It won't be long now

Debut home fixture for Adkins full of optimism for the new era, for 30 odd minutes after kick off.

Sadly the honeymoon period didn't,t even reach half time,  once the first goal was conceded there was only one team that would win this must win game, Saints!

This match showed Readingfc had plummeted to new depths, not only did they look short on ideas and skill, now they looked like they couldn't care less. Fans are neither blind or stupid, they are loyal, today their resolve was put under even greater scrutiny.

Only bright part that gave some amusement was when the home fans were singing " Your'e nothing special, we loose every week.

So as we prepare to bid farewell to the Premiership, we know we won't be missed.

This has been a torturous season with the lows far outweighing the highs.

Que sera sera, what ever will be will be, next year we'll be going down a league, que sera sera

New era at the Madstad

Today sees the appointment of Brian McDermott's successor, Nigel Adkins.

Watching the press conference, Nigel came across as hungry, ambitious and looking like he was relishing the challenge ahead.

Welcome to our club, hope we share the success we all crave, as in all honesty something I read elsewhere said we had not seen football like his style played since Mark McGee was Manager, strong but possible true.

Watching the press conference, Nicky Hammond and Sir John Madejski, did not look very comfortable  but if this is Anton's doing, then he has my support 100% The timing may be slightly off, but something significant needed to change.

The next chapter of Reading Football Club begins today

Bring it on !

Urzz

Reading 0-3 Wigan

Could this be Fulham again, losing to a relegation rival on the run in to the end of the season. The score could have been double and it would not have flattered Wigan. Shocking performance.

Tottenham Hotspurs 3-1 Reading

A game we were never going to win.

This was only ever about damage limitation, so a -2 addition to our goal difference is a positve in what has been a predominantly poor season.

Shame we went ahead in the fourth minute and not the ninety fourth minute, we may have had a chance to hold out for a draw, but at least the Pog has added to his tally.

With the transfer window now open, it is up to the club to decide if they want to continue playing in this league, or drop down after one season.

Nothing yet has convinced me that we will be plying our trade in the premiership, but as once said by Saint and Greavsie "It's a funny old game!"

Four points from the last four matches, we may just sneak out of the bottom, January Sales are massive, get in the right players, (irespective of cost), who knows what will happen.

For those that want to see money spent, remember Torres and Caroll.

Reading 1-0 West Ham United

We won !!

Finally Reading manage their second win of the campaign, in difficult circumstances.

Our match with West Ham had many people assuming a home win, given our results in recent history against the Hammers, but it would be as crucial as many recent results. Last season we were a thorn in their season on many levels, history.

Today as we approached the Madstad for the second time this week, the heavens were once again fully open, ensuring all approaching fans got a soaking before the match. As it did at home to Swansea City.

As with all fixtures at the Madstad, the away end would be full today. This is defiantly a stadium that welcomes and attracts away fans, so a cup tie atmosphere was expected.

Panoramic view

The game began in a frenetic manner, Reading were up for this, and showed their intentions from the start by closing down higher up the pitch. West Ham made their intentions clear, Kebe was a target, a heavy challenge a sly kick from O'Brien proved they held a grudge, and felt there was some unfinished business with Kebe, making it personal. This proved to be the case for most of the match, unfortunately the ref did nothing to protect him.

With five minutes on the clock, a forward pass from Harte was not controlled by Pogrebnyak. Collinson collected the ball and attempted to pass the ball back, but miss-controlled his pass. Pogrebnyak seized upon the under hit pass and strode into the box with the ball at his feet. No need to get excited he buggered up an opportunity against SCFC on Wednesday. That was a dress rehearsal, confidently he held off the pursuing Collinson to slot the ball into the net. Goal, cue music and wild celebrations.

The goal removed some of the pressure, but the game remained nigly, heavy challenges, feigning of tackles. The ref failed to deal with some poor tactics from a typical Allerdyce team. (The sight of Mark Noble diving to win a free kick, when it was clear the was no touch, showed how low West Ham have stooped under Allerdyce. West Ham used to be known and respected as the Aristocrats of football, now but a distant memory)

Reading needed to soak up a lot of pressure towards the later stages of the first half, but ended the half buoyant and relishing the challenge.

The second half began as the first had ended, but with one notable difference, Reading had started to slip deeper into defence, tactics that could prove to be an error. More challenges were being questioned, with even stranger calls from the referee, on more than one occasion the person putting the ball into touch was rewarded with a goal kick or throw-in for their team. Mr Oliver dressed in black would not be leaving the ground with any extra friends. Either he genuinely failed to spot what was going on in front of his eyes, or he was choosing to ignore, thus not having to make a decision.

The list of West Ham players attracting the displeasure of the East stand was growing, Nolan & Noble, was joined by Carlton Cole. He had left Chris Gunter lying prone on the floor face down, and as play continued the frustrations of the crowd was ventilated more vociferously, until Gunter got to his feet, TV replays showed Carlton Cole had only stepped on him three times, now you can't call that accidental.

One goal lead in a game like this never seems enough, and as the cross dropped on to the head of Vaz-te his glancing header was to be decisive, it went wide.

A rousing cheer of relief from the Royals fans was fuelled by the giant screen replaying the crucial miss time and time again, much to the amusement of the Reading fans.

