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After the season opener against Derby, there seemed to be a renewed wave of hope around Reading FC. However, after two games and two good performances, we’re bottom of the Championship. The good news? There’s 44 games to go.
However, given who we have played - Derby and Nottingham Forest will likely be in the mix for the play-offs come the end of the season - it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that although we have performed valiantly, we have come up short. Ultimately both those squads have been expensively put together and a lot more is expected of them than Reading.
Saying that, both games were winnable, and with a bit of luck going our way we could be looking at a whole different picture.
The Forest fans however seem to be pre-occupied with Derby - my dad’s bigger than your dad - and the fact that after 100 years there is the River Trent running next to the ground.
Social
Rivergate
@SkyBetChamp does this look safe? Literally nearly stood in the RiverTrent, @nffc shld be ashamed at the (LACK OF) safety on show. And4what? An electric tix-OMG system. NEVER like this w/ paper. #disgrace. How dare u #NFFC treat fans this way. Keep ya signings, treat fans right. pic.twitter.com/oe0n5EO3Eg
— Mike Dalby (@mikedalby) August 11, 2018
There were 107 responses to that - my favourite
I only wanted to watch a game of football.... Why do this to me #nffc ??? pic.twitter.com/Uf9xu1zDUI
— Dave Ball (@d_p_ball) August 12, 2018
Derby
#NFFC pic.twitter.com/ln5rQPgSpy
— Jpp (@bo55jpp) August 11, 2018
My dad’s bigger than your dad
Forest first home game, on a Tuesday night, on Sky
— . (@bennettbuzz) August 11, 2018
att: 27,850
⚪️Derby first home game, Saturday evening on Sky, against Leeds
att: 27,311
#nffc #dcfc
Oh good God what’s the definition of a “big club”
Since when where Derby County a "big club"? They haven't done anything of footballing relevance since about 1972.
— Ben (@RampantRico) August 12, 2018
They can't be compared to clubs like Leeds, Villa or even Nottingham Forest #dcfc #afcb #ccfc #avfc #lufc #nffc https://t.co/9KJsMV0vby
This is getting banned... IT’S AUGUST!
Dear #dcfc...
— Richard Sims (@simsini) August 11, 2018
Love #nffc... pic.twitter.com/wcI8M0vKLC
Oh wait there was a football game
Attendance police out in force
#ReadingFC took 826 away fans to #NFFC. That’s pretty embarrassing from a Championship team
— Alex Papadopoulos (@APapadopoulos1) August 11, 2018
There are many things that I will say Matt Mills is similar to - Vincent Kompany isn’t of them
Maybe the Danny Fox situation is a lesson to be learned for all those who hound players like mad each season. I'm not claiming Matt Mills was going to become the next Vincent Kompany but things can change for players and now we reap the reward #nffc #coyr
— Freebs The Tree (@FreebsTheTree) August 12, 2018
Speaking of comebacks
The resurrection of Danny Fox from absolute laughing stock to league-beating captain fantastic is the biggest comeback since Harold reappeared in Neighbours. #nffc
— Tommo Walters (@Tommyblx) August 11, 2018
So it’s Real Forest then?
Didn't think we were particularly good today but did enough thankfully. #nffc
— Ole (@Oleoleole124) August 11, 2018
Shout out to #readingfc #urz cos that's one of the worst sides I've seen for some time. Not wanting to rub it in but you're going down lads.
So it’s not Real Forest...
Worst we have played all season but we have won , who cares #nffc
— Guy Giles (@Tequila__Sunset) August 11, 2018
Reading need a song!
You don’t get atmospheres like this anywhere makes your hair stand up and a full house ⚪️ #ThatLovelyFeeling @NFFC pic.twitter.com/Q1bf1NniSh
— Kieron toudy NFFC ⚪️ (@KieronToulson) August 12, 2018
This week’s song
#nffc Never felt more like singing the blues, When Forest win and Derby lose. Oooooh you've got me singing the blues.
— •ᴋᴀᴛɪᴇ• (@NFFCKatie) August 12, 2018
Media
After last week’s over-coverage, this week we are back to no one bothering with us. Leading the way we have Sky Sports who have 1 minute 7 seconds of coverage and, looking at that, we should have got at least two goals. They also go on to say that our back four had given Vito Mannone little to do for most of the afternoon.
The BBC also say that we were unlucky against big-spending Forest, however also do point out that this is our fifth away game without a goal – let alone a win.
Over at Football.London which is this season’s new home for everything Reading (well apart from the The Tilehurst End), they have a load of information around the game, and similarly with the Kimberley and Eastwood Advertiser who have a good write-up of the game.
Summary
Right, we are two games into the season, and have taken on two good sides. Let’s be realistic - if we had any points there are many people that would see that as a shock. However, good signs are there. Unlike last season the performances are there, and with Liam Moore to come back into this team, along with the loan window still being open, there are good reasons for this not all to be doom and gloom.
With what should be some easier games on the horizon, we should start seeing what Reading are made of. However, the worry as always is getting that first win. The longer it takes the harder it is to break a losing streak and this is one that needs to be broken quickly.
It’s far too early to talk about the tactics, the coach or the squad, but the results need to come. Let’s remember that it’s the start of the season and. contrary to what Leeds, Villa or Forest think, the league is won in May, not August.
Onwards and upwards - we have a break for the Carabao Cup on Tuesday so hopefully in the cup we can kick-start the season.