By Royal Appointment.....after the data loss

2012-11-29 15:39#69908 Donatt : really nice signings,especially the beast himself "CHICHARITO".
Bad pre-season but without any doubt you will do well in the prem !

cheers donatt. I have high hopes for chicha, what a quality player he is, IRL, and on the game.

Delighted to get him in at Reading!

Hard transfer to broker, but the deal was done

THE 2015-2016 SEASON

We started the season with a horrific run of games, against Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United!
I managed to pull off a great result against the pool, winning 3-2.

Our form then dipped, although we picked up points here and there, and went forward in the league cup, beating Peteroro and then West Brom, to reach the 4th round.
Leading in to October, our form picked up, picking up 7 league points and a 2-0 v Nowich to reach the 5th round of the league cup.

Will Hughes performed fantastic in October, winning the “wonderkid” the young player of the month award.
November was a mixed bag, two expected defeats and 2 expected wins.
December was a very busy period, in which we played 7 games. We went out of the league cup to Chelsea, reaching the quarter finals. I was happy with that. Unfortunately that defeat leads us to a period of 5 games without a win. The biggest shock was a 2-0 home defeat to Leicester, which I was angry about, as they have just come up, and we should beat them, especially at home.
We managed to turn this around with the last two games of the year. Beating West Brom and Liverpool, both away!!


January started with a tight FA Cup win over Bristol Rovers, followed by 2 defeats.
We then beat Plymouth to reach the FA Cup 5th round, followed by 2 wins, the last being a 7-1 win against Blackburn. Another 7-1 win, this must be the 3rd or 4th at my time with Reading.



Shane Long bagged himself not 1, not 2, not 3 and not even 4. BUT 5 GOALS! TOTAL DESTRUCTION!
Results for the rest of the season were up and down.

The highlight being a 6-2 win v Swansea.
The lowlights being a 6-2 away defeat to Villa, a 3-0 loss to Spurs and a 5-1, yes 5-1 loss to Leicester away, they really have been my bogey team!

During this season, Tello managed to win the goal of the month for February.
The wonderkid Will Hughes also picked up the young player of the month award for April.
We managed to finish 11th, which is a really good finish and a platform to build from.

The stand out performers were Alex Pearce, Sean Morrison, Javier Hernandez, Shane Long, Kaspars Gorkss, James Tomkins, Winston Reid, Mikele Leigertwood, Rafinha and Sotiris Ninis.
Hernandez was the SIGNING OF THE SEASON  damn right. LEGEND!

2015-2016

Having done so well last season, well, good for Reading anyways, the board expectations have increased, asking me to achieve at least a mid table finish.
Given the squad I have, and the good finish last season, I am happy with that.

Transfers IN

MAGNUS WOLFF EIKREM-FREE-Norwegian international, singed from Lille, at Molde IRL. Highly rated youngster who come through the Man United academy, and followed Ole Gunnar Solskjear over to Norway. Really talented midfielder who is versatile.

ANGELO OGBONNA-FREE-highly rated Italian international IRL, signed on a free from Torino. Adds class and power to the centre back options, and can also play left back.

JOSE ENRIQUE-LOAN-natural left back, 30 in the game now, but still very experienced and should add depth and quality to the left back position.

NATHANIEL CHALOBAH-LOAN-highly rated Chelsea youngster, 22 now in game, so needs exposure to regular football if he is to meet his potential. Signed to add depth to the centre back and defensive midfielder positions.

BACARY SAGNA-FREE-signed from Real Madrid, something of a massive coup for Reading. 32 now in game, but still pure quality, high attributes, will be the number 1 right back.

GOING OUT

SOTIRIS NINIS-AC MILAN-Milan came in for Ninis, and although I would have liked to keep him, it was good money, and a big move for his career.
JONATHAN BIABIANY-LOAN-he left on loan, as did, as usual, a lot of the youngsters, to get first team experience.

Pre-Season
Pre-season was up and down, trying new players, new formations etc.
I beat River 4-0 and also Napoli 4-1, which I was delighted about. Two defeats followed to Stade de Reims and Benfica, before a great last result against Schalke, ending 2-1 to Reading.

AUGUST
We started with a 2-1 away defeat to Newcastle in a tight game, which was followed by 3 wins in a row, including beating rivals Bristol City 3-2 in the league cup 2nd round.
Will Hughes picked up young player of the month for August.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER-NOVEMBER
What I felt should be a very promising campaign in the league is disappearing completly, and my management skills are really being tested. The Board are not happy, nor are the players. New tactics and tweaks do not seem to be stopping our bad form.
This includes a 7 game streak without a win, including a 3rd round league cup exit to Forest.
Unexpected defeats to QPR, Ipswich and Sunderland also do nothing to lighten the mood.
We picked up 3 home wins towards the end of November, beating Blackburn Swansea and Wolves. We also beat Leicester away, which I am delighted about, because they beat us bad last season, TWICE!

To try and get some steel and form going, I try a 4-5-1 formation, which starts to produce decent results, but is against the board’s expectations of attacking football.
I see it as much needed, or I will be sacked for poor league form!


Giving Adam Le Fondre a first team run seems to be helping as well, absolute goal machine!!!


The turnaround in league form helps me come 3rd in the November manager of the month awards.
After growing angry with both my keepers, I decided to give 20 year old Reading academy prospect Jake Knight a first team run, and he helps produce the good results, and is also highly rated in terms of future potential.


DECEMBER
With games against City, Arsenal and Chelsea, December’s form is again crap, and we start sliding down the table.
Because of this, I am laying the door at players and their poor performances, January will be a busy period for us, I expect players to leave and some to join, to help steady the ship, with the current squad performances, and form, we are in a relegation battle. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN UNDER MY WATCH!

JANUARY CHANGES

OUT

NACER CHADIL-one of the better performers for me this season, and a favourite of mine, I didn’t want to let him go, but Liverpool offered 10mil, which I couldn’t turn down. His sale is a record incoming transfer for the club, so it is very good business for us.

RON-ROBERT ZIELER-picked up on a free, I had massive hopes for him. He should have been a lot better. His performances were terrible, no matter what level the opposition. He knows the English game and language. Got 7.5 mil for him though, from Southampton, which I am chuffed about, but I think also shows his real value, if he can perform for them.

BACARY SAGNA-only signed in the summer, he is experienced, he is quality, but he just didn’t perform for me at al. Sold back to Arsenal for 400k, so a small profit, and big wages off the finances.

CRISTIAN TELLO-left on loan. Again, everything says he should be quality, but he has been our worst player without a doubt, no one wanted to buy him, so he leaves on a loan. I am hoping he can pick his form up and comeback in to them team.

DIACKO FOFANA-a young prospect I was sure would become our future right back, and a great player. He didn’t perform for me, and I decided to sell him to generate some funds, as I didn’t see him progressing at all.

INS

JAMES WARD-PROWSE-highly rated English player at the start of the game. Hasn’t played much for Southampton, I hope to help him progress with Reading, and being English he knows our game and is a home grown talent.

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE-LOAN-I do have enough forwards in the squad, so I got Benteke in on loan. He hasn’t been that good for Villa in game, but IRL he is awesome!

JACK RODWELL-LOAN-29 now, but experienced and quality. English as well, Should be solid for me.

WILFRIED ZAHA-the current IRL “hot property”. Signed in game from West Ham for 2 mil, he career has not progressed as it seems to be going IRL.I hope we can give him a push and get the best out of him. Also English.

JANUARY

2 defeats, 3 draws and 2 wins, including a 5-1 victory in the FA Cup 3rd round against Oldham. Inconsistent form still.

THE REST OF THE SEASON!

I will keep this short and sweet. WE HAVE BEEN SHIT! In 13 Games we have 2 wins, 3 draws and 8 defeats!
I am worried I might be sacked, which I couldn’t argue with. I am also feeling demoralised in game, due to the player performances and results, nothing I am doing seems to work.
I hope to keep my job, but we will see what the board say. Board confidence is low.
I manage to keep Reading up, finishing 15th, 4 points above the relegation zone.

I feel happy that I kept Reading up, and I hope the Board give me time to turn things around next season.
The Board are disappointed with my performance though, and confidence is very low.

BUT

They must have seen something in me, as I am offered a NEW BLOODY CONTRACT!
THIS SHOCKS ME! But I am delighted!
I again try to get rid of the attacking football board promise, but I finally agree to have it in the contract, and bump my wages up to £52,000 a week 

Given the season I have just had, which I felt was disappointing, and we went backwards, even though I have made Reading a stable Premier League Club, I am not going to argue to much with the board, and gladly accept the new contract.
Shane Long is happy that I am staying on, which is good, because player confidence in me has been low.
My season savours have really been the home grown Reading talent, which I am proud of, as I think I have helped them develop.
Sean Morrison and Alex Pearce form the centre back partnership. Will Hughes has been excellent in centre midfield.
Isaac Cuenca has been our best player, while Jordan Obita has risen through our ranks to claim and hold the left wing slot.
ALFIE has scored the goals to keep us up, along with Shane Long and Chicha.

Isaac Cuenca’s form, in a poor season, has been noticed, and Villarreal come in with a 7.5mil offer for him, which I decide to accept.

