Still under a transfer embargo. Not made a single signing all summer (not even a loan deal) Could only name 5 subs at the weekend (2 academy kids made their debuts in the starting 11 with another 2 from their academy on the bench) Meite set to be out for the majority of the season due to an ACL injury. Filipe Araruna still not fit since picking up an injury for Reading last September. Marc McNulty made to train with their under23s as their manager wants him gone (despite the fact he could have bolstered their subs bench but Paunovic refused to select him). Their only available strikers are Joao,Puscas and a 17 year only academy graduate. Hard to believe but they are in a worse state than WRDC.
The thing with both Derby and Reading, is that they can name a half decent first 11, but as soon as suspensions and injuries hit, they're going to be screwed. They both have (in my opinion) very limited head coaches.
Like derby and the rest been over spending for years no sympathy hopefully them and derby end up in the bottom 3
10 senior members of their small first team squad are in their final year of their contracts Swift Meite Rinhomota Laurent Holmes Yiadom Rafael Morrison Araruna McNulty
Bit harsh on the Reading coach. Still not sure how he dragged that squad to within a whisker of the Playoffs. For all the talk that they started well and did nothing else, they had other little bursts of form as well. Should have beat us at Oakwell really, and if they had they might be playing in the Prem now. If he goes on to keep them in mid table that will be the equivalent of getting in the Playoffs.
To be fair we had a legit goal disallowed that day if I remember right. I agree with the comments on the coach though did well to get them so close of a play off place faded off massively in the final 3rd of the season. Now sold there best player from last season and I expect a struggle for them.
They had a very good start last season, 22 points from the first 24. If you take those first 8 games out, they were the 14th best team in the league. They had some very good players in Olise, Swift and Meite, who arguably were 3 of the 10 best players in the championship. I even rate Lucas Joao too. I'd say a squad containing those players is better than 14th in the table, and you could make the argument that those first 8 games was very much a new manager bounce. They were unlucky not to win at Oakwell, I agree. But we were equally as unlucky to lose at their place; the first red card was the wrong decision, and the 2nd was, in my opinion, very harsh. That was a game I felt we were in control of until the first red card. I think what I'm trying to say is, I don't think they over achieved last season with the squad they had. And whilst he's going to have his hands tied behind his back a little this season we'll find out how good a coach he is.
We did. From a set piece I think? But then they also missed an open goal from 10 yards - probably miss of the season. Also thought they shaded the game overall.
Agree on the red cards. Not sure we would have gone on to win but we'd started the game well that's for sure. We were unlucky not to have the opportunity to play out the game with XI players.
Yeah was from a corner where the keeper was supposedly impeded but it was very soft even commentators disagreed with it. He should have scored that sitter but a draw was a fair result I thought
McNulty is wanted by Tranmere deal is agreed but can’t be sanctioned even though Reading are desperate to get him off the books.