Reading Post Match Thread

[StanSP]

They're here, they're there, they're every fucking where

EMPTY SEATS! EMPTY SEATS!!

Not surprised that people don't turn up to be honest. They wanna see goals, which they are never gonna get with Reading's strikers!

Thank God they're shit. We would have been fucked over so badly if we came up against better opposition. The guy who missed the rebound of the post

Need to up our game for Friday.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

I think we were very lucky last night, but that is the sign of a great team. Don't play well and come away with three points.

QPR will be a far different test. They've got attacking players who can cause us no end of problems. If we play like we did last night, we will get beat and potentially badly.

Totally agree. I mean in the past we bhave done what Readining did and lose 1-0 so we cant really complain. A good team quite often plays badly and still wins.

A wins a win, i just hope Berner plays on friday. I wouldn't start King either as he was anonymous for the majority of the game.

Berner must play. McGivern looked inexpereiced and in the 2nd half all of their attacks were coming down that side. Routledge would tear him to shreds.

[Dr The Singh]

No doubt after the game people will be saying "Taarabt was surprisingly quiet - but I didn't see King all game".

Honestly, the bloke needs to dye his hair peroxide blonde or something so people see where he is and what he's up to.

Same was said about K S Makhan, but KS didn't need to dye his hair!!

[davieG]

No doubt after the game people will be saying "Taarabt was surprisingly quiet - but I didn't see King all game".

Honestly, the bloke needs to dye his hair peroxide blonde or something so people see where he is and what he's up to.

I'm sure the commentator called King Wellens on 2or 3 occasions.

[Dr The Singh]

I'm sure the commentator called King Wellens on 2or 3 occasions.

SIngh is King, not Wellens!!!

[marbelladave]

For fooks sake give it a rest!!!! Howard came on for barely one half! His hold up play helped us retain the ball to stop them coming at us, he did nothing wrong and yet you still have a pop! I for one wished he had taken the chance at the end to shut the likes of you up. Even if he had of done you would say, he nearly missed it! You are a Howard hater and you can't see the value he brings to the team! He wasn;t on the pitch in the first half but we still hoofed it high to Waghorn, Fryatt and Gallagher, i suppose that was Howards fault too as he was on the bench!

Put these words together Knob and jockey cos that;s what you are!!!! Rant over!!

Perhaps you should learn to read before indulging in childish name calling. Insulting people is a skill that is clearly beyond you.

What part of "Howard was quite effective when he came on, understandable in the circumstances, " did you not understand?

We were playing a long ball game (as I pointed out) and Howard was clearly the right player to bring on at that time. He did what he always does, got to the ball first, held it up etc, etc, but did he create 1 chance? No he did not! He also missed a decent opportunity, not quite a sitter but not that difficult at this level. He did not even hit the target!

I also said "More proof that the long ball to Howard is really not a long term option." Howard is 33 and in decline, care to argue that point?

I appreciate that you are pretty poorly read but I have said on a number of occasions that if we continue, to play a longball game then Howard is pretty much essential, certainly until Yanni improves sufficiently to take his place.

Personally I do not like the longball game as should be obvious from my posts but as it appears to be the only tactic we employed last night, I pointed out tht it was "criminal" to do so without a target man, so I was actually arguing for the inclusion of Howard if we were going to play that style.

[maddog]

Perhaps you should learn to read before indulging in childish name calling. Insulting people is a skill that is clearly beyond you.

What part of "Howard was quite effective when he came on, understandable in the circumstances, " did you not understand?

We were playing a long ball game (as I pointed out) and Howard was clearly the right player to bring on at that time. He did what he always does, got to the ball first, held it up etc, etc, but did he create 1 chance? No he did not! He also missed a decent opportunity, not quite a sitter but not that difficult at this level. He did not even hit the target!

I also said "More proof that the long ball to Howard is really not a long term option." Howard is 33 and in decline, care to argue that point?

I appreciate that you are pretty poorly read but I have said on a number of occasions that if we continue, to play a longball game then Howard is pretty much essential, certainly until Yanni improves sufficiently to take his place.

Personally I do not like the longball game as should be obvious from my posts but as it appears to be the only tactic we employed last night, I pointed out tht it was "criminal" to do so without a target man, so I was actually arguing for the inclusion of Howard if we were going to play that style.

It was simple yesterday.

