Reading

mickman

Big game away for us lads. A win and we will all start to feel a bit better but if we get beaten then the knives will be out for avb

I dont know much about reading so its hard to call but i think we will get a draw (late equaliser from dempsey)

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brad

walker ----gallas :-(

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verts

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ekotto

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dembele ----sandro

lennon

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dempsey

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bale

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ade


i still think thats weaker than having vdv and luca instead of dempsey and dembele

SuprSi

I'd pick that team too, though Defoe played well for England (should have had a great goal) so it'll be interesting to see what happens there. IMO Ade needs to start - he should be much fitter after the international break and able to slot right in. I'm really looking forward to seeing both Dembele and Dempsey play too as both offer goal threats, especially Dempsey.

Regardless, it's an away game and by its nature will be tough so I'd take a draw as long as it looks like the team is starting to gel and AVB's ideas and tactics are starting to sink in.

2nd Row Donkey

Agreed - a draw and a good performance will do.
I like the look of that team but yeah I have to admit it is weaker without VDV and Modric.

Cianan2

Maybe its just me in here but I don't think a draw would be good enough. If we want to be going top 4/6, we have to be beating the premier league new boys, that is for sure.

nbar12

Don't ask me why, but I'm confident we'll get the win. I have to agree though, the team does look weaker with luka and vdv gone. Then again, I do forget how good Dembele and Dempsey are and not to forget Siggy. I know this might sound absolutely crazy but I'm a small bit disappointed we let Bentley leave on loan, do we have anyone who can challenge Lennon for a starting place?

Hatch99

mickman wrote: »

Big game away for us lads. A win and we will all start to feel a bit better but if we get beaten then the knives will be out for avb

I dont know much about reading so its hard to call but i think we will get a draw (late equaliser from dempsey)

---

brad

walker ----gallas :-(

---

verts

---

ekotto

---

dembele ----sandro

lennon

---

dempsey

---

bale

---

ade


i still think thats weaker than having vdv and luca instead of dempsey and dembele

I'd go with Jake with Sandro, and Dembele behind Adebayor.

SuprSi

Cianan2 wrote: »

Maybe its just me in here but I don't think a draw would be good enough. If we want to be going top 4/6, we have to be beating the premier league new boys, that is for sure.

Under normal circumstances I'd agree (as in if it was last season with last seasons team) but this is a new team, 4th game and things haven't gone great so far so it's about steadying the ship and getting a hold on performances, which will hopefully lead to better results.

BERBA

Hatch99 wrote: »

I'd go with Jake with Sandro, and Dembele behind Adebayor.

Please God no Hatch. 2 defensive midfielders , no thanks.

Sooner Parker is back he can sit in with Dembele and jake can fcuk off out on loan to Derby again!

tippspur

BERBA wrote: »

Please God no Hatch. 2 defensive midfielders , no thanks.

Sooner Parker is back he can sit in with Dembele and jake can fcuk off out on loan to Derby again!

Have to agree with you there.

WHL

I think Hatch is right and AVB will sit Livermore beside Sandro as we are away. He might be thinking that he would have the likes of Sig, Dempsey and Defoe on the bench if we fell behind. Would prefer to see Dempsey in instead of Livermore though. Wouldn't rule Sig out either on the basis of one poor game either - AVB seems to like him

Leinstersqspur

I think this is a game we should be winning, the dust should have settled by now and the players should be hungry for it.

I think he rates Livermore and can't see him being dropped, plus Sandro have a pretty poor game against Norwich... Dembele should start beside him and Dempsey/Sig in front of them. Dempsey was away with the USA so he could be on the bench. Likely Gallas will retain his place :eek: but I'd rather see Caulker deputise or Dawson step in.

Hatch99

More livermore bashing, what has the lad ever done wrong ?

Antisocialiser

He's a passenger! All the attacking prowess of Michael Carrick coupled with the defensive capabilities of Paul McShane.

I'd like to see a showreel of his highlights. None spring to mind.

