A lone voice in the wilderness?

[Woodcote Royal]

Once again the ADHD brigade on here are whinging because we're not a step closer to Europe after last night's result. The concensus of opinion appears to be that European football is a must next season. I'm struggling to understand why. We'll play a couple of teams that nobody has ever heard of prior to going out to one that we've all just about heard of. In the meantime we'll waste a lot of time and energy that should have been used ensuring we make a good go of our difficult second season.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see us win every game, of course I do. BUT, we've achieved all we need to achieve this season and now is the time to try different things out, give players who've not had much chance to experience premiership football a run out and start planning for August.

Already there are those who suggest Reading have done pretty much as much as they're ever going to do. They think the best we can hope for is to settle down and become Premiership also rans. I just can't understand that mentality. Reading Football Club, handled properly, can go on to be one of the best teams in England and maybe one day Europe. However, that's not going to happen overnight and will take very careful planning.

I am beginning to think I'm the only person here who believes European football next season would be a disaster at this stage in the club's growth.

Agree with every word and, beyond the blinkered world of Hohnob, we are far from alone.

[TVPRoyal]

Hear Hear Shades - Exactly my thoughts

[Z-Head]

Well fcuk that! Because to take part in the UEFA cup for me is the Ultimate weekend game.



Reading fc in the UEFA cup!!!!!!

[lozz2601]

Yes, because playing someone like HJK Helsinki would be the highlight of the season.
A club that's trying to establish itself in the Premiership does not need the added hassle, nor the added games. Especially when our squad size is far from sufficient for the extra games.
For a couple more seasons at least, staying up has got to be the priority.

[.:BigDaveInTheDungeon:.]

just look at what happened to ipswich, maybe its better if we wait a season or two then we can play in the champions league when we win the title.

[shadesrwrf]

and what happens if we get relegated next season?we may never have the chance to go for europe ever again.

That seems both short-sighted and defeatist. I believe we can become a force to be reckoned with in the premiership and are far from one season wonders. Going all out to achieve European football in only our second season will use up resources best deployed elsewhere.

Instead of moaning about lack of ambition (laughable isn't it?) let's celebrate what we've achieved this season and be satisfied. Whatever happens between now and May, Steve Coppell and the team have given us everything we could have hoped for and more.

[bobby m's syrup]

Surely Sir Steve knows exactly what he is doing. He has done reasonably well so far has he not?

I would rather play and compete in the Prem for 2008-2009, then have a few inconclusive jollies to Lithuania and Belgium whilst worrying about survival next season.

[Boston Royal]

I have mixed feelings on this. I am in agreement with Coppell's decision to rotate the squad for cup games, to allow us to concentrate on the league.

However, now that the cup exit has allowed us to concentrate on the league, I find it a shame that we're not actually concentrating on the league and aiming to finish as high up as possible. Coppell is the best manager we've ever had, and I agree with him on 99% of things, but not entirely on this one.

I would have liked Coppell to say that he wouldn't be concerned if we didn't make Europe, rather than implying that he was actively trying not to make Europe.

The former means that he won't bankrupt the club (e.g. by signing players before the transfer deadline). If we tried for Europe and didn't make it, this would still be the best season in our history and be part of Coppell's step-by-step building.

The latter suggests that the final games of the season don't matter, which doesn't send a great signal to players and fans. I think we *would* benefit from Europe: we'd get lots of extra money for finishing highly, potential to attract more players / re-sign existing players in the close season.

Last season, we aimed to break the 105 points record. Had we not done so, it wouldn't have mattered too much: the season would have still been excellent. But we aimed and we got it. The final games of the season did matter. We didn't get 100 goals, and Coppell and the fans aren't too disappointed about it, but at least we actively tried.

Going all out to achieve European football in only our second season will use up resources best deployed elsewhere.

I completely agree. But I see no harm in qualifying for Europe (and getting the extra prize money and status), and then playing in Europe with our existing squad (or even the reserves if it is a trip to Lithuania), rather than bankrupting the club to try to get as far as possible in Europe. I.e. an analogy to Coppell's approach to staying in the Prem this season.

This season we've already achieved more than we set out to achieve. But it's even better to get the icing on an already very delicious cake, if we don't pay over the odds for the icing. European qualification wouldn't be a huge positive, but a small positive nonetheless rather than a negative to be avoided.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

I just get the impression that those who are all but saying not getting into the UEFA Cup is a failure are the same ones who were saying Madejski should have spend millions "going for broke" a couple of years ago.

Personally I'd love to see us in europe - I think have a gallant defeat somewhere decent would be great, but I think getting into the group stage could be a burden.

the important thing is that the clubs grows, but it's not a quick process, and as much as some might not think we're a "proper" team until we are up there challenging for trophies, that's the reality for the time being.

[Victor Meldrew]

Do we really need a massive squad to compete in Europe and will it all cost loads of money?
This year the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid might not qualify for the Champions League so end up in the UEFA Cup,something that may not happen again.
This year we could finish in the top 7 , something which may not happen again,so imagine playing against one of these giants in the UEFA Cup.
Little old Reading v Real Madrid eh?

I believe that you have to take advantage of opportunities in life as they might never come around again.
Also if we play at any level in Europe we might become a better known club and be able to attract better players which means we finish higher.......
Players like Mensah might then not say "who?" and players like Lescott might think that this is a club going places.
All of this is now academic as the club don't want to play in Europe,it's just some of the fans that want it.
Tell you what,those of you that don't want it stay at home if we get in and draw Real Madrid and content yourselves that we are not ready and the rest of us can enjoy ourselves with a trip to see our little club play the biggest club in the world.

[Once were Biscuitmen]

I'm sure Ipswich thought all of the above Victor and now the only thing in their season is to try and finish above Norwich.

[RfcMad2002]

I really want us to get into europe, then we can fight with the riot police!!!

No but seriously, i understand steady growth is better, but from a fans point of view, how exciting would a trip to watch us abroad be! Lets just play our way, and if it comes lets enjoy it!

[bassavage]

Think back to 1995 - if we had got promoted then, it could have effectively ruined us. We were nowhere near ready for the Premiership then and I don't think we are ready for Europe now. If we build brick-by-brick like we have done, then in a few years who's to say we won't be in Europe most seasons?

[sotonroyal]

how does the example of ipswich prove anything? They werent relegated from the premiership because they played 6 games in europe surely? There problems stemmed from the signing of players like Counago, Finidi George and Matteo Sereni which upset the balance of their squad. Just because we qualify for europe it doesn't mean Coppell will have to make signings like these.

Perhaps I am being naive, but i was very disapointed when Coppell came out and dismissed europe as he did and my concern is that it has probably rubbed off on the players. I have always thought there is a very special atomsphere about a european games whoever this be against and cannot understand how it is being dismissed by some posters.

As reading fans, surely the past few years have taught us that nothing is impossible or beyond us. Time and time again we have risen to each new challenge facing us and i can see no reason why europe would be any different.

[The whole year inn]

Once again the ADHD brigade on here are whinging because we're not a step closer to Europe after last night's result. The concensus of opinion appears to be that European football is a must next season. I'm struggling to understand why. We'll play a couple of teams that nobody has ever heard of prior to going out to one that we've all just about heard of. In the meantime we'll waste a lot of time and energy that should have been used ensuring we make a good go of our difficult second season.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see us win every game, of course I do. BUT, we've achieved all we need to achieve this season and now is the time to try different things out, give players who've not had much chance to experience premiership football a run out and start planning for August.

Already there are those who suggest Reading have done pretty much as much as they're ever going to do. They think the best we can hope for is to settle down and become Premiership also rans. I just can't understand that mentality. Reading Football Club, handled properly, can go on to be one of the best teams in England and maybe one day Europe. However, that's not going to happen overnight and will take very careful planning.

I am beginning to think I'm the only person here who believes European football next season would be a disaster at this stage in the club's growth.

Agree with every word and, beyond the blinkered world of Hohnob, we are far from alone.

This mirrors my view.

Europe would be a disaster. If it were to happen within three years we could have Jim Magilton at the helm, accepting home defeats to Southend and sitting below Plymouth in the Championship.

Where would Ipswich be now had they not qualified for Europe in their first season?

Mid table for TWYI please.

Looking at the sides coming up, only Sunderland will make an impact IMO. That will leave us in a similar position next season to this.

[sotonroyal]

how did europe send them down then?

[The whole year inn]

how did europe send them down then?

The extra fixtures.

After the team had played a two legged match against Inter Milan, is it a surprise they were frequently returning home empty handed from all the unattractive away Premiership fixtures and getting beat at home by sides they swept aside earlier in the season? These are games Reading have thrived on this season.

Who can get themselves up for a midweek trip to Bolton/Blackburn/Sunderland after experiencing the San Siro? Certainly not a squad of Ipswich's size and/or experience. Arsenal still can't.

Look at Spurs'/Blackburn's awful starts to the season. Coincidence they were both in Europe? They have the squads to turn it around over the course of the season, Reading will have to scrap from day 1 in the league as we simply don't have the numbers/quality when injuries kick in.

I will happily take up another season in the Premiership at the expense of a piss up in Prague.

[sotonroyal]

Cup Games by Ipswich 2001/02 = 10

Cup Games by Reading 2006/07 = 6

I fail to see how these four additional cup games would have made a significant difference. You mention Tottenhams poor start to the season but any tottenham fan would tell you that this is due to the loss of carrick along with the absence of jenas and king for large periods, not their participation in europe.

Basically I don't understand the mentality of anyone not wanting us to get into europe. It isn't a ticket to ruin but a really exciting prospect for most fans. I have always wanted to watch reading abroad be it in italy or israel!

[SpaceCruiser]

ADHD? What's that?

[Once were Biscuitmen]

Cup Games by Ipswich 2001/02 = 10

Cup Games by Reading 2006/07 = 6

I fail to see how these four additional cup games would have made a significant difference. You mention Tottenhams poor start to the season but any tottenham fan would tell you that this is due to the loss of carrick along with the absence of jenas and king for large periods, not their participation in europe.

Basically I don't understand the mentality of anyone not wanting us to get into europe. It isn't a ticket to ruin but a really exciting prospect for most fans. I have always wanted to watch reading abroad be it in italy or israel!

Go on the Pre-Season tour then. Even if we did make it SC would probably still play the reserves and we would only have a couple of games against a East European team we have never heard of.