Struggling to Score

Fortunes change very fast in football and not even the most pessimistic Reading fan - and there are plenty - could imagine that after 14 games we'd be stuck in the relegation zone.

Who would have thought it? The famously-coined Brendan's Babes are not performing the way everyone was expecting.

Rodgers was once again pleased with his team's endeavour, effort, and approach however - but ultimately rued a lack of luck and clinical finishing in front of goal for another defeat in a dismal home record.

But action is needed; a win is necessary. Before the game Rodgers spoke realistically of play-offs but that may be a little out of reach now unless miracles begin to happen, like Shane Long finding his inner Kevin Doyle and contributing 20 goals. Well we can all dream can't we?

Previous seasons have seen Sunderland and Crystal Palace spring from positions like Reading's and to end up promoted so theres hope but not much to cling on to. Playing for survival is very depressing and perhaps we are all expecting too much.
Humility

A good friend of mine, a huge Tottenham fan, says that after the poor start to the season they endeavoured last season he went into every game expecting to get nothing and ultimately they turned it around; it's not about showing hope but showing humility.

Learn from defeat and make sure the mistakes are cut out and grow as a unit, which, the QPR game aside, we are doing. Last night was a perfect example of that.

The positive thing about the game was how well Reading were playing and it is the lack of quality up front that was missing. Two goals in seven home games is frankly laughable and that stat alone shows there is no home sweet home for the Royals.

My heart was in my mouth when Jobi McAnuff hit the post and the follow-up, I thought, was a dead cert goal but it was all false hope. Even when Simon Church was through a goal surely beckoned but again it was a similar outcome when the shot trickled wide. Church was getting plenty of chances and that's probably the most encouraging thing.

Invaluable

It was blatantly obvious that the return Marek 'Magic' Matejovsky gave Reading that little quality and control in midfield, he was able to pick adventurous passes and create opportunities. And it was good to see the return of Alex Pearce to the heart of the defence where his leadership skills prove invaluable.

Heading to Coventry City is where you expect at least a point, but for now, I insist that a draw will be a good result. Start small people! Then a potential six-pointer against Ipswich Town at the Mad Stad, it must be a game where three points are obtainable. Theres me getting carried away again, a draw would be a reasonable result.

No expectation, no disappointment. Unfortunately I tend to take that philosophy going out on the pull in Walkabout afterwards. Reading is, let's be honest, not the prettiest of towns.