I kept my job, some of the young talent from our academy cemented their positions, and I kept us up, while getting a new contract.
Poor season, Great ending!

nice one

2017-2018

TRANSFERS IN
So I come to the summer of 2017-2018, aiming to build a team that will push us up the table from 15th, hoping to really get just outside the European places, and if lucky enough, in to the euro places.
The first thing I see is that

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has been released by Spurs. His form and goals have been amazing, so even though he is 33, I will be trying to persuade him to join Reading. He will add experience and goals to the team, and also depth. 110 goals for Spurs in 4 season’s game play!
I manage to get him to sign for us, and given his reputation, I see the commercial shirt sales increased!
Being Reading, I am again looking for unwanted players from the free transfer market, and also cheaper talent, although I have some funds.

Another player I manage to get in on a free is
JAVI GARCIA, from City. He is 30 now, and hasn’t played much football for City, but he will add good ability to the team, in the defensive midfield slot.

MICHEL VORM-900K-34 years old now, but still quality, and after the crap performances by my keepers last season I am hoping Vorm can be quality.

ALEXANDER KACANIKLIC-7.5M-big signing on the, for a lot of money for Us. Leicester went down, but I feel he can add some proper quality and progress with us.

SCOTT SINCLAIR-4M-another English star who has hardly played for a while, he is versatile, and can play on the wing or upfront. I hope to get him firing again.

JACK RODWELL-FREE-after his decent loan spell, I decided to sign him, as he was on a bosman.

KARIM FREI-FREE-a real quality youngster who I hope to develop and push onwards and upwards. Beat some top clubs to sign him.

JETRO WILLEMS-5M-needed a left back, and had my eye on Willems for a while now. His form is ok, and his reputation has gone down a bit, but I hope he will be quality for me and become a first team left back.
And then……………….

WESLEY SNEIJDER-FREE-another top player, who even though 33, is still a big name, who I hope will add quality to the team and experience.

SERGIO CANALES-FREE-26 years old, and on a free!! I really didn’t need him, but I couldn’t resist, at 26, and on a free, his future is still bright, and I could at least sell him for guaranteed profit if it comes to that.

PRE-SEASON
This leads us in to pre-season, where we remain undefeated until our last game against Palace. T was a decent pre-season overall, and sets us up well for the season. URZZZZZZ!
Going in to the league games though, I face Chelsea, City and Liverpool in the first 3 premier league games.

AUGUST
I expectably lose to Chelsea, but get as great 0-0 draw v City. We also beat Barnsley in the league cup.

SEPTEMBER
Liverpool are our next league opponents, and we lose 2-0, which is a bit disappointing as I think we should be challenging then.
The next game up is West Ham, away, and we win………. 8-1!! EIGHT-1!!!! DELIGHTED! A great game in which Hernandez grabs a hat trick, abebayor gets a brace, while long, frei and rodwell all get themselves a goal. GREAT AWAY RESULT!

This result and performance leads to my boys filling the team of the week
I have switched back to a 4-4-2, which I hope will get us more goals and decent results.

OCTOBER
Hernandez wins the player of the month award, and we also sit in the high and prominent position of 4th in the league, great start!
The Board are very happy with me now, which makes me feel good, as I feel I have rewarded them with sticking with me last season, and also giving me a new contract.

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Heading in to and past the xmas period, we really step up our game and form, going 7 games without defeat, beating Man United 2-0 & Everton 3-0. This run ends with 3 defeats in a row, including a loss to Arsenal and one to Birmingham, which is disappointing.

Sean Morrison picks up the player of the month award for November.

I have identified 2 new signings, brought to my attention by the scout team.
Firstly is

CHRISTIAN KANGA, a centre back playing with Club Brugge, who is from the Cameron, and obviously a regen. Valued at 200k, I think I can snap him up on a cheap deal, and his current ability and potential make this a deal I see as one I must complete. In the negotiations, Club Brugge are very strong, and I can only agree a fee of 10mil, for a player valued at 200k. It is a big money deal for the club, I have the finances in place, and although it could be a risk, I think he can become world class, so I take a chance and stack my reputation on it, completing the deal for 10mil.

The second signing is

DMITRIY MIROSHKIN-another regen, who can play centre back, defensive midfield and centre midfield, so is versatile, and is a great prospect. I agree a deal of 5million to get him in. He is young, and I think will be awesome.

JANUARY
To help balance the books, which have taken a bigger hit than I expected with the incoming transfer I have lined up, I decide to sell JAMES WARD-PROWSE to Liverpool for 5mil. He is a good young talent, but has never really developed in to the player I wanted him to be, and I do have a good crop of English talent. He isn’t getting much game time and has questioned that, so it makes sense all round.

We started the New Year with a epic 3-3 draw with Chelsea. The next game was 5-2 against West Brom in the FA Cup, followed by a defeat, a hammering really, to Liverpool 4-1. At the end of the month we beat Barnsley 1-0 in the FA Cup 4th round to progress.
At this point, we are still doing well in the league and progressing in the cup, I have decent expectations at the moment.

