Life after Brendan

[Stuffed Crust Pizza]

Attention all Facebook users - join the biggest Brian McDermot group I'm backing Brian and show your support for the great man!

[Hoop Blah]

I believed then, and still do, that we should've invested more in proven and experienced Premiership players who were within our budget

And there in lies the problem we had. At 25K+ a week, proven experienced Premiership players were well outside our budget.

No they weren't.

We were paying the likes of Doyle and Hunt those kind of figures. Our total wage bill (circa £35m) was only a few £M off the likes of Wigan, Fulham, Bolton, Blackburn, 'Boro, and even Everton and Man City. We wated a decent amount on players that just weren't good enough.

Furthermore, Coppell himself has said he could've added players (the ones I'm talking of, like O'Neil, Taylor and Cahill) but decided they weren't better than what we had. If we could've afforded them we could've afford others of their standing.

Not really sure how many times that's been pointed out...

[Kitson12]

...is awesome.

[leon]

I believed then, and still do, that we should've invested more in proven and experienced Premiership players who were within our budget

And there in lies the problem we had. At 25K+ a week, proven experienced Premiership players were well outside our budget.

No they weren't.

We were paying the likes of Doyle and Hunt those kind of figures. Our total wage bill (circa £35m) was only a few £M off the likes of Wigan, Fulham, Bolton, Blackburn, 'Boro, and even Everton and Man City. We wated a decent amount on players that just weren't good enough.

Furthermore, Coppell himself has said he could've added players (the ones I'm talking of, like O'Neil, Taylor and Cahill) but decided they weren't better than what we had. If we could've afforded them we could've afford others of their standing.

Not really sure how many times that's been pointed out...

and all through that time the received wisdom was that we couldn't / wouldn't compete on wages with anyone in the premier league...something doesnt add up

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Right, this is my 2 pence for what its worth.

My opinion of Rodgers when he took the job was that he was probably the perfect candidate at the time to give us an exciting season where we would push for a play-off season. I thought his innovative tactical nouse and his ability to push players onto the next level would see us surprise many with the spine of the team being from our Academy.

Now, whatever happened during his reign, something very wrong happened. Maybe it was because he signed a £2 million player and decided not to play him? Maybe it was because he stringently upheld his ideologies of playing a 4-2-3-1 in a division full of players that would kick seven shades of shit out of you at the first opportunity?? I was at QPR, and I'd say its the lowest ive been as a Reading fan for as long as I can remember, and was consigned to relegation walking away from the stadium.

Now as soon as he was fired I though "great we have a signing in the pipeline, perhaps fergie junior?? would be good for loans!!" You can imagine my shock and evident dissapointment when they named McDermott as our temporary Manager! Now Plymotu was bad, this is a given, yet I will never forget that famous night in Liverpool, and for this reason McDermott will live with me for a long time!! Even a this point I thought it was still the best decision to give the job to someone accomplished rather than someone living on the crest of one performance!

Well Im glad ive been proved wrong!! League form has improved, and we've seen ourselves climb out of the relegation zone. Yet the footballing traditionists amongst us have always wanted a decent cup run, and McD has made my drems come true!! If we go down (which I reckon we won't, at a canter no less),I reckon full attentions should be on winning the prize we havent achieved before!!

Come on URZZZZZZ

McDermott, wooooaaaahhhh, McDermott, wooooaaaahhhh, hes gonna keep us up, we're gonna win the cup!!!!!"

[Millsy]

Right, this is my 2 pence for what its worth.

My opinion of Rodgers when he took the job was that he was probably the perfect candidate at the time to give us an exciting season where we would push for a play-off season. I thought his innovative tactical nouse and his ability to push players onto the next level would see us surprise many with the spine of the team being from our Academy.

Now, whatever happened during his reign, something very wrong happened. Maybe it was because he signed a £2 million player and decided not to play him? Maybe it was because he stringently upheld his ideologies of playing a 4-2-3-1 in a division full of players that would kick seven shades of shit out of you at the first opportunity?? I was at QPR, and I'd say its the lowest ive been as a Reading fan for as long as I can remember, and was consigned to relegation walking away from the stadium.

Now as soon as he was fired I though "great we have a signing in the pipeline, perhaps fergie junior?? would be good for loans!!" You can imagine my shock and evident dissapointment when they named McDermott as our temporary Manager! Now Plymotu was bad, this is a given, yet I will never forget that famous night in Liverpool, and for this reason McDermott will live with me for a long time!! Even a this point I thought it was still the best decision to give the job to someone accomplished rather than someone living on the crest of one performance!

