Reading FC 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: Initial Reaction

Reading: Bond, Quinn, McShane, Hector, Gunter, Robson-Kanu, Norwood, Williams, McCleary (John), Vydra (Piazon), Blackman

Brian McDermott made two changes for his first game back in charge with Stephen Quinn in for the injured Andrew Taylor at left-back, while Hal Robson-Kanu came in for Anton Ferdinand with Michael Hector moving back into the heart of the defence. Meanwhile Rovers had a pair of former Royals in the midfield in Danny Guthrie and Hope Akpan.

After a sluggish start that saw Bangaly-Fode Koita nearly give Blackburn an early lead, Reading went ahead in delicious style through Danny Williams. The American getting on the end of a Hal Robson-Kanu flick on to half-volley home in spectacular fashion from wide on the right of the box.

The game soon got a bit scrappy as Akpan & Shane Duffy both earned bookings within a minute but chances were hard to come by for Reading who put in a resolute but far from stylish performance in.

The break saw Matej Vydra replaced by Lucas Piazon and the Royals slowly started to get into their attacking stride as Williams and Robson-Kanu both tested Jason Steele from range, while another sub in Ola John impressed with some trickery down the left. Blackburn had a few half-chances of their own but nothing to overly test Bond who had  another decent display.

1-0 it finished and if Reading continue the tempo they showed in the second-half then there's no reason to suggest they can't start to climb back towards the play-offs again, especially if the injuries clear up and a couple of smart signings are made in January.

We'll have a full report & set of player ratings to follow here on The Tilehurst End a little later on.