Things didn’t get any better for Reading away to Sunderland. Despite avoiding a third 3-0 defeat in a row, Reading never looked like winning this game. Dave Kitson scored what was a consolation goal towards the end of the game that Reading lost effectively in the 1st minute of the second half when they went 2-0 down.
Reading are now third from bottom and despite cries of “Second Season Syndrome” I trust Steve Coppell to turn things around. Fates have conspired against me (or perhaps for me and I’ve only seen Reading place well so far this season; United away on telly (hard fought 0-0, Chelsea at home (won the first half; no disgrace to lose to the Billionaires) and Everton at home (1-0 win and played generally well against a team that still looking good).
The defeats have come away from home and at home to West Ham who are now 6th (I was thankfully unable to see that game). Having not seen in full any of the last three games it is hard for me to know exactly what is wrong. Is it the defence missing the hopefully soon to return Sonko (perhaps Ingarmarsson has lost form)? Or have Reading not replaced Sidwell properly (the new signing not found their feet or form)? Or the loss of all three right sided midfielders to a team based on wide play?
Likely it is a combination of all three, but you look at the results and sort of can see that you would not expect Reading to win them. Although Bolton are bottom three too, last season they were top 6. Sunderland are a new team and running well at home (beating Spurs). West Ham are refurbished and back to their form of two seasons ago. Yet the Reading of last season would have picked up at least 2 or 3 points from those games whatever the opposition.
This Saturday is Wigan at home and whilst at this stage of the season not game is a “must win”; we should win it. If not, I’ll see first hand why not.
My son has a chart where he can put all the scores down. Filling it in hasn’t been too much fun so far. Let’s hope it gets better soon.
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