Reading (H) - Tues 16th Feb 19:45 - Matchday thread

[bcfc01]

2 hours ago, Ivorguy said:

I wonder if DH is in any mental state to make any rational decisions at all for tonight

I think he's been through far worse than losing a few football matches or his job.

 

[The Bard]

I'd definitely keep Towler as I'd want him to realise he is capable and that he was badly let down on Saturday.  If he is banished it sends the wrong message. Kids are remarkably resilient 

 

Palmer Nagy and Bakinson simply have to start. Inexcusable they didn't on Saturday.  

[bcfc01]

58 minutes ago, ciderwithtommy said:

No inside information at all, but the likelihood of seeing sessegnon at LWB and Williams starting is high. If this is make it break for deano, let’s hope he doesn’t risk even more injuries by throwing players back in...

If its make or break, and my career was on the line, I'd throw in whoever I thought could do the job tbh.

If Dasilva is fit enough for a full u23s game, I'd be selecting him tonight just for the balance he would give.

 

[The Bard]

10 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

Personally wouldn’t have Towler near the team. That could damage him even more. Poor lads confidence will be shot. I’d go 451

                          Bentley

hunt.       Martiappa.   Kalas.      Vyner

        Nagy  Bakinson  massengo 

Semenyo                                      Pato

                           Wells 

bloody hell that’s a depressing line up.

stay compact , stay in the game . Get a clean sheet , somehow 

Managing a kid's team has taught me the value of ensuring your weak links have strong links close by. Playing Moore Massengo and Towler on the left was barking mad.  They are the 3 most insecure we have. Towler did well v Sheff U because He had Mawson and Williams close to him.

[Wiltshire robin]

I think we’ll scrape a win or draw tonight and all this will drag on longer 

 

i don’t want us to lose and would never want that but you just know a result will delay the inevitable 

[Lrrr]

8 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

If its make or break, and my career was on the line, I'd throw in whoever I thought could do the job tbh.

If Dasilva is fit enough for a full u23s game, I'd be selecting him tonight just for the balance he would give.

 

With regards to any player and 23's vs 1st team its a different intensity to the play, with regards to FB we're talking about someone starting for us given our issues vs say Pato who could come off the bench for 20 minutes to build up, also long term injuries vs short term.

[MATT BCFC]

I was impressed with Reading last time we played them to be honest. Their front 3 were a real handful. 

If we concede early could be another embarrassing result.

Think tonights performance will show if Holden has lost the changing room or not. 

Still want us to win and always will. Won't be watching mind, gonna save myself a tenner and watch the champions league. 

[Slack Bladder]

Maybe this should read Dean Holden in....................

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Lrrr said:

We were told after the u23's game that Sessegnon was still someway short of being ready, needing a game or two more with the 23's and almost certainly would have to be subbed off so can't see him being ready for 1st team duty. Shame for Sessegnon that the 23's game was called off today as that'll push his recovery back a week if we're determined to get the game minutes into him first.

we were told Sessegnon short of fitness / aerobic (something like that) levels, not that his hamstring wasn’t ready.

 

[Lrrr]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

we were told Sessegnon short of fitness / aerobic (something like that) levels, not that his hamstring wasn’t ready.

 

So at best its not pushed back a week, I'd still expect him to be with the 23's next week (Cardiff who incidentally have Tomlin playing for them atm today) before featuring for the 1st team

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Lrrr said:

So at best its not pushed back a week, I'd still expect him to be with the 23's next week (Cardiff who incidentally have Tomlin playing for them atm today) before featuring for the 1st team

Absolutely....just qualifying what we were told.

[Roger Red Hat]

10 minutes ago, MATT BCFC said:

gonna save myself a tenner and watch the champions league. 

How much is that?

[wendyredredrobin]

It all depends which team we put out tonight. Will it be the boys or the girls.  DH has had all season to instill some fight and determination into his team, so I can't see a lot changing since Saturday even if a few of the players have had their arses kicked (which of course a good human would never do).  I think we need to get rid af a few of the humans and replace them with tigers.

I would never wish us to lose, but if we see another 'can't be arsed' performance, then the boss is going to have to go, I'm afraid, though I do worry that anyone who has to pander to Mark Ashton might find themselves in a similar position.

On the other hand, if we do see a gutsy performance tonight, you might ask yourself where it has been for the test of the season. I'm not holding my breath though.

[ciderwithtommy]

32 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

If its make or break, and my career was on the line, I'd throw in whoever I thought could do the job tbh.

If Dasilva is fit enough for a full u23s game, I'd be selecting him tonight just for the balance he would give.

