Reading’s inspired home form continued as they took control of the game with two goals in the opening seventeen minutes and went on to crush a spirited Blackpool side with five very well taken goals. Adam Le Fondre was outstanding again, scoring his second successive hat-trick at the Madejski Stadium in the space of ten days. There was much to admire about this Reading performance. The finishing was excellent, the passing penetrative, and the commitment to closing opposing players down throughout the team gave the visitors virtually no chance of establishing a grip on the game.

After seven minutes McCleary ran at the Blackpool defence and whipped in a cross which was deflected in to the path of Le Fondre to volley home from close range. McAnuff’s delivery form the other wing was also putting the visitors back four under pressure. Ten minutes later a McAnuff corner to the far post was headed back across goal by Pearce and Le Fondre reacted quicker than everyone to head Reading into a two goal lead. Blackpool rallied and managed to keep Reading at bay until half time although McAnuff came close to a third goal when Le Fondre laid an inviting pass back to him on the edge of the area, and a Blackpool defender almost deflected a Mc Cleary cross in to his own net on thirty five minutes.

A third goal seemed inevitable and it should have arrived four minutes into the second half. A delightful flick from Pogrebnyak found McAnuff racing over the half way line. McAnuff’s excellent first touch took him clear of the Blackpool defence but as he closed in on goal he seemed to delay his shot and although Gilks got down well to save the finish lacked conviction. The crucial third goal came three minutes later as Le Fondre sliced open the Blackpool defence with a perfect ball for Pogrebnyak apply a composed finish. On came Tyson to a warm round of applause from the home fans and was immediately booked for elbowing Obita.

On sixty-four minutes McAnuff was caught in possession on the half way line and before the Reading defence could adjust to the situation Davies struck a brilliant goal from over thirty yards to reduce the deficit to two again. A flickering flame of a recovery was extinguished immediately. McCleary collected the ball just inside his own half, outwitted his marker and ran at the Blackpool defence. Before he could be closed down he slipped a beautifully weighted pass for Le Fondre to pick up with yet another perfectly timed run and as Gilks came out Le Fondre lclipped the ball over him into the net to complete his hat-trick.

With over twenty minutes to play Adkins wisely substituted Le Fondre to keep him fresh for the next game. On came Robson-Kanu to complete the scoring. Given just sufficient time and space on the edge of the box he hit the ball with considerable power and accuracy low into the bottom corner, giving Gilks no chance whatsoever of keeping it out.

There was again a great deal to admire and enjoy about this Reading performance. Throughout the team everyone looked comfortable and composed in possession, and the quality of passing and movement in attack had their opponents on the back foot all evening. Even McCarthy was initiating attacks with his distribution to McAnuff (although his kicking dies not match the quality of his throwing!). Adkins seems to have found a winning formula which could well secure a pace in the play-offs.
John Wells

Really think having the extra pace in Obita and Akpan is making a big difference defensively to the team. With Gunter and Obita, we must have the two quickest full backs in the Championship. Williams and Akpan picked up so many loose balls again today, something we weren't doing in our poor run over Christmas.

Gunter looked pretty pissed off on a few occasions having bust a gut to overlap and then for McCleary to cut inside and lost the ball. I actually thought McCleary had a pretty average game. ALF's link up play continues to improve - liked the way he played in McCleary on a couple of occasions and his through ball to Pog for his goal was quite exquisite. And why didn't McAnuff square the ball to ALF early in the second half rather than shoot!
3points

A very entertaining game to which Blackpool contributed. We started the Bolton game with the meaningless passes between the back four and goalie before gaining the confidence to attack at pace and play the ball to feet. This game we started with that confidence! Fielding the same line-up for the fourth game running must help as the players are starting to gell and form partnerships.

JoJo (Jobi and Jordan) is working really well. Jobi in particular seems to be reborn after returning from injury. He seems to have gained a yard of pace and is playing with energy and enthusiasm - leading by example. Williams is also everywhere on the pitch! His work rate is far higher than it was at the beginning of the season and he bosses the game in the way Guthrie used to.

But MOTM today, for me, was McCleary. He was a constant threat down the right and had the beating of the full back time and time again. At times he looked unplayable!

Of the other players - McCarthy did well and was given no chance with a tremendous 30 yard screamer from Davies which even garnered applause from the sporting Reading supporters. Gunter was solid bar a few mistakes. The two centre backs always worry me - mainly because of their lack of pace and discomfort with the ball. But Pearce set up Alf's second goal with a nice cushioned header and Gorkss looked more assured. Akpan played well and was competitive although he doesn't seem to challenge for headers when he should. Even if he doesn't win the ball his presence and challenge can force a mistake in his opponent. Pog had an average game against Ipswich by all accounts but he was certainly on his game today. He scored a good goal (thanks to an Alf assist) and was a constant thorn in Blackpool's side! He and Alf are linking up well and we need to keep them together for as long as possible. Alf scored three - and nearly had four. He is obviously enjoying his football and looked happy as he was given a standing ovation when subbed.

There was a time, way back in September I think, when I posted that Reading had only scored one goal in open play in five matches. Our last two home games have seen 12 goals - all from open play!! That is progress!! We need to eliminate the careless errors that creep into the play of most of our players from time to time but if we can do that we will a force to be reckoned with for the second half of this season.
marlowuk