MATCHWATCH : Cheltenham Town (h)

[Chameleon]

Some incredibly good football in spells from the kids.

[NathStPaul]

Abbey should be an automatic starter going forward and permanent captain.

[CountryRoyal]

Nevermind minutes spent in touch how many minutes have been spent in the air, second half?

[higher]

Great to see high energy and fluid movement on and off the ball rather than the lifeless turgid shite we have been served up in the past few seasons.
Future looking bright. Could really get used to this winning thing.

[Snowflake Royal]

Good result. Nice to see all the subs contribute positively. We faded a lot in the second half again. But we did the job.

Don't like seeing McIntyre at left back, but he did fine.

Cheltenham made Vale look good though.

[Royal_jimmy]

Our top goalscorer in the league is a Cheltenham player

[Royal_jimmy]

That wasn't great but a wins a win. Winning goal a bit of fortune but with how the seasons gone it was going to take a bit of a fluke to get us going

We look lightweight and lacking end product up top but we'll improve over time there.

Thought it was comfortable despite the tight scoreline once we did get in front. Need to improve though as Stevenage have won 3 from 3.

[One Beer is never enough.]

All three goals (for and against) in our league games this season have been complete flukes, hopefully things will settle down - although if they're for us I don't really care...

[TiagoIlori]

Sam Smith being out really has oxf*rd things for us. Badly lack someone with conviction in attack.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Add *checks notes* Ben Elliott to this team and we win the league.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Abbey should be an automatic starter going forward and permanent captain.

He's amazing. My only beef is that it's a lot of responsibility for such a young lad.

[NathStPaul]

Abbey should be an automatic starter going forward and permanent captain.

He's amazing. My only beef is that it's a lot of responsibility for such a young lad.

Would fully agree if we were in any other situation than the one we are in currently.
If we'd started the season as favourites to go up and had a tonne of pressure on then you would probably give Abbey time to acclimatise to first team football. Because we are more or less at ground zero its an ideal opportunity to give someone like Abbey the chance to establish himself without the pressure. He plays and speaks like a leader, he has a presence despite his young age.

[blythspartan]

Carson is the best LB at the club.

[TiagoIlori]

Button was really impressive, seemed calm claiming crosses and distributing the ball. Abbey played really well as did the other youngsters, but always helps knowing you have a keeper you can depend on. Absolutely everything you would expect from every senior player we still have in our books.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Sam Smith being out really has oxf*rd things for us. Badly lack someone with conviction in attack.

We'll be able to nick a few games without him, but to push up the table we really need him fit and possibly another option up there too.

[Chairman Mao]

Basil Tuma? Like that name.

Tumescent for Tuma

[windermereROYAL]

I`m not pissing on anyone`s bonfire here but we`ll go a long way to see a worse team than the Cheltenham that turned up tonight
Obviously delighted with the win but we need some cutting edge, hopefully the lads can kick on from here.
There are far sterner tests to come, starting Saturday.

[CountryRoyal]

A little part of me thought it was a SLIGHT shame that SOME of the more senior pros weren’t involved from the start in a genuinely winnable game but then that small part was reminded he’s an idiot when they came on and completely disrupted the play and were shit. Still, held on for the win though so can’t complain. Don’t want to be THAT guy but a better team equalise (then probably win).

[72 bus]

If there were one word to describe the difference with these youngsters compared the the dross we’ve been serving up for the god knows how long, it’s Intensity.

Remember "tenacity, spirit, flair" where it all started with Pardew, this "new" Reading side will be all that and more.

[Ascotexgunner]

The important thing is it's somthing to build on now. Young players have stepped up, and now we have an idea what fits where.
Abbey looks beyond his years at the back as well.....a proper captain.
Looked really comfortable.

We weren't pretty but it's a start.