How many games has Rogers got left?

[Ian Royal]

In theory we very nearly have the players for a 4-5-1-cum-4-3-3/4-1-2-2-2/4-2-3-1/whatever.

But we're lacking a good box to box player (although I think that could be Davies, maybe Tabb), we're lacking a consistent creative attacking midfield (although I think that could be Siggurdsson) and we're lacking a tall but skillful goalscoring forward (hmm no idea).

The problem is we're trying to play the system without a crucial part of it and with too many a) young inexperienced players and b) experienced players who aren't familiar enough with it. Our back up formation is about as much use as a wet sponge in a bush fire, because it's so ridiculously narrow. Add to that the fact that Rodgers can't even get the midfield balance right in it (1 defensive 3 attacking, 3 defensive, 1 attacking) and it's a total waste of time. As shown by the fact we've lost every game we've used it.

We've abandoned a portion of our fitness training and it really shows.

Add in that the bench is picked using lancelot and set of balls number three, and a manager who is incapable of making sensible substitutions with a coherant thought out plan and has a tendency to panic at the drop of a hat and it's just never ever going to work.

[rob the royal]

In theory we very nearly have the players for a 4-5-1-cum-4-3-3/4-1-2-2-2/4-2-3-1/whatever.

But we're lacking a good box to box player (although I think that could be Davies, maybe Tabb), we're lacking a consistent creative attacking midfield (although I think that could be Siggurdsson) and we're lacking a tall but skillful goalscoring forward (hmm no idea).

both of whom rumours suggest are being shipped out on loan.

also 4-1-2-2-2? is that when federici comes up for the corners?

[Ian Royal]

Oops only meant one up front but got carried away.


Seriously though. If the fans don't know how to clearly describe the formation, how the hell are the players supposed to play it!

[ROKERITE]

Fortunately, your Chairman, who doesn't appear to be very popular amongst Reading supporters, has shown loyalty is a characteristic he prizes highly. Therefore I expect Rodgers will be Reading Manager for a long time yet.
Personally, I wish Rodgers had stayed at Watford, but I'm not a Reading fan. I was impressed by Rodgers' time at Vicarage Road and intended buying Watford on the spreadbetting this season; I fully expected The Hornets to be on the fringes of the play-offs 2009-10. Unfortunately Coppell resigned and the only club outside The Premier League that could tempt Rodgers to quit Watford came calling. I bought Reading at a higher price than I'd have got Watford for, and I've been shelling out money ever since.
This hasn't made me doubt Rodgers. The reaction of so many of you fans of The Biscuitmen hasn't surprised me; it would be similar from any other club's supporters in the current position. That doesn't make it any less foolish and short-sighted. He's been in charge for thirteen competitive matches. Only children, fools and football fans think that's sufficient. I think Pompey's late move to snatch Tommy Smith was a massive blow. It was significant how keen Smith was to link up again with his boss from last season; unfortunately Premier League football and a few thousand Pounds a week more proved too tempting to spurn.
If I thought sacking Rodgers would improve Reading's chances of finishing this season with more points I'd be calling for his head. I don't; I believe sincerely that it was a fortunate day for Reading F.C. and its supporters when Rodgers signed his managerial contract with you. He will lead you back into The Premier League within the next three years.

[Barry the bird boggler]

He has another 3 years under JM

He may have a few months if there's going to be a new regime.

[PEARCEY]

He has another 3 years under JM

He may have a few months if there's going to be a new regime.

How long did Burns and Bullivant have under JM? Rodgers will get the push if we continue to struggle.

[facaldaqui]

Bullivant was given too long. By the time he was sacked, we were pretty well doomed to relegation and Burns did not have time to save us even if he were capable of it. I hope Madejski learns from that error and, if we don't improve soon, acts quickly to get a new manager in before the transfer window. The best model is Blackburn last season, where Ince was shown the door quickly and ruthlessly. This gave Allardyce time to engineer a successful rearguard action.

There are, however, pitfalls and no guarantees. Paul Jewel (though he came in later than Allardyce) failed to save Derby, and he was given time to sign a new clutch of players in the window. This proved a long-term problem for them because the new players became tainted with the failure to avoid relegation and were unable to mount a promotion challenge after they'd gone down. A bit like the Burns team, but Burns had much less time to fight relegation than Jewel. Jewel has said that he regretted signing the players he did in the window. Any players we sign in the window will have to be on Championship wages, which would become a handicap next year if we get relegated. Particularly if they are crap.

If Madejski has to leave it late to get rid of Rodgers, say February or April, I would advise a caretaker. Because any new manager might be tainted by going down, though Parky has shown that you can recover in those circumstances and revive the team for a promotion challenge from the 1st division.

