News and Views
Watford Cruise To League Cup Victory
29 August 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
The gulf in class between the Premier League and the Championship was underlined this evening as Reading were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by a very good second string Watford team. Sloppy play provided Watford with two opportunities who full advantage with two well taken goals. The Premier League side controlled the game throughout and looked far more menacing around the box than Reading. The Royals could not be faulted for their effort and commitment but they were no match for a pacey, slick passing Watford.
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Two Points Thrown Away At Blackburn
22 August 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Paul Clement said that his Reading team are "up and running" after picking up their first point of the season at the fourth attempt at Blackburn Rovers. However, it was a case of two points lost rather than one point gained after Reading led by two goals at half time only to concede twice in the second half. The Royals were well in control at the break after two goals from Jon Dadi Bodvarsson with Reading the better side in the first half.
Blackburn started the game the strongest and it looked like it would be a tough night for the Royals with Mannone making an excellent save to stop the home side taking an early lead. However Bodvarsson turned things around when he made the most of a mistake in the Rovers defence to break free and put the ball over the goalkeeper's head. That goal with just 12 minutes played saw Reading gain confidence.
Reading had made changes from the home defeat to Bolton and Sone Aluko and Leandro Bacuna were both back in the starting team. It was Blackett that created the second goal though on 25 minutes. A quick move down the left saw the ball crossed in for Meite whose effort was well saved. Bodvarsson was there again to smash home and put Reading 2-0 up.
From that point Reading should have gone on to win the game but instead Blackburn were gifted two goals by Paul McShane who had been preferred to Ilori in the centre of defence. The first on 51 minuts was a clear cut foul inside the box and Mulgrew stepped up to blast past Mannone. With 15 minutes left on the clock McShane was again judged to have fouled inside the area, although it appeared a harsh decision. Mulgrew came forward again to score his second from the penalty spot and give Blackburn a 2-2 draw and a share of the points.
Southampton Winger Sims Arrives On Season Loan
21 August 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Southampton winger Joshua Sims has joined the Royals on a season long loan. Twenty one year old Sims made his Southampton Premier League debut as a 19 year old in November 2016, starting in a 1-0 victory over Everton and has gone on to make 13 appearances in the Premier League for the Saints over the last two seasons. After being restricted to most of those games as late showings from the bench, and only making 7 appearances in all competitions last season, Southampton are keen to give Sims more experience this season.
Reading manager Paul Clement describes Sims as "a talented young player that can play on either side, he is a hard worker with a lot of ability and potential, and I'm delighted that he's joining us at Reading." With Reading's lack of success so far this season in the league Clement will be hoping Sims can make an immediate impact and is highly likely to go straight into the team. Sims will be available for selection as Reading travel to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday evening looking for their first points of the season.
Poor League Start Continues As Bolton Win
18 August 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
The inability of Reading to find the back of the net has been a problem for a long time now and it is one which is stubbornly refusing to go away. After controlling the game in the first half The Royals were caught napping at the back shortly after half time and fell behind to a calmly taken chance by substitute Wildshut. From that point onwards the outcome looked inevitable as Bolton sat back and stifled any attempts by Reading to pick their way through a tight defensive formation. Reading simply lacked the imagination and creativity to create a clear opening, failing to register a single shot attempt on target in the entire second half. This third successive defeat in the league creates the grim statistic of being their worst start to a season since 1959!
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