How impressed are you with BMcD's return to the club?

[Hoop Blah]

My current view of McDermott is that he's doing an ok job in the circumstances, and that it's too early to pass judgement on his return.

I don't really agree with the balance of the midfield, or some of his selections, and I still find he talks a load of rubbish at times, but we're are still looking a better team than we were under Clarke. It's what he does this summer that will dictate whether he makes it to Christmas though.

[Maneki Neko]

very fair

[No Fixed Abode]

Clarke got Reading to the semi-final of the FA Cup last season. They couldn't manage that under McDermott despite resting players on Tuesday v Huddersfield. As Reading had a semi-final to concentrate on last season but not this, you would expect them to climb the table a little now. Although there are some tough fixtures coming up.

[Maneki Neko]

Clarke got Reading to the semi-final of the FA Cup last season. They couldn't manage that under McDermott despite resting players on Tuesday v Huddersfield. As Reading had a semi-final to concentrate on last season but not this, you would expect them to climb the table a little now. Although there are some tough fixtures coming up.

different team though so you cant compare

[No Fixed Abode]

Clarke got Reading to the semi-final of the FA Cup last season. They couldn't manage that under McDermott despite resting players on Tuesday v Huddersfield. As Reading had a semi-final to concentrate on last season but not this, you would expect them to climb the table a little now. Although there are some tough fixtures coming up.

different team though so you cant compare

Yeah - the squad was worse last year, more investment this season but couldn't go as far.

[Hoop Blah]

Clarke got Reading to the semi-final of the FA Cup last season. They couldn't manage that under McDermott despite resting players on Tuesday v Huddersfield. As Reading had a semi-final to concentrate on last season but not this, you would expect them to climb the table a little now. Although there are some tough fixtures coming up.

I'd expect them to climb the table full stop.

None of that detracts from the view that the team look better than they did under Clarke.

[Maguire]

Reading are a much more agreeable football club with McDermott in charge than they were with Adkins or Clarke.

Lot of work to do with the team though, interested to see if McD will be able to buy who he wants or if he'll keep getting eg. Rakels foisted on him.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Clarke got Reading to the semi-final of the FA Cup last season. They couldn't manage that under McDermott despite resting players on Tuesday v Huddersfield. As Reading had a semi-final to concentrate on last season but not this, you would expect them to climb the table a little now. Although there are some tough fixtures coming up.

different team though so you cant compare

Yeah - the squad was worse last year, more investment this season but couldn't go as far.

better opposition

[No Fixed Abode]

Clarke got Reading to the semi-final of the FA Cup last season. They couldn't manage that under McDermott despite resting players on Tuesday v Huddersfield. As Reading had a semi-final to concentrate on last season but not this, you would expect them to climb the table a little now. Although there are some tough fixtures coming up.

I'd expect them to climb the table full stop.

None of that detracts from the view that the team look better than they did under Clarke.

Really? Are you forgetting the good run that took Reading to 2nd (was it?) under Clarke? No doubt that was the best period of the season for Reading. Since then they've gradually slid down the table and are only 8 points off the bottom 3.

[No Fixed Abode]

different team though so you cant compare

Yeah - the squad was worse last year, more investment this season but couldn't go as far.

better opposition

Yes - Arsenal were better opposition than Palace and Reading played better that day at Wembley and could have beaten the Gunners had it not been for an almighty blunder by Federici. Weaker opposition in Palace and a sound 2-0 loss.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yawns

Bradford QF
Palace QF

[No Fixed Abode]

Yawns

Bradford QF
Palace QF

Yep you got past Bradford with a poorer squad last season but couldn't get past and better side in Palace when you have better personnel and more investment in the team. Swings and roundabouts.

And let's not forget Bradford were on a massive high beating us......

[One8Seven1*]

My current view of McDermott is that he's doing an ok job in the circumstances, and that it's too early to pass judgement on his return.

I don't really agree with the balance of the midfield, or some of his selections, and I still find he talks a load of rubbish at times, but we're are still looking a better team than we were under Clarke. It's what he does this summer that will dictate whether he makes it to Christmas though.

Fair, but weren't we about 4 points off the P/O's when Clarke was sacked, whereas we are now..?

[Hoop Blah]

Really? Are you forgetting the good run that took Reading to 2nd (was it?) under Clarke? No doubt that was the best period of the season for Reading. Since then they've gradually slid down the table and are only 8 points off the bottom 3.

Nope, I'm not forgetting any of it. I'm just comparing the way the teams playing now and how it was across Clarke's time here.

During that 6 weeks purple patch under Clarke we looked really good, albeit still a bit powder-puff in front of goal, but for the rest of it we were far far too inconsistent and for the last couple of months just looked totally clueless. I'm not McDermotts biggest fan but there's no doubt in my mind we look a better side under him than we did under Clarke.

[No Fixed Abode]

Really? Are you forgetting the good run that took Reading to 2nd (was it?) under Clarke? No doubt that was the best period of the season for Reading. Since then they've gradually slid down the table and are only 8 points off the bottom 3.

Nope, I'm not forgetting any of it. I'm just comparing the way the teams playing now and how it was across Clarke's time here.

During that 6 weeks purple patch under Clarke we looked really good, albeit still a bit powder-puff in front of goal, but for the rest of it we were far far too inconsistent and for the last couple of months just looked totally clueless. I'm not McDermotts biggest fan but there's no doubt in my mind we look a better side under him than we did under Clarke.

So you're saying Clarke wouldn't have turned it around and the slide would have continued as it has done under McDermott?

[leon]

Reading are a much more agreeable football club with McDermott in charge than they were with Adkins or Clarke.

Lot of work to do with the team though, interested to see if McD will be able to buy who he wants or if he'll keep getting eg. Rakels foisted on him.

This.

[Hoop Blah]

I'm saying that, apart from that run of games where Blackman (a player Clarke didn't seem to see as part of his plans for most of his time here) scored an unprecedented number of goals and we looked a good side, Clarkes Reading side was far too average and looked like it was falling apart in October, November and December.

I don't think Clarke would've pulled us out of it no. I can't think of any reason to think he would've done either.

It's all rather a pointless discussion though. The topic is about McDermott and his performance, not Clarke's.

[No Fixed Abode]

I'm saying that, apart from that run of games where Blackman (a player Clarke didn't seem to see as part of his plans for most of his time here) scored an unprecedented number of goals and we looked a good side, Clarkes Reading side was far too average and looked like it was falling apart in October, November and December.

I don't think Clarke would've pulled us out of it no. I can't think of any reason to think he would've done either.

It's all rather a pointless discussion though. The topic is about McDermott and his performance, not Clarke's.

Average looking but just outside the play-offs or in 15th place only 8 points from the bottom 3. I know which I'd rather take.

[Royal_jimmy]

McDermott is the right man at the wrong time. We needed a manager who favoured the passing style to great effect. We are now reverting to direct long ball. Should have gone for a young manager from a league 1 team. Complete waste of time.

Care to name one?

Hasselbaink before he went to QPR, Justin Edinburgh who is doing a great job at Gillingham and the legend Parky who has done a great job getting Bradford to the League cup final, FA cup quarters and promotion from league 1 in the past 3 seasons.

[AthleticoSpizz]

..........all together now......