FEBRUARY & MARCH
The decent expectations I have for this season are taken away from me, in 2 months which can only be described as catastrophic. We go on a 6 game run without a win, losing to Chelsea, Blackburn and Stoke, getting thrashed by Stoke 5-2! This see us slide down the table, still hovering around the mid table area, so it’s not too bad, but I expected us to kick on.
We break the bad run with an unexpected 1-0 win against a very good Tottenham side.
Unfortunately this doesn’t stop a poor run, we lose the next 3 games to Man United, West Brom and Fulham.

APRIL
With some tweaks and tactical tinkering, I manage to pull off a turnaround in our fortunes, and the teams starts to solidify a mid table finish, with a great April.
We win every game in April, 4 wins in a row, beating the likes of Everton and Sunderland.

MAY
The good run continues with a decent draw, which is followed by 2 season ending defeats.


SEASON END

We finish 11th.

A season that was up and down, as they always seem to be. But an improvement on the position last year is progress, some good signings have been made for the future I hope, we have pulled off some great victories, and for decent spell we have proven to be a good side in the premier league, and I think if we can stop some of the inconsistent form, and turn some loses in to draws or wins, a European position is within our grasp, which is my ultimate aim.
But once again we are a stable premier league club, everyone is happy all round.

JAVIER CHICHARITO HERNANDEZ
This guy is a legend, IRL and on the game 
He has broken the record for goals scored in a season for Reading, he has set a new man of the match record for Reading 10 games. And sets a new average rating for the season.
He comes 3rd in the Premier League top goalscorers SCORING 31 LEAGUE GOALS!
AND HIS STATS FOR THE SEASON IN ALL COMPS OF 32 GAMES-34 GOALS!!!
He also won the player of the year trophy that was never in doubt!

WORLD CUP 2018 CALL UPS
JORDAN OBITA-NIGERIA
JAVIER HERNANDEZ-MEXICO
DMITRIY MIROSHKIN-BELARUS
JACK RODWELL-ENGLAND
KERIM FREI-TURKEY
CHRIS GUNTER-WALES

Alexander Kacaniklic won a trophy, as such. Worst signing of the season.

The players who did me proud this season were:
Winston Reid-Alex Pearce-Sean Morrison-Jack Rodwell-Karim Frei-Jordan Obita-Rafinha-Emmanuel Adebayor-Adam Le Fondre-Shane Long-Javier Hernandez.

2018-2019

Heading in to my 7th season in charge, I really hope to make a proper challenge in the league for a European position.
We finished 11th last season, but Hernandez was on fire. I think that if I can stop the inconsistent form a little, and get Hernandez firing again, there is no reason why a top 10 finish, the highest I will have achieved while at Reading, is not possible, but I aim to try and push just above that, in to 7th or 8th, and in to the Europa League. It will be tough.

My cash flow is very good, I am very good with wages, I look to get players in for free or cheap if I can, and I don’t spend much, while I also try to make money by selling players, most of the time for a profit.
I plan to use some of the money available to strengthen the team, especially in the full back positions, which I have always felt are my weakest link.

SUMMER TRANSFER IN

ALVARO PEREIRA-FREE-33 what I would consider world class left back, and a world class signing. A real coup for Reading, and a top quality left back, who will be a great tutor as well.

STEVEN CAULKER-FREE-released by Spurs, he hasn’t really fulfilled his potential, but I couldn’t resist getting him in on a free transfer, He will add competition and depth to the centre back position, and maybe fulfil his talent with us. Also English.

ALEX SMITHIES-FREE-another young and fine English signing, he was released by Newcastle. Undoubted talent but didn’t get much game time there, I was undecided whether to bring him in, but I decided as he was young and English, to sell Vorm and use McCarthy and Smithies as my keepers, with young academy product Jake Knight as back up to them both.

OUT
The only really notable player leaving is Michel Vorm, for 1mil to QPR.

FRIENDLIES
This for me is a big season, so I want to get my tactics and team correct from the word go.
Pre season goes shit, not other word for it really. Ok I made numerous changes and tweaks to formations and players, but I don’t win one pre season game, losing to some really average teams, and drawing to Basingstoke, a last minute friendly I set up to gain confidence for the squad.
NOT THE START I HAD IN MIND.

AUGUST

Why oh why did I doubt myself and the boys, pre season means nothing!
First game, in a fixture list that is not kind, we beat Liverpool. WE DONT BEAT LIVERPOOL, WE THRASH LIVERPOOL! IN A GREAT GAME. MY GREATEST RESULT ID SAY. 6-3 WIN FOR READING.
Kerim Frei grabs himself a goal, whilst an OG and four Hernandez goals complete our goal scoring feats.
This is the start I dreamed of, and Hernandez is banging the goals in already, I hope he keeps it up.

Next game up is Man United away, and we just miss out on a draw, losing 1-0, which is no shame at all.

READING 5-1 MACCLESFIELD-we thrash the league 2 side 5-1 in the league cup, to keep up our good form and goal scoring feats

SEPTEMBER

READING 6-1 SUNDERLAND-another great big score, another great big home win, I am ecstatic with how we have started in the league, especially with the crap pre season form.

STOKE 1-2 READING-a great hard win away to Stoke, a team that are very good now in the league.
BIRMINGHAM 3-6 READING-another 6 goal haul, another great away win, we seem to be flying, but we are conceding goals as well, that may be a worry at some point, but as long as we outscore the opposition I am happy, it’s very entertaining football.

READING 2-0 BLACKBURN-solid 2-0 home win in the league cup 3rd round.

READING 2-0 FULHAM-another 2-0 win, keeping clean sheets now, and winning, all equalling a winning formula. That’s 6 wins in a row now in all competitions.

Hernandez wins player of the month, banging in goal after goal.

My young Belarus prospect wins young player of the month, Miroshkin.


And to top it off, I win manager of the month 

We have gone through September unbeaten and sit 3rd in the league, which I am delighted about. If I could keep this form up, I could win the league....... I very much doubt that will happen though, but damn it feels good to be in 3rd spot.

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

My god, can any game or any team lol, drive you as mad as footy manager or Reading!!!
After our fantastic start, we totally go off the boil and slide right down the table to 8th, winning one game in 9 fixtures. TOTAL SHITE!

READING 1-1 ARSENAL- a decent home draw

WEST BROM 3-2 READING-disappointing away defeat

READING 1-3 CHELSEA-crap home defeat, and with chelski in the cup next I wanted to prove our skills against them

CHELSEA 4-0 READING-league cup result-thrashed. Gutted

READING 1-4 MAN CITY-thrashed at home, form and confidence low, need to turn it around

NEWCASTLE 2-6 READING-fantastic away win, at a good team. 2-2 at half time, my team talk inspires a thrashing of king proportions!

WATFORD 4-0 READING-THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST RESULTS EVER. After a 6-2 away win, I go to a poor Watford team really, and expect to win, and win well. We lose 4-0, shocking, and a big team shake up coming after some of the performances today!

READING 1-1 BLACKBURN-another bore draw, we need to start winning again, consistently.



CHRISTMAS TIME-DECEMBER

SWANSEA 1-2 READING-a really good away win, alot of new players given a chance today to stake a claim to a first team spot.

TOTTENHAM 2-1 READING-an expected away defeat, but we competed well and nearly got a great draw

READING 1-0 LEICESTER-a very tight home win, but 3 points on the board.

READING 1-1 VILLA-home draw

QPR 4-3 READING-we should have won this game, but we lost 4-3. Epic game for the neutrals, but disappointing result.

LIVERPOOL 2-4 READING-well my god, I didn’t see this coming, but we travel to Anfield and pull off a shocking and well deserved 4-2 win. Delighted! CHICHA HAT TRICK!
It really is all about Javier Hernandez, and his goals. He wins the December player of the month award. He is now 3- in game. In his prime. Banging goals in every game. I worry what the hell I will do without him one day!




NEW YEAR
The board are delighted with my leadership skills, so things at that level are fine, although I would have liked to see a few more wins on the board and a slightly better league position, we sit 8th, so we have a chance to really kick on here and progress. A good opening period overall.


HOT PROSPECTS LEAVE

Unfortunately, 3 of my up and coming highly rated prospects leave.

JAKE KNIGHT-a future England keeper no doubt, will not renew his contract with me, which ends this coming summer. I try to sell him on to generate some funds, but he will not agree a contract with anyone, I decide it is best for him to move on (he joins Liverpool on a free)

MATTHEW DOWSE-another highly rated youngster who has come through my academy, I had high prospects for him being a top notch centre midfielder which us, and possibly for England. He also gets unhappy with the amount of game time he has had and will not negotiate a new contract. So, again, with his contract finishing in the summer, I sell him on to Liverpool for 5 mil, which is good money.

MATT FOWLER-probably the best prospect of the highly rated trio, he is unhappy due to lack of game time. With chichi banging the goals in, and Long to, I cannot find him game time, he really is, the 5th choice striker, but will be a first teamer once other leave etc. Blackburn come in with a 10million pound offer, which I cannot resist, although he will be a star.
Gutted to lose these 3, as I have helped them progress in their careers, but all of them, for me, got unhappy far too quickly at their perceived lack of game time. The other players in front of them where just on better form and doing better. When given a chance they all did well, but did not do anything to dislodge another player.


