kitch

I thought it was a great title 😄

Reading fans were chanting his name last night after Reading are all but safe in L1 after a 2-0 away win at Bristol Rovers. Happy for the guy, he seems a good bloke. Sure he was massively out of his depth here, but he cared and tbh the job he's done at Reading in such toxic circumstances? Round of applause I'd say, it's done his stock no harm at all.

I've pretty much all but given up. I know he's naturally suited more to a central role, but he came on last night and looked like he wasn't bothered about being there. Even if you're out of position, you can still run and close down etc. It was just a lack of effort. Saddens me as I think Mara is a talent, but hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Ballard would have done more if he'd had the same opportunities IMO.

Hmm, I dunno. I've heard him as downbeat as Jo can get before. But I do agree that he bigs them up too much when they're doing well, too. Makes out like they're Barcelona or something.

I like him, probably more than DM (I know, shoot me). DM always felt of a much older era of football that I didn't really relate to (when he was youth manager, I was 12). JT seems to wear his heart on his sleeve, isn't afraid to stir the nest and genuinely seems like he loves the club. It's rare to listen to a commentator who feels as bummed out as you do as a fan when your team plays shit and loses. To begin with I wasn't convinced by him, but now I quite like him. You're not going to get any deep, meaningful insight too often (though occasionally he comes up with a tatical note of interest) but I enjoy hearing his thoughts nonetheless. He's a bit glass half-empty, but then so am I, so I can relate. It's Dean Hammond I struggle with. He's probably a lovely bloke, but he's too positive for me! Sometimes, you just have to say it as it is, not look for a crumb of hope.

And there it is.

Out for at least a month by the sound of it 😒

Got to be honest, this one surprised me! Good luck to him!

Ten men Sheff Utd unlikely to win, easing pressure on Everton. Nice work, Agent Holgate.

I thought Mara played pretty well, to be fair. Some good hold-up play, and got into some good positions, it's just Arma never passed to him and chose to shoot himself. Smallbone is limited at DM I admit, but he broke up play quite a lot and was mostly in the right place at the right time. Neither had an 8/10, or even a 7/10, but neither were terrible IMO. Arma and Charles were the two that concerned me a bit.

Saint Etienne's not exactly 'northern France' though 😄

What, the one in the first half where matey slammed into the back of Mara? Swore it was inside.

Never mentioned it once, did they? Looked like a pen to me.

Does anyone else see teams interested in our players or staff and think "Just fuck off!?" Sick of getting raided everytime we become even moderately better than abjectly shite.

Rothwell saw Mara's 2nd strike against Watford looking like it'd probably win GOTS and thought "Hold my beer." That was some volley!

I was wondering the same. Every assist and goal game from a sub.

Agreed. Liverpool is a free hit. My lads were worried about beating Watford because we'll probably have the run ended by Liverpool, but we'd have had it ended by Watford otherwise, which I think definitely would have knocked the wheels out of a shape a bit. Playing and losing to Liverpool is no slight on us whatsoever, we have nothing to lose! If we get beat, it's expected and we can focus on the league having enjoyed a run out at a top PL club again, and if we beat them, even better! Couldn't have gone better IMO.

Dunno, there are some people I'd not lose sleep over! A lot of respect for DB though, and look forward to this (if it goes through). Always rated him.

Still think he has a lot of talent, but he was poor yesterday (until he got moved to the middle, then he was nearly 'OK') It's like he runs with a rope tied round him, holding him back. He needs lots of game time at a high(ish) level, and we can't afford to give it to him. A frustrating talent.

This commentator needs taking back to the hospice and tucking up with a nice cup of tea.

One of the most enjoyable seasons since the Koeman days IMO.

He always went under the radar with some fans, because he wasn't the most exciting or the most prolific, but that was his job in the middle. He was an easy scapegoat for the fans who mouths dominate their brains, but he didn't get the nickname '8/10 Davis' for no reason; he always delivered an 8/10 performance. Terrific player.

I read that and thought somebody should add it...so I did!

Wikipedia page needs updating, no mention of Sport Republic! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valenciennes_FC

It would make it hilarious.