Reading v. Middlesbrough on FSC Aug 19 [R]

[throwin64]

If Kitson is down injured, does make me wonder about the depth up top. doyle, lita Kitson, obviously. Long is coming, but not sure he's ready for this level. Seol can play up top, and play well. but little isn't healthy, so that means Oster on the right. Maybe that's not so bad.

As for depth, right now we're in trouble with cb and cm injuries. I do hope one more in coming in. Bikey would be a great addition for the back, and can play on the right wing as well. We could use another cm, one who defends well but can get into the attack and has a great workrate, like the current two.

G'day MS, welcome to the bright lights. Sorry I was late, but I had to work late. Looks like a cracker so far. As good a game as the scoreline shows?

BTW, how about Pablo Mastoeni for the insurance cm? I believe he could qualify for a work permit, and he likely would fit big Mad's transfer budget. Just a thought.

[mschofield]

Convey, btw, quite often matching up with Downing, and holding his own.
Noting this now as he loses the ball to him, but still...

[Shark]

would send lots of man love your way to whomever can supply that free radio link for the reading crew who calls the game. I had it last year but a move and new computer has lost it for me.

help!!

[throwin64]

Mendieta coming. Always really liked his game. Hope he's lost it. He's been injured this summer. thought he was still ailing.

I'm not sure about that one. It seems he's lost a step and may be living on reputation.

[mschofield]

G'day MS, welcome to the bright lights. Sorry I was late, but I had to work late. Looks like a cracker so far. As good a game as the scoreline shows?

BTW, how about Pablo Mastoeni for the insurance cm? I believe he could qualify for a work permit, and he likely would fit big Mad's transfer budget. Just a thought.
I was a big backer of a Pablo move, but there never seemed to be much interest. PM's game is more along the lines of gunnarrson's though, than harper and sidwell, a strong ball winner who is okay in the attack, but more of a defensive presence. I may be really wrong on him.
Reading, btw, have had two pds 5 m bids turned down this summer, so he's well within the budget. Reading's problem isn't money, it's finding players they think would improve the club who are willing to sign. Maybe a couple games like this would change things.

[mschofield]

I'm not sure about that one. It seems he's lost a step and may be living on reputation.
I hope so. I mean, not that he's done, but that he doesn't have it today.

Reading are very tired. Reading are finding that in the prem, a lot of challenges that are called in the CCC are play ons here.

[mschofield]

80th minute. still 3-2. Bit of hanging on right now, though. Come on ref, blow the game dead.;)

[prvev]

Nice save from Hahnemann. Boro's corner doesn't do much, and now they posess it in the middle of the field.

[throwin64]

I was a big back of a Pablo move, but there never seemed to be much interest. PM's game is more along the lines of gunnarrson's though, than harper and sidwell, a strong ball winner who is okay in the attack, but more of a defensive presence. I may be really wrong on him.
Reading, btw, have had two pds 5 m bids turned down this summer, so he's well within the budget. Reading's problem isn't money, it's finding players they think would improve the club who are willing to sign. Maybe a couple games like this would change things.

Agreed on the money side. Players want to know they are in solid position to avoid the drop, rather than having to search for a new Prem side annually. Still, I think Reading are in better position to avoid relegation with the core of their team intact and talented, which perhaps the pundits don't see.

[mschofield]

Marcus saves a goal that sounded like a sure thing. sonko lets a slow ball roll back to him, viduka on it one on one. Not the time to stop playing. Marcus right handed save.

And then saved by a flag a few minutes later.

[prvev]

Wow..that shouldn't have happened. Holy crap.

[mschofield]

Convey off, having earned praises. Seol also off, same. Hunt and gunn on.

We need fresh legs. Hang on, not long now.

[prvev]

Wow..he was onside I think. I'll take it I suppose.

[mschofield]

Agreed on the money side. Players want to know they are in solid position to avoid the drop, rather than having to search for a new Prem side annually. Still, I think Reading are in better position to avoid relegation with the core of their team intact and talented, which perhaps the pundits don't see.
Reading need a little bit more quality. they actually tried pretty hard. Two pds 5 m rejected, two pds 3.5m bids rejected, a pds 2 m bid rejected...and that's just what we know about.

[mschofield]

Wow..he was onside I think. I'll take it I suppose.
Ssshhhhh...

[throwin64]

Convey off, having earned praises. Seol also off, same. Hunt and gunn on.

We need fresh legs. Hang on, not long now.

Thank Goodness for myopic ass't referees!! MV beat the trap cleanly, it seems to me...

[mschofield]

Wow..that shouldn't have happened. Holy crap.
Reading are out of air, esp in the back.

[mschofield]

Thank Goodness for myopic ass't referees!! MV beat the trap cleanly, it seems to me...
double ssshhh...;)

[mschofield]

Reading have controlled possession this game, 61 percent at latest tally. 12 shots, nine on target, to 6 and 4.

But stats don't count for much. Come on ref, blow the whistle...

[throwin64]

Reading need a little bit more quality. they actually tried pretty hard. Two pds 5 m rejected, two pds 3.5m bids rejected, a pds 2 m bid rejected...and that's just what we know about.

I don't know. Effort counts for a lot, and this is a side with a fair bit of skill... Those two will get a fair few points on their own. Maybe not 106 points, but a fair few.