Orlando Sa’s hat-trick saw Reading to a 5-1 victory over Town at the Madejski Stadium, the Blues’ heaviest defeat for nearly three years. Sa put the home side ahead in the seventh minute, Freddie Sears equalised soon afterwards before the Portuguese frontman made it 2-1 at the break. In the second half Nick Blackman made it 3-1 and Sa completed his hat-trick before Oliver Norwood lashed in a late fifth.

Boss Mick McCarthy included Sears, David McGoldrick and Brett Pitman from the start with the former Colchester man wide on the right

Central defender Christophe Berra returned to the Town line-up having missed the 3-2 defeat to Brighton two weeks ago with a hamstring problem.

Daryl Murphy was on the bench after his calf injury, while there was no place in the 18 for new signing Tommy Oar. Jonny Parr was included in a matchday squad for the first time this season having suffered with a niggly thigh injury since pre-season.

The home side began the game strongly and in the seventh minute they went in front. Jonas Knudsen’s under-hit clearance only reached Vydra who found Blackman. The former Sheffield United man whipped over a cross and Sa got in front of Tommy Smith to flick a header home.

But four minutes later the Blues were back on terms. Pitman found Ryan Fraser inside the area and the Scotland U21 international twisted and turned before hitting a shot which Royals keeper Jonathan Bond palmed away but straight to the in-running Sears, who chested into the net.

However, parity would only last for another three minutes, Sa hitting a low 20-yard strike beyond Dean Gerken’s right hand and into the net after a counter-attack to reclaim the lead.

The Blues, wearing orange, started to see more of the ball as the game reached the 20-minute mark with McGoldrick increasingly influential, although the home side continued to look very dangerous when in the Town half.

Following a Town corner, left-back Knudsen smashed a low shot not too far wide from 25 yards.

Town went close again on 23 when Fraser threaded Sears in on the left of the area but having cut inside, the earlier goalscorer lashed over from close range when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Three minutes later Fraser shot over from distance, then on 32 skipper Luke Chambers was booked for tripping Stephen Quinn, although it looked like an inadvertent tangle of legs.

From the corner, Gerken turned the ball around the post but the linesman’s flag had been raised in any case, although no one had appeared to get a touch on the ball. On 36 Skuse was booked for a late challenge on Aaron Tshibola.

In the 38th minute, after a Pitman dummy on the edge of the area had just failed to come off, Reading again broke quickly but Berra stepped across to intercept Sa’s final pass to Vydra which would have seen the on-loan Watford man in on goal.

Moments later, Fraser became the third Town player to get his name in the book for a foul on Norwood.

The Blues could have got on terms in the 44th minute after McGoldrick headed Fraser’s left-sided corner wide when under the attention of Blackman.

The striker will feel he probably should have hit the target, while one or two Town players claimed that he had been pulled back by Blackman but referee Roger East wasn’t interested.

Neither side threatened again before the end of a thoroughly entertaining first half. After the three early goals the Blues saw a lot of the ball, passing it around slickly at times, with McGoldrick, Fraser and Sears all looking dangerous.

Town had had chances to get back on terms, while Reading always looked a threat on the break.

The Blues created the first opportunity of the second half in the 48th minute, McGoldrick chesting down a long ball to Pitman, who powerfully shot wide from inside the area when he clearly felt he should have done better.

But two minutes later it was 3-1 to the Royals. Blackman cut back from the left to Sa, but the ball hit the striker and fell to Skuse, who looked for Gerken to come and claim.

But the keeper didn’t react and the Blues midfielder was forced to clear and hooked straight back to Blackman, who took a touch before smashing an unstoppable shot past Gerken and into the roof of the net.

Vydra curled a shot well over, then on 61 Pitman came within a couple of inches of making it 3-2. Fraser clipped over a cross from the left and the striker’s looping header rebounded off the bar. McGoldrick subsequently required treatment after being caught by an arm as Reading cleared the loose ball.

