The season, begins today, news from the radio is that Sean Morrison is Captain and Jobi is relegated to the bench. Well lets see how it pans out, under the changing skies in the Madstad.
Concern is aired around me that a centre back partnership of Morrison and Pearce is too slow and square, and Alfie up front on his own is not a big change from last season.
From the kick off Royals look solid and are quick to make a few chances, but after ten minutes or so a familiar diagonal ball cross field was being used too many times and becoming predictable. Not for the first time visitors to the Madstad sensed there was something in the game for them, and through indecisive defending former Royal Jay Tabb see his initial shot come back yo him to bury it into the net. Fair play to him he celebrated his goal with enthusiasm and his team mates. Too many times you see players who do not want to celebrate scoring against their old clubs, a feat of scoring was never achieved as a Royal, so good luck to him.
Now the grumblings and impatient s was emanating from the home crowd. The predictable cross field ball was not working, Pearce incapable of a forward short pass, Kanu less and less effective.
Then came the effective switch of McCleary and Kanu and half time approaching, Alfie nods a cross in from the left, despite the close attentions of two defenders dwarfing him. Cue celebrations, fans on their feet singing clapping and dancing, music interrupts and changes the tempo of celebrations, music after a goal worked with Tom Hark, but not music associated with darts.
The second half began with the Royals playing a more progressive game, and with the Tractor Boys failing to close him down, a long range shot from Gutherie, reported to be deflected, looped over the Town keeper, cue music and celebrations.
Then Ipswich came in search for an equaliser, and gradually all in the ground now accepted that the die had been cast as the final minutes were drawing to a close.
In the final minute of normal time, out come the forth official to advise the crowd how much time was to be added. SIX, the whole crowd were aghast, suddenly Ipswich could see a barn door opening before their eyes, and the Royals suddenly in full retreat to salvage what they had.
The game concluded, as it had stood in the 89th minute, the Royals were the victors, the visitors feeling hard done by, but should have been a little more ambitious when they had Reading on the rack.
Concern at the performances of Kanu, Pearce, Pog especially.
A positive start to their Royals career for Bridge, Drenthe and Williams, consistency will be their
greatest judge, but I liked what I saw.
Adkins made a change in the first half, which brought the Royals out of their slumber, but I did not see the high tempo one touch passing which I was expecting
For the Royals to get automatic promotion this performance fell way short, at best it was a mid-table performance, but no one ever won promotion on their first game.
URZ
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