Reading Football Club News: August 2014
Resilient Royals Get Three Away Points
30 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough this weekend to secure their first away win in the league this season. With a huge injury list there weren't many that thought Reading would pick up anything other than a solid defeat, but Reading's young side put in an impressively resilient display away from home. Simon Cox scored the vital goal early on with a chip from distance on just seven minutes to put Reading ahead. It was to be the only goal of the game as Reading held out well to frustrate the home side.
Injury Hit Royals Head To Middlesbrough
29 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading head to Middlesbrough this weekend to resume Championship duty with a squad that is thinner than ever thanks to player departures and a huge injury list that just gets bigger and bigger. The Royals are already showing a huge deficit in numbers thanks to outgoing transfers. The completion of the McCarthy transfer to QPR for three million pounds is still waiting final confirmation but essentially he too is no longer a Royal. Meanwhile Reading could hardly be described as active on incoming transfers with a well publicised lack of money and a takeover from a Thai consortium that may take complete sometime this decade.
Having played the first part of the season missing key players things have got worse for Reading boss Nigel Adkins as last years player of the season Jordan Obita joined the ranks of the injured. Pavel Pogrebnyak is still ruled out with a calf injury and now Shaun Cummings is the latest crocked player getting injured midweek to leave Reading looking very bare down the left. Players who would definitely be playing if they weren't suffering from long term injuries include Danny Williams, Danny Guthrie and Jem Karacan. Anton Ferdinand still appears to be unable to play due to a long time out of the game. The lack of choice for Adkins does make you wonder exactly what Roysten Drenthe did to be cast aside, as he remains without a squad number despite still being contracted Reading Football Club.
Reading's visit to Middlesbrough will be the last game for a couple of weeks thanks to the International break - and there's no doubt that the break couldn't have come at a better time for Reading. The Royals are struggling in the league having lost the last two games, including last weekend's 0-4 thrashing at Nottingham Forest. Middlesbrough have two more points than Reading after winning twice but were beaten 2-3 at home by Sheffield Wednesday in their last league fixture. Reading's last trip to Middlesbrough resulted in the Royals getting stuffed 0-3 - a scoreline that many fans are predicting to happen once again.
Reading Get Derby In Round Three
28 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading have been drawn to play Championship side Derby County away in the third round of the League Cup. The game will take place on 23rd September. Reading reached the third round of the competition after a first round home win against Newport Country and this weeks 1-0 away win at Scunthorpe.
Derby were 2-0 winners at Carlisle in their first round game before defeating Charlton 1-0 at home to reach round three. The last time Reading faced Derby in the league cup was back in 1994 when they faced Derby over two legs - going out after a 3-1 home win was followed by a 0-2 defeat at Derby.
Through To Round Three With Scunthorpe Win
27 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading left it late to make their way into the third round of the League Cup thanks to a 1-0 away win at Scunthorpe.
The Royals scored with 85 minutes on the clock with Jake Taylor scoring his second goal of the season after just ten minutes on the pitch.
Taylor scored through a crowd of players to add to his Championship winner scored against Ipswich ten days ago. Although it was far from a comfortable win
it served as more useful match practice for Reading's inexperienced side, who face a huge job in front of them in the Championship.
With the injury list seeming to grow day by day and senior players still leaving the club, Reading, once again, had their academy players on show.
Jake Cooper and Craig Tanner both made their first starts for the senior team and nineteen year old Sean Long made his Reading debut - coming off the
bench at half time to replace Cummings. There was no sign of Alex McCarthy as he looks set to complete a transfer away before the transfer window completes on Monday.
Royals Look For Cup Win At Scunthorpe
26 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading return to League Cup action this evening hoping to put their 0-4 thrashing at Nottingham Forest last weekend behind them. The Royals, with an ever growing injury list, have been forced to put an increasing reliance on academy graduates playing their first games for the first team.
Although individually Reading were not humiliated, they were taught a lesson by the side heading up the Championship table. Traditionally Reading have fielded a young, perhaps weaker, side for League Cup games. This time around that team is our current first choice side - so expect few changes from the weekend with several key players still missing through injury and new signing Norwood cup-tied.
