George Flood

Senior digital sport editor @theLDNstandard. Personal account - views are mine alone.

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

@Houlton11 Baffles me. Symptomatic of managers at this level needlessly overcomplicating things. Hunt did it too

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

@Houlton11 Cannot stand it! Unnecessary and needlessly overcomplicated. Does nobody any favours, least of all the likes of Lane when he makes no impact inside

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Praise deserved for 106 day, nice to indulge in warm nostalgia after last few years. But hard not to take note of stark contrasts. Football has moved on a lot, but it was a team built on very smart recruitment, simplicity and playing on the front foot. All lacking now #readingfc

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Lincoln very efficient at what they do but didn't have to get out of first gear. Kyerewaa's pace the only thing that unsettled them first half, why not throw Young on instead of Lane there and show some intent? No excuses for Keane getting in ahead of Patton now #readingfc

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Couldn't have been more disappointed with that, even given the standard of opposition. Early goal killed any belief and it felt like just going through the motions thereafter. Toothless, lethargic, bizarrely passive and zero intensity at such a crucial time. So poor #readingfc

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

The usual ever-worsening glut of injuries to key players absolutely cannot be ignored, but the whole system and approach just felt wrong. All feels so micromanaged and needlessly overcomplicated with square pegs in round holes everywhere. No ingenuity or ambition #readingfc

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Absolutely incredible finish again, my word. Hopefully a huge confidence boost for Kelvin and another major impact from Ritchie. The momentum and narratives with this #readingfc team shift so fast it makes your head spin! They are well in this race

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Credit to Yiadom as well - was very poor against Wycombe but thought he really helped to drive #readingfc on today. Ward obviously has a big future. Great moments for Lane and Ritchie at last, though baffled me how long it took LR to send some of the subs on once they were ready

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Everything else aside, how good was that last 10 minutes today? Extra sweet considering the late lapses lately. Might be on an island with this but particularly given the players they are missing, I thought parts of that overall #readingfc performance were better than expected

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Thought Wing was very good today. A largely frustrating day for Kelvin but he looked far better when they went two up top with Patton, who had some bright moments. As others have said, would like to see #readingfc use some version of that system moving forward without Marriott

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

No Young or Keane either... Baffled by Rinomhota still not making the bench considering Fraser, Wing and Savage start every week with no cover #readingfc

[Reading FC @ReadingFC]

🚨TEAM NEWS🚨

Two changes for this afternoon's visit from Bradford City.

Sean Patton is in the matchday squad after being recalled from his impressive loan spell at Aldershot Town. Welcome back, Sean!

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

@AndyRFCCharman I was wondering this too. I know that's how it usually works, but wondered if it was a different case for shorter-term (ish) loans to non-league clubs?

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Dreadful news (if accurate) for #readingfc in terms of Marriott - an incredible run for one of the most impactful signings I can remember. Keane's fitness struggles leaves them so short. Patton looks really bright but such a shame to have to cut short such a productive loan spell

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Almost got away with it again there somehow, but #readingfc can have absolutely zero complaints when they don't. Second half was so negative it almost bordered on comical at times. Particularly frustrating when they had moments of looking dangerous in the first half. So confusing

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

@SimFromBucks Agreed. Perfectly combines ruthless instinctiveness, intelligence and opportunism. His experience shines through and he's shown plenty of great technique with his finishes.

Well on his way to becoming my favourite #readingfc striker since Kermorgant!

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Not just the volume and regularity of Marriott's goals that impresses, but also the array of methods and clever finishes. Thrives on service, makes things for himself and punishes errors. #readingfc's most potent scorer for years and one of the best impact signings I can remember

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

But also rarely have #readingfc's fortunes rested so heavily on the shoulders of one man. Absolutely imperative that he stays fit.

[Greg Double @Dubstep1988]

A lot of negativity on the timeline today, so here’s the positive cleanse.

✅ three points
✅ Marriott
✅ Benn Ward
✅ league table
✅ size of squad
✅ standard of opposition
✅ presence of luck

Negatives also very present, but it’s sad to forget the good. #readingfc

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Wigan fans said that they won L1 under Richardson without ever being easy on the eye. I go back and forth on this but, although it will likely never be pretty, I do have cautious optimism that over a full season he will have #readingfc grinding out enough wins to be in the mix

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Perhaps this is inaccurate given how early it still is in his tenure, and he will obviously need a full pre-season and another properly planned transfer window, but I get the feeling that what we're witnessing now is essentially the Richardson experience in a nutshell. #readingfc

[George Flood @GeorgeFlood24]

Richardson has proof of success with his approach in a league where most games are a very attritional watch, so deserves the benefit of the doubt in that respect. To have #readingfc on the outskirts of the play-off conversation given where we were when he arrived is no mean feat