Richardson out

[Snowflake Royal]

Noel was livid about the summer transfer window. Pretty much every target he wanted was missed and then the other players were brought in.

In the minority here, but lets give Leam the summer to get out and in who he wants rather than using an inherited squad and short term signings.

Leam appears good at getting results on L1, despite how the teams play but has been found out in the championship, but i think he deserves a shot until the same timeframe as Noel to implement what he wants to do (takes cover)

The 2 players Noel supposedly wanted in which we didn't get (according to Brogue) were Bowler and Cole who have both done nothing this season and Bowler would most likely have stopped DK progressing and if we'd signed Cole we probably wouldn't have gone for Marriott.

Not to mention Bowler's attitude of agreeing a deal and then demanding more money stunk the place out. No way someone we should be signing.

[leon]

I don't believe this is the way Richardson wants us to play, but he is trying to get results with the players he has. He has had one transfer window, and therefore doesn't have the type of players in key positions he wants.

He knows we need pace, in midfield, the wings and up top - we have two quick wide players, but how often have both been fit to be in the same team. Our midfield is just not dynamic enough, it offers little going forward and loses the ball frequently putting pressure on the defence, hence why we rarely keep clean sheets.

I firmly believe our defence is one of the best in the division, but it just can't cope with the midfield offering little protection in front of it.

It is definitely a work in progress, and I remember back to Coppell's tenure, and even Pardew's, that it took 3 or 4 transfer windows to build the right team. Take a look at Lincoln, they have been building gradually for a number of seasons to get where they are now. They don't have any big stars, but they have a team that play for and compliment each other. We are a long way from having that, but constantly changing a manager will never get you there.

Welcome back Wycombe. Certainly can't agree with your view of our defence... to me it's the clear weak link in the team, albeit a lot stronger with Williams and Ward.

I do think the general point about a good defence appearing bad because of a weak midfield is often a very good one though

I stand by my view of our defence. The game against Lincoln was a case in point. We had over 70% possession, yet nearly every time we lost the ball our midfield was non-existent in holding Lincoln up or tracking back leaving the defence exposed. This happens in most games. We always look short at the back and the defence does its best to not be overrun and limit chances. With a more dynamic midfield the cuts out runners, covers positions and actually tracks back with some urgency we would concede less goals. Our midfield hasn't functioned effectively for a long time as the players don't compliment each other and have very little pace.

Agree 100% - the midfield is the weak in this team. It's neither solid enough to protect the defence nor pacy, mobile or capable of any movement to provide an outlet and get the ball up the pitch.

Look at so many away games this season where we were closed down and going backwards towards our goal. A strong midfield takes control of games not forfeits them.

Easy to blame the defence - I'm sure none of them want to have the ball for that amount of time, they just want to defend and release it.

[Snowflake Royal]

Welcome back Wycombe. Certainly can't agree with your view of our defence... to me it's the clear weak link in the team, albeit a lot stronger with Williams and Ward.

I do think the general point about a good defence appearing bad because of a weak midfield is often a very good one though

I stand by my view of our defence. The game against Lincoln was a case in point. We had over 70% possession, yet nearly every time we lost the ball our midfield was non-existent in holding Lincoln up or tracking back leaving the defence exposed. This happens in most games. We always look short at the back and the defence does its best to not be overrun and limit chances. With a more dynamic midfield the cuts out runners, covers positions and actually tracks back with some urgency we would concede less goals. Our midfield hasn't functioned effectively for a long time as the players don't compliment each other and have very little pace.

It's ok to have different opinions and disagree.

That Lincoln game was not typical, Lincoln are excellent at what they do... having no possession and smashing and grabbing. They're the best team in the division.

I think our biggest weakness ahead of defence is actually the wide forwards, from our shape, and retention and movement.

We've been punished by crosses all season. Partly because our fullbacks aren’t great (Dorsett switches off multiple times a game, Nyambe his hit and miss, Ahmed was naive, Yids is on the decline, Abrefa inexperienced, Roberts far better going forward than defending, Jacob slooooow). And because the wingers play so high and drift inside, and indeed half the time at least one FB is playing in a winger spot, we're left short there.

