Reading Football Club News: December 2017

Burton Gifted Three Points

23 December 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading marked the occasion of their 500th first team fixture at the Madejski Stadium with a dismal defeat against struggling Burton Albion. Having enticed a huge crowd to attend with reduced ticket prices the Royals missed a golden opportunity to increase their following in future matches. It is however the manner of the defeat which will concern everyone associated with the club. Having conceded a soft goal in the first half Reading managed to mount some pressure on the Albion defence in the second half and scramble an equaliser fifteen minutes from time. In a game in which Albion had rarely ventured out of their own half it seemed reasonable to expect Reading to go on and win the game. The expected surge to kick on and win the game was scuppered by some dreadful defending culminating in a bizarre winning goal for Albion. That was the last straw for many, and the ground emptied.

Jaap Stam identified poor touch, passing and decision making throughout the side as the key factors contributing to the result, which is a pretty fair summary. In short Reading significantly underperformed individually and collectively against a mediocre team and managed to lose in spite of having seventy six per cent of the possession.
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Reading Let Lead Slip Against Cardiff

12 December 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Paul McShane almost snatched a victory for Reading in the dying seconds of stoppage time but they had to settle for a point when for eighty minutes they looked set to claim a magnificent home win against second placed City. Reading, deservedly ahead by two goal at half time, finally succumbed to intense City pressure to concede two late goals. Having appeared to have weathered the storm of City's second half onslaught the Royals lost their composure and discipline in the last ten minutes allowing the visitors to salvage a point. It was a disappointing outcome for Reading fans but probably a fair reward for City's second half endeavour.
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