Reading Fan Chat – Barnsley v Reading

As always, friendly greetings from daib0, pleased to be in touch again. Well, when I’m not the neutral ‘games-master’ guy I’m a Royals fan for my sins - and so I wondered if I could get a bit of chat going once again to report back to the guys and gals on my forum. I realize I’ve left it a bit late but never mind. These are always hugely appreciated by our folk on ‘Royals Rendezvous’. You know us by now, fullest respect always ...

Here goes, a few pointers right here underneath but any comments or pointers always welcome!:




A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?


B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?


C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!


D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?


As always, I promise that any snippets used will be credited by reference to your forum, and the individual member in question. Ah, and this forum is of course our recommendation on the RR Match Presentation for fans to read on anything Barnsley! Here is our match presentation and thread (you're mentioned in post 304 ) http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/30012170/1

Any questions for us in return, just get back and I’ll do my best lads, or ask on my forum if necessary …


daib0, and the team on ‘Royals Rendezvous’

 

A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?

It's gone well. I was worried that we would miss some of the players we lost in the summer like Brownhill, Isgrove, Fletcher and Mawson but we have recruited well and the players who have replaced them have all been outstanding. We now have a policy of recruiting young, promising players from lower down the leagues and it's starting to pay off. Of our expected starting XI tomorrow, at least 7 were playing in League 2 or lower within the last 3 years.

Our best quality this season has been our attacking play. We are fast, fluid and at times almost unplayable. I'd hesitate to pick one specific danger man, all of Hammill, Kent, Hourihane, Armstrong, Winnall, Watkins, Janko and Bradshaw are dangerous.

B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?

Head - stay up
Heart - top 10

I think it's stronger on paper, but it still seems like anyone can beat anyone (possible exception being Newcastle, they're starting to look scary)

C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!

I'm afraid that I didn't pay too much attention to the Championship during our time in League 1 so don't have much background to judge on.

D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?

Reading to have lots of possession but perhaps limited threat, Barnsley to have <40% possession but to use what possession we do have quite well. I'll go for 2-0 to us.

Good luck for the rest of the season (apart from tomorrow)

 

Howdy

A] After the Euphoria of last season (nobody can describe how amazing the December to May period was) this season was always going to be tough. The Champ is our spiritual home - our rightful place, but it continues to get stronger as Sky attempt to turn it into PL II. How could the likes of Barnsley and Burton compete against the heavily rewarded, and well-supported Villa and Toon? Couple of personnel changes in close season, including losing Isgrove, Brownhill and Fletcher. Fans trusted the club to replace, even when we sold the superb Mawson on deadline day. They did so using a method which has become a tried and trusted plan. A defender from Torquay, a loan from Liverpool and a couple of raw recruits such as Payne from Dover have shown our strategy to work. Pre-season we played well, if not spectacularly and secured a couple of decent results. An opening day heavy defeat reminded us all what a tough league this is, and an early exit from whatever the League Cup is called this year had a few of us wondering if we could keep up last years momentum. Since then we have settled, and if not for the result against Hudds would have been top. Times are good Talents to watch? Our back four. Hammill, Hourihane, Kent, Watkins, Winnall. On their day, Hammill or Kent have the ability to shred any team in this league. Hourihane just oozes class.

B] The start has been amazing, beyond our wildest dreams but we can't get carried away. The aim is to stay up, still. We are 7 games in. A couple of heavy defeats could change everything. But for once we have a manager we love and trust, so fingers crossed the amazing start continues. As above, Sky (and now BT) are ensuring the Championship gets stronger. And financially ludicrous. We'll just keep doing our thang!

C] Jaap was a legendary player, but as such those guys don't always become good gaffers. Steady start and they could be in the mix. Seem to have gone about things quietly, unlike Bristol and Brighton, who I consider 'similar' clubs to yours.

D] We have made a strong start at home, which has not always been the case in recent years. If we keep the momentum going, and get in front early, it could be a mauling. 4-0 at home last time out, 'could' be easy to repeat. However, because it has been so long since we had reason to get on our teams backs, if you do get ahead early, or start bossing us, then the fans reaction could contribute to the outcome. That's a long shot though, as even though the inevitable defeat will come at some point, I don't think that will go hand in hand with a hard time. Should be a good game. You will know you have been in a game, and you will see a lot of football. Am going for 3-0 Reds.

