Reading Earn Home Point

20 November 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading fans had barely had time to settle into their seats before they saw their team 'switch off' defensively and allow Forest's Zinckernagel weave his way unchallenged through their team's midfield and defence and drill the ball past an unprotected Luke Southwood. With the news of a six point deduction during the week which saw Reading drop perilously close to the relegation zone, this was not the start required to boost morale. To their credit for the remaining eighty plus minutes Reading were resolute in the their defending, enterprising going forward, and ultimately salvaged a well-deserved and much needed point courtesy of a second half equaliser from Scott Dann.
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Discussion On This Story:

John Madejski's Wallet

» 20 Nov 2021 17:44

Quite an enjoyable game all in.
Moore made some absolute howlers and Drinkwater was wasteful. I've had enough of Ejaria, he ruins every attack. Did it even more when he dropped deep in the last 20.
Most of our attacking play went through Yids, absolutely nothing through Ejaria.
Rahman and Holmes were bloody great. Holmes MOTM for me, his reading of the play is exceptional and somewhat makes up for his lack of pace.

John Madejski's Wallet

» 20 Nov 2021 17:44

Oh and I really liked the Forest kit! :lol:

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 17:47

HATED the Forest kit.
Good game between two good teams. Draw was a fair result.
Holmes MoM. Carroll a hell of a lot more mobile than I was expecting - he runs like a stallion.
Ref was shite, can't believe he gave a foul for that lovely tackle by Rahman after he put Forest in.
Colback had a very good game. Reckon Forest will be in the POs.

JR

» 20 Nov 2021 17:57

Hopefully Mods will delete the same thread I started 30 seconds too late…
That’s the most enjoyable game I’ve been to in a long time. Two teams going at it hammer and tongs for the whole match. Either could have won. Fair result.
Dreadful referee.
Moore redeemed himself slightly for his first half display with the goal line clearance and great to see Pauno go two up top with the substitution.
Carroll signing is a masterstroke. He changed the game coming on and we scored the equaliser because of his presence in the box. Looked sharp and fit.
Hope this is the start of Holmes being a starter at centre back regardless of formation / personnel.

NathStPaul

» 20 Nov 2021 18:02

First game I've been to post restrictions being lifted.
Food was as awful as expected
Annoying bunch of kids behind me
Refereeing even worse when seeing it in person
Thought we did OK tbh, draw was fair.

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 18:03

Not just his presence in the box, it was his flick on that won us the corner. Would be delighted if he plays like that every game and doesn't score, so we've got a chance of keeping him.

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 18:04

We should've car shared.

AthleticoSpizz

» 20 Nov 2021 18:16

Will Pauno start with both Pusci and Carole next?
Gotta be worth a go

Nameless

» 20 Nov 2021 18:22

I reckon starting with 2 upfront makes ourdefence stronger....

NathStPaul

» 20 Nov 2021 18:23

We should've car shared.
I already had 5 in the car. Guess I could have stuck one of the kids in the boot.

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 18:24

A couple more games off the bench I reckon, then start them both at home to Hull.

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 18:25

We should've car shared.
I already had 5 in the car. Guess I could have stuck one of the kids in the boot.
Fair enough. Maybe a convoy next time then.

NathStPaul

» 20 Nov 2021 18:26

I already had 5 in the car. Guess I could have stuck one of the kids in the boot.
Fair enough. Maybe a convoy next time then.
Yes please. Maybe invest in a CB radio.

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 18:28

Fair enough. Maybe a convoy next time then.
Yes please. Maybe invest in a CB radio.
10-4 good buddy.

AthleticoSpizz

» 20 Nov 2021 18:39

“Keep the bugs off your glass, and the bears off your ass”....out.
Gotta love the late seventies :wink:

PieEater

» 20 Nov 2021 18:56

This was a game that a relegation team would lose.
I think we'll be OK

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 18:59

You can say that again.

Snowflake Royal

» 20 Nov 2021 19:48

Yep. Actually spent most the game looking for something positive to say about Ejaria for his lovers.
Best thing was him ignoring creating a good chance to slowly create a half chance.

