On the train back to reading, but here is my 10p worth
Firstly, a great start, nice to see some pace up front and composure and good finish from Appiah. First half we had a few chances but two great saves from Fed and a clearance off the line from McCleary meant we thought we would go in 1 up. A ludicrous challenge from Obita, looked a stone Waller from where we were, I think everyone in the stadium could guess bent was going that way, penalty isn't in the corner and Feds makes a comfortable save.
Second half, I thought we were excellent, no nervous moments like in the first half. Have to say derby made excellent noise for about 15 minutes in the second half, but they didn't really create anything.
Second goal, looked like a pen at the front post, ball pinged around for a bit and then hector calmly slotted home. Second half petered out until, what looked like a dodgy pen, the one for hectors goal was more of a pen, but well taken from McCleary
Amazing what you can do with an out ball, the ball didn't come back anywhere nearly as quickly as what it did when pog is up front and thought Appiah ran channels well and made sure we had a chance to reset in their third.
Thought Karacan and Chalobah were excellent in midfield and closing players down.
Fosu looked a threat when he came in, and if it wasn't for Feds he would get MOTM.
Feds MOTM, and nice to see some laced and potential in the team
BFTG - Derby
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gazzer, loyal royal
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Only watched online (big thanks to whoever provided the link in the other thread.) Didn't expect much but thoroughly enjoyed that match. Excellent win that makes next season look a bit more promising. Also cool that with this and the Rotheram game we had a huge impact on the Championship.
Thank oxf*rd thats over. Look forward to the next one.
Thank oxf*rd thats over. Look forward to the next one.
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Norfolk Royal
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Thought Stacey showed some promise before his injury. He was nearly in tears when he had to come off but hopefully will get more chance next season.
Fosu showed promise as well although as other posters have said he needs to get his head up occasionally.
Fosu showed promise as well although as other posters have said he needs to get his head up occasionally.
Prediction: Tariqe Fosu is going to be a star player for us.
Derby were terrible and Reading totally deserved the win.
Thought Appiah was okay - took his goal well albeit aided by hilarious defending, everything else was okay. Okay runs, okay ball retention, didn't really offer much from a direct attacking perspective.
Penalty was a penalty but I wouldn't blame Obita as much as whomever carelessly lost possession in midfield with 30secs of the half to go (Appiah? Not sure)
Fosu played exactly how he does every time I see him play: like somebody's stolen the X button off his PlayStation controller so he can't possibly pass to anyone. It's not so bad when you're playing a desperate team with three at the back chasing their season but he needs to smarten up if he wants to make it. Good individual talent though.
Big nod to those players who have served us well and may not pull on the shirt again.
Thought Appiah was okay - took his goal well albeit aided by hilarious defending, everything else was okay. Okay runs, okay ball retention, didn't really offer much from a direct attacking perspective.
Penalty was a penalty but I wouldn't blame Obita as much as whomever carelessly lost possession in midfield with 30secs of the half to go (Appiah? Not sure)
Fosu played exactly how he does every time I see him play: like somebody's stolen the X button off his PlayStation controller so he can't possibly pass to anyone. It's not so bad when you're playing a desperate team with three at the back chasing their season but he needs to smarten up if he wants to make it. Good individual talent though.
Big nod to those players who have served us well and may not pull on the shirt again.
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Pepe the Horseman
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Lovely ball from Norwood for the pen and would've scored in the first half if it weren't for a great save from his free kick. Reckon he may have saved his Reading career in the last couple of games.
I thought we played pretty well with the same attitude and organisation we had at Wembley.
The first goal was a shambles from Derby's point of view but very well taken by Appiah.
After that I thought we controlled the game pretty well and Fosu missed a golden chance to square it for a tap in and 2-0. Utterly selfish or just dreaming of glory when given his big chance, but that was a really really bad decision to take it on and shoot wide.
The penalty looked soft to me, Derby were going down with any contact and I'm not sure an arm across the front is enough. Anyway a great save from Feds and all that first half effort was worth it.
Second half we controlled the game and never really looked threatened except from a set piece.
The second I was screaming at Keown for spending the whole time in a bear hug clearly fouling, but the lol was on him as he was so intent on continuing to hold the player that he totally forget the main job was to clear the ball so big Hec just wacked it in.
Great result and some light on an utterly dismal season
The first goal was a shambles from Derby's point of view but very well taken by Appiah.
