Reading, My Favourite FM Club.

[samillyroy]

July 7th 2009
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READING FOOTBALL CLUB ANNOUNCE DEPARTURE OF McDERMOTT

Reading first team coach and manager Brian McDermott today announced his decision to leave his position as manager of the club and instead take up a coaching position instead.

Listen, it was a hard decision for me to make, but I felt that after helping them out after the departure of Brendan Rogers and after putting us in a better league position, I fulfilled the quest that I originally set out to achieve, so as the summer's arrived, I think it's time for the club to settle and find a new manager who can move them further in the season to come.

With fans and the players alike all announcing their adoration for the Northern Irishman today, and their disdain at his decision to leave, it has now fallen on the shoulders of unknown Sunday-league footballer Sam Illyroy.

Some information on the new Reading manager
Played Sunday league football in his local area, before taking part-time coaching lessons and a short-term coaching position with Peterborough United. Having achieved his coaching badges he is available as a manager and arrives with "hunger and passion" to start his first ever job.

We saw Steve Coppell coming up through here, we gave Brendan the chance with the club and we saw Brian do a fantastic job. I take gambles in my position, because I think without gambles and risks, you don't deserve to achieve anything in life, and I have full confidence in this promising young manager that he'll lead us to glory in the coming years.

With the youngsters first press-conference scheduled for next week, it will be interesting to see what employment changes go on at the Madejski stadium, and for the season ahead, how Reading will fare in the Championship..
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[Bodell]

was hoping someone would make a Reading story mate cos i have just started a season with them,
whens your next update?

 

[shootie]

Noooooo Europa Challenge

Blah, good luck Sam. Should be a bit of a challenge with Reading. They always struggle 1st season in my games.

 

[samillyroy]

was hoping someone would make a Reading story mate cos i have just started a season with them,
whens your next update?

good, you can compare how you're getting on to how I'm doing next update should be soon. been busy as had a party last night and tidied my house today ha and then had coursework etc so it will be on off as much as poss

Noooooo Europa Challenge

Blah, good luck Sam. Should be a bit of a challenge with Reading. They always struggle 1st season in my games

yess I know I will go back to the Europa challenge but for now I wanted to do something a bit different and get back to English football. I always used to play as Reading on FM09 and I wanted that Championship challenge again so I'm gonna try it out and see how it goes hope you follow again shootie

 

[eaglechamp]

Reading are always in the relegation zone after a few games, but always get in the playoffs in my games

 

[samillyroy]

FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE OF SAM ILLYROY AT THE MADEJSKI STADIUM

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Sam Illyroy made his first appearance to the press today at the Madejski Stadium, looking to get off on the right foot, and also announce the signings that he had introduced to the club over the pre-season period:

You're sat here in the Madejski Stadium as the new manager of Reading FC. Is this a dream come true for you?

Yeah, I mean of course it is. I've worked hard getting my coaching badges and this is the next step up. I want to settle in quickly here, and with the help of people like Madejski and McDermott, I should have no trouble achieving that.

Well naturally you will be looking to implement personnel changes. What steps have you looked to make and what sort of impact can we see you making on the transfer market?

If I'm honest with you, I think we've got a great spine to this squad. Federici is a quality goalkeeper, Alex Pearce is a very promising centre half, Sigurdsson has a lot of potential too and Shane Long is a proven goalscorer at this level. I have brought in young winger Danny Rose to give us a left-footed player on the wing and also Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who I think has a lot of potential and is already a settling character in front of the defence..

And just one final question, how are you looking to approach the tactical side of the game?

Having looked at the side and had a chance to play around the tactics in pre-season, I think I'll be settling with a diamond 4-4-2, because I think that it allows us two wide players, and also I think it will bring the best out of Emmanuel-Thomas and Sigurdsson. We will see.

End of Interview..


Pre-season ended with 6 wins out of 6, albeit against lower league opposition and it allowed the players to get used to their new positions and roles in the squad. With a week to go until the beginning of the season, it will be interesting to see how the new changes at the Madejski go down.

