Rival Watch

[Stranded]

Preston 2 up at Barnsley. Stays like that and we are 10 off the play-offs but with 2 games in hand.

Suggests a defeat tomorrow and outside chance of a play off run disappearing quickly.

[Hound]

Preston 2 up at Barnsley. Stays like that and we are 10 off the play-offs but with 2 games in hand.

Suggests a defeat tomorrow and outside chance of a play off run disappearing quickly.

3-0 now

That Barnsley revival ended quickly

[URZZZZ]

Probably put Fulham and Forest joint (along with Wednesday and Derby) and Leeds in their own weight class

I don’t think there’s too much wrong with Fulham, just a bit odd and a precious bunch who were convinced they were some sort of Barcelona remake when we nullified their tactics back in the PO

In terms of size and stature though, they’re not too dissimilar to us, along with Brentford

Forest, on the other hand, think they’re some sort of sleeping giant and are entitled to be in the Premier League

Living up here, the majority of Forest fans I’ve met are very decent - I don’t see any sense of entitlement at all, if anything they don’t get excited as they’re used to failure!

Remember they are in the top 5 in terms of club size, and bigger than half of the prem clubs if you were to base it purely on fanbase.

Compared to the Sheffield clubs when I lived their, they had over-inflated egos, Forest fans fair very well. Plus it’s a great away day

I dunno, a lot of their people on their forums and Twitter seem to the sort to belittle us. Obviously, it’s not the same as in meeting face to face because what people say in person/the Internet are two completely different things

Agree with Sheffield though especially Wednesday, they seem to be another over inflated bunch

[leon]

Forest are nearly as bad as Leeds, awful club, awful fans

WBA > Brentford > Fulham > Forest/Leeds

Probably put Fulham and Forest joint (along with Wednesday and Derby) and Leeds in their own weight class

I don’t think there’s too much wrong with Fulham, just a bit odd and a precious bunch who were convinced they were some sort of Barcelona remake when we nullified their tactics back in the PO

In terms of size and stature though, they’re not too dissimilar to us, along with Brentford

Forest, on the other hand, think they’re some sort of sleeping giant and are entitled to be in the Premier League

Fulham are the Brighton of SW London. Think they’re part of some sort of footballing elite.

A great deal of the Dads from my neck of the woods (mostly Dads) that take their kids all support Arsenal/Man U/Chelsea etc and this sense of entitlement gets transferred seamlessly.

[Old Man Andrews]

Probably put Fulham and Forest joint (along with Wednesday and Derby) and Leeds in their own weight class

I don’t think there’s too much wrong with Fulham, just a bit odd and a precious bunch who were convinced they were some sort of Barcelona remake when we nullified their tactics back in the PO

In terms of size and stature though, they’re not too dissimilar to us, along with Brentford

Forest, on the other hand, think they’re some sort of sleeping giant and are entitled to be in the Premier League

Fulham are the Brighton of SW London. Think they’re part of some sort of footballing elite.

A great deal of the Dads from my neck of the woods (mostly Dads) that take their kids all support Arsenal/Man U/Chelsea etc and this sense of entitlement gets transferred seamlessly.

Fulham have pound for pound the worst support in all of English football.

[WestYorksRoyal]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

[Stranded]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

Brentford have taken 17 points from the last 8 games - compared to 9 for Leeds and 8 for WBA. That is pretty ruthless - more than 2pts per game.

Forest 13 from last 6 compared to 5 and 4 for Leeds & WBA and if they beat us tonight they close the gap to 2.

Forest also have Brentford, Leeds & WBA in their next 6 games so the table could look very different by then.

Some of the chasing pack are looking more than capable of passing the top 2 in the coming weeks.

With the 08/09 season, it was more a 4 horse race wasn't it with Sheff United as well. To the extent that on the final day, a win for us would see us up, a draw against Brum would have sent Sheff Utd up and a Brum win saw them up. The latter happene.

[NewCorkSeth]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

Brentford have taken 17 points from the last 8 games - compared to 9 for Leeds and 8 for WBA. That is pretty ruthless - more than 2pts per game.

