MATCHWATCH : Coventry City (h)

[CountryRoyal]

Jesus Christ the clown’s interview on YT is painful. Couldn’t even finish it. You’d think we played the best game of our lives against prime Barcelona.

We shipped 3 goals at home to Coventry. Although I suppose it is an improvement to the 4 we conceded last home game. He also tries to blame us by blaming “the negativity directed to them”. Wtf do you think? You are responsible for one of the, if not the shittest periods in our history and you want us to blindly clap our clappers and spunk ourselves to your shocking football team and scream your name in support? Fcuk off you jumped up useless pcunt, jog on you bellend.

Sooner this arsewipe gets out of our club the better. Will probably end up in the Portuguese 3rd division for a season or two before retiring and becoming a full time pcunt.

[Zip]

Poor Pauno to be honest. A humble character suffering and had fans running onto the pitch in protest because of him when everything should truly be pointed towards the owners.

oxf*rd off you’re so tiresome

Poor Pauno? The owners have given him a squad capable of achieving success yet time and time again snatches defeat from the jaws of victory, he has no managerial ability and is basically at present, the entire reason our performances and results are appalling.

Humble man? You obviously haven’t listened to any of his interviews. He’s arrogant and stubborn and instead of even attempting to take responsibility and be humble, he throws tantrums and storms of our interviews when asked difficult but justified questions.

Are you John from BBCRB?

Yeah absolute nonsense.

Does a humble man keep doing exactly the same thing when it's failures are so obvious and repeatedly pointed out?

Does he stick to his vision when it's not working?

No. He adapts. He compromises.

For less than 45 minutes of 1 game did Pauno compromise in having everyone back at corners.

For one game has he tried 2 up front. For barely more than that has he tried different shapes.

He continually and persistently misused Puscas upfront alone.

He's dropped Southwood for a teenage loanee who is no better, rather than changing any of his defensive coaching.

He and his coaching team lack any discipline and frequently rant and rave at the 4th official.

He takes a defeat and talks about how well he thought we played on a horrendous run of defeats.

Humble my arse.

Just who the fukk is supposed to be our defensive coach these days? I cannot believe how wide open we are in every game. Coventry were no better than us but really should have scored five yesterday. It looks like we will be breaking another unwanted record under Pauno with the most goals conceded at home in a season.

The idiocy of having every player back for corners is mind blowing. All it does is encourage more opposition players into our box with no outlet so whatever happens the opposition will get the ball back.

He doesn’t learn and won’t change. Having said that in any other time in our history these results and performances would have seen the manager sacked and his contract paid off. I’m sure he would prefer that to what he is currently presiding over because any reputation he may have had is going to be in tatters at the end of this sorry mess.

[Snowflake Royal]

Stam went p18, w3, d7, l8 at the end.

Clowno is currently p18, w2, d3, l13

It's spectacular from the management structure that said it held on to Stam too long and sacked Bowen, Clement and Gomes for less far quicker.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Poor Pauno to be honest. A humble character suffering and had fans running onto the pitch in protest because of him when everything should truly be pointed towards the owners.

oxf*rd off you’re so tiresome

Poor Pauno? The owners have given him a squad capable of achieving success yet time and time again snatches defeat from the jaws of victory, he has no managerial ability and is basically at present, the entire reason our performances and results are appalling.

Humble man? You obviously haven’t listened to any of his interviews. He’s arrogant and stubborn and instead of even attempting to take responsibility and be humble, he throws tantrums and storms of our interviews when asked difficult but justified questions.

Are you John from BBCRB?

Does he stick to his vision when it's not working?

Just in response to this point in particular, yes, that's what managers regularly do. Hence why a lot of them run into trouble and end up getting sacked because their vision isn't working at a team.