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 19:49

Yep. Actually spent most the game looking for something positive to say about Ejaria for his lovers.
Best thing was him ignoring creating a good chance to slowly create a half chance.
I think he worked hard and won the ball back a fair bit. Didn't create much mind you.

Zip

» 20 Nov 2021 19:52

Holmes my MoTM. Very composed although he did get done for pace a couple of times. Both Dann and Moore struggled. Yids was Yids. He did well to get into good positions but the final ball was poor apart from the chance he set up early on. I can only reiterate we need a decent winger or two.
Ejaria just doesn’t do it in or around the penalty box. Swift was quiet. Forest looked decent going forward but shaky at the back. In the end a decent point.

Hound

» 20 Nov 2021 20:00

Really enjoyable game I thought - a proper match with two half decent if flawed teams both trying to go for the win
ref was annoyingly shit - obvs biased but seem to give Forest any number of 50/50s their way, which again stopped our momentum a number of times. A couple of horrifically poor decisions towards the end.
Thought generally nearly everyone did pretty well. Puscas looked sharp and hungry and was a goal away from an 8 or 9/10 performance. Like him up front in a 2. Though did think there was a lot of space for Forest to exploit in our midfield when we did that though. Esp as TDB didn't do too much right when he came on.
Moore is a pain in the backside. He does plenty of good stuff, but you can't make the errors he does at this level. the first goal was a horrendously weak challenge, and far too often giving the ball away with a poor pass. Not good enough really. Holmes had a good day bar the rubbish defending when Grabban almost scored.
Dann didn't have his best day but a nice goal. Swift likewise with the assist. Ejaria was fine and did a good job both attacking and defending. DD did pretty well but came off at the right time. Laurent an improved showing. Yiadom and Baba did some good stuff but tired. Baba does worry me with his positioning - they were targeting that ball over him today. We're still far too easy to run at at the back.
Not really buying the forest will make the POs. They played some nice stuff, but mixed in with some appalling playing out from the back at times. Really seem to think they are a lot better than they are. Mid table at best i suspect.
Anyway, overall a positive. Nice to see Pauno be flexible.

Zip

» 20 Nov 2021 20:10

Yes I thought Pauno got his subs right today. Taking off Moore and bringing on Carroll when we were behind was a good call as was taking of a Drinkwater. Both Moore and Drinkwater were on yellows too

After a really poor start Drinkwater really improved and his tackling was excellent. .

Hound

» 20 Nov 2021 20:12

I was amazed when he took Moore off but 100% the right call

Zip

» 20 Nov 2021 20:13

I was amazed when he took Moore off but 100% the right call

Yep I was expecting it to be Puscas.

Simmops

» 20 Nov 2021 20:15

Yes please. Maybe invest in a CB radio.
10-4 good buddy.
Can I please join?

SCIAG

» 20 Nov 2021 20:18

Very fun game.
Moore is a shadow of the player he was even a few months ago, I think he has to be fifth choice when everyone is fit and on current form I'd prefer to give Abbey a game.
On the flip side, Holmes is looking better than ever, and Carroll gives us the option of two up-top which is nice.

Zip

» 20 Nov 2021 20:24

I thought Dann was just as poor as Moore today. Good to have some decent bench options today but disappointing we still have so many out.

Snowflake Royal

» 20 Nov 2021 20:33

I thought Dann was just as poor as Moore today. Good to have some decent bench options today but disappointing we still have so many out.
Dann's been a bit of a disappointment for me. Looks like he used to be a good player but doesn't really have it anymore.
McIntyre and Holmes should have the two slots locked up when they're fit, unless Morro makes a huge recovery.

Pepe the Horseman

» 20 Nov 2021 20:36

10-4 good buddy.
Can I please join?
Not unless you've moved to Maidenhead.

Simmops

» 20 Nov 2021 20:38

Can I please join?
Not unless you've moved to Maidenhead.

I can move to maidenhead

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