Harper

[1960]

Team brilliant and as usual with Reading various players could be called MoM because of the team performance, but I want to highlight Harper, relatively unsung in this match.

His running, his willingness to take the ball, his distribution and his talking and marshalling were all premier class. Not what he sometimes slips into, meandering about and passing square or backwards or humping long balls, invariably cut out. He was obviously up for it and put in an inspirational performance.

[RG30]

Seems strange but over the past couple of months I've seen 2 very similar players in Harper and Owen Hargreaves the way they seem to close down and give midfielder's very little time and space on the ball.

Him and Sidwell yesterday were excellent and long may it continue.

[Reading_Royal]

Never seen so forward before! Right on the byline! Excellent player and great for the team, a couple of minor mistakes but fought back to redeem his error, same as sonko etc.

[Dirk Gently]

He seemed to be one of the most nervous at the start yesterday, and when he settled down was when we started to fight back.

[westendgirl]

He seemed to be one of the most nervous at the start yesterday, and when he settled down was when we started to fight back.

Not sure if it was him on Nicky Shorey who started the self belief. That surging run from Shorey on the half hour after he had not been his usual ultra calm self seemed the signal for me for the rest to really beleive it was worth relaxing and palying as we all know they can.

However the first 20 minutes we all agreed Harper looked nervous as did Shorey, just glad they found that belief

[Mr Angry]

I thought he did great for someone who missed a lot of the pre-season games.

Non-stop running and battling against Boateng, and had a hand in the first goal with his cross to Seol.

[pieface]

always is a un-sung hero bubbly character on and off the pitch which is great for the team him and sidwell really work well together we seen that and saw it on saterday

[Platypuss]

Let's not get too carried away - that was an idiotic challenge to concede the free kick to give them their second.

[Gav]

Let's not get too carried away - that was an idiotic challenge to concede the free kick to give them their second.

But that was when we were nervous, and as a result, for me, doesn't quite count.

Remember, it was our first ever game, there were bound to be nerves and stupid mistakes in the first few minutes. I'm just delighted at how well we settled down... It was almost like 'there is a 25 minute adjustment period when making the transition from Championship player to Premiership player', as when Hunt came on, he seemed to make a few similar nervous mistakes as well.

With all this 'who'll make the step up, who won't' talk, when the final whistle went, not one of our players had looked out of their depth. Not one.

[melksham_royal]

i was really impressed with hunt when he came on, he really took it to boro but there were a couple of chances he had to shoot and decided against it. i feel that harper needs some more confidence to shoot when he has the chance, although apart from that slight criticism, and the foul for the second goal, he had an excellent game

[PREMIERSHIP_ROYAL]

always bin impressed with harper but he never seems to get the credit he deserves, until now

[BillBrasky]

He seemed to be one of the most nervous at the start yesterday, and when he settled down was when we started to fight back.

Not sure if it was him on Nicky Shorey who started the self belief. That surging run from Shorey on the half hour after he had not been his usual ultra calm self seemed the signal for me for the rest to really beleive it was worth relaxing and palying as we all know they can.

I thought that run by Shorey was the turning point.

[Forbury Lion]

Video interview with James Harper after joining Hungerford, he mentions bad career moves after leaving Reading.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37750288

[Geekins]

Wonder if he's still having a pre-match fry up every game?

[bcubed]

I miss Harps

also Mikeharps

[Half Horse]

Harps spotted in Sainsbury's, Winnersh on Tuesday.