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.
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.
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