Our March is huge. Northampton, Cheltenham, Carlisle, Fleetwood, Wigan & Exeter. Should be going into all those games expecting 3 points. Whether we have the bottle is another matter
We still have to play Reading, Carlisle, Cheltenham, Fleetwood, Cambridge, Exeter, Shrewsbury and Wycombe. That’s a lot of six pointers! When trying to stay in the PL it was always about ensuring we took max points v relegation rivals.
There’s lots still to play for and a few teams in the mix for what realistically looks like one place on the current table.
Agree re mental toughness - that will be key. It’s let us down badly in this recent run with all those late goals but at least we’ve got out of that habit in the last couple of matches. Now we need to cut out the defensive howlers or play like a team to cover them - a centre half losing the ball about 40 yards from goal as happened v both Blackpool and Derby should not mean it’s a doddle for the opposition to score. That’s what team mates should be there for.
Yes, I was thinking this when watching the highlights. I originally blamed MG 100% for giving the ball away, but when you have a defender being pressed quite deep he needs to have options. Yes, he should have leathered the ball to safety, but I’m sure they endlessly practice playing the ball out of defence, and to do that you need someone to pass to. Coventry waved his arm about a bit and turned his back, when he should have been making himself available.
It’s a bit like snooker. Good players make sure that they create as many simple pots as possible by getting the cue ball into the right position. It you create simple options for the player in possession by good movement off the ball, it makes it much easier for him to pass without giving it away. Too many of our midfielders look like they don’t want the ball, which is why I think we’ve taken to Louie Watson, who seems to want the ball all the time, and makes himself easy to pass to.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
Suspect good management, organisation and a galvanising effect based on what is happening off the field. The latter can go both ways of course, but would appear management have them focused on the right things. We don’t have the latter issues, but need plenty of the first two points. Will repeat again, I believe the ingredients are there…
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
[Posted this on a different thread:]
According to Reading's SB Nation website 'Reading have four key attacking players who are capable of providing match-winning moments (and have done so already in their time with the Royals): Femi Azeez, Lewis Wing, Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith.
Despite the fears of a mass sell-off that would include the above players, all stayed put. Reading reportedly had interest in all four of them and, whatever the precise reasons for declining sales, it was vital that they did so.
Most of the Deadline Day speculation was around Azeez, who was strongly linked with a move to Plymouth Argyle. Admittedly I had a bit of a heart-attack a couple of times, seeing differing reports/rumours that he was on his way to the Championship club, but ultimately he stayed put.
As did Wing, Knibbs and Smith, and to be honest I’m surprised there wasn’t more speculation about those three leaving. Wing in particular is at least top-end League One standard, if not Championship standard, so would have been a shrewd acquisition for a number of clubs.'
It's in defence Reading may have problems in terms of squad depth: 'Reading lost some really useful first-team-quality defensive options in the January window, cashing in on Abbey and McIntyre without securing loan-backs for either, unlike the sale of Holmes. Excluding players with little to no experience outside academy football, that leaves Reading with a back four of Andy Yiadom, Holmes, Tyler Bindon and Jeriel Dorsett, and just two backups: Clinton Mola and Amadou Mbengue.'
So overall, their first team is still very strong, but illness and injuries may well cause them problems as the season progresses, as they squad depth has been severely compromised by their owner selling back up players.
For me, this is what it's all about with this Reading game coming up. I hate the idea of us getting relegated, but it's going to make the occasion massive.
This is a massive risk vs reward situation, this could be the kind of end of season that bridges a connection between the fans, manager and players if we stay up. A dead rubber end of season may not have achieved that, and the end result would be the same, we'd be in league 1 next season. I also think it will spark some life into these owners that we need more quality to go up, a near mid-table coast job might have seen them reluctant to spend cash.
As long as we get through Feb, and we stay above the relegation zone or not too far adrift, I think we can do it.
All eyes on Cheltenham, Carlisle and Fleetwood fixtures. They're all back to back to back. For me, that run will define our season.
Coventry, Portsmouth, Bolton, Luton and Brighton have all recovered from falls to L2 in the past, so if it does happen to us, it will only be the end of the world as we know it.
Remember that Brentford were in it as recently as 2010, winning the title under Andy Scott. Bournemouth were in it twenty years ago!
Of former PL teams, only Oldham and MK Dons, the Wimbledon as was version, are no longer at a higher level than L2.
Coventry, Portsmouth, Bolton, Luton and Brighton have all recovered from falls to L2 in the past, so if it does happen to us, it will only be the end of the world as we know it.
Remember that Brentford were in it as recently as 2010, winning the title under Andy Scott. Bournemouth were in it twenty years ago!
Of former PL teams, only Oldham and MK Dons, the Wimbledon as was version, are no longer at a higher level than L2.
Coventry, Portsmouth, Bolton, Luton and Brighton have all recovered from falls to L2 in the past, so if it does happen to us, it will only be the end of the world as we know it.
Remember that Brentford were in it as recently as 2010, winning the title under Andy Scott. Bournemouth were in it twenty years ago!
Of former PL teams, only Oldham and MK Dons, the Wimbledon as was version, are no longer at a higher level than L2.
Reading have a far better record than us over the past 8 weeks, out of all the teams around us they are the most likely to pull clear which means that this Saturday's game is not season defining but a point would be helpful.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
I don’t think they lost too many first team players? Just Abbey I think, most of the other players that went were squad players (could hurt them later on if they have injuries/suspensions to deal with).
