Well that was disappointing, I thought first half we rode our luck and it was no surprise when Exeter took the lead, they could of had another. They used their wingers well and our full backs were left 2 on 1 all the time, their goal was another free header. I didn't really see much of the equaliser in 1st half injury time but quite pleased to go in level.

Selles made some half time subs and we were the better team for most of the half, Azeez missed what looked like a sitter and hit the post - he's getting the chances but not putting them away. I thought Elliot looked good and will be a star.

Overall though not a bad day out. After an early start and bank holiday traffic we made it to Exeter before 12. We headed to the Imperial Spoons prematch, quite an impressive place



Also went to the Park clubhouse where they had a great queuing system for drinks, a good mix of fans from both sides.

It’s always disappointing losing to an injury time winner but no real complaints. They edged it overall but a draw wouldn’t have been unfair. First half was abysmal, much improved in second but we’re still shotshy and wasteful (femi).

These results and performances are going to happen with a young team, although a bit older today, it is what it is.

My first trip to Exeter, really friendly bunch of supporters and staff. Nice club. Thought their whole terraced stand behind the goal was good when they scored.

Traffic down was a bitch.

Mixed bag of a game. Exeter on top first half but could have been several to either side. Button made some good saves. Savage and Ehib missed some clear chances.

Second half we got on top after a bit but never looked like killing it. Exeter then took back control and won it in the death when the defence inexplicably fell apart.


Button had no chance

Dean - bit more moble than the other senior defenders, but fell apart at the end. Looked a bit lost at times.

Azeez - still couldn't finish his dinner, but I think created the first. Some 14 year old in the home end shat his pants everytime Azeez went near the ball, so apparently he's our danger man.

Savage and Hutchenson is a rather lacklustre central midfield and Savage shouldn't be allowed near shooting. His second effort right infront of me I couldn't even begin to work out what he was trying, because it looked exactly like what happened, spaff it 10 yards over with no power.

On the whole, relatively solid showing with some sporadic attacking threat.

McIntyre at LB was a worry because I thought the RW would have him on toast for pace, but he did ok and covered inside when needed.

Yiadom made some very suspect decisions.

Oh and the officials were shocking.

Ahhh the Orangery... home of my first year at uni.

I was the one standing stock still stoney faced.


I'm sorry to say despite good numbers the away support was dreadful. Mustered barely a peep other when we scored.

A bit of a gut-wrencher to lose like that right at the end. Either team could have won it and a draw would have been a ‘fair’ result. We started brightly enough but then got over run by Exeter, especially down our left. A couple of decent saves from Button but the goal was inevitable. We were probably fortunate to go in level as our goal was a bit against the run of play tbf. Credit to Selles for taking the necessary action at half time. We were much better second half and pretty much bossed the game for the most part. We had sufficient chances to put the game beyond Exeter but (again) we’re not clinical enough in our finishing. Shout out to Ben Elliott who I thought did really well when he came on and will be looking to start in the coming weeks. Femi Azeez excites and frustrates in equal measure. He should have about six goals so far this season! Exeter probably the best team we’ve played so far but the quality in this league ain’t great and I don’t think that there’s all that much between the teams. We’re going to have games like this. The team is young and will improve and if we get on a run and confidence builds then then who knows. We do need Sam Smith back and/or another striker to help out Kelvin E.

Sounds like there were some positives at least. To turn round a game against a solid side is fairly impressive and a draw would have been very creditable

Saw someone mention Azeez and nick Blackman in the same sentence on Twitter and not a bad comparison. Do think if he scored 1 he might just go on a run, but can’t keep missing these chances

Anyway on to the next one

Very fair summary ... also worth mentioning that Nelson A was superb for most of the game apart from their winner. Also think Kelvin E is very good and laid it on a plate for Femi to score 2nd half. Carson needs more time and should not be starting - they clearly targeted his side.

It was frustrating between him.and Savage. Both of them missed glorious opportunities that I think KelvE would have taken. Knibbs too.

I've not been able to go live this season but aside from Port Vale second half it sounds like we've done generally okay especially given the integration of several U21's and indeed the start of the current U21 side.

