Reading Aim To Continue Climb
Added by HNA? on 02/12/11
Reading will be aiming to continue their climb up the Championship table after a run of three wins from four games has taken them from 16th to 9th. The Royals travel to Blackpool on Saturday looking for another win against a side immediately above them in the table on the same number of points. Reading continue to be a late scoring team despite Church scoring a rare first half goal on Tuesday night to set-up a 3-2 home victory against Peterborough. The other two goals came inside the last 12 minutes. Last weekend Reading secured another three points with a 3-2 win and scored the equaliser and the winner with 90 minutes on the clock to overcome Ipswich Town.

Reading Extend Unbeaten Run
Added by HNA? on 20/10/11
Following a run of five straight defeats, the Royals have turned their fortunes around with a six game unbeaten run in the Championship. Reading have moved up to 14th in the league table after a run that has included three league wins and three draws. After an injury time winner from Karacan at Burnley at the weekend, to earn a deserved victory, Reading followed it up by coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 at home to Derby County. Le Fondre scored twice in a performance that should have been good enough to pick up all three points. Top of the table Southampton visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday as Reading look to notch up another game to add to the unbeaten tally.

Royals Suffer Fourth Straight Defeat
Added by HNA? on 30/08/11
Reading slumped to a fourth straight defeat this weekend, going down to a single second half goal at Hull City. The run of four defeats, all by a single goal, includes three league fixtures and sees the Royals drop to 20th in the table and also make an exit from the League Cup. Reading are now without a game for two weeks, due to the international break, and return to action hoping to reverse the current poor run of form at home against Watford on 10th September.

Season Kicks Off With Draw
Added by HNA? on 09/08/11
Reading started their 2011/2012 Championship campaign with an entertaining 2-2 home draw against Millwall at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals had to come from two goals down to secure a late point thanks to substitute Manset who scored two goals in the last four minutes. Manset's first was a long range effort and the second a headed goal from a Jimmy Kebe cross. After a goalless first half the visitors looked to be taking the points after goals from ex-Royal Henderson just after the break and Marquis just after the hour mark.

Shane Long Wins Double
Added by HNA? on 21/07/11
For the first time ever in 13 years of on-line voting, there is a double winner in the Hob Nob Anyone? End of Season awards. Shane Long picks up both titles - for player of the season and for most improved player - showing just what an amazing season the player has had. Long was a massive way ahead of the field for player of the season, but had competition for most improved player with Shaun Cummings and Jem Karacan not far behind. This time last year Reading fans were confidently predicting a play-off finish for the Royals in this vote - and they were spot on as Reading finished 5th in the table. This time around fans are expecting a mid-table finish for 2011/2012. Lets hope we're wrong and the season can provide a bit more than that.
Votes were collected between during June and July 2011.

New Season Fixtures Released
Added by HNA? on 17/06/11
The fixtures for the new 2011/2012 Championship Season were released this morning and schedule Reading to kick-off their season with a home game against Millwall on Saturday 6 August. That game is followed up a week later with a trip to Leicester City. The traditional boxing day fixture is another home game, with Brighton the visitors to the Madejski Stadium. Reading have a tough end to the season with away trips to West Ham United, Brighton, Southampton, and Birmingham on the final day of the season. Mixed in with those games are home fixtures against Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Last Chance To Win Tickets
Added by HNA? on 26/05/11
The Hob Nob Anyone? / Coral.co.uk competition to win tickets to the play-off final at Wembley closes tomorrow at 5pm - so if you're yet to enter then please see details below. The figures we've been given indicate there haven't been many entries so far, so if you enter now you've actually got a reasonable chance of winning the tickets. To enter you can either send a text message or sign up to Coral.co.uk using the competition tracked link below:

Royals Through To Play-Off Final
Added by HNA? on 18/05/11
Who would have expected that? We might have hoped for a victory but after a tense first half with Reading going two goals up, possibly against the run of play, the Royals ended up cruising to a straight forward big win in the second half. This was a very special night, and an excellent all round team performance. Reading can be very, very proud of their work and are perfectly set-up for a big day out at Wembley on 30th May. This is a magical end to the season that promised so little at the start of the year. Reading are now just one game from the Premiership and look very capable of completing the task. The final against Swansea is going to be quite some game.