READING MOVE TO COMPLETE MARLON HAREWOOD LOAN SIGNING

Reading made their supposed last dip into the transfer market today, bringing in Marlon Harewood on a 1 year loan deal to boost their attacking options. The centre-forward provides great aerial prowess, great physical attributes and also a proven goalscoring record at this level.

Having been frozen out of things at Villa, I'm absolutely delighted to be given this chance by Reading and I'm going to take it with both hands.

---------- Post added at 12:16 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 08:16 PM ----------

SUPERB TEAM PERFORMANCE ENSURES FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON FOR ROYALS
Reading 2:0 Notts Forest

Gylfi Sigurdsson led from the front for the Royals today, deservedly bagging the opening goal.

In what was billed to be a close affair at the Madejski Stadium, Reading ran riot against promotion hopefuls Notts Forest, who's rebuilt side under Davies failed to gel into this game.

On the other hand, there were signs from the off that Reading were well in their stride, as Harewood muscled past Wes Morgan before laying the ball into the path of Sigurdsson who comfortably slid under the oncoming goalkeeper, Lee Camp.

Influential players for Notts Forest such as Chris Cohen and Dexter Blackstock were unable to keep the ball long enough to make any chances, as Reading fought to close down at every opportunity.

Particularly impressive at the back was Emmanuel-Thomas on his league debut, who made a crunching tackle on Cohen before playing the ball in behind the Forest defence where Kebe arrived to slam home the second, and the eventual winner.

A great start for the Royals, and there was a smiling Madejski present at this game.

Yeah, it was a cracking start to the season, we've really shown to everybody what we're about this season, and just need to make sure we are consistent. Forest are a big side, make no mistake about it and we were a lot better than them today.

There's a lot of room for improvement out there, we were poor in every department and were totally outclassed. A dissapointing display from the lads after such an encouraging pre-season.

DEBUTANTS RUN RIOT FOR ROYALS
Reading 4:1 Yeovil

Jobi McAnuff got the Man of the Match award, and was unlucky not to get a hat-trick.

After a dull first half, Reading really sprang to life after the break to slam 4 past League 1 side Yeovil and sail into the 2nd Round of the League Cup.

Illyroy made 7 changes to the side that beat Notts Forest at the weekend, with only Federici, Griffin, Sigurdsson and Alex Pearce remaining in the starting line-up, and the new players failed to gel instantly.

But with the introduction of Grzegorz Rasiak at the break for the unimpressive Noel Hunt, Reading found new life in themselves. He made an instant impact, holding the ball up for McAnuff to slam past the keeper with just a minute of the second half played. Rasiak then latched onto a superb lofted through ball from Danny Rose to slide comfortably home.

McAnuff scored a third with a cheeky chip inside the box, but Welsh then upset the party by scoring a nice finish to make it 3-1. Church then had a goal contraversially called back for offside, before McAnuff won a penalty, but he failed to get his hat-trick, the ball hitting the post and then the keeper before being cleared.

But Church made the scoreline reflect Reading's dominance with a cool finish with 85 minutes on the clock.

Delighted with the performance, and I think it shows we have great strength in depth. I am looking to bring in one right-back, because I feel Griffin needs more cover but I'm really pleased with how the squad is shaping up.

Can't ask much more of the players really. It was dissapointing to concede the goals we did straight after half-time, but they were goals of quality and we're just not at that standard yet.

CHRIS HUGHTON TURNS UP THE HEAT AHEAD OF READING v. NEWCASTLE MATCH

"We will beat Reading" was the message from the Newcastle camp today, as Hughton came out in a very optimistic mood:

We've got a better side than them, and I think we've got the quality and the players to take them to the cleaners today. I'm fully confident of that.

Sam Illyroy was later quizzed about this press conference, but claimed that he had much more important matters to consider ahead of the big game. Newcastle are naturally early championship favourites and it will be a good test of their abilities against a well-drilled Reading team.

NEWCASTLE COMPLETE SUPERB COMEBACK TO SEE OFF READING
Newcastle 3:2 Reading

Ameobi's penalty just after half-time dropped the heads of the Reading players.

Despite taking a 2 goal lead, Reading were unable to cling on to any points at St. James' Park as Newcastle really showed their title credentials.

