Hard to see any progress for the forseeable future

[The 17 Bus]

When Schards posted the original, we had just had a break, we travel badly after as we all know, we had lost Sonko, and there was a transition after the earlier loss of Shorey to cope with as well, however it was too early to make statemants of the longer term.

Personally at that time I was looking to the end of september, had things looked poor by then , there could have been time for change, however so far change has happened with what we have, and the team is looking good, except after the international breaks, something that has to be addressed

[Rex]

The disjointed training programme is the major factor built into why the team tend to struggle after the breaks. Bikey in particular being the one player who is affected the most by the internationals. He has stated he needs a strong run of RFC games. He's now getting them and showing his worth. Internationals naturally break up the flow of communication within the team, how this issue is dealt with is something WD is no doubt striving to solve.

Ban all players going on internationals is not the solution to the problem either as this could also cause unrest. Bit of a rock and a hard place this one!

[PieEater]

I think Coppell has managed to rebuild the team spirit, having shipped a lot of those who were upsetting team morale for a nice profit.

Kitson - too opinionated and said himself he didn't mix with the rest of the squad
Sonko - never really recovered from the Fae incident
Shorey - had a sulk on for most of the season when he didn't get his transfer out.
Lita - didn't want to be here, or to perform despite a lot of chances to show what he could do.

Harper and Hunt seem to have been reprogrammed into the new team, Harper because he's been dropped and realised he's got to perform to keep his place, and Hunt because his brother's arrived.

At the time it looked like a firesale or resigning ourself to mediocrity as they were the best players, but now it looks like good business.

[Schards#2]

All going far better than expected at the moment, however, my thoughts on Madejski won't be, and were never going to be, tested until January and the opinion that Coppell will leave, until the end of the season so i'll continue to laugh at the, presumably, 12 year olds who are calling a verdict on this early November. Only after a win though, they're strangely silent after draws or losses, as if one game proves a thing either way.

I would, however, accept that in the main, it hasn't been dull so far. Can't say i'm inspired though.

If we exit January with the same squad less Lita, plus a new proven goalscorer, i'd have to rethink me thoughts on Madejski. Similarly, if we start next season with Coppell as manager, that opinion would have been wrong. I still don't believe either of these things will happen, time will tell.

In the meantime, for those thinking a W 9 D 3 L 4 record guarantees play offs at least, have a look at our record in the 04/05 season after 16 games........W 9 D 3 L 4, the final position? - 7th.

[winchester_royal]

Don't be silly. It makes perfect sense. When we beat Palace two weeks ago we were certs for automatic promotion.

Hands up all those who thought after the Palace game that we were certs for promotion? No, me neither. That game said more about Palace's defensive frailties than it did our promotion prospects; basically, if Palace hadn't defended corners like a Sunday League side we would have lost a match which we dominated.

As usual Schards has got it pretty much spot on to be quite honest; a good barometer for a decent, truthful posting on HNA is whether Reading Bedding & winchester_royal disagree with it.

This season: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sQXsuAey-NE

Taxi for floyd. Maybe a good barometer for a truthful posting should be whether i agree with it?

[floyd__streete]

Arf! Top quoting . Very pleased with the extended Doyle deal which at the very least suggests that the club intend to price our star assets out of the market and I would also say that some of the football played over the last couple of months has been of the highest quality at times and equals anything we saw in 05/06. Delighted to be proved - thus far - wrong in my cynicism over the first third of the season.

[LUX]

fair play Floyd.

I too am surprised but delighted. The quotes that people should find, however, concern Stephen Hunt. The stuff written about him on HNA for the first nine months of this calendar year were outrageous. And bollox.

And now he's a God.

[Sun Tzu]

For Schards that is a pretty comprehensive admission that he was wrong !!

Not sure about the reference to 'one game'. There's been a fair few since the original post and a pretty fair picture is building that team spirit is excellent, Coppell has had the enthusiasm to rebuild the side and the transfer activity has been almost entirely successful - with those exiting fetching big money and struggling to make an impact at their new clubs and the new arrivals costing less and more than replacing the leavers.

