QPR Report Interview: The Reading Perspective

-
February 3, 2011

Steve from Vital Reading www.reading.vitalfootball.co.uk has very kindly answered some questions about Reading and off the field.

A READING FAN PERSPECTIVE

Starting simply: How long have you supported Reading? And how long have you been involved with the Vital Reading Website?

I have been a Reading supporter since I was about 10 years old when my Dad took me to Elm Park. First game was against Exeter. I have run Vital Reading for 2 seasons now, and previous to that I was the editor of OffatEleven on the doomed Rivals network.

(How do you get on with the other Reading fan sites: Are there any serious inter-Reading Messageboard conflicts (as there certainly are between certain QPR boards!)?

No, not at all. Hobnob Anyone and ReadingMad are the other two main fans sites

Do Reading have one (or two) special rivals? (Oxford? or QPR for wearing similar hoops!) If so, Is it a mild dislike or a visceral hatred? (and do supporters of those clubs feel the same way about Reading)?

Swindon are the main 'rivals' but we haven't played them in years and I think they still look at Oxford as their main rivals. Still hate the Swindon s.cum though!

What do you think of your manager? What did you think of his predecessor? Especially Steve Coppell and Pardew

Brian McDermott is doing a great job since taking over from Brendan Rodgers over a year ago. His win at all costs attitude makes for some great football and we are in with a serious shout of the play offs, without spending much money. He has got a good eye for a player, especially a lower league gem, and is really bringing the best out of the clubs youngsters.

Steve Coppell was obviously a legend considering he got us too the Premiership with a record points total, and a great first season in the top flight. He paid the price for not adding to the squad in the second season but despite getting relegated all fans wanted him to stay the following year - that show how highly thought of he was.

Pardew? Well the least said the better! How he has a job in the Premier League is beyond me.

What do you think of the current reading Owners (and all the others)? WHY are they involved with Reading? What do you expect? Could they realistically have done more to have kept you up last season (after a remarkable first season)?

Er last season??!! We were relegated three years ago now!!

Madejksi is running the club on a sound financial footing and you can't really argue with that. Some fans are never happy and think we should be in the market for the top players but realistically that is never going to happen. He has been Chairman for over 20years and is a local man, so happy with everything he has done / is doing right now.

Are you disappointed with how Reading are doing this season? In your heart of hearts, did you really expect promotion this season? Do you expect to improve? Or are you just grateful to be in existence?

Not really disappointed. Expected a mid table finish so am quite happy to be on the fringes of the play offs. The football we play is good to watch and whilst there is always room for improvement, I am a happy man! I would expect much of the same for the rest of the season and the division is so open, its not unlikely that we could claim a play off place.

Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?

Shane Long is on fire at the moment and finally living up to his potential. He has scored 15 goals so far this season and leads our line well, alongside either Noel Hunt and Simon Church. Jimmy Kebe and Jobi McAnuff provide the width from the wings and can deliver the telling ball into the box.

One of our most under rated players is Jem Karacan. He is playing alongside your on loan midfielder Mikele Leigertwood and is doing a fantastic job, he is all action box to box and scores his fair share of goals.

Prediction for season promotion/relegation places - And how would that compare with pre-season prediction?

Well I predicted Middlesbrough to win the league, and you guys to finish in mid table so shows how much I know! I think you will go up, with Cardiff, and then anyone's guess for the play offs. Preston will go down they are dreadful and then anyone from about 6 other teams.

What is your view and the general reading view of QPR (If we even feature in your consciousness)?
Over the years: Quite a number of shared players including of course Jamie Cureton. Dennis Allen used to be involved with Reading while QPR had Les Allen and his sons.

Think you are doing well, you have assembled a great squad that looks destined for the Premier League. Taarabt is a quality player and different class in this division.
Jamie Cureton is a legend with us for scoring the goal that got us promoted in 2002, and as I mentioned before Leigertwood is doing a great job in the middle of our midfield.

What are your past Encounter Memories - Best Memory/Worst Memory of Past reading-QPR Encounters? Who is your favourite QPR Player over the years? (And your least favourite)? Ditto any view of Neil Warnock?

Most memorable Reading vs QPR moment is Graeme Murty's penalty in 2006 on the final day of the season and picking up the league title after the game - what a day and what a season!

We have had some terrible encounters as well over the years including a fair few 0-0 draws but last season's 4-1 defeat at Loftus Road was pretty embarassing.

I struggle to pick my favourite Reading player of recent years, let alone QPR's!!

We've both had narrow by the teeth survival - QPR were in administration and in the (old) Third Division...Reading sinking down to lower leagues...Getting Promoted to the top...Getting relegated...Getting promoted...Quite some turmoil. You survived an almost merger with Oxford to form Thames Valley

Are you happy with how your club treats you? Do you think your ticket prices are fair? What other clubs in the Championship (or elsewhere) do you admire/wish Reading could emulate? Bottom line: Do those running Reading make you proud?

I think those running Reading do a great job and am happy to be a Reading fan. Sometimes I wish they would steer slightly away from promoting the club as a family club ALL the time because it does encourage some of the more vocal supporters to stay away but on the whole I can't complain with what they do.

Are you looking forward to playing QPR?
Not if Taarabt is on form!

SCORE PREDICTION for Reading-QPR

I'm going for a draw, can see it finishing 1-1
Where, realistically, do you think Reading will be in five years time?

Hopefully in the Premier League with a squad made up of many of the excellent youngsters that are breaking into the first team right now

Do you have any advice for QPR fans, in the event that we do go up? (Spend more/spend less; keep the manager; change the manager, etc)

I'm sure you will spend a lot bigger than we did and that should give you a chance of staying up. if you do though, don't rest on your laurals and ship on any players who have got too 'big time'. For us it was the likes of Shorey and Kitson, we forced them to stay a season more than we should have done and we paid for it with relegation. Their heads were elsewhere but look what has happened to them since - the grass isn't always greener

Many Thanks again to Steve of Vital Reading www.reading.vitalfootball.co.uk