Questions were asked of them from the off as Reading captain Alex Pearce headed the away side into the lead after just 10 minutes, before Church slid home a Sigurdsson through-ball to make it 2-0.

But having taken a 2 goal lead so early on in the game, Reading sat back on it and invited pressure onto themselves. For the remainder of the first period they were under the cosh, with Barton and Smith being allowed far too much room in the midfield to boss the game.

And they grabbed a key goal on half time when Julius Wobay slotted home an Alan Smith through ball.

Newcastle then picked up where they left off in the second half, as Andy Carroll won a penalty off Alex Pearce just 2 minutes in. Shola Ameobi stood up and slotted home to make it 2-2, and see the momentum swing in Newcastle's favour.

It looked like Reading might hold out for a point until, in the 80th minute Julius Wobay popped up again to flick on a corner into the back of the net, past the bewildered Federici.

Well we made hard work of it, but we got there in the end and I'm delighted with the performance of the lads today to come back from 2 goals down. Brilliant.

Really dissapointed. Having taken a 2 goal lead, I expected us to continue bossing the midfield as we had done so well up to that point but we were let down with some individual mistakes, and a drop in confidence. But it was a good effort against a strong side and we'll dust ourselves down and get ready for the next game.

READING COMPLETE COMEBACK OF THEIR OWN TO PUNISH A LACKLUSTER SWANSEA SIDE
Swansea 2:3 Reading

McAnuff was a thorn in Swansea's side all game and thoroughly deserved his goal.

In a thrilling game in South Wales, Reading got some revenge for the dissapointing defeat at Newcastle a week prior.

With injuries to Andy Griffin and Jimmy Kebe before the match, Reading were forced to draft in the youngster Danny Rose into the first team, and former Chelsea-academy full-back Shaun Cummings, yet to make his debut.

Unfortunately for him, it was his early mistake that Lee Trundle latched on to to slam past Federici and give the Swans the lead. Trundle grabbed a second with a superb high finish to lift the stadium.

But things were made a little more nervy when Jobi McAnuff turned brilliantly from a Church pass to slam into the far corner and give Reading hope again.

And before the half was over, there was to be more drama, as Emmanuel-Thomas collected the ball outside the box before taking a touch and slamming high into the roof of the net.

With momentum in Reading's favour, they came out second half with a couple of changes, Brian Howard and Marlon Harewood coming on for Rasiak and Sigurdsson, and it was the latter who turned out to be the precious goalscorer.

With a minute left of normal time, Emmanuel-Thomas sprayed the ball out for left for Danny Rose who curled a delicious left-footed ball into the 6-yard box, causing mayhem and Harewood was on hand to head home and give Reading a hard-fought 3 points.

I am extremely upset, because we put ourselves into a great position only to be the creators of our own downfall.

Yep, incredibly delighted with that and it's no less than we deserved after a spirited performance against Newcastle and after showing some superb character in this game, and refusing to let die. It's the kind of attitude I demand of the players and they certainly delivered.

WASTEFUL READING ARE ROBBED BY SHEFFIELD UNITED
Reading 0:2 Sheffield United

Reading were punished for their profligacy by two well-taken goals.

Finishing in the final third was the crucial factor in this game and despite dominating proceedings, they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat courtesy of Quinn and Kamara.

Reading started off with the better of the game, playing at a high tempo and creating chances, but they missed several glaring ones, the most obvious falling to Shane Long who fluffed his shot well wide of the target.

Loan signing David Gray making his debut for Reading had a torrid time against Quinn who tore him apart time and time again and Quinn found space behind Gray to slam home against the run of play.

Reading seemed to have the stuffing kicked out of them and were punished on the counter-attack again when Kamara raced through and slammed home to seal 3 points for Sheffield United.

Poor from us today. We played good football but it's about being clinical in the final third. We're also conceding a worrying amount of goals. It's something we need to focus on.

Delighted with the result today. We might not have played brilliantly, but we got the 3 points because we took our chances and that's what football is all about.

READING TAKE THEIR CHANCES TO FINISH MILLWALL'S CARLING CUP HOPES
Reading 3:1 Millwall

Reading progressed thanks to a late goal from Cisse.

A second string Reading side put themselves into the 3rd Round of the Carling Cup today after beating Millwall at the Madejski Stadium, but it was by no means an easy ride.

Millwall started by far the better side, causing plenty of problems with Fuseini and Morisson, but they let themselves down when a Holm backpass was picked up by Harewood who slammed home for his second of the season.

Reading didn't press on though and by half-time it was 1-1 and we were all level again when some nice footbal from Millwall ended with Morisson in space and he passed the ball home to equalise.

In the second half Reading finally showed a bit more promise, especially down the left with the lively Danny Rose. It still took a while though and they left it until the 84th minute to settle the players' nerves when Kalifa Cisse headed home the winner from a corner.

Ryan Bertrand then made the score look more comfortable with a nice long range effort to end things 3-1.

Not a great performance but in the Cup that isn't a problem, we're through to the next round and that's all that matters.

We deserved more out of that, we outpassed them and outhought them. We just fell asleep at that corner and it's cost us dearly.

READING FAIL TO GET PAST BARNSLEY
Barnsley 1:0 Reading

Bogdanovic's clinical finish sealed an unlikely 3 points for the Tykes.

Barnsley showed real resilience today in the face of promotion-chasing Reading, but they were helped in part by an uncreative attacking performance from the Royals.

Barnsley started the better side passing and moving, and they got their reward when Bogdanovic slid the ball home, past a stranded Adam Federici.

From then on, you would have fancied Reading to scored but they failed to fashion any clear-cut chances and as a result were left clinging to corner kicks for goals, with Cisse unable to convert any of them.

In the end they were beaten, and can only blame themselves for their lack of creativity.

We were great today, and even though we're relegation candidates, we showed that we can punch above our weight. I thought we were great defensively and it was a great finish from Danny to kill 'em off.

It was a bad way to end the month, but it's been a long one and as long as we improve in September we can forget this result quickly.

So that's the end of August, the first month and I'm dissapointed how it's ended but we'll pick up I'm sure of that. However, congratulations to Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, the man with three first names, because he won the Young Player of the Month award for his brilliant performances in the league:

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I'm delighted with this reward but I've just been playing as well as I can for Reading and if I get rewards like this as well then that's great.

And finally here's the league table:

Thankyou and see you in September
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[Joneesy]

Everyone Loves Reading

Good luck, I'l follow

 

[samillyroy]

Everyone Loves Reading

Good luck, I'l follow

course they do. what's not to like? ha
I love gylfi sigurdsson, he was an absolute ledge for me on FM09, grabs tons of goals and assists. total hero glad to hear you're following, hope I make the royals proud!

 

[shootie]

Impressive start, KIU now

I started a Racing Santander story if you wanna check it out

 

[Deleted member 79730]

Good luck mate, reading are fun to play as

 

[TheRealMourinho]

nice start to the season,
but dont forget adam federici is key to success

 

[Oatesy1234]

Enjoyed the read, good luck samillyroy!

 

[Joneesy]

offer Federici A new contract, because before long, he gets interest from big clubs.

 

[Dan]

Good luck pal, I will be following.

 

[samillyroy]

Impressive start, KIU now

I started a Racing Santander story if you wanna check it out

Now you've said that I went and lost to Barnsley didn't I! ha
Yeah I will do mate no worries

Good luck mate, reading are fun to play as

Spot on!

nice start to the season,
but dont forget adam federici is key to succes

offer Federici A new contract, because before long, he gets interest from big clubs.

Well I loved him in FM09, kept him right the way through the Premiership, but I'm not too impressed with his stats in this edition, nor his performances for that matter. I'll give him a bit more time before I make that decision.

Enjoyed the read, good luck samillyroy!

Good luck pal, I will be following.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it guys, stay tuned for September!

 

[Trophy_Whorder]

your doing very well as reading have a tight budget well done not bad league position

 

[udbhav45]

nice start i will be keeping an eye

 

[sass101]

Nice, will follow !

 

[LP94]

Mikkel Andersen :wub:

 

[JoeM]

Reading are pretty easy i won the championship first season and am now 7th in the prem

---------- Post added at 01:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 AM ----------

I was thinking of selling federici when i started with reading but no one offered a reasonable price and he stayed as no.1 goalkeeper and did excellent.