Back from the game Derby (H)

[Elmer Park]

At the start of the day I was hoping that Kebe would be fit enough to play a part and reassure me that he will be playing a significant part in the play offs, that we would avoid injuries and that we would get three points so that we wouldn't go into the play offs on the back of four matches without a win. With Kebe's no show in terms of playing anyway and Ledge's injury I only got one of the three but considering the circumstances I found it a fairly enjoyable afternoon although it was never going to be a thrilling game.

I'm fairly sure now that Kebe is not going to be playing 90 minutes on Friday if he plays at all so I think the big winner yesterday was HRK who easily outshone Antonio. I would imagine Long and Hunt will start but I think Church may have sneaked ahead of Manset as the first striker off the bench as I thought he did OK yesterday and Manset was disappointing on the day. Hopefully Ledge will shake off his injury before Friday but if not Bryn staked a claim as a possible stand in with his committed cameo.

[Z175]

Manset is still a good option off the bench, just not finished enough to start. Robson-Kanu dominated the entire game from start to finish, unlike kebe and mcanuff he didn't play in patches but was always an option. He created loads and drove through their midfield. Tracked back ok but still not quite up there with mcanuff and kebe on that. My worry is that I have seen him play well before, only to then fade in the next game. But if Kebes not fit then he gets the shout for sure.

Tabb and Cummings played well too, both will be possibilities for Friday. I can see Tabb edging Karacan but Griffin coming back for his experience.

Federici looked a bit rusty to me, was their goal deflected?

[SouthDownsRoyal]

what on earth is the point in ANTONIO?

Why play him? id rather have bas savage

[westendgirl]

Be interesting to see if Federici was at fault for the goal but other than that he was excellent.

Don't think so. We were right behind the shot and Fed seemed to have it covered until it swerved round him. Several people around me (me too i have to admit) clapped the goal as it was real skill to put that spin on it.

[The Prisoner]

Be interesting to see if Federici was at fault for the goal but other than that he was excellent.

Don't think so. We were right behind the shot and Fed seemed to have it covered until it swerved round him. Several people around me (me too i have to admit) clapped the goal as it was real skill to put that spin on it.

Federici seems to do this funny thing where he doesn't dive with his arm extended, and then tries to extend it as a reflex at the last moment....seemed to do that yesterday. That said I was one who clapped the goal - thought it was a great strike.

[rabidbee]

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.

Floyd was more entertaining than the football yesterday.

[floyd__streete]

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.

Floyd was more entertaining than the football yesterday.

I was in a sh*t mood, which has lasted for around 31 years

[rabidbee]

I thought you were going to have an aneurysm at one point. I think Antonio gave the ball away.

[Ian Royal]

That was a pretty good match. We looked good going forward and played so much better football than against Coventry, keeping it much shorter and using midfield. Manset and Church obviously not up to Long's standard, but a decent shift without a lot of clear cut chances. Offside far too much the pair of them. We still looked open in midfield and fragile at the back. Get round behind us and we look weak. Derby used the wings very well, poor Cummings was quite isolated a lot.

I'd like to see their goal again before I slate any of the defence for failing to stop it.

Federici - 7 solid performance and don't think he had much chance with the goal
Cummings - 7 had to hold the right on his own as Antonio and Taylor were useless at helping him out.
Harte - 8 good performance and unlucky to hit the post with pen No. 2. I wasn't confident about him putting it away though.
Mills - 7 far far better performance, covered well, played it short for a change
Pearce - 7 good performance, he's a lumbering bruiser of a centreback, but he plays smart.
Robson-Kanu - 9 MOTM, first half he was sensational, best game I've ever seen him have.
Antonio - 5 anonymous and did virtually nothing defensively. That's why Brian has rarely started him.
Leigertwood - 7 some very good, some quite weak moments Not been quite the same since his lay off.
Tabb - 7 Good performance from Tabby busy all over the pitch and a few good runs forward.
Church - 7 Nearly much higher. Great strike to hit the bar, some neat play and won a penalty
Manset - 6 some neat touches and passes, but he's not quite there.

Hunt - 6 can't remember a lot of what he did tbh.
Taylor - 6 some nice touches, but needs to learn his defensive duties.

Reading fans - 10 superb to see the applause for Savage as he retired. And one of the better atmospheres at home I've seen.


Bring on Cardiff and see what happens.