News and Views
No Manager And No Points From Three Games
14 December 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Three defeats in a row, four defeats from five games, one win from nine games, 6 points from a possible 27. The statistics look pretty shocking after Reading's latest defeat away at Preston North End in the Championship. The statistics are also an accurate reflection on Reading's contribution towards Championship football in recent months. After peaking in second position Reading's slide has been quite spectacular. The sacking of Steve Clarke did nothing to halt that dramatic slide, but Martin Kuhl could not have been expected to perform a minor miracle at Deepdale and come away with any points. Clarke has left the team low in confidence and lacking in organisation, and a new permanent manager is needed quickly to try and turn the season around.
Reading's showing at Preston was the latest in a poor run of performances. Reading never looked likely to get much out of the game from the start. The visitors should have taken the lead early on and had a few other first half chances that were just wide of the target. However the game lacked much quality, and was decided from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half when Paul McShane, making his return from injury, made a clumsy challenge in the area. Reading's few chances fell to Nick Blackman who failed to make the most of them, including putting one over the crossbar with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Reading's small set of traveling supporters were suitable unimpressed by Reading's efforts. Quotes like the following were pretty widespread on the discussion forums after the match: "Well that was a complete shambles, we looked completely disinterested, disorganised and pretty clueless." "...pathetic in all honesty. We were atrocious in every area of the game. Misplaced passes, under hit passes, over hit passes, poor touches, no movement, no composure, no confidence, I could go on and on and on."
Kuhl has already said he wants a new Reading manager quickly - as do the fans - and he comments suggest he'll be quite happy to return to management of the Reading under 21s. Speaking after his first game in charge, Kuhl said: "We had a good chance with Nick Blackman and we come away disappointed. "Whatever it is, a slight tightness or belief or whatever it is, he goes through and you're just thinking 'go on' and he puts it over, but at the beginning of the year he could shut his eyes and hit the back of the net - but that's football. I believe at the moment I'm in charge until anything happens. I'm sure (the board) are trying to get something in place and hopefully the sooner the better."
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