Back From the Game Birmingham

[FiNeRaIn]

Was it just me or did you think the crowd reaction to our goal was distinctly underwhelming?

I think the east stand was more interested in sticking two fingers up at the Brum fans than actually celebrating the goal.

lol agreed. Good surge over to their direction when it went in. Lots of gestures were made that day.

[floyd__streete]

Was it just me or did you think the crowd reaction to our goal was distinctly underwhelming?

Kind of agreed, tbh though down the SE corner we couldn’t even see the ball hit the back of the net, it was all rather scruffy. Compare and contrast to the (relative) pandemonium which accompanied us taking the lead against Southampton at around the same time of the game.

[melonhead]

I wondered about that, but surely people wouldn't boo him for that?

Marlon King, was accused and convicted of ABH after breaking the 20-year-old student's nose after she rejected his advances in the Soho Revue nightclub in London last December.

The victim stated that , after rebuffing him when he groped her arse, the 29-year-old striker shouted "you're not even in my league, love, I'm a multimillionaire" before "smashing her in the face with a clenched fist".

Sounds like he was acting like an utterc*nt. Probably deserved to go to jail, but how long ago was this? 2, 3 years ago?

this may have been a second offence

[Ian Royal]

One thing I've noticed with our wingers - predominantly with McAnuff on the left yesterday - is where they actually are when they receive the ball from a full back. I'd say >80% of those occasions yesterday, the wingers were still in our own half. If they received the ball further up the pitch, would we have a greater chance of success in the final third?

Good question. I think the most crucial thing is whether they receive the ball in space or not, regardless of which half. We've seen both Kebe and McAnuff destroy defences when they get the ball in space moving forward on the break.

If the defenders are set and in position close to them then they have a lot more problems, especially given they tend to be doubled up on as they're our only real route of attack.

If they receive the ball in our half, it's then very hard for the full backs to overlap, because it only takes a quick change over of possession and suddenly we're deep in the crapper. Further up the pitch and it's easier for someone to get back to cover. But the wingers are less likely to have space and will probably be receiving the ball with back to goal when it's much much harder to beat your man / men.

[From Despair To Where?]

I wondered about that, but surely people wouldn't boo him for that?

Marlon King, was accused and convicted of ABH after breaking the 20-year-old student's nose after she rejected his advances in the Soho Revue nightclub in London last December.

The victim stated that , after rebuffing him when he groped her arse, the 29-year-old striker shouted "you're not even in my league, love, I'm a multimillionaire" before "smashing her in the face with a clenched fist".

Sounds like he was acting like an utterc*nt. Probably deserved to go to jail, but how long ago was this? 2, 3 years ago?

[/quote]

Didn't he do time whilst at Gillingham for handling stolen cars?

[If you still hate Futcher]

I was wondering whether this would get an airing

To the tune of give the dog a bone...

Punches girls, in the eye
Got caught now he's doing time
They split his ring, in D-Wing
They're all bumming Marlon King

Copyright R. Howard c/o BBC Comedy Dept.

[FiNeRaIn]

I dont like marlon king particularly, due the odd boo...however what is Reading fans obsession with always having pantomime villains in every team we play? Its really, really small minded and petty...concentrate on your own team. We go way overboard in singing songs about the opposition clubs, their fans and their players and hardly every sing support for any of our own. Andy Johnson, Emile heskey, Ronaldo, Marlon King, Jody morris, etc etc...just a few who received constant and over the top abuse for one reason or another. You are there to watch your own team and support your club..not watch the opposition players and fans.

I already know 1/2 high profile posters will take exception to this as they are some of the worst culprits of it.

[Big Foot]

One thing I've noticed with our wingers - predominantly with McAnuff on the left yesterday - is where they actually are when they receive the ball from a full back. I'd say >80% of those occasions yesterday, the wingers were still in our own half. If they received the ball further up the pitch, would we have a greater chance of success in the final third?

Good question. I think the most crucial thing is whether they receive the ball in space or not, regardless of which half. We've seen both Kebe and McAnuff destroy defences when they get the ball in space moving forward on the break.