This was quite some game too. The 0-0 draw at the Madejski Stadium in the first leg of this fixture appeared to set Cardiff City up as favourites to progress to Wembley. For the opening 25 minutes of the second legthat seemed to be the most likely outcome - Reading had to defend hard as Cardiff enjoyed dominance in possession. It all changed on 28 minutes when the Cardiff City goalkeeper charged out of his area, thumped the ball against Shane Long and then saw Long superbly lob the ball high in the air and dip it perfectly under the crossbar and into the back of the net. Cardiff struggled to convert possession into chances are were limited to a couple of headers that found Federici in the right place at the right time to catch. Long's second goal, just before the half time break was crucial and effectively finished the home side. Mills was held back in the area and a penalty was rightly awarded. Long was cool once more, this time strolling up to the penalty spot, sending the keeper the wrong way and putting the ball into the right side of the net. So, two goals up at half time and there was to be no way back for Cardiff.

The second half was entirely different as Reading comfortably held their lead and looked to extend it. Possession stats reversed with Reading confident on the ball and Cardiff were clearly short on ideas. To Reading's massive credit they continued to attack and press for a third to kill the game. It might have came when Shane Long crossed and Hunt sent the ball against the post, but it did come with six minutes left to play when McAnuff, who had been overshadowed by suprise selection Cummings excellent performance on the other wing, scored a superb individual goal. McAnuff twisted between a couple of players, took the ball to the edge of the box and then finished with style to seal the 3-0 victory.

Wembleeerrrllly!
Added by HNA? on 17/05/11

Rumour Rating: Definite

All Square After First Leg
Added by HNA? on 16/05/11
Cardiff City have the advantage, according to the bookmakers at least, after securing a 0-0 draw at the Madejski Stadium in the first leg of the play-off semi-final. The result appeared much better for the visitors, who were clearly happy to settle for a draw as the game progressed on Friday night. The result means the first leg is effectively irrelevant as the Royals face a one-off game in Cardiff as they attempt to win through to a possible play-off final at Wembley for a place in the Premiership. Obviously Reading would have looked for a win in their home game, but the result was far from a disaster, and Reading have their excellent away form in cup competitions to reflect on ahead of a tough return leg. The draw was probably a fair reflection of the game on Friday, but Reading were the more adventurous, particually in a second half where Cardiff shut up shop and were keen to play out time. The Royals struggled to create many openings in a game of few chances and a lively first half turned in a disappointing disjointed second half showing, although there was certainly no lack of effort from Reading. There were plenty of positive signs and Reading shouldn't have anything to fear in Cardiff, in what should be a very different game, with both sides knowing that only a win will do this time round. We're due some luck in the play-offs, maybe this could finally be our year?

Second Place Slips Away
Added by HNA? on 26/04/11
Reading lost the opportunity to keep alive the possibility of automatic promotion to the Premiership after taking just a point from two fixtures over the Easter weekend. Although the play-offs are still not a mathematical certainty, it now seems the most likely outcome to the campaign. A quick glance at the table suggests a probable outcome will see Reading face Swansea City over two legs. Swansea have already beaten Reading twice this season in the league with two single goal victories. Reading's stunning run of eight consecutive victories, which made the season suddenly come alive, ground to a halt with a 0-0 draw at Leeds. This was followed on Monday by a shock 2-3 home defeat against relegation candidates Sheffield United. Reading started very well to take a two goal lead thanks for Hunt and Robson-Kanu, only to collapse after the visitors pulled a goal back. United pulled level before the break and then took the lead after half time and coasted to victory with Reading looking short on ideas.

