FAO Brian

[paddy20]

What we lost when we dropped Pearce was communication at the back.I disagree with some of the comments about Leitgerwood. If he was carrying an injury why did he play him at Man utd. He looked very tired from the start.Why are we playing Karacan who offers no creativity instead of Guthrie (his wife is pregnant? He has pulled another muscle???). Sorry Brian we can't keep getting it wrong as we have very little time left. We can no longer play 451 as no cover was signed in the transfer window for that system. Why was this not considered? Although we only lost 2-1 at Old Trafford it could have been 4 or 5-1 if not for Feds. Same again yesterday. Bad substitutions yesterday taking off our two most effective players Akpan and Kebe.We need a siege mentality now. I didnt see too many leaders on the pitch yesterday. We need to try something different now. 4-4-1-1

Feds,

Kelly Pearce Marriapa Shorey

Macleary Guthrie Leitgerwood Macanuff

Kebe

LeFondre

[sandman]

I don't think McD should be "protecting" the players - if they've played badly, he should jolly well admit it - tell them in the dressing room they were absolute crap, that he takes some blame but once they're out on the pitch it's down to them and that no-one should think their position is safe. Might gee one or two of them up a bit. Players only have to look on social media to see what the fans are thinking, so it's not like McD can protect them from that - and if they must all realise themselves that they were so poor yesterday.

Even Jason Roberts had the old cliches in his interview, wouldn't state we weren't good enough, we'll look to the next game blah blah blah.

And with reference to another thread where I said I'd rather watch us be there or there abouts in the Championship than be in this position every season in the Prem - yes I DID mean it. I'd rather see us winning more games and playing a good game than fighting for our lives every single game and being in a relegation spot for the majority of the season. Sorry, but that's just how it is for me. The Prem is all about the money. Money which we'll never invest in any great sum and what we do invest doesn't seem to be used wisely imo.

Stopped reading at "jolly".

[The Royal]

Not a lot has really changed at the bottom, still only single points separating us. Saying that we was poor yesterday Especially the pog, and I'm not talking bout the red card, even his chance when he got played through in the first half, tried taking a touch instead of just hitting, from that moment I knew it was not gonna be our day

[Mr.T10]

Not a lot has really changed at the bottom, still only single points separating us. Saying that we was poor yesterday Especially the pog, and I'm not talking bout the red card, even his chance when he got played through in the first half, tried taking a touch instead of just hitting, from that moment I knew it was not gonna be our day

I can name 6 players who were "especially" worse than Pog. Get off his back! Not many players who would do any better just feeding off scraps with McDermott's selection of midfield.

[The Royal]

Not a lot has really changed at the bottom, still only single points separating us. Saying that we was poor yesterday Especially the pog, and I'm not talking bout the red card, even his chance when he got played through in the first half, tried taking a touch instead of just hitting, from that moment I knew it was not gonna be our day

I can name 6 players who were "especially" worse than Pog. Get off his back! Not many players who would do any better just feeding off scraps with McDermott's selection of midfield.

Get off his back??? Maybe he shud stop falling over all the time playing for a foul, and give something back for the money were splashing out on his wages. Lets be honest, he's been a let down for the most part

[Hampshire Royal]

For what it's worth, I think we will stay up - I can't see any point in being a Reading fan if I didn't. As far as Brian's selections yesterday, Morrison had a good game against Man U, so his selection was pretty logical. To put Pearce in the side, he would have had to drop Mariappa, who is probably our best Central Defender. When we went 2-0 down right on the stroke of half-time, he was right to change from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 (a lot of people on here were screaming at him to start games 4-5-1). To do this he had to withdraw a midfielder and replace him with Alf. Withdrawing Akpan was a mistake, and maybe he should have withdrawn Jem. Also, with Wigan scoring 2 goals just before half-time, the game was almost certainly already lost, so whatever he had done would have had little effect.
People on here are saying that he should have been 'more honest' in his post-match interview and slated the players. I've never seen a good manager do this - ever. People are also saying that he should have admitted the mistakes he made. The interview was just after a very disappointing result against a team who are in a similar position to us, so maybe he just hadn't had time to calmly look at the situation.
Most alarmingly, people are also saying that he should be replaced as manager. By who? 'Arry hasn't done wonders at QPR even with their multi-million pound squad.
From what I hear, most non-Reading fans see us as a not-particularly good footballing side who have a spirit that will get us results as often as not (Chelsea, Villa, WBA to name a few). This spirit will see us survive this season and maybe, if he had slated the players as people on here are saying he should have done, this spirit would have been damaged.
I will keep the faith in Reading until such time as it is mathematically impossible for us to stay up. OK, I would be disappointed if we went down, but at least I will be keeping my optimism for longer than those who have been saying we will go down since the season began.

[The Royal]

And yes he does not get the service he needs, so what's stopping him getting his big Russian ass off the floor and creating something for himself, I know he don't get the service he needs but that's a cop out

[Cripple Creek]

Well, I feel like I'm in a minority of one but I think there are times when Pog has been excellent this season. Certainly at the beginning of the season he looked like an expensive luxury but I'm quite impressed with how hard he works and it is not easy for him with the dreadful service he gets. I also think many on here underrate Guthrie. It's not surprising given the way he is used that he blows hot and cold. He hasn't really been given a run and it must be very clear to him that he is second choice over Legs.
Having said all that I was a bit mystified by Brian's team selection (particularly Pearce). Just one other thought and that is that Wigan are quite simply a considerably superior team - not just today - to us with better players and unfortunately we were dreadful today and they showed what they are capable of.

