MATCHWATCH : Cardiff City (h)

[Orion1871]

I've always said we should get Glen Little in to coach them on how to cross a ball.

[Extended-Phenotype]

A rare opportunity to actually go to the game, but sort of wished I hadn’t. An okay first half, with more shots at goal than I think we’ve managed in the previous three games total. But if setting up as 5-3-2, squashing over half the team behind Wing and getting Joel to lump it long is an answer to the criticisms of negative football, then I don’t hold out much hope for Reading transforming next season.

Someone needs to introduce Wing to the other half of the pitch, I think he is confusing football with tennis. Dorsett is just an absolute Donkey and Burns does nothing else but kick the ball upwards as hard as he can. Kelvin continues to dine out on that one outlier game where he bagged three goals to make his stats resemble those of a real striker, and everyone else just seemed terrified of spending any time with the ball. I think the only players that looked decent yesterday were Lane and Rhino.

But man, if Marriott had given that flick just one more inch that’s 2-2 and a perhaps a totally different game. Then again, Would Cardiff have still netted a third? Probably.

Stadium looked alarmingly empty, and many of those that did bother to turn up left in disgust pretty early. There were clear signs that the way we were set up, playing so deep with a midfield squashed into the defence, was being exploited by Cardiff - but no change from the manager. A deflated start to the second half, late, meaningless subs and players falling out with each other - I’m baffled that Richardson and Couhig think this is progress.

The result of this game was unimportant, and should have given us an opportunity to try something positive, let the players enjoy themselves, and give the fans some entertainment. But we once again set up like a team battling relegation and shackled the players to a David vs Goliath damage limitation system with no adventure, no exploration, and no hope. I want to give the manager a chance, and hate sacking managers too quickly, but I do wonder if LR is capable of playing any other way. This was his opportunity to do so, and I was unimpressed.

[RoyalBlue]

I’ve said before with DK that he gets a pretty easy ride really. He has potential but he makes poor decisions and gives the ball away a lot, yet seems to avoid any criticism and seems to play the full 90 every game which baffles me tbh

He does make mistakes, but he almost always goes forward. he runs at people and takes them on, he also played a sublime pass at one stage.

In a team of timid and negative players he stands out as someone who can provide a bit of excitement. Hence people are more forgiving of him than some others.

Fully agree, I thought he did well yesterday, always looked to get forward and create opportunities, played some good passes but maybe should be more confident and take more shots himself when well positioned. He also tracked back well and performed defensive duties when required.

[RoyalBlue]

That was entertaining - I hope the purists are happy....


As for me Results > Performances and the drop off in Results is pretty worrying if we want to carry any momentum forward..

We're plummeting down the form table so results aren't happening either.

Then again we all told you Leam apologists that you can't keep playing the way he sets up his team and expect to get in the play offs. We were proven correct, but won't be expecting the apology any time soon.

We actually played ok today I thought. Set up was ok. We’re just not a great side and a lot of injuries tbf

How many of those 'injured' are really keen to get fit again and play for Richardson? He even had them add in O'Mahoney as part of his 'it's not my fault' pre-match publication. I'm pretty sure quite a few other teams could publish a similar list of injuries. And where was Kaden Young, given that he was not listed as injured?

if that was a one off, I wouldn't be worried. I thought we were pretty OK. Even Lane was good. Cardiff took their chances, no complaints about them, and good luck to them next season.

Things are moving against Richardson. The clamour is getting louder, and results are not helping him. But some of it is verging on hysterical. Fine margins and all that, But there's no way we can say everything is alright.

I'm certainly not calling for a change of manager - I think that would probably be a mistake - but if the owners are listening to the people calling into BBCRB, you'd think we just got relegated, and they might panic.

TBF our results over the past 6-9 games are nailed on relegation form.

