For the second time this week Reading underperformed against a mediocre side from the lower half of the league, only on this occasion their opponents took full advantage. Nigel Adkin’s attempt to outwit Eddie Howe failed miserably. Many were surprised to see Pogrebnyak on the bench, but it seems the plan was to play Robson-Kanu instead, in a deeper role, leaving Billy Sharp up front on his own. To a degree it worked as the Royals dominated possession for thirty minutes, although the only strike on target in that period was a Billy Sharp header which was headed off the line. Then, completely against the run of play, Bournemouth scored twice in four minutes to completely change the complexion of the game. Adam Le Fondre’s strike in stoppage time came far too late for Reading to salvage a point from a game everyone was expecting them to win.

Reading kept the ball well for most of the first half but it was mainly ‘safe’ passing to retain possession and lacking in penetration. Bournemouth were organised and disciplined, and untroubled by Reading passing the ball in front of their midfield. The Royals did play with more width than against Charlton (although McCleary did create an imbalance again by drifting inside in the second half), but the quality of crossing left a lot to be desired. Keeper Camp and the Bournemouth dealt comfortably with most of the balls delivered in to the danger area. It was a dull game which looked likely to remain goalless until Guthrie conceded a free kick just inside his own half. The yellow card he received seemed a bit harsh and will result in suspension next week. The free-kick was pumped forward and was met by a Bournemouth head. The ball was scrambled away but not far enough as Grabban smashed home from close range. Things went from bad to worse as Guthrie gave the ball away carelessly on the half way line and as Ritchie dribbled across the edge of the box Gorkss stood off, allowing him to drill the ball low past McCarthy’s right hand.

Pogrebnyak replaced Hal Robson-Kanu at half time as Reading went chasing the game. Bournemouth were now enjoying the comfort of a two goal lead and passed the ball around well. In fact as the game wore on they looked more likely to score than Reading. Gorkss was looking very sluggish and beginning to concede free kicks with late lunges. Adkins made the bold move of replacing him with Le Fondre leaving only three at the back. With Drenthe replacing McCleary Reading briefly sparked into life. Unfortunately the impact was too late and Bournemouth frustrated Reading with the usual strategies to eat up time to secure the points. Drenthe’s stoppage time strike on goal was blocked by Camp and Le Fondre popped up to remind the manager his knack of scoring has not deserted him.

Far too often today Reading were second best in the air and in the tackle. Karacan’s influence is clearly missing at the moment. Drenthe stood out because he showed an appetite for the battle. He can be forgiven for the rash challenge which brought him a yellow card as he tried to inject some life into the game. In a mediocre performance Pearce stood out for his composure on the ball and resolute defensive work. I am still puzzled by the inclusion of Obita. He has potential but makes little impact. I would have preferred to see Robson-Kanu out wide on the left in his place rather than struggling to find space through the middle.

On current form it is hard to predict how this season will go, but at the moment a play-off place looks the best Reading can expect.
John Wells

That was utter crap again. Two home games in a row now we've been dreadful. This starts at the top as Adkins' ridiculous messing about with the team selection and formation can only be for the sake of it as the changes made no sense whatsoever. Dropping our big Russian to play one up front and then have three wingers launching the ball into the box form IN FRONT of the Bournemouth defence all the time was ineptitude in the first degree. In response Reading created nothing whatsoever and I can barely remember any Reading shots or attempts on goal until Le Fondre's consolation in the NINETY FIRST minute.

I can only assume that several members of our squad are not up to the more technical passing game NA wants us to play as the constant lack of thought and creativity and movement is quite unbelievable. Desperately need a pacey striker a good creative central attacking midfielder not to mention at least one centre back and a left back so with these deficiencies in mind perhaps we can treat it as a small miracle we are we're we are in the league currently. The only positive from today was the reappearance at last of Drenthe, let's hope he starts next week.
Barry the bird boggler

As soon as I saw the starting line up, no Pog, playing one up top against the poorest defence in the league I knew it was a disaster in waiting. quite simply we didn`t have a clue going forward, and as the game progressed there was more and more long ball stuff coming into our game, more likely out of desperation, we didn`t have a single shot on goal in the 2nd half until Alf scored and very little to talk of in the 1st half either. hugely disappointing and there is only one way this team is heading under the present leadership and that is down.
windermere_royal

Blimey Nige you cant resist a good tinkering of the squad can you, its all getting a bit Brendan Rodgers except we apparently have the talent this time round. The performances and cohesion is so overwhelmingly individual its embarrassing. Granted we have had injuries but a combination of nigels plate spinning and poor individual errors serves to remind us that a playoff place even in the championship where you can get away with it is hardly warranted. I'd actually love our possession football to pay dividends but when you have a prima donna in the middle of the park called Guthrie its hard to see it through. Just how many bad passes from him are we going to apologise for, his offensive passing is way overrated. Obita bides his time and then gets shoved in the in the middle to knock any confidence he had grown, McCleary who I rate turns into Kebe early 2008 and Gunter gets the run around the entire game. Not to mention Hal 'I can play as a striker' Kanu - well it turns out you cant. Cummings battled valiantly, Pog and Sharp did there level best with balls from midfield twatted to them at neck level whilst alfie grabs another goal from the bench as a reminder to Adkins probably not to pick him. At the other end Pearce and Gorkss are the few to put up a fight but are cruelly exposed for their lack of pace. Drethe's cameo was encouraging but as aluded to before the focus on individual performances is fractured as are the tactics and the general belive and enjoyment of the fans.
holsgrove breaks a leg