by Norfolk Royal »
18 Jan 2026 08:41
Well, that was the first Reading game I’ve been to in the Couhig era. We can play better than that right? We must be able to as we’ve won some games? I had to buy a couple of tickets in the home section and was sitting in the top tier near the halfway line adjacent to the away fans on the left. Drank in a home pub, Coach and Horses, before the game. Friendly bunch the Orient fans and a decent club. Compact ground with a good atmosphere. Tribute to the Reading fans. They sounded very loud, particularly after Marriott’s goal with the ‘ole’ chant. Unfortunately that only seemed to hasten the return chant of Ballard ‘ole.’
Of the game itself. Reminded me of games we played at, say, Fulham away when they were on the up in that we were bested by a team who seemed more skilful, motivated, and had players who could make a real difference and change the game when they were on the ball, Ballard being the best example of that. I’ve seen some fans on social media bigging up the Orient left-back Theo Archibald, for his contribution. He did play well first half yes, but it was basic stuff. He was just pushing it past Reading defenders out wide and crossing it. That was it, he’s not Mbappe ffs. It’s up to us to defend that, which we didn’t. As many have said, we resort way too much to hoofing it up to the diminutive Marriott with the obvious result that we lost possession and were put under pressure. Even my daughter, who wouldn’t claim to be a football tactician, noticed that and remarked on it. What’s the answer to that? A big man up front for sure but would favour recruiting skilful wide players to at least give us some sort of an out ball. The second half was an odd one. Players going down, drinks breaks, time wasting, there was barely a sustained period of actual play. When there was, and I’m talking 30 seconds, Orient looked likely to score every time. Defensively we were very poor. O’Connor can surely play better. I liked Dorsett generally but he sure as hell ain’t a left back. Wing and Savage totally anonymous. Are they always like that? Never got amy sort of grip as Orient weaved circles around them. Did any of our players emerge with credit. Marriott did all he could with the scraps he got, quite liked Kyeweera, but that was it. The rest just got bypassed or were anonymous. Getting home was a nightmare at Leyton tube, some sort of police incident there. Walked to Stratford in the end. We move on.
there's more ways than sky red button or attending to watch a game. I've seen 95% of our games since crowds were banned during Covid.