Promotion Push Continues
Added by HNA? on 11/04/11
Reading's promotion push received another massive boast this weekend as the Royals won in dramatic style over play-off rivals Nottingham Forest. The result saw Reading climb to fifth place in the table and increase their cushion inside the play-offs to six points and better goal difference. Appearing in the play-offs is starting to seem a likely outcome to the season for the first time, but Norwich City remain in sight. It may be unlikely, but the manager is quite rightly refusing to rule out automatic promotion - after this weekend Reading are just six points outside the top two. In an action packed fixture in Nottingham, Reading were 4-3 winners with a stoppage time winner from Simon Church. After taking the lead through a Harte free-kick Reading found themselves 1-2 down in the second half before goals from Karacan and Kebe restored the lead. Forest looked to have snatched a draw with their second penalty kick with two minutes to play before Church made it 4-3. Shane Long had a chance to increase Reading's lead further but saw his spot kick saved.

Fifth Straight League Win
Added by HNA? on 06/04/11
Reading consolidated sixth position in the Championship table with a fifth straight league victory against Preston North End at the Madejski Stadium. After a successful weekend that saw Reading climb into 6th place, this was Reading's game in hand that saw them gain three points over all their play-off rivals. The game was nothing spectacular and it was only in the last quarter of the game that Reading came to life as they chased the win. Kebe put Reading ahead in the first half making the most of a deflection, but the visitors drew level in the second half when the ball bounced back and went in off the back of McCarthy in the Reading goal. With time running short Reading increased the pressure and had a number of chances to score before Robson-Kanu's effort secured the full three points.

Royals Back In Play Off Position
Added by HNA? on 05/04/11
Reading find themselves back in the top six for the first time since December 2010, after securing another win to make it four consecutive Championship victories. Reading's late season surge has seen them rise from 12th position in February to a play-off position as the season reaches its final stages. The Royals were 2-0 winners over Portsmouth on Saturday with two more goals from in-form Shane Long. His first was an excellent strike from outside the box, and the second was from the penalty spot as the visitors were reduced to ten men. Returning Dave Kitson had opportunities to put Portsmouth back in the game but Reading played out time to move up the table. Preston North End visit the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night as Reading have an opportunity to move further ahead of Nottingham Forest and cement sixth place.

Royals Bounce Back With Big Win
Added by HNA? on 27/10/10
Reading made up for two straight 0-1 defeats in the Championship with a solid 4-0 away victory at Burnley. The Royals were already two goals up after a penalty from Long and a strike from McAnuff when the home side were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half. Antonio and Church scored late goals to seal an emphatic victory. Reading climbed to 8th place in the table.

Happy Return For Rodgers
Added by HNA? on 18/10/10
Brendan Rodgers made a happy return to the Madejski Stadium as his Swansea City side scored the only goal of the game to earn three points and jump above Reading in the Championship table.

Rasiak Hits Extra Late Winner
Added by HNA? on 12/08/10
Reading recorded their first win of the new season with a dramatic late extra time winner at Torquay United in the first round of the league cup. After ninety minutes without a goal, extra time looked to be heading the same way until Rasiak fired home the winner from a Howard free-kick after the 120 minutes were up. It had been a game that either side might have won and the Royals will be pleased to both claim a clean sheet and become the first side to score in 900 minutes at Torquay. The Royals will face Northampton in the second round of the cup at the Madejski Stadium. The win was much needed after a disappointing start to the season as Reading went down 1-2 against Scunthorpe United on Saturday in the first league fixture of the season.

End Of Season Voting Results
Added by HNA? on 25/06/10
A fascinating season of two halves has produced the clearest cut results ever in the Hob Nob Anyone? end of season voting for the 2009/2010 season. Before the season kicked off Reading fans were predicting a mid-table season and they were to be proved correct. However no one predicted a season where Reading looked set for relegation under Brendan Rodgers only to rediscover form under Brian McDermott and finish not far short of the play-offs. Congratulations to Gylfi Sigurdsson who has been voted Hob Nob Anyone? player of the season for 2009/2010. Sigurdsson's excellent play making and great run of goals from midfield stood him out as Reading's best player during the season. Gylfi was a clear winner with 64% of the vote, with Ryan Bertrand winning runner up after a very impressive season. Sigurdsson was a clear fans favourite this year and also took a reasonable share of the vote in the Most Improved Player category to finish second to eventual winner Jimmy Kebe. Kebe thoroughly deserved the votes, and won by a long distance, after suffering under Rodgers in the early part of the season before discovering stunning form that made him Reading's most exciting player to watch. Votes were well shared in the Worst Performance category, but in the Best Performance there could only be one winner. Reading's stunning FA Cup victory at Anfield was the highlight of the season after the Royals came from a goal behind in the FA Cup Third Round replay to win in extra time - thanks to a last minute penalty from Sigurdsson right at the end of normal time before Long headed home in extra time. That was a game that will live very long in the memory. Looking to next season and Reading fans seem confident of a play-off place at the end of the season.

