Reading FC vs Ipswich Town Preview and Matchday Thread

[Mr.Punch]

That was a special kind of stupid for Knudsen to pull that off moments after 2 players were booked for doing the exact same thing and play was held up for 2-3 minutes to calm it all down.

It would have been a decent point against a team who were only more interested in passing it around their half for 90 minutes rather than doing anything productive yet managed to luck their way into 2 goals! Infuriating to say the least.

That said, I think our position looks worse than it is as we've been screwed out of a lot of points so far. I think we're way overdue some good luck in return because right now we seem to have none of it.

I'd agree with this.
Reading were so boring.
MM is as mad as a hatter on Sky!
I don't mind referees clamping down on penalty area pushing etc and clearly Knudsen was stupid but I don't think the ref would've given a penalty if the corner hadn't been preceded by a long lecture. My point being, the ref just set it up for Reading - it was deep in injury time, why start lecturing players then, when it had been going on all night?

I wouldn't say we've been cheated but as J4ck says, the luck hasn't gone with us this season - so far !

[marko69]

The luck you are speaking about actually happened. The Ipswich penalty? ......., if that was the other way round, everyone would've been screaming at their TV's. Is that one of the softest penalties Ipswich have been awarded?

Ok, there are issues with scoring, hopefully Best can be given a chance in the weeks to come to see what he can do........, but that back 4 are f**king horrendous. The only one who was half decent tonight was Berra. Yes, he can look like a headless chicken at times but what do you expect with that f**king liability to his right. Webster must've been woeful for Tommy to get his place back.

[Charnwood]

You can't blame the referee for the second penalty, clubs have been warned. Even the first pen albeit harsh was well within the rules.

Complete suicide from what I could see.

Yeah, watch the manchester derby tomorrow and see if those rules apply

Rightly or wrongly the same rules have already been applied equally as harshly in the Prem already this season.

Clearly it's the referee's latest "pet rule" to get stuck into.

I'm as pissed of as you are No1 but just see it differently as I think we only have ourselves to blame.

It was dead obvious to me that the ref was overly focused on looking for an incident and he wasn't bothered which way it went, Knusden was stupid enough to play straight into his hands, even worse the ball was going no way near the player he was impeding.

[Mr.Punch]

The luck you are speaking about actually happened. The Ipswich penalty? ......., if that was the other way round, everyone would've been screaming at their TV's. Is that one of the softest penalties Ipswich have been awarded?

Ok, there are issues with scoring, hopefully Best can be given a chance in the weeks to come to see what he can do........, but that back 4 are f**king horrendous. The only one who was half decent tonight was Berra. Yes, he can look like a headless chicken at times but what do you expect with that f**king liability to his right. Webster must've been woeful for Tommy to get his place back.

I thought it was a pen, Did you not think he got pushed in the back? Are you saying he dived?
You're right about a dodgy defence, Chambers and Knudson looked worryingly poor, especially first half.

Over 1,000 Town fans in a crowd of 15K on a Friday night in front of cameras, well done to all 1,070 of you - must be a horrible journey home

[marko69]

Pitman knew what he was doing. The defender touched him slightly in a "defending" type of way. No shove whatsoever. You'd be screaming if that went against Ipswich.

With ITNO1 & Derick......., ref was a clueless tit. Typical refereeing performance of today's game; no consistency at all. And the Reading penalty in the 95th minute? I'd be sitting that ref down and asking him why he missed 10+ other instances of shoving. Then he'd be sacked.

[Steve and Jo]

Why give the Ref a decision to make. Let him be, Stand your ground. If the player who went down win a header he still has to beat the men on the line. Sorry terrible mistake and Mick feels gutted

Nobody dear tell him he doesn't care. The tactics were spot on. We played well.. Stupid stupid mistake and the ref made his name..

[marko69]

The Knudsen incident was a penalty....., I don't think anyone can doubt that. But there were several other incidents of the same. That's my gripe. They need to be more consistent, and if the games end up 10-10 and it's been 20 penalties, then so be it. FFS, they do it in Rugby. Tries are a thing of the past, it's all penalties......, but at least they are consistent with it.

[Charnwood]

Moving away from the penalty decisions I think MM was right to start both Sears & Pitman and I believe both justified their selections.

I'm pretty sure we'll see Leon Best sometime soon but given he's been without a club for the past 3 months and only with us for 9 days it was unlikely he'd been in the starting line up.

