Reading 4-1 Doncaster Rovers

Finally football returns to the Madstad, following two weeks of speculation conspiracy theories etc regarding the ownership or future ownership issues surrounding the delayed takeover.

A reasonable crowd of 17,000 + in the circumstances is a little more than I had anticipated, the travelling Doncaster fans were never going to be in the thousands, as we would not take thousands to an away game at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The match build up on the radio at least realised a previous error in predicting a rout at Barnsley, it was more cautious optimism.

The game began with Reading playing good approach work left right and centre, and deservedly took an early lead  through a long range effort from Danny Gutherie and his strange hair style, not sure if it is for luck part of a bet or some other obscure fashion reason.

The response from Paul Dickov was swift, quick to realise that Reading were being totally unchallenged and made a tactical substitution to bring on another striker on the 23rd minute.

This changed and within 8 minutes after only parrying a strike Federici was to be beaten in the Reading goal.

Alfie restored the lead after an audacious flick to send the ball trickling across the goal line to ensure the Royals had a  half time lead.

The second half showed Donnie were looking very much to recover parity, but the game was to take a bizarre twist. Their central defender was involved in a heavy collision with the goal post, presumably after a coming together with Sean Morrison, who checked to make sure the defender was ok.

Clearly Rob Jones was injured as the stretcher team and medical team rushed to his aid as he was still kneeling in the back of the goal, still not moving. Bizarrely he received some treatment and was walked off the pitch into the exit of the South Stand. He was supporting his own arm with his other hand as he left the field of play, why he went that way is a mystery. Normally an injured player goes down the tunnel, unless it was the shortest route for access to an ambulance. Maybe a lesson learnt from the Petr Cech incident for Chelsea.

As Donnie had used all three subs they went down to 10 men, for which they were to remain at throughout the rest of the match.

McCleary struck home to make it a third for Reading, and as a contest the game was over.

At 3-1 the game entered added time, 7 minutes for the prolonged injury to Rob Jones

Pavel Pogrebnyak worked tirelessly throughout the game and capped a fine performance in the final minute of the seven with a cracking individual goal. Clearly the "Bigf*ckingrussian" has found both the desire and appetite for the game. 

Despite his banter with the Reading fans, our Aussie goal keeper may have picked up a suspected hamstring injury.

Good all round performance, thoughts of the takeover were not so imperative as they were for the fans before the game kicked off. Rising to sixth in the table is not bad for a team that clearly has only it patches of good form, they now need to do it consistently over a match.

Hope the injury to Rob Jones is not too serious, and wish him a speedy recovery

Reading 3-3 Watford

Finally in all the years of watching Reading play football, a good game against Watford, and we even got a point, where we almost snatched a defeat from victory.

This was a classic game of two half's some of the football played by Reading was of the calibre we had seldom witnessed before. Good flowing football. controlled possession, closing down in all areas of the pitch. Good value for their 2-0 lead at half time.

The second half saw Watford on the the pitch early and eager to kick off, attacking the end housed by the three and half thousand travelling fans, impressive for Watford. Once the Royals were on the pitch the game could commence.

Like all games at 2-0 the next goal is vital, and Watford struck the first blow, but before they had finished celebrating, Karajan had restored the two goal advantage to make it 3-1

Watford were now bossing the game, Reading looking stretched, tired and out of shape, Watford were going for it, and got their reward with a penalty on the 76th minute. Called by the linesmen who had been subjected to abuse in the early moments of the match for what they thought was a bad call. But he stood statue style with his flag draped across his chest.

At 3-2 Reading now looked like a team of strangers, and not knowing which way to turn or chase, a couple of fine saves from McCarthy and a goal line clearance was keeping the Royals in the lead. But before we were told how much added time was to be added on a long range shot was deflected and the onrushing two Watford players were half a yard quicker than our defence 3-3

After the extra time was played out it remained 3-3; for the neutral this was a good game that had lots of action incident and excitement. For the Watford fans it was like a victory, for some Reading fans they acted like it was a defeat.