Well Im glad ive been proved wrong!! League form has improved, and we've seen ourselves climb out of the relegation zone. Yet the footballing traditionists amongst us have always wanted a decent cup run, and McD has made my drems come true!! If we go down (which I reckon we won't, at a canter no less),I reckon full attentions should be on winning the prize we havent achieved before!!

Come on URZZZZZZ

McDermott, wooooaaaahhhh, McDermott, wooooaaaahhhh, hes gonna keep us up, we're gonna win the cup!!!!!"

Good post.

[Terminal Boardom]

BMcD has got the players playing within their abilities. He is not over-complicating things and it really does look as if the players are fitter. As posted by URZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, I sometimes think that a more experienced manager would have been the better option but the results and performances have improved. Just shows WTF do I know

[URZZZZZZZZ]

it really does look as if the players are fitter.

This was quite a big thing that I managed to forget to put in my post! Under Rodgers the players seemed to be knackered after an hour, and is probably the reason why we threw away so many leads!! One can only assume they spent too much time passing the ball in pre season rather than actually doing fundamentals.

[SteveRoyal]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... e-him.html

MK Dons are considering replacing manager Paul Ince with ex-Reading boss Brendan Rodgers.
Ince has struggled since returning from his stint at Blackburn with the Dons now eight points off the play-off places.
The club’s board is believed to be looking at new options for next season with Rodgers top of the wish-list.

[Royal With Cheese]

The perfect fit.

World class model in an artifical city.

[adamh4608]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1254100/Paul-Ince-facing-MK-Dons-axe-ex-Reading-boss-Brendan-Rodgers-line-replace-him.html

MK Dons are considering replacing manager Paul Ince with ex-Reading boss Brendan Rodgers.
Ince has struggled since returning from his stint at Blackburn with the Dons now eight points off the play-off places.
The club’s board is believed to be looking at new options for next season with Rodgers top of the wish-list.

tell royalee and the other twats that loved him, so they can fu*k off with him

[working class hero]

Now had Rodgers had the nouse to pick up a few of these proven players instead of gambles like Cummings and persisting with players who at this minute aren't up to the task he may have had a bit more joy

MAybe his scout was not pointing him in the right direction?

[ROKERITE]

Well, I've been on The Moo Camp Board arguing his case, but without much support I'm afraid. I think he'd be perfect for them, and could see him taking the club to The Championship and possibly beyond. I'm surprised, but delighted, by Brian McDermott's success so far, by the way. Today, on the back of extra-time on Wednesday, was outstanding. It doesn't alter the fact that poor Rodgers got a very raw deal at your club; but that's history now.

[shoey]

wot the hell you on!

rodgers was shite here, useless, talked crap, brought crap in, and did f all in anyway to take this club forward, he took us backwards, and wow, we change manager, and we fly, surprise, hell no.
he did f all at watford.
and since he left he talks more crap, bout how he would have done things different if he known he had little time, what a load of tosh.
he had more time than most people get now, and with that ass comment of his must of felt he was doing things wrong too.

great he went, fantastic job by mcd, URZ! fuk rodgers

[adamh4608]

Well, I've been on The Moo Camp Board arguing his case, but without much support I'm afraid. I think he'd be perfect for them, and could see him taking the club to The Championship and possibly beyond. I'm surprised, but delighted, by Brian McDermott's success so far, by the way. Today, on the back of extra-time on Wednesday, was outstanding. It doesn't alter the fact that poor Rodgers got a very raw deal at your club; but that's history now.

how, he was sh8t

[From Despair To Where?]

I think that McDermott is everything Rodgers isn't. I was never a fan of Rodgers, didn't like the man's arrogance and lack of humility so I would be biased but McDermott has got the team back to basics, playing simple effective football that plays to the squads' strengths, not some fanciful idea of some idealistic model and trying to get round pegs to fit square holes. We are no longer porous at the back and toothless up front.

I like McDermott's honesty, there's no bullshit, no complaining about the quality of player available, no making excuses and no taking the credit for himself. I like the fact that he has taken someone else's squad and got them playing for him and he has made 2 low key signings in key positions that needed strengthening that have improved the squad imeasurably. The players clearly like and respect him and want to play for him. I like the fact that Mills is now looking something like the £2m defender we thought we were buying, I like the fact that Howard is getting back to the form that got him noticed in the first place. I like the fact that Kebe has upped his game, I like the fact Cummings is nowhere near the first team, I like the fact that the forwards as a collective now look like scoring goals, I like the fact that we don't crumble at the first sign of pressure and fight to the final whistle. I like the fact that McDermott has recognised the real issues and just got on with the job at hand.

