Reading V Chelsea match thread

[Huntley & Palmer]

I can't be arsed with slagging players as we were truely outclassed in the second half last night apart from in the centre of defence again. Ingi and Doobs were excellent, going to be a real shame if Doobs has done some damage to his leg. I thought Bikey looked good when he came on but is still in the Sonko heartattack zone when it comes to the ball at his feet. Still, it can be worked on and he looks decent enough

The one thing that really grated me second half was our utter predictability going forwards. Really, we aren't going to be able to score goals consistently if all we do is pump the ball down the channel for Doyle to chase down. He is an excellent player but without something a little different like Kitson to play off, it's far too easy to mop up at this level.

Other than that, I was entertained. Enjoyed the game and the overall play from us and apart from getting soaked to the skin in the queue for the bus in town, had a good evening. Still left early mind

[Gatecrasher]

it might also be worth mentioning we ran ourselves into the ground against Man Utd only 3 days ago, which was always going to effect our second half performance.
But oh yes we embarrassed ourselves losing by one goal to the most expensive team in the land

[Shinfield]

Very, very disappointed that we did not earn ourselves at least the point I thought we deserved on our first half performance. We really should have been at least 2-0 up at half-time.

Once Lampard scored the whole stadium seemed like we didn't believe in ourselves. The team seemed flat and us as the fans never really helped (me included) them in raising their games.

We must remember who we are because that is our strength. In almost every single game in the Premiership we are the underdogs, that's when we as a club are at our best. We, the fans, must not let the atmosphere die in the stadium. Of course when the team isn't performing well it is more difficult to be vocal but we must do it. We have a very important part to play in keeping Reading in the Premiership. Nobody should come to the Madejski and expect an easy ride (like Chelsea had in the second half last night), on or off the pitch!

I too have my doubts about the performance of certain players last night. Shorey was poor but how many times have we said that over the past three or four years?......not many. He's quality and as long as he still wants to be a Reading player he will not let us down. Oster did ok in spells but his finishing in the end cost us the game in a way. Hunt, who I am not a great fan of, was superb particularly in the first half. But the biggest concern for me is central midfield at the moment. It is unfair to judge Cisse on last night but Harper has not contributed in either of the first two games. He's too weak (which showed in the Drogba goal with an half-hearted tackle). He runs around a lot looking busy but he gets caught in possession a lot and is often found ball-watching. Unfortunately, I think Sir Steve got it wrong last night by leaving Cisse on the pitch for the length of time he did after he had picked up the booking in the first half. You just knew a player was going to be sent-off and I would have put my house on it before the game being a Reading player!!

[Royal Lady]

I already predicted that a REading player would be sent off in the Kitson v Irony thread. If only I was a betting woman.

I think we might have to watch Bikey on Saturday, what with Mr Bennett and all....

[Peter Kay - Top of the To]

I am not in the least bit worried about last night. If other people are, then I strongly reccomend they take in a reality check.

What I don't like is the slating that some people on here are dealing out to Long. He is an amazing talent and is still in development. He is hungry and industrious and along with Hunt and Doyle he sums up the desire which is the squads biggest strength right now. 1 point from 2 games against the Top 2 may not be enough for some people - Its enough for me though.

I dont think its fair or accurate to criticise Longs performance last night. In the first half he did the simple things very well and was very good as far as I was concerned. I dont feel he looked out of his depth. He was not provided with adequate service in the 2nd half and I find it astonishing that people feel its fair to have a pop at him.

He will gain better and deeper experience in 3 premiership games than he will playing in 10 Championship games. To the people who suggest he goes out on loan I think you are very short sighted. In addition where would our attacking cover come from? Would you rather play Simon Cox than Long? If so where is your evidence that he would aclimatise better.?

[Schards#2]

I'm not a fan of Long but I thought he didn't look in any way out of his depth in yesterday's first half. Dissapeared a bit in the second but he's a novice playing against one of the best sides in Europe.

