Back from the Luton game

[Alan Partridge]

There is a subtle difference between knocking a few long balls for 5-10minutes than knocking long balls for 90minutes. That was the best Reading have passed the ball all season yesterday, it is no coincidence the likes of Sonko, Cisse etc were not in the side and that happened.

[Riseley]

Looks like I picked the wrong evening to miss my first competitive home game since 1997. Damn work and my move to Portsmouth. I curse thee!

[SpaceCruiser]

There is a subtle difference between knocking a few long balls for 5-10minutes than knocking long balls for 90minutes. That was the best Reading have passed the ball all season yesterday, it is no coincidence the likes of Sonko, Cisse etc were not in the side and that happened.

Or maybe it's because of the quality of the opposition that didn't force us to play it long?

[Stranded]

So basically you're saying against better opposition we're a bit crap and hoof the ball as a result.

[rg6royal]

There is a subtle difference between knocking a few long balls for 5-10minutes than knocking long balls for 90minutes. That was the best Reading have passed the ball all season yesterday, it is no coincidence the likes of Sonko, Cisse etc were not in the side and that happened.

Or maybe it's because of the quality of the opposition that didn't force us to play it long?

'greed

We seemed to have a lot more time and space on the ball meaning that we had the chance to keep the ball on the deck often. I have said it before...When we keep the ball on the deck we look a good side.

[BR2]

There is a subtle difference between knocking a few long balls for 5-10minutes than knocking long balls for 90minutes. That was the best Reading have passed the ball all season yesterday, it is no coincidence the likes of Sonko, Cisse etc were not in the side and that happened.

AP would you please explain it to Spacey-I really can't be bothered.

[SpaceCruiser]

There is a subtle difference between knocking a few long balls for 5-10minutes than knocking long balls for 90minutes. That was the best Reading have passed the ball all season yesterday, it is no coincidence the likes of Sonko, Cisse etc were not in the side and that happened.

AP would you please explain it to Spacey-I really can't be bothered.

Hark at you being arrogant.

[FiNeRaIn]

So basically you're saying against better opposition we're a bit crap and hoof the ball as a result.

lol.

Why is it we seem to do really well against shockingly bad sides, yet when we play a good side we struggle? I just can't work it out.

[ScottishRoyal]

Harper talks a lot and organises, that was invaluable tonight to get the good lead.

Sadly most do not see what he does, and also sadly a few managers in the Prem do, hence the interest in him.

I think it is due to most Reading fans taking the negative from his game.

And (dare I say it) not being the most knowledgeable football supporters.

[Platypuss]

So basically you're saying against better opposition we're a bit crap and hoof the ball as a result.

How did the game compare with that against D&R?

[Platypuss]

There is a subtle difference between knocking a few long balls for 5-10minutes than knocking long balls for 90minutes. That was the best Reading have passed the ball all season yesterday, it is no coincidence the likes of Sonko, Cisse etc were not in the side and that happened.

Or maybe it's because of the quality of the opposition that didn't force us to play it long?

'greed

We seemed to have a lot more time and space on the ball meaning that we had the chance to keep the ball on the deck often. I have said it before...When we keep the ball on the deck we look a good side.

The best midfielders have levels of technique which allow themselves more time and space to play the ball.

[Huntley & Palmer]

it is no coincidence the likes of Sonko, Cisse etc were not in the side and that happened.

Dare I say it, Rosenior as well?

[Ian Royal]

Very encouraging reports.

I would tentatively offer a note of caution that whole sale changes are not necessarily a good idea. Yes I agree that Pearce could be brought in and that NHunt and Karacan should be, and that we now have a left back, but it may be sensible to allow Armstrong a little more time to bed in (I only mean until th egame after Palace).

Personally I've wanted to see Karacan in midfield ahead of Cisse since Matejovsky got injured and Hunt has certainly done more to deserve a birth upfront than Doyle. woodwork 2/3 times and 2 goals compared to 1 good header that was saved.

I'm also confused about AP's Sonko hatred. I thought he's been very good so far this season, bar Charlton, but then most of the team were poor and he did score. I'd much prefer him in the team to Ivar who's heading is getting more and more suspect and who is slow and quite easily turned.

I'd go with Pearce/Bikey and Sonko at the back for Palace if Duberry is injured personally. I'd also be hesitant about changing two members of the back 4 for a league game against decent opposition.

