RFFC Board to Read - Reality Check

[Sir Dodger Royal]

The following match review was posted on ESPN. Absolutely spot on could have been written by SDR:

"It says something about a match when the most entertaining part of it is the half-time race between supporters running in giant inflatable spheres. But that's exactly how much excitement this match had.

In this desperately dire encounter between teams searching for some kind of form, the groans from Reading and Aston Villa supporters when their team gave the ball away or a cross went behind the goal were a much more frequent sound than cheers of acclaim.

- Young Villa get needed home win

For this really was a match between dreadfully inept teams. Although both huffed and puffed a lot, the clear lack of quality in both attacks and defences cancelled each other out, and with both midfields sloppy and low on creativity this was a game without much to recommend it as a spectacle.

Perhaps the teams felt that with their perilous recent form and lowly league positions it was one that they couldn't afford to lose - but any competent team would have had the match sewn up in the first half. Instead, the stalemate lasted until ten minutes from the end of normal time when Aston Villa – the least incompetent of the teams – scored from a corner to take all three points and plunge Reading supporters even deeper into a mixture of depression, frustration and outright anger.

Before the game it looked as if Royals manager Brian McDermott has been reading supporters' message boards and listening to their phone-in comments, or perhaps he had recognised for himself the weaknesses in Reading's defence, as he made changes in this area. Kaspars Gorkss, who’d so far seemed undroppable, and Chris Gunter, who many considered a liability in Saturday’s defeat at Wigan, were both left out, replaced by Adrian Mariappa and Shaun Cummings.

As a result, the defence did look better, but they were starting from a base of "very poor indeed", and although Villa didn’t test them severely Tuesday, they were still brought to panic-stations on a number of occasions. And as the match drew on, Villa slowly tightened the screw and the pressure increased on the Royals’ defence, and it was no surprise when Christian Benteke scored with a header from a corner – Reading had allowed Villa free headers from the previous two corners, so the warning signs should have been noticed but somehow weren’t.

One of the themes of this season for Reading is that when their defence have a better game it only serves to draw attention to how poor the Reading midfield is. While Jay Tabb is a terrier with a great attitude, and one who gives the game everything, he is looking more and more like a natural squad player rather than a regular starter. But the two players whose performances were outstandingly poor (despite all the competition) were Jobi McAnuff and Mikele Leigertwood. Although regular starters, they both look lacking in form and confidence – McAnuff as an attacking threat was a consistently blunt weapon, and Leigertwood was frequently caught in possession and gave the ball away far too many times acceptable for this level of football. Sadly, it does look more and more as though these players are one league higher than their natural level.

But that’s one of the issues for Reading – although the first team aren’t playing well, what is the alternative? Brian McDermott’s options are limited by the paucity of his squad – a point brought home today when Villa made a substitution and brought on players of the calibre of Stephen Ireland and Marc Albrighton, while Reading had 37-year-old Brynjar Gunnarsson warming up from the bench! Without depth and quality in the squad, making changes to the first team is very much akin to the proverbial rearrangement of the deckchairs on the Titanic's sundeck.

Up front, Reading’s attack put a lot of effort in and had a few half-chances from scrambles in the box but otherwise didn’t trouble the Villa keeper. Too often they found themselves winning the ball down the channels as a result of hard work and then finding no support from midfield and only one one player in the box to aim for, or, on other occasions when there were numbers forward, a woeful cross would be put straight out of play.

So Reading have now managed zero points from potentially winnable games against Wigan and Aston Villa, and in the next month they face Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City. It’s becoming more and more noticeable that what were occasional mutterings of discontent with McDermott are becoming louder and more widespread, as Reading supporters see that the writing on the wall is becoming clearer and clearer. And that writing spells only one thing - R-E-L-E-G-A-T-I-O-N !

If the Board is to axe McDonut then now is the time but an appointment would be need to be lined up and in the job within days. No time for weeks/months which is the normal Reading way. The new man would need time to assess players and make an investment of at least £20/£30 million. That is the reality as the Reading way will not work at this level. Next season there is £70 million at stake. All this bo**ocks about going down and re-building is rubbish as for the RTGs saying they prefer Championship football then go and watch Millwall. We were lucky to go up last year. It was a fantastic purple patch but let's be honest the football was not exactly enspiring.

