cambridgeshire canary 6,516 Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) https://hobnob.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=189788 Bonus: Reading's official themesong. Edited October 3, 2022 by cambridgeshire canary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Hairy 3,682 Posted October 3, 2022 Interesting they see McLean as our weak link. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Number9 272 Posted October 3, 2022 8 minutes ago, Ken Hairy said: Interesting they see McLean as our weak link. Who'd have thunk it...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littleyellowbirdie 2,412 Posted October 3, 2022 Proper six-pointer tomorrow. I expect it will be a rather nervy affair all round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
......and Smith must score. 1,311 Posted October 3, 2022 29 minutes ago, Ken Hairy said: Interesting they see McLean as our weak link. Well the fans at Blackpool were singing his praises…….well, one song at least. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheGunnShow 5,807 Posted October 3, 2022 Don't rate Lumley as a goalie at all at this level. Think we should shoot on sight a bit with him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,655 Posted October 3, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Ken Hairy said: Interesting they see McLean as our weak link. Sadly he's destined to still be an ever present again this season...there'll always be a situation that will dictate it Haydens injury, Sara not quite being very good, Ramsay being pushed out wide ..he'll always be squeezed in somewhere Edited October 3, 2022 by GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbo 131 Posted October 3, 2022 This again... McLean has never been a weak link at championship level. He's not prem quality, but he would improve any squad within the championship. 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Worthy Nigelton 1,015 Posted October 3, 2022 If our squad consisted of midfield options of Gascoigne, Zidane, Vieira, Makelele, Souness, Scholes, Seedorf and Pirlo, McLean would still start every game. I'm convinced it's done to annoy me every Saturday and make my weekend that little bit worse. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Branston Pickle 3,598 Posted October 3, 2022 35 minutes ago, Gibbo said: This again... McLean has never been a weak link at championship level. He's not prem quality, but he would improve any squad within the championship. 100%. If Reading fans see him as the weak link, it is more than likely it’s because they’ve been reading threads here rather than formulating their own opinions. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Holt 515 Posted October 3, 2022 27 minutes ago, Worthy Nigelton said: If our squad consisted of midfield options of Gascoigne, Zidane, Vieira, Makelele, Souness, Scholes, Seedorf and Pirlo, McLean would still start every game. I'm convinced it's done to annoy me every Saturday and make my weekend that little bit worse. I should think he would, they're all old men. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PockthorpePete 331 Posted October 3, 2022 A tinpot club, with tinpot fans. They averaged 13,000 fans last season, and despite their good start, it is still 13,000. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hogesar 9,503 Posted October 3, 2022 3 hours ago, Gibbo said: This again... McLean has never been a weak link at championship level. He's not prem quality, but he would improve any squad within the championship. Of course. But some fans on here will probably go and support Reading now they've got something in common with their fans. And of course, reading fans having likely never watched McLean know his ability far better than the likes of Farke and Smith 😅😅😅 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicken 2,582 Posted October 3, 2022 I'm a bit surprised that they haven't seen our left hand side as being the weakness really... Not a left footer in site, even at CB. I rate Byram and I think he's a solid defender for us, but if you are playing percentages you look at the players playing out of position first IMHO. That and trying to play us on the break, it's where teams could possibly exploit the high press we use... but what do I know? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spillay 168 Posted October 4, 2022 1 hour ago, chicken said: I'm a bit surprised that they haven't seen our left hand side as being the weakness really... Not a left footer in site, even at CB. I rate Byram and I think he's a solid defender for us, but if you are playing percentages you look at the players playing out of position first IMHO. That and trying to play us on the break, it's where teams could possibly exploit the high press we use... but what do I know? One of their posters did actually point that out Chicken on that very thread. They reckon theyl put Meite on that side and pressure Sam into errors.. ud like to think hes good enough to deal with what they have though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 4,092 Posted October 4, 2022 Whilst I wouldn't describe McLean as a weakest link, if Reading target him from a high press is does limit our options of getting the ball out of defence. Plus wind Aarons up, seems to be on a bit of a short fuse this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's Character Forming 1,156 Posted October 4, 2022 9 hours ago, chicken said: I'm a bit surprised that they haven't seen our left hand side as being the weakness really... Not a left footer in site, even at CB. I rate Byram and I think he's a solid defender for us, but if you are playing percentages you look at the players playing out of position first IMHO. That and trying to play us on the break, it's where teams could possibly exploit the high press we use... but what do I know? Interesting. IMO Byram would be playing regularly in the Prem if it weren't for his injury record, when fit he's not looked out of his depth against Prem attackers so I think he can handle playing on the other side against Reading, but we shall see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daz 67 Posted October 4, 2022 Guess they could be making most of set pieces and lumping it up to juao and Carroll... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mason 47 1,351 Posted October 4, 2022 Interesting to pick out Byram as a weakness as he rarely gets beaten. I think it's probably that on the face of it he's 'fourth choice' so far this year. If fit I'd be doing anything to get Gibbs back in the side as we've undoubtedly looked better with him in the middle. Maybe Hernandez out and more of a 4-3-1-2 with Ramsey in the advanced role. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites