Hound I wouldn't write Joao off at all yet.

Hugill was the other we were very strongly linked with, and I think made a bid for, I think he'd have done a good job

I'm not necessarily writing him off just saying that had we got Oliveira then Joao probably wouldn't be here at what is a pretty big gamble

Well yeah. Though McCleary was physical a mess at that point. Beerens an odd one - I think destined to be looked back on more fondly than he was at the time. A massive Part if that play off season though, esp 1st half of the season Barrow should have been able to replace one of them. Other major pr...

To be fair Kitson has made a whole 2nd career based on "opening up".

It's shutting him up that would be the achievement.

Not sure this is the place, but Smith's loan is going well this year. Still only 21. If he gets 15-20 goals in League 2 this year, surely he's worth having around the squad next year? Personally, I don’t think so. Right now, we have too many strikers and I’m not sure Smith is quite good enough to m...

Accepting all the "getting results when playing badly / playing until the bitter end" plaudits I still think Liverpool are there for the taking . Mane is carrying the front 3 at the moment , Salah is clearly not right (probably still carrying an injury) and Firmino's game is suffering a li...

You don`t like him, fair enough, but don`t talk a load of shit,, slightly better than your hero i would say. He reminds me more of Hopeless Rakels, no quality and goes over too easy. How many goals did Rakels score? Puscas has 4 already. I think he'll go on to be an excellent signing. He makes good...

just scanned the TalkReading twitter an its more interesting actually that Adam has replied to a few comments on there. Basically 'we're not putting more effort in', but the level of training 'intensity' has gone up. I do think that is a little damning. But also very much what I want to hear. Proba...

more interesting stuff from JLow. This time an interview with Adam: https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/charlie-adam-provides-insight-life-17120107 Really interesting what he's saying about how training levels have massively gone up and how they now have a plan. Quite damning ...

Why do you persist with Puscas?. Three reasons. He's got plenty of potential. Joao and Meite are likely out. Chopping and changing helps not at all. When Puscas gets one goal, I expect his 2nd, 3rd and many more to follow. His movement is good and he consistently gets in goal scoring positions. We ...

I liked the way Baldock tried up his laces after the goal. He did one very slowly (in their half, of course,) then just as slowly did the second one. If PNE had done that I would've been annoyed. But it was us, so I was pleased and impressed. Not so keen on him absolutely slaughtering the poor ball...

I liked the way Baldock tried up his laces after the goal. He did one very slowly (in their half, of course,) then just as slowly did the second one. If PNE had done that I would've been annoyed. But it was us, so I was pleased and impressed. Not so keen on him absolutely slaughtering the poor ball...

Exactly this. I would rather have him in the team than Pele but he didnt do anything to deserve being dropped. Let's not over tinker. I don't think it's over tinkering to get your midfield balance right and bring back your best midfielder after some sickness. It's one change, with one other for a p...

Reading4eva Sunderland got Parky, we got snakey Bowen.

Let's hope hes gone by November

Calm down Wyclef.

I suspect he was asked for some feedback on JG and how things were going on the training ground. Then the owners and their advisers made the decision based on that and the results on the field. I think thats still compatible with Bowen's interview. Bowen did suggest he was working far more closely ...

I'm not actually sure saying 'He isnt doing a great job and I could do better because....' is a massive issue even if he was asked tbh Matter of opinion how big a deal you think it is of course but it certainly isn't " I had nothing to do with Jose's sacking" is it? His two interviews hav...

but didn't seek his opinion on whether Gomes ( whom he'd just been working directly with the past 6 months or so ) was capable of turning things around. Reading his interview this wasn't the case. The decisions made were Gomes. Like isolating Gunter & Co. What's that got to do with whether he w...

I'm not actually sure saying 'He isnt doing a great job and I could do better because....' is a massive issue even if he was asked tbh Matter of opinion how big a deal you think it is of course but it certainly isn't " I had nothing to do with Jose's sacking" is it? His two interviews hav...

If we had enough money to buy Joao and Puscas, a settlement with Gomes and new manager is easily affordable. Why does everyone seem to think that a no mark manager with no pedigree who was brought in as third choice would be on a big wedge? Maybe, there just weren't many desireable options availabl...

Can't stress the importance of the wing backs being able to take a man on and get a cross in. Not one of them can. It simply doesn't work if the fullbacks aren't good enough going forward. It's OK as a measure if you're playing for a draw but on a week to week basis, Yiadom and Obita/Richards simpl...

Genuinely surprised at the love for Gomes. For whatever reason, and I know its just throw away words, but he did appear to lose the dressing room. Something clearly unpopular was taking place. Maybe, key personnel within the club and I am talking players have got together and agreed what will work ...