Scunthorpe United were 1-0 winners away at Blackburn in the first round, while Reading were 3-1 home winners over Newport. The League Cup win is Scunthorpe's only
win of the season so far and they have picked up just a single point from their four league fixtures. At home they've let in six goals in two games without scoring
themselves. The Royals might have gone down by four goals at the weekend but it could definately be argued their form is better as they look to move to round three.
However, Reading fans will remember the 0-6 defeat at Peterborough at this stage of the cup last season and a victory shouldn't be assumed.
It's the first time Reading and Scunthorpe have met in a cup fixture. In recent history Reading have drawn four out of the last six games against them. The last meeting was
in April 2011 when Reading were 2-0 away winners in the Championship thanks to goals from Long and Harte.
- Nottingham Forest 4 Reading 0 - Report and Opinion
- Reading -v- Scunthorpe - Recent Meetings
McCarthy Next Out Of The Door
21 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy looks set to be the next player to leave the club as the summer clear out of experienced players continues. The transfer window closes on Monday 1st September and it seems that Reading are not finished in the transfer market just yet. Unfortunately it still looks like players are set to leave despite Reading already relying on a very young squad of academy graduates.
Premier League QPR are rumoured to have offered a bid of three million pounds for McCarthy. If the bid is really that big then it would be very difficult for the club to turn down. McCarthy has become second choice goalkeeper this season behind Adam Federici and has less than a year to run on his contract. With McCarthy losing his starting place there's a strong possibility that a new contract would be difficult to negotiate and the Royals could face McCarthy leaving on a free transfer next summer. With McCarthy getting the chance to step up a division and Reading set to cash in, when money remains tight, it would seem a done deal if that size transfer fee is put forward. Of course it would be better if the club could negotiate a new contract and turn down multi-million pound offers for their prized assets but, with or without the pending takeover, the funds are just not there.
Meanwhile, the club are finally expected to confirm an incoming signing today. Huddersfield midfielder Oliver Norwood should complete his 1.2 million pound move. Norwood played in Huddersfield's first two games of the season and has failed to appear since due to negotiations on his move to Reading. He was watching his current club take on Reading on Tuesday night in the Madejski Stadium stands. He joined Huddersfield from Manchester United where he came through as a trainee but failed to make a first team appearance. He has made 90 appearances and scored 9 goals for the Terriers. He shouldn't increase the average age of the squad too much as he's just 23 years old.
Huddersfield Deliver First Defeat
20 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Huddersfield picked up their first points, and condemned Reading to their first defeat, of the new season. The visitors were 1-2 winners against a Reading side that took a long time to spring to life after defensive mistakes saw them go in 0-2 down at the break.
Reading had dominated possession in the first half but seriously lacked penetration. The visitors were happy to sit back and punish Reading's lack of experience. Despite hardly touching the ball their two goal half time cushion was enough for the win despite a much improved second half from Reading.
Aaron Kuhl made his Reading debut, starting the second half and injecting some life into Reading's game. Craig Tanner made only his second appearance, replacing Taylor with twenty minutes left to play. Jamie Mackie, on loan from Nottingham Forest, also made his Reading debut from the bench. The changes saw Reading stage a late attempt at a comeback. Simon Cox scored his first ever Reading goal on 79 minutes and Reading nearly took a late point with Pearce just missing the target.
With so many experienced players leaving in the summer, it still feels like Adkins needs to find his best team from the group of youngsters he now has to pick from. There's plenty of potential at Reading FC but as has been said so many times this season looks certain to be transitional and midtable would seem to be a successful outcome on that basis.
Huddersfield Look For First Points
19 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Huddersfield visit the Madejski Stadium this evening looking for their first Championship points of the season. The Terriers started the season with a 0-4 home trashing dished out by Bournemouth. Things failed to improve for Huddersfield as they went down 1-3 to Cardiff City on Saturday. Reading have, by contrast, enjoyed a surprisingly good start to the campaign with a point at Wigan followed by a 1-0 victory over Ipswich. In the middle of that the Royals also picked up a league cup victory to make it an undefeated season so far. Considering the squad's massive lack of experience they should feel hugely proud of achievements so far.
