MATCH REPORT: 2004/2005 Season

5 March 2005: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
QPR 0 READING 0
goals
Reading:
QPR:
Half Time: 0-0
Attendance: 16,971

CHAMPIONSHIP 5 Mar 2005
Pos Team P Pts GD
5 Preston 36 59 +3
6 READING 36 54 +7
7 West Ham 35 54 +6
teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Hughes, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little, Newman, Sidwell, Brooker, Kitson, Ferdinand (Morgan 33). Subs Not Used: Young, Owusu, Harper, Convey.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Edghill (Ainsworth 67), Rowlands, Bircham (Cureton 73), Santos, Cook (Thorpe 73), Gallen, Furlong. Subs Not Used: Padula, Rossi.
bookings
Reading: -
QPR: -
Referee: T Leake (Lancashire).
report

Another game, another uneventful 0-0 draw as Reading shared the points at QPR this afternoon. Despite Reading extending their run of games without a win to a massive eleven fixtures, the Royals somehow find themselves back in the play-off positions tonight as they moved up a place to sixth. The Royals had next weeks visitors to the Madejski Stadium, West Ham United, to thank as the Hammers went down 1-2 at home to Preston. With West Ham and Reading on equal league points, next week it's going to be another crunch encounter with both teams desperate for the win to have a chance of grabbing that final play-off spot at the end of the season. It's hard to believe we still have a chance of going up with our lack of both goals and points this season, but if we can end our barren run next weekend then the season is not yet over.

It was the same old story today as Reading's defence held very firm but we lacked any bite at all up front. We went nearly the entire game without a shot on target. Dave Kitson found the net in the second half only to see his attempt ruled out for off-side, for the second week in a row. One of Reading's best other chances was in the opening few minutes when Brooker was clean through only to hit his shot straight at the QPR goalkeeper. Down the other end QPR managed to hit the crossbar with a deflection, but in reality neither keeper had much to do in an unexciting game. Les Ferdinand only managed half an hour as he limped off with yet another injury. Dean Morgan was Ferdinand's replacement but there was very little to suggest Reading can end the recent appalling run - we've hit just four goals in eleven league games. West Ham's season continued to wobble but Pardew must surely come to the Madejski Stadium next week expecting to pick up the three points.


FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

Unfotunately it is begining to look like mis-management! Ferdinand and Keown are looking like joke signings and the joke is on them! Their signings must also be causing a very dispirited attitude in the camp. We cannot rely on Dave Kitson and we need to look for young energetic proven goal scorers and fast. The lower Divisions have much to offer in this respect and it would be well worth a look. This league still remains wide open in terms of playoff places and we can easily do it but please Mr.Coppell do spend a liitle more wisely and let us get some real pace up front and players who are not afraid to shoot. There is a great opportunity for an ambitious player from the lower Divisions. Goals win games and remove pressure all round and if prioity is not soon exercised then this season will be a failure and questions asked about our management of the club as whole and not leaving out the Chairman!
Terry, Isle of Wight.

We went in force to this one. My brother and myself both dragged our girlfriends along on a cold gloomy saturday in March. My expectations of the game were not high given recent performances, so along with the wooly hats and open minds we settled down for 90 minutes. Within the first couple of minutes what turned out to be the best opportunity of the game came, as one of our boys (it was up the other end so I couild not see, possibly Brooker) was put through one-on-one with the keeper. This is it we thought 90 minutes of this we could take! But oh no, sit yourselves back down everyone, this game, as the match report suggests, was a hard, scrappy nil nil.
So where does the problem lie? - I don't think we will ever know. The players? management? Directors of football? recent events? possibly all four. But what I refuse to do is stick the Chairman in amongst that lot. I personally believe he has too much business sense and has put so much into this club to come under fire.
My brother described the recent dippings into the transfer market as 'bad business', and I don't think thats too far off the mark. I believe the most dissapointing thing we took away in our minds from yesterday's game was Big Les' contribution.
I brought a washing machine the other day, put it on a cycle and within half an hour the thing packed up. It was expensive, it was a 'Hotpoint', and I thought that was a name I could trust. Obviously I was mistaken!
Mark Willey, London

An exhibition of craft and guile, two leading contenders looking to outwit each other on tactics and strength to overcome their opponents to achieve the ultimate glory... that was the IBF boxing on Friday night anyway. In boxing if the fighters don't show enough aggression and desire to win the contest the referee calls a halt to proceedings. Unfortunately, until a rule change comes into effect mugs like us have to endure the full 90 mins in the hope that something, anything, happens. Nothing less than a full refund should suffice after the fare served up at Loftus. Yet, that point was not to be sneezed at and the Royals (winless in 2005) are now unbeaten in 3 games, rising above the Hammers and back into the playoff fray. Talking of the Hammers, they're our guests at the "Mad house" on Saturday. If we're ever going to win again let it be on Saturday.
K Bradshaw

Another 0-0, another afternoon lacking any imagination or spirit. Whatever, the situation with Fozzie (or Harper) we are seriously lacking any spark in the team. You can't expect to win a game with two battlers in the middle of the park and no-one out wide looking to be creative. Defensively a sound job, but just so poor in all other areas. Even Kitson looked like he couldn't be bothered. Biggest cheer of the day - Curo coming on as sub. Worst Chant - "We've got Les Ferdinand, we've got Les Ferdinand...." Crowd was poor all game, all negatvity against QPR rather than trying to raise the Royals. Huge improvement required against West Ham. Bring back Fozzie and Harps, please don't let Brooker play again this season.
Turns, Tilehurst

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