It's the most encouraging performance i've ever seen from him. To see him slagged off for not destroying Chelsea is just unbelievable.

[Kes]

Game of two halves.

reading were good in the first, chelsea good in the second.

Readings goal was offside but still a terrible flap by Cech. Chelsea showed their class after the break with two great goals. Lampard carving straight through the middle of the defence. And what a superb second goal by Drogba.

I felt Reading struggled with the strength,pace and touch of Drogba and Kalou at times.

Cisse sending off was a bit harsh - but there were quite a few early bookings and it was expected really.

[Royal Lady]

I can only assume that this current wave of fans who are slating the team, with the exception of AndyRFC, who should know better, are relative newcomers to watching Reading. I thought there would be a thread where EVERYONE would be applauding the team's ability over the last 2 very difficult games. Instead, you'd think we were at the end of the season and on the verge of relegation after losing 8-0 to Derby. Unbebloodylievable.

[Royal Rother]

What about Alan Partridge? What's his bloody excuse for this gem?

Sidwell > Cisse

in fact Robert Codner > cisse on that performance, utter utter GASH.

Long DUMP

no attacking options, and no way of changing the game. DUMP

Don't need the likes of Healy with LOLong about. 2 in 2 for Healy, how many Prem goals has Long got?

[Schards#2]

Game of two halves.

reading were good in the first, chelsea good in the second.

Readings goal was offside but still a terrible flap by Cech. Chelsea showed their class after the break with two great goals. Lampard carving straight through the middle of the defence. A what a superb second goal by Drogba.

I felt Reading struggled with the strength,pace and touch of Drogba and Kalou at times.

Cisse sending off was a bit harsh - but there were quite a few early bookings and it was expected really.

It's a fair summary.

Drogba was outstanding in the second half and our defence wasn't good enough to cope. Fortunately, 99% of defences in Europe will struggle to cope with him too when he's at his best.

He has to be the strongest forward i've ever seen, which makes it all the more irritating which he chooses to go down like a big girls blouse sometimes.

[Hoop Blah]

A cracking game last night that we really deserved something from after the first half performance but we just don't have that extra bit of quality that is needed to be clinical enough infront of goal to beat the top teams.

I thought Cisse looked ok. He was at fault for Lampards goal but you have to remember that Lampard is the best in the country, if not Europe, at making those runs and converting the chances to goals. Cisse should've been tracking him yes, but you have to be realistic and accept that sometimes better players will shine. Apart from a few wayward passes I thought was generally ok although he was way off the pace in the second half. It reminded me of a comment from Murty during pre-season where Cisse was taken aback by the pace of training and was going to take a while to adjust.

Is he better than Gunarrson on that showing? I'd doubt it at the moment, but he's going to need some time to adjust.

I think Hunt had his best all round game for us last night, and Oster was pretty useful in the first half as well, but we just lack that cutting edge that Little and Convey provided and I still think we need to sign a replacement for Little.

Long looked more capable of getting involved in a game of football last night than he did last year. In the first half at least he held the ball up better and didn't just look like a lost boy with a valuable knack of taking chances when they come his way. The second half he reverted back to form though, despite being up against Glen Johnson who isn't the most talented defender in the league! I saw nothing to change my mind that Long should be out on loan learning his trade whilst we have a more experienced forward competing for a place in the team.

[79Royal]

Game of two halves.

reading were good in the first, chelsea good in the second.

Readings goal was offside but still a terrible flap by Cech. Chelsea showed their class after the break with two great goals. Lampard carving straight through the middle of the defence. And what a superb second goal by Drogba.

I felt Reading struggled with the strength,pace and touch of Drogba and Kalou at times.

Cisse sending off was a bit harsh - but there were quite a few early bookings and it was expected really.

You sure about that? No Chelsea players claimed for it and it looked to me that Bikey just wandered into the box unmarked. Poor Chelsea defending, wouldn't have happened if Terry was on the pitch though.