Most of all, I like the fact that we know have a team that plays with a bit of pride.

[weybridgewanderer]

Well, I've been on The Moo Camp Board arguing his case, but without much support I'm afraid. I think he'd be perfect for them, and could see him taking the club to The Championship and possibly beyond. I'm surprised, but delighted, by Brian McDermott's success so far, by the way. Today, on the back of extra-time on Wednesday, was outstanding. It doesn't alter the fact that poor Rodgers got a very raw deal at your club; but that's history now.

he can take his brand of "less fitness more ballwork" and destry someone elser and you can lose a shed load money there too

i'll avoid that bet myself

[glass half full]

I think that McDermott is everything Rodgers isn't. I was never a fan of Rodgers, didn't like the man's arrogance and lack of humility so I would be biased but McDermott has got the team back to basics, playing simple effective football that plays to the squads' strengths, not some fanciful idea of some idealistic model and trying to get round pegs to fit square holes. We are no longer porous at the back and toothless up front.

I like McDermott's honesty, there's no bullshit, no complaining about the quality of player available, no making excuses and no taking the credit for himself. I like the fact that he has taken someone else's squad and got them playing for him and he has made 2 low key signings in key positions that needed strengthening that have improved the squad imeasurably. The players clearly like and respect him and want to play for him. I like the fact that Mills is now looking something like the £2m defender we thought we were buying, I like the fact that Howard is getting back to the form that got him noticed in the first place. I like the fact that Kebe has upped his game, I like the fact Cummings is nowhere near the first team, I like the fact that the forwards as a collective now look like scoring goals, I like the fact that we don't crumble at the first sign of pressure and fight to the final whistle. I like the fact that McDermott has recognised the real issues and just got on with the job at hand.

Most of all, I like the fact that we know have a team that plays with a bit of pride.

BM could still glean the best from Cummings.

[weybridgewanderer]

I like McDermott's honesty, there's no bullshit, no complaining about the quality of player available, no making excuses and no taking the credit for himself. I like the fact that he has taken someone else's squad and got them playing for him and he has made 2 low key signings in key positions that needed strengthening that have improved the squad imeasurably. ....

Most of all, I like the fact that we know have a team that plays with a bit of pride.

i like the fact we can still run after 60 minutes

[Wimb]

wot the hell you on!

rodgers was shite here, useless, talked crap, brought crap in, and did f all in anyway to take this club forward, he took us backwards, and wow, we change manager, and we fly, surprise, hell no.
he did f all at watford.
and since he left he talks more crap, bout how he would have done things different if he known he had little time, what a load of tosh.
he had more time than most people get now, and with that ass comment of his must of felt he was doing things wrong too.

great he went, fantastic job by mcd, URZ! fuk rodgers

Rodgers underachieved, but you can't just blame him for taking the club backwards, it was always going to go backwards after the overspending of last season and the subsequent cost cutting measures that had to be adopted.

What Rodgers didn't do was help himself by talking up his own ability and past experience, talking of 'world class models' and bumper books of tactics. But then maybe he was trying to soften the blow that this club wasn't going to be challenging the top 4 of this league for a couple of seasons?

He signed a three year contract and placed his faith in players and in systems he believed would do well in the long run for this club. He played the likes of Church, Long, Karacan,Sig, Pearce, HRK, and brought in players such as Mills, McAnuff and Howard who would do well over that 3 year period, as well as shoring up areas with a loan signing or 2 (Bertrand, O'Dea) as well as the likes of Rasiak to do a short term job for a low cost.

You say he bought crap in, well who do you mean? Yes Cummings has been a dud, but considering he came through Chelsea's youth system, played a season at the MK Dons and was then on loan at West Brom it was a reasonable assumption to believe he would be ok. Sadly the lad got absolutely ripped apart at West Brom by Jerome Thomas and never recovered. Hopefully the kid can go away, play another season at L1 or in the reserves and then come back. Bad signing for now yes, but not conclusively proven to be a bad signing long term.

Rodgers has said since he left, as you pointed out, that maybe he would have done things differently had he known he had just 6 months to succeed. I don't see how thats seen as whinging or whining, that's him saying what he might have done differently, what do you expect him to say? to stand by some tactics and player selection policies that went wrong? You'd think him more of an idiot if he did that wouldn't you? There is a massive difference between assembling a team thats going to be a midtable team in the short term, or building a side you think will go on to take you to the next level, it doesn't just happen overnight. It even took SSC the best part of 3 years to make it click.

The first few months of his tenure here were very disappointing in terms of both results and performances. But again he had to deal with not having the funds to bring in his own players until some were sold and had to deal with significant injuries to the likes of Kelly, Armstrong, Ivar, and Noel Hunt. These are not excuses but help to show why his job was a difficult one and why it took him a while to build any momentum. During those early months there were some awful displays but we were also unlucky not to get more from games such as Watford, Doncaster, Cardiff and Peterborough.

Then we had the lowpoint of the season, with the utterly pathetic display away at QPR nothing can excuse that display but then even Coppell had games such as Fulham and Bolton at home when you were stupified into how the team could just be so spineless.

But whether you like it or not, Rodgers seemed to have a bit of a wake up call after QPR, and from that point on went back to playing 4-4-2 when possible. It seems he was trying to bring in players on loan (even Griffin it seems) to shore up a team he felt needed a bit more experience in the short term.

From that point on the results and performances began to come. We played Leicester of the park but lost, but we managed to beat Coventry, Sheff Weds and Blackpool, the later finally ending the home jinx. We also arguably deserved to win the games against Scunny and Ipswich too but the fact is we didn't and Rodgers did have to take some of the blame for that. But the killer blow seemed to be Palace, a game which on paper was so winnable, we failed. It didn't matter that Mosses was inspired, Fed looked shaky and again we failed to take our chances, it was a crunch game we couldn't afford to lose given the league table.

So then he was sacked, the club was perilously close to the drop zone and the board (be that Mr Mad, Nigel Howe, Hammond or whoever) felt they needed something fresh.

They gave Maccy D a chance and he's grasped it, making those astute loan signings and keeping things simple. He's led us on a great cup run and back towards safety and proving himself to be a good manager so far. The team does look fitter and hungrier and that's brilliant.

But I still find it utterly ludicrous that some fans refuse to accept Rodgers had any part in this run we're now on. Even on BBCRB today both Gooding and Dellor, who's known for his belief that Rodgers wasn't the right man, agreed that Brendan had begun to lay some of the foundations upon which Maccy D is now reaping the rewards.

Never the less Brian deserves the bulk of the credit for the results recently and it's hard to doubt he's got the players playing well and has inspired the likes of Kebe to new heights, overall its been a great reign so far.

In my own opinion, certain sections of our fanbase needed a scapegoat to unleash their frustrations that we are no longer a Premiership team. The pressure was first aimed at Madejski during the 'where's the money gone' era then turned on Hammond and then Rodgers. In the end there was only 1 man who was going to go from that and the big change seemed to settle the fanbase and gave them something to rally behind.

The greatest shame of the whole thing isn't the fact that Rodgers was sacked, this is football, he's made a good bit of money from it and I'm sure he'll bounce back. It's the fact that we'll never know if he could have carried us forward in the long term. Brendan clearly cared for this club deeply and was desperate for it to succeed, how great would it have been for a 'fairytale' that started as a YTS lad cleaning boots alongside Ady Williams at Elm Park to end in promotion to the Premier League lifting the trophy with a team built around a core of academy players he helped to sign and develop?

Every fan is entitled to their opinions but I saw enough potential both in the man and in displays on the pitch, to suggest that he was learning and learning quickly enough to take this club forward over a period of time. Sadly, in my opinion, that's something we'll never know.

Rodgers didn't get to where he was because he was a shite manager, or a cock of a person. He made he was from being a YTS player to taking charge of some of the best players in the world, before getting 2 jobs at Championship level. Yes his time here wasn't amazing but I've little doubt he has the ability to do well given the right environment. I might be proved wrong and there's a chance that could well happen, I'm just a regular fan like everyone else afterall.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking too it. You can call my RTG or an apologist for Brendan if you so chose but at the end of the day that's how I see it. I accept that some people are going to see it the other way and that's just fine too but the unrationalised abuse the guy gets from some people here is just childish at best and pathetic at worse.

What matters is that this club is climbing towards safety and now has a cup quarter final to look forward too. I don't care who manages us as long as he gives 100% for the club and is building towards something positive. Brian is having a great run and whether thats partly down to Rodgers or not doesn't matter. It's Maccy D's team and his responsibility now and I'm backing the guy 100%. I just hope that this time around we give a manager a bit more time to prove himself.