[mschofield]

Reading covered themselves in glory by squeaking by lil'Darlington 3-3 (4-2 pks). Reading nabbed a late, tying, goal by Peter Mate, on what was probably a handball. Darlington had been knocked down to 10 men 15 mintues earlier for a pro foul on Doyle. Is that right, did he play?
Reading started a lineup consisting of one starter from the weekend, Lita, who scored twice. The Reading site praised Bikey for a lot of his play, though not his second half yellow (though for hitting the clinching pk).
Stack, halls, Cruz, Mate, bikey, Gunn, ?Oster?, Little, Hunt, Lita and Long started. Not sure about oster, guessing, but it makes sense.
On the upside, people who need to play to get sharp played, and they'll have another cup match to do so. Can't imagine Darlington being thrilled. Lita's second might have been offsides, Mate's might have been a handball, they get a red, score three goals against a Prem side and lose in PKs.
Can't imagine coppell being overly thrilled, either.
Stack did get a hand on the first goal, a PK (which may have been a bit harsh, the site said).
No yanks played, though marcus was on the bench.

[RichardL]

no report as such, but I'll say that last night's game should have been played with circus music playing over the PA system, as had the players taken the field in a new strip looking like this....

....it'd have been more appropriate.

It was a two and half hour effort to try and prove that stuff by Ricky Gervais isn't the only comedy Reading can produce.

Even Darlington got into the act by giving Lita his easiest ever career goal, with header back to the keeper which would have been difficult for him to deal with even if he had been a stiltwalker.

they got back in front with a goal that if video taped, could form a tutorial in how not to defend.

Lita's second was perhaps one of only two bits of true quality in the match - a fine finish across the keeper. The other was Joachim's half-volley from a corner to make it 3-2.

Things that can be learned from the match.

Bikey & Mate need to learn English fast as they didn't seem to know what they are supposed to be doing.

De la Cruz looks useful running with the ball, but needs to be banned from ever trying to shoot.

Reading have grounds to sue Stoke City under the trades descriptions act, having been sold John Halls under the pretence that he was a footballer.

Glen Little isn't ready for the first team yet, playing like Steve Austin, the bionic man, but in that episode where he got damaged and couldn't run quickly and his aim was completely shot. Where's Oscar Goldman when you need him?

When the game doesn't really matter, if the play is bad then as long as the game isn't, it can be strangely enjoyable.

[rms5555]

Originally Posted by mschofield

Darlington had been knocked down to 10 men 15 mintues earlier for a pro foul on Doyle. Is that right, did he play?

Doyle replaced Lite at the 69th minute.

[olegunnar]

Bikey & Mate's performance last night left most who witnessed the match thinking there is no way they could cut it at the Premiership level according to Hob Nob.

And why is Joachim playing with Darlington? Surely he could be playing at a higher level.

[mschofield]

Originally Posted by olegunnar

Bikey & Mate's performance last night left most who witnessed the match thinking there is no way they could cut it at the Premiership level according to Hob Nob.

And why is Joachim playing with Darlington? Surely he could be playing at a higher level.

I take coppell's comments for what they have been pretty consistently since he arrived, an honest opinion about what he's thinking right now. He's POV is that they're settling in, and have shown moment of having it, but that expecting them to look in sync right now is asking a bit much.
Mate is a step behind in his devo, but Bikey has played well in the CL before, and he does look awfully good for moments.
I think both will come good. At least I hope so.

[prvev]

The third round Carling Cup game will be away to Liverpool.

[rms5555]

I wonder how that is going to effect their premiership match on Nov. 4th.

[mschofield]

Originally Posted by rms5555

I wonder how that is going to effect their premiership match on Nov. 4th.

The bench players will be a bit sharper. Coppell won't change his approach, if last year is a guide. the same 11 will take the field.

[prvev]

Probably. Last year he changed very little from the other Carling Cup games to the Arsenal match at Highbury. So we should see a similar team to what played against Darlington, except maybe Bikey, de la Cruz, and/or Little might not play if they start playing more regularly with the first team. It will be kind of interesting to see how the reserves/bench do against strong competition such as Liverpool's reserves/bench. So far the reserve team has done well, beating both Aston Villa and Watford. They play Chelsea reserves tomorrow.