Apathy & Boredom- Dullest Pre-Season Ever

[howser]

There is for the first time in many years, an absolute magical crop of young lads that the academy has finally produced, highly talenetd with bags off effort and energy they will do well, my only slight worry is the lack of experience, I never expected there to be many players bought in during the summer that is just not Madejski's way, as long as he can get everything to do with team matters at Reading, on the cheap, he is happy, this to me was always the guaranteed appointment of manager, with Rodgers well aware of the "skin flint" chairmans ambitions to stay in the championship.

[Royal Rother]

Yet again we have this bollocks being spouted.

Tell me, what logical sense would it make for Madejski to prefer to remain in the Championship when promotion would most likely double the price he might expect for the club?

Of course he wants promotion but he is not going to jeopardise the long-term financial stability of the club by gambling its / his money to get there.

He has a risk management strategy in place that is designed to guarantee the club's future without him having to make further advances - but anyone who seriously doubts that he wants us to get back to the PL in the shortest possible time is a bit soft.

[rg6royal]

bring it on!

[Alan Partridge]

Yet again we have this bollocks being spouted.

Tell me, what logical sense would it make for Madejski to prefer to remain in the Championship when promotion would most likely double the price he might expect for the club?

Of course he wants promotion but he is not going to jeopardise the long-term financial stability of the club by gambling its / his money to get there.

He has a risk management strategy in place that is designed to guarantee the club's future without him having to make further advances - but anyone who seriously doubts that he wants us to get back to the PL in the shortest possible time is a bit soft.

Of course Madejski wants promotion, it gives him a much more saleable asset if he owns a Premiership club. He doesn't want to be the chairman again the Premeirship though,Reading proved last time that they simply won't compete with any of the other clubs in the league in the transfer market, it would be no different this time. Worse if anything as Man City's spending seems to have hiked prices up across the board. If by some miracle 'Rodgers Babes' won promotion it would be the proverbial lambs to the slaughter.

[papereyes]

It's pre-season.

Who cares?

The whole coming season is set up in these weeks? All of us should actually pay some attention to what's going on.

They may be dull, but they're pretty important.

[Jimmy the Tree]

Perhaps I have missed some choice deals, but it doesn't appear that there has been much inward movement in Championship Transfer Market (with the possible exception of Sheffield spunking their Tevez money). Most have been small beer or free. Which teams do people think have been active this year?

[Royal Rother]

AP, I'm glad you agree with me about JM's desire to get the club into the PL.

But I must take issue you with you on your other point - if we were to get promoted, however much money Man City and others might choose to spend, it doesn't mean the quality of players in the PL would have gone up between our visits to the top table. Actually it is pretty clear at the moment that the very best players in the world are being "highjacked" by the Spanish League, so, if anything, the quality is slightly on the wane.

We didn't spend anything much last time (comparitively) yet made a great impression and stayed for 2 seasons - and, let's not forget, that was achieved with a squad populated by a significant number of pretty well-exposed lower league types, free transfers and relative unknowns. As they didn't prove to be the proverbial lambs there should at least be some cause for optimism if Rodgers' Babes also prove good enough to gain promotion - because at least we could be pretty damned certain that they had more potential for improvement in them than Coppell's team had.

PS I'm not expecting promotion this season, but, having seen the improvement brought about by Rodgers in 1 month (playing against one of the best club sides in the world), I am certainly hoping for some exciting games. And who knows what can be achieved as his influence increases...?

[Alan Partridge]

AP, I'm glad you agree with me about JM's desire to get the club into the PL.

But I must take issue you with you on your other point - if we were to get promoted, however much money Man City and others might choose to spend, it doesn't mean the quality of players in the PL would have gone up between our visits to the top table. Actually it is pretty clear at the moment that the very best players in the world are being "highjacked" by the Spanish League, so, if anything, the quality is slightly on the wane.

We didn't spend anything much last time (comparitively) yet made a great impression and stayed for 2 seasons - and, let's not forget, that was achieved with a squad populated by a significant number of pretty well-exposed lower league types, free transfers and relative unknowns. If they weren't the proverbial lambs there should at least be some cause for optimism if Rodgers' Babes proved good enough to gain promotion - because at least we could be pretty damned certain that they had more potential for improvement in them than Coppell's team had.

Agree on the last point, however yes they were originally free transfers or fairly cheap players but they racked up 106 points and 2 defeats in 46 matches the season before. They were moulded into a team that had an unbelievable mentality who were all hitting their 'peak' years at the same time, I don't think the first season was that much of a shock although 8th was passed everyone's wildest expectations. The limitations came once the likes of Sidwell were leaving, maybe Shorey had his head turned and we never really had the clout to replace them. People say well we spent £2.5million on Fae, that's peanuts in the Premiership, it was also on a foreign player with no experience of the English league or lifestlye, brought in to replace someone of Sidwell's calibre. It needed a Gary O'Neil, we needed a Matt Taylor, these sort of guys, proven guys to come in and maintain Reading's status. It didn't happen then. I heavily doubt it'd happen now especially with what seems to be the financial constraints at the club.

