Back from the game Derby (H)

[W&E Royal]

Overall we didn't play well and gave Derby lots of possession, there were few chances but we had the best of them. Feds made one great save that he saw late, but looked suspect for their goal.

I thought HRK had one of his best games for a while, he seems full of confidence to take people on, he just needs to look up a bit more and play the ball sooner, but probably my MOTM.

Church useless as ever, but did have one decent shot that hit the bar.

Tim Dellor thought Church was MOTM. Imagine that!

HRK was MOTM followed by Pearce, do you think Mills gets embarrassed when he see's Pearce organising everything and generally being captain. I think Pearce should partner Zurab.

[Svlad Cjelli]

My MOTM was Cummings - super little performance with bags of confidence.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

I would say Robson-Kanu.

Superb.

[Winnershroyal]

I would say Robson-Kanu.

Superb.

Gunnar changed the game.

Who da thought it?

[andrew1957]

It all had rather an end of term feel about it today. Both sides seemed to struggle to really believe that it was important.

Reading defended well apart from the goral and Fed looked safe enough. Not sure if he was at fault for the goal or not - could not tell from where I was.

Cummings very good again - I really respect the way he has come back from not even making the pre season tour last summer.

Pearce also looked very good and is unlucky not to be playing regularly.

I had high hopes for both Antonio and Church this season but both disappointed again - especially Antonio. Manset looked ok but not outstanding. Thought Tabb was very good today and Robson-Kanu was MOTM to me.

Derby fans made a lot of noise to be fair and Robbie Savage is a legend - although I am not sure he looked great in his underclothes. Well done to the RFC fans for giving him a deservedly good send off.

At the end of the day a win is a win and I am really looking forward to Friday night now.

[andrew1957]

Also meant to say very impressed with Taylor. He is still very slight of build which is probably why we have seen so little of him - but he looks like he will be a real prospect to me.

Also great persistence by him and Gunnar to create the goal. I really hope we give Gunnar and Ingi another contract.

[Handsome Man]

HRK was great. Antonio tried so hard, but managed to tackle himself half the time. Pearce is better than Mills. Federici makes too many mistakes.

Overall it was a nice relaxed sunny day, an easy victory and good atmosphere.

[S09Royal]

I really enjoyed the match today, it was very exciting, and watching Savage have tantrums like a 10 year old boy, was priceless.

I thought the performance we delivered today was much better compared to our previous game against Sheffield United, we looked more awake and more up for it, proving that that game against the Blades was just a blip.

I was very impressed with Jay Tabb today, I thought he had a very good game, although there was a moment in the first half where he should have put a chance away, instead he cut it back to nobody, but apart from that he played well. Perhaps Brian could put him in the starting 11 if Kebe isn't up to full fitness?
I thought Ledge had a good game and I really hope we sign him this summer. HRK was very good and I was slightly disappointed with Antonio. Church's strike was brilliant and if it would've sneaked into the net, well that certainly would've been sensational. Derby's goal was very good, maybe we could look in the summer to finding someone who can strike from distance? Goals like that are a joy to watch. It was a shame to see Harte miss a PEN.

Derby's fans provided brilliant amusement the entire afternoon and it was so funny when their 2nd goal was disallowed yet they carried on celebrating. Were half of them drunk? It was particulary amusing to see one get rugby tackled by a steward

Overall a good match to watch, hopefully we've picked up momentum in time. Great win. Bring on Cardiff!

[The Prisoner]

Good things: Robson-Kanu (MOTM for me), Cummings, Manset, Tabb, Pearce, Taylor (thought it was his persistence that got the winning goal by closing down in the corner?), Bryn

Bad things: Antonio, was Leigertwood injured?, Church/offsides, Me getting drunk on train home.

[Mr. Reading]

Thought Church played well TBH, not sure where all the criticism comes from for this game? He's been useless most of the season but looked really up for it today, won a penalty and had a decent shot off the bar. Looked much sharper than normal, and certainly outperformed Manset and Hunt.

[leon]

My MOTM was Cummings - super little performance with bags of confidence.

hmm I haven't been a fan, but i've got to say he showed pace, real strength and covered really well. Actually he defended excellently.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

My MOTM was Cummings - super little performance with bags of confidence.

hmm I haven't been a fan, but i've got to say he showed pace, real strength and covered really well. Actually he defended excellently.