For me it was a good game to watch, good atmosphere and feel like it was money well spent.

Somehow from the reactions of Nigel Adkins and his assistant, there were going to be some players having their ears warmed after this result.

Far more positives than negatives, clearly work in progress.

As once said by Steve Coppell the table doesn't lie and we will finish where we deserve to finish.

Did note that we have now dropped to fourth favourites in the promotion odds.

MOM Drenthe; Exciting to watch with great skills and willingness to get a result, would have been a different result had he stayed on the pitch

A bit of a worry

So as the season is about to begin I notice today that we have slipped to third favourites to promotion behind Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers, yet the local paper "Get Reading"lists us as favourites in an article today.

Now on-line I read from and article from "The Telegraph" we are to kick off the season amid a threat of investigation by the government into their finances. TSI as the Parent Company need to provide information on cash flow, which has been outstanding since 1st March 2013. There are claims and counter claims between interested parties, over validity of exemptions for disclosure.

So is this the reason that we have failed to make any marquee signings, and with the previous Manager being singled out for failing to spend monies available, allegedly. Yet opportunities have been there to improve the quality of the squad, have not been taken up.

If this season does not pan out as hoped/expected, it will not be the blame of the supporters, players, manager or training staff, the blame will sit at the door of  Anton Zingarevich and John Madejski.

Despite the above, tonight after work I will purchase my replica shirt and look forward with increasing inpatients to the game tomorrow.

My heart says we will win and set the Championship alight with stylish flowing attacking football with commentators salivating the wonders of Adkins team, and how rosy the future is for the Royals.

Sadly my head says that we will be lucky to get a draw at best and the air will be filled with disgruntled groans at the full time whistle, about what could have or should have been.

My only plea to the owners is please do not stitch this club up, and stop making us doubt your intentions, and take us on an incredible and unforgettable journey, for the right reasons.

URZ

HRK = Top 4

Hal Robson Kanu is saying he wants to go to a top four side, well glad to see relegation has not cost the players their sense of humour.

HRK is proven at the top level and internationally, but whilst that is so, it is said with tongue in cheek.

Having watched him come on as sub, he has an unusual style when taking defenders on, almost a bit of a stumbly dribble as if he has little control over the ball. It is effective as a sub, but on the rare occasions he has started, his effectiveness tails off as the game progresses.

No one can knock ambition, we all have dreams, but as much as I may have wanted to play for the Royals or Biscuitmen as they were called when I was a kid, I didn't have the skill to achieve it.

His chances of playing for a top four side, in my honest opinion is a best pie in the sky, he has not even been a full time regular for the Royals being used mainly as a sub.

To be fair though he has nailed his colours to the mast, the ball is in his court, do a Steve Sidwell or Frankie Lampard and make it happen and prove your worth.

But if he stays at Reading he needs to be playing at Reading, not dreaming of what could have been but getting out there and proving his true value, one way would be to make himself the first person on the team sheet, but not going down the same path as Alex Pearce.

Urzz

First signing; Wayne Bridge

Nigel Adkins makes his first signing, Wayne Bridge. Reportedly on a year deal to fill in at left back.

So barely into the first month of the summer break, the Royals are starting to build for next season, like all new players that ply their trade with the Royals, we say welcome and good to have you on board.

There are a lot of positives in this, he has a wealth of experience, knows this league after his loan spell with Brighton and Hove Albion last season. 

He was reportedly very favoured by Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers, so we will see who won or lost out by his signing for Readingfc.

So the Reading way is not dead, business is done before declaring interest in public, low outlay, but before sounding a little cynical Wayne will help promote the clubs intentions to get back on track with their long term ambitions.

When Wayne and the Royals take to the pitch I will be there in the Lower West, with the wife and our two season tickets.

Urzz