[Ian Royal]

Fortunately, your Chairman, who doesn't appear to be very popular amongst Reading supporters, has shown loyalty is a characteristic he prizes highly. Therefore I expect Rodgers will be Reading Manager for a long time yet.
Personally, I wish Rodgers had stayed at Watford, but I'm not a Reading fan. I was impressed by Rodgers' time at Vicarage Road and intended buying Watford on the spreadbetting this season; I fully expected The Hornets to be on the fringes of the play-offs 2009-10. Unfortunately Coppell resigned and the only club outside The Premier League that could tempt Rodgers to quit Watford came calling. I bought Reading at a higher price than I'd have got Watford for, and I've been shelling out money ever since.
This hasn't made me doubt Rodgers. The reaction of so many of you fans of The Biscuitmen hasn't surprised me; it would be similar from any other club's supporters in the current position. That doesn't make it any less foolish and short-sighted. He's been in charge for thirteen competitive matches. Only children, fools and football fans think that's sufficient. I think Pompey's late move to snatch Tommy Smith was a massive blow. It was significant how keen Smith was to link up again with his boss from last season; unfortunately Premier League football and a few thousand Pounds a week more proved too tempting to spurn.
If I thought sacking Rodgers would improve Reading's chances of finishing this season with more points I'd be calling for his head. I don't; I believe sincerely that it was a fortunate day for Reading F.C. and its supporters when Rodgers signed his managerial contract with you. He will lead you back into The Premier League within the next three years.

You obviously haven't been watching us. It wouldn't be as bad if we showed any signs of sorting ourselves out. Or he showed any signs of having a clue what he's doing. But his whole tenure so far has been one example of a mouthy git who hasn't got a clue after another.

All the while Malky MacKay is doing fine with Watford, despite losing two or three of their best players. I think that tells us who the real person behind their turnaround was.

[floyd__streete]

If I thought sacking Rodgers would improve Reading's chances of finishing this season with more points I'd be calling for his head.

And what the f**k has it got to do with you, a Sunderland supporter?

[Archie's penalty]

Fortunately, your Chairman, who doesn't appear to be very popular amongst Reading supporters, has shown loyalty is a characteristic he prizes highly. Therefore I expect Rodgers will be Reading Manager for a long time yet.
Personally, I wish Rodgers had stayed at Watford, but I'm not a Reading fan. I was impressed by Rodgers' time at Vicarage Road and intended buying Watford on the spreadbetting this season; I fully expected The Hornets to be on the fringes of the play-offs 2009-10. Unfortunately Coppell resigned and the only club outside The Premier League that could tempt Rodgers to quit Watford came calling. I bought Reading at a higher price than I'd have got Watford for, and I've been shelling out money ever since.
This hasn't made me doubt Rodgers. The reaction of so many of you fans of The Biscuitmen hasn't surprised me; it would be similar from any other club's supporters in the current position. That doesn't make it any less foolish and short-sighted. He's been in charge for thirteen competitive matches. Only children, fools and football fans think that's sufficient. I think Pompey's late move to snatch Tommy Smith was a massive blow. It was significant how keen Smith was to link up again with his boss from last season; unfortunately Premier League football and a few thousand Pounds a week more proved too tempting to spurn.
If I thought sacking Rodgers would improve Reading's chances of finishing this season with more points I'd be calling for his head. I don't; I believe sincerely that it was a fortunate day for Reading F.C. and its supporters when Rodgers signed his managerial contract with you. He will lead you back into The Premier League within the next three years.

Good and measured post. Thanks for coming on here.

To Ian - Mackay is doing fine eh? Last two home games Watford have let in 7 goals and scored only two. Doesn't sound that fine to me.

And to Floyde. Outside perspectives are interesting. If he hasn't watched Reading as much as we have, he seems to have watched Watford more than we have last year.

