Reading 3 - 4 Manchester United

The Royals were taking on the top of the league Manchester United, an evening kick off for the sake of ESPN to show on TV.

Given our performance against Aston Villa, who knows what the score would be and how it would come across on the TV.

So with a 5.30 pm kick off what little warmth there was from the sun during the day had already disappeared before taking up the customary seat in the lower west stand.

All the usual pre-match hype was all done and dusted as we waited for the teams to enter the field of play, now in my mind, this was going to be a match to savour, forget about winning just compete was the phrase rattling round in my head, just compete please.

 

 

As the teams entered the field to a rapturous roar, from both sets of fans, our league position had now been put to one side for 90 minutes, all our woes and troubles did not mean a jot. The match kicked off and from both sides it was a thoroughly entertaining encounter, action all the way, to summarise how do you begin to describe a game where by half time you have seen Reading take the lead twice, scoring three goals but conceding four, without one that by all accounts crossed the line but was not given. A penalty which was almost so comical it was like our defence had the mindset of the keystone cops.

 

Ferguson was left to substitute his right back, after being skinned more times than a Fyffes banana, really although he only received a yellow card, he was lucky it was not his second, so Rafael was substituted and left the field not a happy bunny, strop of the day.

 

Now whatever Reading achieve this season to have scored three goals against Manchester United within 23 minutes of play has to merit recording some sort of record, just a shame that we were to concede four in 34 minutes.

 

Finally the half was brought to a close, remaining at 3-4, but we were still in the game.

 

The second half came and unlike the Arsenal game there were to be no further goals, but entertaining all the same, chances at both ends.

 

Now I went to the game to be positive and I am going to share one moment of utter frustration, his name is Adam Federici, some of his antics and performances of late have been shocking, he is in the side due to the injury of Alex McCarthy, forgiven for all those previous misdemeanours, including being beaten at his near post by Anderson in the 13th minute. But for all in the world that is holy, what was that lunatic doing trying to dribble around Robin Van Persie.

 

If I were the Manager he would have been taken off the field of play, and never seen first team action again as a player for Reading FC. We were already struggling to deal with a team that was top of the league, who were leading by one goal and sympathy from the man in black favoured those in red, so he tries to dribble around RVP, absolute lunatic, is my honest opinion.

 

 

 

The goalless second half was concluded and the score remained as it did the end of the first, once again Reading were defeated. Note I said defeated and not losers, because losers they are not.

 

 

Somehow it seems inevitable that we will be relegated, but life will go on, and matches like we watched today are what is great about being in the Premier league, unfortunately the tables that record our progress, reflect the other side that in the cold light of day is based on facts, not how you feel.

 

One final thought to share, I heard that the match was the lead on Match of the Day, a programme I gave up on a few seasons back, it does very little to provide an in depth unbias reflection of the football of that day, no longer my cup of tea.

 

So of an official crowd of 24,095 this Royals fan went home very content with watching a terrific game of football, and thinking how close we came from winning or loosing by a larger margin, the score line was fair.

 

Urzz

 



Chelsea 4 - 2 Reading

Attendance 41,733

Reading played their first away fixture in the Barclay's Premier League at Stamford Bridge last night.

The cost for a ticket was £47.00; So although an easy ground to get to, I decided to listen to this one on the local BBC radio; Radio Berkshire with Tim Dellor and Mick Gooding.

It was a packed midfield for Reading and early doors were under the cosh a bit, but the first blood was to Chelsea, a penalty was conceded and duly netted, 1-0

Fearing the floodgates would open up it was a shock to hear Reading not only equalise but take the lead 1-2 to the visitors, and Reading were playing a good game, going into the end of the first half one goal better than the Champions of Europe.

Tim Dellor was waxing lyrical about how this is the greatest game in Reading's history and as it stood Reading FC were top of the English Premier League.

The second half we heard Chelsea were finding it difficult to break down Reading and when they did the goalie was not being troubled. Pearce was only an inch away from heading in a cross which would have made it three to the Royals.

Cahill picked up the ball in his own half moved forward and with a tame shot from 35 yards Federici was beaten, he failed to deal with the ball, 2 a piece. It sounded like Federici had made a bad error for the second game on the trot. Chelsea know how to sense a change and went for it.

Torres struck with a goal that was clearly offside, this was not to be a great result for Reading.

Pushing hard to respond Reading went into added time and up went Federici, into the Chelsea box, and the result was a breakaway from Chelsea with no goalie to beat Ivanovic slotted into an empty net 4-2. The Royals were beaten and the final whistle ended their misery.

On a personal note Federici should not have gambled going for the equaliser, but I fully understood how he wanted to right a wrong, unfortunately the gamble didn't pay off. He is a good goalie but this form is reminiscent of a couple of years ago. He needs to get over it and return to what he is capable of achieving his team mates, the club and the fans want him to succeed, he must get to the bottom of what is behind these errors and resolve it. This league shows no forgiveness and those errors could become expodential.

Federici did not make the biggest mistake of the night, that honour goes to the lino and his fellow officials for allowing an offside goal to stand. (Torres)

Feds, you need to sought yourself out for Sunderland, the spotlight is on you now, other clubs will be playing to your weakness. Learn and become a great goalie, the support is still there for you but failure is not an option, as it is the same for all of us.

Well done Reading FC and fans, you gave it a good go.

Chelsea used up a large slice of luck and good fortune last night, ours will come another day.

Urzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

 

Reading 1-1 Stoke City

We made it to the Madstad to watch the first match of the season.

As with all first home league games there was a buzz in the air, which was building to a crescendo before kick off. As we left the concourse to take up our seats we entered a cauldron of noise to the sounds of "The Big Bad Wolf" Howwwwllllllllll.

The players were going through their warm up routine, this was going to be a special atmosphere today, no pressure on the club or players then.

The players left the pitch and it was time to give it the final preparation with the sprinklers going

The newest member to the Royal Family was introduced , Kingsly our mascot had got his self a wife, time for her to take a bow in front of her loyal Royal subjects.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rod1871/7809884086/

(Apologies for link but for unknown reason image could not be uploaded.)

As the build up continued the noise generated in the stadium was getting louder and louder. This was also due to the very vocal support from Stoke City fans. Delila was going to get a good airing today.

The impossible dream played out across the tannoy and big screen with thunderous roar of Urzzzz at the end by the home faithful.

With the new banner now passing through the East stand on its home leg we were about to begin our first match in the Premiership this season.

The Match

Kevin Friend the match referee got the match underway, with Reading attacking the South stand, split in half for the travelling away fans, the moment had arrived.

Reading were clearly going for an early strike, with a lot of pressure the Stoke defence held a strong defence. Our new striker The Pog, failed to cause the defence too many problems, but it remained pretty much all one way traffic, Stoke barely getting out of their half.

Stoke weathered the onslaught, with Reading making good use of both wings and controlled possession. The fans were enjoying the raucous banter with the travelling Stoke faithful in the blazing hot sunshine.

Dave Kitson, What a bargain, what a bargain; Sonko is Superman; rang out from the Reading faithful mocking the Stoke supporter's at the money they had spent on Reading hero's from the past, that delivered nothing for their time at Stoke.

Finally late in the first half Stoke showed a bit more of what they could do, after a free kick narrowly passing the stranded Federici, they began to take control with their own passing game. Jonathan Walters was very impressive, a good honest hard working striker. Then the inevitable, after all the possession we were suddenly one nil down when a low deflected shot was resting in the back of the net, how, Federici had plenty of time went down early, what had been festering in my mind was now a reality. Possession and pressure means zilch, if the other team put the ball in the net. The fans were stunned, the team were stunned, welcome to the Premiership.