After that I thought we controlled the game pretty well and Fosu missed a golden chance to square it for a tap in and 2-0. Utterly selfish or just dreaming of glory when given his big chance, but that was a really really bad decision to take it on and shoot wide.
The penalty looked soft to me, Derby were going down with any contact and I'm not sure an arm across the front is enough. Anyway a great save from Feds and all that first half effort was worth it.
Second half we controlled the game and never really looked threatened except from a set piece.
The second I was screaming at Keown for spending the whole time in a bear hug clearly fouling, but the lol was on him as he was so intent on continuing to hold the player that he totally forget the main job was to clear the ball so big Hec just wacked it in.
Great result and some light on an utterly dismal season
Love a nothing game. Love the fact that we influenced others today in the play off push as opposed to other teams influencing us.
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sandman
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Dave-Royalyes PLAY him Next season in the Frist teamchippc Prediction: Tariqe Fosu is going to be a star player for us.
Know why we shud play him next seesaw Dive. He shud go two Swinedon in lone or something ok.
Like a few others I also forgot the match was on early!! Started my car to go to Waitrose (like a true fan!) for a paper and Talk Sport were, unbelievably, talking about how Derby were so bad in the first half. I forgot Waitrose and scoured Stevenage Old Town for a pub showing the game. They were all showing Leicester v Newcastle but one had a back room, containing about 8 glum looking Derby fans huddled around a TV so I joined them!
Yes it was a very enjoyable 49 minutes although I thought we got dispossessed in mid-field too often. Fosu looks a great prospect, our defence looked solid, we looked dangerous when we broke at pace and Derby never really looked like scoring!!
The last time (I think) we played Derby away on the last game of the season with something to play for was our first relegation from the Premier League. We won 0 - 4 but still went down because Portsmouth (who were in the FA Cup Final) played a reserve team against Fulham. Fulham won (0 - 1, I think) and retained their Premier League status at our expense!
And Feds did save a penalty at White Hart Lane that season, from Keane, only for Defoe to slot home the rebound. The officials missed the fact that Defoe ran illegally into the penalty area long before the penalty was struck!!
Anyway - I'm glad we did, at least, finish the season on a high note . And Dave-Royal called it for Reading even if he got the score wrong!!
Yes it was a very enjoyable 49 minutes although I thought we got dispossessed in mid-field too often. Fosu looks a great prospect, our defence looked solid, we looked dangerous when we broke at pace and Derby never really looked like scoring!!
The last time (I think) we played Derby away on the last game of the season with something to play for was our first relegation from the Premier League. We won 0 - 4 but still went down because Portsmouth (who were in the FA Cup Final) played a reserve team against Fulham. Fulham won (0 - 1, I think) and retained their Premier League status at our expense!
And Feds did save a penalty at White Hart Lane that season, from Keane, only for Defoe to slot home the rebound. The officials missed the fact that Defoe ran illegally into the penalty area long before the penalty was struck!!
Anyway - I'm glad we did, at least, finish the season on a high note . And Dave-Royal called it for Reading even if he got the score wrong!!
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CountryRoyal
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Brilliant, that was most enjoyable!!
Just to reiterate, we played well but derby were woeful, I'd be pretty pissed off if I was their fan. Similarities with us last season just missing out, but that's where they end, we were playing one of the best teams in the league and we actually gave it ago!
Players did all their jobs well but special mention to Fosu... Best hi man every single time and his final ball was pretty good, tested the keeper on a couple of occasions and should have with his others. Jem was also terrific, a huge improvement on Tuesday. Id like to see us signing appiah permanently in the summer, regardless of his ratio for us we are so much more threatening and exciting when we have a striker with pace.
We were in pretty good voice I thought and it was nice taking the piss out of derby for spoiling their season. Even though they've been on a terrible run I was still expecting to see a second pitch invasion in 2 games as were derby. Lols at the "please keep off the pitch" message on their screen - maybe a tad preemptive
Considering we are the best team to play when you need a result today was certainly pretty sweet.
Just to reiterate, we played well but derby were woeful, I'd be pretty pissed off if I was their fan. Similarities with us last season just missing out, but that's where they end, we were playing one of the best teams in the league and we actually gave it ago!
Players did all their jobs well but special mention to Fosu... Best hi man every single time and his final ball was pretty good, tested the keeper on a couple of occasions and should have with his others. Jem was also terrific, a huge improvement on Tuesday. Id like to see us signing appiah permanently in the summer, regardless of his ratio for us we are so much more threatening and exciting when we have a striker with pace.
