MATCHWATCH : Crawley Town (h)

[Orion1871]

Tuma looks to have spent some time in the gym. Quite a unit now. Physically ready for league 1 football for sure.

Perhaps he can show Elliott where it is. So lightweight.

[Snowflake Royal]

One thing I will say about Elliott, is that he has a poor game but still pops up with an assist.

Last season, if he had a poor game, he'd disappear. He is measurably getting better.

So much better than last season. Physically stronger too, even if still more to go.


Expect him to be very big player for us by the end of the season. Craig, Savage, Elliott is a Championship midfield in the making imo.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

But for some great saves and goal line clearances, that would have been a much closer game. We can’t rely on worldies and defensive errors every week.

Garcia may look good going forward, but defensively he got rinsed. Didn’t help that it seemed to usually be three on one. Knibbs wasn’t quite right, and I suppose his substitution confirmed it.

Elliott seems fine to me - he can’t be world class for 90 minutes every game, but he was pretty effective the whole game.

Michael Craig also constantly efficient - I think he should be getting more recognition.

The only strike in my 25 years following Reading I can think of that rivals Wing’s goal was “the dipper” that Cureton unleashed against Burnley back in 2002.

Thought Crawley played some lovely football: looked to me like the new manager has almost had time to imprint his ideas on them.

Ultimately, we converted chances into goals and they didn’t. On the basis, we can’t say we didn’t deserve to win, because last time I checked football was still decided on goals scored.

[stealthpapes]

The only strike in my 25 years following Reading I can think of that rivals Wing’s goal was “the dipper” that Cureton unleashed against Burnley back in 2002.

'Darius Henderson' Grimsby away.

[Brogue]

[RoyalBlue]

Glad for the result, shame I missed it.

Not surprising to me that our defence at times looks iffy. Its crazy young and Craig remains not a fullback but a midfielder. And it's frequently not well screened.

We've got the makings of a very good attack, but it just doesn't seem to link well with Smith, couple of recent goals aside.

Glad to hear Button getting some plaudits given people love to scape goat him.

Interesting to see Akande start ahead of Campbell. Campbell looks to me the more polished and experienced footballer, but Akande is the sort of rough diamond that makes things happen, because he's quick and direct, which defenders hate, he hasn’t been coached into safer play yet.

Akande didn’t do loads but what he did was v good

Button made an absolute howler first half passing out and seemed the crowd got on his back after a bit - but yes some quality saves later on

He'd also come very close to scoring a ridiculously sloppy own goal not long before that. Don't know whether he got a rocket up his proverbial from Selles and/or the GK coach at half-time but performed considerably better in the second half and did indeed produce some great saves.

[PieEater]

it was a pretty odd game today, a worldie from Wing was worth turning up early for, and we played well in parts but sat back and seemed lucky not to concede 2 or 3 more. I didn't feel comfortable until the third went in, and don't underestimate the shot from Savage - that was pure class and so easy to miss.

After half time it was all Crawley and seemed they would get an equaliser but the Savage goal and a great assist from Wing and Smith put it beyond doubt. Hats off to Mbengue who made some huge mistakes along with some incredible last ditch challenges - my MOTM.

Also Button who made a huge mistake that they eventually scored from, but also made some crucial saves.

[Snowflake Royal]

Holy moly, the two clearances off the line were incredible and a string of top saves from Button.

Absolute screamer from Wing, lovely calm quick reaction from Savage for his.

[PieEater]

Also a mention for the ref who was terrible. Blew for any contact whatsoever which played into Crawleys plan to grind out a 0-0. Why are these league 1 refs so shit?

[Royals and Racers]

Has anyone worked out how far Wing was from goal when he scored- must have been around 35 yards ?

[Hound]

Holy moly, the two clearances off the line were incredible and a string of top saves from Button.

Absolute screamer from Wing, lovely calm quick reaction from Savage for his.

Yeah watching back these goal line clearances were brilliant. We were behind the Mbengue one and he seemed to come out of nowhere. Great moment that

One really really good save from button following the free kick and a couple of good others

[Dirk Gently]

Holy moly, the two clearances off the line were incredible and a string of top saves from Button.

Absolute screamer from Wing, lovely calm quick reaction from Savage for his.

The Bindon goal-line clearance made me think of Sonko at his most determined.

[From Despair To Where?]

The only strike in my 25 years following Reading I can think of that rivals Wing’s goal was “the dipper” that Cureton unleashed against Burnley back in 2002.

'Darius Henderson' Grimsby away.

Wasn't that an Alan Pouton oggy?

[windermereROYAL]

Also a mention for the ref who was terrible. Blew for any contact whatsoever which played into Crawleys plan to grind out a 0-0. Why are these league 1 refs so shit?

Crawley got 21 fouls to our 6.

[PieEater]

Also a mention for the ref who was terrible. Blew for any contact whatsoever which played into Crawleys plan to grind out a 0-0. Why are these league 1 refs so shit?

Crawley got 21 fouls to our 6.

I'm confused whether a quoter of facts is challenging or supporting my opinion that the ref was shit.

[Orion1871]

Bizarre game that we were never in control of until the last 15 minutes, yet the scoreline would suggest it was a lot more comfortable.

Not a fan of Button but he recovered well from his two howlers. Mbengue, what a man, a real cult hero vibe about him. Brilliant strike from Wing, up there with the Zidane-esque volley from McCleary against Burnley as the best purely struck Reading goals. Savage and Smith with very composed skill for their goals. We really need to stick with Akande over Campbell, he's got something that's worth persevering with.

Thought the young players who came on at the end did very well too, lovely bit of play near the end of the game that could've ended in a goal with a little bit more composure on the final ball.

[Hound]

Also a mention for the ref who was terrible. Blew for any contact whatsoever which played into Crawleys plan to grind out a 0-0. Why are these league 1 refs so shit?

Crawley got 21 fouls to our 6.

I'm confused whether a quoter of facts is challenging or supporting my opinion that the ref was shit.

Did mention this in my post earlier. We regularly out foul our opponents - I think we probably are quite a ‘dirty’ side but it does feel on days like today that the ref is coming prepared to pick up every small foul we do, whilst letting them do much the same without punishment. But maybe that’s just natural bias on my part

[Orion1871]

Crawley got 21 fouls to our 6.

I'm confused whether a quoter of facts is challenging or supporting my opinion that the ref was shit.

Did mention this in my post earlier. We regularly out foul our opponents - I think we probably are quite a ‘dirty’ side but it does feel on days like today that the ref is coming prepared to pick up every small foul we do, whilst letting them do much the same without punishment. But maybe that’s just natural bias on my part

I don't think we're too dirty. I do think that other teams are better at "managing" the ref than we are.

[Brogue]

I'm confused whether a quoter of facts is challenging or supporting my opinion that the ref was shit.

Did mention this in my post earlier. We regularly out foul our opponents - I think we probably are quite a ‘dirty’ side but it does feel on days like today that the ref is coming prepared to pick up every small foul we do, whilst letting them do much the same without punishment. But maybe that’s just natural bias on my part

I don't think we're too dirty. I do think that other teams are better at "managing" the ref than we are.

Yeah. We are team full of kids who haven’t yet learnt that part of the game

[skipper]

Credit to Crawley, they were much better than the score line suggested. I cannot see how they haven't won in 8 games.

It will still be a moral boosting win for us and keeps up the atmosphere here!

Glad the flag it getting routinely walked around the stadium now too. Gotta help Reuben want to stay!!