[karbota]

Really enjoyed the match exciting stuff, we had them on the back foot for a majority of the game but they always looked dangerous on the counter. Many positives despite the loss, a terrific save from Hein early on, David Hoilett and Swift looked class, and great to see Meite is back and surging forward. But very disappointing to notice how Joaos attitude and work rate sank each time they scored? he is just not interested.
I think we will be ok I am sure I saw Parky talking to JM?. BTW what happened to the demo?

[The Royal Forester]

With so many ex-players at the match yesterday I expect SJM talked to more than a dozen players that he knows. Why, though, weren't they introduced to the newer fans (who no doubt know of them) on the pitch either before or at half time? Another missed opportunity by the club. The older fans still going to matches would have preferred to see them, rather than the fairground and all that outside the ground

[Royal_jimmy]

At least you'll never be short of entertainment from a neutral perspective, or an away fans perspective because you're almost certain to win an away thriller.

It just feels so sad that what should be such a wonderful club and a genuinely nice place to play/watch football at a good level has been turned into an absolute horror show. I can always understand woeful runs of form because they happen, but this is something else.

Poor Pauno to be honest. A humble character suffering and had fans running onto the pitch in protest because of him when everything should truly be pointed towards the owners.

What is that last paragraph about? He's taking the club for a ride and is universally hated by players and fans alike. There is a reason for that, it's not an accident.

Personal opinion, I actually quite like him. I don't like that he's still managing our club, mind, but I don't actually dislike him as a manager, I just wish he wasn't here for the better of himself and the club really.

He can take a big proportion of the blame for our current form obviously along with his staff and players, but I can't imagine it would have been much better with anyone else who would have been in charge for as long as he has. I don't think the players hate him, but of course they know a change needs to be made because his management isn't working right now, it happens, its football.

Really disagree with this. Another manager would have this lot midtable.

We have;
1) Swift who's one of the best players in the league
2) Joao who oozes class and could be in the prem if he was consistent
3) Meite - a fantastic player, ok hes injured but still.
4) Hoilett, a championship player
5) Dann, at least the same standard
6) Morrison, same as above
7) Ejaria who's class on his day
+ Ince a top half championship player
9) Yiadom and Rahman are more than good enough full backs for this league. Rahman played games for Chelsea as did Drinkwater

That is the core of our squad and shouldn't be near League One ffs.

These players are UNDER ACHIEVING and the buck stops with the manager. He might be an ok bloke but he has to go

[URZZZZ]

At least you'll never be short of entertainment from a neutral perspective, or an away fans perspective because you're almost certain to win an away thriller.

It just feels so sad that what should be such a wonderful club and a genuinely nice place to play/watch football at a good level has been turned into an absolute horror show. I can always understand woeful runs of form because they happen, but this is something else.

Poor Pauno to be honest. A humble character suffering and had fans running onto the pitch in protest because of him when everything should truly be pointed towards the owners.

What is that last paragraph about? He's taking the club for a ride and is universally hated by players and fans alike. There is a reason for that, it's not an accident.

Personal opinion, I actually quite like him. I don't like that he's still managing our club, mind, but I don't actually dislike him as a manager, I just wish he wasn't here for the better of himself and the club really.

He can take a big proportion of the blame for our current form obviously along with his staff and players, but I can't imagine it would have been much better with anyone else who would have been in charge for as long as he has. I don't think the players hate him, but of course they know a change needs to be made because his management isn't working right now, it happens, its football.

He’d have a bit more credibility if him and his coaching staff didn’t act like children throwing a tantrum every game and if he came out after the game and assessed it properly, rather than just a scripted load of nonsense

I mean he’d still be a terrible manager, but the way he conducts himself during/around games really doesn’t help his cause

[NathStPaul]

What is that last paragraph about? He's taking the club for a ride and is universally hated by players and fans alike. There is a reason for that, it's not an accident.

Personal opinion, I actually quite like him. I don't like that he's still managing our club, mind, but I don't actually dislike him as a manager, I just wish he wasn't here for the better of himself and the club really.

