Reading - where's it going wrong?

[Carl Super-Hooper]

Genuine question, so no childish responses.

What does everyone think is going on at Reading? (especially want to hear from Reading fans). Weren't they Christened the Man Utd of Div 2?

I was a bit worried before our game with them earlier in the season, but they looked far from a team who are favourites to go up.

What's happened to the form of Cureton et al? Barn and Door are two words which spring to mind so far this season, but we all know that their strikers are class.

So what's going wrong?

 

[Hungerford Bee]

They seem to be completley inconsistent at the moment. Their results are very unpredictable.

This probably means that they will stuff us when we visit the Madjeski in the next few weeks - but I live in hope.

 

[Streetboy]

They will probably still be in the shake up at the end of the season, along with cardiff who have started badly but thorne is a top signing, not sure if wigan will be up there this year though, good players who dont seem to be gelling.

 

[Edmundo]

Many people had Reading down to walk away with it this season, but they seem to be struggling for consistency. I've no idea why, but I'll ask my Reading-supporting ex-colleague.

The big surprise is surely Wigan. How long before Paul Jewell is reacquainted with his P45?

 

[Turnstile Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Streetboy:
They will probably still be in the shake up at the end of the season, along with cardiff who have started badly but thorne is a top signing, not sure if wigan will be up there this year though, good players who dont seem to be gelling.

</font>

and Cardiff also have alot of games in hand over everyone else in the division, which if they win, will have equal points with us and Oldham!

 

[shakey_RFC]

Basically boys and girls we have hit a bit of a bad patch at the moment. Unfortunately we cannot score to save our lives at the moment and considering the potent strikers available to us it really is quite depressing.

Our main problem seems to be confidence, players out on the pitch that don't really want it. Criticism has been aimed at Pardew and Allen's tactics on the pitch but I feel it is something more than that, if you look at Martin Butler's performances this season you will notice how badly out of form he is.

Anyway I'm sure we can turn it around, if we win our game in hand with Wrexham along with beating Swindon and Notts County then we will be right back in there. Looking forward to the Brentford game, always a cracker especially if the Royals win as I can take the mickey out of my Bees supporting mate.

 

[The Beigemobile]

Thanks for thinking about us.

No one knows what is going on, but here is a selections of the front runners in the rumours stakes:

1 - Rift between players and management
2 - Management run out of ideas / tactically naive
3 - The pressure of being red-hot favourites is getting to us
4 - Strikers out of form
5 - Midfield under powered
6 - We're not as good as we think we are
7 - It's the crowds fault for being too quiet / critical
8 - It's all Pardews fault for letting Darren Caskey go.

Some/all/none of the above may have some truth to them, with the exception of 8 - we're better off without Pie Poy.

My own opinion is that few teams never lose form, and that hopefully we'll be back to the sort of football we showed against QPR, Wycombe and Port Vale soon (maybe tonight at Villa Park?).

And may I just add friendly rival greetings from all genuine Reading fans. Looking forward to the 27th. Cheers.

 

[I Predict A Riot]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Edmundo:
The big surprise is surely Wigan. How long before Paul Jewell is reacquainted with his P45?</font>

Off the topic I know, but I see they lost again last night at Bournemouth.

 

[Danzil]

The reason our potent strike force is not scoring is because distruibution from our midfield is non-existent. James Harper was brought in to replace Darren Caskey, but has so far blown hot and cold. To often we resort to pumping aimless long-balls forward to Forster and cureton (too short) or Butler (too out of form).

We'll turn it around, eventually, but if I were a Brentford fan, I'd fancy my chances at the Madhouse later this month.

 

[Mr Angry (RFC)]

Just to reiterate that it's a lack of confidence thing; also, a number of our more junior fans are squawking loudly which also doesn't help matters.

Once Butler finds his form, things (hopefully!) will turn around.

The games against the Bees are always keenly contested, and this season will be no different.

Finally, what a great start you guys have had!! Can you keep it going do you think?

 

[Leicester Bee]

I don't ususally look forward to Reading games, but this is one occasion where I do not lack confidence in the team. To be honest, I don't think that there is one Brentford fan who is worried about another team in the 2nd Division. I know it sounds a little arrogant, but there is very little that can surprise us now, and there is not one team that walk away with it. We've held our own against some of the very best teams in the division, and if we can remain consistent, then there is no reason why we can't be up there at the end of the season. Our problem remains with injuries, although we have a pretty good squad.
Whether we can keep this up, is debatable, but my feeling is that October and November are crunch parts of the season, where early season front runners fall away. Mercy!

