League 1 General Chat Thread

[denzel ecfc]

We've all suffered League Two (and below!). Time for a stint there to reflect on what has happened.

 

[Luke Imp]

I suspect a few have their eyes on Reading but given their current position, those people are probably waiting to see if an already distressed asset is likely to get cheaper i.e. they get relegated to L2.

 

[valefan16]

I suspect a few have their eyes on Reading but given their current position, those people are probably waiting to see if an already distressed asset is likely to get cheaper i.e. they get relegated to L2.

Big money for the situation they are in as well, dont they want 40-50 million quid?

We were purchased way over the odds at £4.5 Million but that was because Carol was a fan and wanted to save the club, however a club valued at that isn't going to be as easy to find someone prepared to do that.

Our fans will back them tomorrow (unless we are like 2-0 up with 10 minutes to play!) we've been there, all be it not as gravely as they seem to be in, and we appreciated massively the backing we had from Mansfield and Luton fans in times when we've protested previous ownership, not to mention the excellent work the Blackpool supporters group did in advising and helping out our Black and Gold until we are Sold movement to rid us of Smurf, so will always be thankful to the wider community in football for that and will rightfully back them where possible.

 

[Carver]

We've all suffered League Two (and below!). Time for a stint there to reflect on what has happened.

Exactly!

It will be unfair if Reading get to stay in L1, get taken over by another irresponsible owner which is likely to happen because they like to take over basket case clubs and then they'll start throwing money around they don't have and end up getting promoted next season like what those cheats Wigan did only to end up in the shit again, then get saved again.

 

[valefan16]

Exactly!

It will be unfair if Reading get to stay in L1, get taken over by another irresponsible owner which is likely to happen because they like to take over basket case clubs and then they'll start throwing money around they don't have and end up getting promoted next season like what those cheats Wigan did only to end up in the shit again, then get saved again.

Bolton is fairness is a good example of this I guess, the new owner seems to be building them back up well, I know they are quite close with Carol who I think was happy to help advise and things.

Wigan though was an example of where it doesnt work well as they have gone on this bi-annual cycle in recent seasons, need to just stabilise.

 

[dwightyorke]

Reading are actually favourites with the bookies to beat vale tomorrow which goes to show just how shit vale must be.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Reading are actually favourites with the bookies to beat vale tomorrow which goes to show just how shit vale must be.

In fairness, Reading have picked up a bit of form. They're 7th in the form table and haven't lost in the last 6. They've got decent players in Knibbs, Smith and Azeez. They're also at home, and our last 3 away performances have been shite...our form in general isn't great....I can see why Reading are favourites. Didn't they beat Bolton there earlier in the season?

 

[dwightyorke]

In fairness, Reading have picked up a bit of form. They're 7th in the form table and haven't lost in the last 6. They've got decent players in Knibbs, Smith and Azeez. They're also at home, and our last 3 away performances have been shite...our form in general isn't great....I can see why Reading are favourites. Didn't they beat Bolton there earlier in the season?

Yeah we lost there 2 1 but never do well at there place

 

[Bartonyellow]

Didn’t reading beat Exeter 8-0 or something in the pizza cup away ?

 

[denzel ecfc]

Didn’t reading beat Exeter 8-0 or something in the pizza cup away ?

9-0.

 

[Laker]

In fairness, Reading have picked up a bit of form. They're 7th in the form table and haven't lost in the last 6. They've got decent players in Knibbs, Smith and Azeez. They're also at home, and our last 3 away performances have been shite...our form in general isn't great....I can see why Reading are favourites. Didn't they beat Bolton there earlier in the season?

We offered both Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs contracts as far as I’m aware but Reading offered more and they both jumped ship. But look at the shit hole they joined, it’s beyond embarrassing. I hope they’re both happy - I’m not saying we’re the answer but surely Reading was one of the worst clubs to join? Reading quickly became another club added to my list of hate clubs (which Vanni will attest is quite long) after the shenanigans in the summer.

Anyway, Smith is the better player there. He’s a natural goal scorer and a total shithouser, a proper number nine. Knibbs is a workhorse but he’s relatively limited in ability. He’ll just go on like a Duracell bunny.

