[Archived] The Championship 2015-2016

[JHRover]

It now looks likely that Steve Clarke is going to leave Reading to take up the vacant position at Fulham.

Very odd move if it happens. He's only been at Reading 12 months and they have given him money to spend, have new owners and have started the season reasonably well. I don't think anyone would really consider Fulham to be a step up in any department from Reading. Unless there are other issues behind the scenes but I can't see Clarke being on many Christmas card lists at Reading this year!

[chaddyrovers]

It now looks likely that Steve Clarke is going to leave Reading to take up the vacant position at Fulham.

Very odd move if it happens. He's only been at Reading 12 months and they have given him money to spend, have new owners and have started the season reasonably well. I don't think anyone would really consider Fulham to be a step up in any department from Reading. Unless there are other issues behind the scenes but I can't see Clarke being on many Christmas card lists at Reading this year!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/12004416/Fulham-in-talks-with-Reading-manager-Steve-Clarke.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/steve-clarke-new-fulham-manager-6857467

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3324054/Steve-Clarke-set-appointed-new-Fulham-manager-Kit-Symons-leaves.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

I'm very surprised that Alan Curbishley isnt going to be Fulham Manager tbh. He has promotion on his cv as does Nigel Pearson.

Maybe Pearson off to QPR instead?

[roverandout]

Thank @#/? we managed to get Lambert, Clarke is mediocre at best, wonder what Fulham fan thinks

[K-Hod]

Very strange appointment, and move for Clarke, Reading seem to be doing better atm as well, don't think Fulham's squad ins any better really either.

An odd one all around!

[Ewooduknow]

Very strange appointment, and move for Clarke, Reading seem to be doing better atm as well, don't think Fulham's squad ins any better really either.

An odd one all around!

Money?

[JHRover]

Thank @#/? we managed to get Lambert, Clarke is mediocre at best, wonder what Fulham fan thinks

Clarke's had a funny career, but as a manager i don't think he's deserving of the reputation he has. His career win percentage is in the low/mid 30's over more than 100 games at WBA and Reading. Fair enough Albion are a small club in the top flight, but even at Reading his win record is similar/lower than Bowyer's was here.

He's obviously a top coach given he has worked for Mourinho and Dalglish among others, and did exceptionally well in his first season at WBA when they finished 8th, but then the wheels seemed to come off in his 2nd season. At Reading they survived last season with a good cup run, albeit they reached the semi-finals without having to play a Premier League side along the way, so certainly a more favourable run of fixtures than our own run which included Swansea, Stoke and Liverpool.

He seems to be a good bloke and a decent enough manager, but nothing special at all.

[chaddyrovers]

QPR want JFH

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/qpr-want-jimmy-floyd-hasselbaink-6857909

[AllRoverAsia]

Money?

Exactly what I first thought of

[davulsukur]

It now looks likely that Steve Clarke is going to leave Reading to take up the vacant position at Fulham.

Very odd move if it happens. He's only been at Reading 12 months and they have given him money to spend, have new owners and have started the season reasonably well. I don't think anyone would really consider Fulham to be a step up in any department from Reading. Unless there are other issues behind the scenes but I can't see Clarke being on many Christmas card lists at Reading this year!

Odd move but he must have been given a healthy payrise and shed load of cash in January (probably before they get hit with a transfer embargo)

Reading are only 4 points better off than Fulham, can't be that much between the 2 squads, something must be making him think Fulham are a better prospect for promotion than Reading.

[chaddyrovers]

Pearson is now being linked with the Reading job in today's Sun paper

[JHRover]

Pearson is now being linked with the Reading job in today's Sun paper

Would be a very strange move if Pearson went there. Reading have Thai owners and after what went on with Pearson's son at Leicester I can't imagine them being very impressed.

Sounds as though Pearson was in talks with Fulham but negotiations broke down. Perhaps because Pearson wants full control which many clubs won't offer a manager these days, whereas Lambert appears to have been given full control here.

[had.e.nuff]

this is a strange one but who knows with leeds

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-moyes-fancies-leeds-managers-6857721

still cant believe its only 2 more leeds managers till christmas

[ffan]

Steve bloody Clarke. Deary me. Going to have to pay a shed load of compensation for him and his assistants too.

Rigg came out and stated that he wants to employ someone who will concentrate specifically on coaching the first team. The new man had to work under Rigg. Rigg is in charge of everything else. I hope Rigg's head is on the chopping block with this appointment too. Rigg's position has cost us Lambert and Pearson (both of who gave us short shrift and did not want to work under Rigg)

Awful appointment. Just so so mediocre.