If the defenders are set and in position close to them then they have a lot more problems, especially given they tend to be doubled up on as they're our only real route of attack.

If they receive the ball in our half, it's then very hard for the full backs to overlap, because it only takes a quick change over of possession and suddenly we're deep in the crapper. Further up the pitch and it's easier for someone to get back to cover. But the wingers are less likely to have space and will probably be receiving the ball with back to goal when it's much much harder to beat your man / men.

We constantly hear from posters on here, the media etc that we have "2 of the best wingers in the division" - I'd expect them to be able to beat a man in the final third, not get the ball in their own half and then run out of steam before getting near the opposing penalty area (as happened far too many times yesterday)

[sandman]

I dont like marlon king particularly, due the odd boo...however what is Reading fans obsession with always having pantomime villains in every team we play? Its really, really small minded and petty...concentrate on your own team. We go way overboard in singing songs about the opposition clubs, their fans and their players and hardly every sing support for any of our own. Andy Johnson, Emile heskey, Ronaldo, Marlon King, Jody morris, etc etc...just a few who received constant and over the top abuse for one reason or another. You are there to watch your own team and support your club..not watch the opposition players and fans.

I already know 1/2 high profile posters will take exception to this as they are some of the worst culprits of it.

Agreed, booing is over the top. Perhaps we should do something classy and understated instead, like sending bullets through the post.

[SHORT AND CURLY]

McAnuff sort of redeemed himself yesterday after setting up the goal.
Prior to that he was flippin awful!

I could not believe that he couldn't take on and beat Steven Carr (Brums version of Ian Harte!)

McAnuff had 90 minutes (OK 75 before he swapped sides) to get past him and I am struggling to recall him doing it once.
That is pretty poor play from a winger. I cannot help but think the burden of the Captaincy is holding him back.

Kebe was..........................................................just Kebe

[FiNeRaIn]

Agreed, booing is over the top. Perhaps we should do something classy and understated instead, like sending bullets through the post.

Your reading comprehension is pretty poor...no one said booing was over the top.

[sandman]

[FiNeRaIn]

[Woodcote Royal]

After being hopeful of making my second game of the season I had to, as per usual, rely on on-line coverage/updates.

Towards the end of the second half, "Know Nothing" Dellor started banging on about getting both Mills and Harte into the starting line-up

Now, as someone who still believes Harte's ageing legs could be "hidden" to a reasonable degree at centre back (and looking at McD's bench in recent times it seems obvious that he does, too) no one in their right mind would advocate sacrificing Pearce (because it wouldn't be Gorkks) to accomodate the cultured left foot we clearly miss by breaking up our promising young defence.

However, I needn't have worried, this was all too deep for "Know nothing" he wanted Harte back at left back and Mills on the wing and was, as per usual, so convinced by his own stupid ideas that he produced the most cringeworthy moment of the afternoon when he ran it past the Reading manager

Brian, clearly perplexed by this suggestion from Radio Berks' tactical genius, was reduced to saying it was possible to select any starting 11 you like and conceding that Ian Harte had a cultured left foot.

I'd happily send Mick Gooding a bucket of sand every Saturday if he'd place Dellor's head in it before kick off.

[Simon's Church]

Fairly sure there's a few posters on here who've had a very similar idea to that.

[Svlad Cjelli]

After being hopeful of making my second game of the season I had to, as per usual, rely on on-line coverage/updates.

Towards the end of the second half, "Know Nothing" Dellor started banging on about getting both Mills and Harte into the starting line-up

Now, as someone who still believes Harte's ageing legs could be "hidden" to a reasonable degree at centre back (and looking at McD's bench in recent times it seems obvious that he does, too) no one in their right mind would advocate sacrificing Pearce (because it wouldn't be Gorkks) to accomodate the cultured left foot we clearly miss by breaking up our promising young defence.