I'm therefore quite surprised the most recent BBC Berks podcast leads with a trailer saying we've had a poor start. Sounds kneejerk reaction to an injury time goal....

Ady Williams stirring shit again, "I'm just asking questions".

Whether people think we've had a poor start will come down to what folk's expectations are; I think we've started off fine, although that's because I'm not expecting to get promoted or into the play-offs this season. Especially once it's become clear we'll mostly have an inexperienced squad this season. These players will improve as the season goes on and what might be a lower mid-table side now could become an upper mid-table side by the end of the season.

The difference in quality between a play-off side and a side battling relegation doesn't seem to be all too big - so it won't take a lot for sides to improve/decline a lot relative to other sides in the division.

Perhaps expectations are far too high among some. We cannot expect to play in League One and win matches because we've been in the top two divisions for the past twenty years or so - we have to have the players, tactics, determination, etc. to win matches. With the current ability of the squad we've got, being roughly mid-table is where we should expect to be.

We've not played anyone who I think we should've blown away, nor have we played anyone who I think should've blown us away. The Port Vale second half is the low point, whilst I'd say the Exeter first half was the next lowest point. We had prolonged spells against Cheltenham and Stevenage where we were dominant. Over the course of a season, you have to expect there will be halves when you play well and halves when you play badly - especially if you're a mid-table side.

Thought that was one of the most enjoyable games I had watched in a long time - end to end attacking football (be it of very varied quality) although the last few minutes left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand gutted RFC did not get a point but couldn’t help feeling pleased for the Exeter fans around me that were so delighted. It clearly meant so much to them to take a “big scalp” like Reading. It was a great game compared with many of the Championship bore fests we have endured in recent seasons.

The Exeter fan next to me said that probably every player in their team would rather be playing for RFC but what they lacked in quality they made up for with clever recruitment and a great team ethic. In fact Exeter represent almost all that is good with football. A family club owned by the supporters trust and well run financially and probably either at their level or punching above it a bit. I could even see them making the Championship next season - although I very much doubt they could survive at that level.

Sadly Reading FC pretty much represent much of what is bad about football but we do seem to be turning the corner and provided there are no more significant point deductions, I think we have to see this as a rebuilding year as we should finish comfortably above the relegation zone. There was much about our performance to be positive about yesterday. We have a great bunch of young players coming through and I hope we persist with them and only try and plug any obvious gaps that occur. I will be very happy with a mid table finish this season as there is no way that this squad is ready for the Championship yet, but provided the owner provides enough to fund the club and leaves Selles (would not have been my choice but we have to stick with him now) Bowen et al to get on with it, I could see us storming the league next season and the young players being good enough to hold their own in the Championship in 2025/26.

And if we manage to beat Cambridge next 3 wins and 3 defeats would be a reasonable start to the season.

Performances have been solid, especially considering the circumstances around the squad.

Results have been a bit disappointing. But so far every game has been close. 0-1, 0-1, 1-0, 2-0 (red), 1-2.

We've had opportunities to win every game, but we've often struggled to finish our chances. Defensively we've mostly looked solid, with the odd error and one second half shit show.

I don't think we've played our best XI yet, and it'll take a little while to find it. But the season looks like being decent as long as we don’t have too many points deducted and don't let our heads drop on a poor run.

I'd take a draw against Cambridge.

Ady Williams stirring shit again, "I'm just asking questions".

Ady Williams is a wife beating ex pro who is completely embittered that he didn’t earn as much money as footballers currently do. Don’t listen to a word he says.

And if Micky G says 'Listen' one more time at the start of his sentences.....some of us are listening Mick. And you've been watching and 'listening' to too many Keano interviews mate.

Finally back home - all the comments made so far paint a fair picture of the day.

However, I'm surprised no one mentioned our one dimensional approach to corner and free kicks. Ball to the back post to Dean to head back across - it seemed very much like the tactic we use when Carroll plays and there was. no attempt to vary it. With very little height in the team it would've been nice to see some different ideas. Hopefully that will develop going forwards.

