Clarke interview on Goals on Sunday

[Ian Royal]

Brian is a fighter. The team given time to develope will reflect his character.

No evidence of it yet tho ...

There is an absolute ton of evidence that Brian is a fighter, that his teams play with character and spirit and he has achieved the success that goes with it. 1 Championship title, 3 FA CUP Quarter Finals, 1 Play-Off Final.

You are just nuts to try and make judgements from 3 months working with a shambles. You can make no judgement on Brian until he has managed 3 years in his current spell. Otherwise all you want is a managerial merry go round which is a proven recipe for disaster.

You do realise the average managerial tenure is about 18 months right? I'm very happy with Brian in charge, but claiming you can't judge him for three oxf*rd years is just plain lunacy. Don't judge him now, but judge him in November / December - fine. But three years?!?

[Top Flight]

On that basis Coppell would have been sacked before he found the winning formula.

You would have attacked him for being tactically inept and a poor judge of a player when Brooker was our left winger and Owusu was our big striker with Les being super sub.

[RoyallyFcuked]

I can't believe how shit this season has turned out to be, the club/team have so boring and it seems like such an anti climax after such a promising start. For the first time in my life its actually made me lose a lot of my interest in the club, although that may be also partly down to the fact other interests of mine have become more interesting. (which isn't too difficult at the moment)

Some of us fans, myself included may have got a bit ahead of ourselves but up until the Fulham game we had good reason to believe we would be right up there at the end of the season because we were looking like genuine promotion contenders, a squad that on paper was good enough, playing some good football and most importantly consistantly getting results. Then it all changed and the season has petered out into nothingness.

I don't think Clarke is blameless, but there is definitely much more to that saga than we know. I think it was something (or a number of things) the club did to make him agree to speak to Fulham, and he did it to prove a point. It certainly didn't help things in the dressing room but lets not forget it happened after the Fulham game, which is where the capitulation started so things were already falling apart, so Clarke's actions just exacerbated things but they were not the root cause of the problem.

Clarke saying its a difficult club to manage and the clubs hierarchy are not easy to work with is exactly what I thought anyway, so I don't think its a lie to make himself look better. For me too much blame has been on Clarke and Adkins before him when the real problems are caused by the people running the club and this seems to have been the case for a while, particulary since the club was sold the first time to a Russian with no name.

McD coming back may have seemed like a marriage made in heaven to some, yes he knows the club and had success here but the other side of it is that it was a soft option, Brian will accept a low salary and not complain about the lack of backing and unfulfilled promises the club makes every season. He is a bit of a yes man in other words. Just makes you wonder where we would be now if we hadn't blown it at Fulham and went on to win the game instead, that seems to me to be where the problem started, to throw away a two goal lead in lose the game in that fashion clearly had a shattering effect on the confidence and morale of the team. Having said that though, we did draw with top of the league Brighton in the next game before dropping more points against Huddersfield and a poor defeat at Cardiff which did further damage. Pretty sure it was at this point Clarke spoke to Fulham, but when he agreed to stay we won the next game at home to Bolton. People seem to be really hating on Clarke, but remember if it wasn't for that run at the start of the season we may well have ended up going down this year.

The sad thing for me is remembering some of the excellent performances at the beginning of the season and then seeing how far we have fallen. Great wins against Burnley and Boro (2 of the top 3 sides, which just shows we should or at least could have been promotion contenders) and also vs Ipswich, Brentford and Bristol City. The Ipswich game was probably the best I've seen us play since the best Coppell days. I can remember reading the opposition fans bftg thread after we beat Bristol City away, with their fans saying things like "I thought they were by far the best team to have come here so far this season, won easily without getting out of second gear." It's hard to believe were in the same season now.