 

I agree to a point, but if the the players breaks down after 10 minutes then you need to sub etc. So not of sure there is any real benefit, other than blind panic being eased.

[SouthS22]

We've looked less bad as a 4-4-2 over the last couple of months so I think we have to go with a variation on that tonight - making ourselves really hard to play through, and trying to ompensate for the weakness on the left side with an experienced player in there.  0-0 would be a good result given the hammering last outing and the massive black hole in confidence that must have left us with.  Back to basics time with a low block, denying any space in our half and hitting them on the break.  

Bentley

Vyner Kallas Mariappa Hunt

Bakinson, Landsbury, Nagy, Patterson 

Semenyo

Wells

The other option is to add Massengo in to a midfield 5.  

If we get a lucky goal on the break and somehow hang on to a clean sheet I'll be wearing that shocked 'what the **** is happening' expression that Holden perfected from the game on Saturday. 

[MATT BCFC]

13 minutes ago, Roger Red Hat said:

How much is that?

I get BT Sport for free so not sure. 

[Daniro]

5 hours ago, Roe said:

Well the players have shown time and time again this season that they can respond.  Like ummm that great 1-0 win away at Cardiff and the time we held on to somehow beat Huddersfield.  Really exciting positive times.  They're a good group of lads and will have had a good honest look at themselves in the mirror the last couple of years and can't wait to get back out there and show what they're about.  They haven't become bad players over the last 3 years and if you can't get up for a game against your local(ish) rivals then something is wrong..

Do you think DH gave himself a good look in the mirror wearing that ludicrous bobble hat he wore at the presser?

[pongo88]

Most fans want to see good attacking football but if Dean Holden wants to keep his job he’s got to go dull. A 4 - 5 - 1 formation based on a defensive midfield and Wells as the lone forward. Keep it tight and hope to win 1-0. This tactic probably won’t work in the long term but it might delay the inevitable sacking for a week or two. (Personally if he’s going to be sacked I’d like it to be now to get a new head coach in ASAP)

[Ashton Yate]

Any chance there will be a stream anywhere tonight (hesgoal etc)? Not sure I can stomach paying £10 for Robins TV based on recent performances! 

[Hocca]

9 minutes ago, Ashton Yate said:

Any chance there will be a stream anywhere tonight (hesgoal etc)? Not sure I can stomach paying £10 for Robins TV based on recent performances! 

It’s on the red button if your brave enough to watch

[BanburyRed]

2 hours ago, The Bard said:

If I were 'Deano' having had a think about what I've seen over the last few games and from whom, I would definitely be thinking 'pick a team with a future here'.  He simply can't trust the likes of Hunt, Paterson ,Fam, Mariappa and Lansbury.  Their hearts aren't in it.  He's made the age old mistake of assuming that he can trust the older pros but he can't - they have badly let him down.  For all the talk about injuries amd inexperience we had 9 players with 100+ league appearances starting on Saturday with really only Towler being truly inexperienced.  Any side should be able to carry one inexperienced player.

               Bentley

Vyner  Moore Kalas  Towler

    Semenyo Massengo  Bakinson Nagy    Palmer

                    Wells

 

In that line up I would instruct both full backs to sit in position much like Wright and Magnússon used to do for us.  Towler and Moore got caught up the pitch on Saturday and left space down our left.  Let's sit in.  I would also spend a lot of time making it clear to Nagy and Kalas what I expect in terms of leadership and protecting Towler at left back. Nagy would play inside left with Palmer given freedom to move off the left wing and link up play. Nagy's job would then be to offset this along with Bakinson.  That would give Towler 3 of our experienced players around him, 2 of which one would assume would help by making themselves available for passes forward.

Can't say that I disagree with that line up too much, was almost going to post the same!  I think I'd have Antoine & Casey pushed slightly further ahead of the midfield in support of Nakhi (he HAS to start up front tonight in place of Fam!) when attacking and back into a 5 when without the ball.  Shame Joe Williams isn't fit (when is he?!) as I would've had him in a midfield 4 with Adam, Tyreeq and Han and sacrificed young Towler to the bench. Tomas in mid of back 3 with Taylor and Zac either side.

If somehow we're still in the game or ahead at 60/65 mins, then happy days!  DH simply HAS to find a pattern and structure around the players available, but I'm still not entirely sure he knows what that is, injuries or otherwise.

[BigTone]

Big win tonight

COYR !!!

[YGBjammy]

Can't really come up with any decent team for this due to current form, but here's my roll of the dice:

4-2-3-1:

Bentley

Hunt Kalas Vyner Nagy

Bakinson Lansbury

Semenyo Palmer Paterson

Wells

Obviously I look mad putting Nagy at LB but he is one of our more defensive minded midfielders, can pass, international experience, and most importantly will run all game. I have chosen 4 at the back instead of 3 with WBs because I think LB is a much easier position to play than LWB for someone out of position.

[Roger Red Hat]

I am correct in thinking Lansbury isn't a defensive midfielder? He certainly looks like he isn't.

[steviestevieneville]

10 minutes ago, YGBjammy said:

Can't really come up with any decent team for this due to current form, but here's my roll of the dice:

4-2-3-1:

Bentley

Hunt Kalas Vyner Nagy

Bakinson Lansbury

Semenyo Palmer Paterson

Wells

Obviously I look mad putting Nagy at LB but he is one of our more defensive minded midfielders, can pass, international experience, and most importantly will run all game. I have chosen 4 at the back instead of 3 with WBs because I think LB is a much easier position to play than LWB for someone out of position.

Opinion obviously but that team would get steamrollered 

[italian dave]

2 hours ago, The Bard said:

If I were 'Deano' having had a think about what I've seen over the last few games and from whom, I would definitely be thinking 'pick a team with a future here'.  He simply can't trust the likes of Hunt, Paterson ,Fam, Mariappa and Lansbury.  Their hearts aren't in it.  He's made the age old mistake of assuming that he can trust the older pros but he can't - they have badly let him down.  For all the talk about injuries amd inexperience we had 9 players with 100+ league appearances starting on Saturday with really only Towler being truly inexperienced.  Any side should be able to carry one inexperienced player.

               Bentley

Vyner  Moore Kalas  Towler

    Semenyo Massengo  Bakinson Nagy    Palmer

                    Wells

 

In that line up I would instruct both full backs to sit in position much like Wright and Magnússon used to do for us.  Towler and Moore got caught up the pitch on Saturday and left space down our left.  Let's sit in.  I would also spend a lot of time making it clear to Nagy and Kalas what I expect in terms of leadership and protecting Towler at left back. Nagy would play inside left with Palmer given freedom to move off the left wing and link up play. Nagy's job would then be to offset this along with Bakinson.  That would give Towler 3 of our experienced players around him, 2 of which one would assume would help by making themselves available for passes forward.

I wouldn’t much disagree with that, or with what you say. Maybe not Towler for the reasons others have given. But what’s depressing is Wells in a side picked on the basis of who looks most interested and most likely to try. Just what that says about so many of our senior players...

[Ashton Yate]

1 hour ago, Hocca said:

It’s on the red button if your brave enough to watch

I don't have Sky unfortunately. I would just about pluck up the courage to watch it (maybe from behind the sofa!), but can't say I'm very keen to pay for it!

[BLRed]

It’s annoying, I have sky via now tv but no red button option on now tv despite probably actually paying more than a proper sky subscription to watch. 
don’t understand why there can’t be a red button option on now tv...

I don’t want to give the club my money anymore as they don’t deserve it, and despite it to be highly likely we get trounced, I can’t not watch it when there is bugger all else to do and it’s the club I support and love.

[Allwaysred]

Save your money will get stuffed.

[beaverface]

I'd go 5-4-1 with following:

                         Bentley

Hunt    Mariappa Kalas Vyner Semenyo

     Bakinson Palmer Nagy Massengo     

                          Wells

I'd have instructions for Hunt to not go beyond half way, and give Semenyo free licence to go as far forward as he likes, but when he does, we drop into a back four.

I'd also have as many runners and fresh legs as I can to support Semenyo, hence Massengo and Nagy needed to help out over there.

Palmer would be instructed to give us all he can for 45mins, and then I'd bring Lansbury on as fresh legs and experience.

I'd also bring on Sam Bell for Wells to chase and harry every ball that he can.

It wouldn't be pretty, but with Palmer on the pitch, he might be able to put a through ball into Wells, and on the left, we might have Semenyo pop up with a Worldy, but other than that, keep it tight !

 

If we need to chase the game, then Fammy and Paterson to be brought on at some point, but if it got to that stage, we're pretty much screwed!

[Red7]

57 minutes ago, BOSRed said:

It’s annoying, I have sky via now tv but no red button option on now tv despite probably actually paying more than a proper sky subscription to watch. 
don’t understand why there can’t be a red button option on now tv...

There is a "bonus stream" option available for red-button games. It usually appears just before the game starts. Assuming you have a monthly Now TV subscription for Sky Sports rather than a weekly or daily one. 