 

A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?

Pretty mixed, lost a few of the players that got us promoted due to them going back to there loan clubs. However we have recruited well within the lower leagues and have found some gems (McDonald, Yiadom) also we have brought in proven players (Bradshaw, Kent, Morsy) you should be aware of our strikeforce, two are chosen from Bradshaw Winnall Watkins and Armstrong, those that don't start usually come on and run there knackers off.


B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?

Head - Mid Table, Heart - Top 6, I don't think it is that strong of a league with teams that have been playing in it for years. As for the teams that have come down, only time will tell whether they are good enough to go straight back up.

C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!

I think it might take him a season to adapt to the strenuous schedule of the championship, however with good backing and a decent fan base I can see you been in the promotion picture in the next few seasons.


D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?

Can't see anything but a Barnsley win in all honesty, we are playing some thrilling attacking football which is such a pleasure to watch. On the counter and in the final third we are proving to be devestating.

Prediction 3-0 Bradshaw Hammill Roberts

 

A]
Just before Christmas last year we went rock bottom of League 1, having lost 8 games on the trot including a 1-0 cup defeat to Altrincham. It was a painful but necessary re-adjustment to a new policy. After the pain of relegation, the club had decided to use statistics and an augmented scouting system to identify young players from the lower leagues, improve them and sell them on. The policy was augmented through the signing of promising young loan players from higher division clubs. In spite of the terrible run of defeats, the club was brave enough to stick with its manager, and it was Lee Johnson who began the turn round by winning the next 6 games. In spite of our loyalty, when Bristol City came calling, Lee Johnson could not get out fast enough, but instead of appointing from outside, the club went with Paul Heckingbottom, an ex player and local lad, on a caretaker basis. The rest, as they say, is history. The team has never looked back. It finished in 6th place and went up through the play-offs, beating Millwall 3-1 in the final.

At the end of the season, all the loan players went back to their clubs and were never seen again. Personally, I was very concerned about the new season. We continued to recruit from the lower divisions and there seemed to be a lack of quality and a lack of numbers. However, the policy became more of a conscious policy when our John Stones ship came in with the 15% sell on clause that we negotiated with Everton. Soon after that, we sold Mawson to Swansea for £5m and our money worries were behind us. Even so, we continue to recruit in the same way that was so successful last season. None of our signings are household names, but they all come in, learn the system and perform as a unit, and that is the key. We are top scorers in all four divisions and already have eleven different scorers, and that is the key. We do not have any stars but the whole team pulls together. As an example, our back four were signed from Barnet, Halifax, Torquay and Rotherham.

B]
When we lost our first game to Ipswich 4-2 and followed that with an extra time defeat to Northampton in the League Cup, my worst fears were confirmed. I reconciled myself to a backs to the wall fight to stave off relegation. This had been our experience on our last visit to the Championship and it ended after 8 years of constant struggle with ignominious relegation under the same manager (Danny Wilson) who had taken us to the glory of our one and only Premiership season. I could see nothing other than more of the same. However, we beat Derby, who were very poor and QPR who were much better. Although we also lost to Huddersfield our performances against Rotherham, Preston and Wolves have been unbelievable. Now most of us do not know what to think. The more optimistic are dreaming of Premier League, whilst those of us with our feet on the ground continue to count down to 50 points, and safety. It depends whether your glass is half empty, or half full.

 

fantastic replies lads, just the sort of thing I was hoping for

 

A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?

A concerning close season for me given that some of our brightest performers from the promotion run-in moved on. Fletcher, Isgrove and Brownhill were integral and none are here now. However, the signings we have made have stepped up to the plate brilliantly. Ryan Kent has effectively replaced Isgrove, Andy Yiadom has fitted in nicely at right back and former Royal Angus MacDonald has stepped up to replace Mawson admirably. The twin capture of Bradshaw and Adam Armstrong has more than made up for Ashley Fletcher leaving. We have an existing set of young, talented, very hungry players and at present it would be hard to pick out anyone in particular. In Hammill, Kent, Bradshaw, Armstrong, Winnall, Watkins and Janko, we have goals galore. With the excellent Hourihane and Scowen pulling the strings behind these, things are looking good so far.

