paultheroyalIan Royal We won the league, not because we were the best team, but because we were the third best team, under little real pressure, putting the best two teams under lots of pressure, on top of the pressure they were putting on each other. And they cracked mentally under the strain allowing us to take points off them away and steal ahead. I'd say our superb run of form could be better described as being ruthlessly efficient at grinding out points rather being clearly the best team in the matches we played on a regular basis.
When it comes down to it, if we hadn't out psyched our nearest rivals (and Brighton) and really upped our game against them, we wouldn't have been Champions. It was almost a text book way for a slightly inferior team to steal the title and we executed it near perfectly. Take nothing away from McDermott and the players, it was a superb achievement. But Saints should have won the league.
Do you know what Ian? .... I agree with all of that. Fair play to you.
So do I.
Wll done Brian, he did well so not going to detract from his achievement, but there's a difference between a team going all, out, busting a gut, and just pipping other teams to the post, and teams that are inherently very solid. Th table doesn't lie and yes we deserved to be top, but in fairness we were super clinical finishers with Alfie's super goals just edging us into top spot.
That's all very well for a one off season, but try sustaining that and you fall flat on your face as we have done this season. Yes we had a burst of Alfie's magic again, but really that's no way to play football is it? Shut up shop for 70mins then suddenly open the game up with a dose of Alfie, hoping we'll come out on top?
I remember very few (if any) games this season where we really looked like a Premiership side who deserved something. Apart from early in the season it was always been a case of how long can we get away with it for before playing the late goal card? There's a reason why Brian's motto was to stay in the game. That's no way really to play footy is it? Southampton and Wet Sham were inherently solid sides who didn't rely on gut busting wonder goals and yes that didn't win them the title but they are relatively comfortable prem teams, unlike us.
With the same money who knows Brian would be a better manager than Adkins maybe, and I'm still gutted he's gone, but Adkins is definitely not a side step, if only for the fact that it would represent our willingness to spend a bit. Adkins+a more free-spending Reading Way >>>>>> Brian and the budget Reading way.
theyre not safe yet. and can happily say its all down to the new manager if they make it