It would be interesting to know at what point Schards starts backing down, although I've suspected all along his intention was to provoke debate rather than put forward genuinely held views....

[SCIAG]

Arch: You seem to misunderstood what I meant by that quote. (the "Preston away to Everton at home")

Another poster was quering what the previous poster meant by "our best days are behind us". I explained what I thought he meant. IIRC I went on to say "I disagree with that though" a post or so later.

Edit: Looking through I didn't add a "I disagree" disclaimer at all.

In any case, I don't think the people agreeing with Schards outnumbered the RTGs by much.

[brendywendy]

All going far better than expected at the moment, however, my thoughts on Madejski won't be, and were never going to be, tested until January and the opinion that Coppell will leave, until the end of the season so i'll continue to laugh at the, presumably, 12 year olds who are calling a verdict on this early November. Only after a win though, they're strangely silent after draws or losses, as if one game proves a thing either way.

I would, however, accept that in the main, it hasn't been dull so far. Can't say i'm inspired though.

If we exit January with the same squad less Lita, plus a new proven goalscorer, i'd have to rethink me thoughts on Madejski. Similarly, if we start next season with Coppell as manager, that opinion would have been wrong. I still don't believe either of these things will happen, time will tell.

In the meantime, for those thinking a W 9 D 3 L 4 record guarantees play offs at least, have a look at our record in the 04/05 season after 16 games........W 9 D 3 L 4, the final position? - 7th.

fair play for having an opinion and posting it, and sticking to it. many on here just chip in without ever putting their heads above the parapet and actually say something.

i like your posts, usually well thought through, but to put-

laugh at the, presumably, 12 year olds who are calling a verdict on this early November.

in this very thread is a bit silly

also-its only opinion, but im not sure how one can fail be inspired by our teams resurgence after relegation(especially looking at where the majority of clubs end up when they come down, the football we are playing, the huge number of goals we are scoring, the sheer obstinacy of our defence at home, the partnership developing up front, the competition in the middle, the creation from the wings, the yoof coming through, the two superb wins away from home, the ability of our manager to turn average players into real finds with a little time, cmon, that has to inspire doesnt it?shirley?

to hold off on your inspiration until the condition of lita going and a"proven"scorer coming in seems mighty churlish from here.

and ill still wait to see what happens to lita if hunt or doyle pick up an injury before writing him off prematurely.
if that injury comes before xmas lita could easily step in, score a few goals, impress with his attitude and improvement and get back in this side.
if he does go in jan though, i agree, someone with pedigree would always be an asset.

and i was sure coppell would go last summer, i was sure hed go after this season, maybe during if things didnt go well
but to build this team anew, if he takes them up, shirley he wouldnt pass up the challenge , would he?

[Avon Royal]

In the meantime, for those thinking a W 9 D 3 L 4 record guarantees play offs at least, have a look at our record in the 04/05 season after 16 games........W 9 D 3 L 4, the final position? - 7th.

Clutching at straws Mr S.

[Ian Royal]

I'll continue to argue that Madejski is running the club well without the need to splash cash and provide money for proven "name" players. I see plenty of ambition, but a healthy dose of good business sense and contingency planning as well.

Likewise I will continue to argue that Coppell leaving at the end of the season (should he chose to do so) is not a massive issue. He's already done what I hoped his not leaving in the summer would achieve:

Turned the team around, kept most of the important players, filled the most important gaps and got the confidence and quality back in our performances.

Yes there is a big test ahead for the club in January, but there is always a test in January for every club. Likewise losing Coppell would be a blow, he's a great manager. But if we don't go up it may be time for fresh blood and a well deserved rest for Coppell. The same if we do go up. In no way would I want him to leave, but providing we got the right person in I wouldn't be devastated. I think the right person would be easier to find this summer, than it would have been earlier this year.

[The 17 Bus]

Seems like this thread is getting harder to follow, Schards you now say that it is your opinion that Coppell will leave at the end of the season, however i got as far as P10 and cant see where you said that.

As for Mr M investing, and not knowing till January, the new contract for Doyle is one such investment, and we may not need much more than you suggest with Lita out and a replacement in, so no big money there.

Players like Cisse and Kebe are showing some improvement and value to the team at the moment, and we have a few promising young players coming through at last, Church for a start.

We are transitional at the moment, and so far i like what (little) I have seen from the club, playing side anyway.

[Schards#2]

If the only action in January is Lita out and replacement in, i'd say that would demonstrate a big comittment on Madejski's part as we could, clearly, get a significant sum for Doyle. The new contract may well only mean higher wages for two months and i'm in the camp that says it has little or no effect on the likelyhood of him leaving.

[Royal With Cheese]

If the only action in January is Lita out and replacement in, i'd say that would demonstrate a big comittment on Madejski's part as we could, clearly, get a significant sum for Doyle. The new contract may well only mean higher wages for two months and i'm in the camp that says it has little or no effect on the likelyhood of him leaving.

Well of course you would say that as it would back up everything else you've said.

Again, looking for every angle to spin your vision of doom and gloom. Lighten up fellah! Embrace the good vibes as neither you nor I know what the future holds. How can Madesjki do any more than renegotiate a players contract to try and keep them?

Just looking at Doyler's performance and comments yesterday I think he'll stay. I think Redknapp going to Tottenham has scuppered any chance of him going there. Villa appear(ed) to be the only other contenders. He might find it hard to get regular games behind Carew and Agbonlahor in the pecking order. Remember, as an international player, he needs to be playing regularly. It's not a Sidwell/Shorey scenario.

[Dirk Gently]

If the only action in January is Lita out and replacement in, i'd say that would demonstrate a big comittment on Madejski's part as we could, clearly, get a significant sum for Doyle. The new contract may well only mean higher wages for two months and i'm in the camp that says it has little or no effect on the likelyhood of him leaving.

Well of course you would say that as it would back up everything else you've said.

Again, looking for every angle to spin your vision of doom and gloom. Lighten up fellah! Embrace the good vibes as neither you nor I know what the future holds. How can Madesjki do any more than renegotiate a players contract to try and keep them?

Just looking at Doyler's performance and comments yesterday I think he'll stay. I think Redknapp going to Tottenham has scuppered any chance of him going there. Villa appear(ed) to be the only other contenders. He might find it hard to get regular games behind Carew and Agbonlahor in the pecking order. Remember, as an international player, he needs to be playing regularly. It's not a Sidwell/Shorey scenario.

I also wonder if Martin O-Neil will want another ex-Reading player after this weekend's disasters!

[Avon Royal]

If the only action in January is Lita out and replacement in, i'd say that would demonstrate a big comittment on Madejski's part as we could, clearly, get a significant sum for Doyle. The new contract may well only mean higher wages for two months and i'm in the camp that says it has little or no effect on the likelyhood of him leaving.

That's because you're losing the plot.

You're in serious danger of missing out on enjoying a fun season, just because you insist on trying to dig yourself out of a hole. Real men know that there is no shame to admit that they are wrong.

[Schards#2]

If the only action in January is Lita out and replacement in, i'd say that would demonstrate a big comittment on Madejski's part as we could, clearly, get a significant sum for Doyle. The new contract may well only mean higher wages for two months and i'm in the camp that says it has little or no effect on the likelyhood of him leaving.

That's because you're losing the plot.

You're in serious danger of missing out on enjoying a fun season, just because you insist on trying to dig yourself out of a hole. Real men know that there is no shame to admit that they are wrong.

Why would an opinion that a player may leave despite having signed a new contract have the slightest impact on whether I enjoy the season or not?

As for being wrong, could you get me some lottery numbers next time you use that time machine you appear to have.

[londinium]

Is his time machine the same colour as yours???

Just slightly different tint.

[Schards#2]

Is his time machine the same colour as yours???

Just slightly different tint.

I don't have a time machine, which is why I don't speak in definatives when talking about the future.