Leam in or out

[Sutekh]

Utterly pointless unless the result is binding on the club.

[Brogue]

Utterly pointless unless the result is binding on the club.

Shall I delete the player of the season poll too then?

[Garry Baldy]

For me, definitely out.

I can take winning a few, losing a few but our football is dire and it's not because our players are not good enough. It's because of the manager. Apparently our owner is disappointed with our attendances. Surely he must realise our brand of sterile unattractive football has something to do with it.

[scumbag]

For me, definitely out.

I can take winning a few, losing a few but our football is dire and it's not because our players are not good enough. It's because of the manager. Apparently our owner is disappointed with our attendances. Surely he must realise our brand of sterile unattractive football has something to do with it.

Sums it up well.

[ILoveMoonPig]

I'm voting 'In'. I know we say this every year, but... Summer rebuild?

[Royal Rother]

For me, definitely out.

I can take winning a few, losing a few but our football is dire and it's not because our players are not good enough. It's because of the manager. Apparently our owner is disappointed with our attendances. Surely he must realise our brand of sterile unattractive football has something to do with it.

Sums it up well.

Indeed it does.

Don’t think I have felt this strongly about a manager in my 40 odd years of watching Reading (well, maybe Stam).

People who HAVE to watch because it’s just what they do won’t stop going to games, but I don’t believe anybody actually WANTS to watch this team.

The club can try all the hype they want but with him in charge I suspect ST sales will be horrendous this summer.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Agree that it’s turgid, agree that it will have an effect
Who should manage Reading Rothers?

[West F]

In
A Summer and two months of improvement next season.

Or

It’s tennis ball time.

[Brogue]

70% want him gone wow.

[Royal Rother]

Agree that it’s turgid, agree that it will have an effect
Who should manage Reading Rothers?

I really don’t know. Just somebody who encourages and coaches players to pass the ball forward constructively, to control the ball confidently, to know where your team mates need to receive the ball, to move into space where you know you can be available to receive the ball and how to beat a man, rather than just go backwards / sideways or hoof it aimlessly forward every time an opposition player is within 5 yards of you.

[WestYorksRoyal]

This "who would replace" question is bothering me a bit. Pardew and McDermott had no managerial experience and did a great job for us. Coppell obviously had some big previous success, but it was >10 years before he managed us which no doubt many would have written off as belonging to a different era. Lincoln was Skubala's first managerial job apart from a few interim games for Leeds.

We're not trying to find a candidate to manage Real Madrid or England.

I was one of the minority who voted "in" earlier for reasons already articulated, but this "who would replace him?" is a non-argument for me.

What our successful managers all had in common is they were right for the team and the club. We had a clear cultural identity in those days and clear roles and responsibilities. We don't currently have that which is a bigger problem than Leam. So let's say the owners have a big reset and try to think about what the identity of the club is, how a manager fits in with that and ultimately conclude Richardson is not the right choice. In that case, get rid of him, as replacement options will be available.

[blueroyals]

IN

L1 is a turgid league and you won't get out of it playing like Barcelona

Recruitment has been poor and players are clearly not fit enough due to a shambles of a pre-season. And constant injuries

Give him the summer + 10 games next season to turn it around

[Getthebeerens]

Out for me - no sign of any tactical progress if anything it’s going backwards. (Like our passing)

In the unlikely event he did leave before the season finished, I wouldn’t mind Matt Ritchie having a crack at it until the end of the season.

[West F]

This "who would replace" question is bothering me a bit. Pardew and McDermott had no managerial experience and did a great job for us. Coppell obviously had some big previous success, but it was >10 years before he managed us which no doubt many would have written off as belonging to a different era. Lincoln was Skubala's first managerial job apart from a few interim games for Leeds.

We're not trying to find a candidate to manage Real Madrid or England.

I was one of the minority who voted "in" earlier for reasons already articulated, but this "who would replace him?" is a non-argument for me.

What our successful managers all had in common is they were right for the team and the club. We had a clear cultural identity in those days and clear roles and responsibilities. We don't currently have that which is a bigger problem than Leam. So let's say the owners have a big reset and try to think about what the identity of the club is, how a manager fits in with that and ultimately conclude Richardson is not the right choice. In that case, get rid of him, as replacement options will be available.

Pards, Coppell and McDermott were all bootroom appointments. There is a common football strategic ethos they all followed.

[Clyde1998]

Voted in. He needs a serious transfer window to try and resolve the poor recruitment we’ve generally had this season.

We’re short at least two strikers (one pacey; one target man); two direct, pacey wingers; at least one right-back; a fairly quick right-sided centre-back; and probably at least one centre mid. This is to be serious play-off contenders.

We need players who’ll have resell value and have the potential to improve.

At this stage, I believe our poor performances are primarily down to the lack of alternatives that would have the ability to get us any sort of results.

Arguably, our expectations have been set too high this season by all the pre-season talk by the ownership. It cost Hunt his job; could well cost Richardson his.

If the owners are demanding play-offs, you’ll prepare the side to get results in the most effective way possible. This year should always have been seen as the foundation to a serious push for promotion within the following few seasons.

We’re not getting in the play-offs now and the sooner that’s mathematically confirmed the better. Would allow for some experimentation in the final few games.

It seems there are much deeper issues than the manager and players at the moment though.

[Franconian Royal]

I’m going to say OUT, simply because it’s incredibly painful watching it. Yes, L1 is a turgid league but still it looks he has no idea how to break down teams and when there’s no plan A he has nothing else

[tidus_mi2]

If they do stick with Leam, like they probably will, I'd love to at least get the playing style addressed in a bit more detail rather than not having a pre-season and fitness issues, no idea if that's unrealistic.

It's clearly a big concern for the fanbase and is a driving factor to our dwindling attendances, being in League One is still probably the biggest factor but I can't help but imagine that attendances would be higher if there was actual entertainment on offer.

[SpaghettiHoop]

This is not his team. He's had one transfer window signing three players permanently. Only when the majority of players are his signings can we judge him and his style. The summer window will be crucial so he needs to recruit wisely. The first half of next season will decide whether he stays or goes.

[morganb]

What is Team's job title? I imagine Football Manager or Football Coach?

So, do your job. Manage and Coach

I don't get the "they are not his players" excuse. How many managers last long enough to have a squad full of their players? Surely the majority come in part way through a season when a team is doing badly and have to work with what they've got? They must look at what players they have and try to play to their strengths. Are we playing to our squads strengths or simply playing a style that doesn't suit?

So, he has a summer to buy his own players. What then? Entertaining football, winning games and promotion of course

[Millsy]

Go away Ian

So you don’t have an answer.

I mean, the whole purpose of this place is to allow people to debate their opinions on Reading FC which is what he's asking us to do.

Are you suggesting he shouldn't start the debate because you don't agree with him?

If only there was already a (premature and pointless) thread on this already.