23rd out of 24, and the game involving both.
By: Ben |
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Well.
Not much to post on the match front. We suffered a pretty inevitable defeat on Saturday, I just wasn’t expecting such a goal margin. Some may say 3-0 at St. James’ isn’t too bad, and well, I kinda agree to be honest. Newcastle’s team would always be stronger and more experienced than any Reading could put out and this was plain to be seen in the match, and with the fans behind them not much was looking in our favour.
Points to note;
- Smith should’ve been sent off in the 24th minute after a second horrendous tackle.
- Jailhouse bitch Joey Barton should’ve followed after a Barton special late tackle.
- Shane Long was pulled up for one of the lightest and most unintentional of touches on Colloccini (and would’ve scored for it).
- I’m glad to see Tabb back in the team.
- The defence need to start communicating (see Ameobi goal 2)
- We need another striker.
- …And should buy Betrand permanently.
Overall, it was a poor result, but again, it’s early days and the team effort wasn’t to blame. Hey, one thing the Royals can take from the game is at least we don’t have a real gay yellow kit…ahem…
Tonight we head off to the Liberty Stadium to face the only team lower in the League than us, Swansea.
Full report on that game later.
Ta!
Category: Team News
League Cup round-up; 5-1
By: Ben | 1 Comment
The Royals’ youngsters gave Burton Albion a right lesson in possession and passing, not to mention clinical finishing with a dominant 5-1 win at home on Tuesday night. We were 3-0 up before 10 minutes were on the clock, and extended that lead to 4 by half time. Braces from Mooney and Bignall put the game to rest before it had really begun for Albion.
Here’s how we lined up;
Reading (4-3-3): Hamer; Rosenior, Armstrong, Mills, Pearce (c); Harper, Matejovsky, Sigurdsson; Henry, Bignall (N Hunt 62), Mooney
Subs: Andersen, Cisse, Davies, Tabb, Kebe, Antonio
With 8 first team starters away on International duty, Brendan Rogers saw this as an ideal opportunity to give those whose chances in the first team have been limited a run-out, in addition to some more familiar faces recovering from injuries.
New signing Mills got a firm 90 minutes under his belt and looked good both on and off the ball. Harper and Matejovsky returned to the squad after being on the bench for Saturday’s Forest game and David Mooney was handed a rare place in the starting 11. The striker repaid his boss’s faith with two goals, the first of which he cleverly made space before lashing into the top of the net. The 4-3-3 tactics proved effective as Nicholas Bignall added another two goals to the strike-force’s tally in quick succession.
The moment of the night however, was no doubt a stunning 35-yarder from Gylfi Sigurdsson in the midfield. Young goalkeeper Ben Hamer made a good claim to be Adam Federici’s understudy too, conceding an unfortunate deflected goal.
Alright, alright, it’s only the League Cup, but it’s reassuring to see some of the talent ‘behind the first-team curtains’ so to speak.
2nd Round clash is again at home, this time to Barnsley, a week Tuesday on the 25th.
Ta!
Category: Team NewsHunt-ing for Tigers
By: Ben | Add Comments
Apologies at the poor pun.
Confirmed this evening on the official website;
‘Reading Football Club have today agreed a fee with Hull City for the sale of winger Stephen Hunt.’
Word on the street is that Stephen’s left the Ireland training camp ahead of the international friendly against Australia on Wednesday to travel to the North-East, but he’ll return for the match, and then presumably back again for a medical. The whole deal should be concluded before the end of the week.
Hunt’s desire to leave and move onto bigger things is no secret, and his departure has been linked with the likes of Sunderland, Everton, Villa, and Spurs.
Hull have been on the prowl this summer, having many attempts at signings snubbed, but also doing fantastically in securing young Jozy Altidore’s signature for a season long loan. They’ll certainly be a team to watch in the relegation scuffle, as they have the ability (as shown with the 2-0 win over Arsenal/being 5th in the Premier League until late November) to pull out good performances and results.
More on this as it progresses.
Ta!
Category: Team NewsGood show, no goals
By: Ben | 1 Comment
We kicked off the season in identical styles to the last two; drawing 0-0 (Notts Forest last year and Man Utd the year prior to that).
