Vital Verdict – Reading v AFCB

Written by kirsikka

The first 15 they looked well up for it and we looked repeatedly sloppy on the ball. If we come up against a team that can keep that kind of pressure up for a longer spell it could be a challenge. When we finally got hold of the ball and settled into some possession we looked the better team for the remainder of the game.

Just as I was thinking Jaidon Anthony hasn’t looked that dangerous of late, he plays a beautiful reverse ball which could have resulted in a goal if Philip Billing had shot. Also, a good corner for the first goal. So ignore whatever was going through my mind there.

A strange game in all. Little in the way of home atmosphere to get their team going, the only noise being when we got a free kick or an offside decision. Looking at some of their fouls for which they didn’t get bookings, I’m not sure they should be annoyed at the ref.

I’m a little concerned the niggles are mounting up. Billing looked out on his feet at the end, Jordan Zemura and Ryan Christie were both victims of very bad fouls, the former ultimately subbed, and Gary Cahill and Lloyd Kelly both looked to be limping at times. Two more games to get through then there’s another break for some of them.

Positive performances: Christie is two players in one, a creative wide player and a battling wide player. Great stuff. Mark Travers for a good save in the one moment he was called up. I guess Cahill for organising the defence but I thought they all deserved credit.

Room for improvement: That first 15 minutes again. Several players were sloppy on the ball then, Jefferson Lerma in particular although he turned it around after that spell.

Three points are always great but there’s an extra frisson of pleasure when they’re picked up against the ‘We’ll never play you again’ biscuitmen.

I don’t like late matches on a Saturday but I have to admit the table is one of the prettiest sights I’ve gone to bed seeing on this night of the week. Let’s keep it going!

Your say…

AFCBade wrote…

Thought this would be the hardest game in October (they did beat Fulham after all) and so it proved.

Reading had some decent chances so keeping the clean sheet run going may have been a bit fortunate but credit to Travers for that fine save (to deny that seemingly inevitable Dann goal) and the desire of defenders to get bodies in the way.

However, afcb are starting to control games so much better unlike in September with games vs QPR and Luton where we went off the boil.

This is a staggering run and reassuring to have depth on the bench to bring on fresh legs. May need them mid-week.

AFCB_Liam added…

Thoughts on tonight’s game:
– 8 pm kick-off on a Saturday night is odd, it tests the drinking stamina if nothing else
– We didn’t play well but looked solid at the back and it felt like we never got out of 3rd gear. We have enough class to win games like this with enough resilience to see them through
– Amazing atmosphere in the away end and in the concourse. Possibly linked to the first point…
– Such a strange set-up in the stadium to have the ‘hardcore’ Reading fans right next to us behind the same goal and then a smattering of fans in the rest of the ground
– Reading really is a hole
– Great to see Parker and the team properly acknowledge the away support at the end
– Cahill is immense. He’s all of a sudden become the most important player in our team.
– Travers looking stronger with each game. Did everything he had to do very well tonight
– Not sure what was happening in the Reading section towards the end but looked like they were scrapping with their own stewards??
– Christie – what else is there to say?! an absolute steal – Join the conversation, click here.