Game of two halves, Brian. From our end, really couldn’t see what happened 7 Minutes in, but it looked a softer goal than a McSofty’s ice cream in an August heatwave. Rest of first half dreadful.

Odd atmosphere, Brum fans just looked on, almost no reaction except after their one goal.

In the second half, both the team and the Brum stewards were busy. They stewards chucked quite a few of our younger fans out, no idea why, despite them being about ten yards away. The team, well, the subs worked, and Bowen can count to three. Bowen in, for a bit.

After final whistle, Swift gave his shirt to one of the younger fans, Meite was serenaded and pelted the yoof with his drink, and Matt had a wry smile when every one sang we want him back next year, as Chelsey is a sh..not a nice place.

Evening rounded off by Cross Country no-trains cancelling two trains, so with a Wasps game, Oxford at Shrewsbury and our little contribution, the train was like a Corona infection party.

Finally a team that can turn games around. Even better when it'a away from home. Plenty of character in today's starting line-up.

After lots of false dawns. There does seem to be a settled core squad that just needs a little refinement for next season. Rather than a major rebuild. Gomes and Miagza should be top of the wish list. Both appear extremely committed to the club.

Agreed. I would like both of them at the club next season. It would certainly blow our transfer budget though.

Agreed. I would like both of them at the club next season. It would certainly blow our transfer budget though.

They'll be a fair number of departures.

Definitely a game of two halves. Overall a poor game of football, but we won. We were workmanlike in the second half. Good to get the equaliser early and the second knocked the stuffing out of the Blues and their fans. Birmingham were poor throughout. How have they got so many points? When they played at the Madejski they knocked it around quite nicely at times but now resemble just a Warnock team in a Pep Clotet disguise.

Swift was dreadful first half and Ovie non-existent. Morrison’s nd Miazga solid, and Yiadom did very little attacking. Looked like a definite tactic. I liked Omar Richards’ tenacity throughout the game. I’d have him as MOTM. We look better with Rino’s energy and driving runs in midfield too.

Cracking finish from Miazga which made up for his mistake for their goal. Not sure how Hogan missed the chance on the back post soon after they scored.

6’s all round except a 4 for Ovie and a 7 for Richards.

Agreed. I would like both of them at the club next season. It would certainly blow our transfer budget though.

Gomes is a must, however i really don't think Miazga will be back next season, but that should give McIntyre the back up spot in defense. I know we have agreed in principle to sign Ejaria, but on current form and the fact that it looks like he has been found out, i would decline this option and allow Olise the path to a permanent starting spot.
I am also impressed with the obvious work being done on Puscas!! its hard for any player to adapt in a new country and adapt to the rigurs of the Championship, buts it really looks like the hard work is starting to reap the rewards, and with a strong run in and a full pre-season this guy could be the 20+ goal striker we have been craving for.

Agreed. I would like both of them at the club next season. It would certainly blow our transfer budget though.

Gomes is a must, however i really don't think Miazga will be back next season, but that should give McIntyre the back up spot in defense. I know we have agreed in principle to sign Ejaria, but on current form and the fact that it looks like he has been found out, i would decline this option and allow Olise the path to a permanent starting spot.
I am also impressed with the obvious work being done on Puscas!! its hard for any player to adapt in a new country and adapt to the rigurs of the Championship, buts it really looks like the hard work is starting to reap the rewards, and with a strong run in and a full pre-season this guy could be the 20+ goal striker we have been craving for.
Ejaria hasn't been found out. Players of his ability aren't found out. He's just not making the right choices.

He's young, he's talented and there's plenty of time for him to flourish. With experience comes better decisions. Swift's done it, so no reason he can't too.

Loanees largely a success for a second season running. What a difference they’ve made today. But for me, I’d rather we signed Miazga over Pelé - he’s just not consistent enough and although a great finish from Pelé - I think we will be getting the Sao Paolo lad Igor Liziero (@mafff on Twitter) in the summer. If we can get Miazga and Lewis Baker from Chelsea on permanent deals too, we will be a force.