New Season Fixtures Released
Added by HNA? on 17/06/10
The fixtures for the new 2010/2011 season have been released this morning and are available in full using the link below. The fixtures see Reading both start and finish the season at the Madejski Stadium, with Scunthorpe United kicking off the season at Reading on Saturday 7 August 2010. The Royals wrap up the season at home against Derby County on Sunday 8 May 2011. The traditional festive Boxing Day fixture has also been kind to Reading with a home tie against Bristol City. Reading's first away fixture is a local trip to relegated Portsmouth.

End Of Season Awards
Added by HNA? on 18/05/10
Reading's amazing season of two halves is already long finished after the Royals completed a stunning 2010 with a ninth place finish in the Championship. 2009 was a season of doom and gloom, and in January the Royals were languishing two places off the foot of the table and relegation looked more likely than not. Brendan Rodgers was shown the door and in came Brian McDermott to save Reading's season. A memorable FA Cup run followed and a steady climb up the league. Cast your votes on Reading's 2009/2010 campaign now.

Royals Retain Mid Table Position
Added by HNA? on 06/04/10
Reading's Easter weekend returned three points to maintain a very respectable mid table position. Defeat at Ipswich, thanks to the controversial first half dismissal of Matt Mills, was followed by a comfortable home win against Coventry as Reading's season continues to finish strongly. The result at Ipswich on Saturday might have been different if Reading hadn't been forced to play 60 minutes with ten players. The club are appealing against the harsh sending off, which McDermott branded a 50/50 challenge. The Royals went two goals down before half time but battled hard to force a tight finish after Sigurdsson pulled one back right at the end. It was back to winning ways on Monday as Reading outclassed Coventry City at the Madejski Stadium. The game was won at half time as Reading took a three goal lead in at the break. It could have been more as the Royals dominated the first half with goals from Rasiak, Church from the penalty spot, and Jimmy Kebe.

Royals Look To Extend Run
Added by HNA? on 23/03/10
Reading travel to Leicester City tomorrow night looking to extend an impressive run of form that has seen them rise from 23rd to 13th in the Championship table under the command of Brian McDermott. The Royals are on a run that has seen 8 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat from the last ten games, making them the in-form team in the Championship. Relegation fears have disappeared at last as Reading look to consolidate their healthy midtable position following a good point at Middlesbrough on Saturday. After a goalless first half Reading went behind just after the break but hit back when Jimmy Kebe did all the hard work and saw his cross turned in for an own goal. It was the least that Reading deserved after they edged the fixture against a side that had hopes of reaching the play-offs. Reading are just two points behind Middlesbrough with two games in hand. After four straight home league wins (Sheffield Wednesday 5-0, Derby County 4-1, Bristol City 2-0, and QPR 1-0) Reading have completed one tough away fixture but the visit to Leicester should be harder again. City seem play-off certainties and are on an excellent run themselves with just one defeat in their last twelve league games. Reading could be without Ivar Ingimarsson who picked up a hamstring injury on Saturday and is doubtful for Wednesday night's game.

