I lean more towards the negative side than plenty of people on here but after last season I just can’t bring myself to get massively concerned about the squad. The midfield and especially the attack are not looking amazing but they didn’t at the start of last season either and look what happened. Plenty of evidence that over time we can sort things out and I think calling for 4 or 5 signings after one bad performance is OTT and completely unrealistic.
Remember when we got promoted and the majority on here (including me) were in the ‘I’d take 21st’ camp? Well, finishing 21st involves losing quite a few games, so let’s all keep it together and put the hysteria on hold. Losing is never nice, but it’s going to happen. We are good enough to stay up.
Currently on track for 46 points, 49 was what was needed last season. It's completely doable
I think there’s been a bit of an overreaction from yesterday. Over the 4 games we’ve been decent and probably deserve more than 4 points. If we keep playing like we have this month all season then we will stay up
Goals have been a struggle but we have Knibbs and Kelman to get up to speed, plus Godden to come back from injury. There’s goals in those 3 players
There's two ways of looking at it - either we're playing pretty well and the results will follow, or we're not getting results even when playing well, what happens when we play badly?
I err on the side of the latter given we improved as we went on last season, but there's still the worry it's more the latter!
Missing the dynamism in midfield, someone willing to carry the ball 10-20 yards. Yesterday the back line had the ball and the three midfielders were moving out wide leaving no options open to the likes of Jones and Bell.
Don’t see another man coming I but agreed it’s something we miss in midfield
Carey is our midfield ball-carrier. Didn’t play well yesterday and didn’t get on the ball enough to show it, but he has the first few games
I actually think people have got it all wrong, we don't need a left wing back or right wing back as priority at all.
Ramsay, Apter and Costello can all play on that right flank, Bell, Edwards can cover the left. Gillesphey can play in that back 5 comfortably if Ramsay was shifted out wide (I actually think we miss Gillespheys passing)
The central midfield is the problem. There can't be a worse midfield in the league on paper as a whole. The game completely passed us by there.
No physicality, no skill, no quality, no passing range. It's all just run around a lot and hit and hope. Like Cov and Dob couldn't play together, Doc and Cov can't play together at this level imo, it's too defensive, our forwards having nothing to play on.
I can’t see us bringing in another CM this window, so we need to find a better combination. We have other options with JRC, Knibbs, Anderson and Fullah, so I’m hopeful we will, even though longer term we’ll need better.
I am not sure if I view any of those as serious options except Knibbs.
Blackburn let Costello go, he couldn't play centre mid, I think the majority of Blackburn fans posting on social media said he couldn't, his best place is at right back/right midfield. Failed to impress Vs. Cambridge.
Knibbs has looked poor imo, I was/still am really excited about him, but a lot of Reading fans described him as someone who isn't that great on the ball but has a knack for scoring, so far that seems accurate. It's his first time at this level so we will have to see if he can adjust and offer more than just being a goal threat.
Anderson, no chance, absolutely no chance. Falls into the same category as Zach. Nice lad, but isn't ready for this level. Couldn't even stand out against a league 2 side in Cambridge. Unless he improves four fold he won't be able to play in this league at his current level. I genuinely wish him well cause he seems a top lad, but I just don't see him being a serious option.
Fullah looks a talent and the best youth player potentially, but I also don't think he is ready.
Anderson should be on loan, and Doc should be on the bench, we should have brought in a new centre mid. We have no physicality in the middle. People will credit Docherty for getting about and tackling like Leicester (which tbf he did) but that's the problem imo, he's so behind the game he is chasing it.
You can't play Coventry with another defensive minded mid in this league in a back 5. It is far too defensive and in the long run will punish us probably.
I think we probably are 4 players short, currently of being as competitive as NJ wants us to be. A wing-back, a central midfielder, someone who can play wide and as a second striker like TC (JRS would be perfect let’s be honest), and actually missing someone who can really hold the ball up top if needed. Leaburn is great but his game is best with the ball at his feet not up to his head back to goal holding off defenders if we are under a bit of pressure.
Hoping the club surprise us and get 2 more in but not having any expectations whatsoever.
CM we got enough in there … with a RWB coming that will allow Apter to replace Campbell if we stick to this system … why are people not listening NJ has said many times now there will be only one coming in
Agree with others that the competition in midfield is definitely a concern. Apart from Knibbs, who we're all hoping will be a step up, there's no one else to seriously challenge or offer something different. Long season to have so few genuine options.
While I feel we have enough to stay up, does anyone think NJ has also bought player's that we can keep and will get us straight back up if we were to get relegated.
Still early days, and this team will click as we start to see better results; however, should the worse happen and we go down, this team will be a force in League 1.
I actually think people have got it all wrong, we don't need a left wing back or right wing back as priority at all.
Ramsay, Apter and Costello can all play on that right flank, Bell, Edwards can cover the left. Gillesphey can play in that back 5 comfortably if Ramsay was shifted out wide (I actually think we miss Gillespheys passing)
The central midfield is the problem. There can't be a worse midfield in the league on paper as a whole. The game completely passed us by there.
No physicality, no skill, no quality, no passing range. It's all just run around a lot and hit and hope. Like Cov and Dob couldn't play together, Doc and Cov can't play together at this level imo, it's too defensive, our forwards having nothing to play on.
I can’t see us bringing in another CM this window, so we need to find a better combination. We have other options with JRC, Knibbs, Anderson and Fullah, so I’m hopeful we will, even though longer term we’ll need better.
I am not sure if I view any of those as serious options except Knibbs.
Blackburn let Costello go, he couldn't play centre mid, I think the majority of Blackburn fans posting on social media said he couldn't, his best place is at right back/right midfield. Failed to impress Vs. Cambridge.
Knibbs has looked poor imo, I was/still am really excited about him, but a lot of Reading fans described him as someone who isn't that great on the ball but has a knack for scoring, so far that seems accurate. It's his first time at this level so we will have to see if he can adjust and offer more than just being a goal threat.
Anderson, no chance, absolutely no chance. Falls into the same category as Zach. Nice lad, but isn't ready for this level. Couldn't even stand out against a league 2 side in Cambridge. Unless he improves four fold he won't be able to play in this league at his current level. I genuinely wish him well cause he seems a top lad, but I just don't see him being a serious option.
Fullah looks a talent and the best youth player potentially, but I also don't think he is ready.
Anderson should be on loan, and Doc should be on the bench, we should have brought in a new centre mid. We have no physicality in the middle. People will credit Docherty for getting about and tackling like Leicester (which tbf he did) but that's the problem imo, he's so behind the game he is chasing it.
You can't play Coventry with another defensive minded mid in this league in a back 5. It is far too defensive and in the long run will punish us probably.
I have similar concerns but I don’t see us signing another CM in this window. We’re going to have to find a way to improve that area with the players we have, at least until January.
I’ve seen different views on JRC, in that CM is his best and when he played RB he drifted inside like a CM. I wouldn’t write him off yet.
I think Fullah will show he’s too good to leave out the match day squad as a minimum. He’ll surprise people - while he always showed his qualities he didn’t always stand out to me at u21 level, which shows how fast he’s progressing. He has real confidence to go with his ability which I don’t see in players like Zach and TC yet, and he has goals and assists in him which is something we need.
Anderson’s got a much harder challenge to step up having been promoted, but there were doubts about TC being good enough for a team going for promotion this time last year, sometimes it clicks for young players and they settle into first team football. If he can find some consistency and get tidier in possession, he offers a lot of what Doc does and a bit more physically - he’s quicker and better in the air, and could in time be stronger too.
My feeling on Carey and Knibbs is they’re better versions of Berry - hard working, pressing midfielders who can score and create a few goals. They’re not the Jensen or Reid we’d love to have.
I wouldn't read too much into the Cambridge game, I’ve lost count of the number of similar cup games we’ve had, regardless of how strong or poor our first team squads were. the defence wasn’t experienced enough. I was surprised to see Hobden there, while Laq and Zach are both promising, they’ve got a way to go and playing them together was a risk, especially with Hobden and Fullah as the WBs.
I think it’s clear we’ll need more skill, creativity and flair in the midfield for the top half, but we should be able to stay up as a minimum with what we have.
I actually think people have got it all wrong, we don't need a left wing back or right wing back as priority at all.