[brendywendy]

just dont think its sensible to change loads of the team at any one time
but new LB in, new striker in
and the kids on the bench for the second half

would be what id do this weekend

[SpaceCruiser]

Hunt has certainly done more to deserve a birth

Well, he's born just like everybody else....

I'm also confused about AP's Sonko hatred. I thought he's been very good so far this season, bar Charlton, but then most of the team were poor and he did score.

Although I like Sonko, I have thought that his defending was suspect for most of their goals. The pen awarded against him was harsh, but he seems to have played pretty much anybody onside for about two of the three goals. He needs to concentrate a bit better. It does seem a bit funny to have a centre back as our top scorer.

[eddiegrundy]

Anyone else notice that Kingsley was wearing his away kit with squad no 13 last night? Doesn't he normally wear his home kit with squad no 1871? He must be the only team member with 2 different squad nos. in that case.

[Alan Partridge]

Very encouraging reports.

I would tentatively offer a note of caution that whole sale changes are not necessarily a good idea. Yes I agree that Pearce could be brought in and that NHunt and Karacan should be, and that we now have a left back, but it may be sensible to allow Armstrong a little more time to bed in (I only mean until th egame after Palace).

Personally I've wanted to see Karacan in midfield ahead of Cisse since Matejovsky got injured and Hunt has certainly done more to deserve a birth upfront than Doyle. woodwork 2/3 times and 2 goals compared to 1 good header that was saved.

I'm also confused about AP's Sonko hatred. I thought he's been very good so far this season, bar Charlton, but then most of the team were poor and he did score. I'd much prefer him in the team to Ivar who's heading is getting more and more suspect and who is slow and quite easily turned.

I'd go with Pearce/Bikey and Sonko at the back for Palace if Duberry is injured personally. I'd also be hesitant about changing two members of the back 4 for a league game against decent opposition.

I've not rated Sonko on the back of 1 and a half years of being absolutely awful, coupled with his terrible attitude last season he was exceptionally lucky to get another chance here, he shouldn't have done imo. The problem would have been finding someone to take him off us. Charlton were the first team who had 2 half decent forwards and Sonko conceedes ANOTHER penalty and gets ANOTHER red card. For some unknown reason in Coppell's mind he rates him higher than other cb's in the squad who have never let him down.

Sonko was superb in the season Reading went up, for half a season he was decent in the Premiership then after his injury he hasn't been half of the player he was. It's not 'hatred' at all, I don't hate anyone who plays for Reading, I just don't rate him, especially not over any of our other CB's.

[Ian Royal]

Fair enough.

The point about the first time we're up against a decent attack is a good one. But the penalty was a crap decision IMO and he played well against Plymouth and Forest, almost back to his best. He's also a threat at corners, which given our strikers inability to shoot let alone score is quite important at the moment.

Bikey for me is a non starter at the moment because his committment is in question and more importantly he can have barely spent any time with the club in training so far. Duberry injured, Ingimarsson in worse form than Sonko and looking to be struggling with his advancing years leaves us Cisse (weak in the air) and Pearce who is inexperienced.

That leaves Sonko as the first choice centreback for me at the moment.

[SCIAG]

Fair enough.

The point about the first time we're up against a decent attack is a good one. But the penalty was a crap decision IMO and he played well against Plymouth and Forest, almost back to his best. He's also a threat at corners, which given our strikers inability to shoot let alone score is quite important at the moment.

Bikey for me is a non starter at the moment because his committment is in question and more importantly he can have barely spent any time with the club in training so far. Duberry injured, Ingimarsson in worse form than Sonko and looking to be struggling with his advancing years leaves us Cisse (weak in the air) and Pearce who is inexperienced.

That leaves Sonko as the first choice centreback for me at the moment.

Sorry what?

Anyway, ratings, not that it matters:

A-Fed 7 (not much to do, did it ok)

Kelly 7 (dangerous and promising)
Pearce 9 (future captain)
Duberry 7 (looked ok)
Golbourne 7 (see Kelly)

Henry 9 (great dribbling and crossing, should be in the first team. Took his goal well.)
Karacan 8 (good passing, took his goal well)
Harper 6(looked ok, vanished for a while)
Shunt 7 (looked bright)

N Hunt 8 (good movement and looked bright. Should start against Palace)
Long 7 (flashes of brilliance, should have scored)

Subs: Ingi 7, Gylfi 7, Mooney 7.

[mahoj002]

Steve the topless fat man in y 26 10/10 lol

top effort to get the fans sining although he seemd to be very drunk lol

The luton Family du du du du