sportinglife.com
Reading 1 Wolves 0
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc ... MHD=wolves
By Tom Rostance, PA Sport
Defender Neill Collins had a disastrous evening as Reading recorded a crucial win over Wolves in their top-of-the-table Championship clash.
Collins looped a header into his own net after just 61 seconds to put the league leaders behind before they had even had possession of the ball.
And he was then sent-off in the last minute after rowing with the linesman to cap a miserable performance.
Despite improving after the break, Wolves were unable to peg back the Royals who moved ominously to within two points of them at the summit.
Both sides look good bets to seal a return to the Premier League but after such a dramatic start the match failed to live up to expectations as the country's two leading goalscorers failed to carve each other open.
Reading handed a league debut to 19-year-old right-back Julian Kelly while centre-half Ivar Ingimarsson was a late withdrawal with a knee injury.
New signing Jay Tabb could not even get onto the Royals' bench but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy did give Nigel Quashie a first start in midfield.
Coppell denied on Monday that Wigan had made a £5million bid for Stephen Hunt and within a minute the livewire midfielder had played his part in the opening goal.
Persistent work from Hunt kept the ball alive in the corner and after his low ball was cleared, Chris Armstrong was able to loft a cross into the area.
Wayne Hennessey hesitated to come and claim it and with Noel Hunt in attendance Collins misjudged his header and looped it over the stranded goalkeeper.
Wolves could not have made a worse start and Quashie and Richard Stearman summed things up with a sickening collision as they went for the same ball.
Both players recovered to play on before Noel Hunt wasted a free header from his brother Stephen's corner.
The visitors then created their first chance and after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had played in Matt Jarvis, his low cross was stabbed wide by Andy Keogh.
Michael Duberry was then forced off with a head injury to leave Coppell without three of his first-choice back four.
Noel Hunt then hit a dipping free-kick which was superbly saved by Hennessey as the first half drew to a close.
Jarvis had the first sight of goal after the break but after exchanging passes with Ebanks-Blake he sliced his drive across the face of goal.
Noel Hunt then tested Hennessey again with a sharp header in a rare chance as the game descended into a midfield tussle.
Wolves substitute Chris Iwelumo had a shot saved by Adam Federici at the climax of the game's best passing move which saw Michael Kightly, Ebanks-Blake and Karl Henry combine with some fluid one-touch passing, but his effort would not have stood after the linesman flagged.
Kevin Doyle has scored 17 league goals this season and broke free to lash a shot into the side-netting as the clock ticked down.
Noel Hunt then added to the growing injury list for the home side as he hobbled off before Collins was dismissed after an altercation with the linesman as the nervous Royals held on to claim three vital points in their quest for promotion.
Reading
32. Adam Federici
42. Julian Kelly
29. Michael Duberry (30)
26. Alex Pearce
3. Chris Armstrong
14. Jimmy Kebe
15. James Harper
4. Kalifa Cisse
10. Stephen Hunt
11. Noel Hunt (80)
9. Kevin Doyle (82)
SUBS
36. Mikkel Andersen (GK)
6. Brynjar Gunnarsson (30) : yellow card
7. Marek Matejovsky
8. Leroy Lita (82)
24. Shane Long (80)
Wolves
1. Wayne Hennessey
32. Kevin Foley
2. Neill Collins : red card
5. Richard Stearman
11. Stephen Ward : yellow card
7. Michael Kightly
36. Nigel Quashie (86)
8. Karl Henry
17. Matthew Jarvis (84)
10. Andrew Keogh (63)
9. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
SUBS
12. Shane Higgs (GK)
4. David Edwards (86)
18. Sam Vokes (84)
19. Chris Iwelumo (63)
26. Matthew Hill
STAT ATTACK
Reading....Wolves
4 Shots On Target 3
3 Shots Off Target 3
15 Fouls (Conceded) 10
9 Corners 6
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 1
What the papers say: Wolves
Reading Chronicle
Published: Tuesday, 27th January, 2009 22:05
Royals victorious in Wolves promotion battle
By Anthony Smith
http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/articles/2/8893
Reading 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
READING completed a sensational double over Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers - and threw the title race wide open once again.
A first-minute own goal from Neill Collins was enough to seal a richly deserved victory that closed the gap between Wolves and Royals to a mere two points.
Steve Coppell's men may have profited from that massive slice of luck, but there was nothing fortunate about the result.
Wolves were outplayed from the first whistle and Mick McCarthy faces a big job rebuilding the confidence of his shellshocked players.
This was supposed to be a top-of-the-table tussle between the two best sides in the division. But on this evidence the Royals won that particular battle hands down.
It was not exactly a vintage display from Reading, But it was made to look that much more impressive by the fact they played the last hour with a makeshift defence containing youngsters Alex Pearce and Julian Kelly after Michael Duberry had departed with a nasty facial wound.
The clash may have also failed to live up to the goal-fest most were expecting from the two highest scorers in the division boasting an array of attacknig talent.
Coppell, though, did not give a hoot as his players delivered the exact response he demanded following their 2-0 reverse at Swansea City 10 days ago.
But best side in the division as McCarthy claimed earleir this week? Only time will tell but this could turn out to be a hugely significant result in the promotion race.
Royals were dealt a blow before the game had even started when Ivar Ingimarsson was ruled out with a knee injury picked up in training.
Alex Pearce replaced the influential centre-back while the other enforced change saw Julian Kelly handed his full league debut in place of the suspended Liam Rosenior who was sent off in the Swansea defeat.
Still, Royals had already delivered a blow in Wolves' direction back in September when they romped to a superb 3-0 win at Molineux.
That night Wolves lost their star wingers Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis to injury and were also without Chris Iwelumo who was banned.
Then a Wayne Hennessy own goal in the opening minutes gifted Royals their lead before Andre Bikey and Kalifa Cisse finished them off.
This time, though, McCarthy selected from a near full-strength squad with former Reading hate-figure Nigel Quashie making his debut following a loan move from West Ham.
But the hosts remained strong favourites to get the job done. After all, they had lost just once at home all season to Southampton and that was a big a shock as they come.
However, not even Coppell could have expected lightning to strike twice after Wolves once again handed Reading a lead with barely a minute on the clock.
Chris Armstrong launched a hopeful ball into the box but Collins, under pressure from Noel Hunt, attempted a back header to his keeper only for the ball to loop over the helpless Hennessey and nestle in the back of the net.