[Victory Park Reds]

8 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

Same answer as always for me - I want us to win, I always want us to win and I’d be delighted if Holden won tonight and then went on a rampage of front foot attacking football.

I’d also like to win the lottery, and have a five foot penis. That’s also not happening.

Cant foresee anything other than another defeat - maybe scoring one goal to give us something to build on. If we do lose, hopefully it’s the end.

The best result may be an abject performance scraping a draw, and Holden still getting the bullet.

Still, at least I’ve got a beautiful wife at home who got me a lovely valentines present.

(Went for 3-1 loss with 1 shot on target and wanting us to win)

Again ran out of likes.

Nailed on head even to  my prediction .

coyr

[BLRed]

3 minutes ago, Red7 said:

There is a "bonus stream" option available for red-button games. It usually appears just before the game starts. Assuming you have a monthly Now TV subscription for Sky Sports rather than a weekly or daily one. 

I do have monthly. So does this mean I can watch the city game via now tv?

[Red7]

3 minutes ago, BOSRed said:

I do have monthly. So does this mean I can watch the city game via now tv?

I'm pretty sure you can. I've done it before. 

Although it may be restricted to certain devices. See link below:

Sky Sports red button on Now TV - Now Available on... - NOW TV Community

"When there is a number of EFL games...right at the bottom of the NowTV Home Screen Page on the NowTV App you should see the bonus streams."

[BLRed]

6 minutes ago, Red7 said:

I'm pretty sure you can. I've done it before. 

Although it may be restricted to certain devices. See link below:

Sky Sports red button on Now TV - Now Available on... - NOW TV Community

"When there is a number of EFL games...right at the bottom of the NowTV Home Screen Page on the NowTV App you should see the bonus streams."

Legend! Never would have found that! Will save me a bit of money moving forward. Unfortunately I’ve paid a tenner towards robins tv but would probably be better coverage on sky red button so I’ll do that

[sh1t_ref_again]

Bentley

Vyner Mariappa Kallas  Hunt

Bakinson

Palmer, Landsbury, Nagy, Semenyo

Bell

Hunt or Vyner at LB depending who feels more confident in that position

Palmer rather than pato, as pato has been very poor

Need to go 1 up front, wells or bell, would like to see what bell could do as wells has been useless, but wont happen

HNM to come for Lansbury and freshen up midfield at half time

[wendyredredrobin]

Players are now at yhe gate getting their hair, nails and makeup done.

[Taz]

2 hours ago, Hocca said:

It’s on the red button if your brave enough to watch

Is it? Wasn't listed about an hour ago when I checked.

 

[Red7]

12 minutes ago, Taz said:

Is it? Wasn't listed about an hour ago when I checked.

 

Listed here:

Live Football Games - Watch Football on TV | Sky Sports

[Lanterne Rouge]

34 minutes ago, BOSRed said:

Legend! Never would have found that! Will save me a bit of money moving forward. Unfortunately I’ve paid a tenner towards robins tv but would probably be better coverage on sky red button so I’ll do that

It won`t be better coverage, it`s really basic with no replays etc. If you`ve paid for Robins TV stick with that would be my advice.

[Tin Soldier]

Possibly make or break for Deano tonight and unless there is a miraculous change of performance,  I would take a scrappy 1-1 draw tonight. But realistically a 2-0 defeat.

An early Reading goal tonight and we could get another pasting I fear.

[Guest]

52 minutes ago, Red7 said:

There is a "bonus stream" option available for red-button games. It usually appears just before the game starts. Assuming you have a monthly Now TV subscription for Sky Sports rather than a weekly or daily one. 

This, it is on now tv, need sky subscription but also a ps4, on bonus stream tonight, just looked.

[sephjnr]

17 minutes ago, Red7 said:

Listed here:

Live Football Games - Watch Football on TV | Sky Sports

Sky's EPG says nothing - on pressing Remind or Record it would include Red Button games as an option, and it's only the main game that's on offer (Luton/Cardiff)

[Major Isewater]

6 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

 

yes - two brilliant lines

[Taz]

27 minutes ago, Red7 said:

Listed here:

Live Football Games - Watch Football on TV | Sky Sports

Ok cheers, just not updated the planner yet then! 

[MelksRed]

9 hours ago, Midlands Robin said:

I've gone for a 1-0 win to City. 

 

Love your optimism....I'd take that today....purely as I have an annoying colleague who is a Reading fan (and therefore an utter ****.

[Major Isewater]

39 minutes ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Players are now at yhe gate getting their hair, nails and makeup done.