 

[leedsvaliant]

We offered both Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs contracts as far as I’m aware but Reading offered more and they both jumped ship. But look at the shit hole they joined, it’s beyond embarrassing. I hope they’re both happy - I’m not saying we’re the answer but surely Reading was one of the worst clubs to join? Reading quickly became another club added to my list of hate clubs (which Vanni will attest is quite long) after the shenanigans in the summer.

Anyway, Smith is the better player there. He’s a natural goal scorer and a total shithouser, a proper number nine. Knibbs is a workhorse but he’s relatively limited in ability. He’ll just go on like a Duracell bunny.

We were apparently after Knibbs in the summer....he clearly got offered a shed load more cash. Their agents must be thick as fuck...did they not do any research? Why on earth did the EFL sanction such signings?

 

[valefan16]

We were apparently after Knibbs in the summer....he clearly got offered a shed load more cash. Their agents must be thick as fuck...did they not do any research? Why on earth did the EFL sanction such signings?

The last line is a big question considering the embargo’s had been in place and multiple point deductions.

Rumour was we were after both at one point (and I’m sure a few others wanted them too). The EFL have to look at themselves a bit as well.

Also the owner has been part of two other clubs which now no longer exist so what did the fit and proper test look at there? KSV had a similar on field trajectory as Reading have before being dissolved.

Ultimately have to feel for the fans but why have they still been allowed to make the signings they have, really hoping this new regulator sorts this ownership issue we are seeing more regularly the past few seasons.

Our radio presenters were saying they had 6 staff in yesterday… at a stadium and club like that.

It took Andy Crosby to come out and inform the Vale fans it was abandoned and the tannoy announcements were ridiculous, along the lines off “if you don’t get off the pitch in one minute the EFL will abandon the game” pointless saying that when that’s their aim! And that one minute turned into an hour, and kept referencing point deductions etc when at Yates said that won’t even be on the table yet so why mention it?

Fans on our forum who went were saying there was no catering in the upper tier due to heating and things being off (something the radio presenters noted in the media area) and Reading fans talking about no coffee even.

Does genuinely look incredibly bleak for them. I expect they’ll be in deep trouble over this for a start and they have the hearing next month also, add in the apparent sale of key players set this window to raise funds that their fans report and it will be a monumental effort to keep them up from this point.

Sadly we could see another Bury here.

 

[Marked Ox]

Not sure if its just us, but Alex Robertson has torn his hamstring and is out until next season. Thats now 7 long term injuries to first team players this season. Anyone else close to that? Lowery, Scully, Poole, Anjorin, Robertson, Swanson, Ogilvie

Yes, we've lost 2 loan players because of significant injuries, Kyle Edwards and Stan Mills. Vs Derby, of 6 wingers in the squad, we had 1 available. We've also had Jordan Thorniley, James Henry, Stephan Negru, Sam Long, Greg Leigh, Josh Murphy, Marcus Browne, Max Woltman, Billy Bodin and Josh Johnson out for significant chunks of the season so far.

 

[AmberRich]

Not sure if its just us, but Alex Robertson has torn his hamstring and is out until next season. Thats now 7 long term injuries to first team players this season. Anyone else close to that? Lowery, Scully, Poole, Anjorin, Robertson, Swanson, Ogilvie

We've had quite a number of mid to long term injuries. 6 currently, though some are due back at training this month. Dunk has been out since September, McConnell and Haunstrup are both out for 3 months with ankle ligament injuries, Haunstrup has been suffering from injuries for 90% of his time here though tbh.

Okenabirhie and Ahadme are supposed to be out for 3 months, which has caused some big issues for us recently. Kai Yearn is still returning from a quad injury too

All together we've had at least 12 players suffering from various different injuries at some point this season. I suppose a consequence of having a smaller or unbalanced squad (which we have struggled with) is having to have people play through niggles/injuries or rushing them back without building their fitness up, which can be a viscous circle and detrimental to each player in the long term.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Surely the Reading players signing long contracts are part of the problem? I heard yesterday that Charlie Savage signed a 4 year deal, and three were signed in the summer on 3 year deals, despite the known problems at that stage. If they are offloaded it will be interesting to see who can afford them.

 

[valefan16]

Surely the Reading players signing long contracts are part of the problem? I heard yesterday that Charlie Savage signed a 4 year deal, and three were signed in the summer on 3 year deals, despite the known problems at that stage. If they are offloaded it will be interesting to see who can afford them.