Two minutes later, Reading made it four. Blackman beat Berra on the Royals right and cut the ball across to Sa, who completed his hat-trick from close range.

With the game almost certainly lost, Pitman and Fraser - perhaps with an eye towards Tuesday’s game at Leeds - were swapped for Daryl Murphy and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Reading switched Lucas Piazon for Vydra and Ola John for the very impressive Blackman - both subs making their debut - as the game moved into its final 15 minutes with no dramatic Town comeback looking likely.

On 81 Maitland-Niles miscued wide from a tight angle beyond the far post after Murphy had found him with a cross from the left of the area.

But a Reading fifth had looked more likely than a Town comeback and in the 87th minute Oliver Norwood unleashed a 35-yard rocket which flew into the top corner leaving Gerken standing.

It could have been even worse for the Blues with Tshibola curling a shot not too far wide and moments before the whistle Knudsen was cautioned for pulling back sub John.

At the break Town’s biggest defeat since the 6-0 November 2012 loss at Leicester hardly seemed on the cards but once another defensive error had allowed Blackman to score his goal - in addition to his three assists - to make it 3-1 there was never any way back for the Blues.

The fourth was more poor defending - Berra perhaps feeling the effects of his recent injury - while the fifth stunning strike was the icing on the cake for Reading fans who went home very happy having seen their side win their first game at the Madejski Stadium since March 10th and score their first home league goals since April 4th.

For Town, the number of poor goals being conceded is a continuing concern with the Blues now having kept only one clean sheet in 17.

The second successive defeat sees the Blues fall to fourth on goal difference with a further drop certain after tomorrow’s games,

Reading: Bond, Gunter, Obita, Ferdinand, McShane, Norwood, Quinn, Tshibola, Blackman (John 78), Sa (Robson-Kanu 82), Vydra (Piazon 77). Unused: Al-Habsi, Hector, McCleary, Williams.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Douglas, Fraser (Maitland-Niles 67), Sears, McGoldrick, Pitman (Murphy 67). Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Parr, Coke, Touré. Att: 16,809 (Town: 1,602).

Photo: Action Images

blue96 added 23:32 - Sep 11 I'm absolutely sick and tired off fickle fans repeatedly having a go at Gerken, yes he's the goalkeeper and should be more commanding of his area and Bart should definitely start ahead of every day of the week but tonight the whole squad was appalling, personally none of the five goals he could have done anything about. Chambers may well be captain but passion alone doesn't make you a good footballer, he has limited ability with the ball at his feet and the slightest ounce of pressure he hoofs it down the line to our six foot plus strikers who hardly ever win the ball. We may well have talented individuals up top but the link up play is horrific at times and the opposition show a lot more tenacity to win the ball. Whatever happened to the rugged defending of last season which made us promotion hopefuls. The doubts are most definitely coming to the foreground now with only one clean sheet all season - that is not promotion contending form. With Jonny Williams having gone on loan to Forest, why on Earth have we stuck with two solitary midfielders with 0% creativity and movement off the ball. We have £8 million or more to spend and we still stick with free agents and loanees, there's a large reason most of the time why they're free agents. Knudsen is a difficult one to call, his performance tonight was well below par with him being at fault for two of the goals. Town need to close down in pairs and win the ball back with vigour, the only ones who seem to perform week in week out are Sears and Didz - we may have good characters but that doesn't make a good team. Murphy also seems to have lead boots on recently and can't jump to save his life. Fans need to realise that it's a team performance and can't continually blame the goalkeeper when the defence doesn't close down quick enough and the amazing duo of Skusey and Dougie leave huge gaps behind them. Bru and Bishop must play when they come back, Sears has to be up top and put pressure on the back line, McGoldrick to sit deeper and create with Chambers and Gerken dropping to the bench for Parr (a recognised full back) and Bart. I am still a believer that Town can achieve things this season but eight goals in two games is relegation standards.

