The Players Owe Us, And Millen, An Apology

[tinman-is-god]

For all the abuse (much of which has been way out of line) that Millen has received on this board and down the Gate, the team that he selected and the tactics that he employed were brilliant this evening. Forget the fact that you have a pre-match negative view of him and you must acknowledge that his side absolutely tore apart Reading this evening.

By the time Reading got their 1st goal, the game should have been dead and buried. Adomah scored a perfectly valid goal that was chalked off due to a linesman that had the intelligence of a goldfish, we hit the bar twice and Maynard missed a one-on-one. To be 2-0 up when we should have been 5-0 was always something of a concern, and when James made those two fatal errors, our fears were confirmed.

Again, it was individual errors from 'professional' footballers that led to the loss this evening. It is not Millen's fault that James made those two mistakes, it is James' fault. In the same way that Maynard let him down at Leeds, James let him down tonight. To blame Millen for tonight's loss is simply absurd, yet many still do. I would ask those people to sit back and really think about the game that we just watched, and remember how for 70 minutes we were genuinely fantastic. I am not saying that Millen's job is not under threat, because it quite clearly is, but the responsibility and fault lies solely with those players who managed to turn a 2-0 lead into a 2-3 loss simply through their own awful, terrible and shocking individual mistakes. Blame them, not Millen.

[Slave to the rhythm]

In the same way that Maynard let him down at Leeds, James let him down tonight.

So why does he persist with players who let him, and the club, down? Maynard should have been dropped like a stone after Saturday's non-performance, and Gerken should have been restored to the team after he recovered from injury. James is simply hopeless.

[Guest DJCasablanca]

Sorry but i have to disagree with you about one thing. James did well to tip the looping cross (which was going in) and clearly shouted for the ball, nyatanga should have been behind him ready to sweep up and loose balls but instead went for the header to clear the ball , leaving the back stick completly free for Le Fondre to tap into a nearly empty net. And Federici denied our players on numourous occasions, at 2-1 millen should have thrown bolasie on with another striker to try and kill the game. He didnt, and we paid the penalty.

[steviestevieneville]

For all the abuse (much of which has been way out of line) that Millen has received on this board and down the Gate, the team that he selected and the tactics that he employed were brilliant this evening. Forget the fact that you have a pre-match negative view of him and you must acknowledge that his side absolutely tore apart Reading this evening.

By the time Reading got their 1st goal, the game should have been dead and buried. Adomah scored a perfectly valid goal that was chalked off due to a linesman that had the intelligence of a goldfish, we hit the bar twice and Maynard missed a one-on-one. To be 2-0 up when we should have been 5-0 was always something of a concern, and when James made those two fatal errors, our fears were confirmed.

Again, it was individual errors from 'professional' footballers that led to the loss this evening. It is not Millen's fault that James made those two mistakes, it is James' fault. In the same way that Maynard let him down at Leeds, James let him down tonight. To blame Millen for tonight's loss is simply absurd, yet many still do. I would ask those people to sit back and really think about the game that we just watched, and remember how for 70 minutes we were genuinely fantastic. I am not saying that Millen's job is not under threat, because it quite clearly is, but the responsibility and fault lies solely with those players who managed to turn a 2-0 lead into a 2-3 loss simply through their own awful, terrible and shocking individual mistakes. Blame them, not Millen.

Couldn't of put it better myself. Two poor errors from James,first should of been pushed out for a corner and least said about the second the better. Millen Can't be faulted for that.

[tinman-is-god]

Sorry but i have to disagree with you about one thing. James did well to tip the looping cross (which was going in) and clearly shouted for the ball, nyatanga should have been behind him ready to sweep up and loose balls but instead went for the header to clear the ball , leaving the back stick completly free for Le Fondre to tap into a nearly empty net. And Federici denied our players on numourous occasions, at 2-1 millen should have thrown bolasie on with another striker to try and kill the game. He didnt, and we paid the penalty.

I fear that Yannick Bolasie would not have made much difference. Two incredibly soft goals given away were the fault of individual players, not Keith Millen. I feel that you are being very generous to James, and to blame the boss for those errors is simply unfair.

If this loss was at any other stage of a manager's career, the players would be taking the flack. The reality, for me, is that many individuals want Millen out and will simply alter the facts of the evening to fit in with their pre-conceived anti-Millen feelings. If it was Millen's fault that we were so poor for 20 minutes, I am presuming it is also down to him that we were brilliant for 70 minutes?

Maynard had a good game this evening, got in behind the centre halves two or three times. Pitman and him tore apart the centre halves, so Millen was absolutely right to retain him in the starting line up.

[tinman-is-god]

So why does he persist with players who let him, and the club, down? Maynard should have been dropped like a stone after Saturday's non-performance, and Gerken should have been restored to the team after he recovered from injury. James is simply hopeless.

He did have the balls to drop James, and it worked; he came back at Doncaster and had a stormer, saving a penalty and almost single-handidly winning us a point. Don't forget that when Gerken came in against Leicester he also made a bad mistake for their goal, so it's hardly as if we have Dino Zoff on the bench.

It's amazing that you have the powers of hindsight and could see what errors James would make this evening, perhaps you should have done the decent thing and shared that knowledge with Millen before the game.

[Guest DJCasablanca]

I fear that Yannick Bolasie would not have made much difference. Two incredibly soft goals given away were the fault of individual players, not Keith Millen. I feel that you are being very generous to James, and to blame the boss for those errors is simply unfair.

If this loss was at any other stage of a manager's career, the players would be taking the flack. The reality, for me, is that many individuals want Millen out and will simply alter the facts of the evening to fit in with their pre-conceived anti-Millen feelings. If it was Millen's fault that we were so poor for 20 minutes, I am presuming it is also down to him that we were brilliant for 70 minutes?

Maynard had a good game this evening, got in behind the centre halves two or three times. Pitman and him tore apart the centre halves, so Millen was absolutely right to retain him in the starting line up.

your totally correct sir, it was down to Millen that we played well for 70 minutes, cant fault him there. But when we concede to make it 2-1, Its back to arms folded, finger over mouth time. Surely thats the time to be looking at ways to kill the game? Even if its stabilising the players and gee-ing them up. He cant deal with the pressures of these situations, and that is why he needs to go. Hes a good manager when things are going his way.

CB

[Guest Syco]

So why does he persist with players who let him, and the club, down? Maynard should have been dropped like a stone after Saturday's non-performance, and Gerken should have been restored to the team after he recovered from injury. James is simply hopeless.

But then tonight Maynard could have had a hat trick. I would have dropped him after sat but he put in a good shift tonight. These players are here to stay til at least the summer. Due to us losing 12 million a season he has restrictions in place and even if sacked the new manager would also have the same restrictions. Shit players on good contracts are not going to bugger off because we get a new manager neither will they become better players.

[tinman-is-god]

your totally correct sir, it was down to Millen that we played well for 70 minutes, cant fault him there. But when we concede to make it 2-1, Its back to arms folded, finger over mouth time. Surely thats the time to be looking at ways to kill the game? Even if its stabilising the players and gee-ing them up. He cant deal with the pressures of these situations, and that is why he needs to go. Hes a good manager when things are going his way.

CB

I can understand, fully, why fans such as yourselves think that Millen should go. But this doesn't mean that every mistake City make is his fault. For James' mistake to be blamed upon Millen's body language beggers belief. Had they run through us, dominated us for ten minutes and then scored an equaliser, it would be different. But they didn't, they simply had a pot shot which I would expect to save, only for James to spill it and gift them an eqauliser. Don't blame Millen for everything because you want him to leave; that is not fair on him, and incredibly generous to James, who is the one that must accept responsibility for this evening's loss.

[Slave to the rhythm]

He did have the balls to drop James, and it worked; he came back at Doncaster and had a stormer, saving a penalty and almost single-handidly winning us a point. Don't forget that when Gerken came in against Leicester he also made a bad mistake for their goal, so it's hardly as if we have Dino Zoff on the bench.

It's amazing that you have the powers of hindsight and could see what errors James would make this evening, perhaps you should have done the decent thing and shared that knowledge with Millen before the game.

Mate, read any of my many posts on David James over the last twelve months and you'll see that I simply do not rate him as a Championship standard keeper these days. He wouldn't be my first choice keeper now that he is the wrong side of 40.

[tinman-is-god]

But then tonight Maynard could have had a hat trick. I would have dropped him after sat but he put in a good shift tonight. These players are here to stay til at least the summer. Due to us losing 12 million a season he has restrictions in place and even if sacked the new manager would also have the same restrictions. Shit players on good contracts are not going to bugger off because we get a new manager neither will they become better players.

Spot on. Our squad is what it is, and it's here to stay. Millen is working with a hugely unbalanced squad, with a defence that is League One at best. He has a job that few managers would relish.

[tinman-is-god]

But then tonight Maynard could have had a hat trick. I would have dropped him after sat but he put in a good shift tonight. These players are here to stay til at least the summer. Due to us losing 12 million a season he has restrictions in place and even if sacked the new manager would also have the same restrictions. Shit players on good contracts are not going to bugger off because we get a new manager neither will they become better players.

Sorry double post.

[tinman-is-god]

Mate, read any of my many posts on David James over the last twelve months and you'll see that I simply do not rate him as a Championship standard keeper these days. He wouldn't be my first choice keeper now that he is the wrong side of 40.

On that logic would you have Edwin Van Der Sar in your City team?

[Slave to the rhythm]

Spot on. Our squad is what it is, and it's here to stay. Millen is working with a hugely unbalanced squad, with a defence that is League One at best. He has a job that few managers would relish.

So why doesn't he play Fontaine and Stewart? Both of them are experienced Championship players.

[Slave to the rhythm]

On that logic would you have Edwin Van Der Sar in your City team?

No.

[tinman-is-god]

No.

Amazing. Truly astounding.

[Guest DJCasablanca]

I completly forgot about stewart! This is what im talking about, the guy was voted Q.P.Rs player of the year twice i believe? Say what you like about Hunt but 150 premier league appearences is good enough for me even if it was across ten years. Cisse also played in the premier league with reading. Nyatanga has experience at this level with derby and i for one (dont shoot me) think when he is playing well he is one of the best CBs we have. Not too sure about fonts, although also a good player on his day. All of these guys deserve a run in the side.

[tinman-is-god]

So why doesn't he play Fontaine and Stewart? Both of them are experienced Championship players.

Fonts is injured, as far as I'm aware, and if you think Damion Stewart is the answer to our problems then I fear for your mental health.

[Slave to the rhythm]

I fear for your mental health.

Others have said that as well. But that's another story.

[Esmond Million's Bung]

Spot on. Our squad is what it is, and it's here to stay. Millen is working with a hugely unbalanced squad, with a defence that is League One at best. He has a job that few managers would relish.

and he has added to the squad with Bolaisie, Woolford who do not even get a game, Spence seems to have fallen out of favour though fit, Taylor is a bit part player. So 4 players who don't really feature all his own signings have they helped to unbalance the squad?, no of course not. The balance of the squad is an excuse and if true that Fontaine and Cisse are fit but Millen won't play them because he has fallen out with them then more evidence about his GJ esque stupidity, my god the abuse he got for not playing Basso FFS.

Also if the defence is as poor as you describe why did'nt he address that issue instead bringing in some the sub standard players he has brought in, I suspect like many things he just did'nt see it coming.

it's not about this game, this game is clearly unfortunate and something that sometimes happen in football even to the best (manu tonight for instance) it's about the 50 odd that have preceded this game and it'll be about Blackpool on Saturday, the judge him after 10 games game.