They've had bids for Abbey and Holmes so looks like the vultures are circling, aren't Portsmouth looking at a couple possibly? Knibbs and one other?

 

[Laker]

They've had bids for Abbey and Holmes so looks like the vultures are circling, aren't Portsmouth looking at a couple possibly? Knibbs and one other?

Portsmouth were linked with Knibbs in the summer so entirely possible. He is in no way good enough for the Championship however.

 

[valefan16]

Portsmouth were linked with Knibbs in the summer so entirely possible. He is in no way good enough for the Championship however.

Savage is linked away also, not sure if he was one their fans were on about.

Lose some of those and that would surely seal relegation with or without further deductions.

 

[Si Robin]

Derby in for him apparently

 

[Tallow]

A bit off topic, but here goes.
There are planned rail strikes by Avanti and other rail companies on Saturday 3rd February, so it's going to scupper a few fans travelling arrangements I imagine.
I know a few Carlisle fans who were going to Leyton Orient that day.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

A bit off topic, but here goes.
There are planned rail strikes by Avanti and other rail companies on Saturday 3rd February, so it's going to scupper a few fans travelling arrangements I imagine.
I know a few Carlisle fans who were going to Leyton Orient that day.

East Midlands Railway impacted that day too, so will impact those going Lincoln to Burton on the train. Joy!

 

[valefan16]

A bit off topic, but here goes.
There are planned rail strikes by Avanti and other rail companies on Saturday 3rd February, so it's going to scupper a few fans travelling arrangements I imagine.
I know a few Carlisle fans who were going to Leyton Orient that day.

Same the Airport didn't last long with commercial flights at Carlisle!

 

[kieran_vale]

A load of words that don’t really amount to much from the EFL. Ultimately he hasn’t come through with the deposit for wages which shouldn’t surprise anyone. I’m not sure what good fining another £50k is going to do when it’s clear this is an absentee owner who clearly doesn’t give two shits.

Nothing decided regards Saturdays abandoned game. We all know ultimately it will have to be replayed for spirit of the competition and all that so I don’t see why it needs a meeting to decide that.

EFL Statement: Mr Dai Yongge

The Official home of the English Football League

www.efl.com

 

[Marked Ox]

A load of words that don’t really amount to much from the EFL. Ultimately he hasn’t come through with the deposit for wages which shouldn’t surprise anyone. I’m not sure what good fining another £50k is going to do when it’s clear this is an absentee owner who clearly doesn’t give two shits.

Nothing decided regards Saturdays abandoned game. We all know ultimately it will have to be replayed for spirit of the competition and all that so I don’t see why it needs a meeting to decide that.

EFL Statement: Mr Dai Yongge

The Official home of the English Football League

www.efl.com

The meeting may consider other sanctions though such as points deductions etc. As long as they don't try and fine the club as that would be incredibly stupid so they probably will.

 

[kieran_vale]

The meeting may consider other sanctions though such as points deductions etc. As long as they don't try and fine the club as that would be incredibly stupid so they probably will.

I think ultimately Reading are going to be forced to play home games behind closed doors. I think it’s the only way to stop the protests interfering with completion of games. Away games won’t be such an issue as most other clubs at this level should be able to pay for the necessary stewarding / policing etc. Does mean they’re even less likely to afford paying staff etc doing that though.

 

[Marked Ox]

I think ultimately Reading are going to be forced to play home games behind closed doors. I think it’s the only way to stop the protests interfering with completion of games. Away games won’t be such an issue as most other clubs at this level should be able to pay for the necessary stewarding / policing etc. Does mean they’re even less likely to afford paying staff etc doing that though.

Could be interesting at ours on the 3rd Feb with a full away end!

 

[EricSabin]

Carlisle trying to identify a fan for alleged racial abuse of the assistant referee against Oxford on Saturday. Lot of c*** up there at the moment it seems.

 

[valefan16]

Port Vale v Leyton Orient arranged for Tuesday Feb 6th.. seems to have taken ages to sort that one out!

 

[The Terminator]

Port Vale v Leyton Orient arranged for Tuesday Feb 6th.. seems to have taken ages to sort that one out!

Both clubs now have a very busy February! Three midweek games for us....