Anyway back to today - whatever Bowen said at half time really put a rocket up them. We took our chances in the second half (how long since we last said that?) and already looking forward to a tough game against a form Stoke City team next weekend at the Madejski.

Ovie is an outstanding talent who needs time to grow.

He's going to be worth 10 times what we're paying for him. We'd be mad to pass up the opportunity to bring him in.

Only trouble is he and Swift are too similar and shouldn't really be starting in the same team.

Not sure what the solution is.

I've been quite critical of Ovie since the turn of the year. Perhaps he simply needs a break. Today did he drop during the first half and look for the ball. Far too often the game seems to bypass him. Putting all the onus on Swift.

Olise is relatively fresh. Not sure how he would stand up to a 40 plus competitive game season. Ovie needs to get down the gym during the summer months and return next season physically stronger. Certainly needs to add another dimension to his game.

I think it's quite likely that a big offer will come in for Swift

Gomes is a must, however i really don't think Miazga will be back next season, but that should give McIntyre the back up spot in defense. I know we have agreed in principle to sign Ejaria, but on current form and the fact that it looks like he has been found out, i would decline this option and allow Olise the path to a permanent starting spot.
I am also impressed with the obvious work being done on Puscas!! its hard for any player to adapt in a new country and adapt to the rigurs of the Championship, buts it really looks like the hard work is starting to reap the rewards, and with a strong run in and a full pre-season this guy could be the 20+ goal striker we have been craving for.
Ejaria hasn't been found out. Players of his ability aren't found out. He's just not making the right choices.

He's young, he's talented and there's plenty of time for him to flourish. With experience comes better decisions. Swift's done it, so no reason he can't too.
Totally agree. Ridiculous statement from Crowbar there.

Swift is a far far better all round player. Hardly surprising given their ages and relative experience.

Swift is a far far better all round player. Hardly surprising given their ages and relative experience.
I'd say Ejaria is way better defensively than Swift was 2 years ago, and also technically more gifted too. And he already seems to be causing a lot more havoc than last season.

He's really only got to work out how to be effective, at the moment he's trying too much, just needs to reign in the skills and be a bit more simple. He's already technically better than the vast majority of good Championship players.

Swift is a far far better all round player. Hardly surprising given their ages and relative experience.
I'd say Ejaria is way better defensively than Swift was 2 years ago, and also technically more gifted too. And he already seems to be causing a lot more havoc than last season.

He's really only got to work out how to be effective, at the moment he's trying too much, just needs to reign in the skills and be a bit more simple. He's already technically better than the vast majority of good Championship players.

The opposition have worked Ovie out. Easy to box him into blind alleys.

Ovie needs a break. He looked shattered on Tuesday night and was struggling to run. Give him a couple of weeks off and get him fully fit and he will be fine.

Love away days like that. Few beers before.
Watch the game.
Deserved to win.
Excellent atmosphere except the Brummy fans
More beers after
Just home!

Perfect away day

Ejaria hasn't been found out. Players of his ability aren't found out. He's just not making the right choices.

He's young, he's talented and there's plenty of time for him to flourish. With experience comes better decisions. Swift's done it, so no reason he can't too.
Totally agree. Ridiculous statement from Crowbar there.

Well he’s been totally ineffective for 2 months so somethings up. Not sure it’s making wrong decisions.

Ejaria should spend a couple of weeks playing the role of impact sub imo. He just needs to freshen up a little and get some rest. Young man who has a big future and I'd hate to see his season end on a down note or pick up an injury due to over exertion.

Typical Championship really, we took our chances very well which was the difference.

B'ham didn't really look any better/worse than us tbh - although they seemed to want to force a goal rather than score one once we'd gone in front. It definitely rattled them that sucker punch second goal,

Fairly lethargic atmosphere from B'ham apart from not getting the penalty which did stir a little bit of feeling .

First half. Absolutely shocking. All of them, except Olise.

Second half. Did what we had to do and looked quite bright on the counter, although we should have kept the ball better in the last 15 minutes rather than panic and hoof.

