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After some fairly positive performances, Reading made the trip to Yorkshire to face a Terriers side who, this season (or to be fair for a while), haven’t set the world alight. Without a win in the league, they are struggling for form and usually this would mean a guaranteed win against a Royals side who have a knack for setting the record books straight (Aston Villa anyone?).
However, this season’s Reading seems to be a stronger version than usual, and after absorbing a vast amount of pressure came away with the three points. Huddersfield Town fans on the other hand are far from happy campers. Without a permanent manager and with unrest building within the foundations of the club unless they get it sorted quickly, they could be in for a long, long season.
Social
Well it’s consistently wrong
Jan Siewert had to go, but I think we have to be honest with ourselves about how deep the problem is. Poor recruiting and spending have lasted too long and have been too consistent. It hurt David Wagner, Jan, and will stall out the next guy. #htafc
— Joseph McGregor (@josephmcgregor) August 25, 2019
See, the power of positive thoughts!
It seems completely hopeless at #htafc right now. However, we’ve seen Jackson transform the mess post Wadsworth and admin. We’ve seen Wagner overcome the Powell malaise. Sooner or later, someone will lift this dark cloud.
— Charlie (@FootballCharli3) August 25, 2019
Tactical genius from Jose Gomes
First half- best performance I’ve seen for months. Second half- worst performance I’ve seen for years
— Joe Graham (@HJoe45) August 25, 2019
I don’t understand where it can get better from? The only two good players today were Chalobah and Jaden Brown, Rajiv was outstanding first half
Worrying times #htafc
Cracking...
Could be #htafc https://t.co/xJdEBgZZww
— Steve (@gegenpresser21) August 25, 2019
How much you spent!
Biggest waste of money ? #htafc
— The Love Triangle (@lovetrianglepod) August 25, 2019
Sooooo love this
#htafc pic.twitter.com/iFXgyjAdYR
— Bradley Atkinson (@BradleyAtkins14) August 24, 2019
Ouch
So is that 4 wins in 57 games now? Asking for a friend #htafc
— Clive Wilkinson (@CliveWilkinso15) August 24, 2019
Sounds like a “Dear John” is coming
I love you Huddersfield Town but you’re questioning my patience. Right now it’s like a relationship where you’re ready for writing down the list of positives and negatives . Come on town... #htafc
— ChloePeel (@ChloePeel) August 24, 2019
Ah did we?
We desperately need a good coach who can manage the game. For all our 1st half possession without actually threatening much Reading just sat back and waited for us to tire. Simple. Naive. #htafc #fitnesslevels
— Rog (@Town_rider) August 24, 2019
Mate...
Oh joy #htafc https://t.co/FwrblXner1 pic.twitter.com/G1DEXyBuFE
— Steve (@gegenpresser21) August 24, 2019
End product is overrated
RVLP #htafc the search for an end product continues..3 years and still searching pic.twitter.com/HFzhBoHJns
— Htafc Dreams (@htafcdreams) August 24, 2019
Leeds have to get in on the act...
Anyone seen #htafc? #lufc pic.twitter.com/45fbeTYQXx
— Jamie Nut (@jamie_nut) August 24, 2019
Positive thoughts...
When's league 1 fixtures out #htafc
— Steven Wright (@Wrighty125) August 24, 2019
Gotta love the Simpsons memes
Town players after 13 minutes. #htafc pic.twitter.com/j988LZioTx
— Charlie (@FootballCharli3) August 24, 2019
Media
Well, media-wise we aren’t Leeds United so don’t get the full write up... Looking around what there is and Sky Sports have 2.02 of highlights showcasing Huddersfield’s ability to take a shot from 30 yards out. They go on to say that Town looked fairly decent for 70 minutes then fell away badly. Sky have also changed their reports pages and the stats bit - now they’re actually pretty decent!
NBC Sports go full on meltdown with Matt Miazga going off injured, with internationals coming up against Paraguay and Mexico and the start of the Nations League in October. They do make him sound like a racehorse - “pulling up lame” - guys, really…
The Huddersfield Examiner have their five things among other columns, and again focus on comments from Mark Hudson about the team not being fit enough. Hang on, just after pre-season and only five games in... how can a whole squad not be fit?
The BBC follow in similar vein to a lot of the other outlets, with questions being asked around Huddersfield’s fitness and guile. Oh and they remember that we won, saying John Swift was OK. If this wasn’t a family friendly site...
Closing thoughts
For 70 minutes the Terriers bossed this without actually causing too many issues for the Reading backline. This Reading side seems to finally have a little bit of steel about it, and with a goal-scoring midfield in Ovie Ejaria and the defence popping up with goals it’s always a positive sign.
But we do need to start dominating games. Against West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield we seemed content for teams to have a go at us and pick up the pieces, but against other teams this style could cause us some issues. Still, Gomes knows best and obviously this is something he is happy to deal with.
Form is always a key consideration and against Huddersfield, although we weren’t dominant, our key players still had moments of brilliance. Ejaria in reality wasn’t great but still got a goal, Swift decided to start playing after half time then ruled the game, and our back three were usually impressive and Michael Morrison popped up with another goal.
What does this all mean? Well, to me it smacks of confidence and more importantly concentration - two things that we certainly missed last season!