well what a good afternoon that was probably only around 200 of our fans turned out to support us - even the London Tykes were conspicuously absent - I only saw a couple there First half I thought we did quite well - not much to chose between the sides both having a few half chances but nothing much clear cut great strike from Davis producing a good save and corner from which Fozzie seemed to have a completely free header to driect in somehow we passed the ball well but Reading gave us a bit more time than we had against southampton. Steele had a couple of regulation saves to make but 1-0 at half time wasnt unresonable - we definitely wouldnt have deserved to be behind Second half a different story for 25 mins we were under a siege and it was only a matter of time until we conceded the ref who had been fair first half suddenly seemed to have a hooped top on as well so whenever we did win the ball all the Royals had to do was fall over to get a free kick and posession We seemed to be just about coping when Reading were awarded a penalty - cant really argue too hard as Jay Mac left a leg and the reading player made sure he fell over it - doubt we would have got it but fair enough Steele to the rescue with a magnificent save. a few mins later we had to sit through it again - much more dubious though to me it looked like we got the ball and their guy just thew himself to the ground - was stunned to see the ref pointing to the spot again. yet another great save. not long after Steele made the save of the match a Reading corner led to a goalbound header which everyone in the stadium thought was in - but somehow Steele managed to claw it out we finally got out of our half a couple of times and on one occasion Butterfield put an exquisite ball over to Done who finished well - 2-0 and we started to think it might be our day yet again Reading went forwards and McNulty made a clumsy challenge - to me it looked outside the box but penalty number 3 was duly given This time no mistake as the Reading striker ran up and then stopped waiting for Steele to commit himself and then rolled the ball into the other side - not sure its legal but Hayes used to do it for us so cant really complain - other than I didnt thing it was a pen the last 15 mins I expected to be real backs to the wall stuff but we got a second wind and actually looked more likely to score than the Royals with Davis forcing a smart save from Fedeici and then from the resulting corner I think it was Andy Gray (but not sure) headed towards goal requiring an excellent save this time On another day we may have lost but I think we deserved all 3 points today Ratings Steele - 10 Motm - and a superb display didnt put a foot wrong all game and inspired the defence Wisemann - 7 fairly solid got sold a couple of times but most of Readings danger came from the other side Foster - 7 scored and didnt make too many mistakes at the back Edwards - 7 again a decent performance not world class or anything but solid Jay Mac - 4 definitely the weakest player in our back 4 - a couple of crucial interceptions lifts his score but reading had a field day down the left Perkins - 6 - definitely runs around a lot but not sure he achieves too much Sir Bobby 6.5 - not at his best but not in his best position either - the midfield looked better with only the one holding midfielder Butterfield 6 - poor game by his standards but created both our goals absolutely gorgeous ball to Done for the winner Done 7 - looks quite promising took his goal well and generally made a nuiscance of himself Haynes 4 - adequate first half looked like he didnt want to be there second half Davies 8 - not sure right wing is his best position but he looked a championship class player today Subs - McNulty 5 - marginal improvement on Jay mac and gave away the 3rd pen Gray - 6 much improved on Haynes actually looked like he wanted to be out there playing O'Brien 6 - not on for very long but did OK
No way in hell was the 2nd worthy of a pen he fell over the ball. 3rd one harsh too he was tripped outside the box. We probably wouldnt have been awarded any of those!
Steele, top quality keeper and will win us more points than he costs us. Thanks for posting, good to read a proper match report rather than the **** that will be on the BBC.
Have to agree with most of that. Haynes looked like he just didn't care in the 2nd half & was rightly subbed. Only real negative for me today. Yes we rode our luck at times & Kebe caused lots of problems, but overall I felt we dealt with their threat well. Steele was an absolute superstar today. I liked the look of Done & Davies was very promising. You could tell they're still getting to know each over but they'll gel with time & felt they gained in confidence as the game went on. Everyone was positive today and you could see what it meant to the lads, Keith & supporters at the end.
No, Sorry.... No way we deserved all 3 points today. This was one of those aberations which will have the Reading fans talking for years. We were lucky in the extreme, the next game will prove the real worth of Hill; and I'm not expecting it to be much. The more I hear from Hill and the more I see of his team the more I feel his interview technique is far superior to his football management ability. Apologies guys, I don't wish to be morose but this is surely the start of the slide back into the fourth tier...... and possibly beyond.
were you at the game I couldnt agree less some statistics for you <table class="clubLogos" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><thead><tr class="columbusColumnHeader"><td style="text-align:center;"> </td> <td style="text-align:center;">Reading</td> <td style="text-align:center;">Barnsley</td> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Goals :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">1</td> <td style="text-align:center;">2</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Possession :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">58%</td> <td style="text-align:center;">42%</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Shots On Target :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">9</td> <td style="text-align:center;">8</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Shots Off Target :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">5</td> <td style="text-align:center;">2</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Corners :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">6</td> <td style="text-align:center;">7</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Fouls :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">7</td> <td style="text-align:center;">12</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Most Fouls :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">Leigertwood (3)</td> <td style="text-align:center;">McEveley (5)</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Yellow Cards :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">0</td> <td style="text-align:center;">2</td> </tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Red Cards :</td> <td style="text-align:center;">0</td> <td style="text-align:center;">0</td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="3"> </td></tr> <tr class="matchInDepth"> <td style="text-align:left;">Scorers :</td> <td style="text-align:center;" align="center"> <table class="homeScorersTable" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="text-align:right;" nowrap="nowrap">Robson-Kanu 74 (pen)</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td style="text-align:center;" align="center"> <table class="awayScorersTable" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="text-align:left;" nowrap="nowrap">Foster 27 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:left;" nowrap="nowrap">Done 68 </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> I've been to games where one side has dominated had no luck and the other side nicked all 3 points with their only shot on goal This wasnt one of them - I would have felt cheated if we hadnt got at least a point Dont forget that their 9 shots on target includes 3 pens - at least 2 of which were decidedly dubious and a 4th came from a free kick awared when Foster fouled their player back - the ref only saw the Barnsley fouls all second half for some reason
Re: were you at the game Yes indeed. The stats can't hid the difference in quality. Reading had an off day we had the luckiest day for years. Hill is no Championship club manager, his carefully selected squad is ordinary at best. The fans have been crying out for a midfield playmaker for years now; none has appeared. Don't get me wrong, the encouragement will always be there regardless but letsnot paper over the cracks all the time.
We will have to disagree I think you are overdoing it when you say lucky in the extreme But I'm under no illusions that Reading have better players than we do in general terms. I am sure that come next may they will finish above us in the table - if they dont we wont be in a relegation scrap thats for sure. Not getting carried away either but it wasnt as lucky a win as you are painting thats all. apart from the 25 mins at the start of the second half when we couldnt get out of our box - let alone half - we matched them for the other 3/4 of the game Didnt go to Forest but it sounded like we were worth a point Did see us against Southampton and cant decide whether they were a much better side than Reading or if we played a lot better. Its still far too soon to say where we are lilkely to finish this season - I'd be happy with 20th at the moment
Re: We will have to disagree Fair enough, but we WILL have to get better. It's a scary prospect dropping down into the alehouse divisions but this is such a strong division this year that I genuinely fear for our chances and today gave no indication that we can survive. Right now I'd say down with ten games to go, the defence is fragile and the midfield has no ability to act as a conduit to the front line. The second penalty was dubious in the extreme but we still gave two more away; no argument.
Re: We will have to disagree Down with ten games to go? That would mean us being around 30 points adrift of the 4th bottom club after 36 games - meaning we'd need to have a grand totak of something like ten points by the end of March. I think you need to revise your predictions mate!
