Back from the game (LIVERPOOL)

[bassavage]

Wow. What can I say? Unbelievable. From the 1st to the 120th minute we were nothing short of incredible. Man Utd wouldn't go to Anfield and have as many clear cut chances as we did - Rasiak in the 1st half and then Church, Mills and McAnuff in the 2nd half all had glorious chances. Once McAnuff missed I thought that was it, it wasn't to be, but The Sig....incredible, what composure, never seen a goal celebrated as much as that.

Everyone was excellent tonight but special mention for Gunnarsson, a 34 year old playing out of position for 120 minutes against a "top 4" side, he was magnificent.

10/10 for the Reading fans tonight, atmosphere was superb, never stopped singing. Loved the final countdown in the last 10 mins of extra time.

As for Liverpool....awful, we've played better Championship teams this year. Rafa has to go surely. Their fans were dreadful as well tonight...31,000 for a "massive" club, bit poor. What about the famous Anfield Roar? There was barely a noise even when "they" scored. And wtf was that fat bastard doing on the pitch in the first half going towards Federici?

[Millsy]

For anyone who went to game and wants to see the highlights before they got to bed (like myself) and can't be arsed to go through itv iplayer:

http://eurorivals.net/highlights/liverpool_v_reading_20100113.html

Is there a way to watch the full thing on itv iplayer type thing?

[Ark Royal]

Back from the telly.

That was incredible. Whether it was a penalty or not is totally irrelevant. Reading deserved to win the 1st game, and they absolutely dominated tonight. They were that much better than Liverpool it was frightening.

Federici was faultless tonight in goal, and from him to the outstanding Church leading the line they were all superb. Gunnarsson as mentioned for me put in the best display from a fullback I think i've ever seen, and he doesn't even play there normally. The two centre halves headed and kicked everything. Karacan was everywhere, Sigurdsson showed nerves of steel with the pen, McAnuff nearly did a Maradona, the finish was more Madonna but nevermind, and Church was absolutely tireless. I would bring our new Icleander in for the Jam Roll, and would swap Cisse for either Howard or Tabb but the rest of that side could and possibly should remain the same for the forseeable future.

Tonight I enjoyed watching Reading, sod the game or the opposition, it was all about Reading tonight and I loved watching them play tonight, first time for about 3 seasons. I felt as though Reading had hits soul back tonight. 11 blokes giving it their all, helping each other, real team performance.

It's a great night for the club, players and fans and it feels really good.

Fantastic post and echoes everything that I am feeling at the moment. Proud to be a Royal tonight.

'...a Royal command performance.'

[yappy]

Watching the penalty again, I don't see what was so dubious about it. It's a clear trip and Shane Long goes down. Honestly don't know how people can dispute it.

Still can't get over the skill from Bryn for the 2nd goal either! A great, great day.

You can take Doyler,
You can take Harper,
You can take Marcus,
Even Bikey,
You'll never know just, how much I miss them,
But you can't take my Reading away!!!

URZ!

[seahawk10]

I cannot express it any better than all of you have here. Fantastic day to support Reading FC!

[BenReadingFC]

Wow, I was contemplating not going tonight due to the bad weather overnight causing the roads to be a nightmare. So glad that I decided
"oxf*rd it, if we don't make it we can find a pub somewhere, Lets go". Great performance from the lads tonight to beat the bin dippers in their own back yard, a show a character and spine after conceding an unlucky deflected goal to keep their heads up and battle till the last minute.
A great night to be Reading fan, had so many texts from mates throughout the game wishing us well and a ton more afterwards. That doesn't happen often. I'll post a few pics and a vid or 2 tomorrow.
URRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZ

Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Emlyn Hughes, Gary McAllister, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush ,Jamie Redknapp, Jan Molby, John Aldridge, John Barnes , Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Mark Lawrenson, Peter Beardsley, Ray Clemence, Robbie Fowler, Ronnie Whelan, Sami Hyypia, Steve McMahon, Steve McManaman, Xabi Alonso, Bruce Grobbelaar, I could go on forever, YOUR BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING!

