Scoring First Always Helps

No, certainly not what the doctor ordered, an unwanted reality check. Our start to the season, plus their well-documented problems, sent us into this one feeling confident of the outcome, while being painfully aware that nothing lasts forever and this is football. They may have had players out with injury and a thin squad, but they were in front of their own fans and no doubt had plans of their own. We didn’t need reminding that last season our 4-0 trouncing of them at The Valley in October was one of the highlights of a dreadful campaign while our 0-2 defeat at their place in February probably marked our low. In that game we were directionless, clueless, supine and anything else you care to mention; after it for the first time I thought we were in real danger of relegation, instead we went on a 14-game unbeaten run under Jones. Football.

Yesterday game was difficult and like those which have gone before finely balanced, probably decided by who scored first. You have to give Reading some credit for that, they were lively and inventive going forward, playing with a tempo and style that outside our box we found difficult to live with. But as we’re coming to appreciate we defended that box resolutely and efficiently. While we were outplayed in the first half we actually had the better chances and failed to deliver what would have been an excellent sucker punch. In the second half we were gaining in ascendency as we progressively wore them down and for a while looked the likely winners. Then they scored out of the blue, were nearly gifted a second by Mannion, were subsequently gifted a second, and it was game over. For me the game was similar to the one at Wigan, who troubled us with their formation and had a couple of good chances not taken. We got the breaks in that one, yesterday Reading got them. Fine margins.

The team was unchanged from the Bolton game. No real surprise, although I thought Jones might have decided to start with Godden instead of Campbell, to give a chance for an Ahadme-Godden partnership to work and to use Campbell as an impact sub against tiring defenders. Instead the only change was on the bench, with new signing Campbell given a spot and Watson left out of the squad. That meant effectively a switch back to just one defender in reserve (Edmonds-Green), two midfielders (Anderson and Campbell) and the retention of three forwards (Aneke, Godden and Kanu). I still don’t see the need for that and not having Watson (or Edun or Asiimwe) available seems to me rash. What would happen if Ramsay or Small got injured or ran out of puff? To be fair, after the game Jones confirmed that Watson has now been well and was unavailable.

No matter. It’s fair to say Reading through the first half were brighter and faster to the ball than us. It’s also fair to say that all they managed to deliver from 68% possession was a cross which flashed across our goal and a couple of shots wide of the mark. With the little possession we had we fashioned three openings. First, after just five minutes Ahadme did well and played Campbell in for a run on goal. Obviously you fancy him in a footrace with a central defender, but his first touch was poor, moving the ball towards that defender, who was then able to get in to avert the danger. Second, on 24 minutes a ball headed away from a set piece landed to Campbell on the edge of the area. He connected well with it on the half-volley but sent it wide. On both occasions he should have done better. Third, just before the break we had our clearest opening. Docherty did well down the right side and sent in a cross for Berry to run onto. He didn’t connect cleanly but the strike still required a save from their keeper. Ahadme couldn’t get to the rebound (I thought at the time he was fouled but would need to see a replay).

So at the break it was a case of we need to improve, perhaps Reading will wilt, and how will our subs alter the game. Anderson came on for Berry (who had picked up a yellow) to add energy to midfield, with Jones saying Berry had the same problem as Watson. And for a while we did get on top, making better use of possession and creating a chance or two. Docherty managed to control Coventry’s cross but the ball wouldn’t sit and he shot over the bar, then Campbell gave a decent imitation of Reading’s first-half low cross which evaded everybody.

Then, on 66 minutes, it all went pear-shaped. A couple of challenges in midfield went their way and Savage emerged with the ball and advanced towards goal. He wasn’t closed down fast, but the danger still appeared slim as he was a fair way out and we were regrouping. But he unleashed a powerful shot perfectly placed, going in off the post and beyond Mannion’s despairing dive. Against the run of play but that mattered little.

The goal triggered the normal introduction of Aneke and Godden for Ahadme and Campbell and Chuks set about doing what he does – although he can’t be blamed for one of their guys going over his shoulder and landing badly. Mannion then almost gave away a second, being dispossessed playing the ball on the edge of the area, only for Ramsay to come to his rescue with a goal-saving challenge. It was a brief reprieve to a couple of minutes later we did concede again, this time in controversial circumstances.

Coventry did well to win a corner and that saw the big guys move up from the back. The corner was punched away by their keeper for, what everyone assumed, was a Charlton throw. Gillesphey shaped up for a long one into the box and the central defenders stayed forward. Instead the ref gave the throw to Reading. As Gillesphey and others remonstrated – a fellow Addick was apoplectic over his behaviour – Reading took full advantage. Quick throw down the line, their winger took it on well and delivered a low cross into the right area. Their centre-forward timed his run, leaving last defender Coventry stranded, and scored from close distance. Who to blame? The ref for sure (I’ve not seen a replay but had no doubt at the time), Gillesphey too – although it’s doubtful that he or the other centre-backs would have been able to get back in time even if they had seen the danger and ran back. Others have to take a bite as this was a case of us being seriously stretched and calling for someone to take one for the team, either with a professional foul or by blocking or ensuring that they couldn’t take the throw quickly.

In any event that was pretty much that. We did force their keeper into a couple of smart saves before the end, Kanu did come off the bench, replacing Small (and resulting in heaven only knows what formation), but it was all to no great effect. Reading saw the game out comfortably and celebrated in a way that we would have done had it been us.

For sure there’s no need for despondency. Disappointed for sure, not least as with Huddersfield having lost, Stockport going behind, and Wrexham then not ahead for a few minutes a 0-0 we were top of the league. There are things that need to be worked on, including the set pieces and getting the best forward combination (Leaburn back training with the first time is great news but surely he will at least need time). Jones may have said we were “miles off” and he’s right to demand standards do not drop. But again I don’t think there was much difference from the Wigan game, the defence still looks very good and likely to provide a solid base week in, week out (at least ahead of injuries and suspensions).

If the Rotherham game is postponed it’s going to be a long wait for the trip to Shrewsbury, but there’s plenty to be working on, especially now that the transfer window has closed. Confirmation of Fraser moving on surprised nobody, but I’m still disappointed we didn’t get the best out of him consistently. We wait to see if Potts – or any other free agent – is added, and whether Taylor has a role to play and whether Campbell comes in. So once we’re over it we’ll start to focus on what is still a very good start to the season, just will take a day or two to adjust.