[Monkeh]

Woolford did not play spence did not play Taylor bit part bolasie did not play stead did not play

That's 5 playerS he signed that we didn't need that don't play unbalanced squad my arse he created it be didn't sight in areas that needed strengthening

Give him a pre season we were told, give him 10 games we were told, now it's Xmas

This man is so far out of his depth he is in the ocean

This mess is his making he needs to go

Look at the crowd size quility of football and results Johnson went for this so should millen

[Oizys]

It'll be interesting to see the goals on Player again, but my view of it was that James did well to get his fingertips to the cross for the first, only for McGivern to fall asleep and leave his man unmarked, but certainly that James should have done a lot better on the second goal. I think to blame James for the first goal is harsh.

The worrying thing for me is that Millen was asked on Player whether he thought he should have made changes at 2-0 and he was actually baffled by the question and couldn't work out what he could have done differently! It was pretty bloody obvious to all present (bar Millen) that getting Bolasie on for the inept JCR would have given us two flanks to attack them down at a time when they were vulnerable and there for the taking. Christ, even Adam Baker must have seen this to have asked that question! The fact that even on reflection he cannot see that is a further indication that he hasn't got a bloody clue what he's doing there. Teflon Keith - nothing sticks.

[gordie]

It'll be interesting to see the goals on Player again, but my view of it was that James did well to get his fingertips to the cross for the first, only for McGivern to fall asleep and leave his man unmarked, but certainly that James should have done a lot better on the second goal. I think to blame James for the first goal is harsh.

The worrying thing for me is that Millen was asked on Player whether he thought he should have made changes at 2-0 and he was actually baffled by the question and couldn't work out what he could have done differently! It was pretty bloody obvious to all present (bar Millen) that getting Bolasie on for the inept JCR would have given us two flanks to attack them down at a time when they were vulnerable and there for the taking. Christ, even Adam Baker must have seen this to have asked that question! The fact that even on reflection he cannot see that is a further indication that he hasn't got a bloody clue what he's doing there. Teflon Keith - nothing sticks.

having seen the goals on tv now i would have to agree that james couldnt do much about the 1st goal but should have done better with the second

[22A]

the responsibility and fault lies solely with those players who managed to turn a 2-0 lead into a 2-3 loss simply through their own awful, terrible and shocking individual mistakes. Blame them, not Millen.

Spot on pal!

I feared I was the only one thinking on these lines, but delayed posting until this morning.

[Monkeh]

Spot on pal!

I feared I was the only one thinking on these lines, but delayed posting until this morning.

why was it under johnson it was always his fault but under millen its always the players fault?

[Forza Revolution]

Blame the whole lot- were a cleek club! If your not friends with the manager or the board then you dont play. Maybe even if your not mates with the old school (carey, skuse as a lad, millen, walsh) We need the lot out and to re-vamp our club with fresh faces. We remind me of a sunday leauge side where dads play there sons and lads best mates.

We have the players surely, whenever a player joins or leaves us they usually do well before or after time with us. Its the mgt

[Drew Peacock]

the tactics that he employed were brilliant this evening.

Why did Pitman go deep when we were 2-0 up and threatening to run riot? That is when the game turned.

Why take Adomah off and put a target man out on the wing?

Why pick JCR in the first place?

Why leave it so late to make a substitution when the game is turning against you?

No, they weren't brilliant.

[Mr Mosquito]

and he has added to the squad with Bolaisie, Woolford who do not even get a game, Spence seems to have fallen out of favour though fit, Taylor is a bit part player. So 4 players who don't really feature all his own signings have they helped to unbalance the squad?, no of course not. The balance of the squad is an excuse and if true that Fontaine and Cisse are fit but Millen won't play them because he has fallen out with them then more evidence about his GJ esque stupidity, my god the abuse he got for not playing Basso FFS.

Also if the defence is as poor as you describe why did'nt he address that issue instead bringing in some the sub standard players he has brought in, I suspect like many things he just did'nt see it coming.

it's not about this game, this game is clearly unfortunate and something that sometimes happen in football even to the best (manu tonight for instance) it's about the 50 odd that have preceded this game and it'll be about Blackpool on Saturday, the judge him after 10 games game.

What's laughable about last night is that Reading's goalie - I'm pretty sure I'm right on this - used to be a striker !!!!!!!! If other clubs can make their players serve well in other positions then why can't we???!!!! Millen and his entourage of 'helpers' have got about 34 squad players to make up a decent team from.