We were in pretty good voice I thought and it was nice taking the piss out of derby for spoiling their season. Even though they've been on a terrible run I was still expecting to see a second pitch invasion in 2 games as were derby. Lols at the "please keep off the pitch" message on their screen - maybe a tad preemptive
Considering we are the best team to play when you need a result today was certainly pretty sweet.
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sandman
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sandmanDave-Royalyes PLAY him Next season in the Frist teamchippc Prediction: Tariqe Fosu is going to be a star player for us.
Know why we shud play him next seesaw Dive. He shud go two Swinedon in lone or something ok.
Dave-Royal can u stop calling Me Name Please all I will report u to Hob Nob Graham
Woodent bother Dive, Graham think your a tw@t as wheel.
A bit of karma first. I had arranged to go via Leicester to pick up my son and go to the away game (thinking inflatables etc) but after Tuesday night it was hard to imagine anything other than a drubbing, and the general view off HibNob was that few would go (and it was on the telly). So I rang the son and said nah.
Moral of the story...
As for the game Appiah showed (IMO) that he would make a good signing (even a season-long loan would do. We need PACE (like once, McCleary had...)
His goal was brilliant IMO. First he had to be quick-thinking to seize on the loose Derby pass. He was. he was clever too in doing the defender, and then he used his speed to get clear. So far, he looks good, and let's face it, who else on the books would have managed that this season?
Then he cuts in towards goal, and was in a classic "he'll hammer it against the keeper" position (like we did 2-3 times in our last home game). But no, he beautifully suckers the onrushing defender, opens the goal right up and calmly slots home.
A breath of fresh air, and very probably, it was his goal that killed Derby, completely changed the dynamic. If we have to keep Pog next season, and have to play him, I'd play 4-4-2 with Appiah at home (with Pog DEEP and Appiah running the channels). Away, if we have to play Pog, play him in the middle, and let Appiah be the out he was today.
IMO with this guy playing we'd score 20 more goals a season, 12-14 from him, and the rest because he'd stretch defences. That presumes (a) we get him (b) he avoids serious injury (c) he starts regularly.
But I think today showed how different we are with speed up front. Stacey and Appiah pressured early, Stacey and Fosu later. It was great to see Karacan higher up the pitch too.
But WTF was Hector doing almost winning a corner after a wing run, and attacking their area later?
Feds was excellent again. His first good save was unnecessary and may have been one for the scouts, but his other was VG and his penalty save was excellent. He clearly invited a ball to his right (look where he stood) and it worked. Also covered a Bent break well, forcing him wide, and had one VG punch clear.
Let's say, though, if he goes, we'll be at least six points worse off next year. We are not going to get a better keeper unless we con QPR into giving us back that bloke, name begins M, is he still alive?
true Derby were nervous, but they still have a very good set of individuals, and we played them very well and made them look weak. Kudos to Steve Clarke for once again setting us up perfectly.
Stacey showed plenty of energy and looks promising. Fosu looks tiny and light but did very well and could easily be a star in the not too distant future.
Karacan was solid throughout and got a big hug from SC when he came off. Was that a last-game signal, or does it mean, maybe we can hang on to him?
Obita did give away a pen, but he was put in a horrible position. Nevertheless he should have just covered as best he could and not clumsily given the Derby player a chance to fall down. The Derby lad would have got a cross in, but almost certainly not a shot.
Other than that, the defence did very well. Chalobah and Norwood with Karacan worked against a classy midfield.
Thought McCleary was relatively quiet. To me, altho' he shows flashes of his old self, he seems to have lost a lot of his raw speed and explosive movement. Perhaps the back isn't fixed?
Moral of the story...
As for the game Appiah showed (IMO) that he would make a good signing (even a season-long loan would do. We need PACE (like once, McCleary had...)
His goal was brilliant IMO. First he had to be quick-thinking to seize on the loose Derby pass. He was. he was clever too in doing the defender, and then he used his speed to get clear. So far, he looks good, and let's face it, who else on the books would have managed that this season?
Then he cuts in towards goal, and was in a classic "he'll hammer it against the keeper" position (like we did 2-3 times in our last home game). But no, he beautifully suckers the onrushing defender, opens the goal right up and calmly slots home.
A breath of fresh air, and very probably, it was his goal that killed Derby, completely changed the dynamic. If we have to keep Pog next season, and have to play him, I'd play 4-4-2 with Appiah at home (with Pog DEEP and Appiah running the channels). Away, if we have to play Pog, play him in the middle, and let Appiah be the out he was today.