Pitman is clearly best playing in the middle which is exactly where Best would prefer to play, maybe a decent subject for debate, who should Mick select for our next game at Derby.

Best or Pitman?

[marko69]

Pitman must start. He's the one up to match sharpness and it's against a decent side. Steve is saying Best isn't 100% fit, but if he gets fit, let's see him second half.

And someone buy Tommy a tennis racket. Let's see if he's any good. Because he's shyte at fitbaw.

[herforder]

Out of the country - not with Bluemike! - so didn't watch the game. Followed last 10 mins via BBC Sports app, and picked up guys and gels subsequent comments on 2 threads !

Disappointing, frustrating and unnecessary loss of an away point, providing a number of bones to chew on. What should be MM's immediate changes in either team set up or tactics, to make us more capable of beating what, from comments, appeared a team we could/should have done on the night?

[derick_ipsw]

Pitman must start. He's the one up to match sharpness and it's against a decent side. Steve is saying Best isn't 100% fit, but if he gets fit, let's see him second half.

And someone buy Tommy a tennis racket. Let's see if he's any good. Because he's shyte at fitbaw.

I think he needs to go 4-4-2 Pitman & Best up front Connor Grant wide left, Grant ward wide right Douglas, Skuse, Bru & Bishop any combination 2 out of 4 central. Otherwise I cant see the likes of Best, Grant, Lawrence & Williams ever getting a game in a 4-3-3?

[derick_ipsw]

The Knudsen incident was a penalty....., I don't think anyone can doubt that. But there were several other incidents of the same. That's my gripe. They need to be more consistent[/color], and if the games end up 10-10 and it's been 20 penalties, then so be it. FFS, they do it in Rugby. Tries are a thing of the past, it's all penalties......, but at least they are consistent with it.

Absolutely correct, they should of been down to 10 men in the first half with the 2 footed lunge on Ward. Also Bishop got a arm in the face in the 6 yard box which should of been a penalty!!

[Bluemike]

Gutted doesn't come close, as has already been said we certainly didn't deserve to lose, I also don't really have a issue with the penalties that were given but my gripe is as Derick and others have pointed out, what about the one that wasn't given for the elbow, or the Red card for the bloody foul on Ward, even when Bru was clean through first half he was pulled down, the ref gave us f*ck all. My biggest moan is the fact that both the Reading goals were over the time added on, both bloody times !!! I actually thought we played well 2nd half and looked the most likely to win it. Why the f*ck did Sears not play a simple pass when through 2 on 1 instead of getting it wrong yet again, he just has to be dropped along with Bru and Smith.

[hallamblue]

WTF doesn't Mick play his best players. All the creativity was sat on the bench - AGAIN. I bloody give up on MM now. And am fed up of this ultra defensive, "let's go for a point", (home and away) shyte.

Totally pissed off this morning.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Managed to get back from Philippines in time to see this game on Sky.
Have to say I was hugely disappointed with what I saw, although not altogether surprised.
First impression was that to me an unchanged line-up speaks volumes about how unsuccessful our transfer window was. Despite picking up a few players, MM chose to stick with the same ones - does not say much about strengthening to me.
As for the game itself; sure we tried and competed, closed them down, in fact all the traits of a typical MM team: sadly we looked well short of quality and I doubt we would have scored had it not been for the penalty - there was little invention and even if we create chances there is not much possibility of our inept strike force actually finishing them off. I would have substituted Bru, Sears, and Douglas at half time, and quite how they continue to be selected is beyond me.
As far as the penalties go, I thought all of them were clear cut. First one, the arm was thrust out in an un-natural way and prevented a cross going into the centre; second one was a clear nudge in the back; third one, well just plain stupidity. I applaud the crackdown on all the wrestling in the penalty area for set pieces, it's high time it was stamped out. Sure the ref was not consistent in his decision making, but that does not alter the fact that Knudsen clearly grappled his opponent to the ground and was rightly penalised for it.
So - 6 games gone, only 8 points gained, and only 7 goals scored. Not very good, but in all truth probably about right for a team of our ability. We can argue that we have been unlucky so far of course, but the better teams make their own luck.
For me, we have an average squad, an unimaginative manager, and an owner who for whatever personal reason is content to see us just jog along mid table. It's going to be a long hard season.

[hallamblue]

Gary, I am that pissed off this morning with same old, same old, given that we had all the creativity sat on the bench, that I've now come to the conclusion that I've had enough of Micks tactics. Frankly I want him OUT now. Get I a manager that is prepared to play football and attack teams.

