:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65353522/Fans_Verdict.0.png)
Jose Gomes’ men came into the game against Swansea City off the back of a sensational last-minute equaliser against Wolves in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night - but also without a point in the league since the end of August.
Swansea, on the other hand, had started the season in top form, and they showed that when they went 1-0 up within the opening three minutes as Borja Baston glanced a header in the bottom corner.
The returning Tyler Blackett went off injured midway through the first half and - just like against Wolves in midweek - Reading’s performance began to pick up as Gomes switched to four at the back.
The Royals dominated most of the second half and were rewarded for that as Andy Yiadom smashed home another last minute equaliser - causing some incredible scenes in the away end for the second game running. Here’s how the fans reacted to some of the key talking points...
George Puscas
It was yet another bad day in front of goal for Reading’s record signing, which left the fans getting increasingly frustrated with the form of the Romanian international.
With a record fee comes a lot of expectation - but Puscas still needs time to settle, and he will start scoring goals sooner rather than later. He’s too good not to. However, he was guilty of missing a huge chance to equalise in the first half - and that miss seemed to dent his overall play in the first half too.
In the second half, like the rest of his teammates, he did grow into the game - and held the ball up very well, showing off his incredible strength on the ball. But, at the end of the day, you pay the big bucks for strikers to score goals. Here’s what the fans had to say about the striker’s performance...
Drop puscas #readingfc
— Louie Mitchell (@louiemitch4) September 28, 2019
George puscas:
— ReadingfcDaily (@DailyReadingfc) September 29, 2019
Missing too many chances every game and it is EVERY GAME.I love him, who doesn’t but yaks or even baldock need to have a start because they wouldn’t miss chances like this.Until he gets his confidence back it’s not looking good.someone had to say it ⚪️ #readingfc
Puscas is an odd one. Obviously got a bit about him, but vydra would've scored a few of these at his worst. #ReadingFC
— Will Trow (@noseypeg) September 28, 2019
Puscas is having an absolute mare #readingfc
— Dominic (@domwindle) September 28, 2019
Puscas is having an awful game keeps giving the ball away #readingfc
— Jack (@thesimpsonRFC) September 28, 2019
Puscas and missing simple chances. Name a more iconic duo. #readingfc
— Matthew Williamson (@Photomattic) September 28, 2019
The hate George puscas is getting is quite frankly embarrassing . Yes he’s missed a few chances but name me a striker who doesn’t miss? If he was a free everyone would say well that’s what you get when you don’t spend money #readingfc
— Dean Bennett (@DeanBennett1993) September 29, 2019
The performance
It was a performance from Reading, overall, that I thought was pretty solid - especially in the second half. Yes, we were shaky in the beginning and could hardly string two passes together for the first 30 minutes but as soon as we switched to four at the back, I thought we looked pretty good.
However, some Reading fans saw it differently as it turned out to be a performance that split the opinion of the Loyal Royals. Some fans were left frustrated and upset at the overall performance, some were encouraged from it - proving, again, that football is a game of opinions.
Here’s a pick of those opinions from Twitter regarding the performance of Gomes’ team against high flying Swansea...
Why on earth did #Swans stop pressuring us and sit back? Tiredness or poor management? Either way they were hugely on top and we were woeful until the change #ReadingFC
— Jimbo (@JamesmN97) September 28, 2019
Well...not sure how, but we've come away with a very credible point against a good side there. Although 2nd half we controlled the possession much better we still looked a bit lost in the final 3rd. But we've got to take some confidence from that and try to build on it #readingfc
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard) September 28, 2019
A good point at a place we have found tough in recent years.
— Steven Kemp (@kempy26783) September 28, 2019
❌ Frustrating with another poor start. ✅ But battled right to the end and never gave up. Just need to come out with the right intensity from the start. #readingfc
Good away point and good fighting spirit, hopefully this can be the turning point in our season. #readingfc
— Harrison Mitchell (@harrison1871rfc) September 28, 2019
One - one. Perhaps not the greatest performance but I actually don't care, and I'll happily take the draw. On to Tuesday now, with hopefully renewed confidence. #readingfc
— Karz From The 'Ding ☕ (@FFSKarz) September 28, 2019
Let's not let the last minute goal distract from the fact that Swansea were crap and that was almost worse than the performance against Blackburn.
— Joseph luckett (@Josephluckett6) September 28, 2019
Good point but Fulham won't let us get away with this. #readingfc
A point at high flying Swansea is probably the best #readingfc could have hoped for and it was a better 2nd half performance. They didn't give up. Will Royals win on Tuesday night at home to Fulham? @willow1871
— Sir Dodger Royal (@SirDodgerRoyal) September 28, 2019
Looked far more cohesive in the second half without enough penetration. Great play from Joao for the goal. We need to see more of that from him. #readingfc
— jordanOliver (@JordanWindle) September 28, 2019
Last-minute scenes
For the second game in a row, the Reading away end was sent into pandemonium as Reading were rewarded from a strong second half showing with a last gasp equaliser - via the ever-reliable Andy Yiadom.
It was a fantastic strike from the Ghana international, who has become a fans’ favourite since he signed from Barnsley in the summer of 2018 - as shown by some of the tweets after the game on Saturday.
It was a goal that Reading deserved, and should fill the players with confidence heading into a very tough game on Tuesday. The fans certainly enjoyed it, and quite rightly so as the Liberty Stadium is no easy place to go and get anything. The fans took that joy onto Twitter after the game...
Had to be Andy Yiadom. Best #ReadingFC player on the day by far.
— steven (@cabin__13) September 28, 2019
Whatever your complaints, don't lose sight of the important bit: That's a fantastic point.
And two games in a row drawn even from losing position. (Improvement!) pic.twitter.com/38UtDsFi1d
What a player Andy Yiadom is. So consistent week in, week out. Can’t underestimate his importance to us. #readingfc
— James (@JCraggPR) September 28, 2019
IMO Yiadom has been our best player again this season. Ejaria and Swift show signs of brilliance but Yiadom’s consistency is more impressive for me. If a few more players can get to his level of consistency then along with the flair players we will do okay #readingfc
— Mark Fidgett (@MarkFidgett) September 28, 2019
It's been coming! Second late equaliser in a week for #readingfc URZ!
— Nat High (@nat_high) September 28, 2019
last minute equaliser will do me #Readingfc
— l.hanton (@lhanton1) September 28, 2019
@AndyYids I LOVE YOU! Nothing better than a 90th min equaliser against a top team #readingfc
— Ollie Broad (@olliebroad19RFC) September 28, 2019
Celebrating a last minute equaliser in deepest darkest #readingfc https://t.co/c3tTZXF3nJ
— BeatFulhamGameOn (@CalvinRFC1871) September 28, 2019
Conclusion
A good point and performance against a very good side. It’s a performance that will fill the players with confidence going into Fulham on Tuesday night - a game which could really kickstart our season, and we more than have the ability in the squad to get a result.
As for Puscas - to write a 23 year-old striker off after two months playing in a league and a country he’s never played in before, is a bit silly really. He’s a very good striker, and will come good for us - I’m adamant about that.
URZ