Royals Climb The Table
Added by HNA? on 11/03/10
Reading made it six wins from seven league games to rise to a season high of 17th position in the Championship table, with an easy 4-1 victory over Derby County. The game was over at half time after the visitors were reduced to ten men when their substitute keeper was sent off for taking down Tabb in the area. With Reading already 2-1 up Shane Long blasted the ball high over the crossbar from the spot with replacement keeper Robbie Savage to beat. The second half saw Reading add two more goals but it really should have been more against a Derby side that could do nothing but try and limit the damage. The first half had been much more entertaining with Reading playing some excellent football to move ahead when Kebe and Long combined to see Long finish with style. Derby pulled level against the run of play before Kebe found the back of the net to restore the lead. Reading should have had more to put the game well beyond Derby before the sending off changed the pattern of the game. Bertrand finished well to make it 3-1 before Church scrambled a fourth home. This was an impressive scoreline that see's Reading pull further clear of the relegation places, but there was a feeling that we could have done more after a sensible second half performance playing out time.

Harsh Exit After Long Double
Added by HNA? on 08/03/10
It was a classic game of two halves as Reading's FA Cup run finally came to an end against Aston Villa. Reading dominated the first half to take a deserved two goal lead in at the break. All the hard work was for nothing in the second half as Villa hit back in stunning fashion, scoring three goals in ten minutes immediately after the break. Reading threatened to pull level with Villa clearing off the line but instead Villa added a fourth right at the end of the game from the penalty spot. It was another day for what might have been as Reading worked so hard and looked so comfortable at two goals up. Long, back from suspension, was superb. He put Reading ahead with a header from a corner on 27 minutes and then had Kebe to thank for an excellent run and impressive cut back to provide him with a straight forward second. We knew Villa would come out a different side in the second half but we didn't know how different. Bertrand failed to clear on 47 minutes and Villa took full advantage to pull one back. Then Villa swarmed forward and Reading were powerless to prevent two more goals. Eventually the game calmed down and Reading had a couple of opportunities to bring it back level - but those chances came and went and it was clear there was no way back. This was an excellent performance from Reading - another to be proud off - let's hope the league form continues.

Win FA Cup Tickets
Added by HNA? on 02/03/10
Thanks to those kind folk at E.ON we have a pair of tickets for Reading's quarter final match against Aston Villa to give away in a Hob Nob Anyone? competition. The Royals take on Villa this Sunday in the E.ON sponsored FA Cup. To be in with a chance of winning you need to send in the correct answer by e-mail, using the link below, by 10am on Wednesday 3rd March. You must send us your full name and postal address so we can post the tickets to the winner. No names and addresses are retained - only the winners details will be passed to E.ON's agency to get the tickets to you.
To enter the competition you need to correctly answer this question:
Who provided the cross to set-up Martin Butler for Reading's third goal during the 4-0 FA Cup first round victory against Grays Athletic in 2000?

Wednesday Thrashed
Added by HNA? on 01/03/10
Resurgent Reading's impressive recent record continued with a demolition of relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday at the Madejski Stadium. There was only one team ever likely to take victory as Reading hit five past a poor side to move four points clear of the relegation zone. The Royals have won six of their last eight games, moving from 23rd place to 18th place in the League and reaching the quarter finals of the FA Cup. Happy days! It was a question of how many we would win by after Kebe and Rasiak finally broke down the visitors' defence to put Reading 2-0 up at the break. Church scored the goal of the game with an excellent turn and a superb shot from the edge of the box to make it three. Rasiak scored his second before Kebe got his second - his fifth goal in five games - to make it 5-0.

Reading Reach Quarter Final
Added by HNA? on 25/02/10
Reading reached the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1927 after a dramatic extra time victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. Reading's third FA Cup victory of the season over higher ranked opposition set up a home tie against Aston Villa on Sunday 7 March. It was a night full of drama as Reading progressed thanks to a spectacular extra time winner from Sigurdsson after securing extra time deep in injury time thanks to a Howard goal at the death. The game got off to a lively start with both sides scoring in the opening ten minutes. The home side took the lead only to see Jimmy Kebe level the match three minutes later on nine minutes. After the break a terrible mistake from Reading goalkeeper Federici looked to be sending West Brom in the next round, only for Kebe to set up Howard on 92 minutes to keep Reading in the competition. Sigurdsson's long range effort was the goal of the game and sparked massive celebrations in the away end. Those celebrations continued at the final whistle but the home stewards did their best to sour the mood by holding the Reading players back. In the resulting confrontation McAnuff was shown the red card by the referee and some idiotic stewarding nearly caused the situtation to spiral out of control. It wasn't clear why McAnuff was shown red so there must be a chance to appeal. Meanwhile you would hope the FA get involved and some West Brom stewards are shown the door by their club. Reading's victory sees another set of fixture re-arrangements and the Royals now have a run of five straight home fixtures that will determine their season.

