2016-17 Championship: Newcastle United and 23 other teams

thehitcat

thehitcat

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,385
Windham, ME
Reading went 2-2-2 in October but one of those losses was in the cup to Arsenal. Add to that Saturday’s win at Wigan and the Royals are 4th on 28 points with a +2 Goal Differential. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, this is not the season I was expecting. I still feel like the club is on the trap door but they seem to be tap dancing rather than standing listlessly waiting for the drop.


Since September 20th they have doubled their points total behind a strong defense and some amazingly good keeping by Ali Al Habsi (Oman’s Number 1!)who has now kept 4 clean sheets since we last spoke and most recently in each of the last three league games around the loss at the Emirates which has also seen our GD go from -4 to +2.


Here are the fixtures and any small notes I had.


Reading 1-0 Huddersfield Town at home HT lost a man to a second booking in the first half (Reading was 8 games undefeated after this win)

Reading 1-4 at Brentford Brentford moves to 4th (now 12th)

Reading 1-1 Derby at home 90th minute equalizer in a scramble

Reading 1-1 at QPR Danny Williams with the equalizer (Why can’t he get a sniff at National Team level, did he sleep with Mrs. Klinsman?)

Reading 1-2 Villa at home on a late penalty (can we stop stumbling at home to these mid table sides J)

Reading 1-0 at Rotherham

Reading 0-2 at Arsenal EFL Cup 4th Round

Reading 2-0 Forest at home

Reading 3-0 at Wigan Wigan are abject


Burton Albion comes up at the Mad Stad after the international break on November 19th. There’s an interesting set of fixtures in December beginning at Fulham, then home to Wednesday, at Leeds, at Blackburn and then home to Norwich and Fulham all in the league and all between Dec 3rd and 30th. Should be a good barometer of this team.


Let’s go you RRRRRrrrrrrrssss!!
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Brighton/Villa is a potentially tasty start to the weekend. Or it's just Brighton continuing to tear the league apart.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
I'll put better footage up when I find it, but down 2-1 at Hillsborough and with an 11-10 man advantage, two Preston players got red cards for fighting...each other. The score held.
 
rguilmar

rguilmar

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
1,694
Dummy Hoy said:
I'll put better footage up when I find it, but down 2-1 at Hillsborough and with an 11-10 man advantage, two Preston players got red cards for fighting...each other. The score held.
Click to expand...
Oh, Jermaine Beckford. I didn't know you were still playing...
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Hey @thehitcat - pretty big game Saturday with Reading hosting Wednesday. Any thoughts on what we can expect to see from your squad?

Wednesday have a couple of injuries and the Forestieri suspension- that one is a killer because he had finally regained his form from last season and he was dominating games for us. On the road and short handed I'd expect a 4-5-1 with Steven Fletcher up front (maaaaaaybe Joao to surprise), Sam Hutchinson knocking people around in front of the back four, and a couple of CM moving the ball around with possession. I'd expect the FB to join the offense, but when Palmer is in at RB instead of Hunt, that usually signifies a more defensive focus. We've got maybe the best CB combo in the league and maybe the best keeper. That said, I have never been able to guess what Carlos will do on a game to game basis.

Curious to hear your thoughts.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Actually this whole weekend is fascinating as the top six are all playing each other.

BH&A v L**ds (2v4)
Reading v Wednesday (3v6)
NUFC v Birmingham (1v5)

The Brighton game is the sky Friday night game, which means BeIN will carry it and if you're stuck at work there will be quasi-legal streams.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Coming up on Boxing Day and the halfway point of the season...I'll try to post some leaguewide thoughts after we hit 23 games.

I finally watched the Wednesday/Reading game...I thought Reading's first goal was against the run of play, and it came just after Lucas Joao should have scored, but I was impressed with Reading. VERY well organized, and while they sure don't excite, they get the job done. They just don't give up the ball and don't stray from position. They're going to be a real pain for someone in the playoffs.

Wednesday then beat Barnsley 2-0 in a sloppy, gritty SY derby on a rainsoaked pitch. Not Wednesday's prettiest game (and Barnsley was good), but given the conditions, both physical, emotional, and injuries, a good three points. Best part of the match was probably Barnsley fans chanting "Hillsborough's a shithole, we want to go home" and Wednesday fans responding after the second goal with "Barnsley's a shithole, that's why you're still here."

Rotherham on Saturday at Hillsborough, I'd expect some of the same derby conditions to apply, but hope for a thrashing as Wednesday are the far superior squad. Then off to Newcastle for Boxing Day.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Smiling Joe Hesketh said:
I like him well enough, but I'm also desperate for them to turn things around very soon. Losing 8 of 10 with this squad is very, very difficult to take.
Click to expand...
Is there another option in mind? I like AN too, but it sure seems he's 'lost the room.' A change might be needed for change's sake if you want to try to get back up this season (which is advisable).
 
Smiling Joe Hesketh

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
SoSH Member
May 20, 2003
35,900
Deep inside Muppet Labs
I don't know of one just yet. Pardew? Not sure he'd come down to the Championship to take us over, but he'd likely be an upgrade for the time being.

Neil is young, and learning on the job, and has done some good things with the club already, so I'm reluctant to sack him. At the same time, the team is in a free fall.
 
