Should he go or should he stay?

[andrew1957]

To answer the OP as much as I'm getting pissed off with the shit long ball football we insist on playing I don't think sacking Brian is the answer at the moment simply because whoever came in would have the same players who only seem capable of playing shit long ball football and I think Brian deserves a bit of loyalty for achieving what he has.

When Rodgers tried playing a patient build up style that was later successful at Swansea – on here there was a hobnob outcry of Biblical proportions that the football was boring and ineffective and everyone howled to get him sacked. I was one of the few who wanted us to stick with him and give the new style a chance. McD was then hailed as a hero for going back to a direct style - which has been successful.

Now most on here seem to want a manager like Rodgers again. How ironic.

The truth is that without spending tens of millions we won’t have the players who can play that way - so we need to accept that our style is the “Reading way” and we need to stick with Brian. Lets face it the current style has just brought the most successful ever decade at the club by far.

The truth is most on here just want us to win at all costs and have not grasped yet that the PL is an unforgiving place where wins are few are far between. If you just want to support a winning team the **** off and support Chelsea.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

To answer the OP as much as I'm getting pissed off with the shit long ball football we insist on playing I don't think sacking Brian is the answer at the moment simply because whoever came in would have the same players who only seem capable of playing shit long ball football and I think Brian deserves a bit of loyalty for achieving what he has.

When Rodgers tried playing a patient build up style that was later successful at Swansea – on here there was a hobnob outcry of Biblical proportions that the football was boring and ineffective and everyone howled to get him sacked. I was one of the few who wanted us to stick with him and give the new style a chance. McD was then hailed as a hero for going back to a direct style - which has been successful.

Now most on here seem to want a manager like Rodgers again. How ironic.

The truth is that without spending tens of millions we won’t have the players who can play that way - so we need to accept that our style is the “Reading way” and we need to stick with Brian. Lets face it the current style has just brought the most successful ever decade at the club by far.

The truth is most on here just want us to win at all costs and have not grasped yet that the PL is an unforgiving place where wins are few are far between. If you just want to support a winning team the **** off and support Chelsea.

Bravo young man - people want their cake & eat it. You have to decide what you want. Do you want to change the entire playing style & staff which could result in 1 or even 2 relegations or do you want to try to keep things ticking over nicely & make small tweaks here & there so you ultimately remain successful?

[trueroyal1871]

To answer the OP as much as I'm getting pissed off with the shit long ball football we insist on playing I don't think sacking Brian is the answer at the moment simply because whoever came in would have the same players who only seem capable of playing shit long ball football and I think Brian deserves a bit of loyalty for achieving what he has.

When Rodgers tried playing a patient build up style that was later successful at Swansea – on here there was a hobnob outcry of Biblical proportions that the football was boring and ineffective and everyone howled to get him sacked. I was one of the few who wanted us to stick with him and give the new style a chance. McD was then hailed as a hero for going back to a direct style - which has been successful.

Now most on here seem to want a manager like Rodgers again. How ironic.

The truth is that without spending tens of millions we won’t have the players who can play that way - so we need to accept that our style is the “Reading way” and we need to stick with Brian. Lets face it the current style has just brought the most successful ever decade at the club by far.

The truth is most on here just want us to win at all costs and have not grasped yet that the PL is an unforgiving place where wins are few are far between. If you just want to support a winning team the **** off and support Chelsea.

I believe Brian could change the way we play but it would take him time to do it, probably at least three to four seasons ( six to eight transfer windows) which is another reason why stability is key and sacking Brian would be a big mistake. I would like to see him given time and investment to build the squad the way he wants it.

[bobby m's syrup]

Personally, I feel that we have been an embarrassment in the vast majority of our games this season. No one can realistically expect a 2006-7 style performance this time around, but we are poor in every department.

This league is the lodestone for every club in the country below the Premiership. I fear that we may be blowing it and perhaps unnecessarily. If Brian can't preside over at least a decent fist at retaining our status, then he should go. How much longer he should be given is a difficult one. A result against Man Utd is unthinkable, but we have to win against teams in 'our' mini league, particularly if we have a lead to begin with.

Sorry to say this, but another 2 weeks in my book. This is a business after all. If he is going to be axed, we need someone in place before January.

[melonhead]

I feel that we have been an embarrassment in the vast majority of our games this season.

spurs. arsenal (cup). swansea

the only three that ive been anywhere close to being embarrassed by

If Brian can't preside over at least a decent fist at retaining our status

in my view the number of draws show him to be at least doing that

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

I'd like us to stick with McDermott for the time being , but what's been a bit surprising is that , looking from the outside, he has allowed a couple of off the field issues to bubble up and effect things, i.e. Guthrie , and Pearce's contract. That apart, he's doing ok in general , though I don't understand why he keeps selecting Gorkss ahead of Mariappa.

I wouldn't be surprised if the fact Gorkss is vice captain is part of the reason ...any position of captaincy appears to secure your team place irrespective of performance...cue McAnuff

[moonwalklikebas]

I'd like us to stick with McDermott for the time being , but what's been a bit surprising is that , looking from the outside, he has allowed a couple of off the field issues to bubble up and effect things, i.e. Guthrie , and Pearce's contract. That apart, he's doing ok in general , though I don't understand why he keeps selecting Gorkss ahead of Mariappa.

