Back from the game - Norwich

[Wycombe Royal]

thought james henry was the difference for us, not just because he made the 2nd goal but becuase you could tell me missed a true winger on the right with running down the byline and putting crosses in. Marek cant and wont do that.

Fair play to SSC brining harper off who again was absolute toilet

diagree, thought Harper put his balls on the line yesterday (for a change)

Out of the 3 central midfielders on the pitch on Saturday (starting the match that is), Harper was by far the best. Cisse did very little all game and Matejovsky was in an unfamiliar position, whereas Harper got stuck, made tackles, got forward and generally did what a central midfielder should do. The problem is that too many Reading fans are blinkered when it comes to Harper and cannot give him any credit when he turns in a decent performance.

[loyalroyal4life]

Still can't believe anyone thought playing Marek on the wing would be a good idea. I'm especially shocked that Coppell, who is usually pretty good at knowing how his own system works, tried it.

well it was worth a try no harm done, now he knows not to do it again!!! Henry to start on right with marek in centre

[Stranded]

Watching the highlights yesterday, was it just me on did Long look offside (from the low West Stand camera angle) when the ball was crossed then nipped in front of his man to bury a great header?

[loyalroyal4life]

Watching the highlights yesterday, was it just me on did Long look offside (from the low West Stand camera angle) when the ball was crossed then nipped in front of his man to bury a great header?

Just you i think cant see how long was offside for the goal tbh

[ZacNaloen]

Having seen it on the highlights reels that cross from Henry was sublime, curled round a couple of defenders from the line and straight onto Longs head.

[Mad Dog's Ghost]

Agree with Top Flight. Very unexcited by Henry last Tuesday and kind of agreed with Coppell's team selection (but once again, we saw how playing people out of position just doesn't work). Henry was a different player from the one I'd seen before. Lively, prepared to run at defenders ... and what a cross. The header from Long was even better. Think Long (on his better days) is forever going to be our David Fairclough.

[Tommy Youlden's Ears]

Had a bit of a 'daddy moment' on Saturday. Took my six year old son to the game for the first time. I live in SW London, and have been carefully nurturing in him an affection for RFC - kit for Christmas 2 years ago, explanations as to how support works, why Chelsea are evil etc. - but it ain't easy, with most of his friends supporting Man U, Chelsea or Liverpool (I blame the parents) he has already been soundly baited at school about RFC.

Eighty minutes into the game I was worried. I offered a tentative "sorry there are no goals, matey, bit rubbish really". To my huge relief and pride, he said "It's brilliant dad!", all bright eyes and teeth. When the goals went in, he was ecstatic.

So, that's that then. He is now fated to support Reading. Whether he will thank me for this in later years, we shall see.

So, for all of you that thought the game a bit rubbish (and, ummm...that would include me)... be ashamed, be very ashamed. Through the eyes of the qunitessential 'newbie', it was, I repeat, BRILLIANT. For those who think the fans quiet, he was transfixed; "what are they singing?". If you think the pitch was shagged, he thought it the greenest grass ever, for those who think SHunt and penalties don't mix, he didn't.

So for me it was an affirmation. Just as I got the buzz from watching a goalless draw with Barnsley, Div 4, 1976 (75?), my son got same from a soggy Winter slog last Saturday.

[rabidbee]

To be fair, the analysis of a six-year old child watching a game of football for the first time ever in his life is still more expert than some of the commentators on Hob Nob.

[Maguire]

LOL at you lot talking up our second goal like it was goal of the season or something.

Poor game but ground out another three points, which is all that matters.

Next.

[ZacNaloen]

LOL at you lot talking up our second goal like it was goal of the season or something.

Poor game but ground out another three points, which is all that matters.

Next.

Who's been doing that?

[Barry the bird boggler]

Awful weather, poor referee, bad performance. 3 points. Next.

Note to SC - must not play without 2 recognised wingers.

[Sarah Star]

Had a bit of a 'daddy moment' on Saturday. Took my six year old son to the game for the first time. I live in SW London, and have been carefully nurturing in him an affection for RFC - kit for Christmas 2 years ago, explanations as to how support works, why Chelsea are evil etc. - but it ain't easy, with most of his friends supporting Man U, Chelsea or Liverpool (I blame the parents) he has already been soundly baited at school about RFC.

Eighty minutes into the game I was worried. I offered a tentative "sorry there are no goals, matey, bit rubbish really". To my huge relief and pride, he said "It's brilliant dad!", all bright eyes and teeth. When the goals went in, he was ecstatic.

So, that's that then. He is now fated to support Reading. Whether he will thank me for this in later years, we shall see.

So, for all of you that thought the game a bit rubbish (and, ummm...that would include me)... be ashamed, be very ashamed. Through the eyes of the qunitessential 'newbie', it was, I repeat, BRILLIANT. For those who think the fans quiet, he was transfixed; "what are they singing?". If you think the pitch was shagged, he thought it the greenest grass ever, for those who think SHunt and penalties don't mix, he didn't.

So for me it was an affirmation. Just as I got the buzz from watching a goalless draw with Barnsley, Div 4, 1976 (75?), my son got same from a soggy Winter slog last Saturday.

Awww! I feel quite misty eyed after reading that.

[Thaumagurist*]

To be fair, the analysis of a six-year old child watching a game of football for the first time ever in his life is still more expert than some of the commentators on Hob Nob.

That's probably true.

[Royalwaster]

thought both long and henry changed the game yesterday
lol at the long haters, only crediting henry with a match changing performance

VERY good point - especially as it was Long challenging for the ball (SC's POV)/pushing the defender in the back (GR's POV) that led to the penalty and then he scored a great header ... but as you say, that is being forgotten. Also, I laughed at the post about SC not trusting young players - isn't Long young? Oh, yes, but he's the wrong one to trust ... don't get me wrong, I often find Long when he starts a match is very poor, but I do think he adds something when he comes on and can be a match winner, showing lots of passion chasing down lost causes (as did Henry too vs Norwich).

[Mad Dog's Ghost]

Tommy Youlden's Ears ...

Post of the day. My boy's still a bit young for his first game but we did take a picture of him in front of his brick on the North Stand on a freezing cold drizzly day two weeks ago. Don't think he was quite as thrilled as your son.

[Archie's penalty]

LOL at you lot talking up our second goal like it was goal of the season or something.

Poor game but ground out another three points, which is all that matters.

Next.

LOL at you not appreciating something which was in all honesty rather good.

Take. Off. Your. Blinkers.

[Tommy Youlden's Ears]

Tommy Youlden's Ears ...

Post of the day. My boy's still a bit young for his first game but we did take a picture of him in front of his brick on the North Stand on a freezing cold drizzly day two weeks ago. Don't think he was quite as thrilled as your son.

Why thankyou for your kind words. Perhaps I need to buy a brick for him...

[Dirk Gently]

Tommy Youlden's Ears ...

Post of the day. My boy's still a bit young for his first game but we did take a picture of him in front of his brick on the North Stand on a freezing cold drizzly day two weeks ago. Don't think he was quite as thrilled as your son.

Why thankyou for your kind words. Perhaps I need to buy a brick for him...

Make sure he throws it at an away supporter .....

[Jinx]

I'm not sure a prominent member of STAR should be advocating crowd violence

[rabidbee]

He probably sits in Y26.