As he has done every time he's played this season.

[Libertine]

My MOTM was Cummings - super little performance with bags of confidence.

hmm I haven't been a fan, but i've got to say he showed pace, real strength and covered really well. Actually he defended excellently.

As he has done every time he's played this season.

^^^^ this

I don't care about bruised egos and ruffled feathers, this time of year it is all, and only, about results, so the players whom give us the best chance to prevail need to be in the line-up. And imo from what I have seen of him he has been rock solid when he is given a chance. Hopefully his performance today will reaffirm to Brian why he should be included in the line-up.

[floyd__streete]

Well who learned anything from that garbage other than the fact that Reading's second string are rubbish. Michail Antonio, if you performed at a kids party they would boo you, honestly go and work for Prudential and stop stealing a living. Everyone else was crap apart from Alex Pearce.

[under the tin]

Well who learned anything from that garbage other than the fact that Reading's second string are rubbish. Michail Antonio, if you performed at a kids party they would boo you, honestly go and work for Prudential and stop stealing a living. Everyone else was crap apart from Alex Pearce.

A tad harsh, floyd, but I share the general sentiments of your post.
The game was played like it was Savage's testimonial. Our support was indeed crap, but the fans cannot be divorced from what happens on the pitch. Derby fans sang all game because it was their end of season party, not for any other reason.

The thing that concerns me is that should the playoffs result in failure, those on the pitch yesterday will quite possibly be making up the bulk of the first team next season.
The bright spots were Cummings and Pearce, and I also think that HRK is improving with every start.
Antonio had a 'mare, Ledge was the best player on the pitch first half, but then disappeared in the second. Tabb has a great engine, but tends to run up blind alleys
Manset is big and powerful, but also very raw, and Church looks desperately short of confidence.

[PieEater]

Thought Church played well TBH, not sure where all the criticism comes from for this game? He's been useless most of the season but looked really up for it today, won a penalty and had a decent shot off the bar. Looked much sharper than normal, and certainly outperformed Manset and Hunt.

He just seems to lack awareness, which means he makes stupid runs in offside positions and his ball control was really poor. He must have fluffed about 5 through balls by failing to take a touch and doesn't seem to react or anticipate well. Then he gives up and moans at other players rather than work to get the ball back. For the pen, the only reason we got was that he was so slow the centre half caught up with him and touched his back causing him to fall over Barca style. His best attribute has to be his shooting and was unlucky to hit the bar with his shot, probably only because the ball curved in flight.

Manset on the other hand has much better ball control, is stronger on the ball and links up play better. He had a few shots that were pretty poor efforts.

Hunt was played out of position and was a definite improvement on Antonio.

[79Royal]

Disjointed performance from us, probably down to the changes. Derby were loud enough, but the 'I wanna go home' song is embarrassing. LOL at Savage's hurt knee performance in the first half.

Thought we started playing good football when Bryn came on. He put his foot on the ball, picked an easy pass and moved into space. Great stuff. More importantly, he took the ball from the defence, which stopped us hoofing the ball. TBF we didn't do that too often today, but when we did, we surrendered possession and momentum. MOTM HRK, but Bryn's cameo puts him a close second.

Missed their goal, would appreciate a quick run down please!

[papereyes]

Their bloke got it, edge of the area. We backed off slightly and he hit it. Seemed to take everyone by surprise.

It was their no 10 and I thought he was pretty decent.

[Hoop Blah]

Hunt was played out of position and was a definite improvement on Antonio.

I didn't pay a he'll of a lot of attention to the last 15/20 minutes but where do you think Hunt was playing?

Jake Taylor replaced Antonio on the right and Hunt was, from what I saw, a straight swap with Manset upfront.

[West Stand Man]

Well who learned anything from that garbage other than the fact that Reading's second string are rubbish. Michail Antonio, if you performed at a kids party they would boo you, honestly go and work for Prudential and stop stealing a living. Everyone else was crap apart from Alex Pearce.

Do you want to borrow a cloth to clear the shit tinting off your glasses?

Not sure where you were yesterday but to describe it as garbage suggests not at the Madejski.. To suggest that what we saw shows that the second string is rubbish further affirms that assertion. I'll send you a postage stamp to write out your understanding of the game of football on the back, in Arial size 18 font.