[Guest yate super reds]

blame the manager tatics and instructions so buck stops with him and wigley

[Guest stephen]

I think the team was great......

tactics and subs all poor

game over time to say good bye milly

[054123]

I think that Millen is ultmately responsible for his employees and he can't sort them out.

Defence has been an issue now for over 18 months. I'm sorry, but a couple of loan signings does not paper over the cracks.

Why has he never addressed this issue?

[Strictly Obi]

When they went two down Reading's mindset changed and they started pushing forward and swamping the midfield area in search of a goal. Kilkenny and Elliot became hopelessly outnumbered. At this stage of the match a decent tactically aware manager would of brought on another midfielder and closed the game down. What did millen do? Bring on another striker. Please go Keef, your not wanted by the majority. Go and learn your trade in the Conference or similar.

[Riaz]

For all the abuse (much of which has been way out of line) that Millen has received on this board and down the Gate, the team that he selected and the tactics that he employed were brilliant this evening. Forget the fact that you have a pre-match negative view of him and you must acknowledge that his side absolutely tore apart Reading this evening.

By the time Reading got their 1st goal, the game should have been dead and buried. Adomah scored a perfectly valid goal that was chalked off due to a linesman that had the intelligence of a goldfish, we hit the bar twice and Maynard missed a one-on-one. To be 2-0 up when we should have been 5-0 was always something of a concern, and when James made those two fatal errors, our fears were confirmed.

Again, it was individual errors from 'professional' footballers that led to the loss this evening. It is not Millen's fault that James made those two mistakes, it is James' fault. In the same way that Maynard let him down at Leeds, James let him down tonight. To blame Millen for tonight's loss is simply absurd, yet many still do. I would ask those people to sit back and really think about the game that we just watched, and remember how for 70 minutes we were genuinely fantastic. I am not saying that Millen's job is not under threat, because it quite clearly is, but the responsibility and fault lies solely with those players who managed to turn a 2-0 lead into a 2-3 loss simply through their own awful, terrible and shocking individual mistakes. Blame them, not Millen.

Millen is paying for not stregthening enough defensively in the summer.

Good perfomance overall - but he is to blame for us losing

[Red-Robbo]

Why did Pitman go deep when we were 2-0 up and threatening to run riot? That is when the game turned.

Why take Adomah off and put a target man out on the wing?

Why pick JCR in the first place?

Why leave it so late to make a substitution when the game is turning against you?

No, they weren't brilliant.

Agree with all this except the JCR point. We ended the match with our fastest player off the pitch and no sort of formation whatsoever. Elliott was poor throughout yet he stayed on, even with an injury which made him even more ineffective. Of course, Milly didn't have anyone on the bench to take his place - or at the club really.

So, yes, I blame Keith. For not reading the 50ft high writing on the wall that David James is only a shadow of the keeper that he was, and he will continually concede soft goals that cost us games.

[rockinredrobin]

Totally agree with you mate

Sir Alex Ferguson could've been on the line last night and he couldnt have done anything to effect the last 20 minutes

From where I was sat it was 2 errors by David James that ultimately cost us but from 70 minutes onwards I felt Reading got a second wind from somewhere and as with most games this season Kilkenny tired a bit and they started to get hold of the ball

I guess in hindsight KM could have bought Spence on and pushed Carey into midfield to clog it up a but and take Maynard off

However I felt really sorry for Keith last night we were brilliant for an hour and at 2-0 I thought we'd still go on to win 3-0 - as so often happens teams get punished for missing so many chances

If Keith stays I think he has to start dropping the 'undroppables' and try other players in order to try to get the mental and physical toughness we require - I fear without a real fist-waving leader on the pitch we arent going to improve any time soon

I fear for Keith though as when sides get in a rut like this ( and you can't change the players wholesale ) then the only way to improve things is to get a new manager in with new ideas , coaching methods or the charisma to get 'more' out of the players .

