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I think the majority of the 3,000 Reading fans that travelled up to Manchester on Saturday morning were probably expecting the worst; Reading without a win in ten games and going up against a revitalised Man United. However, the Royals put in a performance to send the travelling contingent home feeling proud and optimistic. The Royals played with confidence and bravery that you would never expect from a team 23rd in the Championship.
Going away to Old Trafford and coming back with more shots than United and having dominated possession is a massive positive and something we need to take into the league. Gomes will be, and is, disappointed that we haven’t taken anything away from the game, with Danny Loader, Andy Yiadom and Callum Harriott all guilty of missing massive chances at key points in the game.
All in all, it was an impressive performance from Reading but needs to be backed up in the league. Good performances are all well and good, but they need to be backed up with results. There were some key talking points that got the fans talking post game on social media...
The continued rise of Andy Rinomhota
What a player this boy is. Another fantastic performance from a player who is destined for the Premier League. He was brilliant in the first half in his more natural centre midfield, showing composure on the ball and energy in the press. And then, in the second half, he was completely unfazed as he was moved to right back to go up against Alexis Sanchez first and then Marcus Rashford - neither getting any change out of the former AFC Porchester player.
It is yet another quality performance in the progression of Rinomhota, and he is sure to be in this team for years to come - unless a bigger club comes calling, of course. He has quickly cemented himself as a firm fans’ favourite, and yet again the loyal Royals were more than impressed with the central midfielder...
we’ll enjoy Rinomhota whilst we can. superb in that second half #readingfc
— P_GMedia (@P_GMedia) January 5, 2019
Rinomhota would walk into most of the bottom half premier league teams, absolute class #readingfc
— Henry (@HenryStacey3) January 5, 2019
That said, Rinomhota, absolutely different gravy. He’s going to be a serious player, he’s so important for the second half of the season. Could do with his attitude being instilled in a few others in the squad! #readingfc
— Richard Langley (@simply_langers) January 5, 2019
Rinomhota is a disgustingly good player. Dropping into right back and putting in an exceptional display sums it up. Probably the most excited I’ve ever been about a Ding youngster. #readingfc
— Oli Rowse (@oliverrowse) January 5, 2019
A performance to be proud of
Gomes has to be proud of his players after Saturday afternoon. We played with bravery on the ball and played out from the back beautifully at times. Yes we lost, but that’s the difference between the Premier League and the Championship.
This kind of performance needs to be transferred into the league, because if we play like we did on Saturday afternoon consistently for the rest of the season, there is no way we are going down. Understandably, the fans were certainly impressed by the performance against United and applauded it on Twitter after the game.
Haven’t spoken about it yet but some good things from that performance which we need to see in the league from now, and if we add a couple of real quality (but by no means expensive) signings into the mix and Gomes *MIGHT* just keep us up. No more excuses now #ReadingFC
— Fin (@FinSouthKlein) January 5, 2019
End of the day in reflection, sad about the result obviously.... but so proud of the performance the lads put in!!! Despite the Swansea performance I’m feeling positive for the rest of the season #readingfc ⚪️ ⚪️
— Andy RFC (@RoyalBearC) January 5, 2019
The most pleasing thing about today is that millions saw just how good our team actually is. More performances like that this season and we'll have no worries #readingfc
— Paul (@PaulHeseltine) January 5, 2019
Good performance yesterday take that into the league matches and will get results. Really like Gomes too and the way he talks think he’ll be a great appointment #ReadingFC
— Kieran Townsend (@kizza_1988) January 6, 2019
Poor finishing
Yet again, poor finishing costs the Royals’ getting something from a game. This time it was Loader who was the most guilty culprit - failing to capitalise on a one on one at 1-0 down - but Yiadom and Harriott also missed golden opportunities that could’ve seen Reading either force a replay or potentially even win.
Gomes rued the miss opportunities after the game, stating that Reading were brilliant up to the 18 yard box but “couldn’t kill” - another consistent flaw throughout the season. The fans are certainly hoping that this issue is addressed in the coming weeks as the transfer window is now open. It’s certainly a frustrating trait that needs to be corrected...
Well played #readingfc we just need a good striker up front
— Trevor Douch (@trevodevo) January 5, 2019
Until we sign a proven goal scorer we will continue to lose/ draw games down to not taking our chances, if we’d of had a decent striker on yesterday we would of knocked United out and gone through. Crucial we get this Transfer window right. #readingfc
— George Blair (@GeorgeBlairr) January 6, 2019
#readingfc yesterday we played the best I’ve seen thus season in-line with the game against Leeds but once again we haven’t got the striker the clinical one that will kill off them chances ⚪️ ⚪️ #MUNREA
— Oliver rajawardana (@READINGFC1705) January 6, 2019
Not one for tweets but I liked the way Reading played today. Just lacking that killer pass and finish. A lot of academy players coming through very promising. If we play like we did today, we will stay up I’m sure of it #readingfc
— Joe Pinfold (@JoePinfold) January 5, 2019
Conclusion
A solid performance. If Gomes can get us playing like that in a matter of weeks he could start building something special at our club. But first we need to get out the rot we’re in in the league. We need to take this kind of performance into the league or else it becomes irrelevant.
URZ