I hate this game - back from Wembley

[cmonurz]

So that's it then, another playoff final, more woe and despair, another unfathomable defeat. I'm sure my views will crystallise a bit over the next 24 hours, but for now its shocking defending, shocking defending, shocking defending.

Admittedly I spent some time with my head in my hands, but I'm struggling to remember a save Federici made; did Swansea really just score 4 times with barely 2 or 3 shots at goal in open play?

All season we've been telling ourselves 'we have no pace at the back'. All season we've also been telling ourselves 'it doesn't matter, these are experienced heads, that makes up for their lack of pace'. Well Harte got rinsed despite a five yard head start for their second, and whilst Griffin improved during the middle part of the game, even a decade playing at this level couldn't make up for the fact that he is two yards slower than Sinclair.

I hate to criticise Zurab, for he has been a rock, but his needless early booking summed up his clumsy, edgy, uncomfortable afternoon.

Positives? Leigertwood was immense. A couple of misplaced passes, sure, but he won so much in the midfield and when we did enjoy spells of pressure, it was generally on the back of some great interplay between Mikele and Karacan in midfield, a real springboard for our attacks.

Long was anonymous in the first half, not helped by getting no protection from the ref, but he started drifting deeper after half-time, and came into this own again.

I really thought we were going to do it. We threw everything at them for 15 minutes after the break and got our reward, but for me we stepped off the gas again at 2-3, let Swansea start playing their passing game again, and that was that.

So disappointed, hugely entertained, it was a terrific match, and for a few minutes in the second half I truly believed, but it wasn't to be.

Here's to next season.

*Spotteds - Spacey following someone into the Allsop Arms toilets around 1pm, brendy (I think) singing to himself on the way into the toilets in the same establishment, and Mags, SF and Hugo (I think) getting off the train at Wembley Park.

*Sorry to 'Shula 9' the dark haired girl on row 23 of block 125, for punching her seat when Long missed an open goal from five yards, although I'm not sure she noticed.

[cmonurz]

And fwiw I thought the fans of both clubs were fantastic, incredible sound coming from both ends, both from Reading when we were behind, and Swansea as they willed their team on when we threatened to come back. The acoustics in Wembley are fantastic - didn't noticed the noise so much being in it when Reading scored, but for each Swansea goal it was the stadium was exploding.

[chilipepper91]

Gutted. Absolutely gutted. 3-0 down at half-time and we looked out of it, but I don't remember them touching the ball for the first 20 minutes of the second half, we grabbed two goals from corners and Karacan hit the post - if that had gone in, I'm certain this post would be elation rather than despair. At 3-2 Swansea were rocking and everyone around me truly believed the comeback was on, revenge for those previous playoff turnarounds. But those are the margins I guess.

Defensively, I'm annoyed we conceded two penalties. To do that in such a big game is criminal. Clearly they had identified Harte as the weak link as the other two goals came from their right flank. Other than that, we coped extremely well with everything they threw at us pretty much, and we dominated the game. I don't know the stats but I'm sure we must have had at least 15 shots and that many corners too, far more than them anyway. Which makes it all the more galling that we only lost through two easily avoidable penalties.

I thought Kebe looked a touch off the pace when putting in crosses but every time he got the ball they caused problems and stepped off. He'll be a big miss if he leaves in the summer. McAnuff on the other wing was effective too. Our strikers were pretty poor (aside from Noel's goal), a combination of poor service and a lack of decisions going our way (although Dowd did get the two penalties right). Shane seemed visibly gutted to have played his last game for the Royals. No complaints about Legs and Karacan, energy and commitment all game - although possibly one of them could have picked up Dobbie for their third?

I guess to sum up, I'd have never expected in February to have even been in the playoffs, yet to come this far and lose when we dominated proceedings so much really hurts. But we know that on another day that shot would have gone in, or Hunt would have buried the rebound, or Long would have put away that header at the end of the first half, or Kish at the back post in the second half... Congrats to Swansea, I think the media and the general football community wanted to see the Jacks in the Premier League so fair play to them. There's always next year...

[FiNeRaIn]

Same old Reading, no matter what the circumstances are the end result is always the same. We lose.

Nothing in it then out of nowhere they get a pen, stonewall pen for me. The defending from our team today after that point was utterly shameful and the second penalty just summed it up. We had the momentum, one side was going on to score again and it wasn't them, harmless ball into the box, guys not in a dangerous position so what does griffin do? takes him out for a penalty and confines us to another season in the championship. Same shit, different season. Now comes the sale of our best players once again to be replaced by cheap options from the lower league while that money disappears. Gutting times to be a Reading fan.

