Royals lead the way

[Stooper]

An excellent article I have stumbled across:

[quote]Tim Wigmore assesses the exploits of the three promoted clubs in the Premiership.

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As the halfway stage of the Premiership season nears, all three promoted clubs can reflect on contrasting campaigns. Reading have resembled Wigan last season in their attacking intent and obvious quality, while Sheffield United are growing in stature and find themselves just above the relegation zone. But Watford, for all of Aidy Boothroyd’s insistence that things will improve, look no better suited to the top flight than under Graham Taylor seven years ago.

After a low-key summer, Reading were marked out by many pundits as Sunderland Mark 2. The Black Cats refrained from adding greatly to their squad and, despite finishing champions in the Championship, were cruelly exposed in the top league. Reading’s summer endeavours were similar – their only major signing was South Korean Seol Ki-Hyeon.

Yet Reading have been able to transfer their exhilarating football of last season, in which they waltzed to top spot, with relative consistency. Only once, when Arsenal’s passing was majestic and they were torn apart with contemptuous ease, have Reading been thrashed. In all their other games, including home encounters with Chelsea and Manchester United (against whom they fully merited their point), Reading have proved redoubtable.

Like Wigan and West Ham last season, Reading have avoided the temptation to be too defensive. Seol is a transformed player from his days of mediocrity at Wolves; the dynamic forward has been a regular threat - his 25-yard strike at Upton Park was truly outstanding. In midfield, ex-Arsenal duo Steve Sidwell and James Harper have scored five goals between them and provided copious amounts of energy, while agile keeper Marcus Hahnemann has done well. But there is no doubt that 23-year-old Irishman Kevin Doyle has been Reading’s star so far.

Doyle, remarkably, was signed from Cork City for a meagre £80,000 in the summer of 2005. His ebullience earned 19 goals last season, and he has continued in the same vein in the Premiership. Fearless, tricky and with a composed finish under pressure, Doyle has already struck eight times, including against Bolton, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Sheffield United made a miserable start to the season, despite drawing with Liverpool on the opening day. Phil Jagielka’s spectacular last minute winner at home to Middlesbrough constituted their first Premiership win, in their seventh game. Yet that win had something of the air of a Cup shock, and the feeling persisted that Neil Warnock’s side industry and tenacity could not make up for their lack of class, particularly in front of goal.

However, powerful forward Rob Hulse is a willing leader of the front line who has contributed five goals to date while the mercurial Danny Webber has found form of late. Often used as an impact sub, Webber has scored three crucial goals in his last six appearances. With the duo performing well, Sheffield United have scored six goals in their past four games during their best run of the season. With 10 points from these games, including crucial wins at fellow relegation-threatened sides Charlton and Watford, it is palpable that Sheffiled United are growing as a Premiership outfit.

In recent weeks, they have learned the art of attacking the opposition without leaving themselves overly susceptible to counter-attacks. Equally, they are a side big on both fitness and spirit, as shown by their late winners against both Middlesbrough and Charlton, as well as their commendable comeback from two goals down at home to Bolton.

It is no coincidence that those games were all played at Brammel Lane, a highly intimidating stadium. If key players such as Hulse, the energetic Jagielka and keeper Paddy Kenny remain fit, Sheffield United could just have enough to remain in the top flight.

But it would be hard to suggest the same could be said of Watford. Aidy Boothroyd has remained defiant throughout, but their limitations are hard to escape and their chances are remote, even with half the season remaining. The 3-3 draw at home to Fulham, after having been 2-0 up, will be a result Boothroyd looks on with particular regret.

The one advantage Watford have over some of the sides around them is their relatively stable defence, which has let in only 22 goals to date, the same figure as Tottenham. Danny Shittu, a £1.6million summer signing from QPR, has been one factor in this, but the abiding reason has undeniably been the presence of Ben Foster. Foster, on loan from Manchester United, has been consistently superb in goal.

Livewire Ashley Young, meanwhile, has impressed to the extent that Arsenal have repeatedly been linked. The 21-year-old offers pace and trickery, and has already contribute three goals and three assists. But, with exciting forward Marlon King out for the season, goals are elusive. Even when Watford are able to dominate, they can seldom capitalise: no side has more than their five 0-0 draws. The boisterous Boothroyd has at least recognised this fact, saying “We need more firepower, and we are looking for quick fixes. We would like someone who has proved he can score goals at this level over a period of time.â€

[Spirit of Elm Park]

Their safety is assured, while Sheffield United look likely to scrap till the end. But, for Watford, the next six weeks will reveal whether they are capable of an unlikely survival act or their end-of-season ambitions will barely extend beyond bettering their 24-point hail of 1999/2000.

I'm not liking that bit.

[lozz2601]

Good article.
I didnt think we deserved a point against Man U, but whatever.
Safety is assured.......

[higher]

Safety is assured? Certainly that will be the exact opposite mantra to what Sir Steve will rightly be drumming into his troops.Footballs a funny old game and the greatest danger for any team is complacency and taking anything for granted.
Good first half admittedly

[royalsteve]

Safety is assured? Certainly that will be the exact opposite mantra to what Sir Steve will rightly be drumming into his troops.Footballs a funny old game and the greatest danger for any team is complacency and taking anything for granted.
Good first half admittedly

yes but Everton is a must win game given the fact that the Royals are not expected to get anything from the next two games

cant wait for the man u game! go away fog!!!

[Finchley Royal]

Only once, when Arsenal’s passing was majestic and they were torn apart with contemptuous ease, have Reading been thrashed.

They missed the Portsmouth game.

[fruits]

Only once, when Arsenal’s passing was majestic and they were torn apart with contemptuous ease, have Reading been thrashed.

They missed the Portsmouth game.

We played badly certainly not thrashed.

[Gordons Cumming]

We will not lose both games over Xmas.