It wasn’t through lack of effort however, as the lads put in a promising performance where they dominated possession and goal-scoring chances.
Scott Davies and Jimmy Kebe by far had the clearest cut chances in the second half; Davies showing what a fantastic long shot he has, and Kebe running into the right places but just not applying the finish. At the absence of Ingimarsson, Alex Pearce led the squad out to a 19,000 crowd and proved to be a solid rock in the heart of defence, and Cisse looked at home too, despite it not being his preferred position. At left-back, Ryan Bertrand wowed fans with mazy runs and you could see the influences Ashley Cole has had on him, let’s hope he’s as effective.
Federici also had a fantastic run out, making a super sprawling save from Robert Earnshaw’s shot. However, you could tell from the very start that Forest would be content with just a point, even when they were reduced to 10 men after James Chambers was sent off for elbowing Shane Long. Even the numbers advantage didn’t allow us to score, and the draw means we still haven’t won at home since January.
So to wrap up, a little disappointing not to have hit the back of the net, but as far as first games go, it’s looking up for the season ahead.
(Highlights can be seen here, unfortunately only for those in the UK)
Ta!
Category: Team NewsIt begins today!
By: Ben | Add Comments
So today, after what feels like such a short time, we get plunged back into the excitement of a new season. Today’s opponents are last season’s dissappointing Notts Forest. Fresh on the back of a 2-2 Pre-seaon draw with Chelsea, this season proves to be one of fresh starts, young faces, and (hopefully) victories.
Team News
James Harper and Stephen Hunt both face fitness tests on groin injuries, but Noel Hunt is set to miss out with a hip injury.
Andre Bikey is suspended from that Hulk-esque outburst against Burnley, while Matejovsky is unlikely to play because of his groin problem. New signing Matt Mills is expected to be on the bench due to a lack of pre-season gametime.
I’m off out, but as ever, Up The Royals, let’s kick off with a win! URRZZ
Ta!
Category: Team NewsMills signs, and more rumours
By: Ben | Add Comments
Brendan Rogers’ second signing of the season comes in the form of another defender; Matt Mills from Doncaster.
The figure, though only stated as a ’seven figure fee’, is believed to have been between £1.6m and £2.3m. The 23 year old has caps at U21 International level, and he looks to be a great prospect for the future, perhaps filling the hole left by Duberry’s departure.
Other Rumours and News
James Harper in talks with Wolves
Expect Stephen Hunt’s drawn out ‘I want to leave’ saga to end next week…
…and a move to Pompey could see David Nugent heading the other way
Bikey to Marseille?
Lita switches to Middlesborough (and holds no bars in the interview)
Little signs for Sheffield United
And ex-Captain Graeme Murty signs for relegated Southampton
Speaking of captaincy, here at Reading Offside we’d like to congratulate Ivar Ingimarsson for being chosen to lead the squad this season.
Ta!
Category: Team NewsBack From Hiatus: Transfers and News
By: Ben | 2 Comments
Ohh it’s been too long, holidays and a bout of illness have kept me at bay but I’m back at full strength, so on with the news.
In the month that’s passed, we’ve had transfers in both ends of the spectrum, new kits and new tactics from the new boss. Did I mention it was new?
On the 30th June 2009 Ireland striker Kevin Doyle secured a move to Premier League new boys Wolves for an undisclosed club-record fee (thought to be around £6.5m). There had been a lot of talk before the actual deal was struck, and it didn’t come as much as a surprise when the press conference was called. It goes without saying that the team were disappointed to have missed out on promotion last season, and it was this failure which perhaps acted as a catalyst for players to leave. We’d already seen Lita, Hahnemann, Murty and Dubers leave, and the original Premier League team was depleted again with Kev’s departure. I for one will be watching Wolves’ progress intently; they’ve spent big this summer and Mick McCarthy has a strong team at his disposal. Here at Reading Offside we wish Kev the best of luck with his new team.
Stephen Hunt is again the centre of attention, this time with a move to Portsmouth seeminly imminent, maybe as soon as next week some reports are saying. I’ll do my best to bring you up to date with each progression on this.