JAN TRANSFERS IN

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE-LOAN-grabbed Benteke on loan for a second time, with Fowler gone, I feel I need another striker to provide cover. He spent time on loan with us before and did really well, and when he went back to Villa he got a lot more game time. If he does well again for me, I will broker a deal to sign him, as he will have deserved it.

MICAH RICHARDS-available for 1.5 million from Spurs, he is still only 30 years old, and will come in the team to be the number one right back. A class player who has international experience and a lot of titles, he will be a star signing for my defence.

NEIL TAYLOR-Again I grab Taylor from Spurs, for 3 million. Alvaro Periera looks to be leaving at the end of the season, as I cannot agree a new contract with him. Jetro Willems is out injured, so I see this as good business now, and for the future.

JORDAN RHODES-Adam Le Fondre will be leaving in the summer, and Long is getting older, so I think Rhodes is a great deal for 2.5 million. He has scored a lot of goals in the championship and the premier league for Blackburn, but for some reason is out of favour, so I snap him up for a cheaper deal than I had tried once before.

SVEN BENDER-29 year old German international, available for peanuts from Dortmund. I rate him highly IRL, so the deal is a bargain as far as I am concerned, 900k. He will fill the come in and provide competition in centre midfield.

GAEL BIGIRIMANA-LOAN-another centre midfielder, this time in on loan from Newcastle. He is highly rated IRL, but hasn’t lived up to that in game. I don’t really need him, but I thought I would offer him a loan deal, to provide backup cover, and a chance to earn a permanent deal if he can prove to be decent enough.

With Taylor and Richards coming in to the team, I decide to try and sell CHRIS GUNTER, who has been a great consistent servant, but rarely spectacular. No one agrees to buy him, so he joins Espanyol on LOAN.

I also loan out the highly rated youth Spanish international FRANCISCO MANUEL SEGURA to Getafe. I think he will be a first teamer soon, and I hope he gets games to make the transition.


JANUARY

READING 1-2 MAN UNITED-tight home defeat, bedding in some new players

SUNDERLAND 3-2 READING-another tight game with a lot of goals, Benteke has started in the first team and is scoring.

READING 1-2 ARSENAL-FA Cup 3rd round. Another tight game, 3 defeats in a row, all by one goal.

READING 0-1 STOKE-another defeat, 4 in a row now, another 1 goal defeat, to Stoke. Tight margins. Again bedding in new players, so I expect the form to turnaround soon.

FULHAM 1-4 READING-finally break the losing streak to thrash Fulham away, and I hope this leads to a solid run for the team, and we can push up the league, its make or break time now.

FEBRUARY

ARSENAL 5-2 READING-I scored two goals... but let in 5. I will never beat Arsenal, no matter what I do.

READING 3-1 BIRMINGHAM-a really good home win, the league is very tight, with only a few points in it between 5th and 10th, we sit 8th still. The top 3 are miles ahead, then there is a pack, READING INCLUDED 

READING 3-1 WEST BROM-another 3-1 win at home, its tight, its tense, GAME ON


KERIM FREI breaks the Reading assist record in the league, and its only February. He had set the previous record too, and it will only get higher.


WONDERKID MATT FOWLER-yes the Matt Fowler from my academy that I sold for 10 mil, wins the youth player of the month award, and is now valued at 12.25million, I sold him for 10million.


CHRISTIAN BENTEKE-has scored 4 goals in 6 games, with 2 assist, really performing well and has added another goal threat to the team, a near certainty for a permanent move, depending on various other factors.

The Board are still delighted with me, and we sit in 8th position. 4 point off 5th, with 10 crucial games to come.

MARCH

READING 2-3 EVERTON-not the start I had imagine for the BIG PUSH, but we only lost by one goal.
MAN CITY 2-1 READING-an expected defeat, I had written this game off already.
READING 2-0 NEWCASTLE-a massive win for us

APRIL

READING 2-1 WATFORD-another massive win, another vital 3 points in our big push for Europe!

BLACKBURN 2-3 READING-what a turnaround this game was. 2-0 down at half time, our ex academy graduate helping to put us 2-0 down, I slam the team at half time, make subs, and the team wins 3-2, in a vital and incredible game. These games are killing me!!

READING 0-0 SWANSEA-a bore draw, I really thought we needed the win, but other teams are dropping points as well

LEICESTER 0-2 READING- a big 3 points, a BIG away win. 4 GAMES LEFT. 4 MASSIVE GAMES.

During April, Hernandez over takes both Adam Le Fondre and Shane Long to become the Reading FC top league goal scorer, which is a great achievement, done in such quick time, but he is an absolute BEAST this season, and last. Without him, we would be doing a lot worse. ONE MEAN TEAM? NEAR ENOUGH! Hernandez also picks up a new Reading FC record, breaking the man of the match records for a season, with 4 games left to go.