Would have preferred Mick McCarthy if Clarke was the best we could do.

[sambo]

Steve bloody Clarke. Deary me. Going to have to pay a shed load of compensation for him and his assistants too.

Rigg came out and stated that he wants to employ someone who will concentrate specifically on coaching the first team. The new man had to work under Rigg. Rigg is in charge of everything else. I hope Rigg's head is on the chopping block with this appointment too. Rigg's position has cost us Lambert and Pearson (both of who gave us short shrift and did not want to work under Rigg)

Awful appointment. Just so so mediocre.

Would have preferred Mick McCarthy.

Really seems underwhelming. He doesn't seem to have done anything too special at Reading, and they seem to be falling away of late after a good start.

It says a lot that Reading fans don't seem too sad to see him go.

I hadn't heard much of your structure before, but it doesn't sound great. Obviously I'm glad if it helped us get Lambert, but I have a bit of a soft spot for Fulham and hate to see unavoidable mistakes being made by clueless owners (we know all about that!).

What's the fan's feelings on the owners? Being out of the Premier League means that teams like ours don't get the same coverage, so was interested to hear what your thoughts are.

[RoverNev]

Really seems underwhelming. He doesn't seem to have done anything too special at Reading, and they seem to be falling away of late after a good start.

It says a lot that Reading fans don't seem too sad to see him go.

I hadn't heard much of your structure before, but it doesn't sound great. Obviously I'm glad if it helped us get Lambert, but I have a bit of a soft spot for Fulham and hate to see unavoidable mistakes being made by clueless owners (we know all about that!).

What's the fan's feelings on the owners? Being out of the Premier League means that teams like ours don't get the same coverage, so was interested to hear what your thoughts are.

Let's face it, the press love nothing better than jumping all over your football club when things are going wrong or there is division amongst fans and the board.

The noticeable major coverage since we have left the Premier League was arguably during the dark days of Kean, something which is gold to football journalists. I find it hard to remember a time when we hard a large amount of coverage in the Premier League? Someone will probably put me right with this but I don't think its been since the Europe season under Hughes?

I have to say that I think we will see an increase in coverage now we have Lambert. He is a big name manager in that league and it will probably be to keep struggling Premier League sides informed of his progress, I fear.

[sambo]

Let's face it, the press love nothing better than jumping all over your football club when things are going wrong or there is division amongst fans and the board.

The noticeable major coverage since we have left the Premier League was arguably during the dark days of Kean, something which is gold to football journalists. I find it hard to remember a time when we hard a large amount of coverage in the Premier League? Someone will probably put me right with this but I don't think its been since the Europe season under Hughes?

I have to say that I think we will see an increase in coverage now we have Lambert. He is a big name manager in that league and it will probably be to keep struggling Premier League sides informed of his progress, I fear.

That's true, although being in the Premier League gives you exposure that you just don't get in the lower leagues. Thing is with Fulham is that it isn't a complete disaster (yet), so any rumblings or misgivings by the fans aren't likely to be reported until something major happens.

We never really got fair coverage when in the PL, even when we were on the cusp of the CL in 2006 there wasn't much attention. If anything, it was when the media started sticking up for Kean that we seemed to get the most coverage. It was almost like we hadn't been forgiven for the way we upset the applecart and won the PL - I often found reports on us to be very much a case of Southern based journalists turning their nose up at us. There was always little digs, and whilst it probably created a siege mentality at times it did get a bit tiresome. The Hughes 'bully boys' was a prime example - was blown out of proportion really, but think it helped create a 'us vs them' mentality that we thrived on.

You're probably right re Lambert. Under Bowyer it was very quiet from the media, which was probably welcome given the circus of the 2012-2013 season. People in the press just seemed content he was doing okay, whilst probably recognising we weren't going up anytime soon. The press will be keen to see how Lambert does, so we will probably get a bit more attention.

[RoverNev]

That's true, although being in the Premier League gives you exposure that you just don't get in the lower leagues. Thing is with Fulham is that it isn't a complete disaster (yet), so any rumblings or misgivings by the fans aren't likely to be reported until something major happens.

We never really got fair coverage when in the PL, even when we were on the cusp of the CL in 2006 there wasn't much attention. If anything, it was when the media started sticking up for Kean that we seemed to get the most coverage. It was almost like we hadn't been forgiven for the way we upset the applecart and won the PL - I often found reports on us to be very much a case of Southern based journalists turning their nose up at us. There was always little digs, and whilst it probably created a siege mentality at times it did get a bit tiresome. The Hughes 'bully boys' was a prime example - was blown out of proportion really, but think it helped create a 'us vs them' mentality that we thrived on.

