Scunthorpe - back from the lame

[Mad Dog's Ghost]

Steve, most people have acknowledged it was Cummings best game so far. But he did set the bar remarkably low. And he wasn't up against the greatest attacking threat. However, any improvement warmly welcomed.

[winchester_royal]

If Cummings would just bulk up a bit he could turn into a half decent RB.

[handbags_harris]

Cummings needs to a hell of a lot more than merely "bulk up a bit" to turn into a half decent RB

[brendywendy]

i thought he had one truly awful game Vs a player who has done probably done the same to both rosenior, and murty in recent years- the other games he has looked nervous, but generally pretty sound

[winchester_royal]

Cummings needs to a hell of a lot more than merely "bulk up a bit" to turn into a half decent RB

Hardly. Pacy, decent right peg, maybe lacking in confidence, but otherwise he just seems like a punier Rosenior.

[readingbedding]

I get it... bulk up a bit = experienced or a decent footballing brain.

[Ian Royal]

i thought he had one truly awful game Vs a player who has done probably done the same to both rosenior, and murty in recent years- the other games he has looked nervous, but generally pretty sound

Yep, nervous to do forward and a little shaky defensively, but when he does go forward he's produced some very good crosses. People have heard bad things from MK, seen him in a poor defence and get rinsed by one player* and decided he's shit full stop.

*As Tabb did by Moses by the sounds of it.

[SteveRoyal]

Would you lot keep Cummings in the side?
Put Tabb in midfield alongside Marek...

[Ian Royal]

Would you lot keep Cummings in the side?
Put Tabb in midfield alongside Marek...

Probably. Marek, Siggurdsson and Tabb would be alright, though I'd prefer Karacan to Tabb, not sure why. Don't think he'll drop Cisse though. I wouldn't be surprised to seem him drop Tabb because it's one of the stupider things he could do IMO.

[handbags_harris]

i thought he had one truly awful game Vs a player who has done probably done the same to both rosenior, and murty in recent years- the other games he has looked nervous, but generally pretty sound

Yep, nervous to do forward and a little shaky defensively, but when he does go forward he's produced some very good crosses. People have heard bad things from MK, seen him in a poor defence and get rinsed by one player* and decided he's shit full stop.

*As Tabb did by Moses by the sounds of it.

I don't agree. I hadn't actually heard of Shaun Cummings until he was signed, and as I put on this board after the MK Dons "fans" link was posted, I will wait and make my own judgement on the player after I have seen him in around 10 games. I have now had that opportunity and have started to formulate an opinion - he is sh*t. His positional awareness is ropey at best, he isn't particularly strong in the tackle, his pace is distinctly average, and on top of that he looks like a rabbit in headlights whenever he gets the ball. I have yet to see him have what I consider to be a good game.

Of course, this opinion may be influenced by the quite frankly infinitely superior full backs this club has had over the last 6-8 years. I may be setting my full-back bar too high, but when you've had full backs with the quality of Nicky Shorey and Graeme Murty at this club in the very near memory I don't think that it is too much to ask to get full backs in as adequate replacements.

[Ian Royal]

He's played fewer than 10 games and has only played one back in the side after being dropped. He's obviously going to be a work in progress no matter what.

I've certainly seen enough promise in him to want to see how he does over another 5-10 games before writing him off.

Then again that might just be because I detested Rosenior so much I'd be happy with Schards at right back.

[FiNeRaIn]

Having had time to reflect on the game i'm going to touch on the positive and negative aspects of it.

It was a better performance and we created a number of chances, however, its the same old results. We play well and don't win, we play crap and get hammered. Horrible pattern which Southampton endured all last season. Young players, little money invested in the team, similar types of results and performances. Its about time people understood these are very serious comparisons.

Midfield is our strongest point. Marek and cisse are good at what they do and Sig is learning to stay in games far more than he was, he's got great technical ability, gets in positions and will never miss that many sitters again. Our strike force is weak and we need a solid, recognised goalscorer to partner rasiak. This is a clear weakness, but one the club will completely ignore and find a cheap filler for...true to form. HRK has proven he can perform and create as he did saturday and as a result hopefully kebe will play reserve football for the foreseeable future.

In terms of defence. Bertrand is the player of the season so far for me and has been immense. He's professional, classy, creative, solid at the back and keeps a low profile. Apart from the comments about leicester he's been top draw, even those I think were meant to win our fans over and give us some belief, however silly they came out.
O'dea is the best centre back at the club and will walk straight back into the tims lineup when he returns, they miss having him and option so its puzzling how he can't get in front of Ivar who has been poor since his return. Pearce and O'dea should have been played regularly for the last few months. Tabb as far as im concerned can stay at right back as he's done well there and is twice the player cummings is. Cummings was ok on sat, probably his best game but IMO he'll be playing at a lower level within the next few years, doesn't have the attributes to play at this level.

Fed is an average championship keeper, he makes good saves, his distribution can be very good at times and so can his commanding of the box. I don't see him drop too many howlers but against long rangers he has been caught out a few times. I'd stick with him but too many more of those and i'd be looking at a more solid goalkeeper with far less flair or entertainment value.

Rodgers is not the man for the job. He's made a number of poor signings, can't decide on a team, changes tactics every week and his cliches and media handling are very poor. He won't be going anywhere soon, so i'm prepared to get used to it.