B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?

The money aspect has made the Championship particularly tough on paper, but we're showing that a good team can cut through the big name teams and players and achieve great things. We've started brilliantly, but the principal aim is still of course to stay up. That said, aiming to stay up doesn't mean we can't hope to do a lot better. I think most fans now see us as a side that could finish mid-table or even top half. But the main thing is staying in this division and anything more than that would be a lovely bonus. We need to take every game as it comes and not worry about the table for a good while yet.

C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!

Without knowing more about your team its hard to make a sound judgement on how Reading will fair this season. I hope Jaap Stam does well largely due my admiration for him as a player and he seems a decent sort of bloke.

D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?

Hard to predict. I think we'll score and create, but I see you as tough opponents who will try to dominate possession. I can never predict our matches but I'll have a go and say 3-2 to us.

 

Get Reading


Barnsley v Reading FC: Former Royals defender Angus MacDonald out to shoot down his former club

The centre-back joined the Tykes earlier in the summer - three years after being released by Reading

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/barnsley-v-reading-fc-former-11896210?



Sounding very good, we in Reading might have totally got this wrong three years ago!!

 

God bless Red Rain .

 

Red Rain in positive quote shocker!

 

A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?

Most important thing was retaining Adam Hammill & signing up Hecky.

Fletcher is a loss, but was never gonna be ours this season.
Isgrove was great, but Kent looks at least as good.

We have threats going forward everywhere on the park. Good luck with that.


B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?

Aim was to stay up.

I fancy us being in the top half of the table, but I'm an old romantic....



C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!

They are trying a possession football approach. I think a bit of patience to go up, 2-3 years. Newcastle will run away with it & there are several strong teams.
Top half maybe for Fulham.


D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?

0-0 half time

Barnsley 4 Reading 0 full time score

 

A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?

Better than I expected actually, as other people have said we didn't resign some key players from last season (personally Fletcher was the only one I was dissapointed about losing, did like Isgrove as well though) and we got rid of some other good squad players like George Williams, George Smith and Jak McCourt, we've generally managed to fill all the holes in our squad with quality as well as quantity, we've not seen all the new signings yet or very briefly but I trust the management that they'll come good. Gutted to have lost Mawson on deadline day but for the fee we got (somewhere between £5-£6.5 million) I was pleased. Only bit of business I'm dissapointed in is Moncur but from what limited knowledge I have of the situation that was more down to the player than the club.

B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?

Been a fantastic start to the season so far, and while everyone is praising how fantastic our attack is (it is really very good) the defence has only been solid, we've kept joint 2nd amount of clean sheets, we haven't conceded from open play at home and thats all with a back 4 of who 3 were all in non league a couple of years ago. Realistically I'll say we'll finish 15th but we don't know what'll happen yet so anything is possible.

C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!

Absolutely nothing against Reading (except for that awful song you brought out a couple of years ago) even though you are all soft southerners Personally I think you'll finish in the top half this year and slowly Jaap will get to grips with the league, but I can't predict the future so I have no idea.

D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?

Were quite good at home and I don't think we'll lose many, but this is just the kind of fixture the Barnsley I know like to lose, big crowd, going in in good form, at home, potential high placed finish so we'll probably lose 6-0. Seriously I'll say 2-0 us but I wouldn't be surprised of most results from tomorrow

http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/30012170/1

Just to be pedantic as well, I was reading your introduction about us on your forum (it was very good, miles better than anything I could write and very nice of fans not just to write us off and say something about us being northern) and you said Wilson was sacked after the Prem season, he wasn't he just went to Sheffield Wednesday (some on here haven't forgiven him) also we didn't sign Hammill from Derby we signed him on a free after he'd been released by Rotherham last season, other than that like I said stellar report mate wish you the best for the season except when your playing us

 

Just to be pedantic we signed Hammill after he was released from Huddersfield.lol

 

Very true

 

A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?

We've recruited largely from the lower leagues again, alongside a sprinkling of loanees from the Premier League. Any other team in the country would be disappointed with the sort of player we've brought in, but it's been a massively effective strategy for us in the last 2 years epitomised by our back 4 who's previous clubs were Rotherham, Torquay, Halifax and Barnet.