I am coming round to the idea of letting Rodgers have the season. But maybe that's just because of being at Preston.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Fortunately, your Chairman, who doesn't appear to be very popular amongst Reading supporters, has shown loyalty is a characteristic he prizes highly. Therefore I expect Rodgers will be Reading Manager for a long time yet.
Personally, I wish Rodgers had stayed at Watford, but I'm not a Reading fan. I was impressed by Rodgers' time at Vicarage Road and intended buying Watford on the spreadbetting this season; I fully expected The Hornets to be on the fringes of the play-offs 2009-10. Unfortunately Coppell resigned and the only club outside The Premier League that could tempt Rodgers to quit Watford came calling. I bought Reading at a higher price than I'd have got Watford for, and I've been shelling out money ever since.
This hasn't made me doubt Rodgers. The reaction of so many of you fans of The Biscuitmen hasn't surprised me; it would be similar from any other club's supporters in the current position. That doesn't make it any less foolish and short-sighted. He's been in charge for thirteen competitive matches. Only children, fools and football fans think that's sufficient. I think Pompey's late move to snatch Tommy Smith was a massive blow. It was significant how keen Smith was to link up again with his boss from last season; unfortunately Premier League football and a few thousand Pounds a week more proved too tempting to spurn.
If I thought sacking Rodgers would improve Reading's chances of finishing this season with more points I'd be calling for his head. I don't; I believe sincerely that it was a fortunate day for Reading F.C. and its supporters when Rodgers signed his managerial contract with you. He will lead you back into The Premier League within the next three years.

Good and measured post. Thanks for coming on here.

To Ian - Mackay is doing fine eh? Last two home games Watford have let in 7 goals and scored only two. Doesn't sound that fine to me.

And to Floyde. Outside perspectives are interesting. If he hasn't watched Reading as much as we have, he seems to have watched Watford more than we have last year.

I am coming round to the idea of letting Rodgers have the season. But maybe that's just because of being at Preston.

Great post.

I just think lots have less faith in Rodgers.

I was a strong believer, becoming very hard to keep the faith....

[Man Friday]

Fortunately, your Chairman, who doesn't appear to be very popular amongst Reading supporters, has shown loyalty is a characteristic he prizes highly. Therefore I expect Rodgers will be Reading Manager for a long time yet.
Personally, I wish Rodgers had stayed at Watford, but I'm not a Reading fan. I was impressed by Rodgers' time at Vicarage Road and intended buying Watford on the spreadbetting this season; I fully expected The Hornets to be on the fringes of the play-offs 2009-10. Unfortunately Coppell resigned and the only club outside The Premier League that could tempt Rodgers to quit Watford came calling. I bought Reading at a higher price than I'd have got Watford for, and I've been shelling out money ever since.
This hasn't made me doubt Rodgers. The reaction of so many of you fans of The Biscuitmen hasn't surprised me; it would be similar from any other club's supporters in the current position. That doesn't make it any less foolish and short-sighted. He's been in charge for thirteen competitive matches. Only children, fools and football fans think that's sufficient. I think Pompey's late move to snatch Tommy Smith was a massive blow. It was significant how keen Smith was to link up again with his boss from last season; unfortunately Premier League football and a few thousand Pounds a week more proved too tempting to spurn.
If I thought sacking Rodgers would improve Reading's chances of finishing this season with more points I'd be calling for his head. I don't; I believe sincerely that it was a fortunate day for Reading F.C. and its supporters when Rodgers signed his managerial contract with you. He will lead you back into The Premier League within the next three years.

You obviously haven't been watching us. It wouldn't be as bad if we showed any signs of sorting ourselves out. Or he showed any signs of having a clue what he's doing. But his whole tenure so far has been one example of a mouthy git who hasn't got a clue after another.

All the while Malky MacKay is doing fine with Watford, despite losing two or three of their best players. I think that tells us who the real person behind their turnaround was.

Interesting point. I hadn't considered that. It would explain why he's struggling so much this season.

[Ian Royal]

To Archie:

15 Watford 11 1 3 2 9 13 2 2 1 7 6 -3 14

Not bad for a team threatened with relegation last season, having lost it's three top scorers, one of it's creative wingers and its best centreback. Especially if they've been battered in the last two games.

It's plenty better than us anyway.

16 goals compared to our 9.

[Archie's penalty]

Fortunately, your Chairman, who doesn't appear to be very popular amongst Reading supporters, has shown loyalty is a characteristic he prizes highly. Therefore I expect Rodgers will be Reading Manager for a long time yet.
Personally, I wish Rodgers had stayed at Watford, but I'm not a Reading fan. I was impressed by Rodgers' time at Vicarage Road and intended buying Watford on the spreadbetting this season; I fully expected The Hornets to be on the fringes of the play-offs 2009-10. Unfortunately Coppell resigned and the only club outside The Premier League that could tempt Rodgers to quit Watford came calling. I bought Reading at a higher price than I'd have got Watford for, and I've been shelling out money ever since.
This hasn't made me doubt Rodgers. The reaction of so many of you fans of The Biscuitmen hasn't surprised me; it would be similar from any other club's supporters in the current position. That doesn't make it any less foolish and short-sighted. He's been in charge for thirteen competitive matches. Only children, fools and football fans think that's sufficient. I think Pompey's late move to snatch Tommy Smith was a massive blow. It was significant how keen Smith was to link up again with his boss from last season; unfortunately Premier League football and a few thousand Pounds a week more proved too tempting to spurn.
If I thought sacking Rodgers would improve Reading's chances of finishing this season with more points I'd be calling for his head. I don't; I believe sincerely that it was a fortunate day for Reading F.C. and its supporters when Rodgers signed his managerial contract with you. He will lead you back into The Premier League within the next three years.

