The Jem

Another goal feast at the Madejski!

There would be more chance that Jimmy Kebe staying on his feet longer than 30 seconds.

I haven’t seen Reading score a goal at home since Leroy Lita’s strike against Watford on January 9th.

I missed Shane Long performing miracles with his brace against a relegated Charlton Athletic team. I don’t count the Wolves own goal, we hardly forced it did we?

Barnsley came and they got what they wanted. A draw that is ever so vital to them.

We just got a point closer to confirming a playoff place that is yet to be secured.

It was a horrible first half performance, even the Cop man himself declared it as ‘disheartening’.

Second Half, I thought, was excellent we looked our dominant self again. I don’t mind if we lose games if we are really pushing at the other end.

Jem Karacan was outstanding and I have it down to him why we played so well.

He linked everything, our go-to-guy.

He got the ball of the defence, pushed it out wide, collected it again and worked the other flank. Even his runs caused a worry for Barnsley’s defence.

Pardon the pun but we have a real gem in our squad and we need to play him regularly.

His tackling is not perfect nor his set piece taking, but his awareness and distribution is up there will the best we have.

A move down our right hand side involving Jem, Glen Little, Long and Liam Rosenior was outstanding and it reminded me of how we played in our promotion season.

Jem put the ball down the right-hand side for Long to chase, and he gave it back to
Jem who gave it Little and suddenly out of nowhere Rosenior produced a Murty-esque overlapping run and put in a cross that Kitson headed over.

That played caused havoc and if do that regularly we would be scoring by the truckload. At the moment, it’s all rather complacent.

I was so pleased after seeing that and I declare that three wins is need to carry momentum into the Playoffs.

Urzzzz.

The Unknown Barn Door

Barnsley next, and I have no idea what the outcome is going to be.

Ok, Reading can beat these on any given day, but the Reading of late would struggle to beat a team of John Oster’s.

The Tykes come to the hardly fearless Madejski Stadium with a need of some points, they would take heart that Southampton, and Nottingham Forest has managed to win points in our backyard.

The team should stay the same as Monday’s against Blackpool with only Alex Pearce who should be restored to the starting line up instead of the comic that is Michael Duberry.

He should definitely not be captain.

Noel Hunt and Jem Karacan had scoring returns to the first team and should still be in the first team.

Steve Coppell says he‘s looking for individuals to step up and don’t they need too!
Someone need a big performance to carry the team, loan signings Dave Kitson and Glen Little have hardly set the place alight.

Kevin Doyle is completely off the boil; Andre Bikey looks more likely to score.

Wally Downes has said this week that the Royals are realistically looking at the Playoffs and I would want to finish third or fourth to make sure we get the first leg away. Perhaps there may be a hostile atmosphere at the Mad Stad for once.

Come one win and we have more or less guarantee that playoff place and almost a place at Wembley.

Urzzzz

The Blackpool Donkey

Easter Holidays! Who bloody needs them.

All it reminds me off is yet another dismal weekend as a disgruntled Reading supporter.

It must be a cardinal sin throwing away a 2-0 lead against the power that is Blackpool. Another poor draw from a game that we should be running away with 3 points. Two points definitely dropped.

It must have been more comforting watching 11 donkeys on the poorly named Pleasure Beach walking one side of the beach to the other. At least there might be more life in them.

Talking about Donkey’s, the courageous Michael Duberry made an inevitable mistake, we saw it coming ever since he put on a Hooped Shirt. His slip allowed Roy O’Donovan through but he missed an absolute sitter, but unfortunately for Reading, DJ Campbell was on hand to steer in the rebound and it was for the equaliser.

It made it worst that he is an ex-Brentford player; I thought we had snapped up any decent ones already.

One you missed Wally!

To add insult to injury, Duberry was captain. His leadership could be compared to that off George W. Bush. Not having a clue and making things more difficult for everyone. At least we can use him as an excuse.

Rightly, Jem Karacan was restored to the starting line up and he made damn sure he should be included in the next starting XI. His goal was through sheer persistence, and it was wholly deserved.

Noel Hunt’s knee looked clean, he scored and instantly became more effective than Dave Kitson or Kevin Doyle. The rub of the Irish is wearing off, as the travelling 903 fans were treated to two, yes two, goals. The first time since Charlton if my mind has not mistaken me. But the first time we conceded two since Charlton too.

Now there is only four games left, Barnsley and Norwich will be scrapping for their lives in a dire relegation battle. One against Birmingham, as it looks like we will both be playing for position in the playoffs. Oh yeah, and Derby, our game in hand, what good is that now.

We had this league to a tee and now it has gone to dust.

I am now looking to May 25th, Bank Holiday Weekend. God we better make it there at least. Just a couple of wins needed.

Urzzzzz

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

The Need of Murts

Someone has gladly pinpointed me in the direction where Reading has been going wrong all season - the lack of a natural Captain.

Graeme Murty has been injured for much of the year and when he was fit, he was sent out on loan to Charlton for a couple of months.

Not having your captain in the dressing room is degrading and the team will suffer.

Think Liverpool without Steven Gerrard or Chelsea without John Terry, they don’t function the same let alone sending them on loan to Newcastle.

Liam Rosenior is possibly a better, more naturally gifted right back but he doesn’t contribute half what Murty does. Murty gives Reading so much with little return.

Steve Coppell take note.

Firstly, it’s disrespectful to the captain, who’s name will be remembered for many years to come as your most successful, to send him out on loan where his presence is needed at your own club.

Secondly, depriving the team of someone they fear. Players are hardly going to be left in a quivering wreck after Kevin Doyle or James Harper gives you a dressing down.

Thirdly, Murty possesses enough passion that could carry the whole team; he would fight tooth and nail just to prevent a corner kick.

Fourthly, he has so much respect with fans that his exclusion is baffling. Murty and the fans have a special repute, that is clearly missing from the side this year. You need the fans on side.

Before, when other Reading captains left, they left knowing there is a good understudy to take over.

When Phil Parkinson left in 2001, he had Adie Williams who instantly took up the role. Same with Murty, when Williams was ending his last of three spells with the club, Murty stood in as he was already pursuing the role of vice captain to effective effect.

The season Parkinson left to join Colchester United as manager, he was used on the sidelines so his leadership qualities shone though. His advice and guidance was there on match days and not loaned out to Charlton.

So, it is similar to a hand over, so who would be next captain?

Ivar Ingimarsson is a similar age and he is only a short-term fix. There is no one else that really stands out.

At present, the armband is tossed around like a game of pass the parcels. No one’s given that armband for being the best in the role but for being supposedly the best player.

Murty would have never let Reading slip in the slump they find themselves in.

Urzzzzz