My point is, as much as many of the blind loyal (deluded) McD lovies on here will disagree, we will NEVER get that level of quality, confidence or consistancy under Brian. I like the guy and I respect what he did for the club but we can't live in the past. We got promoted under him largely due to an amazing team spirit from a lot of players that felt they owed the manager, but lets not forget that even then we were often coming away from games wondering how the hell we'd got a result. I said at the time it would be a mistake to bring him back and I have seen nothing to suggest I was wrong, so I stick by that. They do say you should never go back and I just do not see lightning striking twice. The bottom line is Brian is a limited manager that plays crap football and we will not make any real progress under him, based on our form since he came back we won't go anywhere, except maybe League One.

[Vision]

On that basis Coppell would have been sacked before he found the winning formula.

You would have attacked him for being tactically inept and a poor judge of a player when Brooker was our left winger and Owusu was our big striker with Les being super sub.

No he wouldn't. After the initial fall out from Pardew's departure we were steadily improving under Coppell and on the fringe of the play-offs in his first two season. Of course there were ups and down along the way but we were always a top half Championship side.

No-one is expecting miracles or even a promotion chase next season but if we're battling relegation going into the 2nd half of next season questions will rightly be asked. The circumstances of managing Reading will not suddenly get better (we'll completely lose parachute payments after next season) in the long run so if McD is struggling after a year then it's pretty fair to doubt whether he'll actually get it right long term..

Don't get me wrong, I'm hopeful and reasonably confident he will. But 3 Years without any tangible improvement? Not a chance.

[Top Flight]

On that basis Coppell would have been sacked before he found the winning formula.

You would have attacked him for being tactically inept and a poor judge of a player when Brooker was our left winger and Owusu was our big striker with Les being super sub.

No he wouldn't. After the initial fall out from Pardew's departure we were steadily improving under Coppell and on the fringe of the play-offs in his first two season. Of course there were ups and down along the way but we were always a top half Championship side.

No-one is expecting miracles or even a promotion chase next season but if we're battling relegation going into the 2nd half of next season questions will rightly be asked. The circumstances of managing Reading will not suddenly get better (we'll completely lose parachute payments after next season) in the long run so if McD is struggling after a year then it's pretty fair to doubt whether he'll actually get it right long term..

Don't get me wrong, I'm hopeful and reasonably confident he will. But 3 Years without any tangible improvement? Not a chance.

Yeah, I guess this is the issue. It's the definition of progress and how well he is performing the role. Everybody is in a different place along that spectrum. Of course, if we are in the bottom 3 come christmas, there will be a large percentage of nobbers losing patience. If we are somewhere in the middle then I would think the majority would be in favour of giving Brian more time and more transfer windows to get things sorted out.

I hope the owners will be fairly tolerant. I will be tolerant as long as we are not in danger of getting relegated. If relegation is looming then questions will be asked. We just won't know until the season is underway how we will feel. There are a lot of factors at play. If he is forced to sell and gets no money to buy decent players then I would think the finger would start to point towards the owners rather than Brian but all these things are unknowns to us at the moment.

[Hoop Blah]

To be fair Top Flight, I think most Reading fans are in the relatively close agreement as to what we expect from the team/manager (depending on the level of investment and support they're given).

It seems to be only you that thinks avoiding relegation under McDermott next season will be a success.

For what it's worth, I think McDermott will be under significant pressure to be within touching distance of the playoffs come December but IF we're performing well and entertaining along the way then he'll buy himself support through the January window.

If we're inconsistent, there's little sense of strategy, planning and development, and we're in 12/14th without looking in danger of closing the gap on 6th then I think he'll be in trouble.

[Top Flight]

To be fair Top Flight, I think most Reading fans are in the relatively close agreement as to what we expect from the team/manager (depending on the level of investment and support they're given).

It seems to be only you that thinks avoiding relegation under McDermott next season will be a success.

For what it's worth, I think McDermott will be under significant pressure to be within touching distance of the playoffs come December but IF we're performing well and entertaining along the way then he'll buy himself support through the January window.

