Reading struggled to find a way past Rotherham United at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon as the two teams played out a 0-0 draw in front of the Sky TV cameras. The result saw Reading continue their unbeaten start to the season but the Royals will be disappointed at their inability to find the back of the net. Reading got off to a good start and looked likely to be on their way to the three points when Steve Sidwell forced an early save from the Rotherham keeper after an excellent Reading move.

Reading continued to look the most likely team with a decent opening period - TV replays later showed that we should have won a penalty on twenty minutes when Forster was taken down in the area. Nicky Shorey put in a great shot from distance that curved all the way as it flew just over the crossbar with keeper otherwise beaten. At half time Reading had enjoyed four shots with no reply from Rotherham - and the pattern continued throughout the second half with the visitors restricting Reading to long-range efforts. The Royals struggled to increase the tempo of the game and started to rely on long balls that reaped little result.

Tyson was introduced as Reading changed to a 4-5-1 formation, and then Butler and Daley came off the bench as Reading changed tactics again. Reading certainly had the most of an un-exciting 0-0 draw but Rotherham deserve credit for a strong display against the Royals who have had no problem hitting the target so far this season. Rotherham safely held on and even threatened to take the points themselves with Hahnemann needing to make a save in the closing minutes of the game.

Following report from John Wells
Reading started this game full of confidence and in the opening minutes looked likely to make an early breakthrough. A direct run by Forster in the second minute put the visitors on the back foot and Goater set up Sidwell for a good strike from outside the area which was well saved by Pollitt. Apart from a long range effort from Shorey that was about as close as the Royals came to scoring.

Typically Rotherham were well organised and determined, and eventually got what they came for - an away point. They had little to offer and Hahnemann didn't have much to do apart from gather deep crosses until he was forced to block a shot near the end. If Rotherham had scored it would, as even Ronnie Moore admitted, have been an injustice.

Reading looked weary in the second half with Murty, Goater and Murray in particular looking a bit jaded. Murray drifted infield far too often in the first half. The lack of width made the job of breaking down a resolute Rotherham defence even more difficult. Pardew did his best to freshen up the attack by bringing on Tyson, Butler and Daley, but they made very little difference. I'd like to see a bit more of Daley. He tried a bit too hard to make an impression at first but looks to have pace and the ability to take players on. Tyson on the other hand is still looking very raw indeed and not quite ready to play at this level.

Reading were clearly the better side and I would not be at all surprised if they beat the Millers on their own ground later in the season. We have made a good start and today's performance was merely below par rather than poor. We have yet to concede a goal at home and I feel sure the goals will come this year.
John Wells