Reading: Whitehead, Murty, Viveash, Whitbread (Henderson 89), Robinson, A.Smith, Harper, Parkinson, Hughes (N.Smith 70), Cureton (Forster 68), Butler. Subs not used: Ashdown, Shorey.

Oldham: Kelly, McNiven, Balmer, Holden (Armstrong 70), D.Sheridan, Dudley, Duxbury, Gill (Rickers 40), Eyres, Tipton (Allott 65), Richards. Subs not used: Miskelly, J.Sheridan.
 
Bookings: Butler (Reading); D. Sheridan, McNiven (Oldham).
Referee: R D Furnandiz (Doncaster)

A gritty and precious three points at the likes of Oldham on a cold windy midweek night game, is normally the type of result that leads to rewards at the end of the season. Somehow, I've a feeling that the result tonight and that on Saturday, will only stave of the inevitable demise and departure of Pardew and co. This may seem rather churlish after two hard earned away victories, but on the evidence on display tonight we're so far away from being a promotion winning side that it may be better all round to accept the inevitability of the play offs at best now, rather than allude to unrealistic expectations. I hope I'm wrong, but anybody with a meagre knowledge of football can see that our current players simply aren't good enough. We certainly have some good players, the strikers included, but until the midfield get sorted out and the club invests in a play maker, we will continue to struggle and rely on the hoof game.
The cold facts tonight saw us have one decent attempt on goal all night, which thankfully Jamie Cureton put away which a touch of real class, a brilliant finish. The amount of times we failed to pass the ball to a fellow Reading player plus the times there was a massive hoof anywhere up front I honestly lost count. We did defend well especially Whitbread and Viveash in the middle, we had to, with all the pressure Oldham put on us. Murty add a hard time with his winger enjoying lots of space and Anne Robinson continued his unabated rise into the meteoric hall of infamy with a display of passing and so called defending that Barry Hunter would have been proud of. He's even perfected the art of taking throw ins now and skilfully never failing to find an opponent . What the bloody hell does Pardew see in him? He's a liability that will cost the club dear, get rid of him now. As for the rest Parky, bless him, run his bollocks off , but he too seems now incurable of the giraffe passing syndrome, a couple of times tonight it was so embarrassing it was better to laugh. Smithy done well while Harper and Hughes both worked very hard though neither created much. Ade Whitbread bravely produced a magnificent goal saving tackle in the last couple of minutes injuring himself in the process , hope he's ok for Saturday, though that looked doubtful the way he limped off.
Yet again Pardew took off Jamie Cureton with nearly half an hour to go much to the disbelief of the loyal following of Royals fans. He's going to get so fed up soon being subbed every game we'll lose him and that would be a big loss to the club as he's by far the best finisher in the team.
Brentford will be a stern test, will we fail yet again at home in a crunch game? Will Butler score his first goal? Blinking hope so, he really does deserve a break.
So, well chuffed with the three points, but still worried about the future, after all, it is all about opinions!
Come on URRZ!
-- Nick Newbury

Another impressive away performance by Reading. Winning away on a wet Tuesday in front of a small crowd is promotion form. If only we had performed at home to Swindon & Bury we would have been right in the mix up. However, beggars cant be choosers and this result sets us up for a huge game against our high flying rivals Brentford on Saturday. This result has dispelled persistent theories from fans (myself included), that the players were no longer playing for the manager. However two wins dont make a season and the jury is still out, but it is not to ridiculous to say that with Jamie Cureton firing again we could yet be celebrating in May. Please don't start dropping and substituting him again Pardew.
I will be taking my 5 year old son on Saturday and I am really looking forward to cracking game. We all know what that normally means. Tears and a good kicking for the cat! Lets pray not for the cats sake!
-- Bob Lethaby

An excellent win for Reading, the classic 0-1 smash and grab away performance. After a bright start, the goal came and it was another to add to the Cureton collection of golden goals. This one was a lofted, curling shot that looped over Kelly in the Oldham goal and into the top corner. Nice one Jamie! After that they defended well, despite pressure from Oldham particularly when they got the ball wide. Viveash and Whitbread were very solid. Well played lads. C'mon Reading!
--Telford Royal

If you told me after the Swindon game we'd pick up 6 points from our travels to County and Oldham I'd have laughed in your face. So credit to Pards and Allen for pulling it off I have to say I'm still not totally convinced and the real test will come Saturday against a team bang in form. Have to say all of a sudden I cant wait for Saturday to come - biggest gate of the season?
-- Pete Woodley