Adam Armstrongs introductory goal makes him the standout player in terms of 'one to watch' as he effectively won the game out of nothing last week. Ryan Kent has also proved to be a tricky player even if his end product often flatters to deceive. But both are certainly worth keeping an eye on.


B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?

Before the season began, I said that this year, we couldn't afford to be happy with 4th from bottom. We don't want to get stuck in the same rut as we were in last year, replacing manager after manager and having clear outs en mass. I was hopeful that we could carry some of last year's form into this one, but obviously didn't expect the start we have made.

In terms of the league itself, after looking at how it panned out last year, I picked out Newcastle, Norwich, Wednesday and Derby as the potential stand out teams, with Rotherham, Blackburn and Burton as the strugglers. Aside from that I reckon this division is fairly even, and wouldn't be surprised of the order any of the remaining 17 teams finish in.

Before the season began I was hopeful of a finish above 18th, I now think we could push on for a top half finish based on how well we've began.

C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!

As I have said previously, there's 17 or so teams in this league which I felt, pre-season, had little difference between them. So I'd be no more surprised to see you finish in the top 6 as I would the bottom 6. It's been a fairly good start for you considering the number of changes you made pre-season. You're clearly in a transition period, and need to give both the manager and the players time to adapt. If I remember correctly, Jaap has brought quite a few in from overseas (I could be wrong), they're going to need time to adapt. I know little of Jaap Stam in terms of a manager, but considering his playing prowess, I'd like to think that he could eventually make you very difficult to beat, in terms of defensive stability.

However I do always say that the best players often make for terrible managers.

D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?

I often play down our chances prior to a game, but at home this season, we've rarely looked troubled. Okay we left it late against QPR however we were dominant from start to finish and it was conceding 2 penalties which disrupted our mojo.

I fancy us to win the game. You're a side in transition, and we're still riding the same wave that we've been on since December. Whilst our recent record against yourselves isn't great at home, it's considerably better than the ones we had against Wolves and QPR, who we've beaten already. Our bubble will burst soon, but I just don't think it will be this week.


Good luck for the rest of the season after this and the reverse fixture of course.



Sent from my phone using my hands

 

A]
How has close season gone? Who are the major ins-and-outs of the squad? … any positions or ‘personalities’ in particular that look really promising? Could you mention generally a few of your biggest talents to inform the RR members? Of whom should we specially beware?

We can hurt you from all over the field. I can't ever remember a Barnsley team with so many players in it that cause a buzz of expectation to go around the ground when they get the ball. That was the case in the second half of last season, and it seems to be carrying on with the new additions over the summer. Due to living abroad I haven't been since the play-off final, but I've been following every match both on the radio and watching the replays of player. No substitute for being there mind! Can't wait to see them live later this year.

B]
This is an amazing start you’ve had, not meaning to be too surprised. But it’s true that it’s often difficult to adapt to a new tier level and you’re making this jump up really smoothly it seems. So what are your aims this season, using both your head and your heart?!
In general do you see the Championship as perhaps stronger than usual this year, what with Newcastle, Villa, Brighton, Norwich, Derby etc. ?

I expected Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle to do well. Villa are a hard one to call, as a completely rubbish Premier League side does not make a good Championship team. I'm not surprised to see them struggling, and I think that for them, avoiding a second successive relegation has to be the main aim. Steady the ship and then go full tilt for promotion next season. I predicted Blackburn, Leeds, Fulham and Forest to struggle - let's see how the season pans out. I also think that Brighton could well implode financially if they don't go up soon. Fingers crossed. They're another one who've been living beyond their means for far too long.

As for us, at the start of the season I said we would finish anywhere between 6th and 20th, which is probably the case for most teams in the league. Although it's a strong league on paper, it seems that a lot of sides are a ragtag bunch of expensive players who didn't quite make it in the Premier League, or are past their best. Many of them are foreigners who don't have the bottle for the Championship. This is not what it takes to get out of this league, at least not through the door at the top end. I never thought we'd struggle to be honest as despite some key departures, the whole ethos of the club seems far better geared up for this league than it was last time we were promoted. However, after the first two months I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be challenging for the playoffs. The crunch could be when bids come in for half our squad in January, quite a few of whom are out of contract in the summer. I'm actually far more worried about next season than this, by which time we could well have lost Conor Hourihane, Sam Winnall, Josh Scowen and Marley Watkins, all for nothing.


