Hunts gone

[Orion1871]

So sorry it hasn't worked out for Noel. I wanted it to, but never had the feeling it would.

He is a good man who loves the club, and anyone celebrating this needs to take a long hard look at themselves (we know they won't).

[Sutekh]

Confirmed by the club. I'd stay off Twitter. A necessary decision, but not one to celebrate.

Just this.

[scumbag]

The definition of bittersweet. A wonderful servant to the club but we have been rapidly going backwards under his stewardship.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Not a major surprise based on what Couhig said in his BBC Sounds monologue - these owners are protecting their investment....

Performances and results have been sub par....

Wish Noel all the best...

Interesting to see who comes in now...

[skipper]

Right decision but a shame if he`s left the club completely, back to the U21s would have been a decent option.

That was my immediate reaction. Too good to waste. Keep him here for consistancy.

[Brogue]

No way was he going to stay on in a different capacity. Now he’s had a taste of management he will want to continue that.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

A little bit surprised. It leaves a slightly unpleasant taste. Couhig's statement is pretty dignified.

The club is always bigger than any one manager, player, or indeed, owner.

I guess two weeks until the next significant fixture means this is a good time to do it.

[From Despair To Where?]

I never want to see a manager sacked, especially one with such strong links to the club and he is a decent coach, but it's not even just the results, I don't see the team having any identity, which is baffling.

[RoyalBlue]

No way was he going to stay on in a different capacity. Now he’s had a taste of management he will want to continue that.

I don't know where he will be offered that. Hopefully a club will see the value that he can add to their academy/development programme.

[KC Royal]

Surely it'll be Bloomfield? Good L1 record, actually gave it a good go at Luton given the league position he inherited (they won 6 of their last 12 last season). And of course a big connection with Couhig and JJ. Quite possibly still lives locally?

I think it'll happen quickly, and I'd be happy enough with it.

Edit: don't even fcuking think of Ainsworth.

I've seen Ainsworth mentioned in a couple of places so probably best to address it now that we're now looking for a new manager. He's recently undergone heart surgery and AFAIK hasn't yet returned to Gillingham. I'd be very surprised if he goes anywhere this season.

[ILoveMoonPig]

That's a shame, I felt things were improving and it's hard to see us attracting someone who would provide more.

I can't help but remember someone on here when Noel got the job, saying words to the effect of "this means it's the beginning of the end for Noel at reading", as it's inevitable that any manager will get the sack eventually.

[KC Royal]

A little bit surprised. It leaves a slightly unpleasant taste. Couhig's statement is pretty dignified.

The club is always bigger than any one manager, player, or indeed, owner.

I guess two weeks until the next significant fixture means this is a good time to do it.

BIB - this. Definitely surprised at the timing, although must admit I did fear for him yesterday. The boos at the end of the game sounded strong.

That's a shame, I felt things were improving and it's hard to see us attracting someone who would provide more.

I can't help but remember someone on here when Noel got the job, saying words to the effect of "this means it's the beginning of the end for Noel at reading", as it's inevitable that any manager will get the sack eventually.

BIB - exactly my thoughts. Interesting that the coaches have stayed, although the fact that two of them only arrived in the summer would have made it difficult to sack them too I guess.

[fred sharpes nose]

Suprised and not surpised - IMO needed to get 10 points from next 6 games (10 from first ten, 15 from second ten, 20 from third ten etc) so I would have hoped he was kept until not mathematically possible to hit the target. My pedictions are Stevenage H - lose, Wigan A - draw, Rotherham H - win, Blackpool A - win Peterborough H - win, Bradford A - lose. So a doable target

Seems a bit premature for my taste

But RC and JJ know shed loads more - I would have expected them to have looked closely at training methods - many self inflicted injuries, team progression has been very slow, individual player improvement limited, style of play too much hoof ball, games generally dull.

IMO never thought Noel has what it takes to be a long term successful no. 1 - in reality always a stop gap appointment

Shame - good guy but it was going to happen sometime, now or December/Christmas or even after season ends

Fair play to Rob - buck stops with him (more impatient then I'd be but he knows loads more about whats really going on) , respectful communication and I believe not a comfortable decision for him to make.

Hope Noel not taking it too badly - hopefully he will find a gig soon - but can't see that being at League 1 level

I would be surprised if JJ hasn't already got 2/3 candidates quite someway through the process - so maybe an announcement towards end of week

[MR. CYNICAL]

A little bit surprised. It leaves a slightly unpleasant taste. Couhig's statement is pretty dignified.

