Managerial philosophy - is Richardson ultimately doomed?

[WestYorksRoyal]

Maybe one for the "Richardson Out" thread, but I'm not at "Richardson Out" yet, I think it's still too early. However, I predict I will be by October, and he needs to prove me wrong.

At the core of it is that I don't think he has the right philosophy or outlook on football to really succeed, and an odd but good analogy is Southgate and England. That team had good players for the level they were playing at (many levels higher than this!), showed what they were capable of for spells but were far too negative and sat back too much to complete the job. But more to the point, Southgate genuinely believed that was how to win international tournaments; keep the entire game turgid and rely on moments of quality from the excellent players at your disposal, and to be fair, he had examples like Deschamps' France. Obviously I'm not such a purist that I wanted us to lose the final in 2024, but I probably do think thank God we lost to a vibrant, energetic team playing with a clear identity and without pressure - they proved there is a better way to win. There would have been no solace if we'd lost to Deschamps' anti-football again.

I think LR genuinely believes that negative football and relying upon moments of quality from the likes of Wing and Marriott is how we will be successful. And he's not totally wrong, he's taken us from a relegation fight to the edge of the play-offs, just like Southgate got us to 2 major finals and a semi final. And LR is also right that good teams need to be capable of the dirty work. Defending set pieces at our end, scoring from a couple at the other, niggly tactical fouls to disrupt momentum, riding out 10 - 15 minute spells where momentum is against you. You need to be able to do all of this. But it is not a style or a philosophy. It's what you learn to do, so that you can earn the right in games to assert yourselves and play your way.

If these parts of the game become the end of what you are trying to achieve, "good results" are not good enough. Playing stodgy football, you simply have to win. For Southgate, it means his tenure is viewed by many as a missed opportunity, while for LR, it basically means promotion next season or nothing. If the fans are enjoying the journey, you get credit for near misses or just falling short. If you choose to go down the super pragmatic/anti-football route, it's win or bust.

While LR's results are not bad, the SCL stands are empty, there is no connection with the fans or excitement. Every manager deserves a proper chance, so let's see how things look next season after a full pre-season and a transfer window. Maybe he'll prove me wrong. But I don't think he will, because I think his ambition on the pitch is similar to what we're seeing now except with better, more experienced players. And I don't think that will be enough.

[retro royal]

I've generally thought it really strange when teams sack managers close to playoffs or in playoffs towards end of season, but I see no long term future with Leam, get rid ASAP

[Brogue]

On course for our second lowest average attendance since 1998. Says it all.

[tidus_mi2]

The absolute disconnect between results and performances is utterly bewildering, even when we were falling asleep to successful Stamball, we were rarely backs to the wall defending 1-0 leads.

He'll not get sacked anytime soon but with another window behind him in the Summer, he'll definitely be under pressure if results start matching these terrible performances.

I've completely given up on away games for now because why would I travel all that way to see us get battered? Just not enjoyable, will stick with the home games because it's time with my Dad and nephews and I've already paid for a season ticket but even we're reaching our limit I think.

[Brogue]

And I’ll add I fcuking called this from day 1. Said he wasn’t the right person to take us forward and was called everything under the sun. Well now look. Lots of fans are turning. People are calling for his head. Fans are staying away. I’m not saying this to gloat I’ve been a Reading fc fan for 35 fcuking years I want us to do well but it was so obvious this was a terrible appointment.

[Hound]

I’ve really not enjoyed the football this season from the start. Not a dig at Couhig or anyone particular and obvs massively grateful there is still a club etc but…

Days like today really make me pine for last season. Smith, Knibbs, Mbengue, Bindon - the academy lads coming through and playing plenty. Exciting hard working football and a sense of all in it together. Loved it despite the off field stuff

Inevitable of course but too much has changed this year. Don’t feel great affinity with any of the new players, our stand outs have been a couple of 30+ journeymen

I don’t blame LR at this stage though I’m suprised with his tactics. Results have been good but a gameplan of hump it forward and wait for JM to capitalise on a defensive mistake isn’t a good watch

Still wouldn’t suprise me to see us sneak into the POs and then you can’t say he hasn’t done well though

I just hope we go for some younger, quick, exciting forwards in the summer, bring some of these academy lads like Kanu, Patton and Ahmed back into the picture and go from there.

[Hound]

And I’ll add I fcuking called this from day 1. Said he wasn’t the right person to take us forward and was called everything under the sun. Well now look. Lots of fans are turning. People are calling for his head. Fans are staying away. I’m not saying this to gloat I’ve been a Reading fc fan for 35 fcuking years I want us to do well but it was so obvious this was a terrible appointment.