Hatch99

Antisocialiser wrote: »

He's a passenger! All the attacking prowess of Michael Carrick coupled with the defensive capabilities of Paul McShane.

I'd like to see a showreel of his highlights. None spring to mind.

Ridiculous statement. It's fellas like him that will get us out of the sticky spell we are currently in.

Antisocialiser

Hatch99 wrote: »

Ridiculous statement. It's fellas like him that will get us out of the sticky spell we are currently in.

How do you figure that?

It was a bit of an exaggeration but in real terms all he ever seems to do it collect the ball and give a pass 5 yard to the left or right. It's fine when you've got the likes of Luka to create something but he's been found out when he's played with Sandro. And he wins very few tackles as far as I can see.

Maybe one for the future but at the minute in my mind he is a passenger.

golfball37

Livermore had a great game against Utd last season when everyone else went into their shell. He wouldn't be first choice in my best XI but he's a decent enough player.

Reading try and play football, ths will suit us down to the ground and I expect our better quality will deliver a long overdue win. Anything less and then its getting ridiculous.

I reckon we'll win 3-0 this Sunday.

Sugarlumps

golfball37 wrote: »

Livermore had a great game against Utd last season when everyone else went into their shell. He wouldn't be first choice in my best XI but he's a decent enough player.

Reading try and play football, ths will suit us down to the ground and I expect our better quality will deliver a long overdue win. Anything less and then its getting ridiculous.

I reckon we'll win 3-0 this Sunday.

Jaysus that’s optimistic! And a clean sheet to boot.

Antisocialiser

Given that there's been no evidence of us playing any decent football so far this season I'm predicting a score draw. A win might paper over the cracks for another day though.

mickman

jake is a bit of a david batty - without the heavy tackles

Hatch99

Antisocialiser wrote: »

How do you figure that?

It was a bit of an exaggeration but in real terms all he ever seems to do it collect the ball and give a pass 5 yard to the left or right. It's fine when you've got the likes of Luka to create something but he's been found out when he's played with Sandro. And he wins very few tackles as far as I can see.

Maybe one for the future but at the minute in my mind he is a passenger.

His job is not to create much, or to make 50 yard passes. His job is to break up opposition attacks, retain possession and keep things simple. He done nothing but impress me last season when he was given his chance. Maybe when everyone is fully fit, he won't be in the starting eleven, but to come on and slate him like you and others have just goes to show that some people just can't appreciate certain things in football.

yiddo59

Think we'll win this one handily enuff. 3-1 or 2-0. Whether the win will be because of or in spite of AVB remains to be seen

Devo from Dublin

Really hoping for a good win to cheer me up....feels as if the season hasnt even started ......

Personally, i'd like to see Caulker start from here on in...
Didnt AVB not start Vertonghen , so to let him see the pace and physicality of the EPL ????
Well Caulker has a full season behind him, knows all the grounds, crowds,players and teams...
Id throw him in, and keep Gallas tipping over in the cup games...

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Lloris

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Walker - ---- Vertons

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Caulker

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BAE.

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Sandro

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Dembele.

Bale

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Dempsey

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Siggy.

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Adebayor

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jasus, i havent got a clue how i'd pick to be honest......

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

WHL

Hatch99 wrote: »

His job is not to create much, or to make 50 yard passes. His job is to break up opposition attacks, retain possession and keep things simple. He done nothing but impress me last season when he was given his chance. Maybe when everyone is fully fit, he won't be in the starting eleven, but to come on and slate him like you and others have just goes to show that some people just can't appreciate certain things in football.

I think Livermore is a decent young player and definitely wouldn't slate him. I just think that we should play just one defensive midfielder and that Sandro would be a better option with Dembele alongside him. Livermore is still young and will be inconsistent for a while. I think that it's great to see homegrown players coming through

tippspur

I think we will be lucky to get a draw,if we do get a draw and play well and show a bit of structure in the team it will be an improvement.

yidweiser

Devo from Dublin wrote: »

Really hoping for a good win to cheer me up....feels as if the season hasnt even started ......