Forest 13 from last 6 compared to 5 and 4 for Leeds & WBA and if they beat us tonight they close the gap to 2.

Forest also have Brentford, Leeds & WBA in their next 6 games so the table could look very different by then.

Some of the chasing pack are looking more than capable of passing the top 2 in the coming weeks.

With the 08/09 season, it was more a 4 horse race wasn't it with Sheff United as well. To the extent that on the final day, a win for us would see us up, a draw against Brum would have sent Sheff Utd up and a Brum win saw them up. The latter happene.

Brentford have Leeds, West Brom and Fulham left to play. Could see them winning all those games.

[Hound]

Forest are certainly looking dangerous. If they beat us, they will really fancy their chances. Got some good players there and are looking to make some signings in the window. Cash, Sow, Grabban, Lolley and Samba are all very good champ players. I reckon they'll beat Leeds.

Brentford do seem to be a little wobbly away from home again, but at Griffin Park they are excellent. Fulham are always going to pick up plenty of wins as well - they have a number of injured players like Cairney and Arter back, and a pretty fearsome front line when Mitrovic is fit.

Basically WBA/Leeds really need to pick up very quickly if those 3 aren't to pass them.

[Old Man Andrews]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

Brentford have taken 17 points from the last 8 games - compared to 9 for Leeds and 8 for WBA. That is pretty ruthless - more than 2pts per game.

Forest 13 from last 6 compared to 5 and 4 for Leeds & WBA and if they beat us tonight they close the gap to 2.

Forest also have Brentford, Leeds & WBA in their next 6 games so the table could look very different by then.

Some of the chasing pack are looking more than capable of passing the top 2 in the coming weeks.

With the 08/09 season, it was more a 4 horse race wasn't it with Sheff United as well. To the extent that on the final day, a win for us would see us up, a draw against Brum would have sent Sheff Utd up and a Brum win saw them up. The latter happene.

Brentford have Leeds, West Brom and Fulham left to play. Could see them winning all those games.

Can't see them getting anything agaisnt Leeds. Leeds are like a wounded lion slowly getting back to full health. They are going to be be coming on so strong from this point forward. Can see them dominating.

[genome]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

I remember that loss of form. Just six wins from the last 22 games from Boxing Day onwards. Still not quite sure how we still could've gone up automatically on the last day

[Stranded]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

I remember that loss of form. Just six wins from the last 22 games from Boxing Day onwards. Still not quite sure how we still could've gone up automatically on the last day

We had 49pts from the first 24 which helped keep us in touch with the top 2.

Was crazy though, we just couldn't buy a home win - didn't win at home after January until the end of the season. We didn't lose too many, just 6 defeats in the last 22, it was the 10 draws that killed us.

[Hendo]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

I remember that loss of form. Just six wins from the last 22 games from Boxing Day onwards. Still not quite sure how we still could've gone up automatically on the last day

We had 49pts from the first 24 which helped keep us in touch with the top 2.

Was crazy though, we just couldn't buy a home win - didn't win at home after January until the end of the season. We didn't lose too many, just 6 defeats in the last 22, it was the 10 draws that killed us.

Didn't Doyle get 2 hatricks in a row or something like that in the first half of the season? Thought we were nailed on for promotion at Christmas.

[genome]

Yeah after that 3-1 win at Birmingham I was really confident.

I felt like Leeds fans must've felt about a month ago.

[Stranded]

I remember that loss of form. Just six wins from the last 22 games from Boxing Day onwards. Still not quite sure how we still could've gone up automatically on the last day

We had 49pts from the first 24 which helped keep us in touch with the top 2.

Was crazy though, we just couldn't buy a home win - didn't win at home after January until the end of the season. We didn't lose too many, just 6 defeats in the last 22, it was the 10 draws that killed us.

Didn't Doyle get 2 hatricks in a row or something like that in the first half of the season? Thought we were nailed on for promotion at Christmas.