Cmon he’s taken us from 20th to 7th. You didn’t call that iirc

[traff]

60th minute. The Reading F.C. coaching staff receive a call in the dugout.

“Boss, it’s Mark Bowen for you.”

“What the hell? I’m busy.”

“He says it’s important.”

“Alright, put him on speaker. What do you want, Bowen? We’ve got half an hour left against Port Vale F.C. and we’re 1–0 up!”

“You are? Wow… that’s a big bet.”

“Half a the winnings, you say…?”

The manager turns and shouts down the touchline:

“Paddy Jeriel, get warmed up — you’re coming on!”

[Brogue]

And I’ll add I fcuking called this from day 1. Said he wasn’t the right person to take us forward and was called everything under the sun. Well now look. Lots of fans are turning. People are calling for his head. Fans are staying away. I’m not saying this to gloat I’ve been a Reading fc fan for 35 fcuking years I want us to do well but it was so obvious this was a terrible appointment.

Cmon he’s taken us from 20th to 7th. You didn’t call that iirc

We had an incredibly lucky Christmas period where we won many games we had no right to win. We are in a false position at the moment, and i expect us to finish around 12/15th

[Hound]

And I’ll add I fcuking called this from day 1. Said he wasn’t the right person to take us forward and was called everything under the sun. Well now look. Lots of fans are turning. People are calling for his head. Fans are staying away. I’m not saying this to gloat I’ve been a Reading fc fan for 35 fcuking years I want us to do well but it was so obvious this was a terrible appointment.

Cmon he’s taken us from 20th to 7th. You didn’t call that iirc

We had an incredibly lucky Christmas period where we won many games we had no right to win. We are in a false position at the moment, and i expect us to finish around 12/15th

Dunno. One thing I’ve really noticed this season is most strikers in the division can’t hit a cows arse and defences and keepers have a ton of mistakes in them. Most teams just aren’t good enough to take advantage of our obvious failings. We look lucky but we have strikers/Wing who can finish and a decent keeper most of the time. That seems to be enough

[WestYorksRoyal]

Cmon he’s taken us from 20th to 7th. You didn’t call that iirc

We had an incredibly lucky Christmas period where we won many games we had no right to win. We are in a false position at the moment, and i expect us to finish around 12/15th

Dunno. One thing I’ve really noticed this season is most strikers in the division can’t hit a cows arse and defences and keepers have a ton of mistakes in them. Most teams just aren’t good enough to take advantage of our obvious failings. We look lucky but we have strikers/Wing who can finish and a decent keeper most of the time. That seems to be enough

Agree we can win more than we lose this way, but my point is that's not enough. I don't think we'd win consistently enough for promotion, and it would not convince the fans to turn up.

[Hound]

We had an incredibly lucky Christmas period where we won many games we had no right to win. We are in a false position at the moment, and i expect us to finish around 12/15th

Dunno. One thing I’ve really noticed this season is most strikers in the division can’t hit a cows arse and defences and keepers have a ton of mistakes in them. Most teams just aren’t good enough to take advantage of our obvious failings. We look lucky but we have strikers/Wing who can finish and a decent keeper most of the time. That seems to be enough

Agree we can win more than we lose this way, but my point is that's not enough. I don't think we'd win consistently enough for promotion, and it would not convince the fans to turn up.

Agreed and also agree it’s not a good watch.

In fact the I’d struggle to name 5 games I’ve properly enjoyed this year. Maybe Blackpool, Stevenage, Burton maybe the two Stockport games at a push

[AthleticoSpizz]

Cmon he’s taken us from 20th to 7th. You didn’t call that iirc

We had an incredibly lucky Christmas period where we won many games we had no right to win. We are in a false position at the moment, and i expect us to finish around 12/15th

Dunno. One thing I’ve really noticed this season is most strikers in the division can’t hit a cows arse and defences and keepers have a ton of mistakes in them. Most teams just aren’t good enough to take advantage of our obvious failings. We look lucky but we have strikers/Wing who can finish and a decent keeper most of the time. That seems to be enough

….about time you (we) all realise, we are just one of those “Most teams just aren’t good enough to take advantage” teams too.

That is why we are where we are….slating the manager won’t make a sh1t of difference until we give him the benefit of the doubt for two years….Sir Steve was less than convincing in a league higher in his early tenure.

Give it time, as ‘chemical Alli once said’ “nothing to see here”

[Getthebeerens]

Really hope Richardson surprises me and starts getting us to play football but can’t help thinking in 12 months time we will be in League 1 between 14th and 8th place playing in front of crowds of 8,000. The football is so dull, was supposed to go to the game today but after watching poor performances against Wycombe and Bolton I didn’t want to waste a day.