IMO with this guy playing we'd score 20 more goals a season, 12-14 from him, and the rest because he'd stretch defences. That presumes (a) we get him (b) he avoids serious injury (c) he starts regularly.
But I think today showed how different we are with speed up front. Stacey and Appiah pressured early, Stacey and Fosu later. It was great to see Karacan higher up the pitch too.
But WTF was Hector doing almost winning a corner after a wing run, and attacking their area later?
Feds was excellent again. His first good save was unnecessary and may have been one for the scouts, but his other was VG and his penalty save was excellent. He clearly invited a ball to his right (look where he stood) and it worked. Also covered a Bent break well, forcing him wide, and had one VG punch clear.
Let's say, though, if he goes, we'll be at least six points worse off next year. We are not going to get a better keeper unless we con QPR into giving us back that bloke, name begins M, is he still alive?
true Derby were nervous, but they still have a very good set of individuals, and we played them very well and made them look weak. Kudos to Steve Clarke for once again setting us up perfectly.
Stacey showed plenty of energy and looks promising. Fosu looks tiny and light but did very well and could easily be a star in the not too distant future.
Karacan was solid throughout and got a big hug from SC when he came off. Was that a last-game signal, or does it mean, maybe we can hang on to him?
Obita did give away a pen, but he was put in a horrible position. Nevertheless he should have just covered as best he could and not clumsily given the Derby player a chance to fall down. The Derby lad would have got a cross in, but almost certainly not a shot.
Other than that, the defence did very well. Chalobah and Norwood with Karacan worked against a classy midfield.
Thought McCleary was relatively quiet. To me, altho' he shows flashes of his old self, he seems to have lost a lot of his raw speed and explosive movement. Perhaps the back isn't fixed?
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Basingstoke Royal
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I remember the trip to pride park when we went down in 2008. The Derby fans loved watching us go through it that day so great to finally repay the compliment. 
Fosu >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HRK
Fosu >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HRK
Great result. but why oh why can the ROYALS turn a result like that after the loosing results against BPool and RHam ??????????? 
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ladida_gunner_graham
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Was Pleased for Appiah - he seems to have been trying a little too hard in previous games, and looked consequently looked a bit iffy, but if we can harness his positives I think he can be a decent signing. He hassles defenders into rushed passes and mistakes, stretches defences, has the pace to get in behind and if he can find his composure in front of goal, could be part of the solution to our attacking deficiencies.
Derby were indeed awful, but what it was encouraging to see that was in no small part due to Readin's play. When Derby had possession it was difficult to see what options they had. We effectively closed off simple passes, forcing Derby to play long, largely hopeful balls from the back which ran through to Federici or were little better than 50/50. Made Derby look increasingly bad and desperate, which was great to see.
Fosu was a breath of fresh air. Touch of Raheem Sterling, including the not so good bits, But would take that. Obita had a disappointing game. Not just the penalty, but he was easily beaten several times and only Derby's poor finishing stopped them being more significant errors. Needs to get his game together. Less pointing Jordan - just concentrate on your own game. And learn to take a f***ing throw-in that actually goes to one of our players....
Derby were indeed awful, but what it was encouraging to see that was in no small part due to Readin's play. When Derby had possession it was difficult to see what options they had. We effectively closed off simple passes, forcing Derby to play long, largely hopeful balls from the back which ran through to Federici or were little better than 50/50. Made Derby look increasingly bad and desperate, which was great to see.
Fosu was a breath of fresh air. Touch of Raheem Sterling, including the not so good bits, But would take that. Obita had a disappointing game. Not just the penalty, but he was easily beaten several times and only Derby's poor finishing stopped them being more significant errors. Needs to get his game together. Less pointing Jordan - just concentrate on your own game. And learn to take a f***ing throw-in that actually goes to one of our players....
FINALLY
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Mr Optimist
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Did anyone who went stay for the presentation of the Championship trophy?
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loyalroyaldaz
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Dave-Royal sand man shut up ok
graham please get rid of my account please I hate pepole taking piss out of Me
Finally the Goon see's sense and does what he should of done months ago.
Bye Dave-Royal, its been entertaining for at least 2 minutes, now ride your Mobility Scooter off into the sun.
You not going be mist you tit..okay.
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sandman
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Dave-Royal sand man shut up ok
graham please get rid of my account please I hate pepole taking piss out of Me
Who be trecking the pies out if yu Dive?
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