However, I needn't have worried, this was all too deep for "Know nothing" he wanted Harte back at left back and Mills on the wing and was, as per usual, so convinced by his own stupid ideas that he produced the most cringeworthy moment of the afternoon when he ran it past the Reading manager

Brian, clearly perplexed by this suggestion from Radio Berks' tactical genius, was reduced to saying it was possible to select any starting 11 you like and conceding that Ian Harte had a cultured left foot.

I'd happily send Mick Gooding a bucket of sand every Saturday if he'd place Dellor's head in it before kick off.

Yep - why not make the bucket of sand a subscription issue- I'm sure there'll be enough prepared to contribute. Some more discussion of this here (further down the thread) : http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=106270&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

[Hoop Blah]

To be fair to Dellor he was looking for a solution to the problem we have of not being able to create or take chances.

Harte may help that IF you could get him in the side. We're struggling with our wingers because Kebe is out of sorts/wanting away/getting back from injury and McAnuff and Robson-Kanu are off form. We don't have a lot of other solutions within the squad.

The idea was discussed among Dellor, Gooding and Williams and it wasn't totally dismissed (although personally I think it probably should've been) so it's not just Dellor talking rubbish here, and it wasn't just Gooding and Williams trying to make their boss look stupid either.

As I've said, I think we need to go out and get someone to add to our attacking threat because otherwise we're left with dodgy solutions like this to try and kick start things (unless Obita is back to fitness and banging down the managers door for a chance).

[melonhead]

541

harte gorkss pearce CBs
mills/cumming flying wingers
same midfield, but with wingers relieved of dfensive duties
lefondre up front.


but i cant see that ever happenning

[Woodcote Royal]

To be fair to Dellor he was looking for a solution to the problem we have of not being able to create or take chances.

Harte may help that IF you could get him in the side. We're struggling with our wingers because Kebe is out of sorts/wanting away/getting back from injury and McAnuff and Robson-Kanu are off form. We don't have a lot of other solutions within the squad.

The idea was discussed among Dellor, Gooding and Williams and it wasn't totally dismissed (although personally I think it probably should've been) so it's not just Dellor talking rubbish here, and it wasn't just Gooding and Williams trying to make their boss look stupid either.

As I've said, I think we need to go out and get someone to add to our attacking threat because otherwise we're left with dodgy solutions like this to try and kick start things (unless Obita is back to fitness and banging down the managers door for a chance).

One of the main reasons we got to the play offs last season was because Long came good but we're still waiting for someone to step up to the plate in this campaign. Its fair enough not to spend all your budget in the summer and I'm sure Brian has more should he need it.

Right now the defence is shaping up very nicely but something needs to happen up front.

I've never seen Obita kick a ball but he was enjoying rave reviews in August yet Brian does seem rather reluctant at times to give certain youngsters their chance. I didn't realise he's been injured but surely just his presence on the bench might give McAnuff and Kebe a jolt?

The strikers are becoming a concern and I agree that this is where money may have to be spent which will mean someone leaving sooner rather than later.

Nothing would please me more than to see Noel Hunt become the player he once was but will that ever happen?

I had high hopes for Manset but right now he reminds me more of Devon Malcolm than Marlon King and as for Churchy, I still believe there's a decent footballer in there somewhere but, in all honesty, I doubt I've seen more poor performances from another player in the last few seasons.

We did fantastic business the day we signed ALF and Brians main task now is to sort the supporting cast because, IMHO, this guy has the quality in front of goal to get us out of this division.

[If you still hate Futcher]

Why, when we finally have the defence settled and working well together, would we want to chop it around just to accommodate Harte's left foot, which let's face it wasn't all that cultured the earlier in the season - that's aimed at Dellor not you Meloncat

We could look at a 4-2-3-1. You could argue we almost play that at the moment although it's more a 4-2-4 as we don't really have anyone to play in the centre of the 3. But when McD tried to change formation during the Boro(?) game we lost our way (having been on top) and they came into it more.

I hope and would also expect that McD is waiting to see what happens to Howard - if he comes back he could get a run in the side or (IMHO) he'll go in January and (fingers crossed) we'll get someone else in.