Reading (A)

[itdiddidit?]

On reflection an okay away day

Mixed fanzone was decent, once we realised it was there. Had messed about in ubers prior to that chasing a pint

Great support which is the norm these days didn't stop backing the lads all day

I'm no tactician and it'll have been done to death as usual

The new big lad looked like he'd been plucked from the crowd  

 

[Tombwfc]

12 hours ago, ianofcleveleys said:

Off the (admittedly brief) highlights, a couple of Collins's chances weren't that straightforward though the one on one was a pretty bad miss. He keeps looking for positions to score though, and he needs others to start chipping in. 

The hand ball was daft, Tutu was behind him, would have cleared it comfortably, no manager can legislate for a player doing that.

Tight game, fine margins, turned on a couple of incidents, not a bad performance so reasonable SS takes the positives from it

 

Yeah I didn't think the Collins chances looked like sitters, although the second half one was a big opportunity.

But they're only 'he scores both 8 times out of 10' type chances if he was Thierry Henry not a League One forward.

We need to create more.

[Dr. Feelgood]

Well, we can stop the "we can get to automatic promotion" talk. We can, & probably should, reach the play-offs... & have a decent chance.

Schumacher can at least lift the frustrations cast by the shadow of Oxford & assess our plusses & minus'. 

[Leyther_Matt]

For the stick that Thomason gets, it has to be said that his goal line clearance yesterday was tremendous 

[Johnnyrotten]

1 hour ago, onefinfrandsen said:

Definitely needs a rest, thought that on Tuesday.

He was blowing out of his arse after about half an hour on Tuesday, and his exhaustion relative to other players is exposed by always being late for challenges, pulling players back, constant bookings.

Sooner than expected, SS gets to choose a different captain for 2 games, it will be interesting to see if Tomo automatically gets it back (as he would have under IE).

Either way, surely he won't be captain/automatic pick by 1st August. 

[desperado]

Great day. Paying for it this morning.

Plenty to be positive about, while SS is sussing out the squad.

Could and should have been 3 points. Round the 80 min mark, we asked each other whether we’d settle for a point now, none of us said we would.

Some great chances, and pleasingly those chances being created with some crisp passing forwards, shots on sight, and early balls into the box.

Great backing from the travelling fans

 

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, L/H White said:

It's fine, hopefully whoever replaces him makes the places their own and keeps him out of for a spell, not good enough, a wreckless clown

I didn’t want to put it that bluntly because it’s no secret that I’m not GT’s biggest fan (I thought he was better yesterday).

I do think though that SS being forced into leaving him out so early on, without it being a controversial drop of your captain is a blessing.

2 games of Matete and 2 of Morley, Sheehan and Randall I think will prove our best and most balanced midfield 3.

I think it would be Matete, Morley and Sheehan for me.

[gonzo]

I know he's hardly ripping up trees but I really wish the Dion situation could've been resolved.

We need some bite in the attack.

[Eddie]

It’s been mentioned a few times but the defending was top drawer. If we’re going to carry on with a back 3 then those 3 in my mind are our best as a combination. Great to see Toal back as well, he’ll help Forrester who looks very very comfortable in the middle of the 3.

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

4 minutes ago, Eddie said:

I do think though that SS being forced into leaving him out so early on, without it being a controversial drop of your captain is a blessing.

I'm not as down on him.as you are but the same thought crossed my mind

He looks like he'd benefit from some time out and we can now do it without having to directly drop him

[Tonge moor green jacket]

7 minutes ago, Eddie said:

I didn’t want to put it that bluntly because it’s no secret that I’m not GT’s biggest fan (I thought he was better yesterday).

I do think though that SS being forced into leaving him out so early on, without it being a controversial drop of your captain is a blessing.

2 games of Matete and 2 of Morley, Sheehan and Randall I think will prove our best and most balanced midfield 3.

I think it would be Matete, Morley and Sheehan for me.

Still the same situation of two midfielders that don't like putting their foot in.

Yes it works at times, but we don't have control if the midfield constantly, in the way we need to if we want to genuinely challenge next season. 

Until he gets to work on his strategies on the training ground, and maybe get a player or two, then those problems will persist.

Not sure the latter will happen tomorrow, but the former will happen soon, and hopefully he can find a way to improve the engine room.

[onefinfrandsen]

10 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

He was blowing out of his arse after about half an hour on Tuesday, and his exhaustion relative to other players is exposed by always being late for challenges, pulling players back, constant bookings.

Sooner than expected, SS gets to choose a different captain for 2 games, it will be interesting to see if Tomo automatically gets it back (as he would have under IE).

Either way, surely he won't be captain/automatic pick by 1st August. 

For his own good maybe take the arm band off him, he rarely gets taken off in games which probably contributes to him being fatigued. Not sure who warrants the arm band instead.

[Johnnyrotten]

27 minutes ago, Leyther_Matt said:

For the stick that Thomason gets, it has to be said that his goal line clearance yesterday was tremendous 

It was a good recovery yes but he gave the ball away, not entirely his fault as it was as a result of unnecessary passing around at the back not just by him, he did the same to cost us a goal at Barnsley last year and plenty others we've got away with.  Its just poor play, but yes he did well to stay alert to clear it.