C]
Reading have started comfortably but modestly, it’s virtually a complete new team for us this season which may or may not gel - no idea yet to be honest - and of course a new manager with a distinguished playing career.
So any thoughts on Stam Jaap and the Royals - do you think he might produce something or will it be another average also-ran season for us?!

Absolute unknown quantity, just like Huddersfield really. I don't think you'll be in any danger, but my mate who supports Reading says that you're absolutely toothless in attack. Obviously until you remedy this, you're unlikely to be challenging the top six, no matter who is in charge.


D]
Looking ahead to this game – even if you’re leaving a prediction elsewhere, could you give me just a quick indication of how you see the play going?

Strange one this. For once, the head says an easy Barnsley win. We score loads, you don't. However, I have a nasty feeling that this is our banana skin, and you'll win 1-0. But then again I always have that feeling......

 

A) I was pretty worried pre season as several loan players departed who had been key components of a team that had swept all aside for 6 months leaving behind a crux of players who had spent the 3 months previous to that dismally losing to Altrincham and Shrewsbury. We appeared to have hibernated for the summer and entered our annual lethargy. This time however it appears that slowness was perhaps thoroughness. Ashley Fletcher is so good it's taken 2 players with different strengths to replace him. Isgrove has been replaced almost like for like by loanee Ryan Kent including a lack of end product but again provides a metronome for the team turning defence into attack with speed and incisiveness. Whether we have adequately replaced Alfie Mawson is perhaps more open to debate but Angus Macdonald looks like he may be able to step up.

We have a richness of attacking flair that pivots around Conor Hourihane who has transformed himself from something of a dilettante to an all action midfielder just at home making a crunching tackle as bursting into the opposition box and scoring. He is the key to the tea but if you stopped him you would still need to counteract the wing play of Hammill and Kent and the sheer application of Marley Watkins.

Initial aim like most teams is to avoid relegation and get to 50 points as quickly as possible. I think our team will score enough goals to note dragged down but will let enough in to see us in mid table and i'd settle for that. As for other teams to an extent Derby exemplify a lot of what is wrong a lot of overpaid ex premiership players great as individuals but not playing as a team. Newcastle and Norwich will go up. Relegation time might catch up with Leeds,Blackburn and Rotherham.

As for you lot I know very little. Given your financial backing I guess you have underperformed for several seasons now and would expect to be at the business end with a high profile manager. As it stands at the minute I'd suspect the lack of attacking flair will restrict you.

We are on the crest of a wave with supporters Withnell found belief. Long weary history as a Barnsley fan suggests you'll beat us 1 nil.

 

from RR's assistant Number 13 (Ben)

Familiar Face: Brian Howard

​

[table=3,]Barnsley[c][c]

Reading​

[c]131 (6)[c]

Appearances (as a substitute)​

[c]

55 (14)​

[c]28[c]

Goals​

[c]

3​

[c]8[c]

Assists​

[c]

12​

[c]Y28 R1[c]

Discipline​

[c]

R1 Y11​

[/table]


Barnsley (2005 - 2009)

Brian Howard didn't come to Barnsley through choice of his own; with his current club Swindon Town struggling financially in the Football League One Howard was part of a mass clear-out of players who left the club in the summer of 2005. After holding talks with AFC Bournemouth, he settled for an offer from another third-tier club and Barnsley snapped him up ahead of the 2005/2006 season. But his time with The Tykes wouldn't have a happy start, as he broke his foot before he kicked a ball for the club, and missed the first few weeks of the season, not playing until the end of September. But following this, he would become an important part of Andy Ritchie's promotion-clinching Barnsley that season, featuring thirty eight times for the club including both play-off semi-finals and the final against Swansea City as they made their way to the Football League Championship.