Surely now we would see exactly what Wolves had to offer. Yet it was Reading who continued to play on the front foot and knock it around nicely on the threadbare pitch.
In fact, McCarthy's men looked rattled, the shadow of a side which led the division by a whopping 12 points in late November. They gave possession away too cheaply and were given little time on the ball as Royals went hunting in packs.
And few do that job better than the Hunt brothers themselves, Noel going close with a near-post header from Stephen's 15th minute corner.
Then Wolves finally began to find some sort of rhythm. On the half hour Jarvis's cross was nearly turned in by Andy Keogh who was, however, offside.
And just moments later Michael Duberry was forced to leave the field with a nasty facial wound, leaving Royals with just one centre-back on the field in the shape of youngster Pearce.
As a result, Coppell had to reshuffle his pack and play Cisse at the back in a makeshift defence with Brynjar Gunnarsson stepping into midfield.
But they continued to boss the game and James Harper should have done better from 10 yards when he latched onto a Noel Hunt knock-down from Stephen's centre.
Quashie replied from 30-yards at the other end but it was nothing to trouble Adam Federici.
Hennessey, though, was not having such a quiet night. And on the stroke of half-time he came to Wolves' rescue by diving full stretch to keep out Harper's sizzling 25-yard free-kick with his fingertips and keep his side in the game.
Wolves at least began to offer more going forward after the break. Jarvis went close from a tight angle to raise the spirits of the visiting fans and the dangerous Sylvan Ebanks-Blake finally began to see more of the ball.
Yet Stephen Hunt replied with an audacious volley from Jimmy Kebe's cross and Noel Hunt glanced a header wide from Harper's corner as Coppell's men pressed for a vital second goal.
Wolves, to their credit, dug in but couldn't find the final pass to unlock Reading's resolute defence.
And, sensing victory in sight, Coppell swapped around his strikeforce and sent on Shane Long and Leroy Lita who once again received a terrific reception from the jubillant home fans.
Within moments the ex-England Under 21 hitman had raced to the bye-line only for Richard Stearman to intercept his cross with Harper lurking behind.
Then the entire stadium winced as Lita's shoulder popped out of its socket in the final minute, only for it to slip back into place allowing him to retake the field.
And Wolves misery was compounded in the final moments when Collins was shown a straight red for swearing at the linesman which will bring an automatic three-match ban.
Reading (4-4-2): Federici - Kelly, Duberry (Gunnarsson 30), Pearce, Armstrong - Kebe, Cisse, Harper, S.Hunt - Doyle (Lita 82), N.Hunt (Long 81). Subs not used: Andersen, Matejovsky. Booked: Gunnarsson 90.
Wolves (4-4-2): Hennessey - Foley, Collins, Stearman, Ward - Kightly, Henry, Quashie (Edwards 86), Jarvis (Vokes 84) - Keogh (Iwelumo 63), Ebanks-Blake. Subs not used: Higgs, Hill. Booked: Ward 29. Red card: Collins 90.
Referee: Russell Booth (Notts).
Attendance: 23,009.
Published: Tuesday, 27th January, 2009 22:05
Royals victorious in Wolves promotion battle
By Anthony Smith
http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/articles/2/8893
Reading 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
READING completed a sensational double over Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers - and threw the title race wide open once again.
A first-minute own goal from Neill Collins was enough to seal a richly deserved victory that closed the gap between Wolves and Royals to a mere two points.
Steve Coppell's men may have profited from that massive slice of luck, but there was nothing fortunate about the result.
Wolves were outplayed from the first whistle and Mick McCarthy faces a big job rebuilding the confidence of his shellshocked players.
This was supposed to be a top-of-the-table tussle between the two best sides in the division. But on this evidence the Royals won that particular battle hands down.
It was not exactly a vintage display from Reading, But it was made to look that much more impressive by the fact they played the last hour with a makeshift defence containing youngsters Alex Pearce and Julian Kelly after Michael Duberry had departed with a nasty facial wound.
The clash may have also failed to live up to the goal-fest most were expecting from the two highest scorers in the division boasting an array of attacknig talent.
Coppell, though, did not give a hoot as his players delivered the exact response he demanded following their 2-0 reverse at Swansea City 10 days ago.
But best side in the division as McCarthy claimed earleir this week? Only time will tell but this could turn out to be a hugely significant result in the promotion race.
Royals were dealt a blow before the game had even started when Ivar Ingimarsson was ruled out with a knee injury picked up in training.
Alex Pearce replaced the influential centre-back while the other enforced change saw Julian Kelly handed his full league debut in place of the suspended Liam Rosenior who was sent off in the Swansea defeat.
Still, Royals had already delivered a blow in Wolves' direction back in September when they romped to a superb 3-0 win at Molineux.
That night Wolves lost their star wingers Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis to injury and were also without Chris Iwelumo who was banned.
Then a Wayne Hennessy own goal in the opening minutes gifted Royals their lead before Andre Bikey and Kalifa Cisse finished them off.
This time, though, McCarthy selected from a near full-strength squad with former Reading hate-figure Nigel Quashie making his debut following a loan move from West Ham.
But the hosts remained strong favourites to get the job done. After all, they had lost just once at home all season to Southampton and that was a big a shock as they come.
However, not even Coppell could have expected lightning to strike twice after Wolves once again handed Reading a lead with barely a minute on the clock.
Chris Armstrong launched a hopeful ball into the box but Collins, under pressure from Noel Hunt, attempted a back header to his keeper only for the ball to loop over the helpless Hennessey and nestle in the back of the net.
Surely now we would see exactly what Wolves had to offer. Yet it was Reading who continued to play on the front foot and knock it around nicely on the threadbare pitch.
In fact, McCarthy's men looked rattled, the shadow of a side which led the division by a whopping 12 points in late November. They gave possession away too cheaply and were given little time on the ball as Royals went hunting in packs.
And few do that job better than the Hunt brothers themselves, Noel going close with a near-post header from Stephen's 15th minute corner.
Then Wolves finally began to find some sort of rhythm. On the half hour Jarvis's cross was nearly turned in by Andy Keogh who was, however, offside.
And just moments later Michael Duberry was forced to leave the field with a nasty facial wound, leaving Royals with just one centre-back on the field in the shape of youngster Pearce.