Now there was more of a critical eye watching the match, our goalie had made an error, our new big Russian forward Pavel Pogrebnyak, was making no impression. Leigertwood was loosing possession too easily, thankfully half time came and we would have a chance for the Manager Brian McDermott and his team to sort themselves out.

 

Second Half

The Royals were out early to a warm reception, could we do Stoke like Boro on our first ever Premier league fixture.

Sadly it didn't look too promising, Stoke were making all the moves and asking the questions of the Reading defence, we continued to pump the ball up to the Pog, but if he won little in the first half, he was winning even less this half, Huth and Shawcross make an impressive defence duo, now with a goal to the good, Stoke were in control and happy for Reading to try to break down the two banks of four.

McCleary was sent on for Kanu-Robson, and Pogreynabak was replaced by hunt with less than twenty to go, Stoke sensed a change and began to control the match slowing the pace right down, injuries were taking an eternity to deal with, substitutes made at a pace even slower than the time it took to take the highly technical skill of throwing the ball in, Reading had less than five minutes to get something from the game, McCleary was the danger man he was unsettling Stoke at the back with his pace. Yellow cards were being brandished like confetti for the deliberate time wasting, Reading were being taught a harsh lesson on how to win a game in the Premiership.

A shot went just over the bar from an Ian Hart free kick, more and more free kicks were being awarded for fouls on the Reading players. Then with trickery and driving forward at pace once again Reading player is brought down in the box, the ref gives nothing and Noel Hunts shot is tipped over the bar. Penalty, the ref had decided no advantage had been gained, and the player was brought down unfairly.

90 minutes on the clock and up stepped Adam Le Fondre; The stadium goes ecstatic, goallllllllllllllllll.

Alfie strikes again with an impressive dead ball kick, one of only a few players to have scored in every league in the English game.

Reading are back on level terms, and in the final minutes went in search for a winner, but it was to end all square. Both sides will feel this was a game they could have and should have won.

The never say die attitude at Reading is why we were promoted to this league, this will be what will maintain our Premiership status.

Individuals could have played better, some could have made fewer mistakes, but this is football and this is why we love to follow Reading FC

 

URZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Attendance 23,973

Room for others to come and enjoy top flight football



Who shall we sign or not sign

Here are players muted to be of interest or rumoured of interst to the Royals and that for my reasons I would like / not like to see signed

• Nicky Shorey (Felt that with his England call-up had his head turned in the wrong way, sought to join his beloved 'ammers, when that didn't happen the toys come out of the pram. Great player, up to that point but all water under the bridge now, he moved on so should we) My Rating to join 2/10

• Andy Johnson (One of the most irritating strikers I have ever had the misfortune to watch, you always give the opposition strikers grief, but when we playing at Selhurst Park against the Palace, he toe poked a ball pass Hahnenann, absolutely no chance of getting on the end of it, and with the faintest touch from a piece of stray cotton dangling loose from his outstretched glove, he was fortunate to walk ever again, can't remember what he did with the penalty, the red mist had descended and all I could chant was cheat, cheat cheat). My Rating to join 0/10

• Kevin Doyle (A great striker who developed a reputation in the football world, felt he should have gone to Everton when he had the chance, unfortunately does not have anything to prove by returning to the Madstad, and on this occasion reluctantly agree with Kevin, he had four great years at the club. No real reason to return) My Rating 10/10 But no return is likely

• Emile Heskey (Not sure how he has made a living out of falling over. Not worth the wages even if a free transfer) My Rating to join 0/10

• Gylfi Sigurdson (Took the premier league by storm last year, Reading FC have always known that he had the quality of a top player, worth breaking the wage structure for, may be difficult with Brendan Rodgers in the hot seat at Liverpool, if we could tempt him back that would be one hell of an asset) My Rating to join 5/10 

• Adrian Mariappa (Heard good things about this player, with the £2m bid turned down, it is up to the club to decide how much they want him, up the ante or move on, based on the news coverage, Reading should put a firm serious alternative bid on the table, if it is not accepted, move on). My Rating to join 8/10