The quality of players in the PL may well be on the wane but the fees aren't, we wouldn't compete even for the scraps of what the big clubs are spending. You see how much Hull are struggling to get players, Reading would be the same. Hull's fate in my opinion is practically already sealed at the moment. I must say a couple of season's steady progression with these youngsters would be far more beneficial long term on the pitch,than a Derby or a Watford type one off playoff winning season followed by a dismal relegation of which neither club has properly recovered.

The previous years near miss almost has to be forgotten for me, Rodgers team hopefully will be vibrant and energetic and hopefully will be schooled the right way, but they will make mistakes, the ywill be inconsistant and I just hope the supporters can understand that and are willing to be patient. Having said that if the team struggles this year it'd be interesting to see where the supporters would lay the balme, I don't mean on here but at the ground, would there be murmerings towards the management or board? I hope we don't get a chance to find out!

[CMRoyal]

AP, I'm glad you agree with me about JM's desire to get the club into the PL.

But I must take issue you with you on your other point - if we were to get promoted, however much money Man City and others might choose to spend, it doesn't mean the quality of players in the PL would have gone up between our visits to the top table. Actually it is pretty clear at the moment that the very best players in the world are being "highjacked" by the Spanish League, so, if anything, the quality is slightly on the wane.

We didn't spend anything much last time (comparitively) yet made a great impression and stayed for 2 seasons - and, let's not forget, that was achieved with a squad populated by a significant number of pretty well-exposed lower league types, free transfers and relative unknowns. If they weren't the proverbial lambs there should at least be some cause for optimism if Rodgers' Babes proved good enough to gain promotion - because at least we could be pretty damned certain that they had more potential for improvement in them than Coppell's team had.

Agree on the last point, however yes they were originally free transfers or fairly cheap players but they racked up 106 points and 2 defeats in 46 matches the season before. They were moulded into a team that had an unbelievable mentality who were all hitting their 'peak' years at the same time, I don't think the first season was that much of a shock although 8th was passed everyone's wildest expectations. The limitations came once the likes of Sidwell were leaving, maybe Shorey had his head turned and we never really had the clout to replace them. People say well we spent £2.5million on Fae, that's peanuts in the Premiership, it was also on a foreign player with no experience of the English league or lifestlye, brought in to replace someone of Sidwell's calibre. It needed a Gary O'Neil, we needed a Matt Taylor, these sort of guys, proven guys to come in and maintain Reading's status. It didn't happen then. I heavily doubt it'd happen now especially with what seems to be the financial constraints at the club.

The quality of players in the PL may well be on the wane but the fees aren't, we wouldn't compete even for the scraps of what the big clubs are spending. You see how much Hull are struggling to get players, Reading would be the same. Hull's fate in my opinion is practically already sealed at the moment. I must say a couple of season's steady progression with these youngsters would be far more beneficial long term on the pitch,than a Derby or a Watford type one off playoff winning season followed by a dismal relegation of which neither club has properly recovered.

The previous years near miss almost has to be forgotten for me, Rodgers team hopefully will be vibrant and energetic and hopefully will be schooled the right way, but they will make mistakes, the ywill be inconsistant and I just hope the supporters can understand that and are willing to be patient. Having said that if the team struggles this year it'd be interesting to see where the supporters would lay the balme, I don't mean on here but at the ground, would there be murmerings towards the management or board? I hope we don't get a chance to find out!

Excellent stuff. And a good point about Hull - I had a conversation recently with someone quite close to the Hull chairman, and the wage demands of some of the - frankly, quite mediocre by top flight standards - players they've tried to bag this summer would make your hair curl. He doesn't want the team to go down, but he's admitted that he almost looks at us with envy because at least we are sorted for the long-term, in his eyes anyway. Teams like us just will not be able to compete until it all goes pop, and I think that's behind a lot of JM's comments about overspending on overpaid players.

[Royal Rother]

Without having a billionaire Chairman prepared to risk / write off / underwrite the huge sums to compete in the transfer market, the best / likeliest / only? way of making real progress towards ultimate PL consolidation is to have a vibrant Academy that produces (relatively) cheap home grown players.

It is fantastic that we have made real progress towards that goal. And the fact that they are going to get a real chance to eatablish themselves as 1st team players this season (it would appear that way anyway) will only increase the attraction of our Academy. The long-term vision is really taking shape. Many supporters are only concerned with the here and now but thankfully the progress of the last 10 years has not been focused entirely on the existing 1st team squad of the day.

[Platypuss]

Without having a billionaire Chairman prepared to risk / write off / underwrite the huge sums to compete in the transfer market, the best / likeliest / only? way of making real progress towards ultimate PL consolidation is to have a vibrant Academy that produces (relatively) cheap home grown players.

