Reading Fight For Vital Point At Bournemouth

15 March 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

A superb strike by Tom Ince in the eighty-third minute salvaged crucial point for the Royals against high flying Bournemouth. More significantly, the performance which produced the result, will undoubtedly provide a much needed boost to morale amongst the squad and the fans. To take on a team closing in on top spot in the league at this stage of the season on their own patch, and completely outplay them, will provide the belief that they avoid relegation at the end of the season. The mood was epitomised by a clearly elated Josh Laurent at the final whistle celebrating amongst the travelling away fans.
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A More Winnable April For Reading Fans

In some ways, given how 2021/22 has gone for the club, fans would've had more luck working out how to choose your first real money casino than betting on individual results as there hasn't been a lot to shout about when it comes to on pitch matters during the 2021/22 campaign. But there has been plenty of angst expressed when it comes to the financial side of life at the Madejski Stadium and the immediate six point punishment handed out by the EFL this season for the historical breach of Financial Fair Play rules, and whilst that hasn't made things any easier in the Championship, Reading are keeping their heads above water when it comes to the relegation places but with three straight defeats in recent times the small buffer zone they hold over Barnsley, Derby County and Peterborough United has quickly evaporated.

In some ways, especially at this late stage of the season, Tuesday evening's clash with AFC Bournemouth almost comes into the must win territory of games, but of course, with the season that Scott Parker's side are having (second in the Championship and odds on for automatic promotion at this stage given their games in hand, even if not as Champions outright) it's a massive ask to think Reading will come out of this one with all three points to show for their efforts and with Play-Off hunting Blackburn Rovers following as the final game in the month of March, fans will understandably be expecting things to get worse before they start to improve again.

But this is football and the unexpected can often happen, especially with so many points still to play for, so for those who like a flutter on potential outcomes, here is another source of information to help you decide which way to err on and maybe have a little bit more success than it feels Reading will have until the April set of fixtures that look far more winnable on paper.

Lucas Joao Voted Championship Player Of Month

11 March 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Lucas Joao has been named as the Championship Player of the month for February, after scoring five goals in the month as Reading won twice out of six games. Although his performances, even across a game, can be mixed, Joao has let the stats do the talking after only returning from injury in January. He scored once in January before an impressive goal haul in the following month. The return of Joao gave Reading a big boost as they started to find the net again. Joao was voted man of the match as Reading won 3-2 at Preston on 19 February, with his two goals coming in the opening twenty minutes of the match.

February was probably the club's best month since September. The Royals picked up 4 points under Veljko Paunovic before earning another 3 points on the arrival of temporary manager Paul Ince. However now Ince has settled in the Royals have had back to back defeats and now have a very tough run of games starting with tomorrow's trip to Nottingham Forest. Meite's return from injury has been a slower affair with Ince not giving him the minutes on the pitch the fans would like. With Reading deep in a relegation battle a combination of Meite and Joao up front could be just what we need to pull away from the bottom three.

Goalkeeper Nyland Signs Until End Of Season

10 March 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Orjan Nyland who arrives to replace Arsenal loan keeper Karl Hein who has returned to his club after injury. Nyland arrives on a short term contract until the end of the season after leaving Bournemouth earlier this year. He made 3 appearances for the Cherries this season - one game in each of the League Cup, FA Cup and Championship. His first appearance of the season saw him conceede six times away at Premier League Norwich City. Despite limited domestic football, Nyland has played four World Cup qualifiers this season for Norway, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

Nyland's previous clubs include Aston Villa where he spent two and a half years and made 28 league starts for the club. However he found opportunities limited after the end of the 2019/2020 season and played just once for Villa in the 2020/2021 season.

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Ince Avoids Press After Home Defeat

05 March 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's status as a Championship club is beginning to look distinctly precarious. Another goal conceded from a set piece (apparently the twentieth this season) resulted in yet another defeat with Derby County and Barnsley snapping at their heels. Reading face a run of three matches against teams pushing for promotion which could well see their five point cushion disappear. More worryingly the impact of new manager has done nothing to inspire confidence. Chasing the game against a Millwall side happy to drop deep and defend their first half lead delivered by former Royal centre back Jake Cooper, Ince remarkably declined the option of introducing a fully fit and proven goal scorer Yakou Meite until five minutes from the end. The last straw for me was Ince's decision to duck out of the post interview, leaving Michael Gilkes to field the awkward questions about a distinctly avoidable defeat. It is hard to respect a manager who delegates a difficult aspect of his job to his assistant. It brings into question his leadership which is key factor in a relegation battle.
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• Match Report: Reading 0 Millwall 1