Rival Watch

[Clyde1998]

Quite.

I'd suggest that Stockport are starting to slip into the scrap. Recent form dropped to W 1 D1 L3.

They've got Lincoln (A); Luton (H); Wycombe (H); and Bolton (A) in their next six too. Could well be out of the play-off spots by the end of that and low in confidence going into the final set of fixtures.

[Clyde1998]

Oxford won 3-1 in Preston tonight and a suddenly out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Makes it more likely we could see both Leicester and West Brom in League One next season, along with Sheffield Wednesday.

[Sutekh]

Oxford won 3-1 in Preston tonight and a suddenly out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Makes it more likely we could see both Leicester and West Brom in League One next season, along with Sheffield Wednesday.

Guess SKY would suddenly be able to find more live 3rd division games in their schedules if these were to be the 3 relegated.

Leicester City have only ever spent one season below the top two divisions in English football, that was 2008-09 when they finished 1st in the third tier.

WBA have only ever had 2 seasons below the top two divisions (in 1991-92 and 1992-93) in which they finished 7th and 4th (then won the play offs).

Wednesday have played 8 seasons below the top two divisions (the first being in 1975-76 when they finished 20th, which is their lowest ever league position).

Leicester would be new opposition for Reading in the third tier but Reading have played both Wednesday and WBA at that level.

WBA are possibly the best placed of the three financially but have long since lost their PL parachute payments and would lose even more money on relegation despite their larger fanbase.

I believe Leicester have one more parachute payment due in the summer after their 1 year stint in the PL in 2023-24.

Sheff Wed are most at risk having still not resolved the ownership problems and if it’s not sorted by the end of the close season could face more point penalties from the FL.

Personally still be amazed if these are the 3 clubs that go down at the end of the season, certainly think WBA should be strong enough to get ahead of the bottom three by the finish. Suspect though that that 6 point deduction has completely deflated Leicester morale and they’ll likely be one of the others going down.

[Sutekh]

Stevenage’s trip to Bolton on 28 March has been postponed due to international call ups.

Reading host Wigan on that day, can’t see that one going the same way.

[Clyde1998]

According to Kieran Maguire, it seems Sheffield Wednesday could have a wage cap of £7m next season: https://x.com/KieranMaguire/status/2032551493723619697

That would probably suggest they'd not be towards the top of the division next year (although caveats include these figures are for all employees and there's been a few seasons of wage inflation since the 2023-24 season):


Derby and ourselves are Category One academies, so would have had higher staffing costs than most in this division.

[South Coast Royal]

Oxford won 3-1 in Preston tonight and a suddenly out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Makes it more likely we could see both Leicester and West Brom in League One next season, along with Sheffield Wednesday.

Guess SKY would suddenly be able to find more live 3rd division games in their schedules if these were to be the 3 relegated.

Leicester City have only ever spent one season below the top two divisions in English football, that was 2008-09 when they finished 1st in the third tier.

WBA have only ever had 2 seasons below the top two divisions (in 1991-92 and 1992-93) in which they finished 7th and 4th (then won the play offs).

Wednesday have played 8 seasons below the top two divisions (the first being in 1975-76 when they finished 20th, which is their lowest ever league position).

Leicester would be new opposition for Reading in the third tier but Reading have played both Wednesday and WBA at that level.

WBA are possibly the best placed of the three financially but have long since lost their PL parachute payments and would lose even more money on relegation despite their larger fanbase.

I believe Leicester have one more parachute payment due in the summer after their 1 year stint in the PL in 2023-24.

Sheff Wed are most at risk having still not resolved the ownership problems and if it’s not sorted by the end of the close season could face more point penalties from the FL.

Personally still be amazed if these are the 3 clubs that go down at the end of the season, certainly think WBA should be strong enough to get ahead of the bottom three by the finish. Suspect though that that 6 point deduction has completely deflated Leicester morale and they’ll likely be one of the others going down.

Two significant games I remember v Sheffield Wednesday.

The first was in January 1966 when we lost 3-2 at home in the FA Cup when Wednesday were a top level side -they scored the winner late on.

The second was December 1979 on a (Friday? ) night when we lost 2-0 to Jack Charlton's promotion team in-waiting.
I took my daughter and we both shivered towards the front of the South Bank.
At the end of the game we went to the Curzon Club, with my brother who was a regular there, to thaw out and watch the weekly meat draw.
Then it was a hazardous car journey back to Ringwood in the snow with fortunately very little traffic about.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Bolton showing that better teams than us can travel away to a struggling team and have a bad day.

[Clyde1998]

Bolton showing that better teams than us can travel away to a struggling team and have a bad day.

Was about to post similar. Certainly didn’t expect to see Rotherham 2-0 up.

Lincoln are beating Stockport 1-0 at half-time too.

[Sutekh]

Bolton showing that better teams than us can travel away to a struggling team and have a bad day.

Looking forward to our visit to Rotherham already.


…esp as it’s now 2-2

[Clyde1998]

Bolton got back to 2-2. Stockport lost 3-1 at Lincoln.

[Snowflake Royal]

According to Kieran Maguire, it seems Sheffield Wednesday could have a wage cap of £7m next season: https://x.com/KieranMaguire/status/2032551493723619697

That would probably suggest they'd not be towards the top of the division next year (although caveats include these figures are for all employees and there's been a few seasons of wage inflation since the 2023-24 season):


Derby and ourselves are Category One academies, so would have had higher staffing costs than most in this division.

