Is The Gulf Just Too Big

[ThaiPauly]

I stayed up to listen to the Carling Cup game between Arsenal and Reading.

Reading got hammered 3-0 by what were essentially Arsenal's reserves.

Only Van Persie, Reyes and Senderos are regular first team players, (by the way Arsenal fielded 11 foreign players! and only one English Sub!

We went into this game with only 3 of our first team players missing , and they were all on the bench, the ones that did play are on the bench week in week out, and always get to play some part in every game.

The point is Reading had gone 23 games without defeat, have accumulated a massive 50 points already and are 4 points clear at the top of the Championship.! 13 points clear of 3rd place so they would really have to fall apart NOT to get promoted.

We are seeing how Sunderland are being humiliated this year (although I don't beleive they bought in any half decent players once they were promoted-wheras Wigan and West Ham did)

I am a bit fearful of promotion, we have not got in John Madejski a Dave Wheelan of Wigan to dig deep in his pockets to ensure our survival, but as a Chairman surely this has to be his priority?, Reading have never been in the First Division, Premiership, or whatever it may used to have been called.

Is the gulf just TOO BIG and how are smaller teams like us without masses of supporters and a pretty stingy Chairman going to survive with the big boys?

Any comments would be more than welcome

A very concerned Thai Pauly

[keddy]

I stayed up to listen to the Carling Cup game between Arsenal and Reading.

Reading got hammered 3-0 by what were essentially Arsenal's reserves.

Only Van Persie, Reyes and Senderos are regular first team players, (by the way Arsenal fielded 11 foreign players! and only one English Sub!

We went into this game with only 3 of our first team players missing , and they were all on the bench, the ones that did play are on the bench week in week out, and always get to play some part in every game.

The point is Reading had gone 23 games without defeat, have accumulated a massive 50 points already and are 4 points clear at the top of the Championship.! 13 points clear of 3rd place so they would really have to fall apart NOT to get promoted.

We are seeing how Sunderland are being humiliated this year (although I don't beleive they bought in any half decent players once they were promoted-wheras Wigan and West Ham did)

I am a bit fearful of promotion, we have not got in John Madejski a Dave Wheelan of Wigan to dig deep in his pockets to ensure our survival, but as a Chairman surely this has to be his priority?, Reading have never been in the First Division, Premiership, or whatever it may used to have been called.

Is the gulf just TOO BIG  and how are smaller teams like us without masses of supporters and a pretty stingy Chairman going to survive with the big boys?

Any comments would be more than welcome

A very concerned Thai Pauly

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think the gulf between the championship and the premiership is that big, outside the top 4 or 5. There are a lot of mediocre sides in the middle to lower half of the table. I've been surprised how easy it's been for my team West Ham Utd. Sunderland as you said seem to be struggling because of lack of investment and buying untried lower division players. Mick McCarthy's team seems to be based on work ethic and high tempo which is difficult to sustain throughout the matches; have you noticed how their preformances slump in the second half. Also there is a real lack of pace in the centre of their defence. We have bought more wisely Konshesky is a proven premiership player, Benayoun has a lot of experience a goal scoring midfielder in 'La Liga' and we have Sheringham who acts as a mentor to our promising youngsters. Wigan has a similar mixture of old heads and promising youngsters, though they lack pace in the middle of their defence too. So I think it is possible to survive with the right mixture of proven skillfull players and youngsters.

[Spit the Dog]

When you look at the top 3 teams at the moment in the Championship, Reading, Sheff Utd and Watford, they would almost certainly be relegated with the squads they have just now. The key is making the correct buys when promoted.

Reading have an experienced manager in Steve Coppell. I'm sure he knows what will be required if Reading get promoted.

Don't feel to downbeat ThaiPauly. Arsenal have won every game at Highbury this season. Even if several regulars were missing they still had Reyes and Van Persie playing. They are both world class players.

I'm sure Steve Coppell would have sacrificed losing this game in exchange for 3 points this weekend.

Just look at Wigan. 10 years ago they were playing in the bottom half of division 4 in front of 2,000 people. If they can survive in the Premiership, then Wigan's example, should give hope to any team with Premiership ambitions.

[ThaiPauly]

When you look at the top 3 teams at the moment in the Championship, Reading, Sheff Utd and Watford, they would almost certainly be relegated with the squads they have just now. The key is making the correct buys when promoted.

Reading have an experienced manager in Steve Coppell. I'm sure he knows what will be required if Reading get promoted.

Don't feel to downbeat ThaiPauly. Arsenal have won every game at Highbury this season. Even if several regulars were missing they still had Reyes and Van Persie playing. They are both world class players.

But we still lost our unbeaten run to their reserve team, its hard to swallow Spit

I'm sure Steve Coppell would have sacrificed losing this game in exchange for 3 points this weekend.

Thats true, when we palyed Sheff Utd in the last round warnock told the clubs fans via their website not to bother turning up as he could not care less if they won or lost. We just have to concentrate on beating Luton on Saturday

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[bartender100]

ThaiPauly

Reading have done great this year,I'm really pleased to see them top.They could do with out the Carling Cup anyway at the moment,and no disgrace to go out to Arsenal.

Best I can hope for is playoff place for Norwich

[Davey]

It's tough to determine whether the gap is too big or not. Wigan have done fantastic, but they had good financial backing and they've been incredibly lucky in some of their games this season, they have a tough run coming up now also (they will survive though, no doubt). West Ham are a decent side too, some decent players in there, they probably have the better of the Ferdinand's too. Sunderland are just about gone now any way, they have no chance of staying up IMO, so I think on this evidence the gap isn't too big, however financially the gap is far too big, inevitably the gap will get bigger because of the spending power or lack of it I guess.

I didn't see the match last night, but I heard Reading missed a few opportunities in the first half. Reyes and Van Persie will still provide for any team no matter who else is in it, especially Van Persie. I think Van Persie is an absolute find, he is amazing, definetly going to be a star in a few years.

[ThaiPauly]

ThaiPauly

Reading have done great this year,I'm really pleased to see them top.They could do with out the Carling Cup anyway at the moment,and no disgrace to go out to Arsenal.

Best I can hope for is playoff place for Norwich

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was gonna post a topic asking where you were, we have missed you most of this season.

Thanx for the positive remarks, just hope we can keep it up.

Yes its not been a good season for the Canaries so far, but if they keep faith with their Manager, a good run after Xmas could see you achieve a play off spot. After all you have got the one and only Andy Hughes to help you out!!

You have probably a better idea of what is going on there than me, but I just can't fathom out why this has been such a bad season for you, is it because of low morale after relegation or something else?

I would appreciate your comments because we have a tightfisted Chairman so when we do make it out of the Championship unless he spends 10m we will be straight back down. It's interesting that none of the relegated clubs are mounting a serious challenge for promotion this year is'nt it?

Nice to see you back mate

TP

[mittheimp]

Doncaster Rovers 3:0 Aston Villa

Nuff said!!