/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68785545/Fans_Verdict_TTE.0.jpg)
Well, that wasn’t very fun was it? I think that game will definitely go into the ‘forget it ever happened, and let’s never talk about it again’ folder. Unfortunately though, we have to talk about it just a little bit more.
It’s an obvious thing to say, but we all want to get promoted. And beyond the obvious reasons for why we want that to happen, there will be other more personal reasons for each fan too - which is what football is all about.
And after Saturday’s game, I think there is a brand new reason that every fan will add to their list - not having to play away at bloody Stoke. We’ve seen some horrible games at the Bet365 stadium in the last few seasons, but none more boring than the one on Saturday.
Which is disappointing because there was a chance there to make another big statement, but at the end of the day it is another point and clean sheet away from home, which is never a bad thing.
Here’s how the fans reacted to some of the key talking points, if there actually were any...
Boredom
To go from the ecstasy and pure excitement of the last game against Bournemouth to the utter boredom of Saturday’s game is the footballing equivalent of watching the original Hangover and then Hangover II straight after.
The game featured a grand total of one shot on target for Reading, and that came in the second half from Ovie Ejaria - a shot from range that was easily saved. It was just an awful game of football, and the fans certainly let that be known on Twitter...
Well that's 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back! What an awful awful game of football #readingfc
— Ben (@BenParsons89) February 6, 2021
2 shots on target in total this is literally the most boring fixture in football #readingfc
— Ali (@alibrown_29) February 6, 2021
Stoke v Reading can be used as a torture technique, boring people to death #SCFC #Readingfc
— Ollie Broad (@OllieBroad21RFC) February 6, 2021
Why is every game against Stoke so boring! #readingfc
— BerkshireBoys (@BerkshireBoys_) February 6, 2021
Consistently most boring fixture in the world goes to...
— Sam (@sam_utd) February 6, 2021
Stoke vs Reading #readingfc #SCFC
Boring game, a positive that we took a point. A long, long way to go in this season. Every point counts, but I don’t hope to see many more games like that! #readingfc
— Alex Stone (@alexgstone) February 6, 2021
Bored #readingfc
— cher-yl (@yll_cher) February 6, 2021
We dint turn up today shame as other results went against us very boring game yak needs to start on Wednesday #readingfc
— CooperRoyals (@RobertC89059161) February 6, 2021
What a boring game! I should play that when I’m struggling to sleep #readingfc
— BerkshireBoys (@BerkshireBoys_) February 6, 2021
Positivity
It really is a sign of how well Pauno has done to change the culture of this club when we draw 0-0 without creating one clear-cut chance or shot on target and the fans are still positive and optimistic afterwards.
Of course it helps when you're fourth in the table and winning games, but I wrote a piece on this a while back about how Pauno is changing the mindset of the fans and he’s doing an incredible job of it.
The fans were in a relatively good mood, all considering. Acknowledging the bad attacking performance, respecting the way we still managed to grab a clean sheet and a point, and looking forward to a tasty looking match on Wednesday evening.
It's so refreshing to see the fanbase with this kind of mindset, something that will only help the team and something we’ve been missing for a long, long time...
Not the greatest performance today. Played like we were thinking about the Brentford game, take a point and clean sheet away and move on. 19 games to go there’ll be many more ups and downs to come. 7 points from top 8 points clear in playoff spot. Take that @ReadingFC #readingfc
— Richard Crewdson (@crewy100) February 6, 2021
Worst performance of the season and it wasn’t that bad. Heads up. Relishing the Brentford task. #ReadingFC
— (@BigBadWolfRFC) February 6, 2021
8 points above 7th, an away point. Hard to complain, just need a better performance against Brentford... #readingfc
— Alex Lane-Kieltyka (@alex_elkay21) February 6, 2021
Point, clean sheet. Awful performance but at least we didn't get beat. Must win on Wednesday now. Onto Brentford #readingfc
— Dean Bennett (@DeanBennett1993) February 6, 2021
We deserve to lose this. Come away with a point will be great result after this performance. #readingfc
— Anthony Kendrick (@AJKendrick) February 6, 2021
Positives
— Luke (@Luke1871_) February 6, 2021
Clean Sheet away from home
Unbeaten in 7 league games
8 points clear of 7th
4th in the league
And we’re still not that happy. Shows how much we’ve actually improved and expect better results from our team now. Onto Brentford #readingfc
Good point that will go some way in Reading finishing in the top 6.
— Jack (@thesimpsonRFC) February 6, 2021
While there was a shot of us finish in the top 2 that was always going to be a tough ask with how well Brentford and Swansea are playing.#readingfc
An away point is crucial in the run in. Must add to it with continued home wins.#ReadingFC
— Loyal Royal (@RoyalstilIdie) February 6, 2021
I’d take the point away at Stoke. I don’t think it’s a bad result. #readingfc
— Dan Hindmarsh (@DanHindmarsh9) February 6, 2021
This morning if you told me 0-0 I’d be disappointed, but I’m happy with that after that performance. Horrid place to play football. Fair play. #readingfc
— Jamie (@dingfcjamie) February 6, 2021
Conclusion
Before I started writing this, I didn’t know my overriding emotion from Saturday’s game - but after seeing how positive and optimistic the fans were after our worst performance of the season, I think i’m pretty chuffed with a point.
It didn’t click at all against Stoke, we were sloppy and passive in possession and didn’t look a threat at all - but we didn't lose. And we got a clean sheet. That’s the difference between this team and teams from seasons gone by.
Next up is a enthralling contest with Brentford on Wednesday. We can't play that bad again, and I’m confident we’ll react with a strong performance.
URZ