What an unbelievably appalling performance. It beggars belief that we can watch a side that had such a confident swagger last season become the joke of a team we saw last night. I am a season ticket holder but will not use it for some time now. I cannot bear to go and watch that. Preston were laughing at us. I hesitate to really slag off Coppell as the players let everyone down last night, however nothing he has done thus far has filled me with any confidence for the future. To finish on a brighter point, Dean Morgan a potential star of the future ! (With the right guidance).
Crowthorne Royal

This is my first post since the arrival of Steve Coppell. I have been very disappointed with the performances since Pards walked out, but felt that time should be given to the new regime, before making any knee jerk reactions. After tonight I am afraid that ‘time’s up!’ I was underwhelmed by the pathetic efforts against Burnley, Stoke, Wimbledon, and Palace, and was really starting to believe that we only ever lost 3 nil. I still resisted the keyboard though, believing that someone of Coppell’s pedigree would get it right. Tonight proved me wrong. The point is that there is no desire, no commitment, and no guts in either the players, or indeed the management. Players do not become rubbish overnight. What happens is that without direction, they can change their attitude to pain and fighting spirit. Success on any sports field is rarely attained without some considerable pain felt, and effort made. I am sure that every player wanted to win tonight, but what were they prepared to endure to get there? Getting to a fifty, fifty ball 30 yards away is going to hurt like hell if you want to be first there. In addition, you may get injured in the tackle. If you really want to get the ball though, you will bust a gut to do so. The slightest doubt however will ensure that you fail. Virtually to a man, it is becoming very clear that the desire that was there last season, and at the beginning of this, has evaporated. The Directors and management of any organisation are responsible for instilling the fighting spirit and will to win into its workforce. This is not happening any more at Reading FC. There appears to be a massive problem behind the scenes, and until this is resolved, I cannot see an end to the poor performances. I am not suggesting wholesale sackings, but a reality check is essential from the top man down. If this doesn’t happen soon, the best we can hope for this season is avoiding a relegation dog fight. We still need 4 wins to pull completely clear of that. After all the hard work of the last couple of years, we surely cannot accept the worst. URZZZ!
Kevin, Worthing Royal

Shambles.
Caversham Royal

Something is definitely going pear shaped here. Sat in West Stand for first time in years having dragged my Son along (for which I apologised to him). This does get you nearer the pitch and the antics around the dugout and it is now clear that between the players themselves and the players and the bench there have been and is a major degree of falling out going on. They were screaming abuse at each other for a major part of the game. Coppell ought to apologise to some of the West Standers with young kids for the language being used. It is clear that we are now in a situation where the players are blaming each other, have little faith or self belief in each other and have even less faith and self belief in the management team. The question is how (and if?) they break the circle of low self belief, low confidence, screw ups, low self belief. Coppells radio interview makes it clear he sees this as a phase and a blip and that they will come out of the other side - I think Captain Smith said the same sort of things on the Titanic. His track record last year at Brighton, once they had started the final slide to relegation, suggests that while he may be brilliant at some aspects of the game (can someone tell me which bits) he is crap at basic motivation and arse kicking.
Back to the game. Well Preston looked ok'ish. Passing the ball into space, running off each other, obviously ten times the Reading confidence level. Very kind of the comedy goalkeeper to tuck the game up for them at the start of the second half - he can now add the ball dropping tactic to his arm waving game whenever crosses come over.
I thought we were ok in fits and starts but, sorry, even the long suffering wife has given up on Goater - told old to run on goal when he is through - too scared to head at goal when he has a chance. With Owusu cup-tied it was obviously a makeshift forward line. I think Morgan and Forster would be interesting - Morgan and Owusu would be energetic. I'd just shift Goater to the coaching staff or pay him off and get rid of him. I'd also get some third placed Premiership goalie in for some practice to get the comedy goalkeeper a break for a while. I am mystified (like Coppell) why we can be brill away at Walsall - not too bad against Ipswich and then completely Whiff last night. Answers on a postcard please............
Tail of Woodley

Having watched Reading for 40 years, last night shambles was diabolical and we were lucky to escape with only a 2-1 defeat. No compassion, fight, energy or basic skill shown by the players and lack of motivation visibly from the bench. What is going on? I am very worried when looking at the remaining home fixtures and believe that unless this slide is halted soon by March we will be involved in a relegation battle. Its a shame that pardew wasted the majority of our transfer budget on two players at the start of the season. 500K for a 33 year old on a three year deal who can't even get off the ground to head the ball! I have nothing but respect for Madjeski but I fear he and the fellow board members have great business sense but very little knowledge of football and I think the appointmeny of Coppell is proving to be a big mistake. I'm also beginning to question the ambition of the club when we shell out 100k for Ingimarsson, 150k for Kitson and a striker on loan who can't even warrant a place in a struggling Sheff Wed team. Juts look how much Wigan, Norwich, West Ham, West Brom etc are investing in players. Rumour has it that Forest may sack Hart today and we all know what happens when teams come up against a managerless side-I fear the worst at Forest. Never felt so depressed as I am feeling at the moment.
Mike, Tilehurst

I was at the recent home defeat to what looked like a very impressive Wimbledon side who didn't look like a team struggling at the foot of the table. After that extremely dire performance by Reading, I simply felt that there was no way that I was going to waste any more cash watching the current side until something improves. I remember reading an email from a Reading fan who suggested that perhaps last year's success was down to the overall standard in the first division being not quite what it used to be. I think this observation was spot on, and that perhaps we got a bit carried away with how good we really are. Certain players such as Hughes has flattered to deceive for far too long now - I don't think I have ever seen him have a really good game. In the Wimbledon game, far too many players were either backing off or simply running alongside their opponent without even making a challenge. The signing of Goater must have been suggested by Tommy Burns, and Scott Murray must be wishing that he had stayed with Bristol City because he was playing brilliantly there. Why is that some players when they sign for Reading simply lose their form or forget how to play (i.e. the Goat)? It's amazing that after the insult that was Wimbledon, people are still prepared to part with their money when judging by last night's performance the team simply do not care. And yes I love this club just as much as the next supporter otherwise I wouldn't be wasting my time posting this email when I should be getting on with some work instead!
A frustrated Royal!

Reading supporters are not a happy bunch at the moment, and it's not hard to see why. This season is falling apart before our eyes. We're out of the cups, with just the league left to focus on. The core issue is massive inconsistency in the performance, and the management don't know why! Well hurry up and get it sorted before we turn a promising season - with the aim of pushing for the play-offs - into a relegation dogfight!! At this rate I'll be digging out the pairs of blue and white Y fronts before my next visit to the mad stad. We are better than this but it's not far short of total pants at the moment. COME ON!!
Merv, Wimbledon Royal

Nothing new to report with last nights performance. Goater shouldn't play, Harper should stop turning his back on play when receiving the ball and stop passing backwards, the entire defence and keeper should try communicating, the whole team needs to practice shooting, crossing, tackling etc. We need Owusu to extend his stay. Though I'm not attacking any supporters as we all pay our money and have earned the right to voice our frustrations. However, cheering the opposition is not helping our cause. Surely a better approach is the European way, which is boo and whistle whenever the other team is on the ball. That must be better than supporting the opposition?
Paul, Thatcham Royal