3

Fatcatevans added 23:37 - Sep 11 Is there something in Chambers contract that says he can't be subbed? he was beyond awful. And for all of those who thinks he's a centre half, I'd say he was just as bad last week in that position. MM needs to pick players on merit, not on fist pumps. Let's get Bru and Bishop fit and let one of them replace the two pensioners currently standing statically in midfield.

4

jollyroger added 23:43 - Sep 11 Please please mick dip into the loan market for a keeper
2

dannyrr added 23:44 - Sep 11 As usual humiliated on TV. Dread it when I know we are going to be on live because we normally have a terrible game.
2

BrettenhamBlue added 23:54 - Sep 11 Watched it in a bar in Norfolk. You can imagine the Norwich fans reactions, they were just laughing the entire time (literally rolling around in fits of laughter). Embarrassing on live TV. Wish I hadn't seen it, those memories will be hard to get rid of.
2

runningout added 00:01 - Sep 12 Oh dear.. Too many average Joes thinking they have made it in football.. Obviously out manager thought keeper issue was fine.. Not
0

oddball added 00:02 - Sep 12 Ouch! I am an innocent victim of truth, moan away, u may be right.
0

dubblue added 00:39 - Sep 12 dire to watch. expect radical changes for tuesday. drop gerken, chambers, douglas for a start. if we don't sort out the defence we can forget promotion prospects.
0

MickeyMills added 00:40 - Sep 12 Poor showing tonight. Although there was no doubt that they should have won, the scoreline flatters Reading. Like many others, I agree that the goalkeeping situation needs resolving. Gerken does not command his area at all. I would even go as far as saying that he is reluctantly gay as he clearly does not want to come out!
0

ITFCJoshie1995 added 00:53 - Sep 12 Should of got the money out and got Dallas instead of Douglas he's useless Teddy Bishop And Bru will hopefully replace so
2

SohoBlue added 00:57 - Sep 12 Sounds like this one might be hard to watch on catch-up... It must be Sky's fault, come to think of it. I'll end my Sports subscription after the cricket on Sunday - for the good of the team. Let's move on. Quickly...
0

PJH added 01:10 - Sep 12 Just got home. I have not read what anyone else has said but I imagine some people are quite chirpy. I thought only 3 of our players came out of the game with any credit-McGoldrick's performance deserved to be on a winning side,Skuse was good as almost always and Fraser was good on the ball. I felt the first four goals were all from individual errors-Knudsen should have prevented cross for first,Berra stood off and allowed shot for second,Gerken should have collected the ball before the shot for third and Berra should have prevented cross for fourth. I think Bart should be brought back on Tuesday. On Tuesday we go again.

4

marshallmania added 01:42 - Sep 12 POOP. Why do I have a season ticket? Great squad but performances are well below par. Who are Reading? We made them look brilliant and thats why we are not going up SssHhhhh
0

jas0999 added 01:52 - Sep 12 Absultely absymal. There can be no excuse for that. There is usually a team who starts the season very well, but tails off very quickly, often finishing bottom half of the table. Unless Mick acts that could be us. Stand by pre season comments. Not sure we invested in the right quality in key positions. For me a keeper, right back (allowing Chambers to play CB) and a creative, goal scoring central midfield player were musts. I'm still waiting. Sadly, the necessary quality was likely to cost money in fees. Hence the problem. Over £100M spent by Championship clubs. We didn't join that party. Sure, we signed plenty of frees and loans, but good enough? Already Coke, Toure and Douglas look average at best. Only Fraser good enough and possibly Pitman. Any team that has Gerken in goal and a central midfield pairing of Skuse and Douglas clearly don't have ambitions of promotion. Yes, money doesn't buy success, but we still lack necessary quality. The type which costs. Shocking. Oh, and I'm sure money has been invested in wages before anyone says. But let's not forget the vast savings on fourteen leaving. Taylor and others on big money.

