back from the shambles Stevenage (H)

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Question. Those who say who cares? It doesn't matter - we can concentrate on the league.

So are we saying that to lose was the game plan and they purposely played like complete shite so they could focus on the league?

No

If so, I have been conned and want my f....ing money back.

Try again, but next time without the sequins, drama queen.

[Pandoras Box]

ooooooh, you bitch

[melonhead]

Question. Those who say who cares? It doesn't matter - we can concentrate on the league.
Well isn't it the same f...ing team, cup or league? So are we saying that to lose was the game plan and they purposely played like complete shite so they could focus on the league?
If so, I have been conned and want my f....ing money back.
If I went to the theatre and I suffered highly paid actors coming on too late for every scene (not closing the play down or challenging for the ball) , forgetting their lines (can't remember how to control a ball) or saying the wrong thing (passing it to the other side) , saying the words with no passion (ditto to our attitude) I would be entitled to a refund. So what's the difference?

NO.

&

No you wouldnt

[Cypry]

Thought I'd give it a couple of days to get over the initial disappointment on this one....

It's a bit harsh to say that all of the players performed awfully; Feds certainly had a decent game, although uncharacteristically for this season he did have a couple of "moments" when he was closed down by Stevenage - not at fault for the goal IMO.
Cummings, Pearce and Harte didn't have awful games, but Gorkks had a shocker again, which left them all exposed at times, was shocked by the number of shots that they managed to get off from just outside the box, and the goal was a comedy of errors in central defence...not sure why Harte wasn't taking set-pieces - I can't remember him taking a single corner, they were all taken by McAnuff and HRK if I remember correctly.

Leigertwood had a poor game, possibly he was missing Karacan? Tabb simply doesn't have the boundless energy of Karacan, and it showed - we were unable to close them down effectively. Stevenages ability to dominate the middle, effectively lost us the game - McAnuff and HRK were never able to get into the game, and were unable to give any service whatsoever to the front men. ALF looked lost with no service, and Church put in a very poor performance - his first touch was dreadful and he simply gets knocked off the ball too easily.

The substitutes all tried hard - Antonio looked strong, albeit a bit over excitable (with a bit of a calmer head he should have levelled the game) - he does look OK though, got himself into a good goalscoring position against Brighton (when they scored the OG) and then again for that one on Saturday. Manset offers something a little different - seems to have a poor first touch, but has the strength to win the ball back at the second attempt - get his fitness sorted out and he could be good for us.
D'Ath didn't really have long to show what he can do - looked pacy and intelligent - saw him at a couple of close season friendlies and he does look a good prospect...

We definitely missed both Kebe and Hunt. Kebe for his spark and Hunt for his sheer hard work and strength - let's hope we hang on to Kebe, and Hunt can overcome whatever injury he has this week, otherwise the rest of this season could be a long slog...

Massively frustrated with Brians substitutions though - yet again Leigertwoods partner in the middle gets replaced by McAnuff and a replacement winger introduced, then to top it off, Cummings gets pulled off and McAnuff moved to right back to accommodate D'Ath - what does McAnuff have to do to get substituted....? I've NEVER seen it work when he's moved to the middle, on Saturday he became completely anonymous once moved there. It's one thing that McDermott keeps trying repeatedly which never works - BRAIN GIVE IT UP AND STOP PUTTING MCANUFF IN THE MIDDLE!!!!

[Stuka]

The Reading team lacked heart, they weren't hungry for it. Passing was rubbish and too many overly ambitious 'shots' which were embarrassing.

I had a feeling Stevenage would get a result today though, they are a tidy outfit and were always going to be tricky opponents.

[FiNeRaIn]

I had a feeling Stevenage would get a result today though, they are a tidy outfit and were always going to be tricky opponents.

The game was played two days ago.

[Stuka]

I had a feeling Stevenage would get a result today though, they are a tidy outfit and were always going to be tricky opponents.

The game was played two days ago.

Yeah typo excuse me

[RoyalBlue]

Manset offers something a little different - seems to have a poor first touch, but has the strength to win the ball back at the second attempt - get his fitness sorted out and he could be good for us.

But just how long do we have to wait? The fact that we are still waiting for him to get his fitness sorted is scandalous (he's meant to be a professional) and may explain why we were able to sign him without too much competition.

[Cypry]

Manset offers something a little different - seems to have a poor first touch, but has the strength to win the ball back at the second attempt - get his fitness sorted out and he could be good for us.

But just how long do we have to wait? The fact that we are still waiting for him to get his fitness sorted is scandalous (he's meant to be a professional) and may explain why we were able to sign him without too much competition.

Hard to tell - he could be ready now (been injured lately if I remember correctly), just McD seems to have ALF / Church / Hunt as his preferred options and Manset doesn't look like getting a start in the near future - when was his last start? September?

[M-U-R-T-Y]

I didn't go to this one, and only really saw the result afterwards - was it really that bad?