Little has changed on the injury list and Ferdinand is still unlikely to be considered for a starting place, leaving Nigel Adkins with a squad much the same as the weekend. Therefore the Royals will again put out a young side, the majority of which have come through the Reading FC Academy. Jack Stacey and Jake Cooper were the latest trainees to make their senior debuts last weekend and will be hoping to be involved again. Aaron Kuhl and Aaron Tshibola were on the bench and will also be looking to make their Reading debuts.
Four out of the last five meetings between the two sides have ended in a 1-0 victory for Reading. Adkins would certainly be happy with that this evening. The last fixture was last March when points were shared after a 1-1 draw at the Madejski. Both goals were in the opening seven minutes on that day with Pogrebnyak equalising from the penalty spot.
- Reading -v- Huddersfield - Previous Fixtures
Reading Hold On To Defeat Ipswich
16 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading clung on to secure three points with a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town this weekend. The visitors did everything apart from find the equaliser as
a much depleted Reading FC squad continued to enjoy a solid start to the season. The Royals have been forced to rely on products of the Academy - even more so after
Morrison completed his move to Championship rivals Cardiff City. With a serious lack of incoming transfers, and no serious activity in the market expected, it's essentially a Reading development squad that are attempting,
and so far succeeding, in competing at the right end of the Championship table.
Our young and inexperienced squad have a very tough job ahead of them but will continue to grow in confidence after an important win that keeps them undefeated in league
and cup. Craig Tanner, an unused substitute for this game, scored on his debut on Tuesday night. This time around Jake Taylor scored his first Reading goal from only his second league start.
Taylor was delighted after his longest league appearance in a Reading shirt saw a confident goal midway through the first half become the only goal of the game.
A solid start to the season was probably vital to give us a fighting chance this season and that's what we've got. It could be an interesting season.
Morrison Completes Cardiff Move
15 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Central defender Sean Morrison has completed a move to Championship rivals Cardiff City. He signs for what is reported to be a four million pound transfer fee. It's a big disappointment that yet another key member of the first team has made an exit, but the size of the transfer seems to make it good business for the Royals. Morrison will link back up with Adam Le Fondre who moved to Cardiff in the summer.
The transfer came out of the blue this week after Morrison asked permission to speak to Cardiff about a transfer. Morrison had featured in both of Reading's first two games of the season. Adkins, who increasingly will have to rely on Reading FC Academy graduates this season, made his disappointment clear in losing a player that was obviously part of his plans for the new season. Anton Ferdinand will one of the few who might be pleased with Morrison's sudden exit.
Reading Overcome Stubborn Newport
13 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading overcame a stubborn Newport County side to progress to the second round of the League Cup at a sparse Madejski Stadium.
The Royals had to wait until the 87 minute to secure victory with a second goal, before two further goals in injury time, including a debut goal from Craig Tanner saw the
game finish 3-1 in entertaining style. Reading had taken a first half lead from Pavel Pogrebnyak, which had been essentially against the run of play, before Blackman's
superb goal with three minutes left to play.
This couldn't be described as a comfortable victory for the Royals after the visitors dominated periods of the game - particularly the opening 15 minutes when they might
well have taken the lead. Newport looked the better side with a bright start - calmly passing the ball around and forcing a couple of decent saves from Alex McCarthy in
the Reading goal - once getting down quickly for a shot on effort and another punch clear. Reading had weathered the storm before taking the lead with their first shot on goal after 20 minutes.
Pogrebnyak made the most of an absent keeper and lobbed the ball high
into the air from distance. It was one of those that seemed to hang for ages before eventually dropping into the back of the net for a very professional finish. The goal
settled Reading's nerves and they might have pulled further ahead before the break when Alex Pearce headed just over the Newport crossbar.
Chris Gunter was lively with a couple of excellent forward runs - Reading might have done better if they'd given him more of the ball in the second half when he
was crying out for it in plenty of space. The Royals were just
about good enough for their lead at the break but the visitors had looked the more positive and Reading had let themselves down with some poor passing.
There were a few more uncomfortable moments for Reading in the second half. Alex McCarthy struggled whenever the ball was at his feet and seemed to want to take too much time
with the ball when he might have been better just clearing if safely. The Newport fans in the South Stand were in fine voice and sensed they might yet get an equaliser
to force extra time. They did have chances, but the victory for Reading was wrapped up with some skill by Nick Blackman on 87 minutes he cut in from the right, beating a
couple of players to slot home and make it 2-0. Akpan should have made it on the scoresheet when he found himself facing an empty net midway into the Newport half but put his effort well wide of the left post when he should have done better. Newport appeared to have scored a consolation goal in stoppage time but there was still time for one more. Craig Tanner,
who had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes, marked his senior debut with a late goal to secure a 3-1 victory.