[Rex]

Glad you came to that one Benreading after an almost huge FAIL of a decision to possibly not go earlier in the day.

Just to add to others here, we witnessed something tonight that will hold dear to my heart for a long,long time. That is why we go to the games, to somehow witness and feel the elation of being a supporter of RFC. It was almost like going to a hangmans jury prior to the game. We just wanted the lads to do us proud even with a loss, but somehow, somewhere we got a performance which showed no respect to Liverpool/Anfield. Once again the myth of the Kop never even cleared it's throat last night.


My vocal chords might recover tomorrow.

[LUX]

Back from the telly.

That was incredible. Whether it was a penalty or not is totally irrelevant. Reading deserved to win the 1st game, and they absolutely dominated tonight. They were that much better than Liverpool it was frightening.

Federici was faultless tonight in goal, and from him to the outstanding Church leading the line they were all superb. Gunnarsson as mentioned for me put in the best display from a fullback I think i've ever seen, and he doesn't even play there normally. The two centre halves headed and kicked everything. Karacan was everywhere, Sigurdsson showed nerves of steel with the pen, McAnuff nearly did a Maradona, the finish was more Madonna but nevermind, and Church was absolutely tireless. I would bring our new Icleander in for the Jam Roll, and would swap Cisse for either Howard or Tabb but the rest of that side could and possibly should remain the same for the forseeable future.

Tonight I enjoyed watching Reading, sod the game or the opposition, it was all about Reading tonight and I loved watching them play tonight, first time for about 3 seasons. I felt as though Reading had hits soul back tonight. 11 blokes giving it their all, helping each other, real team performance.

It's a great night for the club, players and fans and it feels really good.

great post, indeed. I am so happy for my 10 year old son who can face the Liverpool fans at school today................

Just a few thoughts, though:

1. Liverpool were very poor tonight. Credit to us, but they have serious issues: When Leeds won at Man U it was well deserved, but their goal had a charmed life. Tonight we had far more chances than LFC.

2. I must admit I was not that bothered before the game. I would have far preferred a win at Forest. But I am very proud now.

3. HTF can we have lost at Plymouth 4-1, plus all those other shitty scores this season? And that is what worries me. We are still in a mess in the league, with a tough three (?) away games before we next play at home in the league. We are already bottom three, if Plymouth win their game in hand at home to Barnsley. I'm still very concerned.

4. Team selection. I have no idea what team to put out v Forest. In theory, the one which won at Anfield. But our much heralded two new signings will be available. I guess it will be good to have "options" at last. But has Long also fought himself back into contention? I thought Church looked good. Rasiak plays poorly often, but also bags goals, which is exactly what we need.........

5. er, GET IN.

[Row Z Royal]

Fed beaten again on his near post

[Nick Shorey my Lord!]

First off and as mentioned already let's not forget just how bad LiverLOLLY were last night. Without the G&T they have an incredibly average (but expensive) squad and if they'd played like that against a better team they would have been raped.

That said, we played very well at times; some of the pass and move play was reminiscent of the good old Coppell days. Sure there were some loose passes but that's been the story of our season. Couple of additional observations, above the obvious (McAnuff's miss, Boris's incredible performance):

1. Cisse actually looked ok. He did the dirty work well, the first time I've seen him do that in a long time.
2. Mills was very solid. Sure he's not got the pace, but his positioning was excellent. He could come good after all.
3. Their goal, unfortunate that it was, came from some shocking defending. A poor clearance and a pretty half hearted attempt to close the man down. We have to cut this play out.
4. Kebe. oxf*rd me he's still as frustrating as ever; great runs, terrible / non-existent passing. That fall at the end when he was through was a massive head in hands moment.
5. Gilfi. We've got something special here; the new Sidwell. If good old Brendan was going to build a team around someone (a la Smith) then it should have been him.

PLEASE let this form rub off into the league. Oh, and as for Burnley I hope the team treat this as unfinished business from last season. BRING ON THE BIKEY!