Good and measured post. Thanks for coming on here.

To Ian - Mackay is doing fine eh? Last two home games Watford have let in 7 goals and scored only two. Doesn't sound that fine to me.

And to Floyde. Outside perspectives are interesting. If he hasn't watched Reading as much as we have, he seems to have watched Watford more than we have last year.

I am coming round to the idea of letting Rodgers have the season. But maybe that's just because of being at Preston.

Great post.

I just think lots have less faith in Rodgers.

I was a strong believer, becoming very hard to keep the faith....

I was very critical of him at first but I really liked what he did at Preston.

He needs to think outside the box a bit more when it comes to home form though. It's baffling why we are so bad at home.

[floyd__streete]

I am coming round to the idea of letting Rodgers have the season. But maybe that's just because of being at Preston.
I was very critical of him at first but I really liked what he did at Preston.

F*cking hell, how many more times are you going to mention Preston? Did you go to Preston, AP? Very magnanimous of you to offer Rodgers your conditional support for the season, although it was only three weeks away you were calling him a c*nt . you should have seen what we had to sit through yesterday; complete and unmitigated dross. You really liked what he did at Preston - Handbags Harris (who also attended this game but didn't feel the need to namecheck it every five minutes) informed me that in fact Rodgers tactics in the second half very nearly cost us another 2 goal lead.

[Maguire]

Handbags Harris (who also attended this game but didn't feel the need to namecheck it every five minutes) informed me that in fact Rodgers tactics in the second half very nearly cost us another 2 goal lead.

Well if Handbags Harris says so

We went there, we won. Rodgers' tactics resulted in three good away points yet still the h8ers use the game as a negative.

[floyd__streete]

We went there, we won. Rodgers' tactics resulted in three good away points yet.

Eventually even a blind man will knock down a coconut.

[strap]

It's baffling why we are so bad at home.

Why is everyone so baffled at the home form? It's really quite simple. BR insists on playing 4-2-3-1 at home. That means we have 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders protecting the back 4, 2 alleged wingers (one of which is that plank Kebel who can't cross a road or trap a bag of cement), leaving one winger attacking winger, one attacking midfielder and a lone striker!!!

This is at home remember!

Seeing that currently the attacking midfielder (Howard), the winger (McAnuff) and the striker (Rasiak), were panic buys at the end of the transfer window, I am not in the least baffled as to why we are utter crap at home.

Couple that with his ridiculously comnplicated "system", his utterly bizarre substitutions and constant chopping and changing of personnel, and I think the question should be "How on earth did we manage to srcape together 3 home draws in 6 home league games.

BR a "world class manager"?? You're having a laugh. That's like saying Kebe is a footballer, which of course we all know simply isn't true!

One huge monumental oxf*rd up by Mr mad, in the name of cost cutting.

Roll on the sale.

[Ark Royal]

It's baffling why we are so bad at home.

Why is everyone so baffled at the home form? It's really quite simple. BR insists on playing 4-2-3-1 at home. That means we have 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders protecting the back 4, 2 alleged wingers (one of which is that plank Kebel who can't cross a road or trap a bag of cement), leaving one winger attacking winger, one attacking midfielder and a lone striker!!!

This is at home remember!

Seeing that currently the attacking midfielder (Howard), the winger (McAnuff) and the striker (Rasiak), were panic buys at the end of the transfer window, I am not in the least baffled as to why we are utter crap at home.

Couple that with his ridiculously comnplicated "system", his utterly bizarre substitutions and constant chopping and changing of personnel, and I think the question should be "How on earth did we manage to srcape together 3 home draws in 6 home league games.

BR a "world class manager"?? You're having a laugh. That's like saying Kebe is a footballer, which of course we all know simply isn't true!

One huge monumental oxf*rd up by Mr mad, in the name of cost cutting.

Roll on the sale.

Seconded.

[Archie's penalty]

Look you malevolent moaning minnies I am not picking up the Royalee, W_R role here at all.

Just bloody see the bigger picture. That is all.

And yes I don't want to be a Jay. My C*nt comments were out of order. I don't want change yet, but as I said I'm giving Rodgers until xmas.