The overcast skies and deluge of rain perfectly reflected the gloomy atmosphere inside The Select Car Leasing stadium at the end of the final game of a generally unremarkable season. Even the angry cries for the removal of Leam Richardson from disgruntled fans was somewhat muted. After yet another sluggish, predictable performance, visitors Blackpool scored the only goal of the game after seventy-five minutes. It was the third home game in succession Reading fans have endured the sight of away fans celebrating their success long and loud at the final whistle.

Even with the comfort of a mid-table finish, Reading failed to take advantage of the freedom to take a few risks and provide an entertaining finale to a mediocre season. Failure to register a single attempt on target in the entire match is a damning statistic for a home team in the last game of the season. On the BBC Division One website page the Reading report was the only one without a headline! The report title was simply Reading 0 Blackpool 1 which said it all.

The pattern of play has been the same for most of the season. All over the pitch Reading passing has lacked lack penetration. With nobody in space, or even to trying to find space, players on t eh ball are forced to resort to passing back into their own half. The lack of movement is most noticeable at throw-ins when players often don’t even bother to look to throw the ball forward.

Above all the lack of pace and urgency going forward makes it far too easy for opponents to stifle our attacking play. Doyle and Kyerewaa appear to be the only players in the squad with the ability to dribble around, or past opponents. Around March and April there was a glimmer of hope of making a top six finish, but Jack Marriot’s absence due to injury all hope of that quickly disappeared as the goals became much harder to come by.

It was always going to be season to re-build and recover from the damage done by previous owners, but the performances on the pitch have not reflected the optimism that came with a new owner. There are growing doubts that the ambition of the current manager matches the expectations of the fans in seeing their ream playing some entertaining football. Nothing on the pitch seems to even indicate that performances are moving closer towards meeting that expectation.

Loyalty dictates I will renew my season ticket and hope for better things next season.

John Wells