José Gomes whelmguage

[Eaststandman]

I've been searching for parallels for this appointment and there is one:-

Claude Anelka!

[Denver Royal]

I'm confused as fcuk but 100% behind the manager. Feels like too much misplaced ire directed at him. He's basically a patsy and absolutely not to blame for anything. Not his fault the heirarchy at the club have had a 3 week long collective brainfart and I won't be blaming Gomes if or when it goes even more to shit than it already is

That's how I feel, too.
(Btw, you've made some excellent posts on this topic in recent days, reasoned and considered. Well said, m8.)

But yeah, during the manager 'search', one thing that struck me was how far apart and diverse the fan base in here was, as far as who they wanted. Not only that, responses were extreme. For example, I suggested that if staying up is #1 priority then I'd maybe look at Bruce or Big Sam. That was basically met with 'Feck off, I don't want them anywhere near our club!'. Then you had people wanting Ainsworth, the Cowley bros, etc. Some wanted Parky (and yet, want us to play attacking/attractive/entertaining footy at the same time??). Murty. The return of BMc or Pards. O'Shea. Marshall. And that's without talking about any foreigners. It just seemed that the choices were all over the place, with quite different candidates and credentials.

[From Despair To Where?]

I really want Gomes to do well, phenomenally well in fact because it will go some way to restoring faith that the people running the club are not completely clueless.

I've consistantly backed the owners in the past but these last 3 weeks have fundamentally rocked my belief in them. And it all looked so rosy when Gourlay left.

[CountryRoyal]

Ask some questions


4 Why do people say, "First thing he needs to do is sort out our defence" when his record (and the words of Portuguese pundits) say he is not good defensively? Tbf that still is the first thing he needs to sort out, that and whether or not he can or can't are not mutually exclusive.

What I mean is (arguing that our defensive qualities are definitely lacking)

why bring in a manager who has been criticised for NOT being good defensively?

Yeah I suspect my answer is the same as everyone else’s in that case.

Not a fcuking clue!

[CountryRoyal]

It’s funny how everyone is of the same opinion we haven’t heard one person saying “I’m sure the people in charge are much more qualified to make these decisions than you”. It makes a pleasant change.

[From Despair To Where?]

They probably are but I'd love to know what they've been smoking for the last 3 weeks.

[Lower West]

By 5pm on the 1st January. We'll have a clearer idea if he is indeed the new Messiah or just the Emperor in new clothes.

[Snowball]

Just to go on record...

When we start looking at Gomes' RFC statistics what is fair?

Include every game? (He can hardly have much effect by Wednesday or Saturday)

Ignore the first two games?


I am going to write off the Millwall-QPR games in terms of his stats.

I'm saying so NOW, so those no confusion/accusations later.

BTW I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

[Eaststandman]

I'm confused as fcuk but 100% behind the manager. Feels like too much misplaced ire directed at him. He's basically a patsy and absolutely not to blame for anything. Not his fault the heirarchy at the club have had a 3 week long collective brainfart and I won't be blaming Gomes if or when it goes even more to shit than it already is

That's how I feel, too.
(Btw, you've made some excellent posts on this topic in recent days, reasoned and considered. Well said, m8.)

But yeah, during the manager 'search', one thing that struck me was how far apart and diverse the fan base in here was, as far as who they wanted. Not only that, responses were extreme. For example, I suggested that if staying up is #1 priority then I'd maybe look at Bruce or Big Sam. That was basically met with 'Feck off, I don't want them anywhere near our club!'. Then you had people wanting Ainsworth, the Cowley bros, etc. Some wanted Parky (and yet, want us to play attacking/attractive/entertaining footy at the same time??). Murty. The return of BMc or Pards. O'Shea. Marshall. And that's without talking about any foreigners. It just seemed that the choices were all over the place, with quite different candidates and credentials.

So, the owners solution is, let's get somebody in with NO experience and an appalling cv! Yep that sounds like a coherent plan!

[Snowball]

It’s funny how everyone is of the same opinion we haven’t heard one person saying “I’m sure the people in charge are much more qualified to make these decisions than you”. It makes a pleasant change.

Usually I WOULD say that but the Chinese owners
have never talked up their football knowledge,
the CEO is not "big on" football knowledge, and
we don't currently have anyone obvious with the
necessary knowledge who is CLEARLY in post

[Denver Royal]

I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

Ha, that didn't take long.

So, er, how many games would it be before he is entitled to any credit then?

[Snowball]

I really want Gomes to do well, phenomenally well in fact because it will go some way to restoring faith that the people running the club are not completely clueless.

I've consistantly backed the owners in the past but these last 3 weeks have fundamentally rocked my belief in them. And it all looked so rosy when Gourlay left.

Reading FC Odds

7,500-1 To be Champions

2,000-1 Mere Promotion

1,000 To Finish in Top Six

100-1 To Finish in Top Half

5/4 to stay up

[Snowball]

I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

Ha, that didn't take long.

So, er, how many games would it be before he is entitled to any credit then?

Hell, even when I post BEFORE a ball is kicked the accusations are out?

