BFTG - Barnsley

[Man Friday]

People saying the season has been horrendous and yet we're still 6th. I'm not saying I disagree or agree with you, but it's an observation.

Somehow we are still (on paper) doing really well, challenging for promotion places. We're over achieving? I don't think so, I think we're just so irritatingly inconsistent it's beyond belief.

I've seen us win at Forest, Watford and Millwall. I watched us convincing win against QPR too. There was also 7-1 and 5-1 results at home and us scoring for fun.

Yet we somehow go and play utter gash when we should be riding high. The players are the same, and it seems mostly home games we just look scared of the ball and lack confidence or the real cutting/clinical edge. I'm reluctant to blame Nigel as I'm a big believer in players taking ownership, they are the ones that win games one week and lose the next.

Will stop here as I don't know what point I'm trying to make...

It's all about complacency. Whenever we play the weaker sides we struggle. We always think that in such a situation all we have to do is turn up. Fans think the same hence the predictions of "we'll win this 4-0" etc. It's The Reading Way.

[Man Friday]

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[Stevie G]

Absolutely abysmal, left 9 minutes early to get a head start on a 2 hour journey home. If Saturday was an evening match then I would not be going and I don't think anyone I know would be in the hunt for my ST. I thought the fans were most patient in the first half, some of the first half play was abysmal but we were still in it, and NA acknowledged that.

How can a team play so well away and then capitulate so much at home in a relatively benign atmosphere, given even only weeks ago we had two huge home wins. I'm getting the feeling that I had in the last season with Steve Coppell, the team want to make a statement, don't play well at home and I put it down to the backroom. They'll play away as they still have their careers to think of. There's uncertainty on clearing the Playoffs, if successful the squad is barely good enough for the Prem, it will not be invested in enough in time leaving them playing under pressure and if we don't promote then there's a fireside sale. The sale may all go to pay off wider debts, which leaves NA developing a new young squad as opposed to managing quality for a challenge, a kind of backward step by at least 2 years. NA did come out to say it was poor last night, but stopped short of stating that it was unacceptable, or place any blame, he could've just have easily trotted out that they lacked tempo and were likely tired after Saturday, as they certainly did. We also never heard from the captain or another player on BBCRB. I am amazed that SJM would let a business decline like this at the critical point of trying to sell, but then I'm not seeing his cards. Sadly, within their capabilities, I'd take NA staying over SJM leaving tomorrow.

I fear there will be a reaction on Saturday to appease the fans, but it will be a 0-0 or a 1-1 so that we can say we've played well and taken a point, but the theme will be the same. I'd planned on the PO final for the 26th, and was gutted to find it on 24th when I'm out of the country, but now it doesn't seem so important, even if we do get there, we won't deserve it.

Prove me wrong Nigel.

[sandman]

Absolutely abysmal, left 9 minutes early to get a head start on a 2 hour journey home. If Saturday was an evening match then I would not be going and I don't think anyone I know would be in the hunt for my ST. I thought the fans were most patient in the first half, some of the first half play was abysmal but we were still in it, and NA acknowledged that.

How can a team play so well away and then capitulate so much at home in a relatively benign atmosphere, given even only weeks ago we had two huge home wins. I'm getting the feeling that I had in the last season with Steve Coppell, the team want to make a statement, don't play well at home and I put it down to the backroom. They'll play away as they still have their careers to think of. There's uncertainty on clearing the Playoffs, if successful the squad is barely good enough for the Prem, it will not be invested in enough in time leaving them playing under pressure and if we don't promote then there's a fireside sale. The sale may all go to pay off wider debts, which leaves NA developing a new young squad as opposed to managing quality for a challenge, a kind of backward step by at least 2 years. NA did come out to say it was poor last night, but stopped short of stating that it was unacceptable, or place any blame, he could've just have easily trotted out that they lacked tempo and were likely tired after Saturday, as they certainly did. We also never heard from the captain or another player on BBCRB. I am amazed that SJM would let a business decline like this at the critical point of trying to sell, but then I'm not seeing his cards. Sadly, within their capabilities, I'd take NA staying over SJM leaving tomorrow.

I fear there will be a reaction on Saturday to appease the fans, but it will be a 0-0 or a 1-1 so that we can say we've played well and taken a point, but the theme will be the same. I'd planned on the PO final for the 26th, and was gutted to find it on 24th when I'm out of the country, but now it doesn't seem so important, even if we do get there, we won't deserve it.

Prove me wrong Nigel.

BBC Berks hardly ever do interviews with the players after a night game even when they win.

[chippc]

Maybe the Russians have left a curse on the Mad Stad or our players fancied a bet on Barnsley.