CSteinhardt

CSteinhardt

"Steiny"
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 18, 2003
3,202
Cambridge
So, halfway through the season and it looks like I expected in the top two places. On the other hand, we're only 8 points from safety...
 
Stanley Steamer

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,438
Rossland, BC
Leeds' embattled owner, Massimo Cellino, has sold a half share of the team to another Italian business exec., Andrea Radrizzani. The former is facing an extended ban from the FA for another malfeasance.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38511004

I really don't know if this is good or bad for the team. All I know is that Gary Monk has LUFC playing better than it has for years. It is hotly competitive at the top, as always, and I hope there is no disruption to their mojo.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Watched your game against Derby- continue to look good. Monk has done a great job and you've been playing very well.

I worry about the spending this January with the kind of odd takeover (not fully until june, no?) and I think you need some depth at a couple of key positions. If Chris Wood gets hurt (or even sold...15m isn't even close to worth promotion, which he is a key to) I don't know what you do.

Pretty brutal stretch coming up with 5 games in 15 days, and 4 are on the road (one is an FA cup game). Come out of that still on the same form and you'll have a shot at one of the auto spots.
 
Stanley Steamer

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,438
Rossland, BC
Yeah, playing well, but far too early to count chickens. It would take an unforeseeable slump to move either Brighton or NUFC off the top spots. They seem like the cream of the division. Even the playoff spots are anything but a lock, and then when you get there, it's a bit of a crapshoot. We may be looking at 3 matches this year with your lot, who are lurking in the weeds without having played their best football.
Above all, I liked what AR had to say about building the program back up, whether promotion comes this year or not.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
We may be pretty close to a gap opening up between the playoff and non playoff teams. Top 6 are all top six in the form table as well. Gap is at 5 points and Derby are sitting 7th and collapses are what that squad seems to be known for. If anyone is joining the top 6 I'd bet on Fulham...their only two losses in the last 10 are both to Brighton, who seem to be the best squad.

Brighton did just lose to Preston and they host Wednesday in the Friday night game this week. I'd bet on BH&A to win, but Wednesday are capable of taking points. That may (although I doubt it) cause them to wobble. Newcastle is a machine, but they haven't been playing great recently and now have Gayle hurt. I think those are the top two, but it doesn't seem as ironclad to me as it did 2-3 weeks ago.

If anyone is to drop out of the top 6 I think it's Wednesday with their inconsistent play or Huddersfield who it feels like they just don't quite have the talent. I think Reading's style will hold up better than 'Udders, even though I think the talent is comparable. Leeds should be fine, but are one major injury from really struggling to score I think.
 
dirtynine

dirtynine

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 17, 2002
8,427
Philly
This is a big one for Brighton. First chance to take the wheel and they stuttered a bit losing at PNE. I'd expect a win against Wednesday but I have my expectations tamped down just a tiny bit.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Curious to see if Wednesday play similarly to how they set up against Newcastle. Defensive minded FB, manage the game, soak up the pressure, and try to grab one on the break. Biggest worry for me is that Newcastle tended to try to create up the middle where Wednesday is real solid. Brighton can attack down the flanks and cut inside or cross and I think Wednesday could be vulnerable to that kind of pressure.
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Great goal by Knockaert. 1-0 Brighton.

Edit: 44th minute OG on a tricky cross from Forestieri. 1-1 at HT

Pretty even half, two very good defensive teams with moments of individual brilliance.
 
Last edited:
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Wow. After Brighton fails to convert two different headers, Murray gets a deserved red card, but Stockdale makes two saves on the penalty.

1-1 with 25 to go, but Wednesday with the man advantage and momentum.
 
Infield Infidel

Infield Infidel

teaching korea american
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
11,463
Meeting Place, Canada
Newcastle guts out a 2-2 draw against Bristol after falling down 0-2 at HT

Except for Rotherham every team is lively in this division

Brighton-Reading is on beIN for lunch. 2nd v 5th
 
Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,249
Falmouth
Stanley Steamer said:
Leeds do the double on Wednesday, 1-0.
https://goo.gl/images/5QDtxX
Step back from that ledge, DH. It'll be okay.
Click to expand...
Don't know if you were able to watch, but it was an enjoyable game. Three of your back four were outstanding today (I thought Ayling had a sloppy game), and that was the difference. Well- Chris Wood too, although the defending was wretched- we missed Lees on that one).

I actually felt okay coming out of this today- if we can finish top six (and we control our destiny), I feel good playing any of the other sides. Huddersfield are obviously the form side, but Wednesday match up well. The loss to Brentford was the real disaster this week. Gave Fulham/Norwich a shot at this thing.
 
dirtynine

dirtynine

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 17, 2002
8,427
Philly
Perfect day for the Seagulls. Put 3 on Reading (goal difference won't be a problem this year) and Huddersfield + Newcastle both draw. Top of the league and 6 points above third.

Huddersfield has been making everybody nervous - they've looked fantastic. "Don't look back" is the only strategy. Newcastle at the Amex on Tuesday should be a test of the nerves. I'll settle for a 5-1 win (give Yedlin a goal).
 
dirtynine

dirtynine

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 17, 2002
8,427
Philly
That penalty was absurd
Click to expand...
I'll take it.

NUFC have had most of the pressure; Brighton breaks it occasionally. On a long counter, our pal Yedlin got aggressive in defense and just got carded (37').
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom