Top half? You're having a laugh.

[floyd__streete]

I am still disappointed. On the balance of play we didn't deserve to lose and once again luck deserted us as for the second game running the woodwork saved our opposition at a crucial point in the match.

But lose we did. And it's becoming something we're getting worryingly good at at the moment. I agree with SC's comments, we were naive yesterday - FWIW I felt we played pretty well - pushing forward when many other teams would have accepted a point at home to a side of Liverpool's capabilities as a good result. I can't see where the goals are coming from; Brynjar's was a smashing strike but it was somewhat out of the blue. Kitson doesn't look the same player he did before his injury and hand on heart neither does Doyle, I can't see either of them scoring at the moment. I am also disappointed by the frankly abysmal set piece delivery we saw yesterday; the first goal was an absolutely wretched one to give away after Shorey's p*ss-poor attempt at a free kick delivery into the box - when we should have been putting pressure on Liverpool less than 10 seconds later we had conceded ourselves.

I have enjoyed this season and I am absolutely delighted with the players, don't get me wrong. It just seems to me that since SC stated in public that he doesn't want us to get into europe that we have taken our foot off the pedal and that disappoints me. To be honest I'd be quote happy if the season ended now because on current form that is the only way we are going to end up in the top hlaf which has been my own personal target for us since christmas.

[1960]

Not wishing to stick the knife in I will just add one thing. I was in the South Stand and as Pennant was getting ready to centre I saw Kuyt free and I was screaming for him to be covered. If I can see it, how come Bikey and Gunnar didn't? Any sort of challenge would have prevented a free header and therefore the goal.

[AJ~]

I don't think there's need to panic just yet, from the last 5 league games the only one I expected us to get more from than we did was the Portsmouth match. We've an excellent run-in now, every chance of finding some good form and comfortably finishing in the top half of the table. Keep the faith!

[floyd__streete]

We've an excellent run-in now, every chance of finding some good form and comfortably finishing in the top half of the table. Keep the faith!

Thanks AJ, I just wanted a moan to make myself feel better but your tuppence worth has helped as well

I just felt we were a bit complacent yesterday. In fact I think we've been a little guilty of that in many games recently and I don't want our season just to peter out.

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved this season and our result was put into context by two scorelines that stood out for me. Watford getting a miserable 4-1 tonking at Boro on their way to an utterly awful relegation and the almost pitiful Oxford losing 1-0 at Northwich. When I first started following RFC those two clubs were always in a higher division than us. But I am not going to start accepting a defeat - albeit a narrow one against a fantastic side assembled at some cost - as being inevitable and acceptable! If that is the case we may as well pack it in now and raise the MadStad to the ground; pave paradise and put up a parking lot.

[M4 Junction 11]

I don't think there's need to panic just yet, from the last 5 league games the only one I expected us to get more from than we did was the Portsmouth match. We've an excellent run-in now, every chance of finding some good form and comfortably finishing in the top half of the table. Keep the faith!

Agreed. There are still plenty of points in the final half dozen games and we can easily escape the bottom 12

Charlton away - could go either way
Fulham home - disappointed if we didn't get maximum points
Bolton away - the last loss for the Royals this season
Newcastle home - same as Fulham and Wally to get it on with Emre
Watford home - do you need to ask
Blackburn away - a big finish for the Royals to set us up for next season

[earley_royals]

Completely agree with you Floyd. I can see this season just petering out especially if we get beat tomorrow night at The Valley.

But as Coppell has made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be in Europe I don't expect a lot from the last six games of the season.

[fool]

I agree our strikers don't look like scoring at the mo but Liverpool do have some class defenders in their ranks. A part from the 2 goals we looked okay at the back I thought.

We can differently get 8 - 9 points (maybe more) out of the rest of the games if we play like that.

[savage 4 england]

A win tomorrow and on Saturday.

Could change a lot of peoples views. This time next week, we could be talking about european football again.

Doubt it though.

[cmonurz]

It just seems to me that since SC stated in public that he doesn't want us to get into europe that we have taken our foot off the pedal and that disappoints me. To be honest I'd be quote happy if the season ended now because on current form that is the only way we are going to end up in the top hlaf which has been my own personal target for us since christmas.

Have to agree with this part, it certainly appears to be the case.

On our 'habit' of losing, however - I think it is a measure of how far we have come that we are even slightly bothered by a 7 game streak without a win, where 5 of those games are Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and United (x2).

[Arch]

I thought we started really well yesterday - the best we've played in quite a while. but after the goal we got ragged and a bit one dimensional. I do have to remind myself that we've flourished in the last two seasons on having a settled team and we don't have that now. I still think a top ten finish is more likely than not. Newcastle and Blackburn are too inconsistent.

[Avon Royal]

Not wishing to stick the knife in I will just add one thing. I was in the South Stand and as Pennant was getting ready to centre I saw Kuyt free and I was screaming for him to be covered. If I can see it, how come Bikey and Gunnar didn't? Any sort of challenge would have prevented a free header and therefore the goal.

Are you for real?