Combine that with the straight balls through the middle which beat us because Burns or O'Connor have stepped up and the back line is generally very slow.

Savage has bags of energy. Wing's defensive work is vastly underrated. Doyle has really progressed. The balance isn't right when he's missing and it's Savage, Fraser, Wing because there isn't that player who can keep the ball and offer passing options between the lines. The turn and carry forward, take people on, evade challenges etc. You frequently see Wing get frustrated that he doesn't have a good pass on just before he goes back.

But that's just how I see it. And certainly on Wing, at least, the numbers back it up.

But it would be a boring world if we all agreed.

[Royal Rother]

Welcome back Wycombe. Certainly can't agree with your view of our defence... to me it's the clear weak link in the team, albeit a lot stronger with Williams and Ward.

I do think the general point about a good defence appearing bad because of a weak midfield is often a very good one though

I stand by my view of our defence. The game against Lincoln was a case in point. We had over 70% possession, yet nearly every time we lost the ball our midfield was non-existent in holding Lincoln up or tracking back leaving the defence exposed. This happens in most games. We always look short at the back and the defence does its best to not be overrun and limit chances. With a more dynamic midfield the cuts out runners, covers positions and actually tracks back with some urgency we would concede less goals. Our midfield hasn't functioned effectively for a long time as the players don't compliment each other and have very little pace.

It's ok to have different opinions and disagree.

[AthleticoSpizz]

[Crowbar6753]

Firstly, before i comment, the season isn't quite over yet and we have a habit of going on decent runs! most of the top six still have plenty of games against each other so even though i think we are just about done stranger things have happened and this is Reading we are talking about here.
As we are on the Richardson topic its only fair to judge him first. He was brought in by Couhig to get us out of trouble and into the playoffs, and i guess if that was his job then to be honest he must get a solid 8/10 for effort. It wasn't pretty, he ditched the youth, brought in some senior heads and played a solid points game and fair play it almost and still might just work!
We've all picked up on the weaknesses and areas of disappointment and i admit this season has been a hard watch especially the Easter period going from almost in the playoffs to where we sit now.
Am i a fan of Richardson, to be honest i'm still not sure. I think he's a steady honest typical div 1 style of manager and everything feels like that Rotherham team a few years back who were horrible to watch but got the results needed to be comfortable.
However, i liked his speech at the fans meeting a while back and he talks a good game and i liked what he was trying to sell. So yes, he needs a full off season to get rid of some of the dead wood and bring in the type of player he see's fit to make his system work and this has to be done swiftly to allow a full pre season preparation so when August comes around the team are fit and ready to go.
Its a World Cup off season which always makes things interesting so i predict a swift start to get things done early and if we don't make the playoffs i think the team we are watching now will be vastly different to the team that starts the season and we may see a few shock exits such as Wing and Savage whom i feel won't take missing the playoffs well.

[Snowflake Royal]

Certainly quite a lot of people on here who seem to erroneously think disagreement means they aren’t allowed an opinion. Or that opinions are inviolable and unchallengeable.

Bizzare take imo, but each to their own.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Lighten-up mate.
Fwiw, we share a lot of the same opinions football wise, it’s about the delivery sometimes (and you do often resort to name calling as your sign-off )

[traff]

Could be reading too much into it, but it makes you wonder what the target and expectation are now, given that Richardson has sent James Beattie out to face the press instead of addressing a very disappointing weekend and the final four games of the season himself.

[Wycombe Royal]

Welcome back Wycombe. Certainly can't agree with your view of our defence... to me it's the clear weak link in the team, albeit a lot stronger with Williams and Ward.

I do think the general point about a good defence appearing bad because of a weak midfield is often a very good one though

I stand by my view of our defence. The game against Lincoln was a case in point. We had over 70% possession, yet nearly every time we lost the ball our midfield was non-existent in holding Lincoln up or tracking back leaving the defence exposed. This happens in most games. We always look short at the back and the defence does its best to not be overrun and limit chances. With a more dynamic midfield the cuts out runners, covers positions and actually tracks back with some urgency we would concede less goals. Our midfield hasn't functioned effectively for a long time as the players don't compliment each other and have very little pace.

It's ok to have different opinions and disagree.

