News and Views

Reading Hold On To Climb To Seventh

22 October 2024
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Despite constant late pressure from the home team, Reading held out to secure three more points at Exeter City and climb to seventh place in the League One - just outside of the play-off positions on goal difference. The Royals opted for several changes after the weekend's 4-1 home victory over Crawley Town, which included swapping the front three and handing Jayden Wareham his first league start for Reading after 13 appearances from the bench. From kick-off, and after 45 seconds of Exeter playing the ball around in their defensive third, Wareham made the perfect start when Knibbs stole the ball from the defender and passed to Wareham who fired across the goalkeeper, putting the ball inside the post to put Reading ahead inside the first minute.

Reading had been the better side in the first half and extended their lead with nine minutes left to play of the first half, again scoring inside the box with Exeter failing to deal with Reading pressure close to goal. Michael Craig took full advantage after a shot came back out to him to make it 2-0 at half time.

After the break, Exeter improved and Reading were forced to go on the defensive. After failing to take advantage moments before when they should have scored, Exter finally pulled one back on 58 minutes to set up a very nervous last 30 minutes for the travelling Reading fans. The final 10 minutes of the game Exeter dominated and it felt like it was just a matter of time before the equaliser came, but somehow Reading held out thanks to some determined defending, the post, and Exeter's inability to take advantage of a string of decent chances.
Exeter City 1 Reading 2

 

Discussion On This Story:

 Royal_jimmy

» 23 Oct 2024 02:07

That was one nervy game to be at. Brilliant first half, shocking second half but showed such good toughness to hold on. Very encouraging signs for us but our consistency is still an issue though and something that'll be addressed in time and when we can bring players in.

We're building a great core of a squad again. We need to keep Selles at the club, again made some good selections and subs.

Good turn out from us but very quiet.

 elrey

» 23 Oct 2024 02:13



Winnable games are the ones we lose. Like Rotherham.

 Snowflake Royal

» 23 Oct 2024 08:26

It was good to see ex-Academy Pierce Sweeney continuing to have a good career and be one of Exeter's best players.

 Winston Biscuit

» 23 Oct 2024 08:30

does someone need to fire up a Promotion Watch thread?

 blythspartan

» 23 Oct 2024 08:48

Well that was a game of 2 halves. I’d have loved a draw before the game started so 3 points is immense. A big shout out to Dean too. He calmed it down when he came on and deserves some credit.

 Sutekh

» 23 Oct 2024 08:52



7th :roll:

8th at the time of writing :roll: , Charlton conceded a last minute injury time equaliser at Barnsley and slumped out of the play off positions.

 traff

» 23 Oct 2024 09:01


Stevenage. This "their nickname is Boro" excuse is nonsense.
Exeter are "Bumpkins"

 Royal_jimmy

» 23 Oct 2024 09:13

Not getting carried away but that really was a massive win. I hate this league but just bloody love this team, they don't throw the towel in and are improving by the week. I hope Selles stays put unless a really decent championship or premier league side come calling as he's built a decent young core in the team.

 tidus_mi2

» 23 Oct 2024 09:54

I keep hoping this takeover will go through because we have a good team but it's going to struggle in the long-term due to lack of quality depth, Rueben rotated well last night and got a great win, if young players like Wareham and Akande can step up and fill those gaps that will be great and long may Garcia flourish.

The youngsters will seemingly make or break our season.

 Snowflake Royal

» 23 Oct 2024 09:56


It's almost like getting relegated and rebuilding is more enjoyable than constantly fighting relegation in the Championship.

 Hound

» 23 Oct 2024 10:16


It's almost like getting relegated and rebuilding is more enjoyable than constantly fighting relegation in the Championship.

100% it would be if it didn’t have the black cloud of Dai hanging over it all. If all these young lads were on good 3 year contracts etc and you knew they’d either be with us or sold for decent money it’d make it a whole lot more enjoyable

Sadly I’m just expecting another fire sale in January, and/or some of our decent players moving when their contract finishes end of the year

 South Coast Royal

» 23 Oct 2024 10:37

Shout out to the commentator on Sky + .
Knew his stuff and had researched both teams .
Also showed that there is no need for a co-commentator/pundit.

As for the game-our team changes didn't harm the team, theirs did.
Having said that, I thought Kelvin, Campbell and Wareham were generally anonymous but everybody else was very good.