Sheffield United have also opened talks with recently released Leroy Lita and Glen Little, hoping to snap the two ex-Royals on frees. No deals are concluded, but with no other interest reported they’re the front runners for their signatures.
And then on the other side of things, Boss Rogers made Chelsea youngster Ryan Bertrand our first signing of the 2009/10 season, bringing the left-back on loan for the season. Left-back was our area of experiment last year, with both Chris Armstrong and on-loan Dan Harding filling the role. I’m excited about Ryan’s potential, and Brendan gave good reasons for his approach, having worked with him as an understudy at Chelsea’s Youth Facility.
“He’s a big talent, he’s a boy who has obviously been groomed to fill in for Ashley Cole in the future.
“I was involved in Ryan coming to Chelsea when we took him to Gillingham at 16.
“I have worked closely with him for three years or so and nurtured his development and he’s developed into a top-class young player.”
After clocking up 40 appearances for Norwich last season, Bertrand could be a big-hitter for us this season.
And now the exciting bit! It’s a guilty pleasure of mine, checking out the new kits for each season, and I think Puma have juuust about nailed it this year…
Home
The new-look Puma design sees an arc down the arms and upper chest, whilst the hoops extend fully round the body. Admittedly from the shoot it’s a bit ‘oi oi sailor’-ish, but it looks lush in person.
Away
Back to basics as the startling Orange kit is dropped, and replaced with a beeeautiful white and green combination.
I love the green colour, it compliments the shirt so well, and a simplistic design is in favour of any eccentric one that some teams go for. Love love love it, well done Puma!
That’s all for now!
Category: Team NewsMost loyal? (And he’s a Royal)
By: Ben | Add Comments
Every supporter at Madejski Stadium makes a plede of loyalty to Reading FC – but West Stand season ticket holder Charles McLeod has a very special story to tell because he lives in Canada!
Charles grew up in Reading, and followed the Club until emigrating to Canada in 1965.
He continued to follow the Royals from afar, and upon his retirement a couple of years ago, he decided he would become a season ticket holder – despite a round trip in excess of 7,000 miles whenever he comes over!
Charles explains, “I went to my first Reading game in 1958 when I was going to school in Reading, and it was a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
“I followed Reading quite closely until 1965 when I emigrated to Canada. After that, in pre-internet days, it was often difficult to even find out the scores, never mind league tables, who was in the team, who was scoring goals etc!
“By the late 1990s the internet had made it much easier to follow Reading again, and I started going to a few games when visiting relatives in the UK.
“By 2007 a few more things had happened: Reading were in the Premiership and I had retired so I had the time and resources to consider getting a season ticket.
“I’ve been a season ticket holder for two seasons now, and have renewed for the 2009/10 season.
“Last season I travelled to England about once a month and saw (I think) 11 home games plus four away games, as well as the two play-off games.
Everybody now, round of applause!
Category: Team NewsTransfer Watch 24/06/09; Stars heading back to the Prem?
By: Ben | 7 Comments
I’ve been monitoring this one for the last few days and both BBC Sport and Sky Sports have been reporting increasing interest in Reading winger Stephen Hunt. Now, as mentioned last post, I wouldn’t have begrudged Hunt a move for various reasons (his lack of spark post-Christmas, always being mentioned in the media etc.) and it seems that it’s now moved onto a new level.
Out
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hunt fully came out and expressed his desire to seek a “fresh start away from the club” (click link for full interview). He mentions being loyal to the club and I think that the club’s failure to gain promotion, along with his poor form which ultimately cost him a first-team regular spot signalled the beginning of the end of Hunt’s Reading career. His desire and enjoyment at playing in the top tier is well documented, and maybe Hunt felt his personal need exceeded that of his beloved club. Either way, by him admitting on video that he needs to move will open up several doors, and it’s safe to say to I don’t think Stephen Hunt will be a part of Reading’s promotion challenge next season. And it’s not just me either, the club have come to terms with his wishes and decided not to stand in his way.
Boss Rogers told the Reading Chronicle
“I will always pay respect to players.
Once you’ve been in the Premier League and have shown that you can play in there, it can be very difficult to spend your time in the Championship.
It’s not something new, I think Stephen was looking to go last season but decided to stay right through thinking Reading might go up.”
Direct of Football Nicky Hammond agrees;
“Hunty has been fantastic for us. He wants a Premiership move having had one season in the Championship and I can understand that and if there is a deal that is right for all parties then we’ll have to have a look at it, but at this point there is not.”
More on this as it develops, including potential replacements.
The other player being flitted around by the media is star striker Kevin Doyle. It seems the initial interest from Wolves has sparked interest from familiar story clubs Everton, Sunderland and Spurs. Now I really don’t know about this, before I’d heard about the interest I was sure that Kev would remain one of the faithfuls and maybe even be in line for the available captaincy, but the more it increases, the more I can see him leaving. A £6.5m release clause is not likely to put a club off, infact it’s very good value for money, and again like Hunt before him, the prospect of top-tier football is very appealing. Certainly, a strikeforce of Ebanks-Blake and Doyle for Wolves would prove some spectacle but it’d very much be shortchanging Reading. Shane Long is arguably a replacement choice but I still feel he’s only a shadow of Doyle’s quality. Once Noel Hunt is back from injury I cannot see Long fighting the likes of Doyle and N.Hunt for a spot. He’s most definitely an exciting prospect and who knows, maybe the loss of Doyle is exactly what he needs to flourish. Most likely outcome if Doyle was to leave for me, would be for him to sign for Wolves where he’d be united with once Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. I maintain that Sunderland and Everton would not suit his style, and Spurs are maybe looking at higher qualities (c. Ruud VN).
Oh, there’s also talk of a double-deal for both of them, but eesh the implications are too long to try and write about right now.
In
Fresh from his time at Chelsea and Watford, Brendan is eyeing up young Chelsea star Jack Cork. Rogers worked with the 19 year old at both clubs, and sees the defender as a good addition to the squad. I only hope if the deal goes through he gets more time than our other promising youngster Simon Church has this season.
And finally, not so much a transfer, but Reading Reserve ‘keeper Ben Hamer has signed a new contract amidst talks of him becoming the new no.1 for the first-team. Sorry what? A 21-year old who spent the last 3 seasons at the likes of Brentford and Crawley over Adam Federici who played half the first team games last season and was nominated for the prestigious Australian Harry Kewell Award? Uhm, anyone else see the evident flaw there? Just me then. I mean, even Mikkel Andersson!…
Ta
Category: Team NewsTransfer Watch; 17/06/09
By: Ben | Add Comments
I’m loving the transfer market already, as an avid fan of the Football Manager games it’s always good to see some tasty moves in the real world.
Unfortunately, none of these are including the Royals.
The most recent news I can report on is;
Recently promoted Wolves have signed Hahnemann on a free after his contract was not renewed. Not really sure what to make of this. As stated before, for me it was time for Marcus to go. But nevertheless it’ll be weird to see him at our last-year-rivals after being synonymous with Reading for the last 7 years. Despite his increasing age, I think Marcus could do Wanderers wonders (tongue-twister) when called upon.
And The Sun have recently posted reports that
“Everton are going to step up their interest in Reading pair Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt after Royals boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed he is ready to cash in on the striker and midfielder.”
Now this one’s been dancing around for the last 2 seasons or so. Hunt’s been subject to speculation for a long while yet nothing’s come of it, whilst Doyle is the latest case. Everton were reportedly lining up a £2.4m offer last summer, but Hunt’s £6m release clause prevented this from really developing. Then, in the January transfer window it was a frantic last few hours as multiple tabloids were talking of a £5m swoop from Tottenham. Again, this didn’t happen and Stephen signed a new contract in February. Typically however, since that time he’s been largely non-existence for us, being dropped on numerous occasions. I personally would like to say he’ll get his game back next season but who knows? Maybe we should cash in on him while we can. As for Doyle, I think he’ll be one of the faithfuls and want to keep pushing for promotion.
Of course, nothing’s been ‘confirmed’ by Rogers or Reading, but if it does, you’ll hear it here.
Category: Team News
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