CHRISTIAN KANGA also wins young player of the month for April, forming a strong solid wall in defence with SEAN MORRISON.




MAY
4TH GAME LEFT ASTON VILLA 2-READING 4-another fantastic away performance and win. 3 massive points on that board.
3RD GAME LEFT READING 1-0 TOTTENHAM-never did I expect to win this game, Tottenham always beat me, but everyone is bang in form, in a strong and consistent first 11, a team of warriors, hunting down Europe I hope. MASSIVE WIN. MASSIVE.

2ND GAME LEFT CHELSEA3-6 READING-I ACTUALLY AM LOST FOR WORDS. This is the biggest result in our history. Away to Chelsea, who sit 3rd in the league, we score 6 bloody goals, and although we let in 3, we romp home. Everyone in the team is on fire, Hernandez can’t stop scoring, Will Hughes is back in the team and banging them in, everyone is playing amazing, this is our best run in my 7 years here, I am actually over the bloody moon. WOOOOOOOOOOOOO



1 GAME LEFT V QPR. WE SIT 5TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SHITTING IT!!!!!!

HERNANDEZ now has 37 league goals for the season, with 1 game to go!


CHECK OUT THAT FORM FOR THE FIRST 11!!!!


READING FC 3-0 QPR-AND WE DID IT. THE UNTHINKABLE. THE AMAZING. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS IN MY FOOTY MANAGER HISTORY, LITTLE OLD READING FINISH 5TH! HEROES. UNEXPECTED. DELIGHTED. DELIERIOUS!!!!!


2018-2019 THE SEASON THAT MADE US

5TH IN THE LEAGUE. 20 WINS-5 DRAWS-13 DEFEATS +22 GD-65 POINTS

HERNANDEZ IS THE LEAGUES TOP GOALSCORER WITH 38 GOALS

KERIM FREI FINISHES 4TH IN THE MOST ASSISTS WITH 17.
MOST MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS GOES TO JAVIER CHICHARITO HERNANDEZ!

WE HAD/HAVE THE BEST FORM IN THE LEAGUE. 5 WWWWW IN A ROW. WOOOOOOO

THE DIVISIONS 3RD HIGHEST GOALSCORERS.
HERNANDEZ’S 38 GOALS IN THE LEAGUE IN ONE SEASON IS A NEW PREIMER LEAGUE RECORD!


Look at the form of that first 11, and subs! WOW! IT CLICKED BIG TIME!

The seasons best players were: SHANE LONG-JAVIER HERNANDEZ-SEAN MORRISON-CHRISTIAN BENTEKE-CHRISTIAN KANGA-KERIM FREI-JORDAN OBITA-ALEX PEARCE-ADAM LE FONDRE-DMITRIY MIROSHKIN-MICAH RICHARDS-JETRO WILLEMS-WINSTON REID-RAFINHA-JEM KARACAN-a real team effort, but the main man, was undoubtedly Hernandez, without his goals, this would not have been possible.

WTF AM I GOING TO DO WITHOUT HIM ONE DAY I DO NOT KNOW!

Finishing 5th in the league beats the highest position Reading have ever finished, which was 8th, under Steve Coppell back in the day.


ANDREW SHOESMITH-MANAGER OF THE YEAR! DELIGHTED! CHUFFED. STUNNED. HAPPY.

Hernandez makes the team of the year, there was no doubting that after 38 league goals.
The Board are very pleased with me. We did well in all competitions, especially the premier league, which they say is a fantastic finish.

They are delighted with Benteke’s loan signing, and also Will Hughes’s form.
Season confidence is all high, and all green 
I fulfilled the board promises very well, including finally getting some of that attacking football going!

The cash flow looks god for the next season, given our high finish and very good 22 mil prize money for it. Plus the good transfer income and low spend age.

One of the best games I have ever had in footy manager. I am welland truly addicated no doubt. And This has been one of the best ahceivements. Big ups and downs along the way. But well worth it now.

I really don’t know if it will be possible to match this again, let alone beat it, so I will se what the board offer as expectations, because it could be tricky if they are set to high.
EUROPEAN FOOTBALL AS WELL.
A new dawn. A new era

URZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

2019-2020

Big season, big expectations.

The board have set a minimum request of a top table finish. This will be a tough ask, but if I can buy and sell well, improve the squad quality, and get Hernandez scoring again, we should manage it.
I think we are also over due a good cup run, and my aim this year is to win a cup, again another tough ask.
I would also like to do well in Europe. Not win the Europa league, but maybe progress to the knockout stages.

