phil_clevedon

This squad is nowhere near a top 6 squad, the owners created a false sense of optimism to some fans (paraphrased)

I don't believe we'll see City in the PL while the Lansdowns are in charge. SL has shown he can be decisive and ambitious in terms of the stadium, training ground etc, just wish he could be the same when it comes to the manager/squad etc. Pearson said we were a 'passive' club, sadly that appears to be the case. Until that changes, mid-table (at best) Championship club is the best I feel we can realistically expect. Of course, it could be a lot worse. My wife is a Reading ST holder....!

Absolutely gutted to hear this. Lisa was a legend at City and was the face of hospitality for me for a number of years. Always helpful & friendly and always went the extra mile to help. She'll be missed by fans, staff and players alike. RIP Lisa ?

Reading's accounts have just dropped at Companies House if anyone with a bit more financial nouse than me (not difficult) wants to take a look. Don't know if this will impact their potential points deduction?

That will be full(ish) capacity less some segregation. Not really room for City fans too.

The FA say "up to 15%, but depends on the Safety Advisory Group agreeing", which they obviously didn't for Swansea, not sure about WBA.

The bare minimum will be around 4000, 15% of capacity for FA Cup.

Agree entirely, not sure why creating an atmosphere has to involve being within shouting (and presumably gesturing) distance of away fans. One thing I noticed last time I was in the away end at Anfield was the way Liverpool fans generally, and especially the Kop, basically ignored the away fans yet still seemed to manage to create an atmosphere and support their team. As to the suggestion that the move to 'A Block' against Birmingham significantly improved the atmosphere, I'd suggest that was more to do with City scoring 4 goals and comfortably winning the game! Having said all that, I have no problem with fans (especially younger fans) wanting to try something new if they think it will improve the atmosphere, but it has to be done the right way which respects the matchday experience and safety of other fans.

They actually only sold 1,049 which is less than half the tickets they could have been allocated if they'd wanted them. Anyone else see the irony in a club who are having major financial difficulties, with a transfer embargo, and only able to half fill their own stadium trying to get other clubs to reduce prices?

For an interesting comparison, watch 'Take Us Home', the documentary on Leeds Utd's bid to get back to the PL. I'm not remotely a Leeds fan (far from it) but the comparison between the passion & drive from their owner, Radrizzani, with the Lansdowns is quite stark. That's not a criticism of the Lansdowns by the way, you can't change your personality. But maybe what City have lacked over recent years is that drive from the top. Hence one or two comments from Pearson last season about City being too passive (or words to that effect).

Not working in Zagreb either!

Shows the squad has decent strength in depth if we can make 11 changes and still field a side that could compete in a Championship game.

...well, into Tier 2 anyway!!

Interesting Reading being investigated. They were under a soft transfer embargo for most of the summer then suddenly managed to persuade the EFL that they had a new business plan which resulted in them spending £12m plus on players in the last few days of the window! I wondered how they managed it, especially as they still have high earners on their payroll who they've basically frozen out and told (unsuccessfully) to find new clubs (Gunther, McCleary, Baldock etc). Not normally that bothered about Reading other than the fact that they're my wife's team!!