Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.

2026 Pre-Season Thread - fixture list (1st post) - Reading MATCH THREAD Sat 2:15pm (p56)

1…4950525455…81

Comments

  • 21cws
    21cws Posts: 240
    All this Mwamba isn’t ready? Why not? Forget his age you’d be picking him to start. 100% will be in the squad for Derby 


  • Sword65pf
    Sword65pf Posts: 2,288
    edited July 28
    eastterrace6168 said:
    I don't know, Lloyd sits out one pre-season friendly and all of a sudden he's orf...he's going nowhere I tell ya...chill everybody he's CAFC through and through...
    I think it was St John’s post of knowing one way or another by the start of the season about him signing, no smoke without fire as they say. 
  • Addicksi
    Addicksi Posts: 283
    I think Bowyer was right when he said Mwamba is the one to watch of the players coming through. 
  • Talal
    Talal Posts: 11,958
    Sword65pf said:
    Another game though where what is missing is highlighted, Chalobah and mwamba who the general consensus is he isn’t ready, completely outshone Coventry and JRC. Carey wasn’t great but at least he shows for the ball and looks forward. Leaburn isn’t doing great, wouldn’t be surprised to see him on loan with Fullah, Kanu and Asimwe probably get sold, Tanto didn’t really impress but worked hard, is he worth working on? But if nothing else Chalobah proved we really need midfielders like most of us have been saying. I think we may see quite a few going out on loan or sold if we have any takers. 
    I thought Coventry was largely fine but didn't help having such a rusty looking JRC with him.
  • PeaksAndValleys
    PeaksAndValleys Posts: 294
    Lot of players stepped up in that first half. Knibbs finally looked like what he's supposed to be, tenacious and driving forward and actually creating some chances on the ball. Mesik and Billy looked great again, Mwamba continuing to look like a genuine option this year, even thought Tanto looked aright on the wing although lacked a bit of confidence (/quality) with end product. Gough also had a good game and Grant looks a top signing, immediately brings the quality level up.

    Wish we could have carried it over to the second half and other players a bit more though. Anyone else think Ibby seems to have regressed? 
  • Rock Spectacle
    Rock Spectacle Posts: 1,641
    Addicksi said:
    I think Bowyer was right when he said Mwamba is the one to watch of the players coming through. 
    And if anyone would know about an emerging teenager... Mwamba and Fullah both seem to have that little bit more about them. 
  • PeaksAndValleys
    PeaksAndValleys Posts: 294
    Also tiny sample size and lack of preseason etc etc but Danny Mac looked awful 
  • 21cws
    21cws Posts: 240
    Knibbs making a claim for the no10, fair play 
  • Sword65pf
    Sword65pf Posts: 2,288
    PeaksAndValleys said:
    Also tiny sample size and lack of preseason etc etc but Danny Mac looked awful 
    Bit harsh, hardly had time to get into it.
  • SDAddick
    SDAddick Posts: 15,024
    PeaksAndValleys said:
    Lot of players stepped up in that first half. Knibbs finally looked like what he's supposed to be, tenacious and driving forward and actually creating some chances on the ball. Mesik and Billy looked great again, Mwamba continuing to look like a genuine option this year, even thought Tanto looked aright on the wing although lacked a bit of confidence (/quality) with end product. Gough also had a good game and Grant looks a top signing, immediately brings the quality level up.

    Wish we could have carried it over to the second half and other players a bit more though. Anyone else think Ibby seems to have regressed? 
    Being discussed on the Rumours thread but he's a 10, not a RW, so I would expect him to look a bit out of sorts on that RW. Given how crowded we are at the 10 position and given his lack of physicality, I do think learning to play the 7 role would be good for him, but I wouldn't judge him on it based on a couple of pre-season games being played out of position.

  • Sponsored links:



  • PeaksAndValleys
    PeaksAndValleys Posts: 294
    Sword65pf said:
    PeaksAndValleys said:
    Also tiny sample size and lack of preseason etc etc but Danny Mac looked awful 
    Bit harsh, hardly had time to get into it.
    I know, did specifically say it was a tiny sample size. But he touched it about three times and hoofed it out of play each time. 
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 21,119
    edited July 28
    Injury update in NJ's interview with the club

    "In order you'll see Collins, then Micah, then Josh. Collins should play some part at the weekend, Micah won't be far behind and Josh won't be far behind again" "Rob will probably be back between Collins and Micah"
  • AS1987
    AS1987 Posts: 177
    edited July 28
    Grant was brilliant tonight. He looked like he'd been playing in front of Mesik all season, he could read him that well. If he's playing that well in front of him already, I can't wait to see what they will be like come the end of the season.

    Mesik was getting inside the box a lot, with Grant dropping back to cover the gap in defence when necessary. If we can get some decent crosses in from the right, then I can see Mesik scoring a few headers that way this season.
  • Chunes
    Chunes Posts: 18,730
    edited July 28
    Grant's three touches for his goal... Mint.

    We've been sorely lacking that quality.
  • LittleAddick
    LittleAddick Posts: 845
    Chunes said:
    Grant's three touches for his goal... Mint.

    We've been sorely lacking that quality.
    Looks a very different player to the one he was when he left. Not got the same lightning pace but his touch and awareness have vastly improved. 
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 6,238
    Jones mentioned we’ve got another game next Tuesday. Imagine it will be behind closed doors but makes sense to give the full squad a decent game next week  
  • mascot88
    mascot88 Posts: 10,095
    Only one conclusion from that display - we are going up!!!! 

