole. The only thing we would have lacked would have been danger from set plays. Unless England would have been brave enough to let Shorey take corners instead of Gerrard. Shoreys Set piece delivery is every bit as good as any of the England team apart from Beckham.

I wouldn't say he was at fault for their winner, both he and Campbell were slow to react to the rebound. Robinson should have put the ball wide of the goal rather than straight back into the six yard box. Also, most of the damage was done down the right back area. The Russian number 10 tore Richards apart

[Top Flight]

He didn't tear Richards apart at all.

[Huntley & Palmer]

Apart from most of the second half, you are right

[TFF]

McClown's error was in not playing Shorey for the Estonia game. He took the risk of playing Cole when he could have picked up a booking when Shorey (or Lescott) would not have struggled.

Had Cole been on the pitch yesterday we wouldn't have been under so much pressure.

[Man Friday]

McClown's error was in not playing Shorey for the Estonia game. He took the risk of playing Cole when he could have picked up a booking when Shorey (or Lescott) would not have struggled.

Had Cole been on the pitch yesterday we wouldn't have been under so much pressure.

Agreed. Games are won and lost on decisions like that.

I have no sympathy with the penalty protestations. The fouling continued into the penalty area. Rooney is over-rated and is as much of a liability as an asset. Or is he uncriticisable as he looks like one of the lads? (Unlike Lampard.) After he conceded the penalty his head went down. He should have been brought off as he added nothing after that. Some lion-hearted fighter!

McClaren should (in hindsight) have dropped Robinson. McClaren has to carry the can as unlucky as he has been with injuries.

[Broxroyal]

Interestingly enough Hiddink feels that McClaren lost the tactical battle by playing Lescott too narrowly alongside Campbell, almost as another centre back, leaving lots of room on the outside, instead of playing a "normal" left back (like Shorey )

[bigmike]

Interestingly enough Hiddink feels that McClaren lost the tactical battle by playing Lescott too narrowly alongside Campbell, almost as another centre back, leaving lots of room on the outside, instead of playing a "normal" left back (like Shorey )

I have to agree with Hiddink if there was a proper left back playing Rooney would not have had to cover leftback which is what caused him to give away the freekick which the dumbass ref gave as a penalty.

[1960]

I wish our players could take penalties like that.

[Scarface]

It seems obvious to me that you play players in their natural position, I simply don't undertsand an international manager doing this when he has 100's of players to pick from.

McClaren is a joke and the fact we may finish 3rd in what is possibly the easiest qualifying group really highlights how poor we've been. He must be sacked.

[Top Flight]

It seems obvious to me that you play players in their natural position, I simply don't undertsand an international manager doing this when he has 100's of players to pick from.

McClaren is a joke and the fact we may finish 3rd in what is possibly the easiest qualifying group really highlights how poor we've been. He must be sacked.

And to continue with Robinson in goal was a disgrace as well......

Robinson has been in diabolical form since the start of the season. Its obvious that he should have been replaced by David James. Scott Carson, Chris Kirkland even Dean Kiely would have been a better option than Paul Robinson. Even Stephen Bywater would have been a better bet than Paul Robinson! Even the Aldershot keeper would have been better than Robinson!

[Behindu]

I suspect if we'd fielded Dean Kiely we may have had the points deducted even if we had won the game !!

[PEARCEY]

It seems obvious to me that you play players in their natural position, I simply don't undertsand an international manager doing this when he has 100's of players to pick from.

McClaren is a joke and the fact we may finish 3rd in what is possibly the easiest qualifying group really highlights how poor we've been. He must be sacked.

It was certainly a poor decision to play Lescott out of position in his first full international start in such a hostile environment and in such an important game. It backfired.