As a result, Coppell had to reshuffle his pack and play Cisse at the back in a makeshift defence with Brynjar Gunnarsson stepping into midfield.
But they continued to boss the game and James Harper should have done better from 10 yards when he latched onto a Noel Hunt knock-down from Stephen's centre.
Quashie replied from 30-yards at the other end but it was nothing to trouble Adam Federici.
Hennessey, though, was not having such a quiet night. And on the stroke of half-time he came to Wolves' rescue by diving full stretch to keep out Harper's sizzling 25-yard free-kick with his fingertips and keep his side in the game.
Wolves at least began to offer more going forward after the break. Jarvis went close from a tight angle to raise the spirits of the visiting fans and the dangerous Sylvan Ebanks-Blake finally began to see more of the ball.
Yet Stephen Hunt replied with an audacious volley from Jimmy Kebe's cross and Noel Hunt glanced a header wide from Harper's corner as Coppell's men pressed for a vital second goal.
Wolves, to their credit, dug in but couldn't find the final pass to unlock Reading's resolute defence.
And, sensing victory in sight, Coppell swapped around his strikeforce and sent on Shane Long and Leroy Lita who once again received a terrific reception from the jubillant home fans.
Within moments the ex-England Under 21 hitman had raced to the bye-line only for Richard Stearman to intercept his cross with Harper lurking behind.
Then the entire stadium winced as Lita's shoulder popped out of its socket in the final minute, only for it to slip back into place allowing him to retake the field.
And Wolves misery was compounded in the final moments when Collins was shown a straight red for swearing at the linesman which will bring an automatic three-match ban.
Reading (4-4-2): Federici - Kelly, Duberry (Gunnarsson 30), Pearce, Armstrong - Kebe, Cisse, Harper, S.Hunt - Doyle (Lita 82), N.Hunt (Long 81). Subs not used: Andersen, Matejovsky. Booked: Gunnarsson 90.
Wolves (4-4-2): Hennessey - Foley, Collins, Stearman, Ward - Kightly, Henry, Quashie (Edwards 86), Jarvis (Vokes 84) - Keogh (Iwelumo 63), Ebanks-Blake. Subs not used: Higgs, Hill. Booked: Ward 29. Red card: Collins 90.
Referee: Russell Booth (Notts).
Attendance: 23,009.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... -foot.html
Wolves shoot themselves in the foot
Reading (1) 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (0) 0
By Tom Cary
Last Updated: 12:01AM GMT 28 Jan 2009
Richard Stearman and Nigel Quashie - Wolves shoot themselves in the foot
Careless: Richard Stearman and Nigel Quashie clash at Reading Photo: PA
Reading moved to within two points of Championship leaders Wolves thanks to an own goal from Neill Collins in the very first minute at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night.
With Birmingham also winning at home to Derby, Wolves' perennially fatalistic fans will now be looking anxiously over their shoulder, praying their side have not run out of steam.
Mick McCarthy's men have taken three points from their past five games, although the Wolves manager insisted he was not displeased with his side's form.
"Apart from the goal we played well," said McCarthy, who on Tuesday had a bid turned down for Hearts defender Christophe Berra. "I'm pleased with our overall performance. We had a right go tonight."
That they may have done but Reading, who have lost just once at home all season, held on comfortably enough despite a new-look back four featuring 20-year-old Alex Pearce.
Steve Coppell's side created the better chances and were equally tenacious in the tackle; their determined attitude summed up when substitute Leroy Lita popped his own shoulder back into its socket towards the end.
By then the match had become a rather fractious affair, although it had started in electric fashion. Reading's excitable fans had barely sat down before they were back on their feet celebrating a goal after 58 seconds. Chris Armstrong lofted a ball into the box and Collins, under pressure from Noel Hunt, inadvertently flicked it over his own goalkeeper. "We've been working on that in training," joked Coppell.
Wolves, perhaps suffering from vertigo at the prospect of a promotion worth an estimated £60 million, appeared nervous and Noel Hunt twice went close with headers from Stephen Hunt crosses. Soon the home fans were serenading their visitors with renditions of: "Top of the league, you're having a laugh."
McCarthy's men rolled their sleeves up and some meaty challenges started flying. Reading's Michael Duberry was forced off the pitch with blood pouring from a gash above his left eye after clashing with Andy Keogh.
Reading, with Brynjar Gunnarsson now on for Duberry, ended the half firmly in the ascendancy. James Harper should have done better when he fired straight at Wayne Hennessey and Noel Hunt went agonisingly close to doubling Reading's lead with a free-kick tipped over by Hennessey.
The second half was tepid by comparison. Wolves almost levelled within a minute of the restart, Jarvis blazing high and wide with a volley from 10 yards, but thereafter both teams lost their way. "There wasn't the space for anyone to play football at any stage," Coppell said. "I think we're two very similar sides, the way we're set up, the way we play."
Chris Iwelumo came on for Wolves but his muscular presence did little to help. Their evening was summed up when Collins, already the villain of the piece, was dismissed in injury time for abusing a linesman, a decision which had McCarthy "raging".
Match details
Reading: Federici; Kelly, Duberry (Gunnarsson 30), Pearce, Armstrong, Kebe, Harper, Cisse, S Hunt, N Hunt (Long 80), Doyle (Lita 82).
Subs: Andersen, Matejovsky.
Booked: Gunnarsson.
Wolves: Hennessey; Foley, Collins, Stearman, Ward, Kightly, Quashie (Edwards 86), Henry, Jarvis (Vokes 84), Keogh (Iwelumo 63), Ebanks-Blake.
Subs: Higgs, Hill.
Booked: Ward.
Sent off: Collins (90).
Referee: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... -foot.html
Wolves shoot themselves in the foot
Reading (1) 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (0) 0
By Tom Cary
Last Updated: 12:01AM GMT 28 Jan 2009
Richard Stearman and Nigel Quashie - Wolves shoot themselves in the foot
Careless: Richard Stearman and Nigel Quashie clash at Reading Photo: PA
Reading moved to within two points of Championship leaders Wolves thanks to an own goal from Neill Collins in the very first minute at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night.
With Birmingham also winning at home to Derby, Wolves' perennially fatalistic fans will now be looking anxiously over their shoulder, praying their side have not run out of steam.
Mick McCarthy's men have taken three points from their past five games, although the Wolves manager insisted he was not displeased with his side's form.
"Apart from the goal we played well," said McCarthy, who on Tuesday had a bid turned down for Hearts defender Christophe Berra. "I'm pleased with our overall performance. We had a right go tonight."
That they may have done but Reading, who have lost just once at home all season, held on comfortably enough despite a new-look back four featuring 20-year-old Alex Pearce.
Steve Coppell's side created the better chances and were equally tenacious in the tackle; their determined attitude summed up when substitute Leroy Lita popped his own shoulder back into its socket towards the end.
By then the match had become a rather fractious affair, although it had started in electric fashion. Reading's excitable fans had barely sat down before they were back on their feet celebrating a goal after 58 seconds. Chris Armstrong lofted a ball into the box and Collins, under pressure from Noel Hunt, inadvertently flicked it over his own goalkeeper. "We've been working on that in training," joked Coppell.
Wolves, perhaps suffering from vertigo at the prospect of a promotion worth an estimated £60 million, appeared nervous and Noel Hunt twice went close with headers from Stephen Hunt crosses. Soon the home fans were serenading their visitors with renditions of: "Top of the league, you're having a laugh."
McCarthy's men rolled their sleeves up and some meaty challenges started flying. Reading's Michael Duberry was forced off the pitch with blood pouring from a gash above his left eye after clashing with Andy Keogh.
Reading, with Brynjar Gunnarsson now on for Duberry, ended the half firmly in the ascendancy. James Harper should have done better when he fired straight at Wayne Hennessey and Noel Hunt went agonisingly close to doubling Reading's lead with a free-kick tipped over by Hennessey.
The second half was tepid by comparison. Wolves almost levelled within a minute of the restart, Jarvis blazing high and wide with a volley from 10 yards, but thereafter both teams lost their way. "There wasn't the space for anyone to play football at any stage," Coppell said. "I think we're two very similar sides, the way we're set up, the way we play."
Chris Iwelumo came on for Wolves but his muscular presence did little to help. Their evening was summed up when Collins, already the villain of the piece, was dismissed in injury time for abusing a linesman, a decision which had McCarthy "raging".
Match details
Reading: Federici; Kelly, Duberry (Gunnarsson 30), Pearce, Armstrong, Kebe, Harper, Cisse, S Hunt, N Hunt (Long 80), Doyle (Lita 82).
Subs: Andersen, Matejovsky.
Booked: Gunnarsson.
Wolves: Hennessey; Foley, Collins, Stearman, Ward, Kightly, Quashie (Edwards 86), Henry, Jarvis (Vokes 84), Keogh (Iwelumo 63), Ebanks-Blake.
Subs: Higgs, Hill.
Booked: Ward.
Sent off: Collins (90).
Referee: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 601454.ece
January 28, 2009
Reading take large bite out of Wolves' lead
Reading 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Russell Kempson
Wolverhampton Wanderers have led the Coca-Cola Championship for most of the season, including the past three months, but their advantage was cut to two points by Reading, their nearest rivals, at the Madejski Stadium last night. In a clash of the heavyweights that never really lived up to its billing, it was an own goal from Neill Collins, the Wolves central defender, after barely 60 seconds that decided the issue. Compounding Collins's misery, he was sent off in stoppage time for dissent aimed at the assistant referee
With the two most prolific scoring teams in England involved, a goalfest could have been safely predicted. Little more than a minute into the game, it appeared to have started. Chris Armstrong lobbed the ball into the Wolves area, where Kevin Doyle, the Reading striker, challenged Collins for the header. Collins won the ball easily, but succeeded only in looping it over Wayne Hennessey for an almost comical own goal.
It was the best of the early exchanges as the gluepot of a pitch, which is shared by the London Irish rugby union team, tended to nullify most of the creative efforts, much of which came from Reading. Wolves pushed forward only tentatively and when Andy Keogh seemed to have missed the easiest of chances from four yards, after a cross by Matt Jarvis, he was spared embarrassment by the raised flag of an assistant referee. He was deemed to be offside.
Reading's swift counter-attacking was causing problems for Hennessey. He had to deal with a succession of back-passes and race from his goalline on several occasions to blunt the home attack. However, after Michael Duberry had left the pitch injured and Reading had had to reorganise the centre of their defence, with Kalifa Cissé filling in, Wolves enjoyed their best spell.
Jarvis was at the heart of most of it as he constantly cut in from the left flank and Adam Federici, the Reading goalkeeper, was relieved to see one his long-range attempts blocked and another skid behind for a goal kick. James Harper could have increased the home lead, but shot straight at Hennessey, and Noel Hunt almost did the same in first-half stoppage time. Hennessey, though, superbly tipped away his fierce 30-yard free kick.
Wolves roared out of the traps at the start of the second half, possibly encouraged by some strong advice from Mick McCarthy, their manager, during the break. They needed it and heeded it, with Jarvis again to the fore as he exchanged passes with the previously anonymous Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Jarvis's shot, though, lacked direction and Federici, not for the first time, was untroubled.
At least it woke Reading from their slumber. Julian Kelly, the right back, made a rare run forward and chipped a delightful cross to the far post. Stephen Hunt had found space but although he struck his volley sweetly, it flew wide of Hennessey and the far post. Noel Hunt went closer soon after, from Harper's corner on the right, but Hennessey dived to catch his header with the minimum of fuss.
Reading appeared content to hold on to what they had got and ventured upfield less and less as the game wore on. However, Wolves were unwilling or unable to take the initiative and, anyway, ran into a home defence that had regained its equilibrium after the early exit of Duberry. Chris Iwelumo, a replacement for Keogh, thought he had broken through the last line of cover, but Federici saved his shot and the offside flag had been raised, too.
Reading (4-4-2): A Federici - J Kelly, M Duberry (sub: B Gunnarsson, 30min), A Pearce, C Armstrong - J Kebe, K Cissé, J Harper, S Hunt - K Doyle (sub: L Lita, 82), N Hunt (sub: S Long, 80). Substitutes not used: M Matejovsky, M Andersen. Booked: Gunnarsson.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): W Hennessey - K Foley, R Stearman, N Collins, S Ward - M Kightly, K Henry, N Quashie (sub: D Edwards, 85), M Jarvis (sub: S Vokes, 84) - A Keogh (sub: C Iwelumo, 63), S Ebanks-Blake. Substitutes not used: S Higgs, M Hill. Booked: Ward. Sent off: Collins.
