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If you want a day to sum up the madness of the Championship, look no further than Saturday. Within the space of 15 minutes, we went from six points above relegation and winning 1-0, to losing the game and just one point above relegation.
The way we just collapsed in the second half was absolutely criminal. We have been so much stronger mentally under Gomes, but that three-goal capitulation was reminiscent of earlier in the season during Clement’s reign.
Love him or hate him, we seriously missed John Swift as well. Even on his off days, he can produce something special - which is exactly what we were looking for. We looked void of any creativity and really struggled going forward.
Defensively we looked fragile as well, which is something that hasn’t been said a lot since Gomes came in - which is a testament to how well he has done since he joined from Rio Ave.
Obviously, there were a lot of disappointed fans after the game and they took to social media to vent their frustrations...
The second-half capitulation
Hull have some quality players who could cause any team problems on their day but due to the way we’ve been defending recently, I was pretty confident going in at 1-0 at half time that we could at least get a point, but then I was reminded what it’s like to be a Reading fan.
Individual mistakes, such as Baker’s poor touch that allowed Campbell to play through Grosicki for their third, were at the forefront again for the Royals.
We certainly had our chances as well, as Barrow missed an absolutely golden chance and we somehow messed up a five-on-one
It was a poor second half, and one that has left us in a very horrible situation. The fans were certainly left upset and frustrated...
Embarrassing second half performance from #readingfc doing our very best to not get out the relegation fight
— Anthony Jones (@Ant_Jones96) April 6, 2019
I try to stay positive in these losses, but I can’t on this one. That 2nd half was an absolute disgrace and an embarrassment to the club and to the fans who support the club. 6 games left, get your act together.
— Dillon (@DmooreRHS) April 6, 2019
Players should be ashamed of that second half, disgraceful
— Al (@dingaldo) April 6, 2019
Sounds like we capitulated in this second half so frustrating with how we played last week and took the lead in the game too #ReadingFC
— Kieran Townsend (@kizza_1988) April 6, 2019
Hope they get fined for that 2nd half performance
— Max Cruttenden (@maxiebadger) April 6, 2019
Another sloppy second half performance by the sounds of it. Aside from Wigan at home, our second half performances have been dreadful. Cannot rest on 1-0 lead constantly #ReadingFC
— Jonathan Holdstock (@JH7123) April 6, 2019
Other results
This is what really made Saturday a horrible day. Rotherham, Millwall and Birmingham all won, while Wigan got a point away at Bristol City - sending the Royals back down to 21st, and just a point above the Millers.
It is a real kick in the teeth considering our recent form and a real dent in our survival hopes. You just cannot write any team off getting a result in any game in this league.
Luckily, it’s still in our hands but for how long is a different story as we travel to Norwich on Wednesday night.
There are sure to be many more twists and turns before the end of the season, but Saturday’s results really weren’t what we needed - and the fans know it...
Millwall getting the results, beating 4th place West Brom. Could not have been a worse day for #readingfc
— gary (@garyhooks) April 6, 2019
Gutted by yesterday’s results. Gonna need some noise in the home games. . .oh yes, and there’s Norwich away in between. Come on you Royals! #ReadingFC #rfcchaplain
— Steve Prince (@steveprince1) April 7, 2019
Terrible few minutes for #readingfc with Hull equalising, Rotherham take the lead, West Brom miss a pen at Millwall and still trail. Wigan lead. ♂️ ♂️
— David A C Spencer (@DavidACSpencer) April 6, 2019
And now Rotherham winning.... #readingfc pic.twitter.com/PQGJRJ4jwd
— Ben (@BenParsons89) April 6, 2019
That was a disaster. Almost certainly going to have to win all our remaining home games, because Rotherham are winning theirs. #readingfc
— Alex (@royalcrisp) April 6, 2019
I always say cant depend on other results, but today has been a disaster. #readingfc
— Stuart (@fents17) April 6, 2019
Missed chances
How many times has this been a topic for discussion amongst Reading fans this season? Albeit not for a long time ever since Gomes came in.
But, it got the fans talking once again as Barrow, Miazga and Oliveira all messed up huge chances to get all three points.
At 1-1, Rinomhota did what Rinomhota does and won the ball back in a great position and slid Barrow through one-on-one, and how the Gambian hasn’t scored I’ll never know.
We also somehow managed to mess up a five-on-one before Hull went down the other end minutes later and scored.
In our situation, you have to be clinical or else it will come back to haunt you which is exactly what happened. It certainly left the fans with their head in their hands on Twitter after the game...
Don’t take our chances ... now losing ... shock #readingfc
— Luke Massey (@Luke_Massey) April 6, 2019
This is a lesson in not taking your chances. Only have ourselves to blame. Now we're right back in the thick of it again #ReadingFC
— Ben (@BenParsons89) April 6, 2019
2 massive chances to score, we've missed and Hull have scored nearly straight after both. Awesome #readingfc
— Max Howard (@MaxHoward_15) April 6, 2019
Oliveira and Barrow have had 2 good chances this second half. Should be 3-1 up... #ReadingFC
— Ollie Readingfc (@OllieRFC_) April 6, 2019
Conclusion
A real knock-back, maybe the worst of the season so far. Saturday was a truly awful day, and the players need to dust themselves down and go again on Wednesday.
Regardless of opponent now, we are in a position where we need points more than ever. We can’t write off a loss just because it’s against a so called better team - we just can’t afford to do it.
The boys need us more than ever now. URZ