Noel Hunt Confrimed

[rabidbee]

Random fact someone told me the other day, Kula Shaker's lead singer is married to Ian Branfoot's daughter.

Hang on, I mentioned that to my father-in-law the other day. Dave? But I thought you were a United fan?

[Snowflake Royal]

Random fact someone told me the other day, Kula Shaker's lead singer is married to Ian Branfoot's daughter.

Hang on, I mentioned that to my father-in-law the other day. Dave? But I thought you were a United fan?

Nice coincidence, son. I mean rabid. My mate er... Tom whatsapped me with it. Yeah that's right.

[RoyalBlue]

Really can't get my head around our fans that celebrate the news of Selles getting sacked. His time with us with the circumstances was nothing short of top drawer, leaving us in a PO position and sacrificing his own wages. For me, it is a shame he never got given time there to succeed and hope he goes on to get another job to flourish in.

What is the difference between Selles and Bindon leaving? Would fans celebrate if Bindon doesn't succeed? I don't see a difference, both young and plying their trade - both done a brilliant job for us. So would those celebrating Selles getting sacked celebrate Bindon not succeeding? Of course not.

Absolutely spot on. Furthermore, IMO he only finally cracked and walked when he got wind of what was to come in the January window.

[RoyalBlue]

Just how and why is anyone surprised?! Selles knew the risks and the territory. He kept them up and did wonders with us. He has two big ticks on his CV. Football is a merciless game.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hunt is replaced. SJM "surprisingly" binned Evans for Branfoot in 1991 after taking over from Smee.

And then Branfoot went on to win the Simod Cup in 1988 three years before he was appointed.

Which shows just how good he was.

In other news, I now realise I am older than Ian Porterfield will ever be

Not to mention also setting the record of 13 straight wins at the start of 85-86.

Of course, in true Reading FC tradition, we then blew that run by failing to beat the bottom club at home!

[Mr Angry]

"The manager, Noel Hunt, will be staying after doing a hugely impressive job in difficult circumstances since replacing Rubén Sellés in December."

Confirmation - and great news!

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -in-the-us

[6ft Kerplunk]

What do we reckon then, gone by Christmas if we're not safely embedded in the top 6.

[Winston Biscuit]

What do we reckon then, gone by Christmas if we're not safely embedded in the top 6.

sacked by Nov and fans ripping up their digital match tickets and throwing them on the pitch in disgust at the new owners not spending tens of millions on players

[Meatwad]

What do we reckon then, gone by Christmas if we're not safely embedded in the top 6.

sacked by Nov and fans ripping up their digital match tickets and throwing them on the pitch in disgust at the new owners not spending tens of millions on players

You forgot to say sending a pile of dog crap to Couhig's offices

[bakerlou]

SJM "surprisingly" binned Evans for Branfoot in 1991 after taking over from Smee.

There are several inaccuracies in this post and it's making my head hurt. It's like an M C Esher picture.

[Sutekh]

SJM "surprisingly" binned Evans for Branfoot in 1991 after taking over from Smee.

There are several inaccuracies in this post and it's making my head hurt. It's like an M C Esher picture.

I agree.

[Snowflake Royal]

What do we reckon then, gone by Christmas if we're not safely embedded in the top 6.

sacked by Nov and fans ripping up their digital match tickets and throwing them on the pitch in disgust at the new owners not spending tens of millions on players

As long as we're roughly top half I think he sees out the season

[Sutekh]

Rob Shay moves over from the Academy to replace Tony Warner

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Just how and why is anyone surprised?! Selles knew the risks and the territory. He kept them up and did wonders with us. He has two big ticks on his CV. Football is a merciless game.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hunt is replaced. SJM "surprisingly" binned Evans for Branfoot in 1991 after taking over from Smee.

And then Branfoot went on to win the Simod Cup in 1988 three years before he was appointed.

Which shows just how good he was.

In other news, I now realise I am older than Ian Porterfield will ever be

It was actually Smee who sacked Maurice Evans, in January 1984....at the time we were third in the table with 4 going up (no playoffs then).

The Simod was towards the end of Branfoot's reign; we were relegated that season and nearly were back to tier 4 the following year when he was sacked soon after.

[Sutekh]

Just how and why is anyone surprised?! Selles knew the risks and the territory. He kept them up and did wonders with us. He has two big ticks on his CV. Football is a merciless game.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hunt is replaced. SJM "surprisingly" binned Evans for Branfoot in 1991 after taking over from Smee.

And then Branfoot went on to win the Simod Cup in 1988 three years before he was appointed.

Which shows just how good he was.

In other news, I now realise I am older than Ian Porterfield will ever be

It was actually Smee who sacked Maurice Evans, in January 1984....at the time we were third in the table with 4 going up (no playoffs then).

The Simod was towards the end of Branfoot's reign; we were relegated that season and nearly were back to tier 4 the following year when he was sacked soon after.

Oddly - after surviving all that - IB was sacked on the back of 1 league defeat in 13 or something (including a 6-1 win at the Vetch) but if I remember correctly a lot of those 13 were drawn and he finally got the push after a particularly dreadful performance, at the place that seems to be a real Reading graveyard recently, at Leyton Orient.

[morganb]

So the 2025/26 season is almost upon us

How do we think Noel specifically will do? Will he be able to set the team up correctly and adapt where necessary or is he too set-in-his-ways or doesn't have the players he needs to succeed? Will he still be with us at the end of the season?

What do we think the aim for this season is based on Couhig's (lack of) spending and the loss of key players over the summer, as we've got the League plus the various Cup competitions we compete in - do you think we'd take a good Cup run over a top 6 finish this season?

[Mid Sussex Royal]

So the 2025/26 season is almost upon us

How do we think Noel specifically will do? Will he be able to set the team up correctly and adapt where necessary or is he too set-in-his-ways or doesn't have the players he needs to succeed? Will he still be with us at the end of the season?

What do we think the aim for this season is based on Couhig's (lack of) spending and the loss of key players over the summer, as we've got the League plus the various Cup competitions we compete in - do you think we'd take a good Cup run over a top 6 finish this season?

I think it's very difficult to say right now and a lot can change between now and the window closing, for the better or even worse.

As it stands now the squad is weaker than the past 2 league one seasons so I'm expecting a mid table season at best.

I think unless there are signs of a relegation battle at Christmas, Noel will get the season.

[Snowflake Royal]

Target hasn’t changed for me. Top half, and review as we go. Look at our cup draws and make reasonable efforts to progress without compromising the league, unless we're looking at a particularly big pay out in the next round, like we draw with someone really quite beatable and the winner is drawn against Utd or away vs any big PL team. But we should be fielding competitive sides rather than just throwing a team full of the weaker academy players at it.

[Esteban]

Noel is still learning, so is bound to make mistakes. I don't think the squad is quite as bad as some people think and there will be additions still to come. Only expecting Knibbs to go, but if the fee is anywhere near £2m, then we absolutely should be accepting that. He's a massive loss and Carey will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but he's done it before.

Unless we're in a relegation scrap, he'll still be here this time next summer.

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah, Noel has done very well. But he's surely got a lot to learn - he's stll got less than a season of senior managerial experience afterall. And any manager will find a complete squad rebuild challenging on limited resources.

Incredibly likeable, we'd have to have an abysmal start to lose patience with him any sooner than November at the very very earliest.

[Royalcop]

We as fans might not lose patience if we have a slow start but I’m not sure we can say the same about the owners. Incumbent managers often don’t last long after an ownership change and I think the new regime won’t be slow to make a change if we start badly. What’s Gareth Ainsworth up to now anyway?