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Wednesday night was always going to be tough, but I think it’s a sign of just how well this team is progressing that, even though I knew that we were without five players who would be guaranteed starters, I was relatively optimistic going into the game.
However, despite a valiant effort in the first half, Norwich City’s obvious Premier League quality shone through in the second 45 as the visitors walked away with all three points. Losing to a penalty that looked like a dive from Max Aarons does sting, but despite a solid defensive performance for the majority of the game, I think it’s hard to argue against the end result.
I think it’s also a sign of how well Pauno has done in reshaping the culture of the fans, something I talked about in a piece last week, that the Loyal Royals seemed to be quite optimistic in defeat after the game - albeit whilst showing understandable concern about our current injury list.
Take five of any team’s best starting eleven away from them and they’re going to struggle. Now it’s about sticking in and around the play-off picture until we can get some of those key players back.
Here’s how the fans reacted to some of the key talking points to come from Wednesday’s loss...
Injuries
I hate using injuries as an excuse but currently we are without Lucas Joao, Yakou Meite, John Swift, Andy Yiadom, Omar Richards, Felipe Araruna and George Puscas. Five of those seven are, in my opinion, guaranteed starters when fit and firing and the other two are other integral members of the squad.
Any team with those kinds of injuries are going to suffer so, considering that (something I don't think I really did in my player ratings for the game in hindsight), I think we have to applaud the performance on Wednesday night. Norwich are a team destined for the Premier League, so to go toe to toe with them is no mean feat.
However, the injury list at the moment is certainly worrying the fans...
Full strength and we win that today. Another awful ref again. From where I was sat it wasn’t a penalty’s now seeing the replay the bloke should be banned. Good effort all round but injuries are costing us. #ReadingFC
— smudger (@smujjii87) December 16, 2020
Can’t fault the effort. Tired legs starting to show. Joao & Meite needed back ASAP #readingfc
— Jack (@jacktindall1) December 16, 2020
Injuries to Joao and Meite highlight how threadbare our squad is and our need to invest in Jan. We will do superbly to be in and around the playoffs come end of transfer window. Always need luck with injuries, especially when you utilise as few players as we have #readingfc
— Shaun Berry (@sbezzzab1871) December 16, 2020
No attacking threat without Joao and Meite unfortunately #readingfc
— Dominic (@domwindle) December 16, 2020
We miss Joao, Yaks and Richards badly! #readingfc
— BerkshireBoys (@BerkshireBoys_) December 16, 2020
Not having Lucas Joao AKA Didier Drogba fit is the difference between this being a mid table side and a top two challenger. Zero blame to attribute to the players or the manager for the struggle these next few games will inevitably be #readingfc.
— Alex (@royalcrisp) December 16, 2020
The performance
All in all, the fans seemed to be very pleased with the performance of the players on Wednesday night, considering all of the injuries that we’ve previously mentioned.
If Joao, Meite and Richards are in that team - let alone adding in Yiadom and Swift - I think it’s a completely different game and probably even result.
There were certainly a lot of positives to take from it, particularly in the first half, but also there’s a lot to learn too. We were toothless going forward in that second half, apart from a late flurry of set pieces in the dying embers.
Overall though, the fans were pretty chuffed and optimistic in defeat (I know, it’s weird isn't it)...
A decent performance with the players available. If we can hang around the top 6 until we get 3 or 4 back we could have a good go at the play offs. No relegation nonsense this season for sure. #readingfc
— Rob Molloy (@Dobchecks) December 16, 2020
Not a bad performance from Reading tonight, competed at most times throughout the 90 minutes but unfortunately Norwich are just too good #readingfc
— Jack (@thesimpsonRFC) December 16, 2020
Disappointed with the result but neither @claredoc76 or myself can fault the effort or commitment from #readingfc. We matched Norwich throughout and kept fighting right until the end.
— Karz From The 'Ding ☕ (@FFSKarz) December 16, 2020
Really hard done by there, watching on Sky with the benefit of replays and there is absolutely no contact from Moore at all, total dive from Aarons. Thought we gave a very valiant effort considering how many key players we had missing, definitely not too disheartened #readingfc
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard) December 16, 2020
Not enough strength in depth but we knew that, can’t fault the effort though! A full strength team I think it would of been a different game. #readingfc
— Guilty i support Reading (@royalmint90) December 16, 2020
This is disgraceful. #ReadingFC can feel proud of our performance, the first goal was a gift and the second was a cheat. With 6 of our most important players injured we held our own and deserved a point at minimum, considering the circumstances around their goals. https://t.co/WqfWMKakBM
— Eddie Wallbank (@EddieRFC7) December 16, 2020
Despite the result. This performance tonight gives me huge confidence for the rest of the season. Add a couple of signings in January and we’ll be up there #readingfc
— Deckland (@dsaunders_6) December 17, 2020
Even when we lose I feel confident! Injury’s have had a big impact but the lads that played last night still put a good performance in! Building game by game! Players need to stick by him! #readingfc
— Nathan Plummer (@bigmanbilly1) December 17, 2020
January transfer window
Considering how many injuries we’ve had throughout the season, you have to take your hats off to both Pauno and the players to still be in amongst the play off positions - but I think the game on Wednesday highlighted to the fans more than ever the need for strength in depth.
A prime example of this is Norwich being able to bring on a player of Todd Cantwell’s quality whilst our answer was Tom McIntyre in central midfield.
Obviously, if we had everyone fit we’d be in a much better position, but the fans are certainly hoping for some reinforcements in January...
Can’t moan about that. Missing players, played well enough against a very good side. Solid progress by Pauno. Need some depth in January. #readingfc
— Simon Latson (@SimonLatson) December 16, 2020
Really hope that the owners see the potential with this side and invest in it in January #readingfc
— Dave McCormack (@davemc_exile) December 16, 2020
With 20 goals on the physio table, tonight was always going to be tough.
— Greg Double (@Dubstep1988) December 16, 2020
We can’t control the standard of referees, but we can control our squad depth.
We must strengthen in January or we’ll burn out and crash land in mid-table. #readingfc
Squad depth is definitely an issue, need a good January window, played well though I thought, long balls to Baldock against 2 6ft+ CBs confused me, was never gonna come away with the ball in those situations #ReadingFC
— PaunoSZN (@PaunoSzn) December 16, 2020
Injuries to Joao and Meite highlight how threadbare our squad is and our need to invest in Jan. We will do superbly to be in and around the playoffs come end of transfer window. Always need luck with injuries, especially when you utilise as few players as we have #readingfc
— Shaun Berry (@sbezzzab1871) December 16, 2020
Need a couple of signings in Jan, our squad depth is very bad #readingfc
— Michael (@Emjay8989) December 12, 2020
Can’t fault the effort tonight and we kept scrapping right to the end. We should not fear any team in this league. 1 or 2 clever signings could make such a big impact going forward. #readingfc
— Steven Kemp (@kempy26783) December 16, 2020
Wasn’t anywhere as bad as I thought it would be tonight in person. Worrying lack of squad depth will cost us points though. Big January window ahead. #readingfc
— Jacob Potter (@pott95) December 16, 2020
Conclusion
In hindsight, I don’t think you can really complain about either the result or the players’ performance against Norwich. Norwich are a very, very good team and so are we, but obviously we’re not as strong when we’re without five of our starting eleven.
This Christmas period is going to be tough. If we get through to the New Year still going toe to toe and still in the kind of position we’re in now, we can’t really have any complaints.
Next up a nice and easy trip to Brentford...
URZ