MATCHWATCH : Harborough Town (h)

[Greatwesternline]

Harborough’s first shouldn’t have been given after the amount of shirt pulling from the Harborough player who scored.

Don’t understand why Kanu got a second booking for what is essentially two players giving a shoulder barge to each other with the Harborough player then going down like someone had shot him and rolling about on the ground.

Camara’s goal was an own goal.

Kanu got nowhere near the ball and took him out, anyone can see it was a clear yellow. It csrtainly wasn't just shoulder to shoulder.

Both players were nowhere near the ball, both players committed to a shoulder charge.

The fact Kanu doesn't complain tells you all you need to know. He thumps the ground with frustration at the situation he's got himself into immediately.

[Snowflake Royal]

Harborough’s first shouldn’t have been given after the amount of shirt pulling from the Harborough player who scored.

Don’t understand why Kanu got a second booking for what is essentially two players giving a shoulder barge to each other with the Harborough player then going down like someone had shot him and rolling about on the ground.

Camara’s goal was an own goal.

Kanu got nowhere near the ball and took him out, anyone can see it was a clear yellow. It csrtainly wasn't just shoulder to shoulder.

Both players were nowhere near the ball, both players committed to a shoulder charge.

Give your head a wobble.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Much too close for comfort. Very nearly 3-4 at 90 mins and it’d look very different this morning.

As someone posted above Selles doesn’t get non league. Or the FACup I’d say. I reckon he’d treat Aldershot away as just another game. He just got away with it yesterday despite selection and substitution errors, one of which was not hooking Kanu when he was on a yellow, given he had Bindon and Dean on the bench.

Harborough first goal looked like Eastleigh’s winner and one of Kiddy’s. Lesson there.

Ultimately an epic, worth attending, Harborough were ugly, limited, cynical but tactically astute, motivated and made the most of what they had. Sandro useless though.

Harsh - Wycombe made 11 changes as did Birmingham and other L1 sides on average 8 or 9.

The difference is they all have squads of 20 plus senior pros whereas we have something like 11 so any meaningful changes result in academy players playing.

I agree in hindsight Dean should have been on earlier but he has been an extremely poor signing and we looked no more organised defensively at set plays when he came on.

As Selles said after, the young players will have learned a lot from playing under proper pressure for the first time.

[Sutekh]

Much too close for comfort. Very nearly 3-4 at 90 mins and it’d look very different this morning.

As someone posted above Selles doesn’t get non league. Or the FACup I’d say. I reckon he’d treat Aldershot away as just another game. He just got away with it yesterday despite selection and substitution errors, one of which was not hooking Kanu when he was on a yellow, given he had Bindon and Dean on the bench.

Harborough first goal looked like Eastleigh’s winner and one of Kiddy’s. Lesson there.

Ultimately an epic, worth attending, Harborough were ugly, limited, cynical but tactically astute, motivated and made the most of what they had. Sandro useless though.

Harsh - Wycombe made 11 changes as did Birmingham and other L1 sides on average 8 or 9.

The difference is they all have squads of 20 plus senior pros whereas we have something like 11 so any meaningful changes result in academy players playing.

I agree in hindsight Dean should have been on earlier but he has been an extremely poor signing and we looked no more organised defensively at set plays when he came on.

As Selles said after, the young players will have learned a lot from playing under proper pressure for the first time.

Wonder what Selles' approach would be to team selection if Reading got a trip to Anfield or Old Trafford to play either of those reserve teams?

[Royals and Racers]

Kanu got nowhere near the ball and took him out, anyone can see it was a clear yellow. It csrtainly wasn't just shoulder to shoulder.

Both players were nowhere near the ball, both players committed to a shoulder charge.

Give your head a wobble.

Or go to Specsavers

[Hound]

No complaints at all on the second yellow. It was the yellowest of tackles

Great comments from Selles though

These games are never easy - I’m sure Selles does ‘get’ non league - but as usual you’re talking 18-20 year olds against more limited players who are making a career by their physicality

If we had any chance of fielding a bunch of experienced L1 cloggers I suspect we’d have won easily by matching their physicality with a couple of tiers up of improved technical skills but we don’t

We’ve also struggled against the more physical L1 sides like Wrexham and Stockport.

Dean possibly should have played, but can’t see much else I’d have done differently

It’s just great to get the win and a chance of a decent draw

[Royals and Racers]

Much too close for comfort. Very nearly 3-4 at 90 mins and it’d look very different this morning.

As someone posted above Selles doesn’t get non league. Or the FACup I’d say. I reckon he’d treat Aldershot away as just another game. He just got away with it yesterday despite selection and substitution errors, one of which was not hooking Kanu when he was on a yellow, given he had Bindon and Dean on the bench.

Harborough first goal looked like Eastleigh’s winner and one of Kiddy’s. Lesson there.

Ultimately an epic, worth attending, Harborough were ugly, limited, cynical but tactically astute, motivated and made the most of what they had. Sandro useless though.

Harsh - Wycombe made 11 changes as did Birmingham and other L1 sides on average 8 or 9.

The difference is they all have squads of 20 plus senior pros whereas we have something like 11 so any meaningful changes result in academy players playing.

I agree in hindsight Dean should have been on earlier but he has been an extremely poor signing and we looked no more organised defensively at set plays when he came on.

As Selles said after, the young players will have learned a lot from playing under proper pressure for the first time.

Wonder what Selles' approach would be to team selection if Reading got a trip to Anfield or Old Trafford to play either of those reserve teams?

With only 1 midweek game scheduled for January,( after New Years day) February and March ( EFL cup as well if we beat Walsall) the players are hardly going to be over worked- so i would like a strong side put out especially if the Wrexham match is re-arranged on a sensible date.

[RoyalBlue]

Button just doesn't come out for corners. First one was easily preventable and was rooted to the spot.

Watching the video he was actually shoved backwards by one of their players so stood no chance of getting to the ball. However, I agree that he is poor in coming out for corners and not great on crosses either. Pereira is much more positive and far better in that respect.

[South Coast Royal]

We are ball 62 in tomorrow’s draw.

Will be watching with interest.
I wonder if those that posted about this game being unimportant and not caring about the result will crawl out of the woodwork if we end up with a glamour draw.

[tidus_mi2]

Not to state the obvious but, hopefully we get either a winnable tie or an away against a big Prem side that is likely to bring in some good revenue.

Last thing we need is a Stoke (A) or something similar.

[stealthpapes]

With only 1 midweek game scheduled for January,( after New Years day) February and March ( EFL cup as well if we beat Walsall) the players are hardly going to be over worked- so i would like a strong side put out especially if the Wrexham match is re-arranged on a sensible date.

Excluding Christmas/NY, there's also one more in early March, plus international weekend in late March. We're at mercy of other clubs wrt FA cup.
I can see the midweeks filling up. Maybe.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Just read that our gate was the highest Cup R2 attendance of the weekend....

[Stranded]

With only 1 midweek game scheduled for January,( after New Years day) February and March ( EFL cup as well if we beat Walsall) the players are hardly going to be over worked- so i would like a strong side put out especially if the Wrexham match is re-arranged on a sensible date.

Excluding Christmas/NY, there's also one more in early March, plus international weekend in late March. We're at mercy of other clubs wrt FA cup.
I can see the midweeks filling up. Maybe.

The weather plays a part as well - the midweeks in the new year are generally kept as clear as possible because games get postponed for any number of reasons.

Next International window is in March - I think around the Shrewsbury away game - so that will shift into April - Wrexham we know is shifted and if we somehow get past Rd 3 then Huddersfield in Feb will also shift. I'll be very surprised if it midweeks don't fill up quickly.

[Whore Jackie]

Next International window is in March - I think around the Shrewsbury away game - so that will shift into April - Wrexham we know is shifted and if we somehow get past Rd 3 then Huddersfield in Feb will also shift. I'll be very surprised if it midweeks don't fill up quickly.

Yep, Shrewsbury away is the next International break. We also have to reschedule the Shrewsbury home game from November too. Imagine they're waiting until after the Walsall Bristol Street cup game before trying to squeeze that one in.

[Hound]

Not to state the obvious but, hopefully we get either a winnable tie or an away against a big Prem side that is likely to bring in some good revenue.

Last thing we need is a Stoke (A) or something similar.

Last thing anyone ever needs is a game at Stoke (A)

I’d like to see a big prem team at home, or spurs away. Keen to visit the new WHL at some point

Some nice comments and Selles from the Harborough boss in the chronicle

[Royals and Racers]

Next International window is in March - I think around the Shrewsbury away game - so that will shift into April - Wrexham we know is shifted and if we somehow get past Rd 3 then Huddersfield in Feb will also shift. I'll be very surprised if it midweeks don't fill up quickly.

Yep, Shrewsbury away is the next International break. We also have to reschedule the Shrewsbury home game from November too. Imagine they're waiting until after the Walsall Bristol Street cup game before trying to squeeze that one in.

Vertu Trophy dates going forward
Round of 16 W/C 13th January
QF’s W/C 3rd February
SF’s W/C 17th February

[tidus_mi2]

Next International window is in March - I think around the Shrewsbury away game - so that will shift into April - Wrexham we know is shifted and if we somehow get past Rd 3 then Huddersfield in Feb will also shift. I'll be very surprised if it midweeks don't fill up quickly.

Yep, Shrewsbury away is the next International break. We also have to reschedule the Shrewsbury home game from November too. Imagine they're waiting until after the Walsall Bristol Street cup game before trying to squeeze that one in.

Feels kinda funny that we're losing both Shrewsbury games to International breaks.

[Clyde1998]

The official attendance was: 7,916 (2,866 away) - so 5,050 home fans.

That away figure is way short of the 3,400 talked about before the game. There were a couple of boxes of Harborough fans, but those fans and any complimentary tickets still don't come close to 3,400.

[Mr Optimist]

Quite enjoyed the day out, we made the game exciting and fair play to the Harborough Town players who must have given all they’ve got and left it all on the pitch as the old cliche goes.

There was a massive difference in ability though and despite the score line being close for most of the time I didn’t feel nervous that we wouldn’t see it through in the end. For much of both halves of the 90 it seemed to be us passing it around the edge of their box patiently waiting to work an opening. They scored on the break which made the possession stat that they had 52% to our 48% seem odd.

Special word for the refereeing. I’ll have a pint of whatever he/they were on. A linesmen who didn’t want to make a decision and what was that American football style body check by the Harborough player down towards the South West corner about when he realised he was being outpaced and the ref gave a free kick to them.

Still, all’s well that ends well, we are through and Harborough had fun on their big day out and everyone goes home happy, especially the Harborough/Leicester/day tripper fans who seemed to like singing Reading’s a shithole, I want to go home every 5 minutes finally got their wish.

[Clyde1998]

Special word for the refereeing. I’ll have a pint of whatever he/they were on. A linesmen who didn’t want to make a decision and what was that American football style body check by the Harborough player down towards the South West corner about when he realised he was being outpaced and the ref gave a free kick to them.

Thought the ref was poor. Certainly didn't feel like an even playing field, with Harborough constantly being able to get away with shirt pulls and fouls that should've been yellows. He seemed much more likely to give fouls against us.

That was on Tuma IIRC. Was a total body check and cannot understand how that was given in Harborough's favour.