Graeme Murty - an apology

[The Goat was fed]

I, like most Reading fans I know, thought that Graeme Murty would struggle in the Premiership. I suspect, given the signings of Halls and De La Cruz (in no other position do we actually have so much cover) so did the coaching staff.

Yet in each game he has been excellent, and we have conceded shedloads of goals since he's been out of the side, which I strongly suspect is no coincidence. We clearly miss his organisational skills as well as his attacks down the right.

So sorry for doubting you, Murts. Come back soon, all is forgiven.

[JezD]

We miss him not for his skills but for his leadership! Although, now Little's starting, hopefully we'll see some of their work together which worked so well all of last season! Hurry back Murts

[NTRoyal]

We haven't won a league game without him.

Speaks volumes.

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

We haven't won a league game without him.

Speaks volumes.

Apart from West Ham (A) where the team was:

Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Hunt 79), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Gunnarsson 77), Lita (Long 67), Doyle. Subs Not Used: Stack, Bikey.

Agree with the sentiment though.

[E. Andrew]

We haven't won a league game without him.

Speaks volumes.

Apart from West Ham (A) where the team was:

Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Hunt 79), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Gunnarsson 77), Lita (Long 67), Doyle. Subs Not Used: Stack, Bikey.

Agree with the sentiment though.

hadn't really thought about that. by coincidence the streak comes along side a tough batch of matches, but he likely would have helped a great deal

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

We haven't won a league game without him.

Speaks volumes.

Apart from West Ham (A) where the team was:

Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Hunt 79), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Gunnarsson 77), Lita (Long 67), Doyle. Subs Not Used: Stack, Bikey.

Agree with the sentiment though.

hadn't really thought about that. by coincidence the streak comes along side a tough batch of matches, but he likely would have helped a great deal

To be fair though, we didn't exactly set the world to light at Upton Park and every other game we've lost.

[KC Royal]

Apart from West Ham (A) where the team was:

Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Hunt 79), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Gunnarsson 77), Lita (Long 67), Doyle. Subs Not Used: Stack, Bikey.

Agree with the sentiment though.

hadn't really thought about that. by coincidence the streak comes along side a tough batch of matches, but he likely would have helped a great deal

To be fair though, we didn't exactly set the world to light at Upton Park and every other game we've lost.

Which was also what I was going to say...

I agree with the original post tho I wasn't convinced that Murts was up to it either but glad to be proved wrong. I think the other reason why we got so much backup for him is because the coaching staff realised he would probably miss several games through injury. He's not someone I don't think thats likely to play every game, and he's not getting any younger. On his performances this season he should be good enough for at least another season at this level.

[Im Spartacus]

Not sure I owe an apology, but bloody hell he was fantastic today.

[UpNorth]

MoM for me.

[Upper West?!?]

I've seen Murty run and run for years, but I never imagined he would have the skills or the pace to cope with the premiership. Well, he is proving me wrong on that front, and he also seems to be showing himself to be a much more inspirational leader than I would have given him credit for. His performance today was nothing less than inspirational - for a jaded old fan as well as for his team mates.

WELL DONE MURTS

[ScottishRoyal]

I'd echo these sentiments, he was superb today and his link up play with Blakey showed how much we've missed him. A long way from the days a few years ago when he seemed to get injured every single game

Can't give him enough praise now though

[Volvicanus]

Yup- have to agree with you. I am pretty shocked at how well he's performed for us in the Prem. Perhaps the ending to last season seriously gave him the confidence he needed to really step up to this level. Or perhaps he did always have this and I just didn't see it then. But he seriously is one of, if not the crucial player for us these days. He provides the leadershp we need, the drive that motivates the others an he's just playing better than I've ever seen. M -U -R-T-Y He's M-U-R-T- Y!!!!

[readingfc_4_life_and_beyo]

Is it me or did he also look fukcing quick too? - great and inspirational today, with that injection of fight we needed against Pompey.

[The Brain]

WE MISSED YOU MURTS!

(nah, he's not quick it's sheer bloody effort & hard work!)

Well done Murty.

[Irvinchangeyaname]

Absolutely superb today. Best defender...and at times the only one in the box when we attacked. Awesome.