Reading 5-1 Town - Match Report
Friday, 11th Sep 2015 22:19

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

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1
2
3
4
5

ShropshireBluenago09 added 09:10 - Sep 12 Carberry - Totally agree.
1

oddball added 09:17 - Sep 12 Support the team through thick and thin. Cotb :-)
-2

coolcat added 09:30 - Sep 12

PJH unfortunately, I did. Agree with guentchev about lacking depth. Travelled up from London to the game. Thought our midfield looked weak last night. Its a team effort so wherever there is a weakness this spreads and puts pressure on other areas like defence. It was more the underlying prob of a more attacking/open style of play which left too many gaps. Mick knows this is the prob & will obviously address it fairly quickly. Then we'll all love them when they win next week and last night will be a distant memory.

portmanteau added 09:50 - Sep 12

we had a successful team at the end of last season. why was it broken up ( as it is every year) only to be replaced by players who are no better and who "have to have time to gel". nonsense but of course all the big teams do it and spend millions in the process. we dont have the money so you get what you pay for. we should have stuck with tried and tested players.

todays fixtures look ominous for us. 7 out of 8 could go past us.

as for man u , its hide behind the sofa time. our absolutely strongest side must play.

mroberts added 10:01 - Sep 12

We were dreadful last night. What I think is MM has never addressed a playmaker in midfield and to see what Reading offered ilast night it makes Ipswich look ridiculous. The right back position also hasn't been addressed as we have no pace to counter act a pacey line up. 8 Million quid received and Ipswich are scared to spend anything more than 500000. I was ashamed to be an Ipswich supporter last night.

yorksblue added 10:10 - Sep 12 Lets hope theyre in this morning . Gerkin and Bart need to be introduced to their defenders, and I use the term 'defenders' loosely.
0

Steelmonkey added 10:33 - Sep 12 God knows what Man Utd will do against us, let's hope we get our s#%t together for Tuesday, and steady the ship. COYB's.
1

itfcbam added 10:43 - Sep 12 People moaning about midfield. Our 2 creative middle midfielders in Bru and Bish are injured. Douglas and Skuse are yo similar. Believe Douglas will make way as soon as one of other 2 fit. We will then have better balance and revert to a more 433 style with front 3 free to roam.
2

Geoff added 10:50 - Sep 12

Any one who still think we are promotion candidates still must be deluded,our problems are so blatantly obvious a manager in burger king could sort out.
A goalkeeper Gerkin who would not get in a conference side (embarrassing)
A back four dominated by left footed players ( out of position)
A midfield with no dominate play maker. (Ryan Frazer out wide)
Forwards okay (Coached by Terry Conner)
Yes as many have said we need big change after watching last night it was back to the Paul Jewell days, You must drop Gerkin bring in a right back on loan get Bishop back in midfield as soon as he is fit, drop Douglas and Smith and balance the back four.

Kirbmeister added 11:12 - Sep 12 Those tactics wont work either home or away as pretty much all side play on the counter attack now. 4-3-3 is also too open. Has to be 4-4-2. I think MM has experimented early on and it hasn't worked. Plenty of time to get it right.
1

battyblue added 11:47 - Sep 12

Kirbmeister.......there isn't plenty off time to get it right we needed to get it right last Christmas then we may off been in the prem now..next chance we needed to get it right in the transfer market before the season began..again failed by not addressing the weak areas that we all know exists but Mick thinks he knows best but quite clearly he doesn't another shambles last night and it will happen again and again because he wont address the problem.

blueherts added 11:53 - Sep 12 Not much more to add to that - their finishing was clinical ours wasn't, but sadly our defence looked like rabbits in headlights every time Reading broke - it was hard watching. I think we have the right pieces but in the wrong order *Eric Morecombe
2

cornishblu added 11:54 - Sep 12

...so straight after last nights game the Cornish contingent stopped off at the services to discuss tactics....for me it was quite easy ...I bought a burger the main stay of the meal (defence) and laid the fries out in front as players....what did I do next ...picked up the bun grabbed hold of the gherkin and left it out....simples it was a great meal. ..the other tactic my fries had ketchup on them...looking as though they had sweated blood for the cause
Last night was the worst town team performance that I have seen in years ...only Sears and Mcgoldrick can hold their heads up.
No energy, no fight , no passion no clue as to how to stop what was a mediocre opposition .
I hate going to Reading ....for the last four years I have walked away frustrated by lack of points earned from a team that is always poor and unexciting , ready to be beaten....walking away from a ground from a bunch of supporters with no heart, no history and one stupid song about one season in distant memory where they got 106 points ...their only achievement ....even walking to the car surrounded by reading fans we were loudly bemoaning their lack of excitement etc after winning 5-1 ....not one comment back to us in form of banter ...summed it up totally for me.
The other worry is a result like this could turn MM back to the long ball style that is so boring to watch ....I love the fact that he has gone for much more creative players .....the solution remains so so simple to the vast majority of fans ...a proper goalkeeper, a skilled right back and an aggressive holding midfielder ....rest of the squad for this level are spot on.......but sadly this comment is now on copy and paste ....are we the only ones who can see this ..,and v sadly how much longer dies this go on for before we get vocal about MM tactics....he has done a brilliant job thus far ....don't ruin in by being stubborn...,MM don't end up as the Championship equivalent of Wenger COYB

blueboy1981 added 12:05 - Sep 12

There are the 'in Mick we trust' crowd - and those that think he 'hasn't a clue' - makes you wonder after last night, particularly, if the latter aren't the correct thinking people.

