Hard to see any progress for the forseeable future

[papereyes]

Still I don't think this season has been dull. Lots to talk about.

The sheer wtf? of getting back from football training, turning on the computer and seeing Reading 6 Sheff Wed 0 ...

[readingbedding]

Still I don't think this season has been dull. Lots to talk about.

The sheer wtf? of getting back from football training, turning on the computer and seeing Reading 6 Sheff Wed 0 ...

Yep, very strange match, that result would have suprised everyone!

[Rex]

We now as a club need to start breaking this unwritten rule that we cannot win an away game. I point away and 1 very dubious result are not playoff form. Is it the opposition, occasion, home support (not likely), travel (again not likely) or team tactics. It certainly cannot be expectation, but the team seem to have carried over the mental block of last season. Until this is sorted out the faltering start tyo the away games is always going to be the achilles heal.

[readingbedding]

We now as a club need to start breaking this unwritten rule that we cannot win an away game. I point away and 1 very dubious result are not playoff form. Is it the opposition, occasion, home support (not likely), travel (again not likely) or team tactics. It certainly cannot be expectation, but the team seem to have carried over the mental block of last season. Until this is sorted out the faltering start tyo the away games is always going to be the achilles heal.

People who have turned out to see us have seen how and how poorly we play, 100% record at home and played poorly away.
Wally Downes agrees with you, it is a confidence, mental situation.

Perhaps Tuesday is the day we win away?

[Rex]

It's such a drastic shift it's a yawning chasm in the difference in attiuted/ confidence. I'm more concerned that the team can have it's confidence dented so drastically when a game doesn't quite unfold the way it was pre-planned. Hopefully another fall out (positive) of the Watford game is that the team were up against the wall and this will spur the team on. To say the team needs experienced leaders on the pitch is an understatement.

[Dr Hfuhruhurr]

Now you know Ive travelled away this season and, yes, I was at the game that started this all off - Ipswich away.
Im still finding it odd that their is still a persistent view that this season is 'dull' when since the post was made, we, as Reading fans have been spoilt with a 6-0, a 4-0, a game so bizarre, that the FA actually spent (a small amount of) some time debating whether it should be replayed, and a game that went to penalties in the cup with our second team playing.
Now, even as a small minded, cynical, mysanthrope - I can still find some enjoyment in that. To not do so, I would have to reclassify myself as 'Hard to Please (Extreme Version)'.

FWIW, I thought Ipswich was shit as well, but I havent lost much sleep over it.

[Apocalypse Now]

There's some serious goalpost moving going on. The main idea of the original post was that we'd be mid-table at best and watching Reading was going to be very dull. Since then we've won 6-0 and 4-0 and drawn 2-2 away. We're third. Call it what you like, but it's not mid-table and it's not dull.

It was emotional, frustrated, knee-jerk rubbish to be honest.
When was the original post made again?

Agreed.

The thread looks like it could backfire massively.

[Arch]

Can I just point out that Sarah Palin has yet to be mentioned in this thread?

[Baines]

Can I just point out that Sarah Palin has yet to be mentioned in this thread?

Thoroughly agree with your "it's not dull" post.

[Mr Angry]

This sort of stuff always happens; an individual has decided on a point of view, and by God, they are going to stick to it come hell or high water - or indeed, 10 goals in 2 consecutive home games.

Normally Woodcote is the culprit; for it to be Schards is ironic to say the least!!

Just a historical stat (and strap, you epitomised the old saying that there are lies, damn lies and statistics!!) during our record breaking 2005/06 season, we didn't go top until November 22nd (after our demolition of Ipswich away - another irony).

Long way to go yet folks.

[The 17 Bus]

Welcome back Mr A, worth adding we are just 3 points worse off at the same stage, just the 103 points I guess.

Woodcote has stopped phoning me trying to give his seat away, wonder why

[Schards#2]

This sort of stuff always happens; an individual has decided on a point of view, and by God, they are going to stick to it come hell or high water - or indeed, 10 goals in 2 consecutive home games.

Normally Woodcote is the culprit; for it to be Schards is ironic to say the least!!

Just a historical stat (and strap, you epitomised the old saying that there are lies, damn lies and statistics!!) during our record breaking 2005/06 season, we didn't go top until November 22nd (after our demolition of Ipswich away - another irony).

Long way to go yet folks.

Do you guys actually acknowledge the existance of away fixtures?