We should be excited about being in the play off picture but instead I’m worried we are going to waste another 12 months with this guy.

I believe our players are much better than the performances we are seeing and that’s due to them being put in a negative system that doesn’t play to our squads strengths.

[Jinx]

And I’ll add I fcuking called this from day 1. Said he wasn’t the right person to take us forward and was called everything under the sun. Well now look. Lots of fans are turning. People are calling for his head. Fans are staying away. I’m not saying this to gloat I’ve been a Reading fc fan for 35 fcuking years I want us to do well but it was so obvious this was a terrible appointment.

Really? I hadn't heard that anywhere before.

You're so smug, I'm hoping he does well just to shut you up. Pretty convinced you're OMA back again

[Brogue]

And I’ll add I fcuking called this from day 1. Said he wasn’t the right person to take us forward and was called everything under the sun. Well now look. Lots of fans are turning. People are calling for his head. Fans are staying away. I’m not saying this to gloat I’ve been a Reading fc fan for 35 fcuking years I want us to do well but it was so obvious this was a terrible appointment.

Really? I hadn't heard that anywhere before.

You're so smug, I'm hoping he does well just to shut you up. Pretty convinced you're OMA back again

You can only be smug if you’re right. So thanks for the compliment

[MR. CYNICAL]

We had an incredibly lucky Christmas period where we won many games we had no right to win. We are in a false position at the moment, and i expect us to finish around 12/15th

Dunno. One thing I’ve really noticed this season is most strikers in the division can’t hit a cows arse and defences and keepers have a ton of mistakes in them. Most teams just aren’t good enough to take advantage of our obvious failings. We look lucky but we have strikers/Wing who can finish and a decent keeper most of the time. That seems to be enough

….about time you (we) all realise, we are just one of those “Most teams just aren’t good enough to take advantage” teams too.

That is why we are where we are….slating the manager won’t make a sh1t of difference until we give him the benefit of the doubt for two years….Sir Steve was less than convincing in a league higher in his early tenure.

Give it time, as ‘chemical Alli once said’ “nothing to see here”

Imagine having to put up with that dross for another 2 years.
Hard to believe people are still backing him.
The abject performances are one thing but his post match interviews are unbearable.

[clauski]

To be fair attendances were always going to be down this year with the number of times teams are now live on Sky. But from a Richardson perspective yes we've thrown away points too often when improved game management was something he suggested he would bring on joining. And we're rarely looking an organised, dominant, attacking force. It would be great to see that again, it's been a long time.

[Clyde1998]

I’ve really not enjoyed the football this season from the start. Not a dig at Couhig or anyone particular and obvs massively grateful there is still a club etc but…

Days like today really make me pine for last season. Smith, Knibbs, Mbengue, Bindon - the academy lads coming through and playing plenty. Exciting hard working football and a sense of all in it together. Loved it despite the off field stuff

Inevitable of course but too much has changed this year. Don’t feel great affinity with any of the new players, our stand outs have been a couple of 30+ journeymen

I don’t blame LR at this stage though I’m suprised with his tactics. Results have been good but a gameplan of hump it forward and wait for JM to capitalise on a defensive mistake isn’t a good watch

Still wouldn’t suprise me to see us sneak into the POs and then you can’t say he hasn’t done well though

I just hope we go for some younger, quick, exciting forwards in the summer, bring some of these academy lads like Kanu, Patton and Ahmed back into the picture and go from there.

I agree with most of this. I just hope this is a transition season. So disappointing the sense of connection between the fans, players and staff which had been built up under the previous owners has just completely evaporated this season.

Hopefully we're just waiting for some younger lads into the first team next season and have a style of play which will be more exciting. Not holding out much hope for that under Richardson though.

Concerned about the direction of the club in many areas, tbh.

[stealthpapes]

At the core of it is that I don't think he has the right philosophy or outlook on football to really succeed, and an odd but good analogy is Southgate and England.

Love this. It says a lot but not in the way you think.

Southgate is head and shoulders the best England manager since 1966. On almost every possible metric, he outperforms his modern peers. Qualification - it’s in my lifetime we failed to qualify for a World Cup and a Euros. 2000 required a play offs. Two finals, a semi, a quarter. No manager comes close for sustained success. He even managed to iron out the squad issues that plagued England before.

No other England manager (bar Ramsey) from a host of different playing styles, personalities, squad depths get even close.

And yet it was never, ever enough. Always a new target, always a goal post moving.

Southgate was never the problem.