I wouldn't be surprised if the fact Gorkss is vice captain is part of the reason ...any position of captaincy appears to secure your team place irrespective of performance...cue McAnuff

So true. The armband is like a invisibility cloak for Shite Reading players

[Woodcote Royal]

Yes because anyone who can see that we are disgusting to watch, can see the poor work done in the transfer market and the lack of tactical nouse by the manager, must be a glory hunting kid?

Spot on. Post of the week.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Not sure what McAnuff is supposed to have done wrong (more than anyone else).

[Woodcote Royal]

If Brian stays we go down.

If Brian stays and we go down, he will stick with his hustle and bustle long ball football and we will struggle for a top six place next season.

In the same way as last season?

[Snowball]

I think the manager hung on giving Gorkss extra chances because his other
CB partnerships are quite young. I like Gorkss and think he was a huge part
of our winning promotion, but either he's carrying an injury, his confidence
is shot, or "somehow" the Prem is exposing him.

By that I mean we all know that, generally speaking, Prem players are faster,
harder, craftier, tackle better, jump higher etc.

But for me, I DON'T think it's Gorkss noticeably being exposed (more than last season)

I think he has lost some form, then confidence in a vicious cycle.


What I also find odd, on reflection, is that we seem so close, so often and still have
a GD not far off parity. Watching some games you'd think we'd've had the reverses
that Saints (6-1) or QPR and Norwich (0-5) have had.

You'd think, so close that maybe we are playig defensively, but we are not

[Ian Royal]

Mourinho would be my fun choice

I find it much easier thinking of possible managers I'd rather cut my balls off with a rusty serrated spoon than have at the club than good suggestions. But then I've put little thought into and have no recruitment responsibility.

[melonhead]

Not sure what McAnuff is supposed to have done wrong (more than anyone else).

not alot

he is our top assister still i believe, and hasonly faded out of sight in the last two games becuase he has been asked to go onto the other wing, where he is always, without fail, pretty pointless.

this is somewhere im happy to criticise/discuss criticism of brian if you like.

[Ian Royal]

Not sure what McAnuff is supposed to have done wrong (more than anyone else).

not alot

he is our top assister still i believe, and hasonly faded out of sight in the last two games becuase he has been asked to go onto the other wing, where he is always, without fail, pretty pointless.

this is somewhere im happy to criticise/discuss criticism of brian if you like.

McAnuff's problem is lots of our fans are idiots, don't like him and the second he stops tearing up a wing and getting assists will start calling him terrible because of the fact they're idiots. He's not played well the last two games, but that's because McDermott's fuked him about by putting him right wing and then switching him into the middle when he'd been very effective over the previous 8 -9 games on the left wing.

[melonhead]

but HRK isnt a left winger either, and obviously neither is mcleary, so Mvcanuff goes there since hes the only one experienced enough to be able to play on a side he doesnt really like



criticism of brian No.2 - going into a season with no left footed winger, and only one left footed CB

[Ian Royal]

but HRK isnt a left winger either, and obviously neither is mcleary, so Mvcanuff goes there since hes the only one experienced enough to be able to play on a side he doesnt really like



criticism of brian No.2 - going into a season with no left footed winger, and only one left footed CB

Firstly, HRK is left winger and as far as I know is left footed. McCleary is a right winger. McAnuff has played on the left for three seasons at least. He doesn't have to be left footed to be a good left winger.

McAnuff may be willing to play on the right, but its the manager's job to play him where he's most effective and that's on the left. If HRK can't play on the right (I think he probably can) then the answer is simple. Play McCleary, who was on the bench.

I was actually agreeing with you, so I don't know why you've now posted a load of drivel.

[DaveBanana]

Jobi has the fifth most assists in the league this year, I understand the frustration with him cutting onto his right rather than crossing first time from his left, but I personally think he's doing just fine

[melonhead]

calm down dear
what i meant to say was that HRK is our only left footed winger, so when kebe is injured, and brian doesnt want to drop mcanuff, hes forced to play him on the other side to accomodate HRK who cant play on the right, and this is a shame because mcanuff has never had a good game on the left

personally i think he should be playing mcanuff on the left, and mcleary on the right while kebe is injured
hrk on the bench only, which is disappointing for the lad since he has done well when hes played

[akranes]

Jobi is crap. Only good thing is his facial hair.

[Ian Royal]

:lol: calm down dear
what i meant to say was that HRK is our only left footed winger, so when kebe is injured, and brian doesnt want to drop mcanuff, hes forced to play him on the other side to accomodate HRK who cant play on the right, and this is a shame because mcanuff has never had a good game on the left

personally i think he should be playing mcanuff on the left, and mcleary on the right while kebe is injured
hrk on the bench only, which is disappointing for the lad since he has done well when hes played

I still think HRK can play on the right - they switch during the game afterall. Certainly better playing the 'lesser' player out of position to maintain the form of teh 'better' player.


But anyway, lets forget it and just settle for agreeing on McAnuff isn't shit and those who say he is are dicks.