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Bournemouth Fans Verdict: Poor Finishing Costs Royals

A round up of the fans’ reaction after Saturday nights loss to high-flying Bournemouth.

By harry.chafer
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PA Images via Getty Images

I hate that I love this club so much. It is so emotionally draining. We’re not only a third of the way through the season, and we’ve had the lows of the opening few games, to the highs of the winning streak not so long ago, to now the lows once again.

Saturday night, in the eyes of most neutrals anyway, came under the ‘free hit’ category for Reading. A very, very depleted Reading squad coming up against a Bournemouth team who hadn’t lost a game so far this season. I think it’s clear who the bookies favourite was.

The start from us, however, was brilliant. We looked fearless and full of energy - which is probably a byproduct of having the last week off. But after missing a few gilt-edged chances, which we will come on to later, you always had the feeling that the Cherries would punish us.

And punish us they did. Solanke and Lowe bagged the goals for the visitors who ran out 2-0 winners. The most frustrating thing? We gifted them both goals. Here’s how the fans reacted to some of the key talking points...

George Puscas

I hate having a sole focus on Puscas, because I really don’t like singling players out. However, poor George is having a mare of a time out there at the moment.

His link-up play has actually improved in my opinion, but whenever he gets within 18 yards of the goal you can almost see the confidence leave his body. He looks like a shell, and it’s sad to see.

He missed two big chances in the opening 15 minutes - one he would’ve been offside for anyway (but he still has to score) and another from a wonderful Swifty rabona. And in the second he missed another big chance to level the scoring at the back post.

Here’s how the fans reacted to his performance...

The defending

We were well in the game in the first half. We’d started strongly, should’ve been two or three up and although the visitors had grown into it, we were holding firm. However, then we gifted Gary Cahill with the freedom of the RG2 postcode who found Solanke at the back stick for their opener.

And then, midway through he second half, Drinkwater got caught in possession in our third and Bournemouth well and truly made him pay. 2-0, game over.

That’s the most frustrating thing. Both goals were entirely avoidable. If you give Bournemouth opportunities like we did, you deserve to be punished.

Here’s the fans’ reaction to the defending...

Pauno

I think it’s fair to say that Pauno was, shall we say, a bit frustrated after the game. Although none of us were in the room for his post-match media duties, you can tell by his words that he was not a happy man.

He urged people to show more respect to his players who are giving their “heart and soul” for the club at the moment. Who exactly he was directing those comments at it’s hard to tell. I don’t think it was the fans, however some Loyal Royals felt otherwise.

Personally I think it’s good to see him so passionate, and let’s be honest, he’s not wrong with his comments is he?

Here’s how the fans reacted to the his interview...

Conclusion

A tough night all in all. But the most worrying thing for me is what’s to come. The same 11 players, rightly or wrongly, are pretty much playing every 90 minutes at the moment. And with two tough away games coming up, and on the back of three consecutive losses, it could get worse before it gets better.

I for one will stick with Pauno and stick with the players. We simply have to.

URZ

Reading FC News 24/7

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