Saturday will be tough as you cant see us winning at Blackpool in reality

[Super]

Totally agree with you mate

Sir Alex Ferguson could've been on the line last night and he couldnt have done anything to effect the last 20 minutes

From where I was sat it was 2 errors by David James that ultimately cost us but from 70 minutes onwards I felt Reading got a second wind from somewhere and as with most games this season Kilkenny tired a bit and they started to get hold of the ball

I guess in hindsight KM could have bought Spence on and pushed Carey into midfield to clog it up a but and take Maynard off

However I felt really sorry for Keith last night we were brilliant for an hour and at 2-0 I thought we'd still go on to win 3-0 - as so often happens teams get punished for missing so many chances

If Keith stays I think he has to start dropping the 'undroppables' and try other players in order to try to get the mental and physical toughness we require - I fear without a real fist-waving leader on the pitch we arent going to improve any time soon

I fear for Keith though as when sides get in a rut like this ( and you can't change the players wholesale ) then the only way to improve things is to get a new manager in with new ideas , coaching methods or the charisma to get 'more' out of the players .

Saturday will be tough as you cant see us winning at Blackpool in reality

And the many people in the Dolman calling him a ****ing useless **** is a disgrace. Wish these so called fans would bugger off and find something else to do.

[Monkeh]

And the many people in the Dolman calling him a ****ing useless **** is a disgrace. Wish these so called fans would bugger off and find something else to do.

Most have which is why gates are the lowest they have been in 7 years

[Guest chiddyj]

Why should we be saying sorry to Keith?? He was the one that put James in goal!! Any manager would have seen by now that Gerken is a much improved / player than James....

[Monkeh]

Chid geeks hasn't played enough so no we can't see he's improved

[Mr Mosquito]

So, yes, I blame Keith. For not reading the 50ft high writing on the wall that David James is only a shadow of the keeper that he was, and he will continually concede soft goals that cost us games.

Maybe Keith Millen has got orders from board level to play David James? It was great for the club having David James last year because he probably attracted interest in the club and helped sell a few more season cards. However, I had my doubts about his ability right at the very beginning of his tenure here when we got trounced by Millwall at the beginning of last season. Losing Bradley Orr and Basso as well has seen our defence deteriorate markedly. Steve Caulker shored the defence up last season and now we're back to being fragile again.

[Super]

Most have which is why gates are the lowest they have been in 7 years

hopefully this lot go with them. No need for it.

[Monkeh]

hopefully this lot go with them. No need for it.

Then ag is empty he is getting stick becAuse he is out of his depth

Fans pay good money and are entitled to a say

There hasn't been enough on show to get behind the team or manager the atmosphere last night was great until 70 mins then it seemed everyone wS just waiting for us to cock it up as there is no faith there any more and there hasn't been much of that since the start of johnsons last season

We are paying the price for not clearing out the coaching staff at the end of that season

[Super]

Then ag is empty he is getting stick becAuse he is out of his depth

Fans pay good money and are entitled to a say

There hasn't been enough on show to get behind the team or manager the atmosphere last night was great until 70 mins then it seemed everyone wS just waiting for us to cock it up as there is no faith there any more and there hasn't been much of that since the start of johnsons last season

We are paying the price for not clearing out the coaching staff at the end of that season

So that gives fans the right to verbally abuse him?? I think it is time for a change yes, but people should show the bloke some respect.

[Monkeh]

So that gives fans the right to verbally abuse him?? I think it is time for a change yes, but people should show the bloke some respect.

Show me a football ground in the world where a player or manager doesn't get abuse and I will give you my house car and savings

It was only 2 seasons ago our manager was being called hitler

[Guest chiddyj]

Chid geeks hasn't played enough so no we can't see he's improved

Your joking right?

Gerken has been top notch when he has been picked to be in goal!! he played outstanding when he kept a clean sheet against Portsmouth at home.

I can always remember when Gerken conceded a last minute goal pretty much every game the last two seasons back! In my eyes he has improved!

If it wasn't for him being injured we wouldn't have that numpty James in goal!!