McDonut has one way of playing 4.4.2 with two wingers. The Premier League has quickly sussed that all you need to do is close down RFC wingers with two players every time they get the ball and that's sorted. It's true even a very poor Aston Villa team full of kids did that and RFC never looked like scoring. There is no plan B. Whoops sorry forgot McAwasteoftime goes into midfield and achieves nothing.

McDonut is hopelessly out of his depth. According to media chums he has lost some of the players despite Radio Berks nonsense broadcast last night.

So what does McDonut need to do apart from collect his P45? Interesting times ahead. Real Facts in the Realo World. You know it makes sense.

[Forest Gump]

SDR, when you appear it really is a sign that the vultures are hovering overhead

[Sir Dodger Royal]

Emmm I always find a bit of flesh attractive. Trouble is bald men do nothing for me.

I have been called many things but a vulture is a first. I wonder when Anton will swoop?

[pea]

Missed you x

[Lacoste]

Hi SDR

[Barry the bird boggler]

So, SDR, anything constructive and sensible to say in terms of who should replace Brian and what should be done in January ?

[Once were Biscuitmen]

Ask dodger!

Dodger, when composing your posts what style of message best suits your SDR account vs your Thou Voice one?

[blueroyals]

As I said before, it's pointless sacking McD just to appoint another manager with the same style of play (Hughes, Curbishley, etc). If we are going to sack him at least bring in somebody who is going to change the way we play and be backed with at least £20m to do so. I can't see that happening.

[General B]

[Madstad to Nadderud]

AKA The Siege.

[RoyalBlue]

Up front, Reading’s attack put a lot of effort in and had a few half-chances from scrambles in the box but otherwise didn’t trouble the Villa keeper. Too often they found themselves winning the ball down the channels as a result of hard work and then finding no support from midfield and only one one player in the box to aim for, or, on other occasions when there were numbers forward, a woeful cross would be put straight out of play.

This is exactly what I was going to write, particularly the point about lack of support from the midfield. At one point Roberts broke free on the left and looked up, only to find that the only Reading player in their box was ALF and that he was covered by three defenders. This sort of thing has been happening throughout the season and is unacceptable from a team that is seeking survival in the PL.

Another point not made in this report is the futility of swinging over good but high crosses when a) you are playing Roberts up front who has a very distinct preference of getting the ball to his feet and when high balls are played towards him tends not to jump in the hope he can win a freekick or b) your only man in the box is ALF. It you want to play the high ball game then you have to have Hunt playing.

[Stuboo]

Aren't you the oxf*rd who sends abuse to Noel Hunt on Twitter, SDR?

[From Despair To Where?]

Welcome back Rip Van Dodger. Hope you're fully refreshed after your 18 month nap.

[SLAMMED]

The following match review was posted on ESPN. Absolutely spot on could have been written by SDR:

FWIW, that article was written by a fellow nobber...

[Royal With Cheese]

Welcome back Dodger - it's been a while.

We've been doing well.

To be fair - I can't see a lot wrong with that match report. Sums up a painful evening in the Cheese household.

[Royal With Cheese]

The following match review was posted on ESPN. Absolutely spot on could have been written by SDR:

FWIW, that article was written by a fellow nobber...

[RoyalBlue]

The following match review was posted on ESPN. Absolutely spot on could have been written by SDR:

FWIW, that article was written by a fellow nobber...

JK (not Rowling!) I believe.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

JK (not Rowling!) I believe.

Jimmy Kebe???? Jem Karacan????

[tee peg]

[This is exactly what I was going to write, particularly the point about lack of support from the midfield. At one point Roberts broke free on the left and looked up, only to find that the only Reading player in their box was ALF and that he was covered by three defenders. This sort of thing has been happening throughout the season and is unacceptable from a team that is seeking survival in the PL.

Another point not made in this report is the futility of swinging over good but high crosses when a) you are playing Roberts up front who has a very distinct preference of getting the ball to his feet and when high balls are played towards him tends not to jump in the hope he can win a freekick or b) your only man in the box is ALF. It you want to play the high ball game then you have to have Hunt playing.[/quote]

The lack of support from mid field is the biggest issue at the moment imo and it will not change until Guthrie gets
back in to the team.