There is a long way to go this season and there's probably an even longer way to go before the impact of having a chairman who doesn't want to be chairman any more is fully played out. We saw some evidence of it during the close season, I suspect that you may see some pointers in January.

I find it amazing that many respected posters think that the long term issues no longer exist simply because we had a couple of sizeable home wins. Another inept away display at Wolves won't make me right any more than a big home win to Swansea makes me wrong. These are long term concerns that will be played out over at least an entire season and, in all likelyhood, several.

In that timescale, my belief is that the squad will weaken, Coppell may well leave and we'll have difficulties finding a quality replacement while we have a chairman who doesn't want to be there, (think Newcastle on a far lesser scale). If someone can explain to me how winning big at home for a couple of games, (however welcome), resolves these concerns, i'd be interested to hear.

[Royal Rother]

I doubt anyone would argue with your right to have and address those concerns - it's the dull and uninspiring bit people are struggling with.

[Schards#2]

I doubt anyone would argue with your right to have and address those concerns - it's the dull and uninspiring bit people are struggling with.

It's all very reminiscent of the extention argument when posters were rejoicing in my stupidity at daring to suggest we shouldn't extend, every time we sold out a Premiership game. One year on, we're playing in front of thousands of empty seats at every home game.

I guess some posters have the capacity to think what might happen in the longer term and some can't see past the last game. In a year or so's time people will be able to look back and see whether the last season, as a whole, has been duller and less inspiring than the previous few (record points, eight in the prem, relegated from the prem on last day of season). Just as in the same way now, they can look back and see whether the extention would have been a good idea.

[Dr Hfuhruhurr]

can't see past the last game.

Or the last 3 away games?
Your original post came after Ipswich Away. I would therefore dare to suggest that your predictions on our away form were based on solely the Ipswich, Charlton and Forest games. (we were in a different league with different players before then). Since most people are basing the 'not dull' bit on the last 2 home games (and Im being kind there because we scored 6 in the 2 before that as well), the line between what is and what isnt an acceptable time to assess form is becoming thinner and thinner.

[Schards#2]

can't see past the last game.

Or the last 3 away games?
Your original post came after Ipswich Away. I would therefore dare to suggest that your predictions on our away form were based on solely the Ipswich, Charlton and Forest games. (we were in a different league with different players before then). Since most people are basing the 'not dull' bit on the last 2 home games (and Im being kind there because we scored 6 in the 2 before that as well), the line between what is and what isnt an acceptable time to assess form is becoming thinner and thinner.

The original post was inspired by the evolving situation at the club over the course of the past year.

The issues addressed in the original post will resurface in January and again at the end of the season.

[Thaumagurist*]

Do you guys actually acknowledge the existance of away fixtures?

I don't know what the word "existance" is. Thing is, we won't go the entire season without winning an away game.

And we've only lost two.

There is a long way to go this season and there's probably an even longer way to go before the impact of having a chairman who doesn't want to be chairman any more is fully played out. We saw some evidence of it during the close season, I suspect that you may see some pointers in January.

Not sure how relevant this is to this season, Madejski has been on record as wanting to get Reading back to the Premiership.

I find it amazing that many respected posters think that the long term issues no longer exist simply because we had a couple of sizeable home wins. Another inept away display at Wolves won't make me right any more than a big home win to Swansea makes me wrong. These are long term concerns that will be played out over at least an entire season and, in all likelyhood, several.

Nice, you assuming we will be inept at Wolves.

In that timescale, my belief is that the squad will weaken, Coppell may well leave and we'll have difficulties finding a quality replacement while we have a chairman who doesn't want to be there, (think Newcastle on a far lesser scale). If someone can explain to me how winning big at home for a couple of games, (however welcome), resolves these concerns, i'd be interested to hear.

Er, perhaps it will give our squad more confidence and belief in themselves to go on to play better in away games?

[brendywendy]

I doubt anyone would argue with your right to have and address those concerns - it's the dull and uninspiring bit people are struggling with.

It's all very reminiscent of the extention argument when posters were rejoicing in my stupidity at daring to suggest we shouldn't extend, every time we sold out a Premiership game. One year on, we're playing in front of thousands of empty seats at every home game.