Referee: R Booth.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 601454.ece
January 28, 2009
Reading take large bite out of Wolves' lead
Reading 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Russell Kempson
Wolverhampton Wanderers have led the Coca-Cola Championship for most of the season, including the past three months, but their advantage was cut to two points by Reading, their nearest rivals, at the Madejski Stadium last night. In a clash of the heavyweights that never really lived up to its billing, it was an own goal from Neill Collins, the Wolves central defender, after barely 60 seconds that decided the issue. Compounding Collins's misery, he was sent off in stoppage time for dissent aimed at the assistant referee
With the two most prolific scoring teams in England involved, a goalfest could have been safely predicted. Little more than a minute into the game, it appeared to have started. Chris Armstrong lobbed the ball into the Wolves area, where Kevin Doyle, the Reading striker, challenged Collins for the header. Collins won the ball easily, but succeeded only in looping it over Wayne Hennessey for an almost comical own goal.
It was the best of the early exchanges as the gluepot of a pitch, which is shared by the London Irish rugby union team, tended to nullify most of the creative efforts, much of which came from Reading. Wolves pushed forward only tentatively and when Andy Keogh seemed to have missed the easiest of chances from four yards, after a cross by Matt Jarvis, he was spared embarrassment by the raised flag of an assistant referee. He was deemed to be offside.
Reading's swift counter-attacking was causing problems for Hennessey. He had to deal with a succession of back-passes and race from his goalline on several occasions to blunt the home attack. However, after Michael Duberry had left the pitch injured and Reading had had to reorganise the centre of their defence, with Kalifa Cissé filling in, Wolves enjoyed their best spell.
Jarvis was at the heart of most of it as he constantly cut in from the left flank and Adam Federici, the Reading goalkeeper, was relieved to see one his long-range attempts blocked and another skid behind for a goal kick. James Harper could have increased the home lead, but shot straight at Hennessey, and Noel Hunt almost did the same in first-half stoppage time. Hennessey, though, superbly tipped away his fierce 30-yard free kick.
Wolves roared out of the traps at the start of the second half, possibly encouraged by some strong advice from Mick McCarthy, their manager, during the break. They needed it and heeded it, with Jarvis again to the fore as he exchanged passes with the previously anonymous Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Jarvis's shot, though, lacked direction and Federici, not for the first time, was untroubled.
At least it woke Reading from their slumber. Julian Kelly, the right back, made a rare run forward and chipped a delightful cross to the far post. Stephen Hunt had found space but although he struck his volley sweetly, it flew wide of Hennessey and the far post. Noel Hunt went closer soon after, from Harper's corner on the right, but Hennessey dived to catch his header with the minimum of fuss.
Reading appeared content to hold on to what they had got and ventured upfield less and less as the game wore on. However, Wolves were unwilling or unable to take the initiative and, anyway, ran into a home defence that had regained its equilibrium after the early exit of Duberry. Chris Iwelumo, a replacement for Keogh, thought he had broken through the last line of cover, but Federici saved his shot and the offside flag had been raised, too.
Reading (4-4-2): A Federici - J Kelly, M Duberry (sub: B Gunnarsson, 30min), A Pearce, C Armstrong - J Kebe, K Cissé, J Harper, S Hunt - K Doyle (sub: L Lita, 82), N Hunt (sub: S Long, 80). Substitutes not used: M Matejovsky, M Andersen. Booked: Gunnarsson.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): W Hennessey - K Foley, R Stearman, N Collins, S Ward - M Kightly, K Henry, N Quashie (sub: D Edwards, 85), M Jarvis (sub: S Vokes, 84) - A Keogh (sub: C Iwelumo, 63), S Ebanks-Blake. Substitutes not used: S Higgs, M Hill. Booked: Ward. Sent off: Collins.
Referee: R Booth.
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Archie's penalty
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The Grauniad:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/ja ... ip-reading
Collins suffers an off night as Reading close gap on Wolves
Reading 1 Collins (og) 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Mikey Stafford
Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen their cushion at the top of the Championship reduced to a mere two points after an own-goal from Neill Collins after 60 seconds condemned Mick McCarthy's side to a second defeat in three league games. The leaders now have last night's victors breathing down their necks after taking only four points from the last five games.
"None of us are pleased with the results in the last five. Performances, I would say, are good," said a bemused but irritated McCarthy afterwards. "We played well tonight and not had any joy. So of course it's a concern, but I think we have the players and the side to turn it around. We're still in front and we've got our games to play. There are 17 games left and 51 points to play for. We are still in the front and it's impossible to go through a season without a bad run – it's how we respond to it. There's nothing we can do about this [result] now."
The Wolves manager turned the air blue in his post-match talk when asked his opinions on the own-goal that came when Kevin Doyle pressured Collins – who capped a bad night by getting sent off in injury-time for swearing at a linesman – into heading Chris Armstrong's cross over the stranded keeper Wayne Hennessey.
His striker Andy Keogh missed a glorious opportunity to equalise after 28 minutes when, five yards out, he failed to make sufficient contact with Matt Jarvis's square ball. Noel Hunt and Nigel Quashie both drew good saves from their opposing goalkeepers in the opening minutes of a second half that, while no less intense, had more rhyme and reason to it than the helter-skelter first period.
Wolves may have shaded a second half that petered out somewhat, but it was not surprising that both teams should tire given the breakneck pace that the first hour was played at. But with the gap at the top down to less than one victory, it will be Reading who feel more energised this morning, even if their manager, Steve Coppell, played down the significance of this win. "It's just the question of three points, it doesn't matter who you get the three points against at this stage," said Coppell. "Life's too precious to start worrying about May."
Coppell again dismissed speculation linking the Reading winger Stephen Hunt with a £5m move to Wigan and repeated that he has not received a solitary offer for any of his squad.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/ja ... ip-reading
Collins suffers an off night as Reading close gap on Wolves
Reading 1 Collins (og) 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Mikey Stafford
Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen their cushion at the top of the Championship reduced to a mere two points after an own-goal from Neill Collins after 60 seconds condemned Mick McCarthy's side to a second defeat in three league games. The leaders now have last night's victors breathing down their necks after taking only four points from the last five games.
