Rival Watch

[Stranded]

Lots of rumours building that Hull are either about to fire him or Arverladze has already resigned.

[South Coast Royal]

I’m a little surprised the ref didn’t somehow find a foul there

Truly abysmal. As bad a goal as I’ve ever seen

That clown defender who dives after his keeper brushes him….absolutely pathetic

Makes me wonder what are the ten worst Reading concessions?

Worthy of a thread?

Whitbread at home to Oxford on a very wet (?New Year's) day when he thought the ball had gone out of play .

[Hound]

Lots of rumours building that Hull are either about to fire him or Arverladze has already resigned.

It’d surprise absolutely nobody I don’t think after that last game

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Hull City. The new Reading. Spend a shed load of money with new owners in an attempt to reach the PL, have it go well for a few games and then finish with a relegation scrap.

[TiagoIlori]

Sacking a manager who looked to have turned things around for someone who was managing in Uzbekistan was madness at the time so not surprised it’s ended badly (if the rumours are true). Not got a balanced squad especially in midfield either, they’ll probably still stay up comfortably, but hard to see them achieving anything more.

[LUX]

so who will go down?

I reckon Coventry are in a false position and will survive. West Brom ditto, prolly Huddersfield too.

People have been writing off Birmingham, but their start has been decent.

[Sutekh]

Truly abysmal. As bad a goal as I’ve ever seen

That clown defender who dives after his keeper brushes him….absolutely pathetic

Makes me wonder what are the ten worst Reading concessions?

Worthy of a thread?

Whitbread at home to Oxford on a very wet (?New Year's) day when he thought the ball had gone out of play .

Is that the 4-3 game? If it is it was actually at the end of October in 2000. One of the most brilliant games played at the Mad Stad.

[Zip]

so who will go down?

I reckon Coventry are in a false position and will survive. West Brom ditto, prolly Huddersfield too.

People have been writing off Birmingham, but their start has been decent.

Still too early really. Wouldn't put money on any side being nailed on for relegation at the moment. The entire League looks pretty even this season.

[Sutekh]

Lots of rumours building that Hull are either about to fire him or Arverladze has already resigned.

It’d surprise absolutely nobody I don’t think after that last game

He’s still there currently. Hull’s next game is a visit from Luton Town on 30 Sep (it’s the Friday night game). Think they may wait to see what that brings, if that’s another disaster then that maybe it.

New owners (Turkish media mogul Acun Ilıcalı and his company Acun Medya) only arrived at the beginning of the year and one of the first moves was to replace Grant McCann with Shota Arveladze. Have heard Acun being interviewed a while ago and he actually came across as someone who was realistic and the right sort of “handle” on the English game, of course his PR persona might differ a little from behind the scenes….

Would think though that if his intention is to change the management then now, when there’s pretty much a fortnight off, would be best but then Stam got probably 3/4 months more than he should have done so who knows.

[Hound]

Don’t think they’ll sack him officially today with the funeral stuff

Wouldn’t be surprised to see it announced tmrw

[Snowflake Royal]

so who will go down?

I reckon Coventry are in a false position and will survive. West Brom ditto, prolly Huddersfield too.

People have been writing off Birmingham, but their start has been decent.

Coventry, I'm not sure. They're so far behind it's going to be a massive job. Yes they've played fewer than everyone else. But they've still played 7 without winning.

West Brom and Middlesbrough should probably pull clear. Huddersfield maybe. Brum are always there or thereabouts. Hull frequently too.

Currently just 5 points between 5th and 22nd so pretty much anyone in that area could easily fall into it with a winless run over 5/6 games.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

so who will go down?

I reckon Coventry are in a false position and will survive. West Brom ditto, prolly Huddersfield too.

People have been writing off Birmingham, but their start has been decent.

Like Ian, I'm not sold on Coventry either yet, as mentioned, it's still 7 without a win. If they had a couple of wins and draws from their first 7 then I'd probably say otherwise, but they haven't got anything of note yet other than a few draws. They'd need to win all 3 of their games in hand (on most) just to get out of the bottom 3 currently. They'll win eventually, it's probably closer than it is further away but, if they stay in and around, particularly when we reach the halfway stage, it could be a tricky season for them.

I do still think it's too early to tell also. Looking at the current table, it's probably not unfeasible to suggest that anyone from 11th downwards could end up in the bottom 3 this season, granted you probably wouldn't expect West Brom, Middlesbrough or even Millwall to based on realistic expectations, it wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility. Not to mention that list doesn't include ourselves, Rotherham or Bristol City who were all expected to struggle but have started well.

I'm not convinced by Huddersfield, Blackpool or Birmingham really. I wouldn't like to put money on that being the 3, but I reckon it would be an educated guess at least.

[LUX]

Coventry have only played one home match. I agree they are a long way behind, but their three games in hand are all at home.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I think a lot of will come down to when they play teams as well, as I'd expect most will get rearranged for after the World Cup and I don't doubt the situation may look a lot different for the clubs they have to play.

I believe it's 11 games without a win now for Coventry as well.

[Mr Angry]

Concession goals?

If you include own goals, then Stuart Morgan's bullet header from the edge of our penalty area that flew past Steve Death in a home FA Cup game versus Arsenal in the early 1970's would be high up the list for me.....

[Franchise FC]

Concession goals?

If you include own goals, then Stuart Morgan's bullet header from the edge of our penalty area that flew past Steve Death in a home FA Cup game versus Arsenal in the early 1970's would be high up the list for me.....

We scored all three that day
It’s the only home game I can remember standing in the Town End

[Half Time Pizza]

Makes me wonder what are the ten worst Reading concessions?

Worthy of a thread?

#1 is that goal v Burton. Can't think of one worse than that.

I have a feint memory of Federici kicking the ball into Dexter Blackstock against Forest on the opening day costing us a win.

If I am thinking the same incident I thought he kicked it into Karacan and ricocheted to a Forest player who scored. Dreadful goal to concede

[Half Time Pizza]

Truly abysmal. As bad a goal as I’ve ever seen

That clown defender who dives after his keeper brushes him….absolutely pathetic

Makes me wonder what are the ten worst Reading concessions?

Worthy of a thread?

Whitbread at home to Oxford on a very wet (?New Year's) day when he thought the ball had gone out of play .

I think you are thinking of goalie Phil Whitehead. To be fair he did save the ball going out for a corner

[paultheroyal]

Coventry, Hull, Blackpool - down

[Stranded]

538's mathematics has Huddersfield, Hull & Blackpool going whilst we finish a glorious 16th.