[Alan Partridge]

What about Alan Partridge? What's his bloody excuse for this gem?

Sidwell > Cisse

in fact Robert Codner > cisse on that performance, utter utter GASH.

Long DUMP

no attacking options, and no way of changing the game. DUMP

Don't need the likes of Healy with LOLong about. 2 in 2 for Healy, how many Prem goals has Long got?

Don't rate him tbh, i'm a little blinkered with him. Did ok first half, didn't know he was playing second. Stand by the Cisse comments.

[Royal Lady]

Yes. And AP, RR.

[Kes]

Game of two halves.

reading were good in the first, chelsea good in the second.

Readings goal was offside but still a terrible flap by Cech. Chelsea showed their class after the break with two great goals. Lampard carving straight through the middle of the defence. And what a superb second goal by Drogba.

I felt Reading struggled with the strength,pace and touch of Drogba and Kalou at times.

Cisse sending off was a bit harsh - but there were quite a few early bookings and it was expected really.

You sure about that? No Chelsea players claimed for it and it looked to me that Bikey just wandered into the box unmarked. Poor Chelsea defending, wouldn't have happened if Terry was on the pitch though.

Doyle was offside as confirmed on Match of the day.

[Hoop Blah]

To be honest, I'm fed up of hearing how Mourinho is also a brilliant tactician with the changes he made in the second half.

Couldn't agree more. The media keep going on about how often he changes things at half time to turn a game. They never pick up on who put the wrong team out for the first half!!

It was pretty obvious that in Sidwell and Lampard Mourinho had recreated the ineffective Gerrard and Lampard combination so loved by Sven for England. By bringing on Mikel to give them a proper shape and balance in midfield it changed the game, and most people I spoke to at half time predicted a similar move.

[Schards#2]

To be honest, I'm fed up of hearing how Mourinho is also a brilliant tactician with the changes he made in the second half.

Couldn't agree more. The media keep going on about how often he changes things at half time to turn a game. They never pick up on who put the wrong team out for the first half!!

It was pretty obvious that in Sidwell and Lampard Mourinho had recreated the ineffective Gerrard and Lampard combination so loved by Sven for England. By bringing on Mikel to give them a proper shape and balance in midfield it changed the game, and most people I spoke to at half time predicted a similar move.

It takes true genius to put £40 million worth of player on from the bench and have an impact on a game against a team bought for about £4 million.

[Kes]

To be honest, I'm fed up of hearing how Mourinho is also a brilliant tactician with the changes he made in the second half.

Couldn't agree more. The media keep going on about how often he changes things at half time to turn a game. They never pick up on who put the wrong team out for the first half!!

It was pretty obvious that in Sidwell and Lampard Mourinho had recreated the ineffective Gerrard and Lampard combination so loved by Sven for England. By bringing on Mikel to give them a proper shape and balance in midfield it changed the game, and most people I spoke to at half time predicted a similar move.

I'd say he was a brilliant tactician last night. Usually you never know how a game is going to go and remember this is the begining of the season, so managers still aren't a 100% sure what their best teams are for certain matches. Mourinho assessed the first half, knew he had to make changes and it won Chelsea the game!

[brendywendy]

Game of two halves.

reading were good in the first, chelsea good in the second.

Readings goal was offside but still a terrible flap by Cech. Chelsea showed their class after the break with two great goals. Lampard carving straight through the middle of the defence. And what a superb second goal by Drogba.

I felt Reading struggled with the strength,pace and touch of Drogba and Kalou at times.

Cisse sending off was a bit harsh - but there were quite a few early bookings and it was expected really.

You sure about that? No Chelsea players claimed for it and it looked to me that Bikey just wandered into the box unmarked. Poor Chelsea defending, wouldn't have happened if Terry was on the pitch though.

Doyle was offside as confirmed on Match of the day.

by about an inch in a crowded penalty box.

[Royal Lady]

Harold - see Schards' post above yours for the reasons why!!!