Royals Drop Back To Twentieth
Added by HNA? on 22/02/10
Reading dropped back down to twentieth in the Championship table as a winning run of four games came to a disappointing end at Blackpool this weekend. The Royals were well beaten in a poor performance quite unlike our form of late. The home side scored a goal in each half as Reading offered little resistance, and perhaps should have won by more as Reading rarely ventured forward.

Winning Run Continues
Added by HNA? on 19/02/10
Reading's fine form continued this week with another excellent win - taking the current run to four straight league wins. Brian McDermott's transformed team defeated relegation rivals Crystal Palace to jump to the heights of 18th in the table and move out of the bottom three convincingly. It's the first time since the start of December the Royals have enjoyed such a position in the table and convidence is clearly sky high. Palace had a bright enough start forcing a couple of saves from Federici but Reading soon looked the more comfortable side. The Royals were a goal up before the break thanks to Simon Church when the striker volleyed in after a cross from the right. After the break the Royals were two up when another cross from the right saw a calm finish from in-form Jimmy Kebe. Palace pulled one back before Reading sealed the victory with Church's second goal of the game with a close range finish.

Royals Make It Three Wins From Three
Added by HNA? on 10/02/10
Reading closed the gap at the edge of the relegation zone after securing a late winner from the penalty spot against relegation near-certainties Plymouth Argyle. The late victory made it three wins from three league games as Reading's impressive results under near manager Brian McDermott continue. Despite failing to get out of the bottom three, the Royals are now just two points away from 16th place in the table as the club continue to dramatically improve their chances of survival. This was far from the best performance under McDermott but the result was what mattered. The first half was nearly completely forgettable as Reading enjoyed by far the greater share of possession without managing to look dangerous. Ingimarsson failed to get a couple of efforts in front of goal on target and Church was also responsible for failing to take a good chance after taking too long on the ball. The visitors showing little quality and had to wait until seven minutes before half time before getting their first shot in. The second half was much improved as the tempo of the game increased and Federici, stood still under falling snow for the first half, was called into action to produce a couple of excellent stops. Plymouth looked to be taking control of the game until Long burst through and fired an unstoppable shot across goal and into the far corner to put Reading ahead. Reading really should have extended their lead to put the game beyond Plymouth but instead found the game level on with twenty minutes to play. It looked at though we would have to settle for a point until, inside stoppage time, substitute Robson-Kanu burst through and into the area before going down under a challenge. Man of the match Shane Long was quick to grab the ball and slam it into the back of the net to earn the three points.

McDermott Gets League Win
Added by HNA? on 01/02/10
New Reading manager Brian McDermott, finally appointed from his caretaker role during the week, clocked up his first league victory as Reading defeated Barnsley by a single goal this weekend. Home wins remain a rare treat for Reading fans, although this game was more about the result than the entertainment. McDermott saw plenty to be happy about as his side looked a much better team than the visitors. He will also be pleased that we created plenty of chances - but he'll be disappointed that we only managed to find the back of the net once when Long scored from close range midway through the first half. We really should have put the game well beyond Barnsley long before the end, but the three points are vital and saw Reading climb one place to third from bottom.

