Pearce: The Ideal Candidate

Down the Baron the other day (what a god awful Wetherspoon it is), I, and some other disgruntled Reading enthusiasts, discussed who would be best to replace Graeme Murty as captain.

It ended up being quite rational as we all came to different conclusions. It was quite astonishing actually.

One argued for James Harper, a brutal runner that quite-frankly does nothing worthwhile on a football pitch, as he’s been at the club for the longest and knows Reading inside and out. Unfortunately, my misguided friend had one too many Carlings’ and it was agreed that Harper would be an awful choice.

The thought of him attending pre and post match interviews fashioning those ridiculous basketball jerseys are cringe worthy and something the club doesn’t really need. Having Andre Bikey in the team alone make Reading a laughing stock.

Supposedly, Harper’s a midfield general but in the ideal Royals team, he would be confined to warming the bench, as he doesn’t make the impact that he once had. He misses Steve Sidwell; he misses him a lot. Fans have not seen the real James Harper, whatever that is, for a long time now and if a club comes in with a modest fee, I can see Rodgers selling him without worry.

One ill-educated Reading fan actually recommended Bikey and resounding laughter subsequently followed. He was dead serious as well.

He claimed that Bikey is a fully-fledged international and has character on the pitch. Well his over exuberant rant after being dismissed at Burnley is not character it was just plain stupidity.

The sensible one offered Gunnarsson and I can see why. The Icelander seems to be the father figure in the team, the go-to guy, the man that often gets the team out of trouble.

If he were five years younger and a constant first team regular, he would be installed as captain as soon as Murty left but that is not the case. If he was appointed skipper it would only be short-term solution and this problem will arose itself again next season.

Another wants Ivar Ingimarsson and to be fair he seems to be the readymade replacement. He was the forgotten man last season; we did miss him considerably, especially in the latter parts of the season.

At 31, he is not too old and he could be the next captain for the four or five years but it’s undecided whether he will be a regular next season as injuries have hampered him for a while now.

I’m a little more left wing than my friends are. I went for Alex Pearce.

Although I would like to hide the fact that he was born in Oxf*rd, his all round ability has been thought a lot of and the way he would have a rant at someone who’s ten years his senior was simply inspiring and a little intimidating in all honesty.

Many may see him as too young, being 20, to lead a team. What is age apart from a nuisance?

The way he conducts himself and the way he leads by example certainly impresses. Whether it’s a headed clearance or creating momentum with a little run out of defence, he gives Reading so much.

Rodgers should see him as pinnacle to his plans and a regular berth at the heart of Reading’s defence is necessary for the club to move on with the next generation.

He’s grown up with the likes of Julian Kelly, Jem Karacan, and James Henry and if he’s installed as captain will give these players the inspiration to be confident to break into the first team if they perform well.

Pearce prides himself on having a strong aerial presence and good awareness. Those assets are clearly visible and his game can only improve.

When sitting close to the pitch at the Graeme Murty testimonial, you could hear Pearce screaming at the whole team and at certain individuals about this, that, and everything. He bellowed at Jay Tabb about positioning and he looked generally upset when the first half penalty was awarded for a nothing challenge.

Although appointing him will probably end up being wide of the mark, a strong character is needed to lead the Royals into the top flight.

And for me, Pearce is the ideal candidate.

Who do you think it should be?

The Jem

Another goal feast at the Madejski!

There would be more chance that Jimmy Kebe staying on his feet longer than 30 seconds.

I haven’t seen Reading score a goal at home since Leroy Lita’s strike against Watford on January 9th.

I missed Shane Long performing miracles with his brace against a relegated Charlton Athletic team. I don’t count the Wolves own goal, we hardly forced it did we?

Barnsley came and they got what they wanted. A draw that is ever so vital to them.

We just got a point closer to confirming a playoff place that is yet to be secured.

It was a horrible first half performance, even the Cop man himself declared it as ‘disheartening’.

Second Half, I thought, was excellent we looked our dominant self again. I don’t mind if we lose games if we are really pushing at the other end.

Jem Karacan was outstanding and I have it down to him why we played so well.

He linked everything, our go-to-guy.

He got the ball of the defence, pushed it out wide, collected it again and worked the other flank. Even his runs caused a worry for Barnsley’s defence.

Pardon the pun but we have a real gem in our squad and we need to play him regularly.

His tackling is not perfect nor his set piece taking, but his awareness and distribution is up there will the best we have.

A move down our right hand side involving Jem, Glen Little, Long and Liam Rosenior was outstanding and it reminded me of how we played in our promotion season.

Jem put the ball down the right-hand side for Long to chase, and he gave it back to
Jem who gave it Little and suddenly out of nowhere Rosenior produced a Murty-esque overlapping run and put in a cross that Kitson headed over.

That played caused havoc and if do that regularly we would be scoring by the truckload. At the moment, it’s all rather complacent.

I was so pleased after seeing that and I declare that three wins is need to carry momentum into the Playoffs.

Urzzzz.

The Unknown Barn Door

Barnsley next, and I have no idea what the outcome is going to be.

Ok, Reading can beat these on any given day, but the Reading of late would struggle to beat a team of John Oster’s.

The Tykes come to the hardly fearless Madejski Stadium with a need of some points, they would take heart that Southampton, and Nottingham Forest has managed to win points in our backyard.

The team should stay the same as Monday’s against Blackpool with only Alex Pearce who should be restored to the starting line up instead of the comic that is Michael Duberry.

He should definitely not be captain.

Noel Hunt and Jem Karacan had scoring returns to the first team and should still be in the first team.

Steve Coppell says he‘s looking for individuals to step up and don’t they need too!
Someone need a big performance to carry the team, loan signings Dave Kitson and Glen Little have hardly set the place alight.

Kevin Doyle is completely off the boil; Andre Bikey looks more likely to score.

Wally Downes has said this week that the Royals are realistically looking at the Playoffs and I would want to finish third or fourth to make sure we get the first leg away. Perhaps there may be a hostile atmosphere at the Mad Stad for once.

Come one win and we have more or less guarantee that playoff place and almost a place at Wembley.

Urzzzz

The Blackpool Donkey

Easter Holidays! Who bloody needs them.

All it reminds me off is yet another dismal weekend as a disgruntled Reading supporter.

It must be a cardinal sin throwing away a 2-0 lead against the power that is Blackpool. Another poor draw from a game that we should be running away with 3 points. Two points definitely dropped.

It must have been more comforting watching 11 donkeys on the poorly named Pleasure Beach walking one side of the beach to the other. At least there might be more life in them.

Talking about Donkey’s, the courageous Michael Duberry made an inevitable mistake, we saw it coming ever since he put on a Hooped Shirt. His slip allowed Roy O’Donovan through but he missed an absolute sitter, but unfortunately for Reading, DJ Campbell was on hand to steer in the rebound and it was for the equaliser.

It made it worst that he is an ex-Brentford player; I thought we had snapped up any decent ones already.

One you missed Wally!

To add insult to injury, Duberry was captain. His leadership could be compared to that off George W. Bush. Not having a clue and making things more difficult for everyone. At least we can use him as an excuse.

Rightly, Jem Karacan was restored to the starting line up and he made damn sure he should be included in the next starting XI. His goal was through sheer persistence, and it was wholly deserved.

Noel Hunt’s knee looked clean, he scored and instantly became more effective than Dave Kitson or Kevin Doyle. The rub of the Irish is wearing off, as the travelling 903 fans were treated to two, yes two, goals. The first time since Charlton if my mind has not mistaken me. But the first time we conceded two since Charlton too.

Now there is only four games left, Barnsley and Norwich will be scrapping for their lives in a dire relegation battle. One against Birmingham, as it looks like we will both be playing for position in the playoffs. Oh yeah, and Derby, our game in hand, what good is that now.

We had this league to a tee and now it has gone to dust.

I am now looking to May 25th, Bank Holiday Weekend. God we better make it there at least. Just a couple of wins needed.

Urzzzzz