Chances for Reading were very few in the second half, the most notable was when Jobi McAnuff cut inside to set up Karacan on the edge of the eighteen yard box for his shot to cannon off the bar.

Reading were content to play counter attack football, and take the ball into the corners, and run down the clock. Kebe had left the field of play a Reading hero, not only had he survived the aggressive repercussions for "pulling up his socks" but had maintained his dignity to give Reading a sterling defencive performance, and assisting with breaking out of defence with controlled possession. He took the longest slowest walk across the pitch to a standing ovation, and the crowd singing "He's Jimmy Kebe, he does what he wants!"

What could big Sam do? Signal to the ref indicating he was taking too long to leave the field of play. It was Jimmy's way of sticking two fingers up to Big Fat Sam and his Claret and Blue Army.

Jimmy did it on the pitch and with dignity, for his all round performance today amongst stiff competition he was my man of the match.

Even with the four minutes of added time, Reading had done enough, they had won. Urzz

As the cheers rang out around the stadium, you had to wonder how did WHUFC end the match with eleven players still on the pitch.

No moaning or bickering here today about Reading or any individuals, an old friend had returned, just like against Newcastle earlier in the season. All those wearing and supporting the blue and white hoops played their part today and should enjoy the feeling.

A bit of optimism returns to the Madstad, the side does still need strengthening in January, time for AZ to show how deep his ambition is, if he believes in McDermott, back him in the transfer window.

Urzz

Reading 0-0 Swansea City

Well Christmas done, time to watch the Royals take on Swansea City, Boxing day matches are always difficult to predict. On the way to the match the heavens once again opened up, so we were in for a wet soggy afternoon. Little fear of the match being abandoned, have only ever seen this once at the Madstad, when it was abandoned at half time against Leicester City.

Revenge for the defeat at Wembley, no longer applicable, we had enough on our plate without concerning ourselves with that baggage.

Nice to see a couple of familiar faces in the starting line up, especially Jem Karacan and Danny Guthrie.

So it began, as the rain continued, on the stroke of 3 o'clock the shrill of the whistle set the game alight.

When I say it set the game alight, that was a vast exaggeration, apart from a strong penalty claim for the Royals, and some wayward shooting from Swansea, our fayre for the first half was to watch Swansea stroke the ball around with no end product. Now if that was not boring enough, on the rare occasion we did get the ball, we gave it straight back, so they could do it all again. To be honest it is mind numbing to sit and watch.

On a rare occasion after a few passes the Pog was striding into the penalty area from the right, a heavy touch put the ball ahead of him, what does he do, stop, put his hands to his head in frustration, then realise there is still a chance to get the ball. By the time he realises, the moment is gone and the ball is gathered gratefully by the Swansea keeper. Groans echoed around the ground, and so it continued until the half time whistle, met by muted boo's and deafening silence.

Surely this had to change, not one worthy effort could be recalled for either keeper to deal with, do we want to stay in this league, on that showing, we may want to, but the term "snowball in hell's chance" springs to mind.

For 15 minutes in the second half the balance swung even further in favour of Swansea, time to make changes, off went the "Pog" and Captain McAnuff on come Alfie and Hal Robson Kanu, finally the team were showing some fight and ambition, sadly Leigertwood remained on the pitch to ensure Swansea regained possession, honestly that bloke couldn't pass wind!

The (New) Reading Way (Hope not!)

As the ball struck the back of the net many around me were in raptures, up off their seats celebrating Alfie putting the ball in the net. Not me!

Firstly and most importantly I am and always have been a fan of Reading Football Club, who do things the right way, and in my eyes are honest and above board.

I watched as Alfie rose to pat the ball into the back of the net with his left hand, and sat feeling disgusted that my beloved team had resorted to "cheating"

I was glad to see that not only did the ref rule the goal out, but produce a yellow card for the offence.

Alfie had become a cult hero at the club, akin to Jamie Cureton, but in my eyes it is no longer a comparison.

What makes this worse is the after match press conference where McDermott tried to make light of the situation by referring back to a goal by Demba Ba for Newcastle, and saying goals like that normally count at the Madstad. Shocking! Alfie should be fined a months wages for the offence, and another weeks wages for being caught in the act.

Back to the game; the match was now a contest and both teams going for a win, end to end football, terrific saves from Federici and at the other end a superb volley from Alfie was cleared off the line.At last some oohs and aaghs from the crowd.

One of the biggest cheers was saved for the recently recalled Alex Pearce who somehow managed to put a ball out for a throw in a yard from the touchline. The reason being, that it travelled off the field of play the necessary one yard for a clearance but went skywards sailing up onto the roof of the East stand and out of the ground, possibly the first time this feat has been achieved in the time Reading have called this home.

So the game concluded nils a piece and one point meant Reading leapfrogged QPR.

Final note; Reading please cut out any inclinations of cheating, whatever league we are in this team represents our town, if we get relegated honourably so be it. Emotions are running high at the moment, but dignity must be retained above all.

Manchester City 1-0 Reading

Well another defeat, but not as heavy as expected.
BM said he was gutted, as he felt the team deserved a point after an injury time goal won the game for city.

Once again we got beat and our losing run continues if they do not pick up two wins at home, there would be no point in entering the transfer window spending money it will be wasted.

The team and Manager surely have entered the last chance saloon, but will they get served?