We got away with another when Southwood gave a similar ball to Randall and he lost possession too, its just unnecessary risk taking.

[onefinfrandsen]

11 minutes ago, Eddie said:

It’s been mentioned a few times but the defending was top drawer. If we’re going to carry on with a back 3 then those 3 in my mind are our best as a combination. Great to see Toal back as well, he’ll help Forrester who looks very very comfortable in the middle of the 3.

Proper defending the last 3 games, if in doubt row z .

[Eddie]

4 minutes ago, onefinfrandsen said:

Proper defending the last 3 games, if in doubt row z .

Exactly, or just hook over your shoulder / stick it in the channel without knowing exactly where the forwards are.

Johnston seems to have benefitted the most, less indecision and second guessing. If there’s not an obvious pass on then don’t try to engineer something, just be a defender and clear your lines.

[Johnnyrotten]

58 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

 

Yeah I didn't think the Collins chances looked like sitters, although the second half one was a big opportunity.

But they're only 'he scores both 8 times out of 10' type chances if he was Thierry Henry not a League One forward.

We need to create more.

For all that was a bad miss by Collins - its in the lap of the gods which teams he scores them against and which teams get away with it - that move was outstanding.  Forrester, JDC, McAtee great first time passing, would have been as good as any goal we've scored this season.  

[London Wanderer]

Should really be winning the next two games, before three massive games against Orient, Wrexham and Birmingham. Exciting times. 

[wakey]

13 hours ago, Casino said:

For older viewers, Mcdonagh was dreadful

3-0 home defeat v Blackpool wasn't it? Probably the last time they beat us at our place too.

Seem to remember one of them went through his legs and thinking we'd bought a duffer.

[Johnnyrotten]

2 minutes ago, wakey said:

3-0 home defeat v Blackpool wasn't it? Probably the last time they beat us at our place too.

Seem to remember one of them went through his legs and thinking we'd bought a duffer.

McDonagh was so good every time I saw him I just can't imagine him playing as bad as described, he was class.

Blackpool beat us around the mid to late 80s when Tony Cunningham scored a couple IIRC.  I've a feeling the game kicked off at 11am too.  We moan about 12.30 KOs now but I'm glad we saw the back of 11am KOs, we had quite a few home and away in the 80s.

If it was away, the only way to keep track of the score was teletext/ceefax.

[desperado]

I suspect Schon and Morley being on the bench with Randall and Murphy starting yesterday was more to do with having a look at a couple of players who hadn’t started the previous two games.

They are all being given a chance, which is fair enough seeing as it’s ground zero and a fresh start for everyone.

If he’s fit (for cameo appearances at the moment) I can see why he threw Etete on too. He needs to see quickly how everyone can compete/contribute, especially with the transfer window closing tomorrow. 

It’s just Santos, Williams and CMG who haven’t started a game (or even been in the squad??) the last 3 games isn’t it? 
 

 

Edited February 2, 2025 by desperado
Actually McAtee hasn’t started has he? But been used as sub

[wakey]

2 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

McDonagh was so good every time I saw him I just can't imagine him playing as bad as described, he was class.

Blackpool beat us around the mid to late 80s when Tony Cunningham scored a couple IIRC.  I've a feeling the game kicked off at 11am too.  We moan about 12.30 KOs now but I'm glad we saw the back of 11am KOs, we had quite a few home and away in the 80s.

If it was away, the only way to keep track of the score was teletext/ceefax.

he was top notch. Didn't look it on his debut mind.

Just checked and you're right - that 3-0 was the last but one time they beat us at our place.

[gonzo]

Think CMG has been playing B-team games.

Going off Williams instagram other week he could be off.

Santos will be with Evatt at Blackpool next season

[bwfc2003]

5 minutes ago, wakey said:

he was top notch. Didn't look it on his debut mind.

Just checked and you're right - that 3-0 was the last but one time they beat us at our place.

Wasn’t it first game embankment had the segregation pens ??

[wakey]

15 minutes ago, bwfc2003 said:

Wasn’t it first game embankment had the segregation pens ??

Done over the summer, so that would have been the first game of the season, not sure if it was that season or not.

My dad used to take me on the embankment until they put the segregation in. No bother before, soon as it was fenced folk started lobbing stones and shit at each other.

[Big E]

2 hours ago, Eddie said:

I didn’t want to put it that bluntly because it’s no secret that I’m not GT’s biggest fan (I thought he was better yesterday).

I do think though that SS being forced into leaving him out so early on, without it being a controversial drop of your captain is a blessing.

2 games of Matete and 2 of Morley, Sheehan and Randall I think will prove our best and most balanced midfield 3.

I think it would be Matete, Morley and Sheehan for me.

Glad we can get matete back in to avoid having a player who is wreckless and gives the ball away constantly…..oh wait. 
 

Thomason is not anywhere near as shit as folk think and matete is not even close to how good folk pretend he is