We won the game with a headed goal, without Howard even on the pitch, we rarely played hoofball, infact if anything we were trying our best to pass nicely but just losing the ball at times.

Only Weale goal kick hoofs, and a few hoofs from Neilson. Howard came on and didn't really do much, whereas Campbell made some very nice runs and nearly got in a few times, was unlucky when he had the shot that deflected wide, and even more unlucky when he almost got in with a long run but ended up cutting inside and losing it.

Campbell offers so much more than Howard if you want to get a goal, and if Pearson continues to give him chances, i'm sure he will get one. I rekon he could be in line for a start if Fryatt is dropped Friday.

[StanSP]

It was simple yesterday.

We won the game with a headed goal, without Howard even on the pitch, we rarely played hoofball, infact if anything we were trying our best to pass nicely but just losing the ball at times.

Only Weale goal kick hoofs, and a few hoofs from Neilson. Howard came on and didn't really do much, whereas Campbell made some very nice runs and nearly got in a few times, was unlucky when he had the shot that deflected wide, and even more unlucky when he almost got in with a long run but ended up cutting inside and losing it.

Campbell offers so much more than Howard if you want to get a goal, and if Pearson continues to give him chances, i'm sure he will get one. I rekon he could be in line for a start if Fryatt is dropped Friday.

I'll admit that he was unlucky.

But he was offside about 3 or 4 times within 5 minutes.

He needs to work on that otherwise fans will just be on his back again that he can't time his runs etc...

[purpleronnie]

Listened online, great win and fair play to the city fans they sang all match, the reading fans were the quietest I've ever heard.

[marbelladave]

It was simple yesterday.

We won the game with a headed goal, without Howard even on the pitch, we rarely played hoofball, infact if anything we were trying our best to pass nicely but just losing the ball at times.

Only Weale goal kick hoofs, and a few hoofs from Neilson. Howard came on and didn't really do much, whereas Campbell made some very nice runs and nearly got in a few times, was unlucky when he had the shot that deflected wide, and even more unlucky when he almost got in with a long run but ended up cutting inside and losing it.

Campbell offers so much more than Howard if you want to get a goal, and if Pearson continues to give him chances, i'm sure he will get one. I rekon he could be in line for a start if Fryatt is dropped Friday.

I am going to take my life in my hands and beg to differ.

I saw a lot of hoof, specially first half. We were under a fair amount of pressure and our back 5 were just hitting it anywhere. When they did get the ball our midfield was put under pressure and again, the forward passes kept going astray.

Once again I really can not see what you so clearly see in DJ. He is quick enough but creates little for his colleagues and really needs to come to terms with the concept of offside. I know his record suggests that he can play but I have yet to see him do so in a City shirt...

I admit that I really did not like the off field nonsense earlier in the year so I am not keen on him from that point of view but even discounting that I would put him behind Waghorn, N'Guessan and Dyer in my pecking order.

[marbelladave]

Listened online, great win and fair play to the city fans they sang all match, the reading fans were the quietest I've ever heard.

As is my usual preference, I got the best seats I could, sitting with the home fans in the main stand. Chatted with a couple of home fans before the game and they are really down and pretty fed up. Lots of moaning and groaning during the game, not much support other than lots of cries for some one called Steve Coppell! Mind you they thought we were not up to much either!

The City fans looked pretty energetic but to be honest were not all that loud from where I was. Decent turnout for a monday with the game live on Sky.

Off to Shepherds Bush friday, could be interesting!

[maddog]

I am going to take my life in my hands and beg to differ.

I saw a lot of hoof, specially first half. We were under a fair amount of pressure and our back 5 were just hitting it anywhere. When they did get the ball our midfield was put under pressure and again, the forward passes kept going astray.

Once again I really can not see what you so clearly see in DJ. He is quick enough but creates little for his colleagues and really needs to come to terms with the concept of offside. I know his record suggests that he can play but I have yet to see him do so in a City shirt...

I admit that I really did not like the off field nonsense earlier in the year so I am not keen on him from that point of view but even discounting that I would put him behind Waghorn, N'Guessan and Dyer in my pecking order.

He wasn't offside that much, and got in a few times onside, Fryatt is offside a bit too, the reason Dj gets offside is because he's always trying to make forward runs, and if our midfield could move forward more and provide better service to him, he would be offside even less and get in behind thier defence even more.