Do you remember when people were trying to tell us we had the smallest wage bill in the division. LOL

[WestYorksRoyal]

Peterborough losing and sitting 14th as it stands. It's only a few weeks ago many were saying we had made the wrong managerial appointment.

[morganb]

Rotherham manager sacked and replaced by Lee Clark until the end of the season

Reading face Rotherham on Saturday 25th April

[tidus_mi2]

Rotherham manager sacked and replaced by Lee Clark until the end of the season

Reading face Rotherham on Saturday 25th April

Kind of disappointed because they looked pretty hopeless. Well maybe they'll be dead and buried or safe by the time we play them, would hate to go there and they have something to play for still.

[tidus_mi2]

Luton 1-1 Stockport, both teams drop 2pts so probably the preferred result, right?

Will go 5th today with a win.

[Sutekh]

Current ex-rival says…….

From the Reading Chronicle….

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/spor ... fc-season/

Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has reflected on his clashes with Reading FC during the 2005-6 Championship season.

Warnock has faced Reading 32 times during his managerial career, securing eight victories.

Reading finished top of the league in the 2005-6 season with 106 points, 16 ahead of Sheffield United.

"When you got your record points haul, we were out on top earlier in the season but Reading were so strong in every department. We finished 16 points behind, but we were still pleased to finish that far because it was still a good season for us. Reading were head and shoulders the best team and we couldn’t get near. Full credit to them," Warnock said to RoyalsTV.

Warnock, who has managed clubs such as Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers, praised the atmosphere at Reading and the interactions with supporters.

"I’ve always had a soft spot for Reading. It always felt like my kind of club with the fans right on top of you. I’ve had some stick since I’ve been going there over the years, but it’s always been with a smile, and I think I’ve given them a few things to talk about when I went back. It’s a good club and I’m pleased they are doing quite well again," he said.

Warnock reflected on the various encounters he has had with Reading throughout his career, including crucial matches with Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough.

"There was a lot of toing and froing. Even when I came back later, I remember having to get a result with Huddersfield to stay up so I’ve had battles with them all through my career. I’d rather play against Reading than the top Premier League teams, I call them bread and butter fans. They give me stick and I give them a bit of stick back. I think we enjoyed the battles. Even if one or two don’t like me, I think they respect me because we have always been very close. I don’t think that season will ever be repeated, it was just incredible. You didn’t have a weakness. I think you were quite fortunate with injuries, we had quite a few, but in the end, you walked it and we were just happy to hang on in there and go up with you," he added.

Warnock also mentioned his connection to Lewis Wing, who played under him at Middlesbrough.

"Even now, I like to keep my eye on Reading because Lewis Wing played for me. What a lovely lad. I enjoyed managing him, he scored some great goals and always made me happy going into training with a smirk. He doesn’t have any tap-ins," he said.

Warnock remains a prominent figure in English football, holding the record for the most games managed in the Football League and promotions achieved.

Presume there should be a full interview on RoyalTV somewhere at some point, can’t find it yet though.

[The Royal Forester]

It's on the home page on far right of the links under DK's photo. Says it was posted 1 day ago, only text, no video though.

Current ex-rival says…….

From the Reading Chronicle….

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/spor ... fc-season/

Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has reflected on his clashes with Reading FC during the 2005-6 Championship season.

Warnock has faced Reading 32 times during his managerial career, securing eight victories.

Reading finished top of the league in the 2005-6 season with 106 points, 16 ahead of Sheffield United.

"When you got your record points haul, we were out on top earlier in the season but Reading were so strong in every department. We finished 16 points behind, but we were still pleased to finish that far because it was still a good season for us. Reading were head and shoulders the best team and we couldn’t get near. Full credit to them," Warnock said to RoyalsTV.

Warnock, who has managed clubs such as Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers, praised the atmosphere at Reading and the interactions with supporters.

"I’ve always had a soft spot for Reading. It always felt like my kind of club with the fans right on top of you. I’ve had some stick since I’ve been going there over the years, but it’s always been with a smile, and I think I’ve given them a few things to talk about when I went back. It’s a good club and I’m pleased they are doing quite well again," he said.

Warnock reflected on the various encounters he has had with Reading throughout his career, including crucial matches with Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough.

"There was a lot of toing and froing. Even when I came back later, I remember having to get a result with Huddersfield to stay up so I’ve had battles with them all through my career. I’d rather play against Reading than the top Premier League teams, I call them bread and butter fans. They give me stick and I give them a bit of stick back. I think we enjoyed the battles. Even if one or two don’t like me, I think they respect me because we have always been very close. I don’t think that season will ever be repeated, it was just incredible. You didn’t have a weakness. I think you were quite fortunate with injuries, we had quite a few, but in the end, you walked it and we were just happy to hang on in there and go up with you," he added.

Warnock also mentioned his connection to Lewis Wing, who played under him at Middlesbrough.

"Even now, I like to keep my eye on Reading because Lewis Wing played for me. What a lovely lad. I enjoyed managing him, he scored some great goals and always made me happy going into training with a smirk. He doesn’t have any tap-ins," he said.

Warnock remains a prominent figure in English football, holding the record for the most games managed in the Football League and promotions achieved.

Presume there should be a full interview on RoyalTV somewhere at some point, can’t find it yet though.

[Sutekh]

It's on the home page on far right of the links under DK's photo. Says it was posted 1 day ago, only text, no video though.

Thanks, good spot - got it now, hope there is a video to follow…..

[tidus_mi2]

Exeter just taken the lead at Plymouth, that'll do nicely.

[morganb]

Exeter just taken the lead at Plymouth, that'll do nicely.

Finished 2-2