2014/15 Analysis & Opinion
Opinion and analysis from the 2014/15 season
Tony Spearing: The Right Man For Reading?
As the new head of recruitment at Reading FC, Tony Spearing will be in charge of one of the important summers in the club's recent history, with squad overhaul looking increasingly on the cards. With that in mind, Marc profiles the scout.
5 Things - Ipswich and Huddersfield
Reading continued their run of inconsistency with a win in East Anglia before falling to a defeat in Yorkshire. Bucks takes an alternative look at Reading's last week of football with his 5 Things from the Ipswich and Huddersfield games.
Should Players Front Up More On Social Media?
Should players be more prepared to give their voice on social media, or is it a minefield not worth traversing?
The Stale Factor - Reading 2012-15
Last night's defeat made it three home defeats in just six games for Reading boss Steve Clarke. The FA Cup has provided some genuine excitement in the Clarke era but our home performances continue to provide evidence that it's all gone a bit stale.
Derby 1-2 Reading: Five Things
Referees, Pavel Pogrebnyak and our ability to win games against 10-men are all under the microscope for Handbags Harris as he picks five key points to come out of our 2-1 win at Derby.
Why You Should Be Glad You're A Royal
Ever thought you had a hard life being a Reading fan? Well maybe you should think again...
Five Things: Sheffield Wednesday
So a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday gave Reading FC all three points on Saturday but what did we learn from this weekend's game? Handbags takes a look
The Yakubu Debate: Yay Or Nay On The Yak?
The 32-year-old Nigerian striker has officially arrived at the Mad Stad, but is this what we've been crying out for, or a sign of lessons not learned? @RoyalHoops and @ThatMarcMayo debate the signing of The Yak.
Nathaniel Chalobah - First Impressions
Nathaniel Chalobah is highly rated at Stamford Bridge, and has impressed at Championship before at Watford. But what can we learn from his debut at Cardiff? Handbags analyses the youngster's first appearance in the blue and white hoops.
5 Things - Cardiff
Reading sealed their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday. But what should Reading fans take away from the match? Bucks Royal picks out his 5 Things from the match.
View From The Town End: Jure Travner
While most of the attention last week was on Reading's capture of Nathaniel Chalobah, the first official signing of the Steve Clarke era was left-back Jure Travner. We spoke to a St Mirren blogger to ask what they thought of the Slovenian.
What To Do With Chalobah?
Nathaniel Chalobah yesterday became Steve Clarke's second signing as Reading manager. But with a long list of midfielders already at the club, how exactly will the Chelsea loanee fit into Clarke's plans? Bucks Royal assesses the options.
View From The Town End: Nathaniel Chalobah
Steve Clarke's first major signing is from a familiar haunt in Chelsea's young midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah. Chalobah has already been on loan with several Championship clubs so what do fans from Watford, Forest & Burnley have to say on the deal?
5 Things - Fulham
it could so easily have been three points, but it just wasn't to be - Reading losing out in the dying moments to Fulham on Saturday. Continuing his breakdown of the match, Bucks Royal brings us his five things.
Reading's MVPs: A Closer Look at the Squad
Who are Reading's most valuable players? Who are the brightest prospects and most important men in blue and white hoops? Bucks Royal analyses what Steve Clarke has to choose from at Reading.
Why I'm Peeved Cummings Has Gone
Shaun Cummings was sold to Millwall earlier today, but Hoops didn't like it.
Attacking The Issue: Winger or Striker?
Marc Mayo plays judge, jury, and executioner to find out if certain Reading players are naturally wingers, or strikers.
A Captain's Welcome
It's been well over a year since Jem Karacan played his last senior game at the Madejski Stadium. With the club captain likely to return for Saturday's game with Middlesbrough should the fans plan a welcome home party?
Disassociation Football
What is the reality behind the relationship of the fans and their club? Is it their club in the first place? Is it even an issue? Here, Mostlybobbins offers his thoughts on modern fandom.
Clarke's Transfer To Do List
With the transfer window open, Steve Clarke has his first chance to try and reshape his squad. While funds may be tight that doesn't mean deals can't or won't be made. Here's where we think he might look to make moves.
5 Things - 2014
It's been a long, hard year in Berkshire; failure on the pitch has been compounded by worries off it. Bucks Royals wraps up the last twelve months with his five things from 2014.
5 Things - Brighton and Norwich
A first point and a first win for new boss Steve Clarke as Reading face Brighton and Norwich in the festive period. Bucks Royal rounds the action up in the penultimate 5 Things of 2014...
Clarke's First Game: The Verdict
Rounding up our coverage of the Watford game, @WilliamOwain analyses Reading's new manager's first game in charge.
5 Things - Watford
Steve Clarke's first game in charge of Reading saw the home side fall to a 0-1 defeat to high-flyers Watford. Bucks Royal has his take on the match with his 5 Things.
Steve Clarke: 3 Postives And 3 Concerns
A whirlwind 24 hours, which saw Reading sack Nigel Adkins and then appoint Steve Clarke, left little time for reflection. But with the dust now settled, @WilliamOwain has had a look at the positives and concerns from the appointment of Clarke.
Analysing Steve Clarke
With Steve Clarke appointed Reading manager, this excellent article written by Rory Fitzgerald, gives as detailed analysis of Clarke's tactics at West Brom, as you can want. Fitzgerald paints a picture of a manager who will work hard to make Reading a solid defensive unit. The Royals' wingers, in particular, may have to get used to being asked to do more defensive work than they did under Nigel Adkins.
The Nigel Adkins Era in Seven Matches
Nigel Adkins has been sacked as Reading manager after a disastrous run of results and performances which left the owners with no choice but to cut the former Southampton gaffe loose. Bucks takes a look at seven key matches from his 21 month reign.
Why I Got Off The Adkins Bandwagon
I initially wrote these thoughts in the immediate aftermath of the 6-1 thrashing at Birmingham but wanted to wait until the dust had settled to put them out there. However with Nigel Adkins now gone, it seems fair to put them out, so here's why Nigel lost my confidence.
Adkins In/Out You Decide
Well.... I can imagine this is going to go one way but after a narrow majority opted to stick with him a month ago where do you stand now?
Reading FC Wages: A Guessing Game
With so much talk in the last week about players' contracts, we at the Tilehurst End decided to do a little investigative work to see if we could guesstimate how much Reading's players might be earning.
5 Things: Reading 0-0 Bolton
So what did we learn from Reading's instantly forgettable encounter with the Trotters? @WilliamOwain provides his analysis on the goalless draw at the weekend.
Hammond FFP Interview: What He Really Meant
GetReading have interviewed Reading's director of football Nicky Hammond on what the Football League's FFP rules could mean for the Royals. @WilliamOwain analyses the interview and picks out the most important quotes, and what Hammond really meant.