[Agent Balti]

Horrendous...absolutely horrendous. I've no idea what kind of formation we started with (could have been 4-5-1, or 4-2-3-1, as sure as hell it didn't have any "shape" whatsoever with players just running around aimlessly. The lack of a central midfield certainly didn't help - Jobi and Akpan were utterly hopeless, both just as bad as each other. Close control from Akpan seems to be just a pipe dream. Being the only real central midfielder, he should have taken this game by the scruff of the neck, but yet again it passes him by, balls bouncing off him and simple passes going astray (but then again, you could say that about pretty much all of them.)

For the first 10 minutes it seemed to be quite fluid and with some tempo, but no I got confused...that was really just messy passing at pace. After that it disintegrated into mush. At times it just seemed that we had no obvious pattern of play, what was it that we were trying to achieve? Is it short passing, is it long ball, is it possession based? It was none of them actually, as Barnsley (appeared) to have a ton of possession. Fair play to them, their second and third goals were cracking, but we contributed zero and even Pog's penalty was contrived.

Adkins was right to be scathing in his report, but we really should be playing with a lot more skill, passion, shape, confidence, and basic ball control. Only Obita came out of that with some credit, he was the best of a very sorry bunch. How we make the easy things look incredibly hard at times is totally baffling. For the first time, I've purely laid the blame at Adkins' door. He simply has to coach the basics much better.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Its clear players like Blackman and Akpan can lift their natural game and play at this level on occasion but this being few and far between we can't be relying on them as first team choices - we'd be better off breaking in new promise from the academy in their natural positions if better choices are missing.

There is no point, even if we are at home, playing two strikers and wasting a man, if the midfield cannot win the ball or create chances. If we are weakened in the middle then fill it with more players to compensate - I'd have liked to see Drenthe playing in a free role off Pog, give us a bit more spark in the middle or bring in Taylor to play with the protection of two others in the centre. I fail to see how two upfront is necessary when the central pair are overwhelmed either through lack of ability or being out of position.

You win or lose games in midfield, I'm bored of seeing Reading treat this area like a second thought, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

[soggy biscuit]

BOOOOOing during the match, sarcastically olé'ing when we pass the ball, cheering a player leaving the pitch, chanting the name of a sub when he only ever performs in January when looking to leave.

Worst fans in the country.

The fans got the performance they deserved.

[sandman]

BOOOOOing during the match, sarcastically olé'ing when we pass the ball, cheering a player leaving the pitch, chanting the name of a sub when he only ever performs in January when looking to leave.

Worst fans in the country.

The fans got the performance they deserved.

I don't believe in the fans doing things like that but last night we were awful and it was mostly justified. Personally I just laughed at the players and how utterly incompetent they were.

[tee peg]

BOOOOOing during the match, sarcastically olé'ing when we pass the ball, cheering a player leaving the pitch, chanting the name of a sub when he only ever performs in January when looking to leave.

Worst fans in the country.

The fans got the performance they deserved.

You reap what you sow.

[Will95]

BOOOOOing during the match, sarcastically olé'ing when we pass the ball, cheering a player leaving the pitch, chanting the name of a sub when he only ever performs in January when looking to leave.

Worst fans in the country.

The fans got the performance they deserved.

This^

If you support the team from go then yeah when they oxf*rd up boo, but if you can't be oxf*rd to back them positively then oxf*rd off with your boos. oxf*rd shit support who can only support the team when they're shit. 'Motivational booing'.

[Agent Balti]

Its clear players like Blackman and Akpan can lift their natural game and play at this level on occasion but this being few and far between we can't be relying on them as first team choices - we'd be better off breaking in new promise from the academy in their natural positions if better choices are missing.

There is no point, even if we are at home, playing two strikers and wasting a man, if the midfield cannot win the ball or create chances. If we are weakened in the middle then fill it with more players to compensate - I'd have liked to see Drenthe playing in a free role off Pog, give us a bit more spark in the middle or bring in Taylor to play with the protection of two others in the centre. I fail to see how two upfront is necessary when the central pair are overwhelmed either through lack of ability or being out of position.

You win or lose games in midfield, I'm bored of seeing Reading treat this area like a second thought, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

Totally agree with that. In essence, we had a team full of wide players (Jobi, Obita, Drenthe, Blackman, McCleary) almost all played away from their natural positions! OK, Obita is being groomed as a left-back and doing a good job of it, but I digress...centrally, we are totally bereft. How we can be in a position to rely on Jobi alongside a League Two midfielder and compete is a recipe for disaster...and that was nothing more than we achieved last night.

[under the tin]

BOOOOOing during the match, sarcastically olé'ing when we pass the ball, cheering a player leaving the pitch, chanting the name of a sub when he only ever performs in January when looking to leave.

Worst fans in the country.

The fans got the performance they deserved.

Pulling their hair out having watched their club bottle it twice upon promotion to the Prem.
Wearing their teeth down seeing overpaid journeymen incapable of finding a team mate with a pass
Bewilderment as to why the so called passing style is being persevered with, when the personnel available are incapable of implementing it.
Astonishment at the size of the crippling wage bill, given the quality of football fare on display.

Worst fans? moot. Most frustrated? probably.

