MATCH REPORT: 2008/2009 Season

17 January 2009: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
SWANSEA CITY 2 READING 0
goals
Reading: -
Swansea: Scotland (45 mins), Orlandi (89 mins).
Half Time: 1-0
Attendance: 15,197

CHAMPIONSHIP 17 Jan 2009
Pos Team P Pts GD
1 Wolves 28 59 +22
2 READING 28 54 +31
3 Birmingham 27 52 +11
teams
Reading: Federici, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Armstrong, Kebe (Lita 82), Cisse, Harper (Gunnarsson 81), Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Noel Hunt (Matejovsky 62). Subs Not Used: Andersen, Long.
Swansea: De Vries, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Tate, Gower (Orlandi 72), Pratley, Gomez, Allen, Dyer (Pintado 82), Scotland. Subs Not Used: Tudur-Jones, Serran, Bauza.
bookings
Reading: Rosenior, Stephen Hunt. Sent Off: Rosenior (81 mins).
Swansea: Tate
Ref: Fred Graham (Essex).
report
-
FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

Another dreadful away day at the office where Reading were utterly comprehensively outplayed by Swansea today and blown away like the storm on the way home. Talk about chasing shadows and we're supposed to be the promotion favourites. I cannot comprehend how we could have been so outplayed. Absolutely no excuses with the result as we never had one good chance and Swansea were so much better than us all over the park. I'm sure our game plan was to soak up the pressure then counter attack but we couldn't even get the ball yet alone try passing to each other. Harps had a nightmare, Shunty apart from one great tackle , did nothing , Kebe was woeful and lazy and rest were not much better. I couldn't see who cocked up for their goal some at half time said Harper tried to back heel it but that was a killer blow just on half time, maybe if that had not gone in we could have clung on for a 0-0 but I doubt it . I guess we just have to forget and move on but with the big one against Wolves next we're certainly going to have to improve big time to kick on in the final third of the season . We did get better when Matjovsky came on but with the sending off (very soft) it was too late . Reading should watch the video of this game and see how the game can be played, good wingers great midfielders who were very comfortable on the ball and passing the ball so well, even their goalie wouldn't kick from his hands but passed it out to a willing Swansea player .Wolves are wobbling , so are Brum , so let's hope today was just one of those days and we batter the Wolves, who we all dislike!! Keep the faith.
Nick Newbury

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QUOTES FROM THE PRESS

A first defeat since November is hardly cause for panic stations but the manner of Reading's dismantling here will worry them. From the first minute Reading's reputation for not giving an inch proved unfounded; brute strength never looked like containing the Championship's more graceful Swans... "We were beaten by the better side," admitted the Reading manager, Steve Coppell, before tipping Swansea for a late promotion push. "Sometimes you need to hold your hands up and say that. They will give any side in this division trouble. Hull came through last season after going on a remarkable run. They are capable of doing the same." Coppell predicted a positive reaction but must be nervous that the transfer window might add to any loss of momentum. Stephen Hunt could have played his final game, with Spurs, Wigan and Newcastle keen on the Irish international, while his brother Noel and their compatriot Kevin Doyle have many admirers.
Guardian

Reading were second best throughout and knew it was not their afternoon when Liam Rosenior was sent off for two frivolous yellow cards late on. In hindsight, Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, was left to regret his side’s open approach. “I should have been more conservative and got more men behind the ball, but I like my teams to go forward,” Coppell said.
The Times