 

[Professor Frink]

I'm just wondering how we (RFC) and you lot will be looking on this little discussion come the final game of the season at GP. Do any Bees believe that we'll still both be fighting for something, be it play-off (god-forbid) or automatic promo related?

Personally, as a huge fan of blind optimism, I think we could just be. As far as we're concerned, we have good/great players who WILL start getting it together sooner or later. As for you, I like Steve Coppell a lot, think he's a very good manager, and he talks a very good game too. Combine that with a playing squad who all seem to know what they're supposed to be doing and indeed are (an oft overlooked quality) and I think that match might still turn out to be a competitive one...

 

[Bee H]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Professor Frink:
I'm just wondering how we (RFC) and you lot will be looking on this little discussion come the final game of the season at GP. Do any Bees believe that we'll still both be fighting for something, be it play-off (god-forbid) or automatic promo related?
</font>

Well Prof, at the mo, we're playing some b1oody good stuff and it is most enjoyable

BUT there are some of us who are most unsettled re the clubs future.

We have a big debt situation and our chairman

wants to sell the ground and get his money back and where will that leave us ? Will players be sold mid-season - Powell, Evans, Dobson and Mahon might go or will they ? Re the stadium, we'll more than likely end up with a Yeading instead of a Reading

but we're enjoying the footie while it lasts

 

[Sir Dodger Royal]

Reading are crap and I mean crappppppppp.
The Vicar out now, Gordon is stuck on the M40 waiting for the Madman to call, pick the phone before it is tooooooooooo late.

 

[I Predict A Riot]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Sir Dodger Royal:
Reading are crap and I mean crappppppppp.
The Vicar out now, Gordon is stuck on the M40 waiting for the Madman to call, pick the phone before it is tooooooooooo late.</font>

Anyone know what he's goin' on about?

 

[Turnstile Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Si Bee:
Anyone know what he's goin' on about?

</font>

Not a clue!

 

[Hungerford Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Sir Dodger Royal:
Reading are crap and I mean crappppppppp.
The Vicar out now, Gordon is stuck on the M40 waiting for the Madman to call, pick the phone before it is tooooooooooo late.</font>

If this was his state of mind yesterday, Gawd knows what he must be thinking now they have lost at home Swindon!

 

[Jay Bee]

Sir Dodger Royal (aka SDR) is very very unpopular on the Hob Nob Reading board, www.royals.cx

Reasons are unknown to me.

 

[Houghton Bee]

Have to admit I hate Reading nearly as much as that filth at the top of Div 3

Not really relevant, but there you go

 

[Mr Tree]

reading 1-3 swindon

 

[davebee]

reading really do seem to be struggling at the moment, which can only be good for the bees. e should try and build up as much of a cushion s possible although everyone is well aware that divsion 2 is the tightest division in professional football. 3 points separates the top 10 teams.

 

[Mr Tree]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by davebee:
3 points separates the top 10 teams.

</font>

erm, brentford, brighton and bristol city are all 3 points ahead of 4th place

anyway, understandable result yesterday, seeing as swindon are the only 2nd division team to have beaten the mighty bees so far this season, they must be good!! worried about the 27th tho, might it be time for a turnaround in both clubs fortunes

 

[2-0 andapenalty]

The result against Swindon on Sat will make the game against the Bees most interesting, our manager may no longer be with us and the tension will be high.

Is Bullivant still with your lot as coach, if so hows he thought of?

 

[shakey_RFC]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 2-0 andapenalty:
The result against Swindon on Sat will make the game against the Bees most interesting, our manager may no longer be with us and the tension will be high.

Is Bullivant still with your lot as coach, if so hows he thought of?</font>

And does he fancy coming back to manage us again

 

[Edmundo]

Bully left in April, to go to Palace, where he is now (following Alan Smith's dismissal) first team coach. He was rated extremely highly here and his departure was a big loss. Having said that, if he'd stayed, maybe we wouldn't have got Coppell!

 

[Pauly Paul]

We never win at Reading (as far as I recall). However we seem to have semi-exorcised the big-stadium phobia since the display at St James' Park (Newcastle!). However I would urge all my fellow bees to keep their modesty so not to tempt the egg.

I'd say the way things look now we're a good bet for the playoffs.

 

[B2B]

I was there at elm Park when we won 2-1 - cracking game, Holsworth and Bliss running amok. Remember Deano hitting the side netting from a Gayle cross and the Reading fans taking the piss as we celebrated. However a copycat move 60 seconds later and we were the ones celebrating for real!!

However, apert from that one bright mark we are always lose there...... and after they bagged 4 today....

 

[Hungerford Bee]

That win must have been in the 90-91 season? Apart from that we haven't been Reading at their place since 1958!