Christian Benteke has done enough in his two loans spells to earn a move to Reading. Villa will only accept 5.5 mil, which I agree. Unfortunately for Benteke, I feel he asks for more money and bonuses than he is worth, and the deal cannot go through, I will keep an eye on this, to see if I can resurrect it before the window shuts.

INS

STEVAN JOVETIC-5.5mil-this is a big coup for Reading. He was at Chelsea and not playing so was available for 5.5million, a bargain if you ask me. Top notch striker who will support Hernandez up front and score goals to. Adds real quality to the squad.

ALEX TEIXEIRA-10MIL-another class football, Teixeira is a highly rated Brazilian who has joined us from Shakhtar. His form every year is great, he scores goals and provides assists. Another class signing to add to the squad. I will be looking for him to play on the wings, but he will have to earn his spot, as Obita and Frei are both playing amazingly well at the moment.

KEITA MIYAZAWA-6MIL-23 year old Japan international. Hihgly rated regen, who come from the same academy Kagawa did. Signed from Vit.Guimaraes, his release fee was 6 million. A lot of big clubs were after him, but we sealed the deal. I will use Smithies in goal while Miyazawa settles in the team and country. Once settled, I think he will be world class.

MOHAMED BEN ROMDHANE-FREE-a young attacking midfielder signed on a bosman from Lyon. Brought to my attention by my scouts, this young Frenchman has all the skill and attributes to be a world class attacking midfielder. I will have to adapt a formation to suit him, playing him “in the hole”. This guy has a lot of potential and is a great bosman signing.

OUT

CHRIS GUNTER-he has been a great servant to me, playing as a first team left back or right back over the years. Consistent, and never moans when he has been used as a squad player, I now feel I have better options available to me, so I let him go for a smaller fee than I would have liked, so he can continue his fine career, joining West Ham.

JEM KARACAN-Jem approached me a few times last season, telling me “he had achieved al he wanted” at Reading. I told him I would let him go at the end of the season, which I have. Another great consistent servant. He joins West Brom.

SERGIO CANALES-a big name player who never really managed to hit the heights with me, although to be fair he had limited chances, but I felt he did get enough opportunities to impress. A move will do him well I think. He joins Newcastle on Loan.

WILFRIED ZAHA-a player who never fulfilled his potential with me, or any other club. He has been out on a few loans, and now joins Birmingham

ALEX MCCARTHY-my joint number 1 keeper last season with Smithies, he is an academy product. But I felt Smithies will play as my number one until my new Japanese keeper settles in, so McCarthy won’t get a chance to play. He goes out on loan to Chelsea, where I don’t think he will play much, but he is obviously rated within the game. Sending him out on loan means I can bring him back if I need to.

CRISTIAN TELLO-a player I had very high hopes for. He did well for me sometimes, but overall I would say he has been a disappointment. I expected him to be the best player from Barca I had signed when I brought Tello, Rafinha and Cuenca in. But I would easily say he was the worst in the end, performance wise. Rafinha is still with m and is a first team regular and also a very good squad player. Cuenca’s form earned him a 7.5 mil move to Villarreal. Tello leaves for Deportivo. 4.3mil is also a good fee.

JORDAN RHODES-signed for 2 million odd, sold for 6 million. Very good business in my eyes. He come in to the club last January, and I expected him to play more than the 3 league games he did end up getting, but the form of Hernandez, Benteke and Long kept him out of the team. He had questioned why he wasn’t playing many games, and I said I would get him a move on. Very happy with the profit made. I would have kept him and played him, but bringing in Jovetic means he is easily 4th choice striker. With Rhodes now leaving, I can either use my young Spanish striker Joaquin, who I signed when he was 16, he is now 21, as my 4th choice striker. Or still broker a deal for Benteke.




MAKING THE STEP UP
I have sent out a lot of my youngsters on loan, as always, to help them develop. But I have decided to promote a few of them to the first team set up.

MIGUEL JOAQUIN-21 year old Spanish striker, who I signed when he was 16. His talent and potential has always been there for everyone to see. He already made his debut for me at 16, and scored for us. Now is his chance to come in to the first team set up. Shane Long is 32 now, and Hernandez is 31, so I will need Jaoquin son to be a first choice striker, and I hope he can become the world class player I think he can be.

RUDDI TIMMERMANS-young Belgian player who I singed a few years ago now. He has been out on loan and played well. Now is his chance to show me what he can do. He is 22 now, so this season will decide really whether I keep him around as a squad player, or move him on. Will play on the wings when giving a chance.

ENDRIT ABAZI-another winger, slightly younger than the other two that have been promoted. He may well still go out on loan yet, but while he is here, I will give him some friendly action, to see what he has got in his locker.

The Board I am also delighted to announce, has offered me a new contract. I have agreed 60k a week in wages, keeping the same promises as before.