Change the record Billy

[the mask of zorro]

He still can't bring himself to give the team any praise.

We can't compete, a 'big' club like Reading, young lads etc etc

Talk about putting a downer on it.

 

[sedgred]

I think this bloke on the matchday thread is spot on

Made me smile................. I often think that about that Sedred bloke

 

[T.B.T.]

I think some people will criticise Billy whatever he says.

I thought his post-match was just about right. Too much praise and we risk complacency, not enough and we're negative.

The only part that I objected to was his reference to the home support. Surely, we're not that bad are we? Great though that he thanked the away fans.

 

[Caly in our Alley]

Billy on the OS:

It is a fantastic result and a great performance in the second half and we thoroughly deserved the three points. The players showed big courage and great determination and showed that we can compete.

 

[Strummer]

Indeed, although he wasn't lavish in his praise, you could tell that Billy was happy (or as happy as he gets!) with the result today.

In his interview, he even had time to thrash McCleary for not taking the ball in to the corner late on in the game!

One thing I've noticed about BD, he doesn't miss a thing!

 

[Nick.]

who cares what Billy says, we have beaten one of the "money clubs"

 

[goatboy]

I thought his post match interview today was ace.

He repeated all the stuff he'd said before. Nice to have a manager who is consistent in his assessment of things in general over a period of a couple of weeks as opposed to ones who have a spiel for a win, a spiel for a loss and a spiel for a draw. And he gave credit where it is due, for good performances. He mentioned McLeary in the context of specific mistakes, however when he does so it is (Mc)clearly to illistrate a point about the job in hand as opposed to a failing in the player. And he's sounding as astute in such observations as the more sensible posters on this forum when it comes to player performances. If there's something basic a player is not yet trained to do, that's obvious to all, and he's stating facts. When he talks about still trying a couple of signings, what I've mentioned before makes me feel inclined to remain optimistic that all efforts are being made.

Certainly anyone tight-fisted in recent months is going to be unwilling to appear so under current scrutiny. Particularly because of Billy's alleged words in the Sun and diplomatic arrogance to the BBC - almost as if he wanted to get the issue of callow transfer market activity out there and then put the issue to rest once the whole world was aware of it. It's quite possible he understands relegation dogfights are a dirty game and he's playing as dirty as he needs to, and knows that the opponents aren't necessarily the eleven players in the other shirts.

Best of all was the question about the ball-boys. Billy's reaction was along the lines of "They've been doing that for years, I've got videos of them doing it from way back". The man's a total football geek, this depth of preparation can only rub off on developing players.

 

[Lee]

That Utah Saints bloke is a complete bastard.

 

[Midland Red]

Billy on the OS:

Don't quote anything he's ACTUALLY said. The Anti-Davies Press Gang on here will hunt you down. :

 

[Strummer]

And he always comes across as knowing exactly what and where the problems are, and he's a prickly bugger too.

Although he's only a little bloke, you just know he'd be useful in a punch-up, if one ever started!

 

[Midland Red]

And he always comes across as knowing exactly what and where the problems are, ad he's a prickly bugger too.

Although he's only a little bloke, you just know he'd be useful in a punch-up, if one ever started!

You wouldn't want to mess with the guy, no.

 

[Erik]

I wonder if it's occured that he's taking pressure off the players by saying all this?

Not least because everyone slags him off for saying it - not the players for losing?

 

[Strummer]

I wonder if it's occured that he's taking pressure off the players by saying all this?

Not least because everyone slags him off for saying it - not the players for losing?

You might be on to something there; Billy is certainly a bit of an amateur psychologist; some of the things he comes out with remind me of Alex Ferguson!

 

[T.B.T.]

Although he's only a little bloke, you just know he'd be useful in a punch-up, if one ever started!

Indeed. He could make a right mess of Wes' knees. :

 

[alfordred]

The only part that I objected to was his reference to the home support. Surely, we're not that bad are we?

Sadly Yes.

 

[mouldy]

He lead us to victory therefore he has done his job.

Think about what he said. I am pleased with the win. Reading are a big side and we have young lads.

Does that not suggest to you he is actually making the praise bigger emphasising the idea that we were the under dogs. He isn't putting them down he is using the facts to really show what an acheivement todays victory was today.

 

[winnits]

I didn't hear Davies, but he could've been referring to the physical side of Reading - as they were big!

 

[the mask of zorro]

I didn't hear Davies, but he could've been referring to the physical side of Reading - as they were big!

He said big club, not big side, I don't know about the rest of you, but suggesting that Reading are a big club and we aren't, rubs me up the wrong way for a start.

 

[winnits]

He said big club, not big side, I don't know about the rest of you, but suggesting that Reading are a big club and we aren't, rubs me up the wrong way for a start.

Well they were in the Premiership last season, we were in League One. That, to me, suggests that in the here and now, they are bigger than us.

The here and now is where Billy should operate. Not in the past.

 

[the mask of zorro]

Ah yes, but to quote all the sheep sha**ers who have been in my face for the last three weeks

"What makes a big club is the size of the support, and as D***y have the 12th highest average attendance in the country, that makes them the 12th biggest club in the country"

 

[winnits]

Why would you take a Derby fan's word for the definition of everything?

 

[the mask of zorro]

sarcasm just doesn't come across on here does it?

 

[Midland Red]

He said big club, not big side, I don't know about the rest of you, but suggesting that Reading are a big club and we aren't, rubs me up the wrong way for a start.

Reading had a couple of fairly adequate years in the Premiership. The Premiership is a world away from this division. Right now they are the bigger club in terms of profile. Be realistic.

 

[winnits]

sarcasm just doesn't come across on here does it?

Hehe.. not always

 

[matt1982]

depends what you mean by 'big' tbh - is it having lots of money?? lots of fans?? lots of success?? a big ground?? a great history?? great manager?? Superstar players?? International recognition?? Probably its a combination of those things. And of course its all relative - Reading arent a big club when compared to the likes of Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea etc or even Sunderland for example , but they are relatively 'big' for the championship, but then so are many teams in this league - many are of a similar stature - even Forest's average gates rival most in this league (and we have a bigger potential fanbase, we just dont have a ground to hold them all, but the CG is an ex premier leage stadium), in fact of the above list the only things that have been lacking for us in recent years is success. And of course ultimately it is success, that breeds most of those other things on the list - more money, more fans, a bigger ground, a more illustrious history, better players, more recognition in the game etc etc.