[Brogue]

I wouldn’t even mind if wing goes tbh. I don’t want him too. But we seem hamstrung to play the way we do because we are building a team around him. And play in a way to suit him. I’ve never heard of a team building their team around a defensive midfielder. If we just had a normal midfield I feel we would play better.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

I wouldn’t even mind if wing goes tbh. I don’t want him too. But we seem hamstrung to play the way we do because we are building a team around him. And play in a way to suit him. I’ve never heard of a team building their team around a defensive midfielder. If we just had a normal midfield I feel we would play better.

I've been feeling the same thing - he's our best player, but accommodating him doesn't make us a great team over the course of a season...

[Royalwaster]

I wouldn’t even mind if wing goes tbh. I don’t want him too. But we seem hamstrung to play the way we do because we are building a team around him. And play in a way to suit him. I’ve never heard of a team building their team around a defensive midfielder. If we just had a normal midfield I feel we would play better.

*Cough* Manchester City *Cough*

[John Madejski's Wallet]

I wouldn’t even mind if wing goes tbh. I don’t want him too. But we seem hamstrung to play the way we do because we are building a team around him. And play in a way to suit him. I’ve never heard of a team building their team around a defensive midfielder. If we just had a normal midfield I feel we would play better.

I've been feeling the same thing - he's our best player, but accommodating him doesn't make us a great team over the course of a season...

Feel the same tbh. Talented player, but second half of last season and all this season, he's basically played as a defender. Absolutely then ruins our entire play and formation. Last few months he's been showing zero desire to physically move upfield, even when we have the ball higher up the flanks and there are huge amounts of space for him to move into

[tmesis]

I've always said we should get Glen Little in to coach them on how to cross a ball.

If only we had someone as good at crossing as Michael Gilkes on the coaching staff...

[Lower West]

Feels like a total waste of a season.

It's felt like that since the day when Dai took over. A non-event of a play-off final, followed by year after year of depressing seasons. The only good one had no fans to see it, and even then it involved throwing away a play-off place right at the death.

I just hope we don’t follow the same trend. The early Dai era was a massive what could’ve been had he had some competent people advising him and running the club on a day-to-day basis.

As was later discovered Dai was a fraud. Anyone can spend money that wasn't there's.

[grey_squirrel]

I've read all these comments and thought long and hard about our present position.

Whilst I am as frustrated as most about where we are on the pitch I think we need a reality check.

I can't tell you how much it gnarls me seeing our historical piers, Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton all challenging for Europe but lest not forget we are fortunate to still have a Club.

It wasn't that long ago Bury was a permanent fixture for us. Lincoln were non-league. Coventry were homeless, bankrupt and a basket case. I could go on and on.

I don't actually think Richardson is the right man. But then again I don't think any of his 6 predecessors were either.

Everything these days is sadly contemporary and "I want it now".

We seem to have a safe, decent Owner. This is a massive fix for them and it will take time. Especially getting the right manager.

A lot of people here seem to think we have a divine right to be doing better and whilst I applaud the ambition, as an example, there are well over 20 current EFL Clubs (that DIDN'T nearly cease to exist) who have had previous Premier League membership in the past and are nowhere near regaining it.

[leon]

I wouldn’t even mind if wing goes tbh. I don’t want him too. But we seem hamstrung to play the way we do because we are building a team around him. And play in a way to suit him. I’ve never heard of a team building their team around a defensive midfielder. If we just had a normal midfield I feel we would play better.

*Cough* Manchester City *Cough*

*Cough* spend shit tons of money on the best players *cough*

[WestYorksRoyal]

I've read all these comments and thought long and hard about our present position.

Whilst I am as frustrated as most about where we are on the pitch I think we need a reality check.

I can't tell you how much it gnarls me seeing our historical piers, Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton all challenging for Europe but lest not forget we are fortunate to still have a Club.

It wasn't that long ago Bury was a permanent fixture for us. Lincoln were non-league. Coventry were homeless, bankrupt and a basket case. I could go on and on.

I don't actually think Richardson is the right man. But then again I don't think any of his 6 predecessors were either.