That Lincoln game was not typical, Lincoln are excellent at what they do... having no possession and smashing and grabbing. They're the best team in the division.

I think our biggest weakness ahead of defence is actually the wide forwards, from our shape, and retention and movement.

We've been punished by crosses all season. Partly because our fullbacks aren’t great (Dorsett switches off multiple times a game, Nyambe his hit and miss, Ahmed was naive, Yids is on the decline, Abrefa inexperienced, Roberts far better going forward than defending, Jacob slooooow). And because the wingers play so high and drift inside, and indeed half the time at least one FB is playing in a winger spot, we're left short there.

Combine that with the straight balls through the middle which beat us because Burns or O'Connor have stepped up and the back line is generally very slow.

Savage has bags of energy. Wing's defensive work is vastly underrated. Doyle has really progressed. The balance isn't right when he's missing and it's Savage, Fraser, Wing because there isn't that player who can keep the ball and offer passing options between the lines. The turn and carry forward, take people on, evade challenges etc. You frequently see Wing get frustrated that he doesn't have a good pass on just before he goes back.

But that's just how I see it. And certainly on Wing, at least, the numbers back it up.

But it would be a boring world if we all agreed.

Well all I'm going to add is that I will be very surprised if the biggest transfer activity to first team starters isn't in the midfield (including the wings), followed by up front (I'm excluding the right back position because that is a notable position where we needed loan cover and have to replace that this summer).

[Brogue]

Certainly quite a lot of people on here who seem to erroneously think disagreement means they aren’t allowed an opinion. Or that opinions are inviolable and unchallengeable.

Bizzare take imo, but each to their own.

but yet you were first and front to call me out for this very thread...

[West F]

We don’t play with wings. What is consistently frustrating is the lack of natural width. This is not due to a lack of wide options, but is elective from the manager. The only time we have played with natural width was against Barnsley at home, a game that we should have won. It is the only time we operated with two natural wings with Lane, Savage and Roberts down the left and Kyerewaa, Wing and Yiadom (with a late introduction of Cafu) on the right.
Wing and Savage were able to occupy half spaces from deep wide due to the fact that the Barnsley back four were occupied by the natural width presented by us. Both full backs were able to overlap and we put more crosses into the box than we had done all season and since.
It also allowed us to push much further up the pitch and retain possession in the final third. Helped by the fact that Barnsley had a 38 year old David McGoldrick playing up front. Meaning the threat of pace against a high line was not real. There is no great mystery as to why we cannot break teams down or create opportunities from open play. The obsession with playing inverted ‘wingers’ literally plays into the hands of any opposition we face as they know exactly how to play against us. We are easy to play against. We are reliant on one of two things happening. A worldie or a mistake. Most games we are playing seem to come down to Richardson trying to outlast or out fitness opposition teams in what is dire attritional football.

[Snowflake Royal]

Certainly quite a lot of people on here who seem to erroneously think disagreement means they aren’t allowed an opinion. Or that opinions are inviolable and unchallengeable.

Bizzare take imo, but each to their own.

but yet you were first and front to call me out for this very thread...

Some opinions are just flat wrong and stupid. And you starting this thread was toxic.

[Hound]

We don’t play with wings. What is consistently frustrating is the lack of natural width. This is not due to a lack of wide options, but is elective from the manager. The only time we have played with natural width was against Barnsley at home, a game that we should have won. It is the only time we operated with two natural wings with Lane, Savage and Roberts down the left and Kyerewaa, Wing and Yiadom (with a late introduction of Cafu) on the right.
Wing and Savage were able to occupy half spaces from deep wide due to the fact that the Barnsley back four were occupied by the natural width presented by us. Both full backs were able to overlap and we put more crosses into the box than we had done all season and since.
It also allowed us to push much further up the pitch and retain possession in the final third. Helped by the fact that Barnsley had a 38 year old David McGoldrick playing up front. Meaning the threat of pace against a high line was not real. There is no great mystery as to why we cannot break teams down or create opportunities from open play. The obsession with playing inverted ‘wingers’ literally plays into the hands of any opposition we face as they know exactly how to play against us. We are easy to play against. We are reliant on one of two things happening. A worldie or a mistake. Most games we are playing seem to come down to Richardson trying to outlast or out fitness opposition teams in what is dire attritional football.