It is fantastic that we have made real progress towards that goal.

Sadly, the experience of Middlesbrough shows that even that approach is "destined to fail".

[Alan Partridge]

Without having a billionaire Chairman prepared to risk / write off / underwrite the huge sums to compete in the transfer market, the best / likeliest / only? way of making real progress towards ultimate PL consolidation is to have a vibrant Academy that produces (relatively) cheap home grown players.

It is fantastic that we have made real progress towards that goal. And the fact that they are going to get a real chance to eatablish themselves as 1st team players this season (it would appear that way anyway) will only increase the attraction of our Academy. The long-term vision is really taking shape. Many supporters are only concerned with the here and now but thankfully the progress of the last 10 years has not been focused entirely on the existing 1st team squad of the day.

The only consolation this season for on the pitch and the value for money Reading are offering is the point above. At least the team will be full of 'our own' players. Academy players,apart from the big money signings, this is what fans generally want to see. OK not all of them are local but it's close enough.

The only ? mark over it is, are they all in on merit or is it because the options are limited at the minute? Can we not spend that much to replace some of the big names who have left and are we reliant on the young lads. That's what Southampton did, and while they were praised to the hilt, and as Platypuss says same for Boro, both clubs were relegated last season.

No one asked for huge sums at the time and I don't think anyone is realistically asking for them now but it was when we chose not to try and compete with Bolton and Fulham for players that the reality hit home, those teams spent, they stayed up we went down and while we were patting ourselves on the back it now seems we haven't got any money.

Hopefully Reading will provide a slightly new style under Rodgers we can see the young lads do quite well and the team does ok, somewhere in the middle or top half of the league would be excellent for this current squad in all honesty. It's a shame we couldn't really push on from the 2 outstanding years under Coppell but there is some hope with the youth. The only hope I have long term is we don't become a Coventry, a really dull predictable permanently 14th-16th side playing in a half empty ground.

[Royal Rother]

I know Boro have always spent big on strikers but (although I appreciate a balance between experience and youth is sensible) spending £13m + wages on Afonso Alves and however much on Mido seemed unlikely to produce the right mix to go with their good youngsters.

[Platypuss]

I know Boro have always spent big on strikers but (although I appreciate a balance between experience and youth is sensible) spending £13m + wages on Afonso Alves and however much on Mido seemed unlikely to produce the right mix to go with their good youngsters.

Easy to say in hindsight, RR.

[Alan Partridge]

I know Boro have always spent big on strikers but (although I appreciate a balance between experience and youth is sensible) spending £13m + wages on Afonso Alves and however much on Mido seemed unlikely to produce the right mix to go with their good youngsters.

I couldn't believe the Alves deal at the time, and it's just further proof of the shocking manager that Southgate is. Boro just sign unproven strikers for excessive money left right and centre. Peculiar as they don't do that anywhere else across the field.

Last season tho, they allowed an excellent proven keeper go and not replace him. Just use two young lads. They used youth constantly to cover their back 4, also their midfield and Tuncay apart had nothing up front. They were managed poorly by Southgate and whilst you have to admire Gibson's loyalty to his staff, Southgate should have been sacked last year.

[PlasticRoyale]

FIGHT FOR APATHY NOW!!!!!!!!!

[Wizard]

The official site won't load at the moment - anyone know why? It was working 20 minutes ago

[One Beer is never enough.]

The official site won't load at the moment - anyone know why? It was working 20 minutes ago

Works ok for me - not worth looking at tho, nowts changed.

[papereyes]

I know Boro have always spent big on strikers but (although I appreciate a balance between experience and youth is sensible) spending £13m + wages on Afonso Alves and however much on Mido seemed unlikely to produce the right mix to go with their good youngsters.

I couldn't believe the Alves deal at the time, and it's just further proof of the shocking manager that Southgate is. Boro just sign unproven strikers for excessive money left right and centre. Peculiar as they don't do that anywhere else across the field.

Last season tho, they allowed an excellent proven keeper go and not replace him. Just use two young lads. They used youth constantly to cover their back 4, also their midfield and Tuncay apart had nothing up front. They were managed poorly by Southgate and whilst you have to admire Gibson's loyalty to his staff, Southgate should have been sacked last year.

They made do, using kids to cover gaps in the squad that astute signings could have covered just as well. Using kids in that manner is something I want to see but I genuinely doubt that you can rely on it as a long term strategy. There are some positions that will always need something extra, whether that be genuine talent, genuine pace or experience.

[Royal Rother]

I know Boro have always spent big on strikers but (although I appreciate a balance between experience and youth is sensible) spending £13m + wages on Afonso Alves and however much on Mido seemed unlikely to produce the right mix to go with their good youngsters.

Easy to say in hindsight, RR.

The archives would prove otherwise... I'm sure TMD would love to search out my views at the time he was signed.