Plus points: Swift second half, Olise, Rino and Richards, but really encouraged by Puscas. He's learning to hold the ball up and not fall over every time someone breathes on him, and he even got off the ground for one or two headers.

Cracking header from The Lump.

What was with that 1st half performance? It was just so insipid

Swift was beyond atrocious, and everyone else looked like they'd forgotten the plan. Just before HT there was a passage of play on our left where the ball was just played in a triangle between Richards, Ejaria and Swift (?) for about 2 minutes, in which they did absolutely nothing, and clearly had no idea what to do, before the ball eventually made its way back to Raphael who sliced it out of play. Absolutely summed up the first half

Should have been 2 down at HT but two quick goals from nothing made for an enjoyable second half away day

Totally agree. Ridiculous statement from Crowbar there.

Well he’s been totally ineffective for 2 months so somethings up. Not sure it’s making wrong decisions.
I think it is. As well, as Mick pointed out a few matches ago, his luck has turned recently. For a while everything went right for him with things like the bounce of the ball but now they are constantly saying "he was unlucky there"

It's easy to forget he's only 21, and this is also his first full season playing 40+ games. It's gruelling, and I expect one reason Olise is shining is that he's fresher. I totally agree with the idea of resting him a bit. It's laughable to suggest he's been found out. Swift's first season under Stam was not dissimilar and at the same age; made a great start and then tailed off badly. I don't think people would suggest he simply got found out now.

We have now picked up a healthy 25 points from 19 away games but just 23 from 18 home games. If only for a half decent home record and we would be flying.

It’s very difficult to suss out this Reading side. Technically we have some of the most gifted players in the division yet we often seem unable to create many chances.
Yet I look at teams like Bristol City, Preston, Forest etc and do not see teams who appear in any way superior to us. Brizzle have a negatibve goal difference yet are on the verge of the play offs.

In the main we appear to be heading in the right direction but there remains a fragility to such an extent that a good summer window will see us pushing for promotion but a bad one will see us fighting relegation. We really are an odd side this season.

I dont know what to say about the game really. First 25 minutes we looked shit. Swift in particular. It raised a question for me, if Swift struggles does everyone struggle? I mean, he wasnt much better after that but he stopped giving the ball away every time. Is it a case of when Seift plays badly the team does or am I giving him too much credit?

I thought the ref was shit but sided with us more often than not.

Miazga deserves credit for not letting his error get the best of him.

Anyone who thinks Meite isnt good enough can oxf*rd off now. He scores. He shows desire and passion. He works hard for us.

Puscas did great up front.

Rafael looked solid again.

I was surprised at Birmingham. Why is Clarke-Salter not starting? They're starting CBs were shit. Where is that spanish mid they bbought in the summer??? Why is Crowley playing on the wing? I mean, he looked good still, but hes not a winger.

Delighted Pele scored and loved his interveiw. He clearly likes it here but so did Oliveira and he didnt come back. Hope it's different this time.

Well he’s been totally ineffective for 2 months so somethings up. Not sure it’s making wrong decisions.
I think it is. As well, as Mick pointed out a few matches ago, his luck has turned recently. For a while everything went right for him with things like the bounce of the ball but now they are constantly saying "he was unlucky there"

Yeah rest him a bit we have Rinomhota and probably needs a bit of a break.

Fully agree it’s time to give Ovie a rest

On balance he has had a very good season for us and is a real talent

Give him a couple of games on the bench - we’ve plenty who can come in for him

Very tidy win that. A good sign that we won comfortably away at a side who hadn’t lost for 10 games with a team getting ‘6s’. Bit like Barnsley

Totally agree. Ridiculous statement from Crowbar there.

Well he’s been totally ineffective for 2 months so somethings up. Not sure it’s making wrong decisions.

Still don’t think CM/CAM is the better position for him, crowded out too easily there when teams tuck in, would probably prefer to give Olise a shot in the middle

He just needs to stop getting the ball stuck under him to jink through three players you could throw a blanket over. Instead, up the tempo, force errors for a purpose and release it earlier.

In exactly the same way Swift needed to stop trying to jink his way through tiny gaps all the time and stop playing unnecessarily extravagant passes.