Yeah against Palace (4-2) and Wednesday (6-0). We were scoring for fun at home.

Just looking at the results

First 15 home games that year our record was:

W 12 D 2 L 1 F 36 A 8 Pts 38

Last 8 Games

W 0 D 3 L 5 F 3 A 9

From 10th January to 9th March, no Reading player scored at the Madjeski - we actually beat Wolves in that run but the only goal was an own goal. 408 minutes - broken by a Long penalty against Charlton.

We just couldn't buy a goal although our defence remained pretty solid. Remember the game against Sheffield Utd vividly, we lost 1-0 but should have had a hatful that day.

Has there ever been such a crazy drop off in home form, just 1 win in that last 8 and we were up. Crazy.

[URZZZZ]

We had 49pts from the first 24 which helped keep us in touch with the top 2.

Was crazy though, we just couldn't buy a home win - didn't win at home after January until the end of the season. We didn't lose too many, just 6 defeats in the last 22, it was the 10 draws that killed us.

Didn't Doyle get 2 hatricks in a row or something like that in the first half of the season? Thought we were nailed on for promotion at Christmas.

Yeah against Palace (4-2) and Wednesday (6-0). We were scoring for fun at home.

Just looking at the results

First 15 home games that year our record was:

W 12 D 2 L 1 F 36 A 8 Pts 38

Last 8 Games

W 0 D 3 L 5 F 3 A 9

From 10th January to 9th March, no Reading player scored at the Madjeski - we actually beat Wolves in that run but the only goal was an own goal. 408 minutes - broken by a Long penalty against Charlton.

We just couldn't buy a goal although our defence remained pretty solid. Remember the game against Sheffield Utd vividly, we lost 1-0 but should have had a hatful that day.

Has there ever been such a crazy drop off in home form, just 1 win in that last 8 and we were up. Crazy.

Really strange stats

Inevitable really then that we were never going to win the playoffs that year

[Stranded]

Made even stranger by the fact we didn't lose away from home after a 2-0 defeat at Swansea on the 17th January 2009. W4 D5

Something very strange happened that year.

[WestYorksRoyal]

This promotion race reminds me of the one we were involved in during 08/09, except with 2 runners instead of 3. Up until January, it was only ever going to be 2 from Wolves, Birmingham or us, until we all lost form and there were several teams in the mix.

Interestingly, Wolves and Brum still went up, which is useful to remember here. As poor as WBA and Leeds have been lately, they still have points in the bag and none of the chasing pack are currently showing the consistency and ruthlessness required to overhaul them.

Brentford have taken 17 points from the last 8 games - compared to 9 for Leeds and 8 for WBA. That is pretty ruthless - more than 2pts per game.

Forest 13 from last 6 compared to 5 and 4 for Leeds & WBA and if they beat us tonight they close the gap to 2.

Forest also have Brentford, Leeds & WBA in their next 6 games so the table could look very different by then.

Some of the chasing pack are looking more than capable of passing the top 2 in the coming weeks.

With the 08/09 season, it was more a 4 horse race wasn't it with Sheff United as well. To the extent that on the final day, a win for us would see us up, a draw against Brum would have sent Sheff Utd up and a Brum win saw them up. The latter happene.

If you look at the table in January that season, Sheffield United were miles off. They came into the equation because of the poor form of the top 3

[Snowflake Royal]

Just realised:
We're the reason Preston aren't on equal points with Leeds by taking 6 points off them
We're the reason Forest aren't on equal points with Leeds after taking 4 points away with two late equalisers
We're the reason Fulham aren't on equal points with Leeds after taking 3 points from them.
And we gave Leeds 3 points.

It's us that are sending Leeds up.

[Old Man Andrews]

Just realised:
We're the reason Preston aren't on equal points with Leeds by taking 6 points off them
We're the reason Forest aren't on equal points with Leeds after taking 4 points away with two late equalisers
We're the reason Fulham aren't on equal points with Leeds after taking 3 points from them.
And we gave Leeds 3 points.

It's us that are sending Leeds up.

We are doing our duty to football.