Mariappa - let the rumours commence

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

the thing that Mariappa brings to the centre of defence is pace..which sadly the other three are lacking of....and with plenty of pacy forwards in the division ...I'd feel more comfortable with Mariappa in the team

[Isaac Hunt]

Adkins wants them to play with the CBs splitting when we have the ball, allowing the full backs to push on. I thought Gorkks looked comfortable with this approach at Ashton Gate; perhaps Mariappa is taking longer to adjust?

This is the most obvious explanation to me.

Mariappa is a good defender, but his distribution is poor. Same goes for Pearce - great, solid stopper of a defender, but doesn't look comfortable playing the ball out, just isn't fast or fluent enough with it.

[Royalclapper]

Adkins will know that one of the key advantages we have over many of the clubs in the Championship is in the depth of squad. Surely it's a matter of keeping everyone in the squad keen, motivated, alert and ready for action.

Course and distance management is required for such a long and punishing season in this league. Seeing us overtake his Saints side not long back is sure to have been noted by Adkins as we simply outstayed his arguably more talented Soton. A trip to Bolton next week is likely to see a fairly stern challenge for our defensive strengths/weaknesses and Mariappa might well be included given that squad rotation is now available in the Championship to those who have recently been relegated from the Premier League.

[Cureton's Volley]

Mariappa will be back in the squad for the next match I reckon...

[Ian Royal]

Just a small suggestion, but just because someone doesn't ask a question you think they should, doesn't mean that they are in some way gagged by the club. Some people see the smallest thing and leap to the biggest conspiracy theory out of it far too easily.

Ady Williams has admitted on Twitter in the past that they are occasionally gagged, as you put it, and they have to accept that from time to time. Same goes for GetReading. They were told to sit on the Juventus story a week before the club released a statement on it.

Oh I'm sure they get asked to hold off on certain stories or avoid certain contentious subjects occasionally. But too many just leap to spurious conclusions at the drop of a hat.

[URZZZZZ]

am i really the only one who prefers Mariappa over Pearce?

[West Stand Man]

am i really the only one who prefers Mariappa over Pearce?

No.

[URZZZZZ]

am i really the only one who prefers Mariappa over Pearce?

No.

good lol when there the whole "pearce contract" thing was going on everyone was saying how he thinks he is better than he is and whatever else, now he is the best thing since sliced bread again.

[creative_username_1]

the thing that Mariappa brings to the centre of defence is pace..which sadly the other three are lacking of....and with plenty of pacy forwards in the division ...I'd feel more comfortable with Mariappa in the team

We were so slow against Ipswich. Not sure if they are even considered pacy

[FridaysGhost]

There is a huge problem here that people are tippy-toeing around. Our recent past, with a 4-4-2 formation has required certain things of our centre-backs and we have good C-B's for that way of playing. Adkins wants a certain way of play and uses his own formation. In truth, to really have a team to win the Championship with his way of playing, we might need to change up to 12 players in our squad and we simply can't do that. Some of the players will adapt - which is why Adkins seems to be having better luck than Brendan Rodgers, but the same problems will occur. If Adkins was really that good, he would retain the 4-4-2 formation but instill a more passing game into the players he has, then having changed the squad this window and then again in January, started to use different formations and an even more passing game.

One way gives a chance to win the Championship and also morph into a passing, ball-retention team. One way falls over due to insisting on a formation and a way of play that some players are not happy with.

[Hoop Blah]

The biggest flaw in that argument is that Adkins isn't afraid to use 4-4-2 and used it a fair bit with Southampton last season. He actually seems to be relatively flexible formation wise apart from favouring a back 4.

He's also proven in the past with Southampton, and I think Scunthorpe, that he can get sides changing the way they play quite quickly and effectively.

[No Fixed Abode]

Any more news on his failed drugs test?

[Tails]

Any more news on his failed drugs test?

Nothing I've heard NFA. I would however, like us to Mutu another point of discussion until such speculation can be ground on more facts.

[TBM]

Adrian Mariappa has responded well to the blow of being left out of the squad for Reading’s 2-1 success against Ipswich last Saturday.

The centre-back’s omission from the season opener raised many eyebrows and Royals boss Nigel Adkins has spoken to him this week to explain why he made his choice.

And he says the former Watford man, whilst being disappointed, has given a good response.

“He wants to be in the team,” said Adkins. “Everyone does.

“We know how good he is. He’s a good professional, he’s a good character.

“He’s conducted himself properly. He’s been supportive of the team and he’s been in football long enough to know it’s not about the XI, it’s about everyone supporting each other.

“He knows he’s going to be playing. He knows his opportunity is going to arrive and he has to be ready for it.”

Adkins added: “I have good communication with the players.

“I knew there was going to be disappointment for those not in the starting XI, I expect that.

“They’ve worked hard through pre-season, they all want to start.

“I had a good conversation with those who didn’t play. The best way is to be honest and up front with everything.”

For most Royals fans, Mariappa’s omission from the squad last week was the most eye-catching due to his good form last season.

The centre-back has made a big impact since arriving from Watford and many thought he would start against Ipswich.

When asked how he came to the decision to leave him out altogether, Adkins said: “I don’t think I need to justify any decisions. We’ve got four centre halves.

“I selected Sean Morrison and Alex Pearce for the game and had Kaspars Gorkss on the bench.”

The Royals boss added: “Mapps has gone away with the Jamaican squad in the summer so he’s come back a little bit later than most of the squad.

“Then you look at how some of the people have performed through pre-season. That’s probably fluctuated as pre-season’s gone on.

“Look at the form of Alex Pearce for example. Since Portugal he’s kicked on from there. Up until that he was off the pace.

“And Kaspars has had a fantastic start.”

[SpaceCruiser]

You should say that you've ripped that off the Evening Post, TBM.

[creative_username_1]

it was pretty obvs

[AirRaidSiren]

Mariappa will be back in the squad for the next match I reckon...

Oooops

[TBM]

You should say that you've ripped that off the Evening Post, TBM.

GetReading actually



Twat