If we're inconsistent, there's little sense of strategy, planning and development, and we're in 12/14th without looking in danger of closing the gap on 6th then I think he'll be in trouble.

I don't think it's only me that thinks that. I think there are quite a few Reading fans who can see the shambles and feel that just staying in the division will be an achievement in itself. Right now, it's hard to see where goals are coming from. We look toothless and weak, no creativity. Our current form and team look strong relegation candidates at the moment. Brian will have to make improvements just to keep us up. He is going to have to find goals from somewhere. A top striker is definitely needed.

[Hoop Blah]

I don't think it's only me that thinks that. I think there are quite a few Reading fans who can see the shambles and feel that just staying in the division will be an achievement in itself.

Well we'll just have to agree to disagree on that point then but I've not met a single Reading fan in the last few months that think we'll be doing well to avoid relegation next season.

If the owners pull the rug from under McDermott and we go into next season with very few of McDermott's additions and a couple of high profile sales un-replaced then perhaps I'd agree. I can't see that happening at the moment though and our budget should ensure our expectations are at least a solid mid-table showing.

[Sutekh]

I don't think it's only me that thinks that. I think there are quite a few Reading fans who can see the shambles and feel that just staying in the division will be an achievement in itself.

Well we'll just have to agree to disagree on that point then but I've not met a single Reading fan in the last few months that think we'll be doing well to avoid relegation next season.

This is where we are currently. Playing wise the last two seasons have seen the club go backwards more or less 20 years to where we were when Q&G finished their last season in charge i.e. a squad of players just about good enough to survive in the second division.

[Top Flight]

Remember this night of football?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eOkQ85ohxI

It was Bullivant in charge. We played a Forest side packed full of stars who were going for promotion with old Dave Bassett their manager.

That was a great night, full of passion, spirit, a great Elm Park crowd. Forest were killing us until our goal keeping coach Dave Beasant clumsily conceded a penalty and received his marching orders. Then we fought our way back into the game. There was that great Lambert goal where he dribbled past everyone and slotted in. And then a towering header from Linvoy to equalise. What a night.

I hope Brian can bring back nights like that. We were sh*te that season. We got relegated in the end. But football was fun in those days and the players played with a bit more fight.

[Sutekh]

Remember this night of football?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eOkQ85ohxI

It was Bullivant in charge. We played a Forest side packed full of stars who were going for promotion with old Dave Bassett their manager.

That was a great night, full of passion, spirit, a great Elm Park crowd. Forest were killing us until our goal keeping coach Dave Beasant clumsily conceded a penalty and received his marching orders. Then we fought our way back into the game. There was that great Lambert goal where he dribbled past everyone and slotted in. And then a towering header from Linvoy to equalise. What a night.

I hope Brian can bring back nights like that. We were sh*te that season. We got relegated in the end. But football was fun in those days and the players played with a bit more fight.

Just over 3 minutes in, worse open goal miss ever

Steve Stone

[Longhorn1970]

Brian is a fighter. The team given time to develope will reflect his character.

No evidence of it yet tho ...

There is an absolute ton of evidence that Brian is a fighter, that his teams play with character and spirit and he has achieved the success that goes with it. 1 Championship title, 3 FA CUP Quarter Finals, 1 Play-Off Final.

You are just nuts to try and make judgements from 3 months working with a shambles. You can make no judgement on Brian until he has managed 3 years in his current spell. Otherwise all you want is a managerial merry go round which is a proven recipe for disaster.

I now don't take anything you say seriously ..

[Longhorn1970]

To be fair Top Flight, I think most Reading fans are in the relatively close agreement as to what we expect from the team/manager (depending on the level of investment and support they're given).

It seems to be only you that thinks avoiding relegation under McDermott next season will be a success.

For what it's worth, I think McDermott will be under significant pressure to be within touching distance of the playoffs come December but IF we're performing well and entertaining along the way then he'll buy himself support through the January window.