I guess some posters have the capacity to think what might happen in the longer term and some can't see past the last game. In a year or so's time people will be able to look back and see whether the last season, as a whole, has been duller and less inspiring than the previous few (record points, eight in the prem, relegated from the prem on last day of season). Just as in the same way now, they can look back and see whether the extention would have been a good idea.

relegation doesnt make you right though
the point was, if we want to increase the ammount we can spend on players and wages, an increase in capacity is needed to compete in the top flight, doing so when we were up, and the money and fans were coming in was sensible in my opinion, regardless of how many empty seats it gave us-the point was it would have given us the potential

my belief is that the squad will weaken, Coppell may well leave and we'll have difficulties finding a quality replacement while we have a chairman who doesn't want to be there,

cant argue with any of that-we will lose another couple of players in jan no doubt, and replace them with cheaper players
but wed have lost most of them at the end of last season if coppell had gone, and im not sure what we can do about madejski-he'll sell when he sells, and theres nowt we can do about it, short of some ungracious madejski out rallys.

Do you guys actually acknowledge the existance of away fixtures?

in much the same way that our home form doesnt seem to have any effect on your good self?

[Schards#2]

I doubt anyone would argue with your right to have and address those concerns - it's the dull and uninspiring bit people are struggling with.

It's all very reminiscent of the extention argument when posters were rejoicing in my stupidity at daring to suggest we shouldn't extend, every time we sold out a Premiership game. One year on, we're playing in front of thousands of empty seats at every home game.

I guess some posters have the capacity to think what might happen in the longer term and some can't see past the last game. In a year or so's time people will be able to look back and see whether the last season, as a whole, has been duller and less inspiring than the previous few (record points, eight in the prem, relegated from the prem on last day of season). Just as in the same way now, they can look back and see whether the extention would have been a good idea.

relegation doesnt make you right though
the point was, if we want to increase the ammount we can spend on players and wages, an increase in capacity is needed to compete in the top flight, doing so when we were up, and the money and fans were coming in was sensible in my opinion, regardless of how many empty seats it gave us-the point was it would have given us the potential

my belief is that the squad will weaken, Coppell may well leave and we'll have difficulties finding a quality replacement while we have a chairman who doesn't want to be there,

cant argue with any of that-we will lose another couple of players in jan no doubt, and replace them with cheaper players
but wed have lost most of them at the end of last season if coppell had gone, and im not sure what we can do about madejski-he'll sell when he sells, and theres nowt we can do about it, short of some ungracious madejski out rallys.

Do you guys actually acknowledge the existance of away fixtures?

in much the same way that our home form doesnt seem to have any effect on your good self?

That, my friend, is the whole point.

[Mr Angry]

Schards

The title of your thread implies that you cannot see any progress for the foreseeable future; can you actually define what you mean by progress and foreseeable future in the context of the title of this thread? This is because if you can't understand why individuals would wonder why 2 consecutive home victories where 10 goals are scored and none conceded DOESN'T represent progress in the foreseeable future (from when you posed the question), than it can only be because your definitions differ from everyone elses.

If (as I suspect) you mean the longer team future of the club, and maybe its longer term ambitions, then again I'm a little surprised; obviously being relegated means that we are in a worse position than where we were a few months ago, and the whys and wherefores of how that came about have been done to death - however, we are in the Championship now, so everything the club does fom now has to be seen in that context.

I posted a week and a half ago that I disagreed with your premise that there was no progress to be seen - the fact that we have regular first team members having come up from the academy must surely show that progress is being made? Furthermore, the starting 11 are beginning to gel and whilst away results to now have been dissappointing (and performances more so) you are basing your whole point on the inherent belief that that situation will not change, and I simply find that position incredible bearing in mind the last 4 most recent performances; even you must accept that performances are getting better?

As for the longer term, again, I find your attitude surprising with regard to expanding the stadium - on the one hand Mr Mad and the club are castigated for a lack of ambition, then with the next breath they are castigated for having the temerity of planning for the long term with an expansion of the stadium! At times it is hard to know what some people really want. Also, the financial prudence of the club constantly being called into question is one I don't understand - this weekend we see revealed Pompey's situation; I'm sure that if they go under in a couple of Years, the guy with the bell will be able to look fondly back at when they won the FA Cup - even though he no longer has his club to support. I apologise that my posting about what the current World financial situation means to football clubs was so readily dismissed or ignored, but the reality of the situation is that clubs who don't generate players and revenue will struggle - and we are placed very well to be one of those clubs that does progress both on and off the pitch.

Sorry this has been so long, but I think you have posted something on the bounce from a single terrible away performance and now find yourself digging a hole.