Reading Football Club News: February 2014
Royals Ineffective Against Blackburn
22 February 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading's inconsistent season continued this weekend with a second straight home defeat. Once again the Royals failed to score at home for the second fixture - despite hitting twelve goals in the two home games before that. This time around Reading were beaten by a first half goal from visitors Blackburn, that was helped in by Jobi McAnuff, in a poor quality game. Reading did have chances to pull level, including a penalty appeal, but were ineffective with constant long balls and looked less likely to earn any points as the game limped to its conclusion. Despite this latest defeat Reading remain in sixth place.
- Reading 0 Blackburn Rovers 1 - Report and Opinion
Gorkss Is Next To Get Red Overturned
19 February 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading made it two in a row, on successful red card appeals, as Kaspars Gorkss escaped a four match ban when his red card was overturned. Gorkss was shown a straight red card on Sunday when the Royals were already 3-1 up against QPR. His dismissal with 20 minutes to go left Reading with a challenge to hang on, but didn't alter the result or the score on this occasion.
It was a different story the week before when Alex Pearce was sent off with just 8 minutes gone. Sheffield Wednesday immediately scored from the resulting penalty kick and had virtually the entire game with a numerical advantage, allowing them to score a second and take the three points away from the Madejski Stadium. Pearce's red card was also successfully overturned on appeal, allowing him to play against QPR and score a vital goal in a big win. Gorkss was set to miss matches against Blackburn, Yeovil, Brighton and Leeds.
Reading Win At QPR
16 February 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading pulled off a great win at automatic promotion chasing side QPR this weekend. The home side, third in the table, were firm favourites for victory but were well beaten by sixth placed Reading who were the better side. Even QPR boss Harry Redknapp was quick to acknowledge Reading's superiority: "I thought the best team won. Reading were bright, they had more energy than we did and I've got no complaints.". Reading remain in sixth spot but now have a four point cushion over seventh placed Brighton who have a game in hand. This was Reading's fifth win in seven Championship fixtures.
Reading took the lead after just ten minutes when Danny Williams headed home. Former Reading player, and recent QPR signing, Kevin Doyle pulled QPR level ten minutes later when he knocked home a rebound that McCarthy couldn't hold. It was 1-1 at half time before the game was settled in a two minute spell eleven minutes into the second half. Firstly Alex Pearce scored with his head from Jobi McAnuff's corner and then McCleary scored the goal of the game with a great run before smashing the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 1-3 and settle the game.
After Alex Pearce's suspect red card the weekend before was successfully over-turned on appeal, the club are set to launch another appeal after Gorkss was harshly dismissed with 19 minutes left to play. Despite the numerical disadvantage the Royals comfortably hung on to secure the full three points.
Jason Roberts To Retire
14 February 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Although it won't come as a surprise to anyone, Reading striker Jason Roberts is set to retire from professional football due to his long term hip injury. Roberts had hoped to play a part this season after renewing his contract, but has seen his appearances restricted to media showings only, as he prepares for life after playing football. Roberts has been reported as being on the verge of making a return from injury several times, particularly at the start of this season, but hasn't managed to make the transition from light training to competitive action.
Roberts signed from Blackburn in January 2012 and played a key part in Reading's Championship winning side, making 25 league starts and scoring 6 league goals plus one in the League Cup. Roberts had a short but very memorable playing career for Reading FC during three incredible months at the end of the 2011/2012 season. Two days after signing Roberts made his debut in the home win against Bristol City on 28 January 2012. He scored the only goal of the game that day to kick start a run of eight straight league wins. Reading then went on to win 15 out of the next 17 games - a run that took them from play-off hopefuls to League Champions. The next season Reading got off to a bad start and Roberts made 12 appearances and only managed to take part in a single victory before his final appearance - a 0-1 away defeat at Southampton in the Premier League.
Pearce Available For QPR Match
14 February 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Defender Alex Pearce will be available for Sunday's visit to QPR in the Championship, after successfully appealing last weekend's red card. Pearce would have missed the game with an automatic ban but should now start as Reading look to bounce back from their 0-2 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
Sunday's game should be an interesting battle with both sides looking for promotion through different routes. QPR remain strong contenders for automatic promotion despite being third in the table after losing 0-1 at Derby County on Monday night. Meanwhile, Reading, nine points behind QPR and Burnley in second place, are clinging on to the final play-off position with 16 games of the season left to play.
Reading's form has recovered since the start of the new year with four wins out of the last six games and a couple of big home wins. But Reading are still struggling with consistency, failing to string together a run of three wins since last September. Should Reading lose at QPR it would be just the four wins in twelve games including the cup exit at Brighton - hardly the form of promotion candidates. QPR had won four consecutive league games before a 3-3 draw with Burnley and Monday's defeat.
The last three meetings between QPR and Reading have all been draws but the last 20 fixtures have seen 8 Reading wins and just 4 wins for Rangers.
Royals Win Pearce Appeal
11 February 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
All those who thought Alex Pearce's challenge against Sheffield Wednesday, that led to his dismissal, should never have been a red card were right. The club have successfully appealed against his sending off in the eighth minute in the Championship match last Saturday. It would have been Pearce's first straight red card, but the decision now means Pearce will no longer face a mandatory match ban and is back to having a clean record.
The red card was an early turning point in the game after Reading had created the best early chances and should have been ahead. Within ten minutes the Royals found themselves down to ten men and a goal down after Wednesday scored from the resulting penalty kick. Reading couldn't find a way back into the game and another second half goal from the visitors condemned Reading to a 0-2 home defeat. The referee's mistake almost certainly cost Reading what might be vital points as they cling on to a play-off position.