He can take a big proportion of the blame for our current form obviously along with his staff and players, but I can't imagine it would have been much better with anyone else who would have been in charge for as long as he has. I don't think the players hate him, but of course they know a change needs to be made because his management isn't working right now, it happens, its football.

He’d have a bit more credibility if him and his coaching staff didn’t act like children throwing a tantrum every game and if he came out after the game and assessed it properly, rather than just a scripted load of nonsense

I mean he’d still be a terrible manager, but the way he conducts himself during/around games really doesn’t help his cause

Did you see him at the full time whistle yesterday? Who was it he was gesturing to? He started throwing his hands up in the air and looking into the West Stand. He then of course did a bunk before the protesters got to him.

[Rax]

You know - we've had some shocking managers of late - but the one I feel most sorry for is Gomes - this was his dream job and unfortunately he wasn't up to it - Clowno clinging on for the money is just abhorrent!

He's lucky he's not in charge of a Millwall, Leeds or Pompey - I'd have feared for his personal safety if he was!

[skipper]

Really disagree with this. Another manager would have this lot midtable.

We have;
1) Swift who's one of the best players in the league
2) Joao who oozes class and could be in the prem if he was consistent
3) Meite - a fantastic player, ok hes injured but still.
4) Hoilett, a championship player
5) Dann, at least the same standard
6) Morrison, same as above
7) Ejaria who's class on his day
+ Ince a top half championship player
9) Yiadom and Rahman are more than good enough full backs for this league. Rahman played games for Chelsea as did Drinkwater

That is the core of our squad and shouldn't be near League One ffs.

These players are UNDER ACHIEVING and the buck stops with the manager. He might be an ok bloke but he has to go

Everything you've said is fair, except you haven't acknowledged our starting 11 have been injured all season.

No manager, no matter how good a squad they have, can achieve the best with players who can't play.

Has Meite started a game yet this season? Our best 11 haven't started together once yet.

Mix in that and the fact the entire sport is a confidence game, and you can understand why we're where we are.

An average manager will have this team mid table, if they weren't injured. A good manager will have them competing for playoffs. A Coppell-grade manager is winning the league. (OK I'm exaggerating the last bit, bit I think you get the point.)

[YorkshireRoyal99]

What is that last paragraph about? He's taking the club for a ride and is universally hated by players and fans alike. There is a reason for that, it's not an accident.

Personal opinion, I actually quite like him. I don't like that he's still managing our club, mind, but I don't actually dislike him as a manager, I just wish he wasn't here for the better of himself and the club really.

He can take a big proportion of the blame for our current form obviously along with his staff and players, but I can't imagine it would have been much better with anyone else who would have been in charge for as long as he has. I don't think the players hate him, but of course they know a change needs to be made because his management isn't working right now, it happens, its football.

Really disagree with this. Another manager would have this lot midtable.

We have;
1) Swift who's one of the best players in the league
2) Joao who oozes class and could be in the prem if he was consistent
3) Meite - a fantastic player, ok hes injured but still.
4) Hoilett, a championship player
5) Dann, at least the same standard
6) Morrison, same as above
7) Ejaria who's class on his day
+ Ince a top half championship player
9) Yiadom and Rahman are more than good enough full backs for this league. Rahman played games for Chelsea as did Drinkwater

That is the core of our squad and shouldn't be near League One ffs.

These players are UNDER ACHIEVING and the buck stops with the manager. He might be an ok bloke but he has to go

As much as I agree with that in terms of the individuals, we've finished 20th twice, 14th and 7th since the Dai's took over and we've always had good players in our squad. That's why I say, is this just the manager that's incompetent or does an influence come from somewhere else as well? Let's be fair, Bowen, Clement, Gomes and Pauno are all well-experienced guys in football, they know what they are talking about in the main but none of them worked (you can argue Bowen but not really, he did well in his time but he wasn't outstanding).