[1960]

Not wishing to stick the knife in I will just add one thing. I was in the South Stand and as Pennant was getting ready to centre I saw Kuyt free and I was screaming for him to be covered. If I can see it, how come Bikey and Gunnar didn't? Any sort of challenge would have prevented a free header and therefore the goal.

Are you for real?

Are you saying that Gunnar and Bikey did the right thing in giving Kuyt a free header? Or that a premiership defender shouldn't be expected to see a danger and react to it?

[PieEater]

I'm getting tired of being the galant loser, or harsly outdone by a crap ref. We have been playing much better than the return of points we've had over the last few games.

We need a break and I can see it coming tomorrow at Charlton.

[Gav]

Just when I was starting to feel a second surge of disappointment last night, some random neutral comes over to tell me he saw the game on Arabic TV and thought we were excellent, it was harsh that we lost and we could well have won. Not many teams would have been able to take yet another top 4 team to the wire like that, and if that's us taking our foot off the gas, well then, we really are bloody good.

[strap]

Not wishing to stick the knife in I will just add one thing. I was in the South Stand and as Pennant was getting ready to centre I saw Kuyt free and I was screaming for him to be covered. If I can see it, how come Bikey and Gunnar didn't? Any sort of challenge would have prevented a free header and therefore the goal.

Which only goes to confirm my opinion that Bikey is not worth buying, and CERTAINLY not for trhe reported £1.5Mill. Yes he's raw, as Sonks was, yes he has potential, as Sonks had, but Sonks was a free, and was able to learn quickly in the more forgiving environment of the Championship. In my humble opinion, I can't see Bikey making it as a central defender.

Anyway, the fun rolls on to Charlton now! Still a FANTASTIC season for me!

[Millsy]

It just seems to me that since SC stated in public that he doesn't want us to get into europe that we have taken our foot off the pedal and that disappoints me.

Couldn't agree more.

But perhaps Coppell is just experimenting with a few ideas in the close season, which is not too bad an idea given we really don't care too much about getting into Europe (and some of us would rather we didn't).

Mission accomplished this season. Move on, there's no more to see here. The boys will not be too bothered about getting into Europe (rightly so) and the last few games will hopefully be practice/ buildup for next season's campaign.

In that case I'd drop Sidders and give Halford a go in the centre.

[Millsy]

Not wishing to stick the knife in I will just add one thing. I was in the South Stand and as Pennant was getting ready to centre I saw Kuyt free and I was screaming for him to be covered. If I can see it, how come Bikey and Gunnar didn't? Any sort of challenge would have prevented a free header and therefore the goal.

Which only goes to confirm my opinion that Bikey is not worth buying, and CERTAINLY not for trhe reported £1.5Mill. Yes he's raw, as Sonks was, yes he has potential, as Sonks had, but Sonks was a free, and was able to learn quickly in the more forgiving environment of the Championship. In my humble opinion, I can't see Bikey making it as a central defender.

Totally agree.

£0 for a raw talent who may improve is acceptable. £1.5 MILLION is not.

[T.R.O.L.I.]

Cheer up guys, it could be a lot worse - look at Sheffield United...

[Forty]

Not wishing to stick the knife in I will just add one thing. I was in the South Stand and as Pennant was getting ready to centre I saw Kuyt free and I was screaming for him to be covered. If I can see it, how come Bikey and Gunnar didn't? Any sort of challenge would have prevented a free header and therefore the goal.

Which only goes to confirm my opinion that Bikey is not worth buying, and CERTAINLY not for trhe reported £1.5Mill. Yes he's raw, as Sonks was, yes he has potential, as Sonks had, but Sonks was a free, and was able to learn quickly in the more forgiving environment of the Championship. In my humble opinion, I can't see Bikey making it as a central defender.

Anyway, the fun rolls on to Charlton now! Still a FANTASTIC season for me!

They couldn't / didn't see him because Shore was out of position, so the whole defence had to move across a spot. They were also looking towards Pennant, whilst you had a beautiful view form an elevated position (as did I).

If anything, Doyle should maybe have been covering, but we we gambling our point against all three - and we lost. CLV - we did pretty well.

RE rest of the season, I wouldn't be surprised if we only win one more game. Watford are always a pain in the neck, Newcastle have a bit too much flair for us, Charlton and Fulham fighting for their lives. Blackburn....

Agree re Kits btw. Was easily our most inventive player yesterday, lots of lovely glancing headers, deft touches, but I do wonder long term. Hope sincerely he proves me wrong. Doyle'll be fine.

[PremAddict]

I agree our strikers don't look like scoring at the mo but Liverpool do have some class defenders in their ranks. A part from the 2 goals we looked okay at the back I thought.

We can differently get 8 - 9 points (maybe more) out of the rest of the games if we play like that.

Agreed - I was lying awake last night thinking about the remainder of the season and believe that we've got some potential wins at home and the away games have potential as well.

Liverpool have only conceded 22 goals all season inclusive of Bryn's. Ifrankly enjoyed the match and appreciate the effort for a win - I thought the only way we'd have gotten a point was from a 0-0 draw so getting a goal against them - even from a defender was nice. Frankly IMHO keeping forward was not the reason for the loss - poor marking was. The first goal was against the run of play but the second didn't look that way to me.