The latest addition of the Vital Reading blog.
I came away from the Madejski Stadium on Saturday evening having really enjoyed the game against Norwich. It was a game that had everything and once again showed the best and worst of Reading FC in one match, as has happened already on a number of occasions this season.
Best to start at the beginning and the way he defended in the first half was shocking. Whilst not one of the goals was down to just one individual, more a series of errors, the man who was most at fault on the day was Ian Harte. We have a real problem defending down that side at the moment and the former Leed’s man was caught well out of position for the first goal. Noel Hunt was also at fault for not tracking his man but what the hell was Zurab doing!? The second goal was not much better, Harte again out of position, Mills covering him and managing to put it on a plate for Grant Holt. I don’t know how he missed him, he was one of the most noticable players on the pitch with his big tash (all for a good cause I must add!).
As always happens, Harte popped up at the other end and grabbed a goal and that gave us a chance in the game. However we showed how not to defend a free kick for the third Norwich goal, Brian Howard step forward, and then the sending off which was an awful decision but on that finally went for us!
The fight back in the second half showed what we are all about and great to see Hunt on the scoresheet again. He is playing really well at the moment and long may in continue.
A trip to Watford this Saturday, always a tough place to go but a game we should be confident of getting a result from. The Hornets are on a downward spiral at the moment and its the kind of away trip that we need to pick up points from.
Jimmy Kebe should be back and I would like to see him back in the starting 11 if he is fit enough. That would mean Simon Church dropping out, which would be unlucky for him, but with Kebe back in the side I feel that would make us look more solid defensively and give us a sharper look going forward also. Noel Hunt in the hole supporting Shane Long, and Jobi McAnuff back on the left to offer more support to Harte.
Should be an entertaining game, I look forward to it!
