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It just seems to go from bad to worse for Reading at the moment. After a fantastic first half that saw Leandro Bacuna put the Royals 1-0 up, the second half was an absolute capitulation. Some of the football we played in the first half was up there with the best I’ve seen Reading play in a long time. John Swift, Bacuna and Saeid Ezatolahi dominated the midfield and we really should’ve been two or three up.
But the joy was short lived as Reading were back to their usual tricks with a dire performance in the second half. Here’s how the fans reacted to some key talking points from Saturday’s game...
That second half
It just summed up our club at the moment really. The most worrying thing for me is that West Brom didn’t even need to fight to get back in the game, they just cruised through that second half. That second half at the Hawthorns was horrible to watch, just gifting goals away like that will see you relegated, and it just keeps on happening.
We’ve only gone into half time losing a game twice so far this season, but have now lost seven of our 12 games - and only won two.
Excellent first half, total capitulation second half. Walker to blame for at least two goals. Incomprehensible. #readingfc
— Steve Double (@Steve1871) October 6, 2018
What does Clement actually say at half time to cause such terrible second half performances? #readingfc
— Dominic (@domwindle) October 6, 2018
I think it has to be Clement Out, his hideous team selection on Wednesday and especially for the pitiful second half performance today. No same in #readingfc losing to this #WBAFC team, but not like this.
— Thomas (@blickbuster) October 6, 2018
@willow1871 @BBCBerkshire So angry! Yet another useless halftime talk from Clement. Can't even get his team to do the basics i.e. keep things tight at the start of the second half. Nice guy, dreadful manager. Has to go. #readingfc
— Andy Charman #FBPE (@AndyRFCCharman) October 6, 2018
Ron Gourlay
This week was when the fans finally began to turn on him in the stands, and chants were heard throughout the appalling second half ‘politely’ asking the former Chelsea chief executive to get out of the club.
Some supporters, including me, believe Gourlay is ruining the club, and in my opinion his incompetence was summed up with the crazy decision to hand Yakou Meite a four-year contract earlier this week.
Since Gourlay joined the club we have gone from a play-off final team to a club that looks destined for League One football. Anger about that, and the running of the club, is definitely increasing amongst the fanbase...
Can anyone recommend a good place to get a Gourlay out banner made so I can hang out at the Millwall match? Ideally with a fire safety certificate so that the club can't moan about it hanging up #ReadingFC
— Milo (@MiloRoyal1871) October 6, 2018
Yep we can change the manager again but our problem is much bigger than that, Gourlay is destroying the culture of our club behind the scenes, player recruitment you name it he's screwed it up #GourlayOut #readingfc
— Johnny Hunt (@Huntyroyal) October 6, 2018
SACK THE BOARD SACK THE BOARD !! YOUR KILLING THE CLUB YOUR KILLING THE CLUB RON GOURLAY YOUR KILLING THE CLUB !! #readingfc
— cameron macken (@ronniemac93) October 6, 2018
I said it weeks ago but Ron Gourlay is ruining my club! He needs to go! #Iwantmyclubback #readingfc
— Claire (@clairesn13) October 6, 2018
Even more pressure on Clement
It was a big talking point after the QPR loss, but it was a bigger one this time, and the #ClementOut hashtag was used widely across social media after another poor performance. I’ve been a long time admirer of Paul Clement’s honesty and passion, but for me he is way out his depth as a manager.
I am really beginning to doubt that Clement is the man to turn this around for us, but then again, who is? Our identity as a football club has been abolished and at this moment in time, I don’t see anything else but relegation.
The guys a joke . Get gone clement #ReadingFC https://t.co/3bL5SLew6r
— Dean Bennett (@DeanBennett1993) October 6, 2018
I don’t understand people who want Gourlay gone before Clement!! Yes Gourlay need to go but Clement is the guy who picks the team & stands on the side managing! He can’t do it, he’s never been able to hence his sacking record!! #readingfc
— Robbie Nicholas (@RobbieN_16) October 7, 2018
3 goals from set pieces? If Clement can't even sort the basics out, then what's the point? Sack him now whilst the season is still young. #readingfc #clementout
— Alfonso (@footiefan92) October 6, 2018
Conclusion
I don’t see any way out of this at the moment; it’s painful going to games right now. A lot of things need to change before it’s too late. The club is unrecognisable to what it used to be, and the second half on Saturday showed that.
URZ.