BarryLFC

Just training in the Maracaná the night before the game was incredible. Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand were the only absentees, so Sol Campbell slotted in at the back with Frank Lampard playing left and Wright-Phillips supporting the strikers.

We were a little off the pace in a scoreless first half, and badly exposed after the break as a dodgy penalty and clinical second from Luis Fabiano condemned us to my first defeat as England manager, 21 months into the job.

On the whole, however, it had been an educational and inspiring trip. The World Cup was in Europe and we might not have to play Brazil anyway. At least we could hope not.

Some technical rules meant this would be our last game for three months until the tournament proper, and so I arranged for a series of training camps in the lead up to the tournament. For now though, my thoughts returned to the club arena, and to Reading.

retired_jgirl87

HD, it seems like you're handing out caps willy-nilly. I suppose it is based on form at club level.

I'll be interested to see your squad for the World Cup Finals. KUTGW :thup:

BarryLFC

Thanks. I wouldn't say willy-nilly. Initially I based my original squad selection on form and availability. Thereafter I tried to work with a nucleus of about 15-20 players, with alternates coming in only due to injuries and suspension. I've also tried to blood some youngsters who will be looking to break through in the upcoming years. The only cap I'd say wasn't 'earned' was Rungratsamee, which was just me indulging myself a little. I doubt he'll feature for the full side unless he becomes a Premiership starter.

BarryLFC

Of course the other unusual one is Rehman. He was selected initially when he won Young Player of the Month two or three months in a row just coming up to a squad being named, coupled with injuries in that position (I think either Hargreaves or King was unavailable) and did well enough to stay in contention.

shannon2007

Yes but even so, the way you've presented that is excellent, looks like being an award winner

mrsevans7177

Interesting take on the England job, i've seen many an international attempt fall by the wayside, but this one seems to be well on track (accompanied by an excellent club sideshow).

KUTGW :thup:

BarryLFC

Reading (Tertio)

After disappointing defeats to Sunderland (3-0) and Southampton (1-0) my side bounced back with back to back to back wins over Norwich, Rotherham and Nottingham Forest, before rounding off the season by drawing 0-0 with West Ham and beating Preston 2-0 on their own ground.

The Norwich game was perhaps the most noteworthy as it is easily identifiable as a key turning point. Defeat in that fixture could well have seen us struggle over the finish line, but despite having Doriva sent off after only 24 minutes and losing David Lilley to injury in the first half we battled well and were rewarded with an injury time winner from Dave Kitson.

Seemingly spurred on by that the boys romped to a 3-0 win at Millmoor. Joseph Job dropped behind the strikers and was rewarded for his willingness with the opening goal, his first for the club. Rohan Ricketts added a second before half time and evergreen forward Marcus Stewart made it three after the break.

Our City Ground encounter with Forest was more of a battle than a football match. The home side were already down to ten men and had used all three subs when keeper Ian Deakin was sent off in conceding a 70th minute penalty. Left back Alan Rogers took over in goal, but couldn't repel Marcus Stewart's effort. Nevertheless Forest came roaring back with 9 men and levelled through Rogers himself as he unusually ventured forwards for a 72nd minute corner, perhaps forgetting he was the goalie. Joseph Job was then dismissed with 13 minutes to go, but as time expired Rohan Ricketts broke away and squeezed in a shot that struck the post and trundled to a halt on the goalline! The quickest reactions belonged to legendary forward Les Ferdinand, and he claimed the winner, the fourth vital injury time goal the club ha scored since I took over.

The West Ham encounter was a typical end of season encounter as the sides tallied six shots between them, at least half off target, and neither keeper had much to do to earn his clean sheet bonus. Preston could perhaps have been expected to show more fight in the season's final fixture, but Darren Campbell's first goal under me and a Doriva penalty had the points wrapped up by midway through the first half.

The good closing run saw us finish ninth, a comfortable 21 points above relegated Cardiff in 22nd and just eight behind Derby, the last playoff qualifier. We had faced four of the sides above us in my time at the club, losing to second placed Sunderland and seventh side Southampton, drawing at West Ham who ended fifth and beating Forest who also qualified for the playoffs in fourth. It had been a satisfactory run, but for now the question of whether I'd be back was put to one side and all attention turned to the World Cup in Germany, which the press had decided was England's to throw away...

BarryLFC

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts 1st C Crystal Palace 46 25 9 12 72 52 +20 84 2nd P Sunderland 46 21 17 8 69 45 +24 80 3rd P Leicester 46 21 16 9 62 45 +17 79 4th Nottm Forest 46 20 16 10 65 51 +14 76 5th West Ham 46 21 12 13 57 37 +20 75 6th Derby 46 22 9 15 62 50 +12 75 7th Southampton 46 20 12 14 69 56 +13 72 8th Bristol C 46 20 10 16 65 69 -4 70 9th Reading 46 18 13 15 59 50 +9 67 10th Ipswich 46 18 12 16 54 50 +4 66 11th Gillingham 46 17 15 14 63 61 +2 66 12th Leeds 46 18 11 17 60 48 +12 65 13th Norwich 46 18 9 19 61 52 +9 63 14th Plymouth 46 15 18 13 63 63 0 63 15th Coventry 46 15 15 16 52 50 +2 60 16th Crewe 46 16 9 21 60 65 -5 57 17th Oldham 46 14 14 18 46 54 -8 56 18th Stoke 46 15 9 22 49 66 -17 54 19th Peterborough 46 14 10 22 44 61 -17 52 20th Preston 46 14 7 25 50 65 -15 49 21st Millwall 46 12 12 22 46 63 -17 48 22nd R Cardiff 46 10 16 20 46 65 -19 46 23rd R Brighton 46 11 11 24 42 75 -33 44 24th R Rotherham 46 11 10 25 48 71 -23 43 </pre>

BarryLFC

Note to Self: Italics and Code don't mix.

retired_kevmaurice

Good to see sunderland promoted!
Love the story
You seem to have a lot of good players at Reading im guessing getting them on frees? Just a quick question what time do clubs usually release players on frees?