Back from The game- Doncaster away

[Snowball]

Didn't think I could go to the game as we had someone coming to the house "between 11 and 2"
but he arrived at 11:05 and was gone by 11:30 and I got away at 12:05, woopdedoo.

Had my usual bet, this time Long to open the scoring and RFC 2-0 (also had a little one on Long and 4-1)


Strange first ten minutes with Donny playing keep-ball, plenty of movement but they didn't really threaten
except for twice their number 2 (looked a good player) cut in and was inches away from being on the end of
something. That's football, though. Had they scored first, they might well have won.

Only the first ten was poor from our perspective and we started to come more into the game. Kebe's pass to Long
was brilliant and Long's control was superb. His confidence is sky-high and I will bet half-a-dozen Premiership managers
are thinking of making an offer. He will almost certainly be in the Premiership next season.

Long was a real handful throughout and twice won "no chance" balls and got the ball across the area.
In one case two RFC players missed it. In the other the penalty area was empty! he's in the form of
his life and his control is ten times as good as two seasons ago. A premiership player without doubt.

McAnuff worked harder than I have ever seen him work. If they have Prozone stats I would bet he ran
further and faster than in any other game in his career. He's on drugs* or he knew he was being scouted.

He exemplified the team-spirit today. The work ethic was fantastic. Glad he got his goal though he cost me a large amount of money.

Griff was excellent in defence and going forward, as was Harte. The RB found space twice but Harte can't mark two players.

Pearce was immaculate and so was Ingi. What a oxf*rd professional that man is! It's unbelievable that he could
be out so long and come in and perform flawlessly, but he did. I thought the defence was "calm" throughout.

Kebe was excellent for almost all the game. They couldn't touch him. His best game since his injury. His assist for Long was superb
and his goal was really good. A couple of times he complained about high through balls because he wanted them to feet. Another
who is bursting with confidence. This is a team that right now (if it was tomorrow) could win a play-off final.

Noel looked flat as if maybe he'd just had flu. If a player on form like Long was alongside Long we would score 3 every game. ATM Noel
isn't quite doing it. He battles away but the touch is not quite there. Not sure what the problem is, but it may well be pain from a niggle.

When Churchy came on he looked far brighter than of late, and based ONLY on today, I'd play him instead of Noel..

But that's one game, and Noel has genuine class and could come good in an instant.

Elwood was imperious again. He is one of the best buys ever, IMO. He has TRANSFORMED our midfield. We look more solid,
win more balls, play with more confidence. Great Player. He is bringing out the best in Karacan too, and this pair, right now
are making a huge difference to the side.

Tabb looked OK when he came on.


*Joke

[susieroyal]

Re the penalty - BBCRB were convinced that Long would have won a penalty in the first half had he gone down rather than staying on his feet - can anyone who went today confirm if this was the case?

It was at the other end, so don't know. Don't remember any players appealing particularly.

Overall an excellent game and probably the most enjoyable Reading I've been to watch in a while.

Nice ground, good turnout from Reading fans, LOL at Neil Sullivan.
Football wise, we played some fantastic stuff at times (I'm going to choose to ignore the first 15 minutes or so). Federici never had to stretch himself and Ivar and Pearce looked in control 99% of the time.
LOL @ Griffen attacking late on in the 2nd half.
Can't speak highly enough of Long, he is a completely different player. He seems a better player everytime I watch him (although granted, I don't go that often!)
Kebe getting back to his legend self. Awesome ball to Long for the first and wonderful finish for the 2nd.

After the first goal, the whole team seemed so relaxed and looking to get the ball every time. Given recent results, its no surprise to see us playing with confidence, but blimey is it good to watch.

Actually going back to the first 15 minutes, I just felt we didn't get going quick enough - we seemed far too slow to be closing players down in midfield in particular. As soon as the central two picked up their game we looked a far better team.

Also, Donny players stayed out on the pitch after the game and started their cool down straight away. Does anyone know if they do this every week or perhaps was it because they were getting bollocked for being so poor??

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

Any flowers Susie???

[susieroyal]

haha, no!

Although bless my dad for giving me half his double decker at half time, as I left mine in the car!

Put two bets on -

Kebe first goalscorer
Long last goalscorer

[Pseud O'Nym]

Re the penalty - BBCRB were convinced that Long would have won a penalty in the first half had he gone down rather than staying on his feet - can anyone who went today confirm if this was the case?

In the absence of definitive response from any nobber who attended - the Donny commentator, who was there presumably, thought Kilgallon shoved Long in the back and was expecting a penalty, then changed their mind based on the lack of appeals from Long.

[T.R.O.L.I.]

Actually going back to the first 15 minutes, I just felt we didn't get going quick enough - we seemed far too slow to be closing players down in midfield in particular. As soon as the central two picked up their game we looked a far better team.

