:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65353730/1159281679.jpg.0.jpg)
Reading made the journey to Wales on the back of some indifferent form - on the face of it the league form you would be questioning, and with a cup exit to boot, this time last season we would have been firmly been in crisis mode. This season though, patience has to be the key, and although there have been dissenting voices on Twitter, these probably have been in the minority so far.
A trip to Swansea City is never easy and the Swans have been in decent form this season, sitting a comfortable second in the league, so even the most optimistic Royals fan would have been hard-pushed to predict anything but a Swans win. However, like a number of games this season, the phrases that sum Reading up nicely are could’ve and should’ve.
This isn’t lost on the Swans faithful and they are not overly happy with the team selection and performance of their side, and of course it wouldn’t be football if there wasn’t a refereeing controversy.
Social
Fair result but disappointed?
Swansea 1 Reading 1
— Paul (@IceWithNoLemon) September 28, 2019
Feel disappointed we didn't win this
Thought it was a fair result in the end tho
We played well first half & should have scored more but our performance levels dropped during the second half & Reading deserved a share of the points #SWAvREA #Swans ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3IxYRQZLME
Second in the league – so much to cry about
So many things wrong with the #Swans today. A good first 10 minutes but everything negative from then on. Reading will feel disappointed with only a point. Once Borja went off there was nothing. Celina is a concern.
— Mark Craven (@crazycraven) September 28, 2019
Want to see the ones we have had this season?!
FT Swansea City 1-1 Reading & the Bent Cheating Referee bloody crap#Swans
— Terry Begley BSC (@TBegleyBSC) September 28, 2019
Wow…
Simply not good enough I’m afraid. That second half was absolutely shocking and we got what we deserved. Roberts’ and Ayew’s attitudes absolutely stink, walking straight down the tunnel without any thanks for the fans isn’t on. We weren’t good enough for the 3 points. #Swans
— Rhys (@SCFC_Rhys) September 28, 2019
You wanna see some of the decisions at Reading this season!
Thought the referee Keith Stroud was a disgrace today. The Lucas Boye pulling back Matt Grimes incident is a yellow card in every game you will watch this season, one of the worst decisions I have ever seen. #Swans
— Ross (@rosspow10) September 28, 2019
But fans always overreact!
Overreaction to #Swans result today on twitter is disappointing. I think we need to back Cooper solving the puzzle of square pegs in round holes, and it's worth noting Petterson or Routs not on bench either, so depth is emerging. Thought Reading deserved a point. We go again Wed.
— fash1982 (@shawsonbourg82) September 28, 2019
Fans now reaching for the record books to see if this is the same at our clubs!
Small observation from today and against Forest, but arguably an important one. Does anyone know the last time we won at the Liberty shooting towards the North stand in the second half? Was it Burnley in March 2017? Doesn’t happen often. #swans
— Ben Donovan (@_BenDonovan) September 28, 2019
Points make prizes
Two supporters lamenting the late goal but agreeing the 'important thing is that we played well'. Never have I heard anything so stupid in my life. Those two points are the difference between 1st & 2nd tonight. #SWAvREA #Swans #Thethingspeoplesay #stupid
— Julie Kissick (@SwanseaJackgirl) September 28, 2019
Story of our last four seasons
Completely different side 2nd half. Didn’t look like we wanted it at all. Worrying that we aren’t creating enough chances. Really really disappointing result #Swans
— David (@Swans_Dave) September 28, 2019
Bang average but second…
#swans bang average, take the point. Build from this result, gotta take this good performances and turn them into wins
— Ben Turner (@benturrrner) September 28, 2019
Media
Surprisingly, given Swansea’s position in the league, I would have expected more coverage on the game than there was. Still, most of it resolves around Steve Cooper’s annoyance that the referee didn’t send Lucas Boye off, which is picked up by most of the outlets.
Starting with Sky Sports, they have the usual report with stats and the nice player list with formations etc. Their 1m55s of video highlights are basically a lesson from both sides in how not to finish.
Wales Online unsurprisingly make a big deal of the lack of a red card for Boye, and also say that George Puscas looked lively and call this a well-earned point for Reading. They run a report here on how Cooper had a moan at the ref at half time and how Keith Stroud had let himself down.
Fancy a bit of Puscas bashing? Then head over to Football League World who run an article around how Puscas doesn’t look interested. My take on this is that it’s lazy reporting and pretty much a something-and-nothing piece.
Finally, down at Berkshire Live/GetReading, Jonathan Low’s ratings are a little eye-opening. I did tweet earlier in the season that his ratings are a little low for me, and so getting a 1-1 away at a top-of-the-table team, with half of the scores a 4 or a 5, is a little surprising. I wasn’t at the game but a 3 for Puscas is truly a horrible mark and one that’s probably harsh.
Final thoughts
Reading have another tricky game on Tuesday when we welcome Fulham, who have found the transition back to the Championship a little more challenging than they would have thought. They’ve become the draw kings over the last few games.
This season has been another one where it’s been extremely frustrating to be a Reading supporter. Interestingly though for the last few years we have acknowledged that the team just isn’t strong enough, but this season it’s more about gelling and taking our chances. Same outcome just different causes.
There is no doubt that if this team clicks we could have something. Saying that, I have been waiting for a Reading team to click for four years. We know what the issues are: mainly Puscas needs to get some confidence, the new players must settle and a bit of form discovered. Once these happen then mid-table obscurity should be easily achieved.
Fans are allowed to vent and will do on any platform they can. I do feel though that a healthy dose of realism is needed and calls to change manager, players etc are a little premature and frankly ludicrous.