Reading FC’s form is a little like this column – here one week, missing the next!

Following on the back of a decent win away at Sunderland and two points thrown away against Cardiff, a trip to Portman Road should have looked like a potential three points.

However, as we have seen many times this season, just when you think the team is finally gelling and getting a decent run, they conspire to put in the sort of performance we have seen on far too many occasions, that of high percentage ball retention and passing stats off the park, unfortunately the stats don’t lie. 72% possession and 1 shot on target speak volumes.

There is no doubting the talent which we possess at Reading, but that missing link of turning high percentage passing and dominance into usable goal scoring chances needs to be addressed.

Is this season a write off? Not sure yet, I do think it’s what happens over the Christmas period games will shape the rest of the season, and maybe if we have a good Xmas then there is a slim playoff possibility, however that will also shape our thinking for the January transfer window. What was the reaction of the Ipswich fans? Surprisingly mixed – the seems to be a little unease amongst the Tractor boys followers, as a very poor 13,000 at this game made the recent attendances at the Mad Stad look positively packed…

Twittersphere

Starting with a little festive cheer

Opposing views is a wonderful thing!

Scarily accurate

Every fans wish for Xmas

Again every fans fear!

Media

Yeah ok got so much to fit into this segment this week... only joking, its a real worry about the media’s lethargic view of either a) you’re not in the top 6 or b) you’re not Leeds, in regards to the level of coverage that you receive. Being honest Reading FC Women’s win (and what a brilliant one it was - well done girls!) got more coverage and this is starting to happen more than often! (Maybe should do this column for the Women’s team as well as the mens!)

What little there is doesn’t add any warmth to the Reading FC fans feelings. Sky Sports mention our unbeaten run of five games and the distinctly poor crowd, they also have the video nasty of this game running at 1 minute 9 seconds which is probably the shorted video of the season.

Over at the BBC they call Ipswich “clinical” and I suppose with 28% possession and 15 shots, 6 on target and 2 goals pretty much is up there with “job done”.

Get Reading is equally as “cant be bothered with this game” as the players are, Jonathan’s report says what the game was - a poor display by Reading.

Apart from the obvious round up of the reports from The Tilehurst End, the only other place where you get even a sniff of a decent write up is over at TWTD, where interestingly as well as all the reports etc, the player ratings also include Reading FC players, and the highest and lowest where McShane and Gunter, but with the Welshman coming out on top!

Summary

In footballing terms the Xmas period is one of the most crucial spells in the season. Whilst its far to say that you can’t win the league in December, you can blow any chance of the play-offs and if Reading want to either stand any fighting chance of getting there, which may lead to increased incomings in the January transfer window, then in reality nine points is a much.

Speaking of January, and with Lee Heron maybe leaving to work at Arsenal’s youth development, then it’s only fair to raise a glass in toast in what he has achieved. For many hears working as Eamon Dolans No. 2, he stepped into the role and has carried on the good work that Eamon did. Whilst he was the No. 2 he watched many of his young charges not only break into the first team, but flourish in the Premiership with players such as Glyfi going for serious cash. Reading’s loss is a massive gain for Arsenal and we can but wish him well on his new adventure.

The downside to players coming in, is that there are always clubs circling mid table teams to see who they can pick up. We can but only hope that Jaap and Brian somehow get their mobiles broken to receive incoming calls as if the rumours are true and that Liam Moore is attracting attention, then it will prove difficult for Reading to stand in the way of a potential Premiership move. I just hope that our owners are keen to invest in the club, and bring in new talent that might kick start a successful run for next season, rather than cash in on our top assets.

So on to Burton and the start of the Xmas games, I hope that you all have a lovely, enjoyable and most importantly safe Xmas and New Year and we all get the Xmas present of 9 wonderful Championship points.

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