I was pretty damning about our lame cup exit - partly based on the fact that in recent years, FA Cup defeats to teams we should have easily beaten (on paper, at least) have more often than not, led to a run of poor form. However, I’m now looking at it as a possible blessing in disguise. We’re told that Max Wober needs another op and is surely out for the rest of the season, while Bamford’s the perennial lame duck. I know we’re only talking two injuries here but given that we’re easily the smallest squad in the division, the decision not to buy in the January window is looking even more of a precarious (some might say reckless) gamble. But what’s done is done and the most important thing is to get to the end of the season with as few injuries as possible. The realisation that there are positives to be had has softened the blow of losing to - of all teams - Millwall, especially at home. Does everyone agree that this could be a silver lining in the sense of no distractions to deflect us from our one and only real goal - promotion to the Premier League.
posted on 12/2/25
My wife said to me last night - why aren't you cheering the goals as much as you used to?
I said its become the norm now dear.
posted on 12/2/25
106 points and a gd of plus 67 by Reading in 2006 is the record for a team promoted from the Championship so atm it's still on but tbh I think 8 more wins and 93 points will be enough so either way we're sitting pretty even allowing for a Leedsy type of implosion which compared to season's past the manner in which we're putting the opposition to the sword seems only a remote possibility but until it's mathematically impossible for Leeds to be caught we have to be wary but maybe start to allow ourselves inside a modicum of confidence in believing finally this season will be our last outside the top flight and for some considerable time too.
posted on 12/2/25
comment by Macca & The Rhythm Sticks/Crutching Peacock Hidden Ferret (U8194)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
106 points and a gd of plus 67 by Reading in 2006 is the record for a team promoted from the Championship so atm
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Macs that correct that? - do you know how Reading faired in the following season as a premiership team?
always have this fear the gap just too wide between Premier league and the championship. having said that.. (trying not to bias) I do think the club, the core of the team will be able to cope in the premier league, looking at Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton, (obvs bottom 3).. pretty convinced we're a better side than them.
am not saying Southampton / Ipswich didn't deserve there place - they were better than us all in all last season. do think this year its a totally different beast
posted on 12/2/25
Its why I use the champ manager analogy alot.
People just think you can bring players in, and they hit it off from the start.
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yeah I get your long running analogy LIW.. and agree
I read on here whilst the Meslier thing was kicking off, that a poster reckoned Farke gave Mes 1 last chance saloon to improve or he's out... I just can;t see Farke working like that... nor could I see that as being useful.. really not a great idea to put a dressing room spotlight on him..
Unity... Farke played this one very well I have to say.
posted on 12/2/25
Reading finished midtable when they went up
posted on 12/2/25
This season and last were disastrous for promoted sides in the Premier League. But before then at least one of the promoted sides would stay up.
The season we came down the three promoted sides were Fulham, Bournemouth and Forest. All three now top half Premier League.
You don't have to go back that far to see it's possible.
posted on 12/2/25
comment by The Spanish Italians - Its all coming home aga... (U21595)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Macca & The Rhythm Sticks/Crutching Peacock Hidden Ferret (U8194)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
106 points and a gd of plus 67 by Reading in 2006 is the record for a team promoted from the Championship so atm
--------------------
Macs that correct that? - do you know how Reading faired in the following season as a premiership team?
always have this fear the gap just too wide between Premier league and the championship. having said that.. (trying not to bias) I do think the club, the core of the team will be able to cope in the premier league, looking at Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton, (obvs bottom 3).. pretty convinced we're a better side than them.
am not saying Southampton / Ipswich didn't deserve there place - they were better than us all in all last season. do think this year its a totally different beast
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I don't know the numbers, but I'm guessing that Southampton Ipswich and Leicester spent lots to enable them to get promoted so had little leeway to improve their squads massively once promoted.
I think we're probably in the exact opposite situation with the sales last summer giving us far more flexibility to find 3 top class players and a couple more cheaper EPL level 'back-ups' to give the squad more EPL depth.
49ers will still have to be measured in their spend because they'll have to consider FFP allowed levels in the worst case scenario that we immediately come down again. Such an approach would also allow us the spend again in summer 2026 if we don't get relegated and need to improve the squad further.
They're not just going to put all their allowed cash on black in 2025 and just hope it doesn't fall on red.
posted on 12/2/25
Spanish, Reading finished 8th in the EPL next season 2006/07 with a record of played 38 won 16 drew 7 and lost 15 goals for 52 against 47 (+5)...55 points....I think we'd all settle for that.
posted on 12/2/25
And relegated 18th on 36 points the year after.
Not too dissimilar to Leeds
Promoted 20-21 9th 59pts
Following year 21/22 17th 38pts
posted on 13/2/25
comment by Macca & The Rhythm Sticks/Crutching Peacock Hidden Ferret (U8194)
posted 16 hours, 47 minutes ago
Spanish, Reading finished 8th in the EPL next season 2006/07 with a record of played 38 won 16 drew 7 and lost 15 goals for 52 against 47 (+5)...55 points....I think we'd all settle for that.
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comment by salonika73 (U4688)
posted 16 hours, 4 minutes ago
And relegated 18th on 36 points the year after.
Not too dissimilar to Leeds
Promoted 20-21 9th 59pts
Following year 21/22 17th 38pts
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thanks Chaps..
think we all know gap is so wide between premier league and the championship..
will need some good and savvy club management and recruiting next season