[Barry the bird boggler]

Now watch normal service be resumed v Forest/Sheffield/Barnsley etc.

[Jerry St Clair]

The Long penalty.

Yes, the little chubber dived. But, yes, he was also fouled.

So, perhaps a penalty, plus a booking for Long?

[Scarface]

Now watch normal service be resumed v Forest/Sheffield/Barnsley etc.

Well said mate, personally I'm still thinking about Plymouth away and the utter shite served up. Although it was a fantastic result I was frustrated to see the players work that hard, when clearly they don't in league games.

[Maguire]

A decent game marred only by the fact that one useless heap of shit masquerading as a footballer gets the glory when he's done fook all the rest of the season.

Cisse was quite poor, the rest of them were class. If McAnuff had Siggurdson's nerve then he'd have notched goal of the season last night.

[papereyes]

Wow. What can I say? Unbelievable. From the 1st to the 120th minute we were nothing short of incredible. Man Utd wouldn't go to Anfield and have as many clear cut chances as we did - Rasiak in the 1st half and then Church, Mills and McAnuff in the 2nd half all had glorious chances. Once McAnuff missed I thought that was it, it wasn't to be, but The Sig....incredible, what composure, never seen a goal celebrated as much as that.

Everyone was excellent tonight but special mention for Gunnarsson, a 34 year old playing out of position for 120 minutes against a "top 4" side, he was magnificent.

10/10 for the Reading fans tonight, atmosphere was superb, never stopped singing. Loved the final countdown in the last 10 mins of extra time.

As for Liverpool....awful, we've played better Championship teams this year. Rafa has to go surely. Their fans were dreadful as well tonight...31,000 for a "massive" club, bit poor. What about the famous Anfield Roar? There was barely a noise even when "they" scored. And wtf was that fat bastard doing on the pitch in the first half going towards Federici?

I think there's nothing much more I can add.

Liverpool did boss us for extended periods - start of the second half. But we still created chances. We really need a striker who can bury chances like Rasiak and Church missed first half.

Cisse's first touch was often a pass to Liverpool but he did keep their midfield on the back foot.

I want to see that McAnuff run again. Best Goal Never Scored.

ET will be one of my all time RFC 'moments'. Almost constant noise from the Reading fans.

[West Stand Flash]

First to knock Reading, but last night we were brilliant from the 1st to the 122nd Minute.
Gunnarsson and McAnuff stood out for me, the worldly run was what dreams are made of. Brilliant.

Beginning of the second half we were under the cosh, but McDermott changed to 5 in midfield and we stopped them. Great piece of management there and on last nights performance I'd be amazed if he didn't get the job til the end of he season. Whether that's correct decision I don't know? Guess we will see come May.

First time in 18 months anyone would have been proud to be a Reading fan.

So 3-0 Forest on Saturday .

[winchester_royal]

Not a huge amount to add to the number of excellent posts on this thread, but I think the back 5 last night deserve an awful lot of credit for the way they coped, especially in the last 10 minutes of extra time. All of them were outstanding.

Should have had it wrapped up by the end of the 90 TBH, but I'm glad we didn't. The last 35 mins were the most enjoyable I've ever experienced as a Reading fan.

Now for Forest, last night could be the turning point our season desperately needed.

[brendywendy]

On the telly, all I could hear for the vast majority of the game were Reading fans singing their hearts out. So yes, it did come across.

greed
the only sings audible on the coverage were ours

was incredibly proud of our club off and on the pitch last night

[Thaumagurist*]

3. HTF can we have lost at Plymouth 4-1, plus all those other shitty scores this season? And that is what worries me. We are still in a mess in the league, with a tough three (?) away games before we next play at home in the league. We are already bottom three, if Plymouth win their game in hand at home to Barnsley. I'm still very concerned.

Exactly. I'm wondering why the team hadn't played like this before the FA Cup. I'm guessing that certain players like to raise their game when playing bigger teams, but play shit when playing against non-entity teams. I've seen it before - e.g. the Bullivant era.

[Huntley & Palmer]

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/ ... 37986.html

Small highlights from ITV