[Mr.T10]

Not a lot has really changed at the bottom, still only single points separating us. Saying that we was poor yesterday Especially the pog, and I'm not talking bout the red card, even his chance when he got played through in the first half, tried taking a touch instead of just hitting, from that moment I knew it was not gonna be our day

I can name 6 players who were "especially" worse than Pog. Get off his back! Not many players who would do any better just feeding off scraps with McDermott's selection of midfield.

Get off his back??? Maybe he shud stop falling over all the time playing for a foul, and give something back for the money were splashing out on his wages. Lets be honest, he's been a let down for the most part

Thats what strikers do when they play upfront, its called leading the line. Pushing there players back either holding the ball up or drawing the foul. If McDermott selected a midfield who could pass to his feet, he would do a lot better.

Lets be honest we don't know how much he is on and didn't your mother say don't always believe what you have read in the newspapers.

[The Royal]

Considering my uncle works at the mad stad as back room staff, I have a good idea of what he is on. Also I agreed he dont get the service a player of his type requires, but there is nothing stopping his creating his own chances

[windermere_royal]

And yes he does not get the service he needs, so what's stopping him getting his big Russian ass off the floor and creating something for himself, I know he don't get the service he needs but that's a cop out

And Jason Roberts never falls over?...jesus christ all this Pog hating is getting tiresome. not a SINGLE outfield player played well yesterday but our Russian is the latest in a long line of scapegoats I have seen over the years, you hold the ball up looking to bring in other players you get a shove in the back you go down, is that too difficult to undetstand you plum?
He is the only one we have that can play the lone striker role, he has strength and a good first touch no matter what the mongs on here say.

[muddyfeet]

We've played much better recently and most of you lot have been singing the managers praises for the last month
One shit game and now it's McD out

This was an awful day at the office but I'm hoping it's a one off

[Royal Lady]

I understand what people are saying about playing Morrison and Marriappa - so why couldn't McD have just said "for this game I felt that M & M were the two best players to start" - rather than criticising Pearce's play for the Stoke game?

Just tell the truth as you see it, Brian. If you think you 100% played the correct players yesterday, say so. We might not all agree, but at least you tell the truth. If you felt that maybe you should have played a different format or the tactics weren't right - say so! I'd have far more respect if I thought you believed in yourself, but I'm starting to think that even you are doubting yourself now and just coming up with poor excuses rather than accepting any blame.

I don't want McD out - he's been a genius at this club - but he needs to admit when things have gone wrong and then state he'll be putting it right for the next game or whatever.

[muddyfeet]

Hes never going to do that tho, when have we ever heard him say I should have played a different formation or a different player

[RoyalBlue]

Considering my uncle works at the mad stad as back room staff, I have a good idea of what he is on. Also I agreed he dont get the service a player of his type requires, but there is nothing stopping his creating his own chances

They stick salary details up in a back room at the Mad Stad?

Or has Mr Howe been at work again?

[SHORT AND CURLY]

We've played much better recently and most of you lot have been singing the managers praises for the last month
One shit game and now it's McD out

This was an awful day at the office but I'm hoping it's a one off

You obviously didn't go to Stoke then?

[muddyfeet]

I did watch the Stoke game
I just think people are too quick to jump on the Mangers back considering some of the recent results which we got with what can only be described as a good championship team atm

[M0J0]

I don't think McD should be "protecting" the players - if they've played badly, he should "JOLLY" well admit it - tell them in the dressing room they were absolute crap, that he takes some blame but once they're out on the pitch it's down to them and that no-one should think their position is safe. Might gee one or two of them up a bit. Players only have to look on social media to see what the fans are thinking, so it's not like McD can protect them from that - and if they must all realise themselves that they were so poor yesterday.

Even Jason Roberts had the old cliches in his interview, wouldn't state we weren't good enough, we'll look to the next game blah blah blah.

And with reference to another thread where I said I'd rather watch us be there or there abouts in the Championship than be in this position every season in the Prem - yes I DID mean it. I'd rather see us winning more games and playing a good game than fighting for our lives every single game and being in a relegation spot for the majority of the season. Sorry, but that's just how it is for me. The Prem is all about the money. Money which we'll never invest in any great sum and what we do invest doesn't seem to be used wisely imo.

Stopped Reading at "jolly".

Time to find another club when RL gets angry enough to use such strong language.


Careful or RL will mod me out....oooooh.

[Wimb]

I understand what people are saying about playing Morrison and Marriappa - so why couldn't McD have just said "for this game I felt that M & M were the two best players to start" - rather than criticising Pearce's play for the Stoke game?

Just tell the truth as you see it, Brian. If you think you 100% played the correct players yesterday, say so. We might not all agree, but at least you tell the truth. If you felt that maybe you should have played a different format or the tactics weren't right - say so! I'd have far more respect if I thought you believed in yourself, but I'm starting to think that even you are doubting yourself now and just coming up with poor excuses rather than accepting any blame.

I don't want McD out - he's been a genius at this club - but he needs to admit when things have gone wrong and then state he'll be putting it right for the next game or whatever.

Exactly this RL.

The reasons for dropping Pearce were simply staggering from a man who's been so happy to back Leigertwood, McAnuff etc for years despite mistakes. I don't mind a manager that's loyal but you can't have it both ways.

Pearce will have been absolutely gutted to have been dropped and I'm starting to hope he just sticks two fingers up at this club, walks out and goes to a club that'll at least treat him with respect.

[Royal Rother]

Your brother is he?