"None of us are pleased with the results in the last five. Performances, I would say, are good," said a bemused but irritated McCarthy afterwards. "We played well tonight and not had any joy. So of course it's a concern, but I think we have the players and the side to turn it around. We're still in front and we've got our games to play. There are 17 games left and 51 points to play for. We are still in the front and it's impossible to go through a season without a bad run – it's how we respond to it. There's nothing we can do about this [result] now."
The Wolves manager turned the air blue in his post-match talk when asked his opinions on the own-goal that came when Kevin Doyle pressured Collins – who capped a bad night by getting sent off in injury-time for swearing at a linesman – into heading Chris Armstrong's cross over the stranded keeper Wayne Hennessey.
His striker Andy Keogh missed a glorious opportunity to equalise after 28 minutes when, five yards out, he failed to make sufficient contact with Matt Jarvis's square ball. Noel Hunt and Nigel Quashie both drew good saves from their opposing goalkeepers in the opening minutes of a second half that, while no less intense, had more rhyme and reason to it than the helter-skelter first period.
Wolves may have shaded a second half that petered out somewhat, but it was not surprising that both teams should tire given the breakneck pace that the first hour was played at. But with the gap at the top down to less than one victory, it will be Reading who feel more energised this morning, even if their manager, Steve Coppell, played down the significance of this win. "It's just the question of three points, it doesn't matter who you get the three points against at this stage," said Coppell. "Life's too precious to start worrying about May."
Coppell again dismissed speculation linking the Reading winger Stephen Hunt with a £5m move to Wigan and repeated that he has not received a solitary offer for any of his squad.
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Archie's penalty
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The Indie:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 17950.html
McCarthy vents fury as rivals close the gap
Reading 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
By Conrad Leach
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The midwinter blues have hit Wolverhampton Wanderers hard. Mick McCarthy's men have not won in the Championship in January, and this was their fifth consecutive game without victory. Reading have not been flawless this month but this comfortable win, despite the scoreline, thanks to Neill Collins's own goal after 60 seconds, means that The Royals have done the double over Wolves and have closed to within two points of the league leaders.
Collins's night got worse when he was sent off in injury time for swearing at the assistant referee and it was clearly catching. McCarthy's reaction to the goal that condemned his side to a second defeat in those five games was short and sweet. "What a shite start," he said. "It shouldn't happen. Absolute tosh, rubbish, drivel."
The former Republic of Ireland manager continued in a far more colourful and expletive-filled vein after that, all of which made it clear that he is extremely worried about the disappearance of a previously powerful position at the top of the table. "How we respond now is what's important. I can't do anything about what's happened here," he said in a calmer tone.
Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, who would refuse to hype up Christmas, let alone a football match, had spoken beforehand about the impact a win for either side would have here, "regardless of the three points". Although of course they come in handy, too. On the basis of McCarthy's reaction, it would seem as if that is round one to Coppell in the psychological battle for promotion.
What caused McCarthy's anger started with some dithering at right-back by Kevin Foley, which saw Stephen Hunt win back possession. He found Chris Armstrong, who crossed, and in jumping for the ball with Kevin Doyle, Collins, the Wolves centre-back, saw his attempted clearance arc and loop over Wayne Hennessey and under the crossbar.
Given that Reading's last league outing was a 2-0 defeat at Swansea City 10 days ago, the early strike soothed some of the hosts' nerves that their own push for automatic promotion might be faltering. The only thing to upset Coppell's men was Michael Duberry being forced off with a cut head, leaving Coppell with only one of his first-choice back four.
Noel Hunt had a free-kick saved by Hennessey, who also saved from James Harper, but the expected onslaught from the visitors, bar that of the four-letter kind, never arrived.
Goals: Collins og (2) 1-0.
Reading (4-4-2): Federici; Kelly, Duberry (Gunnarsson, 30), Pearce, Armstrong; Kébé, Cissé, Harper, S Hunt; N Hunt (Long, 81), Doyle (Lita, 82). Substitutes not used: Andersen (gk), Matejovsky.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Collins, S Ward; Kightly, Henry, Quashie (Edwards, 86), Jarvis (Vokes, 85); Ebanks-Blake, Keogh (Iwelumo, 63). Substitutes not used: Higgs (gk), Vokes, Hill.
Referee: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).
Booked: Reading Gunnarsson; Wolves Ward.
Sent off: Collins (90).
Attendance: 29,009.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 17950.html
McCarthy vents fury as rivals close the gap
Reading 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
By Conrad Leach
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The midwinter blues have hit Wolverhampton Wanderers hard. Mick McCarthy's men have not won in the Championship in January, and this was their fifth consecutive game without victory. Reading have not been flawless this month but this comfortable win, despite the scoreline, thanks to Neill Collins's own goal after 60 seconds, means that The Royals have done the double over Wolves and have closed to within two points of the league leaders.
Collins's night got worse when he was sent off in injury time for swearing at the assistant referee and it was clearly catching. McCarthy's reaction to the goal that condemned his side to a second defeat in those five games was short and sweet. "What a shite start," he said. "It shouldn't happen. Absolute tosh, rubbish, drivel."
The former Republic of Ireland manager continued in a far more colourful and expletive-filled vein after that, all of which made it clear that he is extremely worried about the disappearance of a previously powerful position at the top of the table. "How we respond now is what's important. I can't do anything about what's happened here," he said in a calmer tone.
Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, who would refuse to hype up Christmas, let alone a football match, had spoken beforehand about the impact a win for either side would have here, "regardless of the three points". Although of course they come in handy, too. On the basis of McCarthy's reaction, it would seem as if that is round one to Coppell in the psychological battle for promotion.
What caused McCarthy's anger started with some dithering at right-back by Kevin Foley, which saw Stephen Hunt win back possession. He found Chris Armstrong, who crossed, and in jumping for the ball with Kevin Doyle, Collins, the Wolves centre-back, saw his attempted clearance arc and loop over Wayne Hennessey and under the crossbar.
Given that Reading's last league outing was a 2-0 defeat at Swansea City 10 days ago, the early strike soothed some of the hosts' nerves that their own push for automatic promotion might be faltering. The only thing to upset Coppell's men was Michael Duberry being forced off with a cut head, leaving Coppell with only one of his first-choice back four.
Noel Hunt had a free-kick saved by Hennessey, who also saved from James Harper, but the expected onslaught from the visitors, bar that of the four-letter kind, never arrived.
Goals: Collins og (2) 1-0.