Inverted wingers seems to be the modern way. Must say I’m not a huge fan, esp when you have a 6ft3 target in the middle to aim for

There must be some reasoning behind it that I’m not totally aware of. I get the concept at times, - maybe if you have a Yakou Meite and a great shooting left foot, otherwise not really

[MR. CYNICAL]

Welcome back Wycombe. Certainly can't agree with your view of our defence... to me it's the clear weak link in the team, albeit a lot stronger with Williams and Ward.

I do think the general point about a good defence appearing bad because of a weak midfield is often a very good one though

I stand by my view of our defence. The game against Lincoln was a case in point. We had over 70% possession, yet nearly every time we lost the ball our midfield was non-existent in holding Lincoln up or tracking back leaving the defence exposed. This happens in most games. We always look short at the back and the defence does its best to not be overrun and limit chances. With a more dynamic midfield the cuts out runners, covers positions and actually tracks back with some urgency we would concede less goals. Our midfield hasn't functioned effectively for a long time as the players don't compliment each other and have very little pace.

It's ok to have different opinions and disagree.

That Lincoln game was not typical, Lincoln are excellent at what they do... having no possession and smashing and grabbing. They're the best team in the division.

I think our biggest weakness ahead of defence is actually the wide forwards, from our shape, and retention and movement.

We've been punished by crosses all season. Partly because our fullbacks aren’t great (Dorsett switches off multiple times a game, Nyambe his hit and miss, Ahmed was naive, Yids is on the decline, Abrefa inexperienced, Roberts far better going forward than defending, Jacob slooooow). And because the wingers play so high and drift inside, and indeed half the time at least one FB is playing in a winger spot, we're left short there.

Combine that with the straight balls through the middle which beat us because Burns or O'Connor have stepped up and the back line is generally very slow.

Savage has bags of energy. Wing's defensive work is vastly underrated. Doyle has really progressed. The balance isn't right when he's missing and it's Savage, Fraser, Wing because there isn't that player who can keep the ball and offer passing options between the lines. The turn and carry forward, take people on, evade challenges etc. You frequently see Wing get frustrated that he doesn't have a good pass on just before he goes back.

But that's just how I see it. And certainly on Wing, at least, the numbers back it up.

But it would be a boring world if we all agreed.

To be fair to Dorsett, he is a left sided centre back, not a natural left back who's playing there as our options are limited, especially with Roberts being injured. Annoys me a bit when he gets a lot of stick.
To be honest, the left back position has been an issue for a few seasons now. Can't remember a decent left back since Nicky Shorey. Richards left after probably one decent season and a few academy lads have failed to impress there since, hence the loan signing of Jacobs which didn't work out either.

[MR. CYNICAL]

I stand by my view of our defence. The game against Lincoln was a case in point. We had over 70% possession, yet nearly every time we lost the ball our midfield was non-existent in holding Lincoln up or tracking back leaving the defence exposed. This happens in most games. We always look short at the back and the defence does its best to not be overrun and limit chances. With a more dynamic midfield the cuts out runners, covers positions and actually tracks back with some urgency we would concede less goals. Our midfield hasn't functioned effectively for a long time as the players don't compliment each other and have very little pace.

It's ok to have different opinions and disagree.

That Lincoln game was not typical, Lincoln are excellent at what they do... having no possession and smashing and grabbing. They're the best team in the division.

I think our biggest weakness ahead of defence is actually the wide forwards, from our shape, and retention and movement.

We've been punished by crosses all season. Partly because our fullbacks aren’t great (Dorsett switches off multiple times a game, Nyambe his hit and miss, Ahmed was naive, Yids is on the decline, Abrefa inexperienced, Roberts far better going forward than defending, Jacob slooooow). And because the wingers play so high and drift inside, and indeed half the time at least one FB is playing in a winger spot, we're left short there.

Combine that with the straight balls through the middle which beat us because Burns or O'Connor have stepped up and the back line is generally very slow.

