Ugh, yet again another loss under the lights of the MKM Stadium and I have to say this was a tough one to take. It was Liam Rosenior’s home debut and after a great win against Cardiff we looked like we were finally getting somewhere. We had a match attendance of 15,997, and this crowd were desperately hoping for another three points just before the World Cup break.
The squad was, yet again, unchanged and after watching that game clearly we need some pace in attack as these attackers cannot run to the ball effectively. After the World Cup we will have all of our players back and that is when we will start getting wins and push our way up the table. This squad is good; however, a few changes, in all areas, need to be made.
In the first period we looked very sharp and it was only in the 9th minute where Greaves netted his second goal of the season and it came from another set piece. Seri whipped the ball into the box and it found Greave’s head making the score 1-0 to us. For the next 20 minutes, we were in control of the game and another great opportunity was given to us, when Reading’s goalkeeper and defender had a miscommunication leaving the ball free with an open net but unfortunately we were unable to make the net ripple. This chance came to haunt us, as in the 32nd minute Reading scored to make it 1-1. I do not know why we can never keep a lead for long, it is so frustrating to watch as we know we will concede eventually. I do not like thinking that way but it is just what we have been doing in every game this season. For the last 13 minutes, we had a couple of chances, nothing special, and we failed to get another goal.
It was 1-1 at halftime. There were some positives to take away from this half as we seemed to be creating chances well and we were successful at keeping the ball and passing it around the field; however, we did too much passing at times instead of getting the ball into the box. If we did this more, then we will probably start scoring more goals as we are in a better position to stick the ball into the back of the net. Waiting for both teams to come onto the pitch, I thought that we should have made at least one substitute to bring a bit more energy to the team but we did not and both sides came back onto the pitch unchanged.
In the second period, I thought that it did not go that badly - until the last minute. The crowd went very quiet though and I could feel the tension run around the stadium as both sets of supporters knew how vital the next goal was. The problem with us in this half was that we looked like we were scared to drive up the pitch as, instead, whenever a player had the ball they just passed it back to the defence or the goalkeeper. I see why they do this though as sometimes we have nobody to pass to or we are just running into trouble; however, this could be solved if more players made runs and found space to try and help out. When Sinik was brought on he was very good at making runs and making the right passes. I think that we would have struggled if he had not been brought on - he was very good at getting the ball into the box as well. For me he was my man of the match, despite not being on for the full ninety minutes. Defence was a little stronger as well and Greaves is developing into a very good player as not only did he score, he was always making challenges, winning the ball and always getting back to help prevent us conceding. Without him, we would struggle in defence. We did not have any big chances in this half and it was kind of back and forth with Reading having a few chances of their own. We dominated in possession, like all home games, but we failed to score. It got to the 90th minute and the 4th official indicated that there was going to be four minutes of added time, now this is when I thought that it was going to end 1-1; however, I was so wrong as in the last minute of added time Reading were awarded a free kick. Save this or defend this and we would have taken the point but Reading had other ideas as the ball was delivered. Unfortunately, Andy Carroll headed it towards the goal but he was not the one who scored it as our player, Ryan Longman, accidentally finished it off for him. Was it going wide? Would Baxter have made the save? Whatever it was, Reading got lucky and the away end erupted when that net bulged. They all ran towards the players and most of them fell over the barrier. It was total chaos and the stewards finally got them into their seats and this is when my brother and I walked out of the stadium as we knew as soon as play started again the referee would have blown his whistle - which he did.
In the end, it was pure luck that sealed Reading the victory and we could not have done anything about it. We did well throughout the game and I thought some of the football we played was immaculate. I can definitely see a difference in the team since Rosenior took over, and hopefully he can develop a team that can win consistently week after week. It is now the World Cup break and Rosenior has some time to work on his team, we have some players back from injury as well so I am looking forward to seeing them in the squad. After the break, we have Watford away and hopefully we can get those three points.
Another well written blog Jack, I do feel your disappointment 😞