[loyalroyalsam]

gutted.

[Royal Lady]

I was convinced we were going to win, especially when we went 1 behind, because in the past two finals we've gone ahead and gone on to lose - so I thought this was going to be our day. Even at 3-0 down going in at half time, although I was dejected, I thought we could get something back. Full credit to the players - they came out fighting and it paid off - if only that shot that hit the post had gone in, it would have been game on - at 2-3 Swansea fans seemed a bit subdued and Swansea players were making silly mistakes - I really thought Rodgers was going to get his comeuppance for being too confident.

An end of another era - the team will break up and we have to start all over again and it will be tough. But we're fans of Reading FC, and RFC will bounce back and McDermott has done brilliantly well - so I thank each and every one of the squad, the management, the coaching staff and SJM for the roller coaster ride we have had this season.

Don't Stop believing.

And on that, they didn't even get to play the ruddy chorus bit when they played it. Idiots.

[Kurtz]

The choice of, and then complete hash of playing, that "Don't Stop Believing" song cost us the game. It took the players and the fans until the 2nd half to recover from that cock up. Harte must have been pondering on that when he got outpaced instead of blocking off the run. Poor defending against quick, quality players. Lost to a good team. And yes, the ref was poor.

And the quality of the puns in the matchday programme is an absolute disgrace. Who writes that shit?

All we're gonna see now is "The Long Goodbye".

[roadrunner]

Great day out though. The Green Man was quality too. Whatever to the result, roll on August.

[silchester rovers]

It was an exciting game, a great day out and Reading played their very best

When I saw the semi final highlights of Swansea v Forest we could see how incisive they were around the penalty area and score high quality goals so I felt that we were rightly the underdogs.

Was surprised Kebe started; I thought Cummings could have offered some more pace in defence or protection than Kebe. They stretched our defence when they had the ball.

I think most of the side will stay and there are come promising players coming through. Next season should be good and hopefully a couple of players who can create openings, a striker with height to head the crosses in and a midfielder who reads the through balls and scores goals will take us further. We just need a bit more variety in our attacking play and some more pace in defence.

[Bandini]

Swansea are pretty sharp going forward, but seem to lack a bit of strength at the back. I'll be interested to see how they do next season.

Mills and Karacan both did well I thought. Long wasn't at his best. Shame McCarthy wasn't playing, both in terms of saves that might have been made and quicker distribution.

New Wembley's pretty special.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Just seen the match stats They dont tell the whole story, but 16 corners to 1 & Swansea scored from their only shots on target. Promised myself i wouldnt be gutted if we lost today, but i am.

That said our defending was very poor and thats why we lost. Sums up the season really, passion and commitment in abundance, a team to be proud of, but not quite good enough in the end to go up.

[andrew1957]

The day started with me not sure whether to get the train form Reading or drive to West London. Chose the latter and went to Hillingdon and an uneventful tube train to London. Enjoyed Wembley Way and walked up to the Green Man pub but it was heaving. Got to my seat early and soaked up the atmosphere. Both sets of fans in good voice. The game eventually starts and we are all full of expectation.

Reading start well. Looking bright but the ref seems to give every decision Swansea’s way. Griffin looks to be harshly booked. Swansea are in the ascendancy. Our aging defence seems to be struggling with the pace of Dyer, Sinclair and Borini. Khiz penalised - maybe harsh but certainly seen them not given. 1-0. Dyer again makes Harte look pedestrian - Fed fumbles and its 2-0. Reading players look shell shocked. Before we know it 3-0 and it’s all over. Reading fans and players alike look disconsolate.

The second half starts - it’s all Reading. McAnuff corner and Hunt - goal. There is hope again! Swansea look wobbly. Reading are all over them and another corner - Mills 2-0. Reading fans around me in delirium. Swansea look on the ropes. But Reading cannot keep it up and Swansea begin to dominate possession again. Reading struggling to get the ball. It could go either way - Reading fans roaring the team on. But then Griffin gives away a second pen. Looks incredibly harsh from where I am. But maybe I am just biased. 4-2 and it’s all over.

Great spectacle. Reading did not disgrace themselves against Swansea and a referee that should have been wearing white!