Saturday was predictable, there were murmurs of " they'll equalise soon" around the ground and about 5 minutes later they did just that, poor defending and in stroll the worst side I can remember from the last 8 years or so to slot home a sitter of an equaliser. I'm not ashamed to say I chuckled as it was so obvious it was coming and watching scunthorpe's fans celebrate almost with embarrassment was a sight to see.

A few years back we were beating liverpool comfortably at home, now we find ourselves relegation bound with little hope for the future. Any young players we produce will most likely be poached by the big boys and the money will not be put into the club under this regime. In stark contrast, birmingham (who everyone mocked at mid way through last season) have had the best start ever in their prem history and will stay up with ease. How times change. We've found our level, the glory years were good while they lasted.

[paultheroyal]

Having had time to reflect on the game i'm going to touch on the positive and negative aspects of it.

It was a better performance and we created a number of chances, however, its the same old results. We play well and don't win, we play crap and get hammered. Horrible pattern which Southampton endured all last season. Young players, little money invested in the team, similar types of results and performances. Its about time people understood these are very serious comparisons.

Midfield is our strongest point. Marek and cisse are good at what they do and Sig is learning to stay in games far more than he was, he's got great technical ability, gets in positions and will never miss that many sitters again. Our strike force is weak and we need a solid, recognised goalscorer to partner rasiak. This is a clear weakness, but one the club will completely ignore and find a cheap filler for...true to form. HRK has proven he can perform and create as he did saturday and as a result hopefully kebe will play reserve football for the foreseeable future.

In terms of defence. Bertrand is the player of the season so far for me and has been immense. He's professional, classy, creative, solid at the back and keeps a low profile. Apart from the comments about leicester he's been top draw, even those I think were meant to win our fans over and give us some belief, however silly they came out.
O'dea is the best centre back at the club and will walk straight back into the tims lineup when he returns, they miss having him and option so its puzzling how he can't get in front of Ivar who has been poor since his return. Pearce and O'dea should have been played regularly for the last few months. Tabb as far as im concerned can stay at right back as he's done well there and is twice the player cummings is. Cummings was ok on sat, probably his best game but IMO he'll be playing at a lower level within the next few years, doesn't have the attributes to play at this level.

Fed is an average championship keeper, he makes good saves, his distribution can be very good at times and so can his commanding of the box. I don't see him drop too many howlers but against long rangers he has been caught out a few times. I'd stick with him but too many more of those and i'd be looking at a more solid goalkeeper with far less flair or entertainment value.

Rodgers is not the man for the job. He's made a number of poor signings, can't decide on a team, changes tactics every week and his cliches and media handling are very poor. He won't be going anywhere soon, so i'm prepared to get used to it.

Saturday was predictable, there were murmurs of " they'll equalise soon" around the ground and about 5 minutes later they did just that, poor defending and in stroll the worst side I can remember from the last 8 years or so to slot home a sitter of an equaliser. I'm not ashamed to say I chuckled as it was so obvious it was coming and watching scunthorpe's fans celebrate almost with embarrassment was a sight to see.

A few years back we were beating liverpool comfortably at home, now we find ourselves relegation bound with little hope for the future. Any young players we produce will most likely be poached by the big boys and the money will not be put into the club under this regime. In stark contrast, birmingham (who everyone mocked at mid way through last season) have had the best start ever in their prem history and will stay up with ease. How times change. We've found our level, the glory years were good while they lasted.

Pretty good assessment it has to be said. Only today at lunch we were talking about Birmingham i.e. we win that game and we are in the Premiership - 2 teams could not be further apart right now. Sad times but Rodgers will get it right.

[Man Friday]

What makes you say that? Vain hope or seen something to inspire confidence? Little evidence seen so far that he will.

[Maguire]

Saturday was predictable, there were murmurs of " they'll equalise soon" around the ground

I've been watching Reading for more than 20 years and 90% of the times we've been in front, Reading fans have said that!

[Row Z Royal]

I wouldn't be surprised to seem him drop Tabb because it's one of the stupider things he could do IMO.

This.


One of the Rodgers rodgerers should run a book.

[weybridgewanderer]

If Cummings would just bulk up a bit he could turn into a half decent RB.

Long has "bulked up a bit". Has it made him a better player?

[BR2]

Saturday was predictable, there were murmurs of " they'll equalise soon" around the ground

I've been watching Reading for more than 20 years and 90% of the times we've been in front, Reading fans have said that!

Don't agree at all.
Over the years we have always been a strong home side but not very good away-a fairly typical soft Southern team.
It's only this past year that I have gone to home games not expecting to win and I don't like it as every home game is a 160-mile round trip.
Backing Reading to win at home often helped towards the cost of a Saturday but not any more.

[Far Canal]

If Cummings would just bulk up a bit he could turn into a half decent RB.

Long has "bulked up a bit". Has it made him a better player?

I think he meant with muscle, not flab.

[Arch]

Our strike force is weak and we need a solid, recognised goalscorer to partner rasiak. This is a clear weakness, but one the club will completely ignore and find a cheap filler for...true to form.

In fairness, the club has brought in decent goalscorers fairly consistently when needed. Hunt may not have been many people's idea of a Kitson replacement, but he did well and scored regularly for most of last year. Rasiak again may not have been anyone's first choice, but he has form at this level and hasn't disappointed.