Match Report: 2010/2011 Season
19 February 2011: CHAMPIONSHIP
WATFORD 1 READING 1
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goals
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Reading: Hunt (50 mins). Watford: Weimann (27 mins). |
Half Time: 0-1. Attendance: 16,934
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teams
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Reading:
A. Federici (A. McCarthy, 84), M. Mills, I. Harte, A. Griffin, I. Ingimarsson, J. McAnuff, M. Leigertwood, B. Howard (H. Robson-Kanu, 82), J. Kebe, N. Hunt (S. Church, 66), S. Long.
Subs not used: Z. Khizanishvili, J. Tabb, B. Gunnarsson, M. Antonio.
Watford: S. Loach, M. Taylor, A. Mariappa, L. Hodson, A. Thompson, J. Eustace, S. McGinn (D. Drinkwater, 54), D. Cowie, M. Whichelow (R. Jenkins, 66), D. Graham, A. Weimann (M. Sordell, 52). Subs not used: R. Gilmartin, T. Deeney, P. Mingoia, D. Bennett. |
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bookings
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Reading: Howard
Watford: - Ref: P Walton |
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report
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Reading desperately needed a win today, as did Watford, so neither teams will be entirely satisfied with this result. In spite of good performances recently, some against the top sides in the division, Reading's play-off chances have faded, largely due to conceding late goals, but also, in part due to poor refereeing. Suspensions to Liegertwood and Karacan have made it harder to hold on to a lead at crucial times. Morale has been damaged. The crowd might have helped lift the team but was quiet from the start and throughout the game today. Even the usually upbeat Brian McDermott has begun to sound resigned to another year in the Championship. The goal conceded in stoppage at Cardiff after Manset had scored what everyone believed to be the winner was a devastating blow to confidence. What must hurt the players is the feeling that they deserved better, but success depends on strong mental resolve and determination. Today flashes of inspiration came from Liegertwood and Long but against an enterprising Watford side Reading looked distinctly ordinary. In short, it looked what it was, a mid table stalemate.
Reading began brightly and McAnuff cut inside and played a diagonal ball out wide. Long took the ball but was closed down quickly. Kebe was steaming in behind him unmarked and had Long let it run he would have had a clear strike on goal. I suspect Kebe, not the World's best at reading the game and communicating, failed to let him know he was there. Watford had the better of the first half, and took the lead as Reading collectively slackened defensively. They failed to close players down and allowed crosses to be delivered unchallenged. Weimann smashed home from close range with Reading defenders sprawling on the ground in front of him. Only a brilliant save low to his right by Federici prevented Watford from increasing their lead. Leigertwood may have looked a bit rusty in the opening minutes but his superb turn and shot just before half time deserved a goal. A fine save from Loach kept it out. Liegertwood was in outstanding form and was largely responsible for Reading regaining control of the game in the second half when at times when Watford found it impossible to dispossess him. Reading got the lucky break they deserved when Loach flapped at Howard's corner leaving Hunt with the simple task of leaping to nod the ball over the line for the equaliser. Long battled and chased but the service he received was poor. Watford had done their homework and Kebe could not find his way past the two defenders he was inevitably confronted by, and McAnuff was mainly channelled inside so also failed to get behind the visitor's defence. Substitutes Church and Robson-Kanu again made no impact on the game. Howard came off near the end having played some tidy football but also made very little impact on the game. Fedrerici went off injured following a clash with Liegertwood. In stoppage time Watford had clearly settled for a point but they never really looked likely to lose it. Brian McDermott was, as always, entirely accurate in his analysis, identifying 'a lack of quality' as the reason for dropping two more points at home. The lack of quality was particularly evident in and around the penalty area. With Karacan and Liegertwood shielding them, the defence is effective enough, but Reading seem to run out of attacking ideas very quickly. An exceptional run will now be required to keep everyone interested. Anything other than a win against Millwall on Tuesday and the play-offs will only be a mathematical possibility. The home fans really could make a difference but if today's response was anything to go by, the burden of motivating the team is going to fall squarely on the shoulders of Brian McDermott. John Wells |
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