Problem now is ...... from this point on he will put men behind the ball in droves, defend, defend, defend, and a draw at home, or away will be 'celebration' time again.

Last night proved he hasn't a clue as to how to play an attacking game - and be successful.

Dour Mick McCarthy - unfortunately.

blueboy1981 added 12:08 - Sep 12 ........... a sure kick in the rollocks for some of the - ever optimistic brigade - who conveniently refrain from seeing it 'as it really is'.
4

neillrumsey added 12:12 - Sep 12

Whilst this result spoilt my Friday evening there were many positives to take from the performance. Positives were the performances of McGoldrick Fraser Sears and Pitman who all looked a real threat. Centre midfield for me has been a massive issue all season but this flaw has gone largely unnoticed against the weaker teams. Both Skuse and Douglas play square and not on the half turn therefore every pass will be the way they are facing ie backwards . This to me demonstrates lack of ability albeit I have been more impressed with Skuse of late he is not the answer. Defensively we were appalling and I feel this is as a result of their lack of confidence in Dean Gerken who is not good enough. Time and time again he was slow to leave his line , a fine example was when Smith had shielded the ball with his body for the keeper to collect and he stayed on his line. Smith was facing his own goal so he was right to expect the keeper to come. Both full backs were very poor. Knudsen showed against Brighton than when he's put under pressure he hoofs the ball anywhere, that said Blackman is a good player. Chambers we know about, fantastic leader awful full back. MM will need all his experience to lift the players. Great fun with those budgies on twitter last night though... Thick as Mince.....

Jimmy86 added 12:16 - Sep 12 Think it's unfair to criticise Coke and Toure, neither of them were on the pitch last night.... Coke has a bit mobility than Douglas and has looked fairly tidy on the ball when I've seen him (stevenage at home and a brief Cameo against Brighton) Toure was supposedly very good against Doncaster.
1

TractorBoy666 added 12:23 - Sep 12

My first away game so far this season and I was just too angry and upset to comment on here last night. Firstly as much as I like Chambers passion for the club, he is just not good enough and Knudsens clearances are beyond awful, they go straight back to the opposition. The defence isn't the only problem though, it's the two central midfielders that are the BIG problem. Too many times they were caught too far up the feild for Reading to have 3 against 3 far too often. I have never rated Gerken and I never will. I haven't clue what the mix up was about for the their third goal but there is no way I am looking at it back.

The only positives out of that game were Didz who was dropping deep to get something going, Sears and Fraser who I just love continue watching. But yes, that's probably about it. Abysmal. Here's hoping someone else gets tonked today to make me feel a little better.

blue added 14:06 - Sep 12 ROGER EAST worse referee blind as a bat. SACK HIM clearly changed the game .
-1

runningout added 15:45 - Sep 12 picking at straws I think...
2

Seasider added 17:50 - Sep 12

Belatedly observe following:-
You pay peanuts you get monkeys
1 clean sheet in 17 games.As soon as team announced and knew Reading hadn't scored at home since April said that that would be put right tonight.
Mick has said Luke first name on team sheet and Captain Chambers seems to agree.Notice that at one stage Jonny Parr was warming up,and Chambers indicated he didn't want to come off;so that was it.He needs bringing down a peg or two and made to realise he isn't that good a footballer especially at right back.
See why Brentford got rid of Douglas as he appears past it and should only be sub for Skues.
Mick reckons his squad of 24 now sufficient so doesn't need loans,pity Jonny Williams appears to have been snapped up as midfield woeful and too slow.
Reading six shots on target five goals.Dean Gerken is a liability and should be 3rd choice or loaned out,as like Nouble and several before Mick has given them too many chances.
Mr Diddle your comments show that you didn't watch this diabolical game

richard_4_itfc added 17:53 - Sep 12

Dreadful result. Embarrassing and humiliating for the team and supporters.
The team need to wake up and man up.
They are talented players but they gave the game away by gifting Reading easy chances!
Simply not good enough. They have to learn there should be a fine margin between winning and losing, not an great gulf, which they gave the opposition!
I hope they do wake up soon, put this behind them and learn from it and stop making it easy for the opposition, and do better! COYB!