Was the same against Bristol City on Boxing Day and Burnley (03/01). Also sounded (over the radio) the same v WBA in the cup.

[Ian Royal]

Like the donny fan's description. Generally I agree on his point about the long ball, we play it too much and look far better when we keep it on the deck and pass.

[Snowball]

Like the donny fan's description. Generally I agree on his point about the long ball, we play it too much and look far better when we keep it on the deck and pass.

The Long ball got us our first two goals today.

The Long ball got us the win against WBA

[SpaceCruiser]

Like the donny fan's description. Generally I agree on his point about the long ball, we play it too much and look far better when we keep it on the deck and pass.

The Long ball got us our first two goals today.

The Long ball got us the win against WBA

Hmmmm, I'd seen the goals on TV and I see that Kebe made the pass to Long for the first from about the half way line, so I wouldn't call it "long ball".

[Snowball]

Like the donny fan's description. Generally I agree on his point about the long ball, we play it too much and look far better when we keep it on the deck and pass.

The Long ball got us our first two goals today.

The Long ball got us the win against WBA

Hmmmm, I'd seen the goals on TV and I see that Kebe made the pass to Long for the first from about the half way line, so I wouldn't call it "long ball".

I saw it live and on TV last night and I would call that a long ball.

It was over the top of the defence for the runner.

Do we now have to define "long ball"?

[susieroyal]

I think when a lot of people hear the term 'long ball' they think of a just hoof it and see what happens and not particularly attractive, hence people wanting to avoid that style of play.

Long ball or not, I could happily watch Kebe knock balls over the top like that every match. I'd much rather see that than passing it sideways and not getting anywhere.

[Snowball]

I think when a lot of people hear the term 'long ball' they think of a just hoof it and see what happens and not particularly attractive, hence people wanting to avoid that style of play.

Long ball or not, I could happily watch Kebe knock balls over the top like that every match. I'd much rather see that than passing it sideways and not getting anywhere.

Agreed.

Shane's strength is running powerfully and it makes sense to use that ball regularly.

The headed-flick by Noel Hunt for the WBA goal, the delightful flick on the floor,
all good stuff.

Only 5 sides have scored more goals than us this season, and the top two manage that by conceding loads

50-35 GD 15 Watford
50-43 GD 07 Leeds
44-17 GD 27 QPR
42-34 GD 08 Norwich
41-31 GD 10 Cardiff
40-27 GD 13 Reading

Point is, our style of play is working.

[susieroyal]

Point is, our style of play is working.

And it's quite good to watch at the moment (well, was yesterday!)

[Rex]

Whichever way it is looked at Fedders coped with the crosswind to put a ball out to Kebe, Kebe to Long and totally opened up their defense. A little composure and in.
Up to that point Donny were coping in midfield with containing our players. Route one as stated sometimes works. In those conditions yesterday lpaying pretty football and spraying passes around wasn't effective enough. I was amazed at how deflated Donny were in the second half. Reminiscent in domination and confident of our Championship promotion season. For once i relaxed enough to enjoy the game!!

[Platypuss]

Just seen the highlights - VERY lucky to survive the handball shout - IMO most refs nowadays would have given it and a red card too.

[Ian Royal]

There's a place (and a significant one) in our game for the percentage long ball into the channel, but we play it too much when we could be playing better football which would allow us to control a game more. Playing it too often makes the defenders prepared for it which means they'll usually make it to the ball first, or at least close enough behind the attacker as to stop the breakthrough.

We rely on it too heavily and it means we struggle against a side which has worked that out and defend effectively against it. Using it sparingly will only make it more effective.

[susieroyal]

Just seen the highlights - VERY lucky to survive the handball shout - IMO most refs nowadays would have given it and a red card too.

HANDBALL!!

[Ian Royal]

That was, without doubt, the most obvious handball I think I have ever seen. I simply cannot understand how the referee couldn't have seen it, and if he saw it, he simply had to give it. Atrocious decision.

Fantastically well taken goal from Long, he's like a different player at the moment, completely confident that he'll take things on and score goals. Which just makes his bundles of misses earlier in the season and failure to put together a consistent run of good form previously more frustrating.

Lovely lob from the Kebster. Great hard work from McAnuff to force the third.

[Man Friday]

Accidental. So-called "ball to hand". Therefore indirect free kick (according to rules of the game ~ but this rule is never applied {see previous discussions on this topic}).

[Arch]

Accidental. So-called "ball to hand". Therefore indirect free kick (according to rules of the game ~ but this rule is never applied {see previous discussions on this topic}).

Could you point us to this never applied rule, because I can't find it. It's deliberate handball and direct free kick/penalty or nothing as far as I can see.