shurlock

Are you serious? He was poor at Loftus Road - Lambert got less protection than usual(Ferdinand was pulling him back all day) and that's saying something...

History may have been on the wrong side of some industries but where was the genuine commitment fiscally and philosophically -the investment in skills, infrastructure and productive capacity- to help those areas to get back on their feet and make the transition to new, productive activities? Benign neglect is being charitable.

Definitely, much will depend on their ability to win the second ball, even if that means dropping pretty deep.

One of the things that stands out is how we've improved defensively. We conceded a staggering 28 goals in our first 10 games (admittedly against strong teams); but then conceded only 25 in the following 22 games, a goals per game ratio that would put us in the top 4 or 5 defensive teams in the league. Not too shabby for a team that's maligned for its defending. Lends credence to the idea that individual mistakes/confidence -rather than poor tactics or positioning- were costing us.

Theyre defensively good in the air, so I hope we don't fall into the trap we did against QPR. They're not the quickest team, so Jrod and the fullback's pace will be invaluable. Jos should be suited to a game like this. Touch wood.

You've got a degree in history and politics? f**k me...

Ditto

Edit

Think we should go back in for Lens. First things first though.

Needless but deserved sending off. Wigan lucking out again.

The Wigan draw away was worse - we were poor in the home fixture and they were good value in the second half.

Exactly hence the 'big four' and so forth. And one reason why talk about champions league or even top six is a tad premature.

Not surprising given that over the past few seasons they've had the 3rd most expensive team in the league on net spend.

Very hard to press when the other team is hoofing - no point in midfielders gambling if you the ball's going to bypass them and come back very quickly. Adkins tactics were spot on - stick Le Fondre up front and hit lots of balls down Jos' side for him the Le Fondre to chase. Shaw was targeted quite a bit as well. Much depended on our ability to win second balls -and Cork grew in influence as the game wore on, cleaning things up. Their tactics ultimately ran into diminishing returns, our quality shone through and, as you say, we were very good value for the three points.

That's what comfortable, midtable dullness gets you...

Changing your tune CB? Only a couple of months ago, you were calling them a model football club, one we should be emulating and aspiring to :lol: Dear oh dear. In your words, are you on crack?

Looks like we 2-4-3-1/3-4-3 at times! Those graphics show not only the importance of Cork and Morgan but also Clyne and Shaw. They are our main source of width and get very little protection (Cork is deployed to sweep up). They are as, if not more important than Cork and Morgan. It also shows how we can get beat. Liverpool and Chelsea looked dangerous when they switched the ball quickly from one flank to the other to take advantage of our narrowness and tendency of our players to drift inside to press. Don't know if Reading have the players to do that.

Good lad

Would be interesting to know if Jrod has managed to settle down south - upping sticks was a big deal and was one of the reasons he was linked so heavily with Everton in the summer.

It works brilliantly well when you're winning but you need to change your tune and tack when results go against you. The disconnect between rhetoric and reality will eventually make you look a bit silly and your credibility will suffer. Would love to have known what Nige said or did during our poor spells.

Nah-sounds like Tony Pulis discussing tactics.

Curiously the eyes are fixated on whatever's turning on the girl.

Agree Norwich was an odd one, though Ramirez, from looking bright in the first half, faded in the second. Against Chelsea, we tried to give the fullbacks a bit more cover - and he was the closest to a defensive option we had. Even Fox was later brought on to tighten LM. Chaplow was clearly loaned out to give JPW a chance (even though Chaplow currently offers more than JWP imo). Whether that means JWP has to see match time is another matter.

Not sure. I still dont think he's ready to play; but we're stretched in the middle of the park. We used to bring Davis on to provide fresh legs and tighten things up -CM is probably one of the most tiring jobs under MP- but now Davis starting, we don't have any cover. Lallana, Punch, Ramirez are all too forward-minded to do that job. Will be interesting to see what happens in the summer. Another box-to-box CM is a must IMO. If we don't strengthen and JWP continues to get the nod, it might just say something about wider club policy (as you suggest).

Moreover, Reading have never lost when Jones has refereed one of their games (played 8 - won 2 - drawn 6). We've played 8, lost 6 and drawn 2 and yet to win under Jones.