Back from the game - Burnley (H)

[West Stand Man]

It is an interesting concept that 'the woodwork saved us'. It is oft quoted in reports about games, yet the truth is that if the shot/ header hits the post or crossbar it was not going in - ie it was missing the target. It may have been close, but not close enough to hit the 8ft x 8yd hole that is the goal.

Austin's header was a pretty poor miss, to be honest. He had a free header and had most of the goal to aim at, yet he hit the cross bar. Rodriguez had much less time to direct his effort and so it was a good (but not good enough) effort. In neither case did the woodwork 'save' us though. It didn't move to intercept the ball it was just there!

[Archie's penalty]

Just a point on Harte.
I was disappointed when he found his way back in the team but our recent results with him playing have been excellent.
I have always been a critic of his defensive play but conceded that his dead ball delivery is good.
The daft thing is that defensively he has done well but his set piece delivery has been nothing special and if he has had the odd assist it is because that is bound to happen eventually as he takes nearly all of the corners and free-kicks.
It is very much a case of having a reputation that is greater than is actually delivered.

I think this game at 'Boro is a key fixture.
Thinking back to 1995/6 the 1-0 win there when they were top of the league was a real statement that we were amongst the best at this level and I feel that this Saturday might well be a pivotal game to establish whether we are likely to challenge for automatic or for the play-offs or to not make the play-offs.

1994-5, I woz there.

[If you still hate Futcher]

Just a point on Harte.
I was disappointed when he found his way back in the team but our recent results with him playing have been excellent.
I have always been a critic of his defensive play but conceded that his dead ball delivery is good.
The daft thing is that defensively he has done well but his set piece delivery has been nothing special and if he has had the odd assist it is because that is bound to happen eventually as he takes nearly all of the corners and free-kicks.
It is very much a case of having a reputation that is greater than is actually delivered.

Me too and I have to say I agree pretty much with every word above.

I'll hold my hand up and admit that I didn't think there was a way back for him after his early season performances when he looked like he was treading water and didn't have a clue where he needed to be. Yet since coming back he's been exceptional and has sorted out his positioning which, given his pace (or lack thereof), is his best asset defensively.

I still don't think his delivery either from dead ball or open play has been up to last years standard although that was very high.

[Here for the KEBE]

Well, where do I start? Thank oxf*rd I did not spunk £400 plus on a ST to watch that shit. For anyone out there who genuinely thinks Reading are the real deal then think again. What football that was played came from Burnley. Gorkss's positioning for Austin's header was not even Sunday League. Roberts took his only chance well but other than that...

Referee lost the plot in the second half. How Wallace stayed on the pitch is beyond me.

Hunt's ball across in stoppage time at the end of the game was a complete joke.

The back 4 apart from Pearce were a complete shambles. The midfield duo of Liegertwood and Karacan were passengers. Throughout the game there was absolutely no pressing or closing down of Burnley.

IMHO, a draw would have been a fair result.

And don't get me started on that fat lump in goal. WTF does Feds do? Where is the communication or dominance of the box?

I have seen far better non league games this season. That was shit!

Bit harsh but I kind of agree. This recent run has really got be thinking about what football is all about - for the fan who's all about results this is heaven, but for the fan who wants to be entertained by the FOOTball, this is dire. No doubt about it this is good for Reading but just say we did get promoted, would any fan look upon this season with fondness?! I am a fan who likes to be entertained so my preference would be for Reading to stay down this year, sort their playing style out as it is woeful, sign some new players with the money, then have a really enjoyable season next year. I really enjoyed the 2nd half of last season as we did play some good stuff but no word this is poor. But then what is the aim of football? Is it all about the result or is it about brilliant performances that last in the memory? I am up for the latter but I understand the thousands of fans who are jumping on the promotion bandwagon now and aren't even bothered about the performances

Remember Leicester at home last season? They had loads of possession and did nothing with it, we hit them on the counter and won 3-0. Similar to the Burnley game. We should have scored more. If we had, I doubt you'd have written a post in that tone.

We've played better than that and lost this season, so McDermott is just trying to win games. It's what he's paid to do.

I was at that Leicester game and despite not having much possession, we were very good and enjoyable. Maybe my expectations of team PERFORMANCES are a lot higher than others, and I'm not saying Reading have played any worse football than any other team I've seen this season (generally the standard is woeful), but I think that could be the reason as to why games aren't sell outs. If Reading were beating teams 4/5-0 like they were in 2006, everyone would be there. For me, style of football is very important and it's a big reason why Swansea are looking comfortable in the Premiership. As I've said, I think that staying down and adding some quality players such as Rhodes & Majewski and clearing out deadwood such as Hunt and Tabb, would be more beneficial for the club in the LONG-TERM, but then most football fans prefer the instant success nowadays

[Z175]

Just a point on Harte.
I was disappointed when he found his way back in the team but our recent results with him playing have been excellent.
I have always been a critic of his defensive play but conceded that his dead ball delivery is good.
The daft thing is that defensively he has done well but his set piece delivery has been nothing special and if he has had the odd assist it is because that is bound to happen eventually as he takes nearly all of the corners and free-kicks.
It is very much a case of having a reputation that is greater than is actually delivered.

Me too and I have to say I agree pretty much with every word above.

I'll hold my hand up and admit that I didn't think there was a way back for him after his early season performances when he looked like he was treading water and didn't have a clue where he needed to be. Yet since coming back he's been exceptional and has sorted out his positioning which, given his pace (or lack thereof), is his best asset defensively.

I still don't think his delivery either from dead ball or open play has been up to last years standard although that was very high.

I agree that the set plays have been poor- but in my opinion his dead ball was dreadful when he first signed, yet improved massively over the season. I think the team need to improve their co-ordination, runs and timing with set plays and it doesnt all just reflect on the taker. Since Sigurdsson left we have often struggled to make anything of our set plays, but they finally came good in our run in last year. With Harte back in the side, it'll probably take a few games for Roberts and Gorkss to get on the end of them.

Penalties are a different matter though - Hartes presence has got to sort that one out instantly!

On the wider issue of playing Harte I'm 100% with Tim Dellor. Harte brings class and composure with both feet and is brilliant at giving us some possession. We played better football on Friday and Harte was key to that, in his 3rd game in under 7 days.