EFLC R2 - Reading F.C. vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Bluemike]

A win is a win but with those stats it should have been a breeze

[hallamblue]

Bloody hell we’re even sh*t at taking penalties!!! Crawled over the line tonight .

[Steve]

Don't understand these EFL rules on not being able to watch on stream, even more confusing is revenue they miss out on

Glad we won in the end, Seems like we deserved the win

[Bluemike]

Bloody hell we’re even sh*t at taking penalties!!! Crawled over the line tonight .

We scored 3 out of 4

[marko69]

True. The stats were more admirable pre 76th min. No idea why managers feel the need to do this. Its as if they OVER manage.
"Oh sh*t, better look as if I'm doing something!"

[hallamblue]

A win is a win but with those stats it should have been a breeze

Same old sh*t though isn’t it . Can’t convert our chances and can’t bloody defend . Reading had TWO shots on target all night !

They’ve just changed the penalty outcomes… they had us missing 2 and scoring 2 fir some reason …

[Charnwood]

We got there in the end

Not so often we win a penalty shoot out but pleased we did.

[Steve]

A win is a win but with those stats it should have been a breeze

Same old sh*t though isn’t it . Can’t convert our chances and can’t bloody defend . Reading had TWO shots on target all night !!

Sheeesh Liz, bad hair day ?

[Charnwood]

Surprised Aluko missed his pen I thought he’d be a banker.

[Charnwood]

Leeds in a penalty shoot out at Salford City and Spurs out on pens at Fulham. Horrible way to lose.

[Charnwood]

Leeds lost 9-8 on pens after Shackleton hit the crossbar. !

[Bluemike]

Marching on together lol

[marko69]

The decent performance and the entertainment coupled with nerves of a penalty shootout will have been worth it for MPB. The dedication rewarded....., plenty talking points on the 185 miles back up the road.

[number 9]

Norwich took care of Brizzle…just sayin. Ok we won, but for me it shows we lack depth. I know I can be a b*stard when it comes to accountability, but we’ve gotta be more professional. It obviously was not our first 11, but the Championship is less forgiving. If we don’t add any more strength before the deadline (especially in defence) I fear we’ll struggle to make the playoffs.

Oh well….come on then….COYB!!!

[hallamblue]

A win is a win but with those stats it should have been a breeze

Same old sh*t though isn’t it . Can’t convert our chances and can’t bloody defend . Reading had TWO shots on target all night !!

Sheeesh Liz, bad hair day ?

Lol well that’s one way of putting it Steve !!

[hallamblue]

Marching on together lol

Leeds,
Leeds are falling apart again ….

[Charnwood]

What chance Salford City drawing a tie with Manchester United in the next round ?

[Charnwood]

Sheffield Wednesday lost at home to Mansfield on pens too. Some of these results make you realise what a lottery the pen shoot out is.

[arana peligrosa]

Lost game action second-half but the team got through and that's the main thing. Guess any 30 minutes overtime goes by the wayside in these things now so no winner after 90 and you get a penalty shoot to determine a winner. It's kind of bullshit and makes it less of an event, goes against tradition et cetera but they've made so many changes and alteration in recent time it seems like nothing new.

We fielded a strong line-up subs included but it came close to an exit from "competition". Guess if Reading had won it would have been labeled an upset or surprise score. 2, 3 seasons back would be an expected win : our victory would be against prediction etc.

Can't even pronounce their second scorer and in the end they made us battle for it. I read concerns our defense was again suspect or not performing as it should. McKenna has to be aware of these things and we should bring in new players to cover that department of play. I wish to do well in this here competition. Maybe it's within our capabilities to do well or reach the Final stages.

[hallamblue]

What chance Salford City drawing a tie with Manchester United in the next round ?

Lol now that would be the game of the round wouldn’t it .

[Bluemike]

I know I can be a b*stard

I was gonna argue this point but I just can't, word perfect !!

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

I was there last night and the best thing is that we have managed to go through. As for the game itself I can say that it has said a lot about some players and their individual performances.

Reading what a soulless dump. Said that hundreds of times but the ground looked even worse last night with one stand only for the home fans.

Williams ... what a start of his career ! People were mad with him. In all honesty though when I watch that clip again, could he prevent that own goal? I blame more Slicker for that. Williams in fairness was a bit better afterwards and grew into the game. He has barely played for a year so he can only get better.

The biggest disappointment by far for me were Harness, Ball and Edmundson.

Such bad was Harness that he was subbed at HT and Aluko will have made much more significant impact after the break.

The defence was a mess. The players don't understand each other but they don't play together and it showed. Ball as a right back was crap, Edmundson at some point got angry with him. But the latter and what he did for the Reading second goal He has been far down the pecking order but now.....perhaps try to find a new club before Friday. Because now Baggott who did much better last night must be ahead of him.

Evans, quite anonymous for the large parts of the game however made a glorious pass towards Ladapo for the goal.

Hutchinson , also very mixed opinion. Liveliest on the pitch and more than anyone else with the ball but didn't make much with it bar one exception that his set up for the Humphreys' goal.

Given how much we were with the ball we should have won easily. Our individual errors were the reasons of penalties.

If that squad is deemed our 'strength in depth' then in my opinion it isn't good enough. We need 2-3 new quality arrivals before Friday and get rid of some. Not much time left therefore unlikely to do all of that.

[Bluemike]

Mach,
I read a few comments online from people saying Baggott was excellent, just how good was he or just ok ?

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

I'd say he was OK and did nothing wrong. Excellent is a bit of stretch in my opinion because he wasn't severely tested. Reading didn't offer lot a threat.

[Bluemike]

Thanks Mach,
Would you say there is a place for him in our squad this season ?

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

That's a tough question Mike. But if Burgess can compete at this level so can Baggott.

On the other hand though this defence needs an experienced man.

[number 9]

I know I can be a b*stard

I was gonna argue this point but I just can't, word perfect !!

[Bluemike]

That's a tough question Mike. But if Burgess can compete at this level so can Baggott.

On the other hand though this defence needs an experienced man.

Exactly my thoughts too

[Bluemike]

I know I can be a b*stard

I was gonna argue this point but I just can't, word perfect !!

Only kidding

[Blue Wilf]

That's a tough question Mike. But if Burgess can compete at this level so can Baggott.

On the other hand though this defence needs an experienced man.

Hi Mach - were there many Town fans there? I ask as I know loads (me included) whom bought tickets but didn't go just to get the point on this stupid new system! I told the head of ticketing of this issue (and the fact that some are selling their tickets online to get points but not attend). I suggested that they may expect 3000 fans but only 50 turn up sue to the ned to get points! He said it was something they are trying to address. Any view please?