The first goal is vital

[andrew1957]

I know it is always said how important the first goal is - so after seeing us score first against Cardiff last night and getting a perhaps unexpected draw, I wondered how true this is.

Having looked back over this season and last season, I was quite surprised how vital getting the first really has been.

Under Rodgers we played 21 games. Of these there were three 0-0 games, so these can be excluded. Of the remaining 18 games Reading scored first 10 times and the other side scored first 8 times.

When Reading scored first the final result was 4 - 2 - 4 or 14 points
When the other team scored first the final result was 1 - 1 - 6 or 4 points

Under McD we have played 41 league games and just two 0-0 games - so 39 games have had goals.
Of these Reading gave scored first 22 times and the opposition 17 times.

When Reading scored first the final result was 18-4-0 or 58 points
When the other team scored first the final result was 0-5-12 or 5 points

So the main problem under BR seems to be that we let leads slip - 4 games ending in defeat from winning positions.

Under Brain we have never lost a game that we scored the first goal in, but equally we have not recovered from the loss of a first goal to win a game either - in 17 attempts. If you want to do well in this league then starting a game well (like we did last night) is absolutely essential. Losing a first goal seems to a be a psychological problem that few teams manage to overcome.

[Ian Royal]

I remember the good old days when we were guaranteed to win if we were ahead at half time. It was something like two and a half years on that run. Made second halves pretty relaxed affairs.

The McDermott stats are really really interesting.

[blueroyals]

it's probably something to do with confidence. having a young side etc...

inb4 snowball

[andrew1957]

it's probably something to do with confidence. having a young side etc...

inb4 snowball

I think you will find that it applies to all sides in the division. I have had a look and the number of times sides come back from a goal down to win is very few and far between.

[PEARCEY]

Fascinating stats and based on them you are quite right Andrew.

[blueroyals]

I think you will find that it applies to all sides in the division. I have had a look and the number of times sides come back from a goal down to win is very few and far between.

probably more so with younger, inexperienced sides though; our team under Rodgers bring a prime example

[weybridgewanderer]

I think you will find that it applies to all sides in the division. I have had a look and the number of times sides come back from a goal down to win is very few and far between.

probably more so with fat, unfit sides though; our team under Rodgers bring a prime example

fixed that for you

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Its got nothing to do with Reading.

1st goal is vital in any match.

the stats are pretty scary, its rare that the team scoring 1st loses. Pick the paper up on Sunday and have a look. Bet you only get a couple of games max in the football league where 1st goal loses.

[Maguire]

Surely the main reason it's good to score first is because YOU HAVE A GOAL AND THE OPPOSITION DON'T?

Goals are such a precious commodity in football i can't see why anyone would be surprised that scoring first is so advantageous.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Yes, but i think many would be surprised just how infrequent teams come from a goal down to win.

A quick look through Reading's league games shows its nearly a year since the team to score 1st lost. Derby away some 40 odd games ago. Thats not that much out of the ordinary.

[Wycombe Royal]

This season in the Championship 7 teams have come from behind twice to win. They are:

Cardiff
Forest
Norwich
Leeds
Doncaster
Barnsley
Middlesbrough

In total it has only happened 19 times this season in the Chapionship.

[Snowball]

This season in the Championship 7 teams have come from behind twice to win. They are:

Cardiff
Forest
Norwich
Leeds
Doncaster
Barnsley
Middlesbrough

In total it has only happened 19 times this season in the Chapionship.

I take it you mean from 1-0 down? As Reading did it v Doncaster

[andrew1957]

This season in the Championship 7 teams have come from behind twice to win. They are:

Cardiff
Forest
Norwich
Leeds
Doncaster
Barnsley
Middlesbrough

In total it has only happened 19 times this season in the Chapionship.

I take it you mean from 1-0 down? As Reading did it v Doncaster

Yes I think we are all talking about the first goal. Interestingly though even when a team subsequently equalises or takes the lead in a high scoring game (like we had a against Donny) the team who scored the first goal still more often than not secures a win or at least a draw.

[andrew1957]

Yes, but i think many would be surprised just how infrequent teams come from a goal down to win.

A quick look through Reading's league games shows its nearly a year since the team to score 1st lost. Derby away some 40 odd games ago. That's not that much out of the ordinary.

I think that was my point. We all know the first goal is important - but in actual fact it seems to be the absolute deciding factor more often than not.

If Brendan's team had not been so poor at holding on to leads (as they took the lead as often at the opposition) he would in all likelihood still be our manager.

[Magnus]

Conversely - could it be said that conceding the first goal means you're much less likely to win the game?

I've not seen any stats on this but have a feeling it might be true.

The key thing here is how to we compare to other sides - without those stats you're just spouting hyperbole frankly.

[Maguire]

Yes, but i think many would be surprised just how infrequent teams come from a goal down to win.

A quick look through Reading's league games shows its nearly a year since the team to score 1st lost. Derby away some 40 odd games ago. That's not that much out of the ordinary.

I think that was my point. We all know the first goal is important - but in actual fact it seems to be the absolute deciding factor more often than not.

If Brendan's team had not been so poor at holding on to leads (as they took the lead as often at the opposition) he would in all likelihood still be our manager.

So let me get this straight - goals are the biggest factor in determining the outcome of a game?

Stone the crows.

[andrew1957]

Conversely - could it be said that conceding the first goal means you're much less likely to win the game?

I've not seen any stats on this but have a feeling it might be true.

The key thing here is how to we compare to other sides - without those stats you're just spouting hyperbole frankly.

Don't think you read the original post as that does have stats for BOTH Reading scoring first and other team scoring first.

[Wycombe Royal]

Conversely - could it be said that conceding the first goal means you're much less likely to win the game?

I've not seen any stats on this but have a feeling it might be true.

The key thing here is how to we compare to other sides - without those stats you're just spouting hyperbole frankly.

Don't think you read the original post as that does have stats for BOTH Reading scoring first and other team scoring first.

I don't think you read his comments properly......

[andrew1957]

Yes, but i think many would be surprised just how infrequent teams come from a goal down to win.

A quick look through Reading's league games shows its nearly a year since the team to score 1st lost. Derby away some 40 odd games ago. That's not that much out of the ordinary.

I think that was my point. We all know the first goal is important - but in actual fact it seems to be the absolute deciding factor more often than not.

If Brendan's team had not been so poor at holding on to leads (as they took the lead as often at the opposition) he would in all likelihood still be our manager.

So let me get this straight - goals are the biggest factor in determining the outcome of a game?

Stone the crows.

Think you might have missed the point - sorry if it was too complex for you to grasp.

[andrew1957]

Conversely - could it be said that conceding the first goal means you're much less likely to win the game?

I've not seen any stats on this but have a feeling it might be true.

The key thing here is how to we compare to other sides - without those stats you're just spouting hyperbole frankly.

Don't think you read the original post as that does have stats for BOTH Reading scoring first and other team scoring first.

I don't think you read his comments properly......

Fair pint Wycombe but you had already highlighted a few posts above that this does apply to all Championship teams.