Another very poor display by Reading. I wondered at half time whether the players really cared. I came up with the view that individually they probably did. The problem was, that as a team, there was no co-ordination. The only moment at Sunderland where teamwork mattered was at the group hug before kick off. The players should have an individual desire for success, but should also want to win for each other. Today, there was no such desire. We are not a team challenging for promotion. We are a team, where on performances so far this season, we are lucky to be in the first division. The only real issue at the end of the season, I fear, will be avoiding the dreaded drop. Let us not kid ourselves. We have performed well in two league games this season. We were awesome at Ipswich, and had to settle for a draw. We demolished Forest, and we all started to believe. Since then, we have flattered to deceive at home to Rotherham. We were lucky that Derby didn't equalise. Wimbledon don't really count, and apart from the second half against Cardiff, we have been, at best, ordinary. Pards created a team that, last season, did ok. Fozzie as a lone striker worked then, but for God's sake, the opposition have seen through our clever plan now! We still have the players that can do it. The support is there, but won't have the piss taken. Let us appoint a manager who can deliver. The Nicky Hammond thing is laudable, in that it recognises loyalty, and all that. What it doesn't do, is give us a realistic way forward into the Premiership. Let us get off this highbrow stance where we lose our own manager to the realities that exist in football, but we stubbornly refuse to see the need to adopt the same realities when we need a replacement. We have all come a long way. Strangely enough, the way back is a lot shorter, and not one we should be contemplating. Come on Board of Directors, be brave. We may need to re-build a little to be a credible force again, but with the right appoitment now, we could still get to the promised land. It could still even happen this season! URRRZZZZ!
Kevin, Worthing Royal.

Like a group of Sunday school children who had lost their teacher on a school outing , Reading meekly succumbed to another defeat as the club continues to plummet to mid table mediocrity following being left well and truly in the shit by Pardew . It's getting painful to watch , goals are being conceded with frighting ease and when we need the infamous " spirit , tenacity and flair " to get us out of trouble and get a result , the opposite applies . I find it hard to find three words that resemble what's going on at the moment . I'll be amongst the few at Norwich on Tuesday to see if we can get back on track again for what is now appears to be the realistic objective of a play off place . It's unbelievable to see how the same side that had so much confidence , guile and swagger at the start of the season have sadly turned into a team who are clearly lacking in leadership , direction and indeed that vital factor confidence . Yes I do blame Pardew , well and truly , but of course life goes on . Still many many games to go , but I fear unless the club and JM act swiftly in appointing a manager asap , it really will be a season of consolidation after a start that promised so much . A draw will be a great result on Tuesday under such uncertain circumstances .......URZ
Nick Newbury

Like many Royals' fans I watched the game courtesy of Sky. I have to say that I found it very frustrating. Most of you reading this will also have seen the game and have drawn your own conclusions. What I would like to add is the fact that the players who failed to deliver, were, in the main, the younger ones. Sidwell, Harper Shorey and those recently brought in by he who should no longer be named, Goater and Murray. Those with a bit more seniority, like Williams, Brown,Murty and Forster have been though this all before and did OK. The way Hughes is pilloried by certain sections on this site does them no favours. He has been asked to play a number of roles. His passing is not of the highest order, but he is always prepared to have a go, and his running is an example for all in the team. Personally I think he has been better than Harper this season and have never understood why he was player of the season last year against Forster and Williams.
So the results would suggest that Dillon is not the man for the job. Who can tell from this distance? It would have been interesting to hear the club's captain view on this! What is important now is that the right decision is made as quickly as possible. It is almost an impossible decision and if you look at the current Spurs situation that will tell you much. You only know if you got it right a few years down the line. The reality is that we have become a good first division side very quickly. Other clubs have done that in their first year in this division - Milwall, Preston etc. What is also true is that other clubs are getting their house in order financially where we have had a short term advantage. I still believe we over achieved last year which was a tremendous achievement by all concerned. If that is to be maintained then we have to pay the price. That only comes from the Chairman and as such is an unfair request because we do not have the gates to compete with some of our rivals. This match was both frustrating and understandable. What we have to as fans is to support both the team, and that is all of them, and the decision that JM finally comes to.
Ken C