I repeat

I am going to write off the Millwall-QPR games in terms of his stats.

I'm saying so NOW, so there is no confusion/accusations later.

BTW I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

[Denver Royal]

I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

Ha, that didn't take long.

So, er, how many games would it be before he is entitled to any credit then?

Hell, even when I post BEFORE a ball is kicked the accusations are out?
I repeat
I am going to write off the Millwall-QPR games in terms of his stats.
I'm saying so NOW, so there is no confusion/accusations later.

Not fair to judge the first two results. A manager hardly has time to have an effect

BTW I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

As I recall, Clement got a ton of credit for his first game in charge (1-0 win over QPR).
But hey, if things are to be different now, so be it.

[Snowball]

Ha, that didn't take long.

So, er, how many games would it be before he is entitled to any credit then?

Hell, even when I post BEFORE a ball is kicked the accusations are out?
I repeat
I am going to write off the Millwall-QPR games in terms of his stats.
I'm saying so NOW, so there is no confusion/accusations later.
BTW I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

As I recall, Clement got a ton of credit for his first game in charge (1-0 win over QPR).
If things are different now, so be it.

No things "are not different"

IMO judging a manager's effect for a Wednesday game at Millwall when he will
probably not have MET the players on grass until Sunday/Monday is bonkers.

We saw change beginning to occur under the caretaker, and I think, under him
we would have won at Millwall. But to judge him (the caretaker) on the Sheffield game
is hardly fair (because it was so soon). He even said it takes a while to get to know the player's capabilities.

So for the new permanent manager, it will take a while for the team to start playing his way

In an ideal world I'd probably want to write off six games, but two is a reasonable compromise.

Others can do as they think fit. I'm just making my stance clear.


Say Millwall 3-0 RFC

Nobber 1 - See the new manager is useless

Nobber 2 - Not Fair. New Manager hasn't had time to get his philosophy across

Each game's results weakens the second Nobber's argument

The first 2-3-4 games could be anything. We MAY see an immediate effect, we may not,
but I think it's reasonable to call the first two game neutral territory. The wins
or losses or draws in those two could be down to Clement, the Caretaker or
the (small) influence of the new manager. So I'm ignoring two games

[Sutekh]

It’s funny how everyone is of the same opinion we haven’t heard one person saying “I’m sure the people in charge are much more qualified to make these decisions than you”. It makes a pleasant change.

Usually I WOULD say that but the Chinese owners
have never talked up their football knowledge,
the CEO is not "big on" football knowledge, and
we don't currently have anyone obvious with the
necessary knowledge who is CLEARLY in post

I reckon there may have been some conversation between Reading’s Chinese owners and Wolves’ Chinese owners with them being impressed with the model there and wanting to follow it so have then reached out to an agent with a good few Portuguese contacts.

[Snowball]

It’s funny how everyone is of the same opinion we haven’t heard one person saying “I’m sure the people in charge are much more qualified to make these decisions than you”. It makes a pleasant change.

Usually I WOULD say that but the Chinese owners
have never talked up their football knowledge,
the CEO is not "big on" football knowledge, and
we don't currently have anyone obvious with the
necessary knowledge who is CLEARLY in post

I reckon there may have been some conversation between Reading’s Chinese owners and Wolves’ Chinese owners with them being impressed with the model there and wanting to follow it so have then reached out to an agent with a good few Portuguese contacts.

I hope so, otherwise it's tea-leaves

[Denver Royal]

It’s funny how everyone is of the same opinion we haven’t heard one person saying “I’m sure the people in charge are much more qualified to make these decisions than you”. It makes a pleasant change.

Usually I WOULD say that but the Chinese owners
have never talked up their football knowledge,
the CEO is not "big on" football knowledge, and
we don't currently have anyone obvious with the
necessary knowledge who is CLEARLY in post

I reckon there may have been some conversation between Reading’s Chinese owners and Wolves’ Chinese owners with them being impressed with the model there and wanting to follow it so have then reached out to an agent with a good few Portuguese contacts.

If in fact we 'did a Wolves', would everyone be happy?

[Old Man Andrews]

As with all issues of this nature it has to be Ian Royal

[tmesis]

Ha, that didn't take long.

So, er, how many games would it be before he is entitled to any credit then?

Hell, even when I post BEFORE a ball is kicked the accusations are out?
I repeat
I am going to write off the Millwall-QPR games in terms of his stats.
I'm saying so NOW, so there is no confusion/accusations later.

Not fair to judge the first two results. A manager hardly has time to have an effect

BTW I am expecting a good result at Millwall, but not "because of" Gomes

As I recall, Clement got a ton of credit for his first game in charge (1-0 win over QPR).
But hey, if things are to be different now, so be it.

Having Clement there sparked a huge increase in the work-rate of the players, as so often happens when a new manager takes over*. I don't recall any claims of him being some kind of tactical genius. In both of his early wins were were thoroughly outplayed, but determination carried us over the line.

* the increased work-rate yesterday may also have been due to knowing the new manager was there. I would expect something similar at Millwall.