You're probably right re Lambert. Under Bowyer it was very quiet from the media, which was probably welcome given the circus of the 2012-2013 season. People in the press just seemed content he was doing okay, whilst probably recognising we weren't going up anytime soon. The press will be keen to see how Lambert does, so we will probably get a bit more attention.

I was actually going to say that I don't think we have ever been given a fair report by the press in the PL, given that we have been champions and in Europe under Hughes. I agree with the 'bully boys' saga, I guess that was a jib at Hughes. I notice they never got on the back of Stoke like that when they came up.

It was perculier during that dark season. Not only journalists, but pundits also backed Kean up and also several managers if I recall. I guess that proves a great deal.

All in all I just don't think journalists are interested in us, pure and simple. We are a northern side that isn't a 'global brand' so to speak, I think that's what happened whilst we were in the PL. They didn't think we had the right to play in Europe and finish in the top 10 of the 'best league in the world'.

I don't think the Fulham situation will blow up frantically. The consensus from their fans is that Kit Simmons was good and certainly not good enough to go. The thing is with Fulham is that it's a London club. Location talks a lot when it comes to managerial appointments.

[arbitro]

Bolton making the news again for the wrong reasons. Unless things move quickly they could be certainties for relegation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34866924

[RoverNev]

Bolton making the news again for the wrong reasons. Unless things move quickly they could be certainties for relegation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34866924

My first thought is whether this is a man who knows his job is on the line? Reminds me of Bowyer when he complained about the officials

[JHRover]

I actually have some sympathy for Neil Lennon here. I don't like him as an individual and I don't mind seeing Bolton bottom of the league and in a mess, and I don't think Lennon was ever really deserving of the reputation he had from his spell at Celtic (which coincided with Rangers' collapse). Other than a couple of results in the Champions League he didn't really deserve a lot of credit.

Yet at the same time the situation at Bolton and the conditions he's having to work under at a club up for sale with no money even for loan signings, rumoured to be on the brink of administration.

He's signed some duds like Feeney and Heskey but I think any manager would struggle to work under those constraints. When he first took over the pigs feet he did a good job, especially at the Macron/Reebok where they were very difficult to beat last season.

[arbitro]

I actually have some sympathy for Neil Lennon here. I don't like him as an individual and I don't mind seeing Bolton bottom of the league and in a mess, and I don't think Lennon was ever really deserving of the reputation he had from his spell at Celtic (which coincided with Rangers' collapse). Other than a couple of results in the Champions League he didn't really deserve a lot of credit.

Yet at the same time the situation at Bolton and the conditions he's having to work under at a club up for sale with no money even for loan signings, rumoured to be on the brink of administration.

He's signed some duds like Feeney and Heskey but I think any manager would struggle to work under those constraints. When he first took over the pigs feet he did a good job, especially at the Macron/Reebok where they were very difficult to beat last season.

On the flip side though I would think his duds (Heskey, Ameobi etc) are on a lot more than our duds (Brown, Varney etc). I would imagine the vultures will be hovering over their carcass should they go into administration.

[sambo]

I was actually going to say that I don't think we have ever been given a fair report by the press in the PL, given that we have been champions and in Europe under Hughes. I agree with the 'bully boys' saga, I guess that was a jib at Hughes. I notice they never got on the back of Stoke like that when they came up.

It was perculier during that dark season. Not only journalists, but pundits also backed Kean up and also several managers if I recall. I guess that proves a great deal.

All in all I just don't think journalists are interested in us, pure and simple. We are a northern side that isn't a 'global brand' so to speak, I think that's what happened whilst we were in the PL. They didn't think we had the right to play in Europe and finish in the top 10 of the 'best league in the world'.

I don't think the Fulham situation will blow up frantically. The consensus from their fans is that Kit Simmons was good and certainly not good enough to go. The thing is with Fulham is that it's a London club. Location talks a lot when it comes to managerial appointments.

We were always under the radar - when I speak to people now they seem to think we spent years battling relegation and doing very little in the Prem. Always have to educate those know-nothings about our numerous European qualifications post 2001 and how well we did. I really feel that for much of Hughes' reign, the football played was unduly criticised. Yes, it was very gritty at the start, but as time passed we had some exciting players and weren't as scrappy as people seemed to suggest. Yes we had Savage, Mokoena and Dickov, but we also had Tugay, Bentley, McCarthy and Bellamy at various times.

