MATCHWATCH : Cheltenham Town (h)

[Brogue]

Right I’m going tonight so no ‘Goal ™’ updates from me on here. We better fcuking win.

Will you be providing a detailed half time report on the game, the quality of food and beverage and the idiocy of the home supporters around you?

I will see what I can do. I usually get fuxk all signal there. But with a smaller crowd maybe only will be ok.

[Brogue]

And if this place is running slower than Alex Pearce I’ll have no chance

[Hendo]

Right I’m going tonight so no ‘Goal ™’ updates from me on here. We better fcuking win.

Will you be providing a detailed half time report on the game, the quality of food and beverage and the idiocy of the home supporters around you?

I will see what I can do. I usually get fuxk all signal there. But with a smaller crowd maybe only will be ok.

Try changing your mobile phone data from 4G to 3G.

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but JMW gave me this tip and it usually works a treat.

[Stranded]

Not sure if mentioned but people latching on to a tweet by Nelson Abbey and taking it that he is starting tonight.

[Brogue]

Do we think managers team selections are ever influenced by fan pressure?

[Hendo]

Not sure if mentioned but people latching on to a tweet by Nelson Abbey and taking it that he is starting tonight.

Also a good indicator that he wasn't playing last night.

[Hendo]

Do we think managers team selections are ever influenced by fan pressure?

I really, really, hope not.

[NathStPaul]

Do we think managers team selections are ever influenced by fan pressure?

Depends on the fanbase. The Reading fanbase couldn't influence a cat let alone a professional football manager.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Not sure if mentioned but people latching on to a tweet by Nelson Abbey and taking it that he is starting tonight.

Hopefully he will be involved at least, liked him against Millwall and been impressed with the cameo appearances he has put in with our first team thus far. Always had high hopes for him personally, so hopefully a start and a good performance tonight. Thought he had/has more promise to Dorsett as well, it could be a breakthrough season for him this time, possibly with Vickers as well.

[Crowbar6753]

Interested to see the attendance this evening, nearly 14,000 against Peterbrough was pretty decent in my view. We're now on two straight losses (League) and an evening game against one of the smaller clubs in the league.

Anything over 11,000 would be a decent turnout given the circus that is "Reading FC' at present. We really need a win as Stevenage are up next and they are a very dangerous team playing well at the moment.

[Snowflake Royal]

Do we think managers team selections are ever influenced by fan pressure?

I really, really, hope not.

100% does. But only a little and takes more than a week.

[WestYorksRoyal]

So, who lines up tonight? How many players from the opening 2 games have justified keeping their spot? How much longer can we pick serial losers who have been instrumental in our no wins in 15 games, over those who won so well at Millwall? Yes, the temptation to knee jerk is strong.

I think 5 changes gets the balance about right. The youngsters will give us good performances, but we can't expect them to rise to the pressure of 1st pick week in week out.

For me:

Button
Yiadom Dean Abbey NGW
Savage Wing
Camara Knibbs
Ehibhatiomhan Vickers

It wouldn't be harsh to change the entire back 4; Mbengue and Carson deserve another chance. But don't want to go mad, and ultimately think Yiadom and NGW can do well in this team.

Carroll must be dropped. Selles' entire game plan needs the energy and pressing up front, and his performance at Vale was one of the worst individual Reading performances on record by anyone.

[RoyallyFcuked]

Wondered if I'd been a bit over the top on the BTFG thread when I said at least half the team should be dropped but on reflection I don't think I was. I would literally drop at least 6 players, namely Holmes, Tmac, Yiadom and Carroll all of whom simply have not been good enough, plus Hutch who doesn't look in form and Azeez who was anonymous. Like I said not writing any of these lads off just dont think they warrant a starting place right now and need to earn their place back.

Would bring in Mbengue, Dean and Abbey at the back, Wing in for Hutch and Camara in for Azeez. Toss up between NGW and Carson as well for me. We will have to see how Button looks in the coming games although I think Bouzanis hasn't done a lot wrong and should also be good enough at this level.

Realistically I think this is is pretty unlikely though, does Selles even have it in him to drop not one of but both Holmes and Tmac let alone Yiadom as well who is captain (dont think he should be). Dean looks like he could be a potential captain, and so does Abbey further down the line. Think we will probably see Dean come in for one of the CBs if he's fit, I'd drop Holmes over Tmac if I had to pick one. Might well see Wing and Camara come in though.

Not sure if Selles will even drop Carroll even though he absolutely should. Ehib partnered with Vickers looks look it would suit us a lot better but its a lot of pressure on the young lad Vickers at this early stage, which is why I hope we sign another striker especially now that Smith is out injured. Another wide player wouldn't go amiss either.

Maybe we could try a 4-3-3 if 4-4-2 isn't working. It would utilise our midfield and wide players better and make up for our lack of strikers.

4-4-2
--------------------Button---------------------
Mbengue----Dean-----Abbey-----NGW/Carson
Camara-----Wing-------Savage-----Knibbs
--------------Ehib--------Vickers------------
4-3-3
--------------------Button---------------------
Mbengue----Dean-----Abbey-----NGW/Carson
-----Wing-----Rushesha/Hutch-----Savage
--------Camara-----Ehib----Knibbs------

[Brogue]

Interested to see the attendance this evening, nearly 14,000 against Peterbrough was pretty decent in my view. We're now on two straight losses (League) and an evening game against one of the smaller clubs in the league.

Anything over 11,000 would be a decent turnout given the circus that is "Reading FC' at present. We really need a win as Stevenage are up next and they are a very dangerous team playing well at the moment.

If the jazz cafe is anything to go by. It’s going to be empty. An Hour till kick off and walked up to an empty bar and got a seat straight away

[Brogue]

[Royal_jimmy]

Brave and bold team. Let's hope they do the business tonight

[sputnik]

yikes

[genome]

Big fan of that.

[Fezza]

Is that Holmes just binned then? I like the ruthlessness of this.

[Royal_jimmy]

Is Carroll injured or fully dropped? Surely must be injured