I agree we should be doing much better than we are with the players we have and of course the manager takes most of the responsibility for that and yes, it should cost him his job, but we've been going through managers like nobodies business since the Dai's took over, is this always the managers fault?

[Zip]

Are the players as good as is being suggested? I don’t think they are.
Just look at so many poor goals we concede down to poor technique, lack of fitness, poor concentration, disorganisation and dire individual errors.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Are the players as good as is being suggested? I don’t think they are.
Just look at so many poor goals we concede down to poor technique, lack of fitness, poor concentration, disorganisation and dire individual errors.

Well that's kind of what I was saying, we've always had good players like Swift, Meite etc, but how good are the other players? As I say, we've finished in the bottom half of the table and close to the relegation zones in 3 of the last 4 seasons, last year very much the exception and we will be in and around the relegation places this time as well.

It's a tough one, usually most of our better players when they get linked with a move away or end up moving do move to a better club in a better league. Illori to Sporting, Bacuna to Cardiff in the PL at the time, Moore linked with Brighton, Swift linked with Leeds in the PL, Meite the PL, Olise moved to the PL etc, but I question how well this squad has been assembled and who by (Kia). That's why I say, it this actually entirely down to Pauno and his predecessors? Surely not everyone gets it wrong?

[Zip]

Are the players as good as is being suggested? I don’t think they are.
Just look at so many poor goals we concede down to poor technique, lack of fitness, poor concentration, disorganisation and dire individual errors.

Well that's kind of what I was saying, we've always had good players like Swift, Meite etc, but how good are the other players? As I say, we've finished in the bottom half of the table and close to the relegation zones in 3 of the last 4 seasons, last year very much the exception and we will be in and around the relegation places this time as well.

It's a tough one, usually most of our better players when they get linked with a move away or end up moving do move to a better club in a better league. Illori to Sporting, Bacuna to Cardiff in the PL at the time, Moore linked with Brighton, Swift linked with Leeds in the PL, Meite the PL, Olise moved to the PL etc, but I question how well this squad has been assembled and who by (Kia). That's why I say, it this actually entirely down to Pauno and his predecessors? Surely not everyone gets it wrong?

There wasn’t much interest in our players in January apart from in Swift. Even he is a very flawed player who at a PL club would not get away with almost non existent effort in the defensive side of his game. So even our star player can be a real liability.


As you say we have regularly struggled at this level over a number of years. The managerial appointments have generally been poor though with unknown managers with no experience of the Championship. I don’t think that helps.
However the whole structure of the club is a complete mess. This might be what you are alluding to. No Director of Finance, no one on the board who has any real connection with the club and owners who are never heard or seen.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Are the players as good as is being suggested? I don’t think they are.
Just look at so many poor goals we concede down to poor technique, lack of fitness, poor concentration, disorganisation and dire individual errors.

Well that's kind of what I was saying, we've always had good players like Swift, Meite etc, but how good are the other players? As I say, we've finished in the bottom half of the table and close to the relegation zones in 3 of the last 4 seasons, last year very much the exception and we will be in and around the relegation places this time as well.

It's a tough one, usually most of our better players when they get linked with a move away or end up moving do move to a better club in a better league. Illori to Sporting, Bacuna to Cardiff in the PL at the time, Moore linked with Brighton, Swift linked with Leeds in the PL, Meite the PL, Olise moved to the PL etc, but I question how well this squad has been assembled and who by (Kia). That's why I say, it this actually entirely down to Pauno and his predecessors? Surely not everyone gets it wrong?

There wasn’t much interest in our players in January apart from in Swift. Even he is a very flawed player who at a PL club would not get away with almost non existent effort in the defensive side of his game. So even our star player can be a real liability.


As you say we have regularly struggled at this level over a number of years. The managerial appointments have generally been poor though with unknown managers with no experience of the Championship. I don’t think that helps.
However the whole structure of the club is a complete mess. This might be what you are alluding to. No Director of Finance, no one on the board who has any real connection with the club and owners who are never heard or seen.