Mick Out. There I've said it !

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Gary, I am that pissed off this morning with same old, same old, given that we had all the creativity sat on the bench, that I've now come to the conclusion that I've had enough of Micks tactics. Frankly I want him OUT now. Get I a manager that is prepared to play football and attack teams.

Mick Out. There I've said it !

Well done, Liz - bet you feel better now

[hallamblue]

I might do if it actually happened lol. But it won't.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I might do if it actually happened lol. But it won't.

I fear you are correct, Liz. ME must be laughing all the way to the bank, he has a high profile manager who doesn't seem to mind being starved of the funds required to improve the squad into one that can compete at this level.

[barmy billy]

Managed to get back from Philippines in time to see this game on Sky.
Have to say I was hugely disappointed with what I saw, although not altogether surprised.
First impression was that to me an unchanged line-up speaks volumes about how unsuccessful our transfer window was. Despite picking up a few players, MM chose to stick with the same ones - does not say much about strengthening to me.
As for the game itself; sure we tried and competed, closed them down, in fact all the traits of a typical MM team: sadly we looked well short of quality and I doubt we would have scored had it not been for the penalty - there was little invention and even if we create chances there is not much possibility of our inept strike force actually finishing them off. I would have substituted Bru, Sears, and Douglas at half time, and quite how they continue to be selected is beyond me.
As far as the penalties go, I thought all of them were clear cut. First one, the arm was thrust out in an un-natural way and prevented a cross going into the centre; second one was a clear nudge in the back; third one, well just plain stupidity. I applaud the crackdown on all the wrestling in the penalty area for set pieces, it's high time it was stamped out. Sure the ref was not consistent in his decision making, but that does not alter the fact that Knudsen clearly grappled his opponent to the ground and was rightly penalised for it.
So - 6 games gone, only 8 points gained, and only 7 goals scored. Not very good, but in all truth probably about right for a team of our ability. We can argue that we have been unlucky so far of course, but the better teams make their own luck.
For me, we have an average squad, an unimaginative manager, and an owner who for whatever personal reason is content to see us just jog along mid table. It's going to be a long hard season.

I think this post sums up perfectly everything that is wrong with ITFC at the moment.

[marko69]

I thought all of them were clear cut. First one, the arm was thrust out in an un-natural way

Must admit, I don't think I'm looking forward to the days when players defend with their arms firmly strapped to their sides, looking like John Cleese from the Ministry of Silly Walks. It's all about opinions and in mine, that was no way a penalty. Two yards away, hit at force? The referee gave a complete f**king car crash of a performance for the entire 95 minutes of the legal 94. Had Ipswich got that decision, I'd have been, "Oh yes ya beauty, score!"

[marko69]

Hey Wolfie......, looks like Shitty Burton played the 90+4 card today as well eh?

[herforder]

Anyone got the Samaritans' number? I fear that if, as is possible/probable, we lose against Derby and A Villa, it'll be too late - mass footieside! But, should we win, we can all come off life support, and jog on with renewed hope and interest. The highs become very high, the lows become very low. How many times have we been here before - with wise pundits laying out their reasons for despair, whilst providing the guaranteed solutions to make it all come right? A long, hard, season on the pitch will seem as nothing compared to this and other forums!

Come on folks, we surely know the score by now. But don't go looking for change, 'cos at best it'll be very small change - that's the nature of the beast and his paymaster! Spend a little, change a little, and hope for the fuc*ing best - or least worse.

Time for another Slivovitz out here

[Bluemike]

I can't be doing with the knee jerk bullshit to be honest, had we drew it would have been deemed a good point. Reading crap like we created nothing has me wondering what people watch, Al habsi 3rd minute save from Sears, second half save from a cracking turn and shot from ward, great chance for Smith who f*cked it up and that's just three examples. Ok we may not have converted them but don't f**king tell me we created nothing cus it's bollocks, stick to facts and stop creating dramas that aren't correct.

[hallamblue]

but it's NOT knee jerk is it Mike!! Town fans have had to put up with this utter defensive shyte for the past 2-3 seasons. Fine we needed this approach when we were 7 pts adrift at the bottom of the division when MM first came in. But the squad has developed from that point in.

And despite bring in younger more creative players I just don't get MM'S approach now. He has the pace, guile and creativity on the bench to play a very attack mind footballing team yet he drops Webster and puts the hoofer Smith back in - who wasvfucking shyte last night.

