It is easy to see why Charlton have only been defeated twice this season. They have a group of players who defend well individually and collectively, backed up by a goalkeeper who commands his area.

Throughout the game the visitors stifled Reading’s attempts to create openings with tight marking and by closing players down quickly. It was a frustrating afternoon for Reading and their fans. The confident and optimistic mood generated by Tuesday’s convincing home win gradually ebbed away as possession did not convert into scoring opportunities. To make matters worse, slack defending resulted in Charlton scoring with a rare attack just before half time.

With former Royal Andre Bikey at the heart of the defence and two quick and reliable full backs keeping Reading at bay, Reading were unable to register a shot on target in the first half. Reading enjoyed a lot of possession but Charlton pressed hard all over the pitch and forced the Royals to pass the ball sideways and backwards. Charlton ‘keeper Henderson was outstanding in dealing with any high balls played in to the box. His job was made easier by Reading, and Obita in particular, crossing from deep positions. Obita has pace and has excellent technique but lacks the ability and acceleration to go past players. This has always been an issue, but it was highlighted today as he seemed crucial to the game plan judging by the amount of ball he received in the first half. Playing full back in previous games he has produced superb crosses but often from overlapping runs which took him closer to the goal line and with time and the space to deliver. Mackie was finding it equally difficult on the other flank. Cox and Obita both had good strikes on goal deflected or blocked, Hector headed wide at the far post from a corner, and Murray headed over early in the half, but Henderson did not have a save to make the first half.

The second half was not much better. Murray’s long range effort, although not gathered cleanly, was easily stopped by Henderson just after half time. Hector worked an opening for himself but could not get a good strike away as the Charlton defence typically closed up quickly. Norwood shaved the outside of the post with a good long range strike. Reading huffed and puffed but rarely opened up the Charlton defence.

Reading clearly needed to change their approach and Adkins eventually made use of the bench, but with only ten minutes left it was far too late for Blackman and Robson-Kanu to have any meaningful impact. Reading came close to an equaliser when Mackie was slipped a pass by Murray but his rasping drive was well saved by Henderson. The introduction of Pogrebnyak in place of Mackie three minutes form the end was pointless gesture. As Reading piled forward in desperation Charlton should have made it two but Federici was at his brilliant best with a double save when left without any defensive cover whatsoever.

It was another frustrating and disappointing result and performance from the Royals. Adkins continues to talk about players returning from injury as his team slides down the table. Patience may begin to wear thin unless some consistency of performance is achieved soon.
John Wells

Thought we played quite well tbf. Charlton scored with their only attack of the game (other than Feds great double save towards the end) and did a job on us. Bikey and Ben Haim were solid, and our wingers got doubled up on every time. Obita lost all confidence once their right back got the better of him a couple of times.
Pepe the Horseman

The way I saw it , it`s easy to see why Charlton have been so hard to beat this season, very strong at the back. and the right back had Obita in his pocket, doesn`t matter which side Gunter plays, the goals always seem to come from his side. Charlton offered very little going forward, but as always against Reading you only need one chance.

That said I thought we were worth at least a point, so many blocks. corners, and the post, it just wasn`t our day . 20 attempts, only 2 on target tells the whole sorry story really, but we lost so out come the Adkins out brigade. as they do every time we lose, strange how quiet they were on Tuesday night.
windermere_royal

Tactics were inept today. Slowly tap it about the back, whilst we let Charlton get 8 men organised back in defence. Brilliant! Obita's corners may well have been oxf*rd awful, but perhaps some of his other crosses might have found their way into the box if we hadn't given the Charlton defence 10 minutes to get into position.

A decent manager might have identified that Ben Haim and an overweight Bikey aren't particularly quick. A decent manger might have taken off the slowest striker in the league after 50/60 minutes in order to threaten Charlton's CBs with some pace. What did our manager do? He kept on the slowest striker in the league for the whole 97 minutes, and brought on the league's 2nd slowest striker to join him!
P!issed Off

It's all very well all this pedestrian passing but without any urgency, we'll never score a goal - as was shown today - we had few chances considering all the possession. Kudos to cox and Mackie for running their socks off and trying to get into positions to score. For me, only Obita had a poor game - every pass/corner over kicked - what DO the management teach them in training.

And why does Adkins sit down for so much of the game lately. When we conceded he remained seated - any other manager would have been up in his feet encouraging his players and re-arranging them - fed up with Mr Adkins Out now. Bring in a young, hungry guy who wants to make a name for himself.
Royal Lady

It made for a cagey start all-round, with Reading threatening mostly through the left-wing raids of Jordan Obita. However, his delivery of a succession of crosses left a lot to be desired and Charlton escaped any serious danger.

Reading grew more confident and created the first chance when Stephen Kelly crossed from the right wing. Glenn Murray rose high but could not keep his header on target...

Charlton seemed quite happy to sit back but, when they did venture forward, Johann Berg Gudmundsson tested home keeper Adam Federici with a low drive...

And their patient smash-and grab tactics worked a treat when, in the 39th minute, Vetokele flicked a header past Federici from a Chris Solly cross. It was the Angola striker's eighth goal of the season...

Charlton's rearguard was superbly marshalled by Andre Bikey, the former Reading central defender. The Royals could find no way through and their frustration began to grow.

As Charlton hung on grimly, Reading's late pressure almost paid off when Murray released Jamie Mackie, but Henderson made a superb save to keep out his fierce effort.
London Evening Standard

Igor Vetokele settled a scrappy game at the Madejski as his header gave Charlton a win against Reading to take his side up to eighth in the table. The hosts went close through Glenn Murray's header and had the better of the chances until the Addicks scored. Chris Solly got free to swing in a cross and Angolan Vetokele flicked home his eighth goal of the season. The home side then saw Oliver Norwood hit the post from 20 yards but they could not find a way through.

After Charlton's opener they were content to sit back and soak up the pressure from Reading - who dominated the play. Murray's low effort from outside the area was comfortably saved by Stephen Henderson, who also denied Jamie Mackie as the game wore on.

Charlton could have doubled their lead on the break near the end but substitute George Tucudean was twice denied by Adam Federici.
Reading boss Nigel Adkins:
"We had 20 shots, 35 crosses, 12 corners and we got beaten 1-0. I thought we started in a way that we could go on and win the game. Then Charlton have had the one cross into the box and scored from it. It gave them something to defend and they did it very well."
BBC Sport