Ramsay, Apter and Costello can all play on that right flank, Bell, Edwards can cover the left. Gillesphey can play in that back 5 comfortably if Ramsay was shifted out wide (I actually think we miss Gillespheys passing)
The central midfield is the problem. There can't be a worse midfield in the league on paper as a whole. The game completely passed us by there.
No physicality, no skill, no quality, no passing range. It's all just run around a lot and hit and hope. Like Cov and Dob couldn't play together, Doc and Cov can't play together at this level imo, it's too defensive, our forwards having nothing to play on.
I can’t see us bringing in another CM this window, so we need to find a better combination. We have other options with JRC, Knibbs, Anderson and Fullah, so I’m hopeful we will, even though longer term we’ll need better.
I am not sure if I view any of those as serious options except Knibbs.
Blackburn let Costello go, he couldn't play centre mid, I think the majority of Blackburn fans posting on social media said he couldn't, his best place is at right back/right midfield. Failed to impress Vs. Cambridge.
Knibbs has looked poor imo, I was/still am really excited about him, but a lot of Reading fans described him as someone who isn't that great on the ball but has a knack for scoring, so far that seems accurate. It's his first time at this level so we will have to see if he can adjust and offer more than just being a goal threat.
Anderson, no chance, absolutely no chance. Falls into the same category as Zach. Nice lad, but isn't ready for this level. Couldn't even stand out against a league 2 side in Cambridge. Unless he improves four fold he won't be able to play in this league at his current level. I genuinely wish him well cause he seems a top lad, but I just don't see him being a serious option.
Fullah looks a talent and the best youth player potentially, but I also don't think he is ready.
Anderson should be on loan, and Doc should be on the bench, we should have brought in a new centre mid. We have no physicality in the middle. People will credit Docherty for getting about and tackling like Leicester (which tbf he did) but that's the problem imo, he's so behind the game he is chasing it.
You can't play Coventry with another defensive minded mid in this league in a back 5. It is far too defensive and in the long run will punish us probably.
If I had been in charge of squad building this summer, my big signing would have been a quality engine room midfielder. Someone who is strong, but also has great control and passing range. Kinsella was the heartbeat of the side which got promotion, Parker was then at the heart of the best team we had in the PL era.
Once Berry and Godden return, our squad will look a bit unbalanced. 4 players capable of playing as a central striker (Miles, Kelman, Godden, Tanto), 3 players who like to play as a central goalscoring midfielder (Berry, Knibbs, Carey), but with TC and Apter as the only wingers/attacking wingbacks. If Tanto was capable of playing the TC role, I think we would have seen him play there by now.
I can see Fullah staying in the matchday squad, as an X factor sub, sent on in the hope he can produce a moment of individual magic.
I think Carey could be that player if it clicks, in his best moments against Watford he looked to have a huge engine, not afraid to get stuck in and also able to set people through. Don't think he's gonna be able to do it with great consistency, but the Watford game showed me he CAN be that player for us, was crap yesterday though
Reading the comments today you would think we had played 40 games not 4 … 1- We have players getting up to speed 2- Our own players still don’t look up to full pace maybe because of the 3 weeks we lost in pre season plus couple of friendlies short on what we wanted 3- we played 4 games in any of these games have we looked out our depth ? No could we be 4/5 points better of yes … we are doing very well and we will only get better has the players get fitter .. we will stay up … far to early to say but the early signs are very good …
Remember when we got promoted and the majority on here (including me) were in the ‘I’d take 21st’ camp? Well, finishing 21st involves losing quite a few games, so let’s all keep it together and put the hysteria on hold. Losing is never nice, but it’s going to happen. We are good enough to stay up.
This is it for me. I’m sure most of us would take 21st and just avoiding relegation if offered to us now, but to do so we will be losing the majority of our games. That’s just the reality of it. Hell, even if we finished where we currently sit now in the table (16th and 5 places above the drop), we will be losing more than we win.
I’ve been thinking back to something Daniel Storey said in CAST’s preseason meet the press webinar. As a neutral, he was impressed by our preseason business and predicted that we’d finish comfortably above the drop but said the fact of the matter is that we’ll be losing far more than we win this season…however it’s how we deal with this and our mentality as a club and a fanbase that will really determine how we fare this season.
We’re really going to have to grow a pair this season and not let the hysteria set in. This is gonna be a proper dog fight of a season and we’ve all got to be up for the battle without immediately ragging on NJ and the team, especially this early.
