Reading Football Club News: September 2021
Another Win Despite Injuries And Off-Pitch Worries
25 September 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Without a single recognised centre back available, and a makeshift pairing of Laurent and Yiadom at the heart of the defence, Reading kept their first clean sheet of the season and extended their unbeaten run to four games. A second half strike by Halilovic gave the Royals their third successive victory as they moved into the top half of the table. Reading played some superb flowing football at times and sliced open the Middlesbrough defence on several occasions. Had their finishing matched their approach play they could have won comfortably. With so many accomplished players on the pitch and Swift pulling the strings in centre of midfield the quality of Reading's passing and movement was mesmerising at times. Considering the threat of a points deduction hanging over them, a transfer embargo and an ever growing list of injured regular first choice players, it was a remarkable performance.
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Reading Get Second Win Of Season
14 September 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?
An exquisite free kick by John Swift after sixty-four minutes brought this dour struggle to life and sparked a furry of late goals to secure Reading's much needed second victory of the season. Having broken the deadlock, Puscas set up Dele-Bashiru for Reading's second three minute later as Peterborough fell apart. The visitors managed to recover their composure and pulled a goal back through Thompson with a far post header. Given the frequency with which the Royals have conceded late goals recently, the home fans could be forgiven for fearing another late collapse. Learning from recent disasters Reading managed the game well and went for a third goal which duly arrived in spectacular fashion from Dele-Bashiru two minutes from the end of normal time. Swift slipped him a pass outside the box and Peterborough gave him sufficient time and space to beat Pym with an outstanding dipping and swerving strike.
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Transfer Window Closes
01 September 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading failed to sign a striker as the summer transfer deadline passed. Free agent Andy Carroll remained a solid rumour throughout transfer deadline day but he failed to sign after being released by Newcastle United in the summer. Reading are left with a stronger midfield and defence after a busy final week of the window but fans will be left frustrated by the lack of a goalscorer with long term injuries to our better striking options.
Paunovic would have started the season feeling reasonably confident about the back line, despite the lack of a left back, with Moore and Morrison in the middle. However, our goalscoring issues have been overshadowed at the back where Reading have suffered so far this season. We have already conceeded a whopping 16 goals in just 6 games. With that in mind the signing of centre-back Scott Dann is a big boost. The 34 year old was released by Crystal Palace and will bring loads of experience to Reading after signing a one-year contract. He made over 180 appearances for Palace and will hopefully look comfortable after dropping down a division.
More experience arrived after former Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater joined Reading on a season loan from Chelsea. Drinkwater has struggled recently with injuries and issues off the pitch after his high profile move to Chelsea after Leicester won the Premier League. His impressive performances atr Leicester not only led to trophies but an England call up where he made three appearances for the Three Lions. He comes to Reading looking to get his career back on track after some tough times where he has struggled to get matches. If he can rediscover even some of his form at Reading then he could be a massive signing this season as Reading look to turn a poor start around.