Barnsley Fans Verdict: Royals Go Top Of The Table

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...

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...

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...

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