How long will we be able to keep Bindon?-he didn't put a foot wrong last night and is so calm for such a young player.

 windermereROYAL

» 23 Oct 2024 11:07



I would imagine the vultures are circling already, January is a genuine concern for me, unless the group granted exclusivity are paying the bills we could be forced to offload our crown jewels.

 windermereROYAL

» 23 Oct 2024 11:12

Really disappointed with the short sky highlights I`ve just watched on my phone, basically they only showed our two goals and many near or not so near miss that Exeter had.
Par for the course for them I suppose.

 Hound

» 23 Oct 2024 11:13



Dreadful hair though

 South Coast Royal

» 23 Oct 2024 11:15



I would imagine the vultures are circling already, January is a genuine concern for me, unless the group granted exclusivity are paying the bills we could be forced to offload our crown jewels.

I'm not sure that we have many crown jewels apart from Bindon.

Some decent players for this level of football and Garcia could turn out to be an Olise but he could be an Ejaria so we shall see.
I agree it is still a worry as we wouldn't want to lose the likes of Wing, Craig and Knibbs.

 Snowflake Royal

» 23 Oct 2024 12:20


It's almost like getting relegated and rebuilding is more enjoyable than constantly fighting relegation in the Championship.

100% it would be if it didn’t have the black cloud of Dai hanging over it all. If all these young lads were on good 3 year contracts etc and you knew they’d either be with us or sold for decent money it’d make it a whole lot more enjoyable

Sadly I’m just expecting another fire sale in January, and/or some of our decent players moving when their contract finishes end of the year
Bait to be fair, but yes, if Dai had sold by July it would be proper party time.

 RoyalBlue

» 23 Oct 2024 13:01



I would imagine the vultures are circling already, January is a genuine concern for me, unless the group granted exclusivity are paying the bills we could be forced to offload our crown jewels.

I'm not sure that we have many crown jewels apart from Bindon.

Some decent players for this level of football and Garcia could turn out to be an Olise but he could be an Ejaria so we shall see.
I agree it is still a worry as we wouldn't want to lose the likes of Wing, Craig and Knibbs.

Recently, from comments made, it seems that pundits and other neutrals regard some of our players a bit more highly than you do. Quite a few players rated as being worthy of playing at a higher level than League 1 (MBengue and WIng being just two examples). That immediately makes them crown jewels in the eyes of an owner desperate to cash in and reduce exposure to running costs as much as he can,

Then, from the supporters' point of view, the fact that we are unable to add anyone to our squad, even as replacements, pretty much makes everyone in our squad invaluable to us!

 Snowflake Royal

» 23 Oct 2024 18:27



I'm not sure that we have many crown jewels apart from Bindon.

Some decent players for this level of football and Garcia could turn out to be an Olise but he could be an Ejaria so we shall see.
I agree it is still a worry as we wouldn't want to lose the likes of Wing, Craig and Knibbs.

Recently, from comments made, it seems that pundits and other neutrals regard some of our players a bit more highly than you do. Quite a few players rated as being worthy of playing at a higher level than League 1 (MBengue and WIng being just two examples). That immediately makes them crown jewels in the eyes of an owner desperate to cash in and reduce exposure to running costs as much as he can,

Then, from the supporters' point of view, the fact that we are unable to add anyone to our squad, even as replacements, pretty much makes everyone in our squad invaluable to us!
I think we have a lot of crown jewels, but most of them aren't the sort to attract major interest right now.

Elliott, Savage and Craig could be a Championship quality midfield in a couple of years, but none are bossing it quite enough to attact Championship attention just yet, maybe by the end of the season.

Generally, I think you see players with more established quality and experience or players just bursting on to the scene and impressing at a very young age attract the interest. Which is why I think the only two real worries are Bindon and Garcia.

The older heads, like Wing, Smith and Knibbs are all more good L1 players than eye catching Championship potentials.

Mbengue is also quality, but a bit rogue which might put others off.

Then you have the likes of Dorsett (injured), Camara (barely played), Akande (very raw), Rushesha (barely played), Pereira (previously unfancied and not played that much) etc.


Ehibhatiomhan is the only other real contender and he does drift through games and flatter a bit at times.

 WestYorksRoyal

» 23 Oct 2024 18:58

I think Wing could do a job at a higher level; a handy Championship squad option who for some reason it hasn't worked out for yet. I think Bindon would adapt pretty quickly.

Beyond that, you're looking at potential that is not ready yet or good L1 players you struggle to see stepping up. The route to the Championship for Knibbs and Smith is probably promotion or nothing. If we were desperate for cash, I'm sure big club academies would be all over Garcia, Elliott, Ehibhatiomhan, Savage and Craig, but there's not a chance they could move up the pyramid and immediately get regular game time.

