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Reading went into Saturday afternoon still searching for their first win of the season, but it was another defeat they got as Sheffield Wednesday ran out deserved winners. It was a pretty poor overall performance from Reading, who were clueless in attack, really fragile in defence and looked really unfit in midfield.
Performances and results cannot carry on the way they are or else it is going to be a long, long season. Here’s how the fans reacted some of the key talking points to come out of another loss in Berkshire...
Team selection
This seems to be propping up on Reading Twitter after almost every game at the moment, as it’s becoming evident that Clement still doesn’t know his strongest eleven - so much so that Andy Yiadom has been the only outfield player to have started every league game so far this season.
Competition is good within a big squad, but the reason that Clement is making so many changes is because there has been too many poor individual performances. Reading fans certainly had a lot to say about the starting eleven on Saturday afternoon...
Right if we drop points in this game and Chris Gunter is at fault for anything, I am firmly #Clementout . Joke of a decision bare in mind Blackett showed huge improvement on his last game #readingfc
— Jacob Potter (@pott95) September 1, 2018
Disgusted to see Gunter come straight back into this side at the expense of Blackett who has been much better this season. Gunter is a weak link, albeit a great althete; but his time here is up. #ReadingFC
— Takin’ The Biscuit (@TakinTheBiscuit) September 1, 2018
How the hell does Gunter get in the team ????? But good to see Swift and Kelly dropped #readingfc
— Neil Palmer (@neilpalmerphoto) September 1, 2018
Gunter straight back in the team is disgusting. Blackett has earned his place #ReadingFC
— Matheus de Andrade (@maffff) September 1, 2018
What goes on during half-time?
Five of the nine goals that Reading have conceded in the league this season have come between the 45th and 60th minute, but none as quick as Saturday afternoon when Lucas Joao doubled the visitors lead no longer than 14 seconds into the second half.
As soon as the second went in on Saturday, the whole stadium went flat and, even when Liam Moore pulled one back, we never ever looked like getting something from the game. Here’s how the Reading fans responded to conceding another early second half goal...
Can we get someone to take the next half time team talk cause this is getting ridiculous now..... somethings not right continuing conceding straight after HT! Keep happening until something’s changed #readingfc
— Samuel Pratt (@Sammypeee13) September 1, 2018
Love conceding straight after half time. Goals conceded in first 15 of the 2nd half under Clement/Stam over the past 2 seasons must be awful... always happens. Need to change something at half time, do the players go for a nap #ReadingFC
— Max Howard (@MaxHoward_15) September 1, 2018
A Sloth would be better at half time team talks than Clement is. And be more responsive than the players when the game restarts... #Readingfc
— Corky (@Dawsy16) September 1, 2018
What goes on in that dressing room at half time? We had chances today but I sense the team, like the fans, never really believed they would get anything from the game after going behind. Need a win to get some confidence but need confidence to get a win... #readingfc
— Ben Greenwood (@benjaminGfilms) September 1, 2018
Seriously, #readingfc's habit of conceding straight after half-time is as embarrassing as it is depressingly predictable.
— Jacob South Klein (@JacobSouthKlein) September 1, 2018
What on earth do the players get told in the changing room?
Destined for relegation?
You’d think that talk of relegation is ludicrous this early into the season. However, after the game, Twitter was full of talk about whether this team is destined for relegation after just two points from a possible 18.
Let’s face it, Reading were seriously lucky that there were three worse teams in the Championship last season because, at times, we were truly awful. We all hoped for a fresh start under Clement. But after an underwhelming transfer window, Reading’s miserable form has continued. This is a team that is used to losing football games, which is a recipe for disaster.
Here’s what some of the fans were saying regarding relegation concerns after the game on Saturday...
Club is rotten to the core, relegation looms #ReadingFC
— Jack Wilder (@Jackwilder92) September 1, 2018
It doesn't matter whether Clement stays or goes. I can't see anything other than relegation for this team at the moment. Don't think even Pep Guardiola could turn this shambles around. #readingfc
— Tom Mitchell (@Tom_1871) September 1, 2018
I have accepted #readingfc's inevitable relegation. Could we please spend the rest of the season putting a long-term plan in place to restore this club to its mid-00s peak.
— Hoops (@RoyalHoops) September 1, 2018
I have already accepted relegation, I’m fully expecting loss after loss, maybe a few draws. Pathetic squad who aren’t fit to wear the shirt, Will always love the club but not this so called team, embarrassing bunch. #ReadingFC
— George Blair (@GeorgeBlairr) September 1, 2018
Conclusion
It’s worrying times for all concerned at Reading. It’s crazy how just over a year since being a couple of penalty kicks away from the Premier League, we are in this position. The club feels rotten, and most fans - including myself - don’t really enjoy going to games anymore. But that means that we need to stick together, or else we are never going to get out of this.
URZ!