Fed - 5 - felt he was partially at fault for the second - could not do much about the others.
Griffin - 5 - generally ok
Mills - 7 - probably the pick of the back 4
Khiz – 5 - ok
Harte – 4 - not his day
Kebe - 8 - tried hard – but variable end product
Karacan – 8 – good today probably MOTM for us
Leigertwood – 8 – also good but poor shooting
McAnuff – 8 - poor first half but brilliant second half
Hunt – 8 – great goal
Long – 7 – not his best day bit gave 100%

Congratulations to Swansea – hope they enjoy their season in the sun. Great win for Rodgers over Brian today.

Will be an interesting summer with many comings and goings I think.

[Alan Partridge]

I thought the best team won. They are quick, dynamic and good at football. Their 2nd and 3rd goal in particular was a lovely move and finish. All season the chat on here (which proved mainly unfounded) about the lack of pace in the back 4 and it was horribly exposed today. Harte and Griffin were torn apart and Mills and Zurab simply couldn't live with the movement of the Swansea front 3. At half time it looked completely over and a 5, 6-0 scoreline wasn't out of the question. Credit to Reading for having a go and we'd all seen Swansea wobble when Forest got 1 back against them and it happened again. Every time Reading got the ball aerial in the box they looked like conceeding, 2 quick goals and the game was alive. Then a shot which hit the post with the rebound brilliantly blocked and with that the chance went. Reading eased off and gave away another definite penalty, Sinclair got his hat trick and game over.

Swansea will have to sort their defense out next season, they'll get slaughtered at Stoke if they are that fragile under aerial pressure but they are a good football team. They were one game away from being out of the Football League a few years ago, they've worked their way up the right way not spening tons of cash and they've got an excellent side there. They are financially stable, deserve their shot at the Premiership and lets be honest they have a MUCH better chance of holding their own in that league than Reading's ageing squad do.

I had a horrendous journey trying to get to the game today, didn't get to Wembley till 2:30 after that I thought it was a cracking game in the end, Reading did themselves proud 2nd half but ultimately for me the better side won. Good luck to Swansea.

[Royal Rother]

Dunno whether he'll keep it but Hunt's goal should really be credited as an own goal. He did make contact but it was not going in - last contact was on the defender's head.

Oh and Griffin's booking was not harsh. A really poor challenge.

[Allyh84]

Scrambled thoughts here, I'm struggling to stay awake and am at the classic of stage of getting drunk during the day, then wanting to sleep it off later.

Greenman was AWESOME. Got there about 10am, place was rocking by 11.30. Great atmosphere, very nice beer and burgers too! Also at two tables being broken after fans were dancing on them. Good singing on the way there too! We were rocked from the start though. Lovely spirit and fight to add a small touch of credibility to the score though. Also, I oxf*rd hate Wembley, it''s such a boring stadium. Horrible chart music drowning out the fans until 3.09pm. It's not an American Football match. Stop it. Also, the fans were as to be expected. I've heard a few people complain that people were getting worked up when people were standing/getting into the match. Here one week and gone the next though. Good riddance. 40,000 "loyal royals" eh! Just to clarify, I wasn't expecting 40,000 fans linking arms bouncing all match however!

[pea]

Can hold our heads high, sang louder when we were losing that Swansea when they were cruising. Dominated the game for most of it, thought they were boring as hell and we gifted them goals, they need a massive overhaul if they're to stand a chance next seaosn. Won't be disappointed to have the likes of McCarthy, Cummings and Pearce starting ahead of Feds, Khiz and Griffin in the future. Our talented academy prospects can be nurtured at the club next season rather than on loan and I've got loads of easy away fixtures to go to.

Really couldn't care much about being in the Premier League but would have been nice to have been able to celebrate after the final whistle. Reading fans leaving the stadium singing with pride and smiles on faces, I love this club!

[Pseud O'Nym]

Same old Reading...utterly shameful...sale of our best players...money disappears. Gutting times to be a Reading fan.

ALOL!

[floyd__streete]

Positives? Well, for once the Reading support was fervent and passionate, backing the team well during that short-lived comeback. Amazingly, it seemed that the Swans had more plastics than we did!

And there is where it ends. For all the pious, well-run club mantra it is an absolute disgrace that the assistant manager and a bloody substitute manage to get themselves sent off at half time. Sure, the referee was pretty dire all afternoon but all the goals were avoidable, the defending for the two penalties deserved to be punished anyway and twice Harte was rinsed for soft goals in open play. Sure, put all the stats toghether you like to show his usefulness with freekicks and pens but he is a defender and too often this season he has done his primary job rather badly. Together with Griffin - who was also run-ragged today - Harte was a short-term signing who was successful to a degree, but their careers are on the slide and they should both be put out to pasture.