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I err on the side of the latter given we improved as we went on last season, but there's still the worry it's more the latter!
Should’ve written that in the post match.
Blackburn let Costello go, he couldn't play centre mid, I think the majority of Blackburn fans posting on social media said he couldn't, his best place is at right back/right midfield. Failed to impress Vs. Cambridge.
Knibbs has looked poor imo, I was/still am really excited about him, but a lot of Reading fans described him as someone who isn't that great on the ball but has a knack for scoring, so far that seems accurate. It's his first time at this level so we will have to see if he can adjust and offer more than just being a goal threat.
Anderson, no chance, absolutely no chance. Falls into the same category as Zach. Nice lad, but isn't ready for this level. Couldn't even stand out against a league 2 side in Cambridge. Unless he improves four fold he won't be able to play in this league at his current level. I genuinely wish him well cause he seems a top lad, but I just don't see him being a serious option.
Fullah looks a talent and the best youth player potentially, but I also don't think he is ready.
Anderson should be on loan, and Doc should be on the bench, we should have brought in a new centre mid. We have no physicality in the middle. People will credit Docherty for getting about and tackling like Leicester (which tbf he did) but that's the problem imo, he's so behind the game he is chasing it.
You can't play Coventry with another defensive minded mid in this league in a back 5. It is far too defensive and in the long run will punish us probably.
Still early days, and this team will click as we start to see better results; however, should the worse happen and we go down, this team will be a force in League 1.
I’ve seen different views on JRC, in that CM is his best and when he played RB he drifted inside like a CM. I wouldn’t write him off yet.
I think Fullah will show he’s too good to leave out the match day squad as a minimum. He’ll surprise people - while he always showed his qualities he didn’t always stand out to me at u21 level, which shows how fast he’s progressing. He has real confidence to go with his ability which I don’t see in players like Zach and TC yet, and he has goals and assists in him which is something we need.
Anderson’s got a much harder challenge to step up having been promoted, but there were doubts about TC being good enough for a team going for promotion this time last year, sometimes it clicks for young players and they settle into first team football. If he can find some consistency and get tidier in possession, he offers a lot of what Doc does and a bit more physically - he’s quicker and better in the air, and could in time be stronger too.
My feeling on Carey and Knibbs is they’re better versions of Berry - hard working, pressing midfielders who can score and create a few goals. They’re not the Jensen or Reid we’d love to have.
I wouldn't read too much into the Cambridge game, I’ve lost count of the number of similar cup games we’ve had, regardless of how strong or poor our first team squads were. the defence wasn’t experienced enough. I was surprised to see Hobden there, while Laq and Zach are both promising, they’ve got a way to go and playing them together was a risk, especially with Hobden and Fullah as the WBs.
I think it’s clear we’ll need more skill, creativity and flair in the midfield for the top half, but we should be able to stay up as a minimum with what we have.
Once Berry and Godden return, our squad will look a bit unbalanced. 4 players capable of playing as a central striker (Miles, Kelman, Godden, Tanto), 3 players who like to play as a central goalscoring midfielder (Berry, Knibbs, Carey), but with TC and Apter as the only wingers/attacking wingbacks. If Tanto was capable of playing the TC role, I think we would have seen him play there by now.
I can see Fullah staying in the matchday squad, as an X factor sub, sent on in the hope he can produce a moment of individual magic.
1- We have players getting up to speed
2- Our own players still don’t look up to full pace maybe because of the 3 weeks we lost in pre season plus couple of friendlies short on what we wanted
3- we played 4 games in any of these games have we looked out our depth ? No could we be 4/5 points better of yes … we are doing very well and we will only get better has the players get fitter .. we will stay up … far to early to say but the early signs are very good …
I’ve been thinking back to something Daniel Storey said in CAST’s preseason meet the press webinar. As a neutral, he was impressed by our preseason business and predicted that we’d finish comfortably above the drop but said the fact of the matter is that we’ll be losing far more than we win this season…however it’s how we deal with this and our mentality as a club and a fanbase that will really determine how we fare this season.
We’re really going to have to grow a pair this season and not let the hysteria set in. This is gonna be a proper dog fight of a season and we’ve all got to be up for the battle without immediately ragging on NJ and the team, especially this early.