I didn't see a lot of hoof, i saw some hoof, and some nice attempted passing moves, Gallagher did well again, and very rarely did i see us just hoof it towards Waghorn or Fryatt or Dj and continuously lose the ball, infact Gallagher won a few good headers in the 1st half which we gained posession from. We were trying our best to pass it around for me and if we continue to practice it, we will get better at it, we gave the ball away loads of times from a pass along the deck, which shows how many passes we were trying along the deck.

Fryatt hasn't scored in 6 and missed 2 one on ones, good goalkeeping but he should be scoring from there, Howard hasn't scored all season, Kermo still hasn't been given a crack and seems to be getting left out now, Gallagher's been played on the wing, Waghorn's done well to score 3 goals and Dj is trying his best and has been unlucky, he's hardly played remember.

Dj will undoubtedly come good for me given a run of starting games, i mean he was in on the keeper within seconds of coming on against Palace, if he comes good with his finishing and is given game time, he's going to score goals.

I can't see Howard starting friday, i can't see Waghorn/Gallagher not starting, and i'm unsure about Fryatt whos on another poor run so after those, that leaves Kermo and Campbell. Campbells been coming of the bench which suggests he may start Friday. He offers a constant attacking threat with his pace and forward runs, Fryatt is slow, Howard is very slow and can't even run, so he offers none of that.

[Fosse Boy]

Well, that was a thoroughly uninspiring display to watch, but I couldn't give a flying fuck because we won and are up to bloody fifth!!!

[Basingstoke Fox]

Colemans getting make up

Colemans getting make up lalalala lalalala.

Fair play to Chris Coleman, loved the banter.

I didn't bother analysing the performance, much more fun to make an atmosphere, I was at the front of the standing lot and 1 row behind jobber . Also, for the first time, I ended up in the next row while celebrating. lol

Great night, first time I saw us win in 15 games. My only other win was against, yes, Reading.

[Babylon]

We sure notice his absence when he doesn't play.

Do we??? I thought our record before he was in the team was almost identical. Something like....

With: D D L W D D W W

Without: W D D W L W

[syston_fox]

Colemans getting make up

Colemans getting make up lalalala lalalala.

Fair play to Chris Coleman, loved the banter.

I didn't bother analysing the performance, much more fun to make an atmosphere, I was at the front of the standing lot and 1 row behind jobber . Also, for the first time, I ended up in the next row while celebrating. lol

Great night, first time I saw us win in 15 games. My only other win was against, yes, Reading.

You must have been surrounded by some of us lot then. Me, LD3, Fez, Katy and Kokopops were the row behind with Lisa and Sir Fynwyn (sp?) further on and JoeB and Jimmy were the same row as you just to the right of where Jobber was sitting.

[Joe.]

Still trying to comprehend quite how we came away with all three points last night, I think that's genuinely the luckiest I've ever seen us. Reading were absolutely woeful in front of goal, with a mixture of poor finishing and bad luck.

But whilst I'm obviously delighted with the points, our performance was dreadful. We hit it lucky with a goal from a corner (after I reassured a Reading fan in the bar that we never score from corners so he shouldn't worry) and then somehow managed to hold them at bay for 45 minutes.

Fryatt was poor up front, bottled both one on ones and was barely a threat. In fairness though it was always going to be difficult for him with the way that we were playing. It would be harsh to single him out for criticism though as the whole team were fairly poor (aside from the defence).

[Basingstoke Fox]

You must have been surrounded by some of us lot then. Me, LD3, Fez, Katy and Kokopops were the row behind with Lisa and Sir Fynwyn (sp?) further on and JoeB and Jimmy were the same row as you just to the right of where Jobber was sitting.

Oh wow, I didn't realise. Though people may have seen me as I (for some reason) decided to shout "YOUR JUST A SMALL TOWN IN BASINGSTOKE" .

[CosbehFox]

That Taarabt guy will rip Mcgivern a new one.

It's shame then that Taarabt's being playing on the left wing then over the past three games.

[Guest]

Oh wow, I didn't realise. Though people may have seen me as I (for some reason) decided to shout "YOUR JUST A SMALL TOWN IN BASINGSTOKE" .

You'll have to shout louder next time.

[marbelladave]

He wasn't offside that much, and got in a few times onside, Fryatt is offside a bit too, the reason Dj gets offside is because he's always trying to make forward runs, and if our midfield could move forward more and provide better service to him, he would be offside even less and get in behind thier defence even more.