The club is always bigger than any one manager, player, or indeed, owner.

I guess two weeks until the next significant fixture means this is a good time to do it.

BIB - this. Definitely surprised at the timing, although must admit I did fear for him yesterday. The boos at the end of the game sounded strong.

That's a shame, I felt things were improving and it's hard to see us attracting someone who would provide more.




I can't help but remember someone on here when Noel got the job, saying words to the effect of "this means it's the beginning of the end for Noel at reading", as it's inevitable that any manager will get the sack eventually.

BIB - exactly my thoughts. Interesting that the coaches have stayed, although the fact that two of them only arrived in the summer would have made it difficult to sack them too I guess.

Not sure I've noticed any improvement.
Who were the two coaches that arrived in the summer?

[MR. CYNICAL]

Nice guy, was always ambivalent about it but probably right.

Who’s up next for the hot seat

My money is on Matt. Bloomfield ex Wycombe player and manager, he took them to the Championship if I remember correctly. I think he is out of work having left/sacked by Luton Town this month. Couhig and Jacobson must know him well.

Think it was Ainsworth that got them promoted to the championship.

[KC Royal]

A little bit surprised. It leaves a slightly unpleasant taste. Couhig's statement is pretty dignified.

The club is always bigger than any one manager, player, or indeed, owner.

I guess two weeks until the next significant fixture means this is a good time to do it.

BIB - this. Definitely surprised at the timing, although must admit I did fear for him yesterday. The boos at the end of the game sounded strong.

That's a shame, I felt things were improving and it's hard to see us attracting someone who would provide more.




I can't help but remember someone on here when Noel got the job, saying words to the effect of "this means it's the beginning of the end for Noel at reading", as it's inevitable that any manager will get the sack eventually.

BIB - exactly my thoughts. Interesting that the coaches have stayed, although the fact that two of them only arrived in the summer would have made it difficult to sack them too I guess.

Not sure I've noticed any improvement.
Who were the two coaches that arrived in the summer?

Scott Marshall and Rob Shay. For me this all goes to back to Gibbs going, thought it was a big blow for Noel and I was surprised at the time it didn't generate more response on here.

[tmesis]

I never want to see a manager sacked, especially one with such strong links to the club and he is a decent coach, but it's not even just the results, I don't see the team having any identity, which is baffling.

Everything has felt so flat this season.

The players don't seem to have the hunger and spirit of last year. The crowd is completely dead. The club just feels hollowed out.

I do feel we are underperforming this season, but not by much. I just don't think this squad is that good.

[windermereROYAL]

Don`t think it`ll be an unknown foreigner, we had plenty of them from Kia and Dai.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I never want to see a manager sacked, especially one with such strong links to the club and he is a decent coach, but it's not even just the results, I don't see the team having any identity, which is baffling.

Everything has felt so flat this season.

The players don't seem to have the hunger and spirit of last year. The crowd is completely dead. The club just feels hollowed out.

I do feel we are underperforming this season, but not by much. I just don't think this squad is that good.

To get a club motoring, you need everyone on the same page from the boardroom down to the pitch. Ultimately that includes the fans too, but good performances and results will get them onside.

I'm not convinced Hunt and a lot of existing management were on the same page as the new ownership and executives. Something has just felt off and flat from the outside. Hopefully if the owners bring in their own man, that will help a bit by having everyone aligned.

But I also worry a bit that the owners just don't culturally understand football. Cleaner toilets, fireworks, better beer, food etc., are all perfectly good, but it doesn't bring fans back. A good team brings fans back, and the rest is just tinkering around the edges. The football is what matters and everything else is secondary. Minor league baseball in the US is nothing like the same, it's like watching the T20 bash or the Hundred in this country where you go and have a good time without too much concern about the result.

Hopefully they've also been jolted into action by the league table to prioritise the football.

[Hound]

I never want to see a manager sacked, especially one with such strong links to the club and he is a decent coach, but it's not even just the results, I don't see the team having any identity, which is baffling.

Everything has felt so flat this season.

The players don't seem to have the hunger and spirit of last year. The crowd is completely dead. The club just feels hollowed out.

I do feel we are underperforming this season, but not by much. I just don't think this squad is that good.

Yes it’s been a strange mix of a season. Even from pre season a lack of excitement

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why

It’s sad to see Noel leave but at the same time I do think it needed to be done. I’m concerned the way things were heading and we do need to have a fresh look at things with what we have player wise

Agree on the points which the coaching support as well.