If we're inconsistent, there's little sense of strategy, planning and development, and we're in 12/14th without looking in danger of closing the gap on 6th then I think he'll be in trouble.

Fair +1

[Top Flight]

No evidence of it yet tho ...

There is an absolute ton of evidence that Brian is a fighter, that his teams play with character and spirit and he has achieved the success that goes with it. 1 Championship title, 3 FA CUP Quarter Finals, 1 Play-Off Final.

You are just nuts to try and make judgements from 3 months working with a shambles. You can make no judgement on Brian until he has managed 3 years in his current spell. Otherwise all you want is a managerial merry go round which is a proven recipe for disaster.

I now don't take anything you say seriously ..

Is that because you don't agree Longhorn? Oh poor baby.

What is your point anyway Longhorn? Do you want McDermott sacked? What is it that you want?

[Maneki Neko]

No evidence of it yet tho ...

There is an absolute ton of evidence that Brian is a fighter, that his teams play with character and spirit and he has achieved the success that goes with it. 1 Championship title, 3 FA CUP Quarter Finals, 1 Play-Off Final.

You are just nuts to try and make judgements from 3 months working with a shambles. You can make no judgement on Brian until he has managed 3 years in his current spell. Otherwise all you want is a managerial merry go round which is a proven recipe for disaster.

You do realise the average managerial tenure is about 18 months right? I'm very happy with Brian in charge, but claiming you can't judge him for three oxf*rd years is just plain lunacy. Don't judge him now, but judge him in November / December - fine. But three years?!?

Even I think thats a bit mental. Though it does depend completeley on how much he is backed financially.
If he has to replace all the leavers with kids, maybe it wouldnt be so mental.
If he is backed so that 2/3 kids are supplemented with good players from lower leagues then maybe a year. If he gets to spend 10milololion on whoever he likes then he probably has 10 games.

[The Royal Forester]

Burnley were regulated from the Premier League and kept faith in their Manager and got promoted at the first attempt. Surely that shows that not chopping and changing managers can pay dividends. Who knows what may have happened if BM wasn't sacked when we were in the top flight? Football Club owners (and some fans) are too quick to panic these days and must learn to give a manager time to build a succussful team, especially when he has to start with players, who are rock bottom on confidence and skills.

[Maneki Neko]

No evidence of it yet tho ...

There is an absolute ton of evidence that Brian is a fighter, that his teams play with character and spirit and he has achieved the success that goes with it. 1 Championship title, 3 FA CUP Quarter Finals, 1 Play-Off Final.

You are just nuts to try and make judgements from 3 months working with a shambles. You can make no judgement on Brian until he has managed 3 years in his current spell. Otherwise all you want is a managerial merry go round which is a proven recipe for disaster.

You do realise the average managerial tenure is about 18 months right? I'm very happy with Brian in charge, but claiming you can't judge him for three oxf*rd years is just plain lunacy. Don't judge him now, but judge him in November / December - fine. But three years?!?

Even I think thats a bit mental. Though it does depend completeley on how much he is backed financially.
If he has to replace all the leavers with kids, maybe it wouldnt be so mental.
If he is backed so that 2/3 kids are supplemented with good players from lower leagues then maybe a year. If he gets to spend 10milololion on whoever he likes then he probably has 10 games.

[Hoop Blah]

Burnley were regulated from the Premier League and kept faith in their Manager and got promoted at the first attempt. Surely that shows that not chopping and changing managers can pay dividends.

Of course it can, but it depends on the circumstances of the club and the performance of the manager.

Hull have stuck with Bruce but not gone straight back up (they may do via the Play Offs of course) but it doesn't mean it can't work.

[genome]

Surely you guys have realised by now that Top Flight is an absolute mentalist

[Ian Royal]

Surely you guys have realised by now that Top Flight is an absolute mentalist

I know I'm tedious and long winded quite frequently... but I can't hold a candle to him. And some of the stuff he comes out is barking mad.