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Reading travelled to the Midlands in more hope than anything else, whilst Aston Villa although unbeaten haven’t been firing on all cylinders and the natives in the midlands are starting to get restless.
If the hosts had taken three points then probably you couldn’t have begrudged it. However the game isn’t just 90 minutes long, it’s 90 plus however long the referee wants to play for, and for once Reading were the ones scoring a late goal rather than conceding one.
What does need to be addressed though is why oh why Reading have a knack of conceding straight after half time - how many times have teams scored against us in the opening 10 minutes of the second half?! It’s bordering on ridiculous, but probably a good bet down the bookies (#GambleAware).
This isn’t just a Clement thing, but something that has been plaguing the Royals for a couple of seasons now – or so it seems.
Back to the game and most of the post-game comments from Villains fans were around Steve Bruce. I know that Reading fans like a good old whinge about managers and whether they should be sacked or not, but to be honest Villa are one of FIVE unbeaten teams this season and sit 4th – you really don’t have a lot to whinge about, try not having won a game for god knows how long and flirting with relegation with three of the last four seasons – THEN you have something to whinge about.
Social
Big clubs? Jeez every team thinks it’s them
Watched the EFL show on Quest, just like C5. Biggest club in the league yet we always get minimum air time? #AVFC
— Had Enough (@RussellBeard433) August 26, 2018
The debate is open - Good save or poor finish?
We need to take a minute to appreciate this double save from Nyland yesterday. He was the only positive for me from that game. Well done @OrjanHNyland1 #avfc pic.twitter.com/PobgteqsJP
— Ryan (@Ryxn_AVFC) August 26, 2018
‘Mickey Mouse Cup’ - You won’t be saying that if you get further into it
Hey Steve! Here's an idea. As Tuesday's match against is only a Mickey Mouse cup tie how about we experiment and play guys in their favoured positions. That way we might establish whether that, rather than constantly playing them out of position, is the better option! Deal? #avfc
— Patch (@garypatchett) August 26, 2018
Actually do agree with this.
Thought Bruce’s reaction to Chester conceding the late penalty was over the top. Yes it’s frustrating & not excusing it but unnecessary to hang him out to dry like that. Chester will know & admit fault. Leave it in the #avfc dressing room & just say you’ve seen them given before.
— Lee Inman (@LeeInman4) August 26, 2018
Anyone spotting a trend?
Hull
— Luke Marshall (@marshallavfc) August 26, 2018
- Elphick should do better clearing
Wigan
- Jedinak under hit backpass
Ipswich
- Nyland drops a cross
Brentford
- Tuanzebe gets outjumped by a winger
- Hutton should head the ball not kick it
Reading
- Chester should stay on his feet and watch the the ball out #avfc
Honesty the best policy!
Well, we’ve had Steve Bruce for the best part of three seasons and we’ve never seen him take any blame for his fakakta tactics or pedestrian football. Happily throwing players under the bus. It’s not just the football, I simply don’t like the guy. #bruceout #avfc https://t.co/193wsfDVxo
— #12Andy (@EisernNorvillan) August 26, 2018
Small poll but wow...
@AVFCOfficial #avfc so we are 5 games into the league now still unbeaten are we
— Scott (@scottavfc9) August 26, 2018
Diddums.
Have to say, @BankRobberyPlay was very good last night at the @BirminghamRep. Was very apt going to watch having seen Villa robbed of two points at Villa Park earlier on the same day #AVFC #Birmingham #EFL
— Lee Marsham (@LeeMarsham) August 26, 2018
A dire side that has just taken two points off you.
No what's Bruce's fault is not going for the 2nd goal and brining Taylor on. Murphy should have been on to. Reading are a dire side #avfc https://t.co/bjiAUExBsG
— Harry Johnson (@avfc_johnson) August 25, 2018
Song Time - just no
YOU SEE HIM PLAYING FOOTBALL WITH HIS HEAD AND WITH HIS FEET
— Elliot (@ClassyAVFC) August 21, 2018
EVERYBODY'S DANCING TO THE TUANZEBE BEAT
TUANZEBE YEAH TUANZEBE TUANZEBE ZEBE ZEBE ZEBE #AVFC
Speaking of Songs - Aerosmith’s Dream On is apt
I've seen Gary Cahill mentioned a few times now, would be a good solid signing if the option to bring him in is there. Would the player want the move though ? #AVFC
— ClaretBlueAVFC (@ClaretBlueAVFC) August 27, 2018
Love it! But you have far to much time on your hands!
Let's be honest, it's how most of us feel during his post match interviews... #AVFC pic.twitter.com/VpHlxG6amh
— Jimmy Hessel (@JimmyHessel) August 26, 2018
Media
For once we don’t have tumbleweeds running through the media section.
I’m getting the feeling that Laurie Whitwell, who composed the match report for the Daily Mail, might be a secret Villa fan – they call the penalty a controversial one, although how can it be when it’s a scissor tackle that everyone including the manager admit doesn’t need to be made? They also go on to say the game was a comfortable one for Villa apart from the “astonishing” triple save. Hmm…
Soccer Souls really need to update their picture library - I know that it’s hard sometimes getting imagery – but van den Berg and Kermorgant aren’t even at the club anymore. They have a minimal report and player ratings – will leave that one there.
The bible of football fact(!) which is HITC carry an article on the fans slating Jonathan Kodjia’s performance. If I was a Villa fan I would be more concerned which black hole Scott Hogan has vanished into, after paying decent money for him ( if they don’t want him I’m sure we can find a home for him in Reading).
The local papers carry interesting views of the game with the Express & Star saying that it was a frustrating afternoon and that Chester had won the ball (yes may have done but scissor kicks are outlawed), and they do admit though it wasn’t just one way traffic.
Interestingly Football.London say that Reading were lucky to get a point and that Villa dominated the game. They also have the player ratings etc on the site.
Over at the BBC and it’s all about Bruce, and mainly his comments around Chester, which to be honest if that was me - I would be making a beeline for the managers office on Monday, saying that level of criticism stays in the dressing room. They also carry a comment from Clement saying that those types of penalties are 50/50 and over a course of a week in this case can be seemed to even itself out.
Finally at Skysports they have the usual video coverage of the game, 1 minute 59 this time, they give a fairly neutral version of the game and there’s the video thoughts of @MissBeckaEllen on their page as well!
Summary
Two away games and two points: to be honest that’s a good return for a Reading side that’s struggling for a settled team and confidence.
A point at Villa is not to be sniffed at and these two points (and let’s be honest really should have been 4 out of 6) are welcome. The differences between expectations of the Villa faithful and Readings couldn’t be starker. One set are moaning like crazy that they have no chance of automatic promotion with Steve Bruce in charge and the others are wondering whether Clement is the person to take us to mid-table obscurity. I know which camp’s problems I would rather have!
However there where some interesting sub-plots from Saturdays game: McShane vanishing into thin air, much to the Royals fans pleasure after Wednesday horror defending, Josh Sims making a difference in winning a penalty, and of course Baldock finally getting his goal which his play has deserved and hopefully he will kick on from Saturday.
It’s rather alarming that at this stage of the season that Clement hasn’t yet got a settled side, he’s had a number of games now including last season to figure out this team and it does seem that he doesn’t know his best 11.
Good sides and winning sides have a settled team and chopping and changing does not contribute to this. In reality we need to get August out of the way and without the distraction of the loan window hopefully the team will settle down and start producing the performances that we know are there. If not, then it’s gonna be a hell of a long season...