Reading (4-4-2): Federici; Kelly, Duberry (Gunnarsson, 30), Pearce, Armstrong; Kébé, Cissé, Harper, S Hunt; N Hunt (Long, 81), Doyle (Lita, 82). Substitutes not used: Andersen (gk), Matejovsky.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Collins, S Ward; Kightly, Henry, Quashie (Edwards, 86), Jarvis (Vokes, 85); Ebanks-Blake, Keogh (Iwelumo, 63). Substitutes not used: Higgs (gk), Vokes, Hill.
Referee: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).
Booked: Reading Gunnarsson; Wolves Ward.
Sent off: Collins (90).
Attendance: 29,009.
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bigshaka'away'
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nice to see that the indy boosted our attendance by 5000
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bigshaka'away'
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actually its 6000 - bless them.
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Yellowcoat
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Better tell Schards!
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Barry the bird boggler
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From the Birmingham mail
Defender Neill Collins had a disastrous evening as Reading recorded a crucial win over Wolves in their top-of-the-table Coca-Cola Championship clash.
Collins looped a header into his own net after just 61 seconds to put the league leaders behind before they had even had possession of the ball.
And he was then sent-off in the last minute after rowing with the linesman to cap a miserable performance.
Despite improving after the break, Wolves were unable to peg back the Royals who moved ominously to within two points of them at the summit.
Both sides look good bets to seal a return to the Barclays Premier League but after such a dramatic start the match failed to live up to expectations as the country's two leading goalscorers failed to carve each other open.
Reading handed a league debut to 19-year-old right-back Julian Kelly while centre-half Ivar Ingimarsson was a late withdrawal with a knee injury.
New signing Jay Tabb could not even get onto the bench but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy did give Nigel Quashie a first start in midfield.
Coppell denied yesterday that Wigan had made a £5million bid for Stephen Hunt and within a minute the livewire midfielder had played his part in the opening goal.
Persistent work from Hunt kept the ball alive in the corner and after his low ball was cleared, Chris Armstrong was able to loft a cross into the area.
Wayne Hennessey hesitated to come and claim it and with Noel Hunt in attendance Collins misjudged his header and looped it over the stranded goalkeeper.
Wolves could not have made a worse start and Quashie and Richard Stearman summed things up with a sickening collision as they went for the same ball.
Both players recovered to play on before Noel Hunt wasted a free header from his brother Stephen's corner.
The visitors then created their first chance and after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had played in Matt Jarvis, his low cross was stabbed wide by Andy Keogh.
Michael Duberry was then forced off with a head injury to leave Coppell without three of his first-choice back four.
Noel Hunt then hit a dipping free-kick which was superbly saved by Hennessey as the first half drew to a close.
Jarvis had the first sight of goal after the break but after exchanging passes with Ebanks-Blake he sliced his drive across the face of goal.
Noel Hunt then tested Hennessey again with a sharp header in a rare chance as the game descended into a midfield tussle.
Wolves substitute Chris Iwelumo had a shot saved by Adam Federici at the climax of the game's best passing move which saw Michael Kightly, Ebanks-Blake and Karl Henry combine with some fluid one-touch passing, but his effort would not have stood after the linesman flagged.
Kevin Doyle has scored 17 league goals this season and broke free to lash a shot into the side-netting as the clock ticked down.
Noel Hunt then added to the growing injury list for the home side as he hobbled off before Collins was dismissed after an altercation with the linesman as the nervous Royals held on to claim three vital points in their quest for promotion.
Defender Neill Collins had a disastrous evening as Reading recorded a crucial win over Wolves in their top-of-the-table Coca-Cola Championship clash.
Collins looped a header into his own net after just 61 seconds to put the league leaders behind before they had even had possession of the ball.
And he was then sent-off in the last minute after rowing with the linesman to cap a miserable performance.
Despite improving after the break, Wolves were unable to peg back the Royals who moved ominously to within two points of them at the summit.
Both sides look good bets to seal a return to the Barclays Premier League but after such a dramatic start the match failed to live up to expectations as the country's two leading goalscorers failed to carve each other open.
Reading handed a league debut to 19-year-old right-back Julian Kelly while centre-half Ivar Ingimarsson was a late withdrawal with a knee injury.
New signing Jay Tabb could not even get onto the bench but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy did give Nigel Quashie a first start in midfield.
Coppell denied yesterday that Wigan had made a £5million bid for Stephen Hunt and within a minute the livewire midfielder had played his part in the opening goal.
Persistent work from Hunt kept the ball alive in the corner and after his low ball was cleared, Chris Armstrong was able to loft a cross into the area.
Wayne Hennessey hesitated to come and claim it and with Noel Hunt in attendance Collins misjudged his header and looped it over the stranded goalkeeper.
Wolves could not have made a worse start and Quashie and Richard Stearman summed things up with a sickening collision as they went for the same ball.
Both players recovered to play on before Noel Hunt wasted a free header from his brother Stephen's corner.
The visitors then created their first chance and after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had played in Matt Jarvis, his low cross was stabbed wide by Andy Keogh.
Michael Duberry was then forced off with a head injury to leave Coppell without three of his first-choice back four.
Noel Hunt then hit a dipping free-kick which was superbly saved by Hennessey as the first half drew to a close.
Jarvis had the first sight of goal after the break but after exchanging passes with Ebanks-Blake he sliced his drive across the face of goal.
Noel Hunt then tested Hennessey again with a sharp header in a rare chance as the game descended into a midfield tussle.
Wolves substitute Chris Iwelumo had a shot saved by Adam Federici at the climax of the game's best passing move which saw Michael Kightly, Ebanks-Blake and Karl Henry combine with some fluid one-touch passing, but his effort would not have stood after the linesman flagged.
Kevin Doyle has scored 17 league goals this season and broke free to lash a shot into the side-netting as the clock ticked down.
Noel Hunt then added to the growing injury list for the home side as he hobbled off before Collins was dismissed after an altercation with the linesman as the nervous Royals held on to claim three vital points in their quest for promotion.
Times, Grauniad and Indie all get the challenger for the ball wrong on the og - it was Noel H not Doyle. I guess they swapped notes in the bar but the DT, as single-minded as ever, stuck to the truth.
You can tell who left early no mention of the Red card. The get Reading report also fails to mention it.
http://wolves.theoffside.com/reports/wolves-0-1-reading-bugger.html
This blog is written with humour, not all Wolves fans are miserable gits.