Yeah every player has their flaws but he's certainly a luxury type player, as is Joao and Ejaria in some circumstances as well. Although Ejaria will cover the ground, he does tend to be a bit one-paced at times. Again though, it's going back to my argument of who is assembling these squads and who has sanctioned the transfers. We've had and got some really talented individuals, but it's as if we've just thrown that together and hoped that is would work.

[stanmoreroyal]

The bambino's and I went yesterday with a couple of others including a newbie.
We used to be season ticket holders & our attendance has dwindled as the 'family' feel of the club has seeped away since SJM's gradual handover of the club has happened.
I used to teach in Whitley in the mid 80's, I started going to Reading in 1974 at Elm Park & have always supported the club.
The effort yesterday was there sporadically due to the bigger crowd, but the heart just isn't there is it.
I was so looking forward to having some of the old players doing a lap of honour and the club just doesn't get the sense of tribalism that English football represents. I would far sooner have Parky as manager. He cared as a player & he would care as a manager. The job he did at Bolton given their squad & finances over longer period than Pauno has been given was impressive. Pauno inherited a squad that Bowen had instilled some belief in. They started brilliantly but he has gradually sapped the team spirit & belief from these players. At one point before the decline, I remember having 6 academy players on the pitch all over achieving and playing with pride in their club.
I get the impression that David Downes (club historian) who used to run the district team years ago when I taught in Whitley, & possibly Tim Dellor, are the only people connected to the club professionally that actually really care that Reading do well. Sir John walked to Wembley... our current owners & back room staff are anonymous & generate zero affiliation for the club. Come back Sir John. . Money is NOT the only important thing for success in a football club!

[Rax]

The bambino's and I went yesterday with a couple of others including a newbie.
We used to be season ticket holders & our attendance has dwindled as the 'family' feel of the club has seeped away since SJM's gradual handover of the club has happened.
I used to teach in Whitley in the mid 80's, I started going to Reading in 1974 at Elm Park & have always supported the club.
The effort yesterday was there sporadically due to the bigger crowd, but the heart just isn't there is it.
I was so looking forward to having some of the old players doing a lap of honour and the club just doesn't get the sense of tribalism that English football represents. I would far sooner have Parky as manager. He cared as a player & he would care as a manager. The job he did at Bolton given their squad & finances over longer period than Pauno has been given was impressive. Pauno inherited a squad that Bowen had instilled some belief in. They started brilliantly but he has gradually sapped the team spirit & belief from these players. At one point before the decline, I remember having 6 academy players on the pitch all over achieving and playing with pride in their club.
I get the impression that David Downes (club historian) who used to run the district team years ago when I taught in Whitley, & possibly Tim Dellor, are the only people connected to the club professionally that actually really care that Reading do well. Sir John walked to Wembley... our current owners & back room staff are anonymous & generate zero affiliation for the club. Come back Sir John. . Money is NOT the only important thing for success in a football club!

Think it was a case of "be careful what you wish for" with Sir John - quite a few bemoaned the lack of spending, but look where we are now!

[Zip]

I don’t get why people want Parky as manager. He is failing in Non League FFS. If Notts County win their game in hand Wrexham will be outside the play offs just like last season. The only difference is they have now have gates averaging over 8,000 and spent a shedload. Despite this Parky has failed to improve them a single jot.

If Parky joined we will go down.

[Royal_jimmy]

I don’t get why people want Parky as manager. He is failing in Non League FFS. If Notts County win their game in hand Wrexham will be outside the play offs just like last season. The only difference is they have now have gates averaging over 8,000 and spent a shedload. Despite this Parky has failed to improve them a single jot.

If Parky joined we will go down.

Agreed. If we were a lower league team I'd be happy to see him here but we need a proven manager at this level now.