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It was by no means the prettiest of performances, and Barnsley were causing us more than a few problems before they got their first man sent off - and Reading didn't actually have their first shot on goal until midway through the second half.
However, it’s the +3 on the points tally that matters and that's what the Royals got - even when they were nowhere near their best, which is usually a sign of a decent team.
It would be naive and wrong to say that the two sending offs didn’t affect the outcome of the game, because up until Helik fouled Joao as the last man just before half time, the visitors were the better team and the only team that looked like scoring.
But, it’s another win, and that’s all that really counts - and its all the fans really cared about on Twitter after the game as they were in a buoyant mood yet again. It’s not been often in recent years that we’ve been able to celebrate our league position - albeit only two game in.
Here’s a summary of the fans reaction to another win...
Top of the league!
Okay, I know we’re only two games in, but I think it’s fair to say that some of the fanbase are already getting a bit giddy seeing us at the top of the table. Like I said earlier, it’s not often we’ve been able to celebrate our table position recently, so why not soak it in while we can.
We will certainly face harder tests than the lacklustre Derby County we faced on the opening day and the nine-man Barnsley we beat on Saturday afternoon - but wins build confidence, and building confidence early on in the season is key.
Two wins out of two is a brilliant start, and it’s definitely pleased the fans seeing their team at the top end of the table for once...
That’s it, book the open top bus for may, clear the streets of reading, prepare the balloons, we’re storming the league and no one can stop us#readingfc https://t.co/lOc2oVhhaj
— Dan (@ding_dan_18) September 19, 2020
WE’RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WERE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WERE TOP OF THE LEAGUE #readingfc
— Trenchcoat (@Adamhumphries44) September 19, 2020
WE’RE READING FC, WE’RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!! #readingfc pic.twitter.com/PTi723VQRp
— Elliott (@u_elliott_) September 19, 2020
Reading top of the league, Oxford bottom. Long may it continue #readingfc
— Rob Molloy (@Dobchecks) September 19, 2020
VELJKO PAUNOVIĆ,
— Nathan Davies (@nathan_davies93) September 19, 2020
HE’S TOP OF THE LEAGUE #readingfc
Not often do we get to sing “we are top of the league”! #readingfc
— Shawn Hearn (@shearn1986) September 19, 2020
"Top of the league, top of the league" #readingfc #urz #eflchampionship pic.twitter.com/qtcQSqgo7L
— Malcolm Harland (@MalcolmHarland) September 19, 2020
#ReadingFC takeover!!!
— Reading FC Blue And White Wall (@bluewhitewall) September 19, 2020
WE’RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND HE TO LET EVERYONE KNOW. pic.twitter.com/LiTbL3nZVR
#readingfc, two wins from two, top of the league? pic.twitter.com/MWuEku25F1
— Anthony Kendrick (@AJKendrick) September 19, 2020
Me: “Don’t do a Charlton, Don’t do a Charlton, Don’t do a Charlton”
— Pedro‼️ (@PictonPedro) September 20, 2020
Also Me: “We are top of the league, WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!”#ReadingFC
Omar Richards
He sure is developing into one hell of a left back, isn’t he? Saturday was arguably his most complete performance in a Reading shirt. He has come so far since his debut at the start of the 2017/18 season, and is maturing into a really good all round full back at this level.
He’s always been dangerous going forward, but in the last few months his defensive game has come on leaps and bounds - which is really refreshing to see in this day and age.
With the likes of Obita and Blackett challenging him for the starting spot over the last couple of seasons, it’s been hard for Richards to get a real solid run of games - but now he’s the first choice and is proving his worth to the team with every game he plays.
His performance certainly caught the eyes of the fans, and if he keeps this kind of form up, he’ll become a real fans favourite...
Richards was man of the match today. Simply outstanding #ReadingFC
— Dave Roberts (@LaughingLima) September 19, 2020
Omar Richards my MotM today. Very calm, very accomplished. #readingfc
— ajb1871 (@RDG1871) September 19, 2020
Richards has come on leaps and bound. Looks very solid defensively and is one of the most comfortable wing backs you’re likely to see on the ball. Vital that we sign him up before next summer #readingfc
— Ed Ryding (@EdRyding) September 19, 2020
Richards improvement the last 18 months or so is great to see. Looked a liability when he first came in to the first team fold. #ReadingFC
— Matheus na Casa (@maffff) September 19, 2020
Omar Richards has matured a lot. Almost flawless today #ReadingFC
— Erik O (@Orrgarde) September 19, 2020
How good is Omar Richards? #readingfc
— Alex (@AlexLeFondre) September 19, 2020
Olise class but Omar Richards motm with ease ⚪ #readingfc
— Dan Frost (@dan_frost20) September 19, 2020
Omar Richards was absolutely spot on today. Some development from when he first came through. #readingfc
— Leo Christian (@LeoooChristian) September 19, 2020
best ive seen omar richards play today #Readingfc
— eding (@e_ding10) September 19, 2020
Michael Olise
What a talent this kid is. Honestly, when he starts to develop his end product just that little bit more, he will become a serious, serious player. With him, Swift and Ejaria - we are really spoilt in terms of creative players, and that can only be a good thing.
Yet again, Olise oozed class and confidence against Barnsley and yet again looked like he's been playing at this level for years. He is so mature and so confident for an 18 year old - and why wouldn't you be confident if you knew you had as much talent as he does?
With a little bit of nurturing and a little bit of extra development, we will begin to see an outrageously good player. It was brilliant to see him get his first professional goal, too. And what a way to open your account...
goodness me olise #readingfc
— . (@__jord19x) September 19, 2020
Take a bow Olise ⚽️⚽️ #readingfc
— Steve (@Steviep1871) September 19, 2020
MICHEAL, MICHEAL OLISE RUNS DOWN THE WING FOR ME #readingfc
— Kezza (@RKezza25) September 19, 2020
Trying to think of a pun to laud the Olise goal, but can't!!! Oh well good goal Michael #readingfc
— Andy Campbell ⚫ (@RoyalBearC) September 19, 2020
Olise you absolute beautyyyyyy! What a finish that is! #readingfc #urz https://t.co/CtytRA5kd8
— Matt Mills (@MattMills9) September 19, 2020
Michael Olise is 18
— Alex Stone (@alexgstone) September 19, 2020
What a player we have! #readingfc
That olise strike is a thing of beauty #Readingfc
— brendon (@ding_ward) September 19, 2020
Even at just 18, a Michael Olise that’s developed an end product is way too good for this league. #readingfc https://t.co/9CBq0J9ZIm
— george (@sixersgeorge) September 19, 2020
Conclusion
Another win, another two goals, another clean sheet and we’re top of the league - weekends don't get much better than that do they?
Hopefully over the next week we see some new faces coming through the door before a really tough trip to Cardiff next Saturday. Onwards and upwards.
URZ