12

GiveusaWave added 03:49 - Sep 12 We are suffering at present due to our lack of strength in depth. A few injuries and we look like a bottom 3 team. Sorry but Coke has not been good to date (I am being kind). Toure is unproven. We really had a poor subs bench plus a dodgy keeper to boot. Pittman and Fraser look good signings, as does AMN. When players come back we should have a strong subs bench and will be able to compete again. Until then expect a gradual slide down the table. We are nowhere near good enough at present.

0

Blue_Meanie added 07:00 - Sep 12 We are the Newcastle United of the Championship.
0

stevelincsexile added 07:09 - Sep 12 I cannot believe some of the comments I read on here. Two weeks ago MM was the bees knees everyone was saying what great signings he has made Knudsen was better than Mings, everyone raved over our attacking options and the longball game was gone and then after a bad day at the office it's the end of the world. Get a grip everyone it's early days still have patience.

0

itfchorry added 07:24 - Sep 12 Another false dawn - We were truly awful -
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:27 - Sep 12 Not much I can add to what has been said, so I'll talk about something else. No-one has mentioned the referee's performance in the first half. I'm not suggesting it affected the result - it didn't - but I thought he was very card-happy, mostly to our disadvantage. Do you really need to pull out a card at the first minor infringement? And how did he miss the obvious card and penalty call when McGoldrick was elbowed in the second half? Normally, I think refs get a bad deal, but this time I wasn't overly impressed. Couldn't hear the English commentary, by the way, so no idea whether this was mentioned during the match.

0

runningout added 07:39 - Sep 12 next game will be more important than any game we have had for years...
1

warktheline added 08:08 - Sep 12 McCarthy obviously under the impression these boys could take the Championship playing expansive football.... Personally believe this carries an amount of credibility, BUT not with makeshift right back and consequently picking an inferior centre back pairing. Talk about banging your head against a brick wall, surely of all the people to understand this would be McCarthy! The question has to asked, is he side stepping a difficult decision, he wouldn't be the first manager to have is judgement clouded by accommodating 'favourites' !!!! Sort it immediately Mick, let's get back on track, the potential is there.... Starting with the square pegs in round holes, the rest will fall into place, that I have no doubt about..... Bish, Bru, Fraser, Sears, Murphy, McGoldrick, Pitman... Need I say more!

2

Kirbmeister added 08:10 - Sep 12 I don't know what's wrong with 4-2-3-1 away from home. Last night every time they attacked it was about 5 v 2 and poor old Skuse and Douglas didn't stand a chance.
0

warktheline added 08:16 - Sep 12 Where is that bloody cat, I need to kick something !
0

Carberry added 08:46 - Sep 12 Playing this style away from home is so unlike Mick's tactical default position I can't believe what the players must have thought before the kick-off. We passed it around in the 1st half like we wanted to be Barcelona, not one long ball, such a revolution from last season, so what a pity we couldn't pull it off because it will be back to the most basic of basics now. There's much debate about who's good enough and who isn't, the usual suspects being highlighted, but for me the sad reality is that McGoldrick is a luxury we can't afford. Last night he had touches all over the pitch but none led to anything positive, he even took the ball from just in front of the back four at one point. I can't see how he can be played that way in a no nonsense MM team.

1

ShropshireBluenago09 added 09:08 - Sep 12 Not sure why we lined up so attacking away from home. That was our downfall. We played as if we were at home and Reading caught us on the break many times. We didn't help ourselves by poor defending and bad keeping, but there was little protection from the midfield. Most of the game Douglas in particular was chasing shadows. Even Tabb would have worked harder to track back. Still up to the 3rd goal we were the better side, just unfortunate we couldn't finish the chances, Sears and Pitman in particular could have easily scored. One game, bad result, but we are not a bad side and just need to find our best X1, especially away from home.

-2

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls