Beaten by Kettering, but Bertrand set to shine

Football is a results business; fortunately for Reading, friendly results are not. After demolishing Didcot Town 5-1 midweek, our season’s preparation came crashing down to earth with a damaging 2-1 defeat at Kettering (No, you did read that correctly).

And this was with are supposed first teamers. An experimental 4-3-3 formation was intact and the news coming from the website is that we lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. Using just a lone front man, especially in the form of Simon Church or Shane Long, we are always going to struggle to keep possession high up the field although this system relies on instant back up from the wingers it’s a system that we cannot adopt with our current crop of players. Hal Robson-Kanu and James Henry are great prospects and good players but they won’t get us promoted. Without sounding too much like Alan Hanson here, but ‘you won’t win anything with kids’.

Fair enough it’s preseason and this is only the second game into it but form in crucial and heading to the season with momentum is a must; hence why a game against Chelski is not ideal.

Long has yet to score whilst Church scored our only goal to show that he is good for a goal but we still need that defining cutting edge to make us Championship competitors. It scares me that Jimmy Kebe will be relied on to provide Reading with ‘cutting edge’ but he’s as creative as a rock and that’s being a little harsh on the rock.

Meanwhile Rodgers’ first signing as manager, Ryan Bertrand, started the game. He put in a good 45 minutes at left-back before being replaced by Stephen Hunt at half time. He’s supposedly an England under 21 international and is groomed to be Ashley Cole’s replacement at club and international level; on this basis signing Bertrand seems to be a masterstroke however is he joining as a first teamer or as cover.

Chris Armstrong done a fantastic job last term and it will be disappointing to see him pushed to the sidelines to play a bit part role. Rodgers’ has said that Bertrand is the ‘modern day full back’ and his addition to the squad does seem logical. Having two players in every position is crucial and with Julian Kelly out injured as well he will be good defensive cover, as he can play right back if called upon.
Even at the tender age of 19, he’s already ranked up almost 100 senior appearance appearances with various clubs, and at Norwich last term he was one of their most spoke about players, so joining a club that’s hopefully heading in the opposition direction will be good for him to learn his trade.

We’ll please to hear that Bertrand’s aim for the season is to win the league; but has to say that doesn’t he?