The Kean saga was horrible and my low point when supporting the club. I'm still bitter about it all.

Simmons seemed to blow hot and cold. Remember watching them at home to QPR and they were brilliant. Also blew Bristol City away at Ashton Gate. Then that's mixed in with some poor results ie the thumping at home to Birmingham.

Being from London does help, unfortunately. The media are very London-centric - you only have to look at the coverage QPR get to see how much that is the case.

I actually have some sympathy for Neil Lennon here. I don't like him as an individual and I don't mind seeing Bolton bottom of the league and in a mess, and I don't think Lennon was ever really deserving of the reputation he had from his spell at Celtic (which coincided with Rangers' collapse). Other than a couple of results in the Champions League he didn't really deserve a lot of credit.

Yet at the same time the situation at Bolton and the conditions he's having to work under at a club up for sale with no money even for loan signings, rumoured to be on the brink of administration.

He's signed some duds like Feeney and Heskey but I think any manager would struggle to work under those constraints. When he first took over the pigs feet he did a good job, especially at the Macron/Reebok where they were very difficult to beat last season.

I actually like Lennon as a person, always comes across quite well - remember on Goals on Sunday or some similar show he surprised people with how eloquent he can be. Think he's just extremely competitive and it grates on some people.

Bolton really seem to be on the brink. I don't like them but I do hope they return to some sort of sound footing - really enjoy playing them and never good to see another proud club on the brink.

[davulsukur]

We were always under the radar - when I speak to people now they seem to think we spent years battling relegation and doing very little in the Prem. Always have to educate those know-nothings about our numerous European qualifications post 2001 and how well we did. I really feel that for much of Hughes' reign, the football played was unduly criticised. Yes, it was very gritty at the start, but as time passed we had some exciting players and weren't as scrappy as people seemed to suggest. Yes we had Savage, Mokoena and Dickov, but we also had Tugay, Bentley, McCarthy and Bellamy at various times.

I was telling an Arsenal fan i work with about a time i went to watch us play Leverkusen and he just sat there blank until he said "What? Blackburn were in Europe?!

[RoverNev]

We were always under the radar - when I speak to people now they seem to think we spent years battling relegation and doing very little in the Prem. Always have to educate those know-nothings about our numerous European qualifications post 2001 and how well we did. I really feel that for much of Hughes' reign, the football played was unduly criticised. Yes, it was very gritty at the start, but as time passed we had some exciting players and weren't as scrappy as people seemed to suggest. Yes we had Savage, Mokoena and Dickov, but we also had Tugay, Bentley, McCarthy and Bellamy at various times.

The Kean saga was horrible and my low point when supporting the club. I'm still bitter about it all.

Simmons seemed to blow hot and cold. Remember watching them at home to QPR and they were brilliant. Also blew Bristol City away at Ashton Gate. Then that's mixed in with some poor results ie the thumping at home to Birmingham.

Being from London does help, unfortunately. The media are very London-centric - you only have to look at the coverage QPR get to see how much that is the case.

I agree. We had some very very gifted technical footballers. Yes, you have players like Savage etc, and you know what you're going to get from them. It's only like United having Keane, Sunderland with Cattermole, Barton at that lot over the road etc. It was just very easy to get after us because of the status of the club if you know what I mean. (Granted, I've explained that terribly).

Fulham have looked hot and cold, couldn't agree more. Am I right in thinking they spent fairly big over the summer aswell? This could be a factor with regards to his dismissal. When I saw the highlights from their Birmingham game, it made me think that 3.5 million for Cairney was a snip, I have to say.

[sambo]

I agree. We had some very very gifted technical footballers. Yes, you have players like Savage etc, and you know what you're going to get from them. It's only like United having Keane, Sunderland with Cattermole, Barton at that lot over the road etc. It was just very easy to get after us because of the status of the club if you know what I mean. (Granted, I've explained that terribly).

Fulham have looked hot and cold, couldn't agree more. Am I right in thinking they spent fairly big over the summer aswell? This could be a factor with regards to his dismissal. When I saw the highlights from their Birmingham game, it made me think that 3.5 million for Cairney was a snip, I have to say.

Every time needs that grit, and we weren't exactly going to get it from Tugay!

I think they may have spent a bit of money but I could be wrong. Cairney appears to be much like Fulham as a whole - some really bright moments (seen some really good assists/passes that he's made), but at other times going missing. Hopefully ffan can give a bit of insight into how he's done there?