[Lanterne Rouge]

10 minutes ago, sephjnr said:

Sky's EPG says nothing - on pressing Remind or Record it would include Red Button games as an option, and it's only the main game that's on offer (Luton/Cardiff)

it`s showing on the Sky website as on the red button as is the Boro game next week.

[PHILINFRANCE]

9 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

I’d also like to win the lottery, and have a five foot penis. That’s also not happening.

 

Should you be interested, I received a mail recently providing details of some pill that can provide you with a 12 inch penis - well, not just you, obviousy, but men in general..

The pills are quite expensive, but the accompanying photos are quite impressive.

Please PM me should you require further details. 

[MelksRed]

I would really like a response to the pasting we had the last time out....sadly we are like a moribund animal slowly clawing it's way to imminent death.....we all know its coming....but we still can't take our eyes off it until the creature as it breathes its last breath.....

 

[Lanterne Rouge]

5 minutes ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Should you be interested, I received a mail recently providing details of some pill that can provide you with a 12 inch penis - well, not just you, obviousy, but men in general..

The pills are quite expensive, but the accompanying photos are quite impressive.

Please PM me should you require further details. 

Schoolboy error there mate - you didn`t ask him to include his bank details.

[Finley_Smith10]

He’s gotta go for it. A loss tonight and surely he’s a goner

[steviestevieneville]

Just now, Finley_Smith10 said:

He’s gotta go for it. A loss tonight and surely he’s a goner

I think the last thing we need to do is go for it. We’ll leave ourselves wide open . Need to stop the rot, keep a clean sheet. 

[WessexPest]

I’d say surely the performance can’t be any worse than it was Saturday, but then I said that after the gutless display against Cardiff, and it did get a great deal worse at Vicarage Road.

if Holden is “looking for a reaction” then I suggest he chuck a lump of caesium in a body of water (possibly the team bath) because I just don’t see him being able to get this group of players working anything like a team.

[mozo]

6 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

I think the last thing we need to do is go for it. We’ll leave ourselves wide open . Need to stop the rot, keep a clean sheet. 

Should have implemented that plan weeks ago when it was clear we’d lost our way. 

[WarksRobin]

21 minutes ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Should you be interested, I received a mail recently providing details of some pill that can provide you with a 12 inch penis - well, not just you, obviousy, but men in general..

The pills are quite expensive, but the accompanying photos are quite impressive.

Please PM me should you require further details. 

Why would anyone want a smaller penis?

[Roger Red Hat]

Just now, WarksRobin said:

Why would anyone want a smaller penis?

To fit in a smaller vagina?

[BRIAN WILSON]

6 minutes ago, Roger Red Hat said:

To fit in a smaller vagina?

Another subject where Mr Ashton appears 

[Prinny]

AND

 

[Silvio Dante]

Big Questions from that lineup

5-3-2?

WTF has Massengo done to Holden?

And just how many compromising pictures of Simmo does Fam have?

[Lrrr]

[SuperRed]

Just now, Silvio Dante said:

Big Questions from that lineup

5-3-2?

WTF has Massengo done to Holden?

And just how many compromising pictures of Simmo does Fam have?

I think it’s going to be Vyner RWB and Hunt LWB. 

[A Horse With No Name]

1 minute ago, Lrrr said:

On paper, looks a good side. On grass.....not so sure. Good to see Sessengnon back.

[Peter1450]

We go again

[Will Rollason]

1 minute ago, Lrrr said:

4-3-1-2? 4 3 3? 

[Red Grovesy]

I thought 4 4 2

Vyner in front of the back 4 (midfield)

[Ziderarmy]

2 minutes ago, Lrrr said:

Surprised Moore has kept his place. Would have put Vyner in defence and started Bakinson or Massengo 

[Lrrr]

Called it weeks ago at the end of the window, Famara is undroppable to try and get any little piece of value out of him possible before he leaves. Also feel bad for Towler, Holden saying a few times publicly that he did nothing wrong vs Watford and was let down, good performance vs Sheffield Utd and yet is dropped back to the bench in favour of other players who've had extended periods of poor form.

Fair play to the people who called Sessegnon on the bench, but given last week we were told he'd be spending more time with the u23's before featuring I really hope we don't need him.

[daored]

3 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Big Questions from that lineup

5-3-2?

WTF has Massengo done to Holden?

And just how many compromising pictures of Simmo does Fam have?

Agree not sure why he’s picked Fam based on recent performances 

[pl00peh91]

Good to see our prodigy Bakinson, the player who justified the selling of Morrell, not get a game despite how woeful our midfield was on Saturday