Reading Football Club News: October 2020
Unbeaten Run Ends At Coventry
30 October 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
After Tuesday's outstanding performance away to Blackburn Rovers, Reading were brought back down to earth with bump by a Coventry City team low on confidence after a run six matches without a win. Reading never reached the level of performance achieved in recent games. Their play lacked intensity and a well organised City team grew in confidence as the game progressed. Once Coventry had taken the lead Reading struggled to penetrate a tight Coventry formation. Joao levelled the score out of the blue mid away through the second half with a brilliant solo effort from outside the box which should have signalled a Reading revival but Coventry refused to lie down and hit back with two more goals before Puscas pulled a goal back in stoppage time.
Read More...
Top Of The League And Getting Better
27 October 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
This evening Reading opened up a seven point lead at the top of the Championship with a performance of outstanding quality. The Royals blew away a very good Rovers side in the opening twenty minutes scoring three goals, playing football of the highest quality. Meite put Reading ahead after just nine seconds when Douglas took his eye off a long ball and provided an inadvertent assist as the ball hit his heel and fell in to the path of the Reading striker. With Rovers 'keeper Pears stranded Meite simply rolled the ball in to the empty net. Rovers hit back instantly equalising through Armstrong two minute later. The Rovers goal sparked a response from Reading which stunned the home side.
Read More...
Royals Now Five Points Clear
24 October 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
An outstanding goal from Yakou Meite was the turning point in Reading's sixth victory in seven games. With just over ten minutes to play, and Reading hanging on to a fragile looking lead from a first half goal, also scored by Meite, the Reading striker controlled a corner on his chest and swivelled to smash an unstoppable left foot volley past Rotherham 'Keeper Blackman. Rotherham certainly never gave up at any stage, but Reading are now so secure at the back, anything other than a Royals win was extremely unlikely. Joao added a third from the penalty spot having used his strength to get on the end of a long ball up the middle to win the spot kick in stoppage time. It was a flattering score line but tactically Reading once again got everything right and took all three points and secured yet another clean sheet.
Read More...
Performance Lacking But Royals Go 3 Points Clear
20 October 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
A moment of inspired forward play from Lucas Joao in the sixty-fourth minute was enough to see off a resilient Wycombe. The Reading striker controlled a long ball from Liam Moore on the edge of the Wycombe box, held off two defenders, and rifled a low shot past Allsop. It was Reading's first shot on target but it proved to be sufficient to lift Reading to the top off the Championship with a clear three point lead over second placed Bristol City. It was great result for the Royals but a far from convincing performance.
Read More...
Bore Draw But Royals Stay Unbeaten
17 October 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Teams managed by Neil Warnock are rarely renowned for their creativity and expansive attacking football and today's trip north to take on Middlesbrough was no exception. What little flair surfaced from this dour struggle came from a very composed and confident Reading team strengthened by the return of Joao and Ejaria. Attempts on goal were few and far between, Reading having the distinction of officially registering one shot on target as opposed to Boro' who failed to manage even one in the entire ninety minutes. Read More...
Alfa Semedo Signs For Season
05 October 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading have completed the signing of Alfa Semedo from Benfica on a season long loan. The 23 year old midfielder arrives at Reading after spending last season on loan at Championship side Nottingham Forest where he had a mixture of starts and appearances off the bench. Semedo clocked up 26 appearances for Forest and scored two goals before a very short return to his parent club.
He signed his professional contract with Benfica in the summer of 2018 and has played 8 times for his club scoring once.
Paunovic describes the player as "strong, powerful, versatile, comfortable on the ball and full of energy." - which sounds like a postitive endorsement of his new signing as he aims to keep Reading at the right end of the table this season.
Meanwhile former Reading defender Chris Gunter who left when his contract expired in the summer looks set to sign for Charlton Athletic.
Championship Winning Run Continues
03 October 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Today Reading chalked up their fourth successive Championship victory against a very strong Watford side. Depleted by injuries to key players, Veljko Paunovic drafted in the relatively inexperienced Holmes at full back, Aluko in midfield, and George Puscas up front. All three rose to the occasion as Reading produced a solid performance in every respect. With the quality of players available for Watford it was always going to a big test for the Royals, and there were periods when Watford put their defence under considerable pressure. However this season Reading are playing with significantly greater confidence and composure. With a combination of confident passing, disciplined defending throughout the team, and some slick passing, Reading deserved their win today. Not that it mattered, the winner came with scuffed shot from Puscas which took a wicked deflection wrong-footing Foster as it bobbled into the net.
Read More...