Reading FC 1-0 Charlton Atheltic: The Alternative View

There is an old adage that to win when you don’t play well is the mark of a quality team. Can we apply this statement to Reading yet? It’s probably a little early to start thinking like this, however the signs and the style of play are encouraging.

Given Reading's performances this season so far, it’s a fair bet that we will more "dull" games this season than lively ones, with teams coming to Reading looking for a point. From the outset it was fairly obvious that the Addicks came looking for that ever needed point, however a red card made sure that that was it. That decision gave Reading the go forward that they needed and you could visibly see Charlton shrink into their own half as the Royals dominated possession.

The talk of Twitter from the Addicks fans was around a number of elements: firstly the distinct lack of love for their owners (sounds familiar), the antics and selection around Guy Luzon, and the recent "Price of football" article. So, without further ado…….

Social

Starting this week with everyone’s favourite topic

The Board

Poor squad depth. Lack of serious player investment. Wayward club direction. Will be tough to stay up from here on #cafc

— James Courtney (@champagnejimmy) October 17, 2015

But it’s not all the managers’ fault……

Not blaming Luzon. This is all down to Roland Duchatelet and Katrien Meire. New manager won't change anything. Same old. #cafc

— Robert Shore (@ShoreRobert) October 17, 2015

Thanks and don’t mince your words….

Enjoyable trip to Reading, football aside. The state of our club is an embarrassment. Need a change of ownership. #cafc

— Zaki Dogliani (@ZakiDogliani) October 17, 2015

"Always look on the bright side of life…"

Just remember we're only 15 points of top spot!. #KeepTheFaith #cafc

— Ben Baird (@OriginalBaird) October 17, 2015

Price of football – Apparently Charlton is the place to be…..

Got a feeling the Preston game might not be pretty but it will be affordable. #cafc

— Martin Flynn (@addictedaddick) October 17, 2015

But don't worry. Cheapest football in London is at The Valley #cafc

— Matthew Ring (@Matthew_Ring) October 17, 2015

They call it the commentators curse, pretty much nailed on he would get sent off…..

Bauer is having a stormer here today #cafc

— Louis Mendez (@LouisMend) October 17, 2015

Sharp comment!

I've seen more cutting edge from a spoon than charlton today #cafc decent pie though

— Michael Pett (@MikePett87) October 17, 2015

There are times when all of football comes together, first we have #21ForDolan, and now we have #MinuteForMatthew, it’s encouraging to see fans unite in good causes.

That 14th minute clap was so emotional. #readingfc well done for the #CAFC fans joining in. Class effort.

— Jamie Hodder (@Jamie_Hodder21) October 17, 2015

Media

Given that there was a couple of egg chasing games on over the weekend, coverage was a little on the thin side. However, here’s the best of what the digital media had to say about the game.

The Daily Mail is probably starting to be the pick of the bunch, with another good write-up of Reading FC. They call the game "drab" and say that Charlton's effect on the game was dour. However they also say we started a little sluggish, but got a hard-earned victory.

Sky Sports have their video highlights which to be honest saves you having to watch the highlights on Channel 5,(which still is torturous to watch) and as usual have a full report on the game.

I love the way that managers have different viewpoints of the games that we watch, but Luzon has to be given credit for coming out and saying "yep that’s a yellow" and London 24 carry a report on the game quoting him saying that. I do hope that the Addicks stay with him, as if nothing else watching his waving arms and jumping up and down every two minutes was fun to watch!

Taking a slight detour and looking at a web blog, then Chicago Addick seems to be pretty much open to a relegation dogfight looking at who they can pick points up of.

News Shopper have Alou Diarra saying that they must stay strong and they also call the chances of Charlton being near the drop zone in May "ludicrous." Judging by their performance on Saturday, this is a taking positivity to a whole new level.

ESPN FC carry Sky’s take on the game, but there is all the stats up there, and both Clubcall and Sportsmole carry abridged versions of that report.

Football League World reckon we deservedly picked up the 3 points and also state that Charlton struggled to contain Reading and had little. We teased them for the last quarter of the game.

On the BBC it’s all about Nick Blackman and they say that Charlton were lacklustre, although they also have an article on Al Habsi seizing his chance in the sticks whilst Bond is injured. They make an interesting comment about him keeping his concentration when we dominate games like Saturday - worth a read if you get 5 minutes!

As usual all the latest facts, figures and reports are on both The Tilehurst End and also over at GetReading, where Charles makes a valid point in one thing that’s changed this season – we have learnt to win ugly!

Couple of points to finish with, firstly congratulations to Reading FC Women who not only have secured promotion to WSL1, but also won the league in doing so. We are incredibly proud of you ladies. And it was also brilliant to see all the fans of both Charlton and Reading showing what football is all about with #MinuteForMatthew.

On to Rotherham on Tuesday and I will be back with the social and media thoughts after the game.