Feders to the rescue in Boro stalemate

A string of fine saves from Adam Federici meant that Reading won a valuable point against promotion-chasing Middlesborough, in a cagey stalemate at the Madejski Stadium.

Steve Clarke made two changes from the team that won in the cup at Huddersfield last week, with Federici coming in, as well as Pogrebnyak for his first start since August. Skipper Jem Karacan was also named on the bench, hoping to make his first appearance in sixteen months.

The Royals started the game well with a good tempo, but soon faded, as Reach had a golden opportunity to open the scoring – a superb cross from Adomah wasn’t converted at the back post. Federici then had to be on hand to deny Bamford’s goal-bound effort, the first of many!

Boro did improve, as we were looking sluggish and uninspiring, which Clarke realised and witnessed an improved second half showing. Pog had our first effort of the game, as Obita’s superb delivery from the left was perfect for the big Russian, but failed to get his effort on target.

Robson-Kanu nearly found an opening after a smart pass from Cox, but a mix of Friend and Konstantopoulos thwarted HRK. Set pieces looked the only likely break through for either team, as both sides struggled to deal with them, as Hector could have converted at the back post.

From there on in, it was the Adam Federici show, as the Aussie pulled off some superb saves. The best of them came from tipping Bamford’s firm strike from the edge of the area onto the bar, before from the resulting corner, pushing a goalbound header away from danger.

The biggest noise of the afternoon came on 87 minutes, as captain Jem Karacan made his long awaited return from injury, coming on for Mackie. This was the loudest it got at the Mad Stad, as we saw the game out for a point, which on balance, we should be very happy with!

You can’t criticise a point and clean sheet against a team like Boro, who will be up there at the end of the season. We are not playing great football, but Clarke is right in getting back to basics – one goal conceded in three games is a clear sign of progress under him.

Reading – 4-2-3-1: Federici; Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita; Norwood, Williams; Mackie, Cox, Robson-Kanu; Pogrebnyak.
Subs: Andersen, Cooper, Kelly, Karacan, Guthrie, Taylor, Blackman.

Middlesbrough – 4-4-2: Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Adomah, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Reach; Vossen, Bamford.
Subs: Mejias, Husband, Wildschut, Omeruo, Veljkovic, Tomlin, Kike.