by Ian Herring »
05 Oct 2014 21:34
Interesting how fan opinions and perspectives have changed over the years.
I've been going to this fixture since 1985.
There's a real mix of rivalry and friendship and respect between both clubs and many of their supporters. the M4 Derby is a fruitful day out for both sets of fans.
Traditionally in the past its been a Division Three game, between two clubs of similar size and stature.
It was good to see the two meeting in the second tier.
Some perspective: I was at Brentford v Leeds last week. Leeds were…what can you say without being too abusive…dire. Brentford were impressive. Warburton has them playing a brand of football with modest players that I first marvelled at as McGhee began to work his magic at Elm Park in the nineties. Fast, passing football with good shape and a spine of determination. They are doing what we did in our first season when we were promoted under McGhee. Surprising some, being well-beaten by others but generally laying a good foundation.
On Saturday Reading looked light years ahead of Leeds. Faster, quicker, more up for the win, with some kind of plan. I'm just saying it how I saw. Yes, there were frailties, which Brentford exposed. It's not all one-way traffic in football. But they were 40/50% more impressive and efficient as a so called 'big club'.
Reading 'quietened' Brentford for periods of time when Leeds did none of that. They made them dig deeper and have to think.
The Royals looked far more athletic and tactically aware than Leeds, who had looked pedestrian and unthinking. Watching the Rz showed some evidence of training filtering through to the match day performance. Players who had looked gauche and inexperienced at the back end of last season looked far more accomplished.
Brentford were economical in the conversion of chances and 2-0 at half-time was slightly over and above what the balance of play exhibited - but they did what you have to do - score.
However, Reading's exhilarating period of domination in the second half looked at times as if the Rz would swamp Brentford and not only draw level quickly, but despatch them out of sight. Last week, Leeds did none of this at any point. Brentford looked as though they were on a shaky back foot at that stage. The Royals were playing well.
As with all games, pace and rhythm changes and the home side came back into it as the Reading wave began to ebb. Brentford's third - perhaps debatable as a foul - was all that was needed to settle events.
Both sets of players seemed to settle for that at that point.
I think we are not far from entering another fruitful period for the club on the pitch. It's like putting a puzzle together, a composite. Many good elements are there. It's not clicking at the moment but I recall that same feeling in Coppell's early years.
A bit too much despondency from the more recent fans, methinks.
Adkins makes some strange decisions - substitutions seem odd. But the picture - overall - is quietly encouraging.
Strange to see some of the comments on here that we played opponents who are one of the 'poorest' squads in the division - that's not what I have seen so far this year.
Just as the Royals are nowhere near as bad as some seem to think on here.
Fans: Reading end was loud and vibrant, humorous and full of spike. Contributed to a great day and - despite the result - a really enjoyable game.
All depends on your perspective, of course, but things are nowhere near as bleak as they are portrayed by some on here.
Saw a lot to be positive about in the next two or three years on Saturday.
Cheers.