Royals Fall Into Bottom Two
Added by HNA? on 27/01/10
Reading slipped into the bottom two in the Championship, after a 0-3 defeat at Sheffield United, as relegation begins to look a more likely bet than survival for perhaps the first time this season. Caretaker boss Brian McDermott still appears to be favourite to secure the position of Reading manager despite picking up just two points from five league fixtures. McDermott's cup heroics have done him plenty of favours and may swing Madejski's opinion but those impressive victories will mean nothing when we eventually exit the cup and are faced with a tough battle for survival. As McDermott stated after the game it was another tale of missed opportunities: "They took their chances and we didn't." Reading could have pulled the game level at 1-1 but failed from the penalty spot - and instead the home side extended their lead before the break to leave Reading defeated.

Burnley Defeated. West Brom Next.
Added by HNA? on 25/01/10
Reading claimed victory over another Premiership side to move into the last sixteen in the FA Cup. Burnley were dispatched at the Madejski Stadium thanks to a late strike from Sigurdsson with three minutes left to play. However it was a deserved victory that reflected Reading's superiority over the ninety minutes. The Royals had the better of the first half with the visitors rarely venturing outside of their own half. The second half gradually saw the game spring into life with both sides having chances to move ahead. Federici was in fine form and made a string of excellent saves but it was Reading that finished stronger. Reading had a clear penalty denied and it seemed to galvanise our efforts as we threw everything at Burnley. The eventual winner saw Griffin, who had an excellent performance, set up Sigurdsson who finished with style, placing his finish to put Reading through. High flying Championship side West Brom will be next to visit the Madejski Stadium in the Cup on the 13th February as Reading look to continue what is becoming a memorable FA Cup run.

McDermott Still Hunts League Win
Added by HNA? on 18/01/10
Brian McDermott is still without a league win in his current stint as Reading manager as Reading failed to take advantage of Forest playing the last twenty minutes with ten men. Former Reading player Nicky Shorey was sent off after conceeding a penalty mid-way through the second half after taking down Kebe in the area. Howard was responsible for failing to take advantage from the penalty spot after seeing his kick saved by the Forest keeper. The missed penalty was crucial as Reading finished the strongest side and Kebe's late goal from a Karacan cross served only as a consolation rather than earning some points. The home side, pushing for an automatic promotion spot, had dominated the first half and took a two goal lead into the break leaving Reading with a tough job to pull it round. After Shorey's dismisal the Royals carved out a couple of good efforts on goal only to see the Forest keeper in fine form to deny Church. We should have perhaps left with at least a point but instead defeat leaves Reading fourth from bottom of the Championship table - and four points behind Scunthorpe who lie twentieth in the table. McDermott helped the Royals perform a miracle in the FA Cup and he will probably be glad to return to FA Cup action this Saturday with a record of just two points from his four league games in charge.

Liverpool Defeated. Joy For McDermott.
Added by HNA? on 13/01/10
What a night. What a result. An excellent away performance at Anfield resulted in a thoroughly deserved victory in the FA Cup Third Round replay. This was Reading's first win at Anfield and caretaker manager's Brian McDermott's first win as Reading boss. And what a way to claim such a historic result. Despite creating the best chances of the match, the Royals found themselves a goal down in injury time at the end of the ninety minutes when Shane Long was taken down in the area. Sigurdsson stepped up, sent the goal keeper the wrong way and calmly put the ball low, out of reach and into the back of the net to force extra time. It was no more than we deserved. Instead of Liverpool battering us we played the better football in extra time. On 100 minutes Gunnarsson was nothing short of pure genius on the right wing, twisting past two players to deliver the perfect cross. Shane Long got his head on it to send it into the back of the net. 2-1 to the Royals - a deserved lead and pure joy. Liverpool did little to put pressure on Reading and the Royals stayed ahead with near ease to complete an amazing night in Liverpool. Reading face Premiership Burnley at home in the fourth round of the competition.

Newcastle Game Off
Added by HNA? on 07/01/10
This weekend's fixture against Newcastle United at the Madejski Stadium has been called off due to this week's heavy snowfall. The pitch looks very playable but the snow in the area surrounding the stadium and the condition of local roads would have caused problems for supporters attending the game. A new date for the game has yet to be revealed. Meanwhile next week's FA Cup replay at Liverpool on the 13th January, assuming it goes ahead with more poor weather expected, will again be screened live on ITV1.
Rumour Rating: Definite