Stoke v Reading match thread, sponsored by fat lady in white

[TBM]

Blackman looks a little lost - not sure we are using him that effectively.

Are you talking about Leigertwood?

[Za Vas]

Blackman looks a little lost - not sure we are using him that effectively.

This! Although as does Kebe so far.

[Platypuss]

And when we do get a chance to cross we have to be much better - they've all been awful so far.

But on the brighter side we don't look like a team who's afraid of the ball any more.

[LightwaterRoyal]

Blackman looks a little lost - not sure we are using him that effectively.

I was thinking the same

[MmmMonsterMunch]

70/30 possession!

Well done Reading you survived half of the match! Phew.

[BenSmith91]

Ball spent more time in the air then it did on the floor. Kudos to Federici, a few important saves. Now, to create a meaningful attack...

[RedRum]

Stoke 70% possession
We try to be a counter-attacking team but are so awful at counter-attacking

[Royal91]

Glad I'm not a stoke fan oxf*rd hell!

[Ascotexgunner]

How was Hoof not been carded for that when play stopped.

[Libertine]

I'll take that. Not our best half but Stoke is a very difficult side to play against...

[Royal91]

Proves how oxf*rd we are at retaining the ball when STOKE have 70% possession against us!

[Big Ern]

70/30 possession!

Well done Reading you survived half of the match! Phew.

Just saw that as well. Got to do better than that.

We actually looked quite comfortable when we were knocking it about but seem to have gone back to hoof ball and Stoke are winning the physical battle. The good news is we are not behind at HT when we easily could have been. Feds save against Crouch was very impressive.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I'll take that. Not our best half but Stoke is a very difficult side to play against...

Exactly this. Today is not about good football it's about trying to grind out a result and not get any injuries simple as that.

[Ian Royal]

Well it's the usual story so far recently. Start well playing tidy football. The opposition gradually squeezes us and we resort to long balls, which Stoke eat up all day. By 30 minutes it's now pretty much all Stoke. We weather a storm and we're still right in it.

We need to stop hitting it long to Pog. Someone must put their foot on it, control the game and pick passes. Blackman looks slike a striker playing on the wing. Not impressed so far. Jobi not really in it although one great run with no support. Akpan quiet after an excellent start. Legs good. Mariappa handling Crouch pretty well. Harte troubled by Kightly. Kebe taken out when he could have done some real damage with a late break.

[Royal91]

I'll take that. Not our best half but Stoke is a very difficult side to play against...

I'd bite your hand off for a point here!

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Excellent team performance. Everyone contributed, not too much angst against a team of Orcs. Jeeez, Stoke are ugly, both in style and looks.

Mapps excellent. Ledge managed to put his foot on the ball. Couple of very timely interceptions from Kelly. Harte - reads things so well. Akpan - the boy just oozes class.

Blackman trying to get to grips with the pace, and Pearce had the easy job given that Mapps had the Ganglion.

Looking for more in the second half and we can certainly win this with a bit of space from the Man Who Does What He Wants.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

1st half "highlights" on the stream were ALL stoke

[SPARTA]

Blackman isn't a winger, he said so himself. Sheff U were playing him out wide a bit but he's a striker. Still seems odd to drop McCleary and ignore HRK (or is he injured?). I would have looked to bring Blackman on as a sub if anything. Perhaps Brian is anticipating needing Alf and McCleary late on for impact.

Delighted with a point thus far. A draw today would be cracking. Wigan and QPR losing, Villa will hopefully add to that, Newcastle not far away still, Sunderland losing again.. it's all good at this point.

[Ian Royal]

1st half "highlights" on the stream were ALL stoke

I counted one shot. A failed Leghammer that scuttered off nowhere near the goal.

[RoyalBlue]

Things could be far worse! Fake Hoops losing 2-0 yet Adel Taarabt has just been booked for timewasting!!