Savage has bags of energy. Wing's defensive work is vastly underrated. Doyle has really progressed. The balance isn't right when he's missing and it's Savage, Fraser, Wing because there isn't that player who can keep the ball and offer passing options between the lines. The turn and carry forward, take people on, evade challenges etc. You frequently see Wing get frustrated that he doesn't have a good pass on just before he goes back.

But that's just how I see it. And certainly on Wing, at least, the numbers back it up.

But it would be a boring world if we all agreed.

To be fair to Dorsett, he is a left sided centre back, not a natural left back who's playing there as our options are limited, especially with Roberts being injured. Annoys me a bit when he gets a lot of stick.
To be honest, the left back position has been an issue for a few seasons now. Can't remember a decent left back since Nicky Shorey. Richards left after probably one decent season and a few academy lads have failed to impress there since, hence the loan signing of Jacobs which didn't work out either.

Missed out Rahman and Guinness Walker, they didn't impress much either, though maybe the latter may be ok at this level.

[Snowflake Royal]

I stand by my view of our defence. The game against Lincoln was a case in point. We had over 70% possession, yet nearly every time we lost the ball our midfield was non-existent in holding Lincoln up or tracking back leaving the defence exposed. This happens in most games. We always look short at the back and the defence does its best to not be overrun and limit chances. With a more dynamic midfield the cuts out runners, covers positions and actually tracks back with some urgency we would concede less goals. Our midfield hasn't functioned effectively for a long time as the players don't compliment each other and have very little pace.

It's ok to have different opinions and disagree.

That Lincoln game was not typical, Lincoln are excellent at what they do... having no possession and smashing and grabbing. They're the best team in the division.

I think our biggest weakness ahead of defence is actually the wide forwards, from our shape, and retention and movement.

We've been punished by crosses all season. Partly because our fullbacks aren’t great (Dorsett switches off multiple times a game, Nyambe his hit and miss, Ahmed was naive, Yids is on the decline, Abrefa inexperienced, Roberts far better going forward than defending, Jacob slooooow). And because the wingers play so high and drift inside, and indeed half the time at least one FB is playing in a winger spot, we're left short there.

Combine that with the straight balls through the middle which beat us because Burns or O'Connor have stepped up and the back line is generally very slow.

Savage has bags of energy. Wing's defensive work is vastly underrated. Doyle has really progressed. The balance isn't right when he's missing and it's Savage, Fraser, Wing because there isn't that player who can keep the ball and offer passing options between the lines. The turn and carry forward, take people on, evade challenges etc. You frequently see Wing get frustrated that he doesn't have a good pass on just before he goes back.

But that's just how I see it. And certainly on Wing, at least, the numbers back it up.

But it would be a boring world if we all agreed.

To be fair to Dorsett, he is a left sided centre back, not a natural left back who's playing there as our options are limited, especially with Roberts being injured. Annoys me a bit when he gets a lot of stick.
To be honest, the left back position has been an issue for a few seasons now. Can't remember a decent left back since Nicky Shorey. Richards left after probably one decent season and a few academy lads have failed to impress there since, hence the loan signing of Jacobs which didn't work out either.

He's been playing LB in the first team for three seasons and he's got 61 first team starts in League 1, almost all at LB. He's not a CB filling in at LB any more, hasn't been for quite some time. And when he has played CB, he's had much the same issues as at LB.

He's 23 and has over 100 professional appearances, I'm afraid for me the patience and excuses have run out. He's no better now than he was two seasons ago.

Decent LBs since Nicky Shorey?
Chris Armstrong
Ian Harte
Ryan Bertrand
Omar Richards

Andre Garcia's done ok for himself.

[Hound]

I liked Obita. Horrible injury did for him sadly

[leon]

Certainly quite a lot of people on here who seem to erroneously think disagreement means they aren’t allowed an opinion. Or that opinions are inviolable and unchallengeable.

Bizzare take imo, but each to their own.

but yet you were first and front to call me out for this very thread...

Some opinions are just flat wrong and stupid. And you starting this thread was toxic.

here he is!!!!

[Brogue]

but yet you were first and front to call me out for this very thread...

Some opinions are just flat wrong and stupid. And you starting this thread was toxic.

here he is!!!!

He really is a parody of himself