Everything these days is sadly contemporary and "I want it now".

We seem to have a safe, decent Owner. This is a massive fix for them and it will take time. Especially getting the right manager.

A lot of people here seem to think we have a divine right to be doing better and whilst I applaud the ambition, as an example, there are well over 20 current EFL Clubs (that DIDN'T nearly cease to exist) who have had previous Premier League membership in the past and are nowhere near regaining it.

Agree with a lot of that, but I don't think many fans feel we have a divine right to be anywhere. We're just desperate to have a season we actually enjoy, because when did that last happen?

The Selles and Hunt seasons were okay but we had existential dread hanging over us, and had to deal with low moments like losing Selles and Smith. Paunovic's 1st season started off incredibly, but petered out badly plus there weren't any crowds. I'd say Stam's season was good even if we didn't love the football on offer. That was 9 years ago now.

So it's getting on for a decade since you could say supporting this club was genuinely fun and enjoyable. If we had a season which reversed the trend in L2, I think fans would take that.

Looking back to when I was younger in the 00s, there was a feeling the club was upwardly mobile and we went into games with genuine excitement. That's what's been missing for too long.

[katweslowski]

What a shit attendance

13,938

I said this too - I think people are just fed up now and I only came because it was Cardiff and likely to be a good atmosphere (From them at least). I don't plan on attending the last game of the season - I just honestly can't be bothered

[katweslowski]

Think LR’s luck has run out recently

I'll likely post this on the main "Leam out" thread. But I was in two minds. I think it boils down to this:

He probably doesn't deserve to get sacked, but I think he should leave/walk away. The fans haven't wamred to him and I just don't think his future is here.

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I agree with Ady Williams that there should be a "handshake" and he should go.

I just can't see him getting this team, new players and the club in general promoted.

I've read all these comments and thought long and hard about our present position.

Whilst I am as frustrated as most about where we are on the pitch I think we need a reality check.

I can't tell you how much it gnarls me seeing our historical piers, Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton all challenging for Europe but lest not forget we are fortunate to still have a Club.

It wasn't that long ago Bury was a permanent fixture for us. Lincoln were non-league. Coventry were homeless, bankrupt and a basket case. I could go on and on.

I don't actually think Richardson is the right man. But then again I don't think any of his 6 predecessors were either.

Everything these days is sadly contemporary and "I want it now".

We seem to have a safe, decent Owner. This is a massive fix for them and it will take time. Especially getting the right manager.

A lot of people here seem to think we have a divine right to be doing better and whilst I applaud the ambition, as an example, there are well over 20 current EFL Clubs (that DIDN'T nearly cease to exist) who have had previous Premier League membership in the past and are nowhere near regaining it.

Very good post - I agree with it all, except the final paragraph. I think fans are particularly bitter and frustrated at the way we were relegated from the Championship. We've seen other clubs drop and then go straight back up, and those that haven't are still really pushing at the top and narrowly missing out. We've had three seasons now of utter shite.

This club does have hte foundation and stature for Championship football and I feel we fit there the best, and It's my favourite league. The club are rightly targeting promotion as the main goal. Couhig in particular who said that his plan is to get promotion and sell up. Fine by me if he does so responsibly which I think he would.

I don't think there is any divine right, but there is an expectation that the team actually turn up and entertain, put in some perforamnces. Over the last three seasons, I've probably genuinely enjoyed about 25% of the games. So many are just boring, mundane, side ways passing, backwards, anti-football, slow.

If I have to see Joel Perriera once more drop the ball and then fanny around for 20 seconds then I will go insane.

[RoyalBlue]

Think LR’s luck has run out recently

I'll likely post this on the main "Leam out" thread. But I was in two minds. I think it boils down to this:

He probably doesn't deserve to get sacked, but I think he should leave/walk away. The fans haven't wamred to him and I just don't think his future is here.

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I agree with Ady Williams that there should be a "handshake" and he should go.