As rousing as the second half comeback was, as astonishing as that eight match winning run from nowhere was, we will only remember this season now for an absolutely embarassing first 45 minutes today and we were defensively pathetic as a unit all day in front of millions watching on television. All we had was a long diagonal ball, Karacan and Leigertwood were hopeless in the middle of the park. In all honesty, the only player who can really hold his hands up and be pleased with his performance today was Kebe and even his final ball was characteristically poor. Goodbye Jimmy, I will remember you as a really fast winger who couldn't cross.

I can't even be pleased for Brendan Rodgers. I dread to hear what overly earnest nonsense he has come out with post match. He blarnied his way into jobs at Watford and Reading through sucking up to Mourinho and to be fair he has learned from his abject failure at Reading and done brilliantly with Swansea.....but it was all rather set up form him, Swansea having been conditioned to the kind of football he likes his teams to play. The 6 months he was in charge were a thoroughly unenjoyable time to watch Reading; he arrogantly tried to change too much too soon and the way he handled the Tommy Smith saga was atrocious. I don't think he particularly comes across well in the media, he comes across as conceited and arrogant.

Still, we have bigger things to worry about. Long's inevitable departure after a season in which he finally proved himself after so many opportunities leaves us with horrific striking options in all-brawn-no-brain Noel Hunt, the goalshy Simon Church and Manset who can most politely be described as being raw. I'd like to see the two full-backs released after performing adequately as short-term signings. I guess the academy is finally beginning to bear fruit, so maybe we should give the kids a chance. We will probably be forced to do just that anyway, as the likes of Kebe and Long are almost certain to leave.

[FiNeRaIn]

Same old Reading...utterly shameful...sale of our best players...money disappears. Gutting times to be a Reading fan.

ALOL!

If you are going to quote me, do it properly. I never said any of that in my format. I called the defending shameful. Please don't misquote to suit your own agenda.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Positives? Well, for once the Reading support was fervent and passionate, backing the team well during that short-lived comeback. Amazingly, it seemed that the Swans had more plastics than we did!

And there is where it ends. For all the pious, well-run club mantra it is an absolute disgrace that the assistant manager and a bloody substitute manage to get themselves sent off at half time. Sure, the referee was pretty dire all afternoon but all the goals were avoidable, the defending for the two penalties deserved to be punished anyway and twice Harte was rinsed for soft goals in open play. Sure, put all the stats toghether you like to show his usefulness with freekicks and pens but he is a defender and too often this season he has done his primary job rather badly. Together with Griffin - who was also run-ragged today - Harte was a short-term signing who was successful to a degree, but their careers are on the slide and they should both be put out to pasture.

As rousing as the second half comeback was, as astonishing as that eight match winning run from nowhere was, we will only remember this season now for an absolutely embarassing first 45 minutes today and we were defensively pathetic as a unit all day in front of millions watching on television. All we had was a long diagonal ball, Karacan and Leigertwood were hopeless in the middle of the park. In all honesty, the only player who can really hold his hands up and be pleased with his performance today was Kebe and even his final ball was characteristically poor. Goodbye Jimmy, I will remember you as a really fast winger who couldn't cross.

I can't even be pleased for Brendan Rodgers. I dread to hear what overly earnest nonsense he has come out with post match. He blarnied his way into jobs at Watford and Reading through sucking up to Mourinho and to be fair he has learned from his abject failure at Reading and done brilliantly with Swansea.....but it was all rather set up form him, Swansea having been conditioned to the kind of football he likes his teams to play. The 6 months he was in charge were a thoroughly unenjoyable time to watch Reading; he arrogantly tried to change too much too soon and the way he handled the Tommy Smith saga was atrocious. I don't think he particularly comes across well in the media, he comes across as conceited and arrogant.

Still, we have bigger things to worry about. Long's inevitable departure after a season in which he finally proved himself after so many opportunities leaves us with horrific striking options in all-brawn-no-brain Noel Hunt, the goalshy Simon Church and Manset who can most politely be described as being raw. I'd like to see the two full-backs released after performing adequately as short-term signings. I guess the academy is finally beginning to bear fruit, so maybe we should give the kids a chance. We will probably be forced to do just that anyway, as the likes of Kebe and Long are almost certain to leave.

GO AWAY