I've got a bad feeling about this........

 

[finchbee]

They cannot score and the manager is clueless,thi being backed up by Reading fans !!!

Pardew apparentl;y had 2 games Notts C and Oldham.

 

[Holysmit]

Although Reading haven't started the season as well as expected they still have a good side and with us being top of the table this will encourage them to perform. Saturdays game will be a very tough game and we'll have to be at our best to get a result there personally i'd be happy with a draw at Reading because I think there gonna start to turn it around and hit form soon.

 

[Professor Frink]

Cheers for the replies. As for this Saturday - it all hinges on tonight (Tuesday). If we beat Oldham away, say, 2-0 like we did last year, then you're in trouble I'm afraid, as that'll be two away wins in a row, and the players will be extremely hungry to do it again in front of the home fans - the Mad Stad hasn't been a fun place the last month or so.

However, if we get beaten tonight, then your lot should be looking forward to Saturday, as you may well get the opportunity to get our manager sacked. Let's see how it goes...

 

[shakey_RFC]

Is that right about not beating us apart from that game at Elm Park

As my friend Prof has said if we manage a good result tonight then we will be brimming with confidence for Saturday, just check out Cureton's 30 yard volley against Notts

I love the Brentford games, always a good match and atmosphere (especially as my boss is a Bees fan and he's sitting with me on Sat) so you know it will end up being a 0-0 or summat!!!

 

[Twyford Royal (aka Laura)]

I dont know whats been wrong at the Mad stad this season but after saturdays performance against Colchester its like we have two teams. The first half performance was the best i have seen this season we created alot of chances and took 4 out of a countless amount. However the second half wasn't as good but then you have to say playing against a team who have nothing to lose and just want to score isnt easy. After all thier goals were a penelty, horrible backpass and in my opinion an own goal by Murty.

I hope we continue playing well and give the Brentford a knock back to reality after all some of you think you have won the league already.

COMON U RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!!!!!

 

[Jay Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Twyford Royal (aka Laura):
I hope we continue playing well and give the Brentford a knock back to reality after all some of you think you have won the league already.</font>

Well you did the same thing last season

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Twyford Royal (aka Laura):
COMON U RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!!!!!</font>

Blue and White Hoops? Calling yourselves "The R's"? Sounds like another breed of scum in this area.

[This message has been edited by Twyford Bee (edited 23 October 2001).]

 

[Twyford Royal (aka Laura)]

Remember something Twyford Bee "I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE"

 

[Leicester Bee]

Sorry Reading fans, but I cannot see any reason why Brentford should be worried about Reading. I admit that you look like getting back to scoring goals, after the Notts County game, but we'll be your toughest test yet, and we could knock the confidence out of you again.
Having said that, this is a massive game for us, and one that we could easily get beaten again! But I'm sure that we'll pick up at least one point.

 

[shakey_RFC]

Whoo hoo another 3 points at badly fading Oldham

Well this certainly is going to make Saturday interesting, especially as you basically have a 3 game cushion on us points wise.

Looking at the table currently and our next set of games I'll be happy with a point from you guys and 3 against Northampton, going to be an absolute cracker

 

[Jay Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Twyford Royal (aka Laura):
Remember something Twyford Bee "I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE"

</font>

Ditto, if I stand up and turn my head I can see the chimney of your house

 

[2-0 andapenalty]

This is now a massive game for both clubs, RFC win and you are back within catching distance, you win and it could be that with a third of a season gone you will be out of catching distance.

Stll15k at The Madstad for a big occasion, enjoy it Bees. Me I miss it due to having to drive to Gatwick, Bogger!!

 

[Jay Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 2-0 andapenalty:
RFC win and you are back within catching distance</font>

I know

 

[Houghton Bee]

Reading ****ers

 

[Jay Bee]

Couldn't agree more

 

[2-0 andapenalty]

Well four weeks and five games after you beat us you are now within catching distance, maybe not going so wrong after all

 

[Wise old Bee]

Do you Reading people still suffer from the trauma of the Bolton play-off game? I think it would have affected me for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong ,I enjoy nothing better than seeing a home counties side bollix it up but surely it must hurt like hell still?

 

[B2B]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Mr Whippy:

Reading ****ers

</font>

Love it!!!

 

[Jay Bee]

Pardew just got Manager of the Month for November.

 

[Bee H]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Twyford Bee:
Pardew just got Manager of the Month for November.</font>

hence why they lost 0-1 at home on 1st Dec to the mighty Chesterfield then eh !

[This message has been edited by Bee H (edited 03 December 2001).]