Royals Face Newport In First Home Game
12 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading's first home game of the season sees Welsh side Newport County visit the Madejski Stadium this evening.
The League Two side face the Royals in the first round of the League Cup after completing their first season back in the Football League last term.
Newport lost their League status in 1988 before the club was forced to fold during the following season after being unable to pay off their debts.
The re-formed side has worked their way back-up through the English football pyramid and finished mid-table last season in League Two. The Exiles won their
first round League Cup game last year with an impressive 3-1 victory away at Brighton. They went out of the cup in the next round with a 0-3 defeat at West Brom.
Reading will be hoping to improve on last years League Cup showing. The Royals entered in the second round last year and were immediately dumped out with
a 0-6 thrashing at League One Peterborough. Despite losing their opening game of the season, tonight's visitors will surely fancy their chances in front of what is
expected to be a decent away following for a first round League Cup game. Tonight's game sees all under 16 tickets available for just a pound and kicks off at 8pm.
The North Stand is closed but the East Stand is unreserved seating with tickets available on the night.
With a much slimmed down squad, Reading's starting eleven is expected to include plenty of those who took part in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wigan. However, Alex McCarthy
should be back in goal after Federici was selected ahead of him for the League game. Simon Cox is likely to make his first ever first team start for Reading
after playing the last half an hour, and impressing, at the weekend. New signing Anton Ferdinand is available for selection after completing his move - but he is
unlikely to start due to a lack of match fitness. Ferdinand could still be involved from the subs bench. Nigel Adkins will be keen to avoid an embarrassing defeat
in front of the prospective new owners who are likely to be watching on.
Royals Complete Ferdinand Signing
11 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading have today completed the signing of defender Anton Ferdinand on a two year contract. Ferdinand was expected to sign for Samrit Bunditkitsada's Thai side Police United but instead signed for the Royals, after problems with his registration in Thailand. Although the majority takeover of Reading FC by the Thai consortium has still yet to officially complete, it seems clear that Bunditkitsada and his partners are already involved with the club and its finances. After months of uncertainty some form of stability appears to be returning to Reading Football Club just in time for the new campaign.
Ferdinand spent last season in Turkey after leaving QPR in the summer of 2013 after failing to hold his first team place. He then managed only three appearances last season at Antalyaspor, two draws and a defeat, and appears to have a lot to prove. His last competitive game was in September 2013. At only 29 he will hope to get back to the form that saw him sign for Sunderland for eight million pounds from West Ham in 2008.
After seeing ten players leave the club, the Royals eventually made their first signings last week with former Royal Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie (loan signing) joining the club from Nottingham Forest. Cox played nine times for the Royals in his first spell at the club, and never started, but will expect to play a big part after successful spells at Swindon, West Brom and Nottingham Forest. Forest paid two million pounds for his services in August 2012. Reading followed up the good news that they had at last strengthened the squad by a good performance at Wigan, drawing 2-2 on Saturday, although they deserved the full three points.
It seems unlikely that Ferdinand will feature in Reading's League Cup fixture against Newport County at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow night as he claims he is still "lacking match fitness". When Ferdinand, and the manager, think he is ready for action he is going to find it very hard to work his way into the starting eleven with Reading's defence the least of their problems.
New Season Starts With Wigan Draw
09 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading picked up a valuable point from a tough opening fixture as the 2014/2015 Championship season got underway at Wigan. Reading were very good value for the draw and might have have picked up the full three points after leading 2-1 until the 90th minute. Wigan were ahead at the break before Reading scored twice on 71 and 77 minutes from the unlikely sources of Cummings and Morrison. Cummings' first Reading goal was an effort from outside the box, while Reading's second saw a clever free-kick headed in by Morrison after Pearce headed back across goal. New signing, from Nottingham Forest, Simon Cox made his return in a Reading shirt, coming off the bench to replace Ryan Edwards who earned a start after impressing in pre-season.
- Wigan 2 Reading 2 - Report and vote for your man of the match