I didn't see a lot of hoof, i saw some hoof, and some nice attempted passing moves, Gallagher did well again, and very rarely did i see us just hoof it towards Waghorn or Fryatt or Dj and continuously lose the ball, infact Gallagher won a few good headers in the 1st half which we gained posession from. We were trying our best to pass it around for me and if we continue to practice it, we will get better at it, we gave the ball away loads of times from a pass along the deck, which shows how many passes we were trying along the deck.

Fryatt hasn't scored in 6 and missed 2 one on ones, good goalkeeping but he should be scoring from there, Howard hasn't scored all season, Kermo still hasn't been given a crack and seems to be getting left out now, Gallagher's been played on the wing, Waghorn's done well to score 3 goals and Dj is trying his best and has been unlucky, he's hardly played remember.

Dj will undoubtedly come good for me given a run of starting games, i mean he was in on the keeper within seconds of coming on against Palace, if he comes good with his finishing and is given game time, he's going to score goals.

I can't see Howard starting friday, i can't see Waghorn/Gallagher not starting, and i'm unsure about Fryatt whos on another poor run so after those, that leaves Kermo and Campbell. Campbells been coming of the bench which suggests he may start Friday. He offers a constant attacking threat with his pace and forward runs, Fryatt is slow, Howard is very slow and can't even run, so he offers none of that.

I think our view on what does or does not constitute hoofball is a little different, c'est la vie...

In general though I thought our passing game was poor, certainly compared to some occasions this season when it has been excellent. I think Wellens and especially Oakley are a way off their best, specially going forward.

I'm going to keep calling for Gallagher to be made the center of our attack, he is our most creative player and needs to be involved as much as possible. I don't mind that he likes to drop off his marker, in fact I think that it will create space particularly if we flank him with two pacey strikers.

Dyer, Waghorn and N'Guessan have all found the net this season so two of them would be my choice. Generally I want to see them well forward (yes even Dyer) ahead of Gallagher.

However if you play Dyer and N'Guessan it does lend itself to a fairly attacking 4-5-1 for difficult games such as the one coming up on Friday.

[Babylon]

I think our view on what does or does not constitute hoofball is a little different, c'est la vie...

In general though I thought our passing game was poor, certainly compared to some occasions this season when it has been excellent. I think Wellens and especially Oakley are a way off their best, specially going forward.

I'm going to keep calling for Gallagher to be made the center of our attack, he is our most creative player and needs to be involved as much as possible. I don't mind that he likes to drop off his marker, in fact I think that it will create space particularly if we flank him with two pacey strikers.

Dyer, Waghorn and N'Guessan have all found the net this season so two of them would be my choice. Generally I want to see them well forward (yes even Dyer) ahead of Gallagher.

However if you play Dyer and N'Guessan it does lend itself to a fairly attacking 4-5-1 for difficult games such as the one coming up on Friday.

I want to see this at some point.

ST: Gallagher

ST: Waghorn

LM: Dyer

CM: Wellens

CM: Oakley

RM: N'Guessan

[chesterfox]

lots of different opinions - quite opposite as well - we can perhaps agree that it wasn't a world shattering performance but why all the rancour?? It's not a crime to win ugly!!!!

However good Reading looked I for one didn't think that the result was ever under threat - perhaps because I am an old git who has seen this in reverse a lot with Leicester not getting the just rewards their play deserved, but for me it was a very predictable win and game yesterday.

[Guest]

I want to see this at some point.

ST: Gallagher

ST: Waghorn

LM: Dyer

CM: Wellens

CM: Oakley

RM: N'Guessan

Not sure we can do away with the defence just yet Babs

In all seriousness, I agree. It's obvious Nige is willing to change his front pairing but not without either Howard/Fryatt on the pitch at any one time.

[marbelladave]

I want to see this at some point.

ST: Gallagher

ST: Waghorn

LM: Dyer

CM: Wellens

CM: Oakley

RM: N'Guessan

This is the point where I chip in with my usual, we'll get over run in central midfield if we play 2 up and 2 men wide. Happens pretty much every time we set up that way..... :yawn:

And no, I don't know what the answer is....

I would look at 4-3-3 with Gallagher as center forward, dropping off and two wide(ish) men pushing well forward but if we don't find our passing game and keep hitting the long ball, we may as well stick with Howard....