"So there it was, we lost, again. Compiled with the fact that Birmingham won….and er…Reading did too, that means our lead is looking extremely shaky. Which is worrying.
Collins’ didn’t have the best day at the office it must be said…an own goal and a Red Card is pretty much the worst day a defender can have I suppose? If he had a dunces cap, he’d be wearing that on the coach home for me tonight."
This blog is written with humour, not all Wolves fans are miserable gits.
"So there it was, we lost, again. Compiled with the fact that Birmingham won….and er…Reading did too, that means our lead is looking extremely shaky. Which is worrying.
Collins’ didn’t have the best day at the office it must be said…an own goal and a Red Card is pretty much the worst day a defender can have I suppose? If he had a dunces cap, he’d be wearing that on the coach home for me tonight."
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readingbedding
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Nigel Quashie:
Nigel Quashie insists there will be no lasting psychological affect to Wolves’ defeat at Reading – after insisting it was “one-way traffic” – their way.
Neill Collins’ second minute own goal saw Royals close the gap on Mick McCarthy’s side to just two points.
But it was a tight encounter and there was little to choose between the teams.
“We have the right attitude and we know we performed well and played well,” said on-loan West Ham midfielder Quashie, who was making his Wolves debut.
“We were just unfortunate with the goal because I couldn’t see them scoring in the second half.
“I don’t think there will be any problem in the dressing room. I think it was just one-way traffic really. The manager was pleased with us and I can’t see there being any problem with the boys.
“I was quite surprised really because there was plenty of disappointment in the dressing room and that’s come because we felt we shouldn’t have lost.
“But we’ve got an opportunity with two home games (Watford and Norwich) now to get six points.”
Quashie felt Wolves dominated much of the match.
“I don’t think they had a shot in the second half and I thought we were in control for most of the game really,” he said. “Coming to the end of the first half, we’d adjusted to how they were playing against us which was basically just balls that were turning us around.”
Wolves’ man of the match Richard Stearman felt there was nothing wrong with the team’s defending, despite the early own goal.
“Speaking as a back four, we were very disappointed because Wayne only had one save to make which was a free kick,” he said.
“I think we defended really well on the whole to limit them to that, both from a personal point of view and the team.”
As for Quashie, the 30-year-old was satisfied with his own performance after threatening with a couple of shots as well as being involved with his more renowned tackling.
“I’ve come here to help the younger ones out and take the heat off them – I’m here to put a foot in and let them get on with things,” he said.
“With Karl Henry sitting in there, I could get forward a bit more and I managed to get a couple of shots off, whereas normally in my career I’ve done other things for others in the team doing that ‘Karl Henry role’.
“I was a bit unfortunate with the shots, but playing that role, I should be getting forwards a bit more.
“But I was more worried about the team and I’ll do everything I can for them.
“It was nice to get a game in and settle in with the team.”
Quashie added: “Coming to Reading was always going to be tough and I don’t think two goals was ever going to win it and I certainly don’t think there was going to be three goals in the game.
“Because Reading won, maybe they think they should have shown a bit more about themselves in terms of trying to win the game (more convincingly).”
Nigel Quashie insists there will be no lasting psychological affect to Wolves’ defeat at Reading – after insisting it was “one-way traffic” – their way.
Neill Collins’ second minute own goal saw Royals close the gap on Mick McCarthy’s side to just two points.
But it was a tight encounter and there was little to choose between the teams.
“We have the right attitude and we know we performed well and played well,” said on-loan West Ham midfielder Quashie, who was making his Wolves debut.
“We were just unfortunate with the goal because I couldn’t see them scoring in the second half.
“I don’t think there will be any problem in the dressing room. I think it was just one-way traffic really. The manager was pleased with us and I can’t see there being any problem with the boys.
“I was quite surprised really because there was plenty of disappointment in the dressing room and that’s come because we felt we shouldn’t have lost.
“But we’ve got an opportunity with two home games (Watford and Norwich) now to get six points.”
Quashie felt Wolves dominated much of the match.
“I don’t think they had a shot in the second half and I thought we were in control for most of the game really,” he said. “Coming to the end of the first half, we’d adjusted to how they were playing against us which was basically just balls that were turning us around.”
Wolves’ man of the match Richard Stearman felt there was nothing wrong with the team’s defending, despite the early own goal.
“Speaking as a back four, we were very disappointed because Wayne only had one save to make which was a free kick,” he said.
“I think we defended really well on the whole to limit them to that, both from a personal point of view and the team.”
As for Quashie, the 30-year-old was satisfied with his own performance after threatening with a couple of shots as well as being involved with his more renowned tackling.
“I’ve come here to help the younger ones out and take the heat off them – I’m here to put a foot in and let them get on with things,” he said.
“With Karl Henry sitting in there, I could get forward a bit more and I managed to get a couple of shots off, whereas normally in my career I’ve done other things for others in the team doing that ‘Karl Henry role’.
“I was a bit unfortunate with the shots, but playing that role, I should be getting forwards a bit more.
“But I was more worried about the team and I’ll do everything I can for them.
“It was nice to get a game in and settle in with the team.”
Quashie added: “Coming to Reading was always going to be tough and I don’t think two goals was ever going to win it and I certainly don’t think there was going to be three goals in the game.
“Because Reading won, maybe they think they should have shown a bit more about themselves in terms of trying to win the game (more convincingly).”
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SpaceCruiser
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Nigel Quashie “We were just unfortunate with the goal because I couldn’t see them scoring in the second half.
I couldn't see you scoring either.
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Alan Partridge
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It does make you wonder what planet Quashie is on 
absolute mickey moue defense with 3 centre halves missing and the right back and keeper missing and you didn't have a decent effort on goal.
absolute mickey moue defense with 3 centre halves missing and the right back and keeper missing and you didn't have a decent effort on goal.
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SpaceCruiser
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Yeah, and "one way traffic" - he doesn't seem to realise that we were simply sitting back and waiting for the counter attacks.
Speaking as a back four, we were very disappointed because Wayne only had one save to make which was a free kick,” he said.
Harpers Chance sprins to mind
Harpers Chance sprins to mind
Nigel Quashie I don’t think they had a shot in the second half
To be fair to Quashimodo, he was so far behind the game he probably didn't see what was going on down their end of the pitch...
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