Looking at the fixture list and noticed an april, may run in of Charlton, Fulham, bolton, Newc, Watford and Blackburn, games against a couple lower teams that could be very tricky if they're still fighting for survival. However, on 34 points, with 14 to play, I was wondering if it will matter? Will Reading be safe before that time?
Not to be would be a serious collapse in form, but it is possible. After Wigan, Reading has Man City, Villa, Boro, Arse, Port, Tott, Pool.
Last year, we were wondering when we'd clinche promotion. This year, it's when will we clinch survival. It doesn't look like it's going to take more than 40 (it doesn't look like it's going to take more than 37), but to be safe, let's say more than 40 are required. So, will we reach 41 before playing Charlton? Will we get 7 pts in the next 8 games?
My guess is yes, and we'll cross 40 against either Port of hotspurs. Opinions?
But intertoto is manageable, it's over by early august, isn't it?
Looking at Newcastle's fixtures from this year, they played two intertoto games against Lillestrom on July 15th and 22nd, then played some UEFA Cup games in August and September.
Looking at Newcastle's fixtures from this year, they played two intertoto games against Lillestrom on July 15th and 22nd, then played some UEFA Cup games in August and September.
Yes, under the new Intertoto format the English representative enters at the third and final round. At the same stage this season that Newcastle were taking on Lillestrom, Reading were in the early stages of pre-season games, playing Didcot, Bromley, Rushden & Diamonds, and Northampton.
After Boro those are some tough games grouped together. I could see 2 wins and 2 losses in the next 4, then a blowout loss against Arsenal, and then maybe a tie against Pompey at the Mad Stad. That would make 7, so I'll go with yea.
If we wanted to be real optimistic, it could matter for a UEFA Cup/Intertoto spot. Top 7 usually end up in the UEFA cup, depending on the winners of the FA and League Cups. Then 8th could get the Intertoto spot if Coppell were to want it (actually, that's a decent debate..would we accept it?) The Superficial - Charlton Heston: You can take my guns now::
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Yeah I am concerned about playing extra games in Europe (especially if we do the Intertoto thing) with our relatively smaller squad compared to other Premiership sides. I'm sure we will pick up a couple of players in the summer, but probably lose a couple as well.
Newcastle who yes has had to cope with horrendous injury problems, played the Intertoto this season and while they are doing well in Europe can't seem to string together enough results to do anything in the league, and they have a lot more money and a lot deeper of a squad than we do. I don't want Reading to overextend themselves. Some people say staying up the second year is harder than the first. We have been flying under the radar this season, and who knows what will happen next year. Maybe I am just an extremely cautious pessimist.
That being said, I am looking forward to an FA Cup run this year.
As much as I like the idea of qualifying for Europe, other clubs are going to have a much easier go of it in February and March. If it happens, then it's icing on the cake of a great first season in the Prem.
I have no doubt we'll get our 40. I just hope Sonko can keep his Superman moniker, and the rest of the boys stay healthy through the rest of the season.
I agree to an extent, but I think it would be hard to lose. Villarreal were the only team from a major country that I remember losing.
Hibernian also lost out to Danish club Odense BK, though quite whether Scotland counts as a major footballing nation I'm not sure.
I'd say no. Outside of Celtic, everyone is pretty crappy. Rangers are doing decently in UEFA Cup. Hearts got beaten by AEK in Champions League qualifying, then lost in the first round of UEFA Cup.
But yea, lets just hope for as many good results as possible and see what happens.
Yes, under the new Intertoto format the English representative enters at the third and final round. At the same stage this season that Newcastle were taking on Lillestrom, Reading were in the early stages of pre-season games, playing Didcot, Bromley, Rushden & Diamonds, and Northampton.
I don't know that it would be at all to Reading's advantage to actually qualify for Europe. It strains much larger clubs. but I wonder if just the intertoto, q stages might not help prepare the players for the season.
Hibernian also lost out to Danish club Odense BK, though quite whether Scotland counts as a major footballing nation I'm not sure.
I'm ambivalent about Reading participating. Anyway, we need to finish eighth first!
Last season I think Intertoto was bad for some of the teams that took part in it, because those with World Cup players either weren't at full strength or were asking players to return without much rest.
Don't forget that Hahnemann and Convey will both be called up for at least one of two competitions for the US this summer.
...
If we wanted to be real optimistic, it could matter for a UEFA Cup/Intertoto spot. Top 7 usually end up in the UEFA cup, depending on the winners of the FA and League Cups. Then 8th could get the Intertoto spot if Coppell were to want it (actually, that's a decent debate..would we accept it?)
I think intertoto is an advantage, the team gets together early and has a run of competitive games instead of friendlies to prepare for the season.
I think that, but I don't know that. I wonder if it turns out that way. I think that, for Reading, a eurospot would be very cool, and make next season very difficult. But intertoto is manageable, it's over by early august, isn't it?
Last season I think Intertoto was bad for some of the teams that took part in it, because those with World Cup players either weren't at full strength or were asking players to return without much rest. But I do think it could be good for next season, to get some games early against teams of higher quality than those found in the Swedish second division (although its hard to knock the Swedish second division preseason plan at this point) with a fairly complete team. Assuming Bobby and Marcus are called up to the Copa America or Gold Cup, the team probably wouldn't include them (although I don't know how much time off a keeper needs).
The advantage of getting into UEFA Cup is more money, and it would look nice to foreign players. The disadvantage, as has been mentioned, is that it really hurts teams with smallish squads. I think that Coppell would definately value the league over the cup, as he does with all other cups, but it would still be hard. Its nice to be able to atleast semi-realistically talk about it in January, though.
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April 9 v Charlton, will it matter?