[soggy biscuit]

Most frustrated? probably.

not sure if serious?

6th in the 2nd tier with 8 games to go, if we finish there it will be one of the highest finishes in the clubs history

Reckon Coventry, Hereford, Pompey etc might be just slightly more frustrated than poor old Reading fans

[Cureton's Volley]

McDermott was sacked for losing to teams such as Aston Villa and Wigan. Adkins has a better squad at his disposal, and yet is losing to teams such as Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Bournemouth (and only scraping a draw against Yeovil).

Every side has to deal with injuries, a good manager is adaptable and works around them but as his record when coming from behind shows Adkins is the least adaptable manager I've ever seen. He seems too proud of his 'style of play' (which is shit) to try and change it. He's got to go.

Outstanding point.

Nigel didn't have the players available to play 'his style' last night. How did we play 5 wingers on the pitch and show no width? When teams put 10 men behind the ball the solution is to stretch them wide and overlap - which happens to be one of our biggest strengths!!

I can just imagine his team talk before the game, docile and politely asking them to be 'patient and control possession of the football'... As a result we came out and strolled around as if we were 3-0 up, showing no urgency to go forward.

There were times we could have taken a quick gamble up the line and tried to get behind their defense early, but instead we turned backwards into trouble. As a result we allowed a team which looked at rock bottom and absolute gash for the first 15 minutes to grow into the game and end with the confidence of promotion contenders!

Say what you like about circumstances, but Nigel Adkins has no tactical ability, no motivational skills, and bottles the big decisions!

[Crotts]

I feel a bit uncomfortable in continuing the trend in picking on Blackman but after last night's dire performance by him, come on. What I find remarkable about his performance last night was that he looked fairly disinterested when the ball was coming in his direction, he then kept losing it, but as soon as he lost it, he ran after the ball like a player whose life depended on it. If only he tried so hard before he lost the ball then you could forgive it. I know Le Fondre sometimes doesn't deliver, but if I was Alfie sat on the bench looking at a Division 2 striker like Blackman starting instead of me, it would completely destroy my confidence.

[Cureton's Volley]

Most frustrated? probably.

6th in the 2nd tier with 8 games to go

The anger last night runs a whole lot deeper than the threat to our league position or the result - that was just the catalyst.

We support our local club (as opposed to some flashy Prem outfit) because it is OUR club.
We know we are never going to win much of note nor enjoy a truly electric atmosphere at the Madejski.
Yet it is still something we want to be part of, and be proud of. In fact, we pay significant sums to do so.

In this regard there will be anger when the players and management (who are paid handsomely btw) show absolute contempt for the basic values which we identify ourselves by - passion, determination, bravery, resilience, professionalism, composure... all clearly missing last night.

I just want a club which win or lose I can be proud of, and regardless of our league position in May, I cannot say that this season. Bad attitudes, scammers, lies, PR, cheating, and a spineless team devoid of passion, leadership or rapport with the fans.

At least under managers like Steve & Brian we had a modicum of class, and I will always hold that as dearly as their fantastic achievements in terms of the league positions they achieved.

[madreadingfan]

Would prefer to win against the bigger teams in the league than the smaller teams. Winning at QPR away is much better than beating Barnsley at home. I'd also prefer to lose to a team at home who brings 180 fans down to celebrate instead of losing to a team with 2,000 packed away fans going mental.

[winchester_royal]

McDermott was sacked for losing to teams such as Aston Villa and Wigan. Adkins has a better squad at his disposal, and yet is losing to teams such as Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Bournemouth (and only scraping a draw against Yeovil).

Every side has to deal with injuries, a good manager is adaptable and works around them but as his record when coming from behind shows Adkins is the least adaptable manager I've ever seen. He seems too proud of his 'style of play' (which is shit) to try and change it. He's got to go.

Outstanding point.

Nigel didn't have the players available to play 'his style' last night. How did we play 5 wingers on the pitch and show no width? When teams put 10 men behind the ball the solution is to stretch them wide and overlap - which happens to be one of our biggest strengths!!

I can just imagine his team talk before the game, docile and politely asking them to be 'patient and control possession of the football'... As a result we came out and strolled around as if we were 3-0 up, showing no urgency to go forward.

There were times we could have taken a quick gamble up the line and tried to get behind their defense early, but instead we turned backwards into trouble. As a result we allowed a team which looked at rock bottom and absolute gash for the first 15 minutes to grow into the game and end with the confidence of promotion contenders!

Say what you like about circumstances, but Nigel Adkins has no tactical ability, no motivational skills, and bottles the big decisions!

Can you explain the behaviour towards Brian at the end of his tenure then?

[Agent Balti]

Would prefer to win against the bigger teams in the league than the smaller teams. Winning at QPR away is much better than beating Barnsley at home. I'd also prefer to lose to a team at home who brings 180 fans down to celebrate instead of losing to a team with 2,000 packed away fans going mental.

Some may say it's not who you lose to, but how you lose.