MATCH REPORT: 2008/2009 Season
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10 April 2009: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 0 SHEFFIELD UNITED 1
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goals
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Reading: -
Sheff Utd: Howard (59 mins) |
Half Time: 0-0 Attendance: 20,756
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teams
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Reading:
Hahnemann, Kelly, Bikey, Duberry, Armstrong, Kebe (Little 70), Matejovsky (Noel Hunt 78), Cisse (Tabb 43), Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Kitson.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Long.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Halford, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, O'Toole (Beattie 55), Montgomery, Howard (Bromby 90), Naughton, Henderson, Ward (Cotterill 82). Subs Not Used: Lupoli, Hendrie. |
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bookings
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Reading: Armstrong, Duberry.
Sheff Utd: Howard. Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire). |
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report
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The turning point in this crucial fixture came in the fifty-eighth minute when Kebe's cross was headed onto the crossbar by Dave Kitson. If Reading had scored I feel sure they would have taken all three points. Instead, two minutes later United were ahead when a harmless looking cross was headed onto the bar and as Reading pushed out the ball fell kindly for Howard who scored with a deflected low shot past Hahnemann. A minute later Kenny just managed to tip over another great effort from Kitson and if Reading fans had not been feeling it was not their day already, they certainly did then.
Coppell's selection of the starting eleven for this game was unquestionably correct based on recent form, and was justified in the main by Reading's dominance of a United side with little to offer other than good organisation and effort. The inclusion of either Pearce or Harper at the expense of Long on the bench would have provided a better balance, given that Bikey and Cisse are both more than adequate in either central midfield or at centre back. The flaw was exposed when Cisse was unfortunately forced to leave the field with neck injury just before half time leaving no adequate cover for the crucial central midfield role. Had Cisse remained on the field, Matejovsky, who played quite superbly for the opening fifteen minutes of the second half, might well have had an even greater influence on the game. During that spell he could not be knocked off the ball, released some superbly timed and weighted passes, and also was sufficiently quick-witted to steal the ball from opponents as they attempted to gain control of the ball. The inclusion of Stephen Hunt was justified following his recent international performance but today he was far from impressive, and in spite of Matejovsky giving the ball way carelessly on a couple of occasions before he was substituted, there is no doubt in my mind about who should have stayed on for the final twelve minutes. It was hard to understand where Hunt was supposed to be playing. In the first half he continually drifted inside which meant there was insufficient width in attack. On at least two occasions Kitson was forced to chase the balls down the left wing because Hunt had decided he wanted to occupy a more central position. It would not have mattered had he not continually conceded possession by making the wrong decisions about where and when to pass, turning into trouble, or worse still, simply failing to control the ball. But these are not recently acquired shortcomings. During Reading's best season in recent years he was mainly on the bench, and that in my opinion is where he belongs in team with ambitions to play in the Premiership. The influence of Bikey cannot be underestimated. It is no coincidence that the defence has conceded fewer goals since his return to the team. Not only is he immensely strong defensively but his ability to bring the ball down and pass it instead of hoofing it aimlessly upfield was a key factor in Reading's dominance of possession today (60% to 40%). Going forward he looked a threat too. Near the end he simply ran through the centre of United's midfield from the half way line to the penalty area to create untold panic in the heart of their defence. In contrast Duberry looked poor. His distribution was clumsy, never more clearly illustrated near the end when his poor first touch forced him into a hasty back pass which bounced awkwardly in front of Hahnemnann who in turn was pressured into a hasty and misdirected clearance. The decline in Reading's season can be traced back to the point where the partnership of Imgimarsson and Bikey was broken up through injury and suspension. I have to disagree with the commonly held view that results being more important than performances. Today's game provides a clear reason why. United have won and they are now in stronger position to gain automatic promotion, but they are still much further away from being equipped for the Premier League than Reading. Steve Coppell's job is create a squad good enough to remain in the Premier League and he is not there yet, and although it would be good to win promotion this season, it is vital to take a long term view. I am still convinced he is the man to do the job whatever happens this season, but there is still a lot more work to be done. The most frustrating aspect of the season for Reading fans is the way that their team has comfortably beaten nearly all the teams in the top six by playing good football but have not managed to maintain their home form especially against teams in the lower half of the league. Taking a positive stance, which is always harder when letting an advantage slip, we should at least make the play offs. If we do, some encouragement must be drawn from the knowledge that two of the three games at that stage of the competition are away from home! John Wells |
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