He continues to play players out of position . One being the must not be / will not be , dropped, Chambers. - a player who is REGULARLY skinned by opponents over the past 3 seasons.

Mick has also single handedly destroyed the confidence of a decent striker by playing him on the f**king wing, when his best position is clearly playing off the shoulder of the last defender!

What's the matter with McCarthy? Is he f**king blind or just pig ignorant and stubborn?

Frankly, I'm sick to death of the ultra defensive shyte his team dishes up EVERY....f**king .....GAME!

MICK MCCARTHY, f**king......O.U.T.

[Bluemike]

I am not talking about the last 3 years. My issue is people saying we created nothing when we clearly did. I don't get your sudden Mccarthy out stance, after the Norwich game your view which you gave me was one of promise, optimism and contentment, it was pretty much the same after Preston, so if changing to MM OUT one game later isn't knee jerk just because we lost then I don't know what is, it doesn't get any more knee jerk than that. I genuinely feel mixing with that f**king lot on TWTD is responsible for it, there isn't a brain cell amongst them.

[hallamblue]

I've said for a long time that I hate how Mick approaches the game. Nothing has changed that view because by and large he still approaches the game with same dull, boring, way. The Norwich game you speak of actually saw us attack the opposition for once. Having seen the players he'd brought in this window I genuinely thought he would be changing his tactics at long last. The Reading game suggests otherwise. Why keep all the creativity on the bench ffs???

As for accusing me of mixing with the wrong people by posting on TWTD and that I'm incapable of making my own decisions and having my own opinions, well that comment really does take the biscuit. I thought you were better than that Mike, but at least we know where we stand now. I suggest you re-read Gary's post. He appears to have captured it beautifully.

[marko69]

I think everyone needs to chill out ever so slightly. I have this feeling Mick & Terry are right now, chilled out and having Sunday morning breakfast with the papers.

I am guilty of yesterday posting about overreactions. A lot of you will no doubt think that perhaps I don't qualify for such a big opinion. And I agree to a certain extent. But based ONLY on the 95 minutes of SKY TV coverage from the Madjeski, I find the decisions of some fans to be way OTT. And rational thinking must be applied with regards to the creativity on the bench, no? Steve & Jo informed us that Leon Best wasn't 100% fit, and I'm thinking the others weren't either. It was a 1-1 draw until the official decided to make an example of knucklehead Knudsen. I'd place money that Mick thinks Knudsen is a knucklehead too!

But JAYSUS H!!! Calm the hell down........., no one likes confrontation!

Actually. That's not true. Everybody Fk off!

[Bluemike]

I've said for a long time that I hate how Mick approaches the game. Nothing has changed that view because by and large he still approaches the game with same dull, boring, way. The Norwich game you speak of actually saw us attack the opposition for once. Having seen the players he'd brought in this window I genuinely thought he would be changing his tactics at long last. The Reading game suggests otherwise. Why keep all the creativity on the bench ffs???

As for accusing me of mixing with the wrong people by posting on TWTD and that I'm incapable of making my own decisions and having my own opinions, well that comment really does take the biscuit. I thought you were better than that Mike, but at least we know where we stand now. I suggest you re-read Gary's post. He appears to have captured it beautifully.

FFS Liz, that is not what I am saying and I am not accusing you of anything, what I am saying is that place is nothing but negativity on every single thread and the more anyone reads that kind of thing it is bound to have a effect, it just gathers momentum and rolls and rolls. I thought you did know me well enough to know we can debate anything whether we agree or not but it appears we can't. We all see things as we see them and believe ourselves to be correct when of course there probably is no right or wrong but one thing I do pride myself on is being consistent which is where many fall down. I read many posts on different places but only really post here and it seems yourself and Gary have taken it personally which actually isn't the case at all, I thought I knew you both well enough for that not to occur, I do have an issue with the way it is black and white and nothing in between but I know you well enough to say I genuinely don't believe you truly want MM out on the back of Friday, prior to that you saw hope, for me nothing has changed surely ? Anyway if I have upset you I apologise and it sure as hell won't be happening again as my views and thoughts won't be being aired anywhere in future, my friends mean more to me than that f**king nonsense.

[herforder]

These exchanges are becoming far too personal. Would respectfully suggest they continue offline.

(And there'll be draconian action taken if we catch HB daring to visit TWTD!)