I just can't see him getting this team, new players and the club in general promoted.

I've read all these comments and thought long and hard about our present position.

Whilst I am as frustrated as most about where we are on the pitch I think we need a reality check.

I can't tell you how much it gnarls me seeing our historical piers, Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton all challenging for Europe but lest not forget we are fortunate to still have a Club.

It wasn't that long ago Bury was a permanent fixture for us. Lincoln were non-league. Coventry were homeless, bankrupt and a basket case. I could go on and on.

I don't actually think Richardson is the right man. But then again I don't think any of his 6 predecessors were either.

Everything these days is sadly contemporary and "I want it now".

We seem to have a safe, decent Owner. This is a massive fix for them and it will take time. Especially getting the right manager.

A lot of people here seem to think we have a divine right to be doing better and whilst I applaud the ambition, as an example, there are well over 20 current EFL Clubs (that DIDN'T nearly cease to exist) who have had previous Premier League membership in the past and are nowhere near regaining it.

If I have to see Joel Perriera once more drop the ball and then fanny around for 20 seconds then I will go insane.

Next time have a look and see how well his teammates are positioned to receive a quick pass. There was one occasion on Saturday where he caught the ball and ran forwards, clearly looking to release early. The only player forward was Kelvin, ambling towards the half-way line but still well inside his own half.

[El Diablo]

Anyone pick up that LR didn't do his customery clap to the fans , and instead came on the pitch with a few kids i assume to try and avoid being booed?!

Couldn't make it up.

[katweslowski]

Anyone pick up that LR didn't do his customery clap to the fans , and instead came on the pitch with a few kids i assume to try and avoid being booed?!

Couldn't make it up.

Haha, Yes I did see that. I did laugh as it was exactly my thought that it was no doubt a good way to avoid a terrible response with his clapping of each side (which I quite like btw).

[MR. CYNICAL]

I've read all these comments and thought long and hard about our present position.

Whilst I am as frustrated as most about where we are on the pitch I think we need a reality check.

I can't tell you how much it gnarls me seeing our historical piers, Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton all challenging for Europe but lest not forget we are fortunate to still have a Club.

It wasn't that long ago Bury was a permanent fixture for us. Lincoln were non-league. Coventry were homeless, bankrupt and a basket case. I could go on and on.

I don't actually think Richardson is the right man. But then again I don't think any of his 6 predecessors were either.

Everything these days is sadly contemporary and "I want it now".

We seem to have a safe, decent Owner. This is a massive fix for them and it will take time. Especially getting the right manager.

A lot of people here seem to think we have a divine right to be doing better and whilst I applaud the ambition, as an example, there are well over 20 current EFL Clubs (that DIDN'T nearly cease to exist) who have had previous Premier League membership in the past and are nowhere near regaining it.

Agree with a lot of that, but I don't think many fans feel we have a divine right to be anywhere. We're just desperate to have a season we actually enjoy, because when did that last happen?

The Selles and Hunt seasons were okay but we had existential dread hanging over us, and had to deal with low moments like losing Selles and Smith. Paunovic's 1st season started off incredibly, but petered out badly plus there weren't any crowds. I'd say Stam's season was good even if we didn't love the football on offer. That was 9 years ago now.

So it's getting on for a decade since you could say supporting this club was genuinely fun and enjoyable. If we had a season which reversed the trend in L2, I think fans would take that.

Looking back to when I was younger in the 00s, there was a feeling the club was upwardly mobile and we went into games with genuine excitement. That's what's been missing for too long.

Yes, was going to every game home and away from the early 00's up to around 2010. Under JM we always had a competitive championship side. Every game you'd go knowing we were capable of winning it, whoever we were playing. Now you go just in hope that it can't be as bad as the last game, but quite often is!

[tmesis]

The only positive of late is that we've stopped getting worse.

It just feels such and age since there was anything to get excited about. I know we've been on the fringes of the play-offs, but we never looked anything like a promotion-chasing side.