He continued to be a strong player in the side in the following campaign, even under new manager Simon Davey who took over in November of that season. Scoring eight goals (all in the first half of the season) and featuring 44 times, he helped the club avoid relegation from the second tier by finishing in 20[sup]th[/sup] place. The following season would see him take on some extra responsibility, with previous captain Paul Reid falling out of favour with Davey (eventually transfer-listed in January 2008) the armband went to Howard, another key member of the promotion side. He captained the side for a large part of the campaign, as well as ending the season as their top goalscorer with 14 in all competitions. Whilst their league position showed little improvement (18[sup]th[/sup], they managed to reach the final four in the FA Cup (their furthest progression for ninety six years), beating previous winners Liverpool and Chelsea along the way, before finally succumbing to Cardiff City. Brian Howard was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year that season for his efforts. The 2008/2009 season would see him struggle with Barnsley, as, with several Premier League clubs interested in signing him, The Tykes slapped a £10m price tag on the midfielder, which Howard heavily refuted. With the discontent spilling over into the new season, he left the club to join Sheffield United on loan, and made the permanent switch in January 2009 for a reported £700,000.


Reading (2009 - 2012)

Brian Howard was one of seven new players to join Reading for the 2009/2010 season as manager Brendan Rodgers set about making a new team at the Madejski Stadium. Royals midfielder James Harper went to Sheffield United in a swap deal with Howard, who signed a three year contract with Reading, and played his first game for the club in September against Doncaster Rovers. He scored just once during the first half of the season as the team suffered greatly under their new manager. Rodgers would depart the club in December, and it would be development manager Brian McDermott who would take the reins, first as a caretaker and then permanently. The second half of the season improved for the club, with Howard enjoying playing in the middle alongside the likes of Gylfi Sigurðsson, Jem Karacan and Brynjar Gunnarsson. The club would finish in a comfortable mid-table position that season, and they also went on a cup run under McDermott, with Howard scoring a crucial goal against West Bromwich Albion in the 5[sup]th[/sup] Round replay, to take the game to extra time, where Sigurðsson assured progression to the last eight.

With that summer seeing the departure of Gylfi Sigurðsson, Kalifa Cissé and Marek Matějovský in the centre of midfield, Howard further made a claim to make himself an important player to the Berkshire side. But, despite appearing for 28 games of the season, he fell behind the pecking order at the club under McDermott, and, with the club finishing 5[sup]th[/sup], was an unused substitute as they failed to beat Swansea City to earn promotion to the Premier League. With other clubs interested in him, he signalled his intention to move in order to secure more regular football, now twenty eight years old. He would spend a large part of the 2011/2012 season on loan at fellow Championship side Millwall before being released by Reading at the end of his contract in June 2012.


Quotes

Brian Howard on his time at Swindon Town (May 2005): I thoroughly enjoyed my two years there. They were a great bunch of lads and the supporters were great to me the whole two years, I enjoyed playing for them."

Brian Howard on his 'unrealistic' £10m price tag (June 2008): "Although they say they want to keep me, nobody at the club has been in touch with me to offer a new contract. I am in limbo. I feel I have given great service to this club, and I would like them to recognise that by doing one of two things - either give me the contract I am worth or sell me. And by that, I mean doing me the courtesy of selling me at a realistic price."

Reading manager Brendan Rodgers on signing Brian Howard (September 2009): "Brian is a big player at this level. He is a great reference point for the team, he can create and score goals. I've admired him from afar and coming to Reading is the perfect fit for him and his style of play."

Brian Howard on considering his future at Reading (June 2011): "People keep asking me if I’m going to Portsmouth. I’ve got a year left at Reading, but it’s been a bit frustrating and I want to play a bit more. I played against Portsmouth towards the end of the season and did really well. If I wasn’t in the plans at Reading I would be looking to do something like that. At the end of the last loan window I nearly went to Southampton. The manager (Brian McDermott) said then if I really wanted to go he wouldn't stand in my way. He wanted me to stay, but said he respected the fact that I have played a lot of games in my career and need to play football. That was one thing I spoke to him about. I think that they may have to cut the wage bill a bit at Reading. So if I’m not playing and I have a year left on my contract they might look to ship me out. I haven’t asked to go now, but if they come to me and say I'm not in their plans I would defi-nitely look to get away.

 

here's to a great game, whatever happens. And no whingeing from me afterwards (just in case!) ...