 Snowflake Royal

» 23 Oct 2024 19:05


Agree Wing could step up, but I don’t think it's a sure enough bet for anyone to want to spend much on him, and he's got a better chance with us.

 From Despair To Where?

» 24 Oct 2024 09:29

I think also with Wing, he's 29, he's got a young family and he's settled in the area. Not convinced moving up a league to be a squad player would be what he's looking at this stage of his career.

 Stranded

» 24 Oct 2024 09:41

I think Azeez is a tale of the level a lot of our players are at - regular for us, regularly in the goals/assists - stepped up a level and mostly been coming off the bench.

 tidus_mi2

» 24 Oct 2024 09:46


If say, QPR were in for him it's something you'd think he might consider, wouldn't have to move in theory. Obviously ironic considering he turned down QPR when he joined us.

Of course moving clubs presents the risk of it going badly and then having to be on the look out for whoever will take you.

 From Despair To Where?

» 24 Oct 2024 09:58

Not sure a relegation battle is particularly appealing.

I think he can play largely without pressure here. It's a tight knit squad, the relationship with the fans is good, expectations are realistic and he's a key player.

Sort out the ownership and you've got the core of a very good club to be at.

 Stranded

» 24 Oct 2024 10:34



His partner as also said they he wants to be be part of a promotion and at the moment, despite all the off field issues, the on field performances suggest that his best chance of achieving that is probably here.

 South Coast Royal

» 24 Oct 2024 10:48



I'm not sure that we have many crown jewels apart from Bindon.

Some decent players for this level of football and Garcia could turn out to be an Olise but he could be an Ejaria so we shall see.
I agree it is still a worry as we wouldn't want to lose the likes of Wing, Craig and Knibbs.

Recently, from comments made, it seems that pundits and other neutrals regard some of our players a bit more highly than you do. Quite a few players rated as being worthy of playing at a higher level than League 1 (MBengue and WIng being just two examples). That immediately makes them crown jewels in the eyes of an owner desperate to cash in and reduce exposure to running costs as much as he can,

Then, from the supporters' point of view, the fact that we are unable to add anyone to our squad, even as replacements, pretty much makes everyone in our squad invaluable to us!

Agreed on the last bit but Mbengue capable of playing at a higher level?
Far too erratic IMHO to do that but his keenness is a great asset to our team.

Wing higher level ?
Yes, but who else? (have already mentioned Garcia)

 Hound

» 24 Oct 2024 12:50



Recently, from comments made, it seems that pundits and other neutrals regard some of our players a bit more highly than you do. Quite a few players rated as being worthy of playing at a higher level than League 1 (MBengue and WIng being just two examples). That immediately makes them crown jewels in the eyes of an owner desperate to cash in and reduce exposure to running costs as much as he can,

Then, from the supporters' point of view, the fact that we are unable to add anyone to our squad, even as replacements, pretty much makes everyone in our squad invaluable to us!

Agreed on the last bit but Mbengue capable of playing at a higher level?
Far too erratic IMHO to do that but his keenness is a great asset to our team.

Wing higher level ?
Yes, but who else? (have already mentioned Garcia)

Mbengue already did alright in the champ for us so sure teams would be interested. Higher ceiling than McIntyre and Holmes I’d think

Savage would prob interest a few and has already I think

 Mid Sussex Royal

» 24 Oct 2024 13:03

Unless the takeover concludes by the end of the year then the main worry is, like last season, the Jan window....in fact its potentially worse this season due to reduced squad size.

We cannot, I assume, extend the likes of Bindon's contract so we can expect low ball offers again from anyone from lower championship to L1 top end for those players OOC next summer.

It would, though, be good to understand to what extent the proposed new owners have agreed to fund the club when the money runs out in November....I've not heard of anything yet around any charges being registered over club shares/assets etc.

 Snowflake Royal

» 24 Oct 2024 19:47



Agreed on the last bit but Mbengue capable of playing at a higher level?
Far too erratic IMHO to do that but his keenness is a great asset to our team.

Wing higher level ?
Yes, but who else? (have already mentioned Garcia)

Mbengue already did alright in the champ for us so sure teams would be interested. Higher ceiling than McIntyre and Holmes I’d think

Savage would prob interest a few and has already I think
Savage and Mbengue (right now) I think are players a lot of Champ teams will be monitoring, but probably more for when their contract is running down for a cheap low risk signing.

What we're looking for is people who will command £500k+ preferably 7 figures.

Maybe I'm underestimating them. But I don't think so.


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