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
[Posted this on a different thread:]
According to Reading's SB Nation website 'Reading have four key attacking players who are capable of providing match-winning moments (and have done so already in their time with the Royals): Femi Azeez, Lewis Wing, Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith.
Despite the fears of a mass sell-off that would include the above players, all stayed put. Reading reportedly had interest in all four of them and, whatever the precise reasons for declining sales, it was vital that they did so.
Most of the Deadline Day speculation was around Azeez, who was strongly linked with a move to Plymouth Argyle. Admittedly I had a bit of a heart-attack a couple of times, seeing differing reports/rumours that he was on his way to the Championship club, but ultimately he stayed put.
As did Wing, Knibbs and Smith, and to be honest I’m surprised there wasn’t more speculation about those three leaving. Wing in particular is at least top-end League One standard, if not Championship standard, so would have been a shrewd acquisition for a number of clubs.'
It's in defence Reading may have problems in terms of squad depth: 'Reading lost some really useful first-team-quality defensive options in the January window, cashing in on Abbey and McIntyre without securing loan-backs for either, unlike the sale of Holmes. Excluding players with little to no experience outside academy football, that leaves Reading with a back four of Andy Yiadom, Holmes, Tyler Bindon and Jeriel Dorsett, and just two backups: Clinton Mola and Amadou Mbengue.'
So overall, their first team is still very strong, but illness and injuries may well cause them problems as the season progresses, as they squad depth has been severely compromised by their owner selling back up players.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
I don’t think they lost too many first team players? Just Abbey I think, most of the other players that went were squad players (could hurt them later on if they have injuries/suspensions to deal with).
Yeah after actually looking they didn't lose many at all. Just Abbey & the lad to Pompey.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
I don’t think they lost too many first team players? Just Abbey I think, most of the other players that went were squad players (could hurt them later on if they have injuries/suspensions to deal with).
Yeah after actually looking they didn't lose many at all. Just Abbey & the lad to Pompey.
Unfortunately the fire sale never really happened! Shame as I would quite like for us to have signed Sam Smith.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
I don’t think they lost too many first team players? Just Abbey I think, most of the other players that went were squad players (could hurt them later on if they have injuries/suspensions to deal with).
Yeah after actually looking they didn't lose many at all. Just Abbey & the lad to Pompey.
They also lost Vickers and another youngster to Brighton. Those two will hurt the fans in the future if they come good but will have minimal impact on this season for them.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
I don't get how their form seems to have improved despite losing a heck of a lot of players in Jan.
I don’t think they lost too many first team players? Just Abbey I think, most of the other players that went were squad players (could hurt them later on if they have injuries/suspensions to deal with).
Yeah after actually looking they didn't lose many at all. Just Abbey & the lad to Pompey.
Our season was fucked the moment they appointed Appleton the bloke has a losers mentality as shown by him keep saying we were playing top top teams and getting good draws ! Fortunately I think they binned him just in time to save us but whoever decided to appoint him needs their head examined
Comments
4 wins, 6 draws, 1 loss.
Reading home form all season:
7 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses.
Anyone thinking we can go there and grab points I don't think are aware we are massive underdogs for that game. They will almost certainly stay up regardless of how anyone else does.
According to Reading's SB Nation website 'Reading have four key attacking players who are capable of providing match-winning moments (and have done so already in their time with the Royals): Femi Azeez, Lewis Wing, Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith.
Despite the fears of a mass sell-off that would include the above players, all stayed put. Reading reportedly had interest in all four of them and, whatever the precise reasons for declining sales, it was vital that they did so.
Most of the Deadline Day speculation was around Azeez, who was strongly linked with a move to Plymouth Argyle. Admittedly I had a bit of a heart-attack a couple of times, seeing differing reports/rumours that he was on his way to the Championship club, but ultimately he stayed put.
As did Wing, Knibbs and Smith, and to be honest I’m surprised there wasn’t more speculation about those three leaving. Wing in particular is at least top-end League One standard, if not Championship standard, so would have been a shrewd acquisition for a number of clubs.'
It's in defence Reading may have problems in terms of squad depth: 'Reading lost some really useful first-team-quality defensive options in the January window, cashing in on Abbey and McIntyre without securing loan-backs for either, unlike the sale of Holmes. Excluding players with little to no experience outside academy football, that leaves Reading with a back four of Andy Yiadom, Holmes, Tyler Bindon and Jeriel Dorsett, and just two backups: Clinton Mola and Amadou Mbengue.'
So overall, their first team is still very strong, but illness and injuries may well cause them problems as the season progresses, as they squad depth has been severely compromised by their owner selling back up players.
All eyes on Cheltenham, Carlisle and Fleetwood fixtures. They're all back to back to back. For me, that run will define our season.
Remember that Brentford were in it as recently as 2010, winning the title under Andy Scott. Bournemouth were in it twenty years ago!
Of former PL teams, only Oldham and MK Dons, the Wimbledon as was version, are no longer at a higher level than L2.
That being said, I don't believe we are going down.
They also lost Vickers and another youngster to Brighton. Those two will hurt the fans in the future if they come good but will have minimal impact on this season for them.
Call it a win/win situation.
Ee oo dares Rodders!