    Next season is going to be crucial - Jones is the man - Grant and Godden to score plenty - It's Championship - It's big time.

    I can't wait for the season to start. 
  • LittleAddick
    LittleAddick Posts: 845
    mascot88 said:
    Only one conclusion from that display - we are going up!!!! 

    Next season is going to be crucial - Jones is the man - Grant and Godden to score plenty - It's Championship - It's big time.

    I can't wait for the season to start. 
    Not only going up - there's also gonna be a cup run where we actually win the League Cup and FA Cup after Gassan Ahadame returns from Cambridge to top the Championship scoring charts despite only playing half a season. 
  • Watameire
    Watameire Posts: 142
    Grant and Knibbs were the standouts 

    Tanto - bin him off
  • DOUCHER
    DOUCHER Posts: 8,950
    Well, what a difference 45 minutes (the first half) of football can make to your outlook - koumetio, other than the fall over looked absolute class and a formidable unit - chalaboah i'd sign tonight, godden and grant both class operators, ramsay good as always and mwamba looks to have all the attributes. Knibbs looked fit but not totally convinced and i'm afraid olafe just doesn't have it. Gough very tidy but maybe not dominant and mesik? looked ok. The second half was a serious downgrade with the slowcoaches brought on. Leaburn in particular is nowhere near it and needs to be loaned out. The post match interview from NJ has added further encouragement. COYR, this might just turn out alright.

  • Sponsored links:



  • mascot88
    mascot88 Posts: 10,095
    LittleAddick said:
    mascot88 said:
    Only one conclusion from that display - we are going up!!!! 

    Next season is going to be crucial - Jones is the man - Grant and Godden to score plenty - It's Championship - It's big time.

    I can't wait for the season to start. 
    Not only going up - there's also gonna be a cup run where we actually win the League Cup and FA Cup after Gassan Ahadame returns from Cambridge to top the Championship scoring charts despite only playing half a season. 
    Mate we are on the same page - 

    Knibbs for Championship player of the season - 

    Top 4 here we come!
  • mascot88
    mascot88 Posts: 10,095
    In all honesty - A couple of great goals there. 


  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 100,645
    edited July 29
    I think Godden being back, and hopefully keeping him injury free compared to last season is going to be a massive difference for us.
    He's not really been mentioned as a factor this summer, maybe because of fitness concerns... But its worth remembering how suited to this level he was last year, and on top of that, he never really got up to speed either... Yet he still popped up with a handful of vital goals in the games he did play
    Am glad they're not rushing back Josh, but must have been a horrible year for him, given that the player (Micah) who did his ACL (?) is back before him... When I see Edwards back on the teamsheet, I'm going to be as delighted as when Godden's name first appeared... Dont really care how much the injury has effected his ability, we'll judge that when he eventually plays, just want this nightmare of a year to be over for him.
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 27,554
    Sword65pf said:
    eastterrace6168 said:
    I don't know, Lloyd sits out one pre-season friendly and all of a sudden he's orf...he's going nowhere I tell ya...chill everybody he's CAFC through and through...
    I think it was St John’s post of knowing one way or another by the start of the season about him signing, no smoke without fire as they say. 
    And we all suddenly turn into pessimist’s
  • Covered_End_Lad
    Covered_End_Lad Posts: 6,058
    ForeverAddickted said:
    I think Godden being back, and hopefully keeping him injury free compared to last season is going to be a massive difference for us.
    He's not really been mentioned as a factor this summer, maybe because of fitness concerns... But its worth remembering how suited to this level he was last year, and on top of that, he never really got up to speed either... Yet he still popped up with a handful of vital goals in the games he did play
    Am glad they're not rushing back Josh, but must have been a horrible year for him, given that the player (Micah) who did his ACL (?) is back before him... When I see Edwards back on the teamsheet, I'm going to be as delighted as when Godden's name first appeared... Dont really care how much the injury has affected his ability, we'll judge that when he eventually plays, just want this nightmare of a year to be over for him.
    I might be wrong but I don’t think Mbicks injury was actually a full ACL rupture, think it ended up being that the damage was more on his PCL which has a quicker recovery time. I’ve done ACL twice myself and minimum time out would be 7-9 months 
  • clive
    clive Posts: 20,631
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_POOUCvbpBI
  • SheikhYurKory
    SheikhYurKory Posts: 62
    A midfield 3 of Mwamba, Chalobah and Knibbs looked very powerful. If Holsgrove comes in, that looks much better than Doc, Cov and Carey.
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 21,119
    TheHerminator said:
    People seem to have decided Carey is no good because he was knackered at the end of last season? He scored the goals that kept us up. We can't be dismissing him already
    It's also recency bias because he wasn't great yesterday but Knibbs was but that ignores the fact Knibbs had longer to play, different players around him etc.
  • RC_CAFC
    RC_CAFC Posts: 2,018
    TheHerminator said:
    People seem to have decided Carey is no good because he was knackered at the end of last season? He scored the goals that kept us up. We can't be dismissing him already
    I don’t think, and hope, that anyone is dismissing Carey, would be disrespectful for what he achieved last season. But he has looked weirdly lethargic and slow so far this pre season. 

    Could easily be that he is one that needs a bit of time to get up to speed. As Steve Brown says 6 times a game searching for something to
    say ‘pre season is all about being ready for day 1 of the season.’

Categories