Personally, i'd like to see Caulker start from here on in...
Didnt AVB not start Vertonghen , so to let him see the pace and physicality of the EPL ????
Well Caulker has a full season behind him, knows all the grounds, crowds,players and teams...
Id throw him in, and keep Gallas tipping over in the cup games...

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Lloris

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Walker - ---- Vertons

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Caulker

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BAE.

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Sandro

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Dembele.

Bale

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Dempsey

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Siggy.

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Adebayor

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jasus, i havent got a clue how i'd pick to be honest......

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

That team gets the thumbs up from me
3-1 Spurs!
COYS

Sugarlumps

tippspur wrote: »

I think we will be lucky to get a draw,if we do get a draw and play well and show a bit of structure in the team it will be an improvement.

I’d totally agree with that, Reading are a decent side going forward. Sticky ground to go to, an away win would have a huge impact to our season.

Just hope we create some chances and finish them. Dempsey and Makepeace to get on the score sheet.

mickman

who is Makepeace ?

We are live on sky for this one

mushykeogh

A win by any means necessary. Reading played some nice stuff in their first game so wont be easy.

Antisocialiser

Hatch99 wrote: »

His job is not to create much, or to make 50 yard passes. His job is to break up opposition attacks, retain possession and keep things simple. He done nothing but impress me last season when he was given his chance.

If his job isn't to create then he must be the defensive component of the central midfield partnership. He doesn't do that job well enough and that's why he has been the subject of criticism on here.

He simply doesn't dispossess opposition and tackle hard enough to be worth a place on the team. Look at Parker for instance; he gets the ball back and gives it to someone who can play. I have nothing but praise and respect for that guy.

Maybe when everyone is fully fit, he won't be in the starting eleven, but to come on and slate him like you and others have just goes to show that some people just can't appreciate certain things in football.

Can you hear us up there on your high horse?

The lad has plenty of potential but he isn't cutting it in the middle of the park at the minute. Until he is fit to do his job better I'd rather be *unable to appreciate him* on the bench. Parker / Modric combo had more bite than Livermore / Sandro by a long shot.

Also he is massively unlikely to be the one that gets us out of this "sticky spell". Most likely man on the pitch to be dropped for tomorrow in my eyes.

Saab Ed

..........................Lloris ............................

..................Gallas.............Vert ..................

Walker...................................................BAE


.............Dembele.............Dempsey.................


Lennon ..................................................Bale


....................Defoe....Ade..............................


Go for it from the start. Bring Jake on for Lennon later on and move Dempsey out to the wing. There is no need for a holding midfielder against Reading, home or away. You're wasting your time at that. They play like wasp, all they do is attack. Holding mids will make that problem worse for us by starving us of the extra body needed to push them back rather than trying to hold their attacks off.

Player for player we have a far superior squad and to match them toe to toe will result in a win for us, no doubt at all. To play to their tune will result in one thing , they'll do us. Lets call a spade a spade, we have not looked at all confident trying to defend this season at all. Better to have players on the pitch who can retain and attack instead of trying to put out fires.

Hatch99

Antisocialiser wrote: »

If his job isn't to create then he must be the defensive component of the central midfield partnership. He doesn't do that job well enough and that's why he has been the subject of criticism on here.

He simply doesn't dispossess opposition and tackle hard enough to be worth a place on the team. Look at Parker for instance; he gets the ball back and gives it to someone who can play. I have nothing but praise and respect for that guy.



Can you hear us up there on your high horse?
The lad has plenty of potential but he isn't cutting it in the middle of the park at the minute. Until he is fit to do his job better I'd rather be *unable to appreciate him* on the bench. Parker / Modric combo had more bite than Livermore / Sandro by a long shot.

Also he is massively unlikely to be the one that gets us out of this "sticky spell". Most likely man on the pitch to be dropped for tomorrow in my eyes.

Now Now don't be biting so easily