The Down to 5th

What a horrible, horrible weekend – another defeat and down to 5th! I haven’t felt this sad since the defeat to Ipswich!

Times have not been this bad for a while (well two weeks) and this is on the back on a performance that was, in my view, encouraging.

Unfortunately, ‘encouraging’ is not good enough with only five games to go and seeing those thugs from Cardiff climb above the Royals is not the easiest to take.
Reading need to get their act together and play to the best of their ability if they are going to get out of this league.

Dave Kitson looked back to his regular ‘Reading self, as he created opportunities and was guilty of missing some good ones as well.

Reading looked so much more comfortable in a 4-4-2 formation instead of the bizarre formations Steve Coppell has been trying to experiment with recently.

Marek Matejovsky and Kalife Ciise in the middle did wonders, although I would like to see Jem Karacan back in the fray. He makes up for his lack of experience with his exuberant play he adds something different.

The defence looked solid enough again, even though I am forever biting my nails every time Michael Duberry or Andre Bikey are near the ball, just in case they cock-up.

Having Kevin Doyle captain again seems bemusing; Marcus Hahnemann would have had my vote. A man whose interests include shotguns and heavy metal music is not someone to mess with. He would command respect, if you don’t give it, he’ll soon be chasing you in his Yank Car firing rounds at you.

It is the three consecutive 1-0 defeats at home that fail to inspire the Loyal Royals.

The Boos ringed around the stadium once again, as another chance to close in on the top two went begging.

However, the performance indicates to me that Reading have the chance to get the maximum 15 points from the remainder of the season, a view that is also kindly shared with Noel Hunt and hopefully the squad.

I particularly enjoy the lads in the Upper West causing havoc. It was brilliant to hear voices from that end of the stadium. I was disappointed not to join them, as seats were nowhere to be seen, an influx of Reading fans could take up seats vacant in the South Stand and together with East we could drown out the away fans. Imagine the noise.

Automatic promotion must be out of reach for us now; a day out at Wembley would not go a miss though. Surely, it would be third time lucky!

Urzzzzz