And on to the next one.

Do you not think that the corner routine was constantly causing problems for Exeter? Probably why we kept doing it?

Do you not think that the corner routine was constantly causing problems for Exeter? Probably why we kept doing it?

No, I don't, the back post header was generally won, however it never seemed to get back not the right areas. I'm not saying it's something we shouldn't do - it clearly has a place - however mixing it up may have made it less easy for them to deal with. Just an opinion...

I was the one standing stock still stoney faced.


I'm sorry to say despite good numbers the away support was dreadful. Mustered barely a peep other when we scored.

Atmosphere from the seats was non-existent (as expected) but thought the terrace was very quiet and I was a lot closer to it!

Quite liked the stadium tbh, like how they just thought oxf*rd it we don’t need capacity we’ll just have half a stand and leave the trees.

Were the little covered boxes at the front left of the big bank, hospitality?

Do you not think that the corner routine was constantly causing problems for Exeter? Probably why we kept doing it?

No, I don't, the back post header was generally won, however it never seemed to get back not the right areas. I'm not saying it's something we shouldn't do - it clearly has a place - however mixing it up may have made it less easy for them to deal with. Just an opinion...

Yeah I’m not a massive fan of our floaty corners. As with with everything, mixing it up is best. I’d rather see fast in swingers. I appreciate it depends on the foot but can’t believe they’re more doable from any professional footballer, clearly not the case though otherwise everyone would be a dead ball specialist… it is just laziness though, it’s just practise. Direct free kicks especially.

It's just a verbal quirk. Lots of people have them.

Do you not think that the corner routine was constantly causing problems for Exeter? Probably why we kept doing it?

No, I don't, the back post header was generally won, however it never seemed to get back not the right areas. I'm not saying it's something we shouldn't do - it clearly has a place - however mixing it up may have made it less easy for them to deal with. Just an opinion...
We're not even a small team. Ehib and Dean are very big. Savage, Abbey, Mbengue, Knibbs and Azeez are all a good height.

I agree we should vary it more. Currently the main variation seems to be in quality of delivery.

I was the one standing stock still stoney faced.


I'm sorry to say despite good numbers the away support was dreadful. Mustered barely a peep other when we scored.

Atmosphere from the seats was non-existent (as expected) but thought the terrace was very quiet and I was a lot closer to it!

Quite liked the stadium tbh, like how they just thought oxf*rd it we don’t need capacity we’ll just have half a stand and leave the trees.

Were the little covered boxes at the front left of the big bank, hospitality?
I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.

Another embarrassing defeat for us. Have to get used to it with a youthful inexperienced side though.

Not much is enjoyable about losing, especially to Exeter City (no disrespect to them). It was a good game yes, but I don't think many enjoyed the outcome. Albeit it was a cracking goal to win it for them! Exeter fans are a nice bunch. I do find that in the lower leagues that fans are a bit friendlier generally. I've seen lots of lower league games and we'll have some more fun away trips.

Atmosphere from the seats was non-existent (as expected) but thought the terrace was very quiet and I was a lot closer to it!

Quite liked the stadium tbh, like how they just thought oxf*rd it we don’t need capacity we’ll just have half a stand and leave the trees.

Were the little covered boxes at the front left of the big bank, hospitality?
I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.
Big Bank never stopped, died down on and off but always going. Very impressed with the atmosphere.

Looked like zero activity at the Reading End.

I know I shouldn’t bother but how is it embarrassing? A narrow away loss for mostly kids against an established league one side.

I think those were the disabled areas.

The atmosphere was a little disappointing, but I do wonder if the acoustics of the ground was a factor in that. You couldn't really hear the other end of the ground that loudly - even though it looked like they were making a decent amount of noise at times.
Big Bank never stopped, died down on and off but always going. Very impressed with the atmosphere.

Looked like zero activity at the Reading End.

Echo this about acoustics. Asides from goals the big bank sounded quiet imho.

Agree Reading fans very quiet.

Agree with most what's been said, young team will learn from our mistakes and will improve through the season, our set pieces are dog shit though.