The Tilehurst End - QPR 1-1 Reading Reading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2012-11-05T09:44:42+00:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33584092012-11-05T09:44:42+00:002012-11-05T09:44:42+00:00QPR 1-1 Reading
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<figcaption>Scott Heavey</figcaption>
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<p>Remember last season when if the Royals took the lead, you just knew they'd win? Remember clean sheet watch we ran on the sidebar, or that famous winning run that saw us grind out results and seal the title? Yeah this season isn't quite as fun is it?</p>
<p>Despite leading past the hour mark, Reading once again couldn't hold on to a lead and extended their winless run to start the season to nine games. Kaspars Gorkss scored against his former club but the Latvian Captain's goal wasn't enough as Djibril Cisse's second half goal ensured QPR got a point. </p> <p><b><u><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> Prem Watch:</u></b></p>
<p>2006/07 PLD:8 W:4 D:1 L4 PTS 13 - 9th</p>
<p>2007/08 PLD:9 W:3 D:1 L5 PTS 10 - 12th</p>
<p><b>2012/13 PLD:9 W:0 D:5 L:4 PTS: 5 - 18th</b></p>
<p>***</p>
<p><b>Reading</b>: McCarthy (9); Shorey (6); Morrison (7), Gorkss (7), Gunter (7); McAnuff (6), Leigertwood (7), Tabb (8), McCleary (6); Hunt (6), Roberts (7) Subs: Robson-Kanu (6), Kebe (7), Le Fondre (6)</p>
<p>I don't know what it is about Reading this season because in the first half of games they've looked a very solid and confident Premier League team, in fact if games this season ended at the interval we'd have 14 points right now and pushing for Europe. Sadly the second half table is a nightmare as Reading have now blown leads against <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a>, <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a>, Swansea, <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fulham</a> and QPR.</p>
<p>Still, after the carnage that was the <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> game I don't think I'm distraught with a solid point and credit to the XI that started who put in a good hard working performance, though one that lacked quality in key areas.</p>
<p>Team wise <span>Garath McCleary</span> and <span>Chris Gunter</span> kept their places from midweek replacing Kebe and Cummings, Hunt replaced Pogrebnyak while with <span>Adrian Mariappa</span> injured, Brian elected to keep Morrison and Gorkss together ahead of reigning player of the season <span>Alex Pearce</span>. Weeks ago now we speculated that there was some behind the scenes issue keeping Pearce out and now those fears seem sadly well founded as Brian hinted during an interview this week that it was his contract situation that was playing a part. We'll talk about this a little later in the week but needless to say it's frustrating for all parties.</p>
<p>However take nothing away from <span>Sean Morrison</span> who didn't look out of his depth in the Premier League and defended well, as did his partner Gorkss who gave Reading the lead after just 16 minutes. Morrison twice got on the end of a bouncing ball in the area and the ball then fell to the Latvian who scored against his former side for the second time in 6 weeks. Gorkss didn't really celebrate out of respect but it was a huge relief to the watching Reading fans and little less than the Royals deserved for a good first 15 minutes.</p>
<p>QPR certainly had more quality in their team on paper but they looked disjointed and struggled to play the right pass or just give that extra bit of work rate that you need at this level. Rangers rarely troubled Reading throughout the first half and most of their efforts were long rangers that McCarthy was happy to see drift over the bar.</p>
<p>McCarthy did have to make one key save in the half and it was a stunner, as he somehow got a fingertip on former Real Madrid midfielder Estaban Granero's free-kick that seemed destined for the top corner.</p>
<p>Reading didn't create too much after taking the lead but did have a chance with a Shorey free-kick on the edge of the box that went just past the angle.</p>
<p>Into the second half and Rangers looked a much stronger team, pushing the Royals back into their own half and spending a lot longer on the ball. I don't know what Brian says to the lads at half-time but please change the script because it seems that every week we go out and drop deeper and deeper in the second half and it costs us time and time again. Maybe it's a fitness issue, or maybe the opposition have generally just woken up at half time but it's becoming a problem and Rangers equaliser came as no surprise 20 minutes into the second-half.</p>
<p><span>Jose Bosingwa</span> had a couple of bites of the cherry to get the ball in on the right hand side and his delivery was placed perfectly across the edge of the six-yard line. Morrison dived to win the header but missed it, leaving Cisse to take a touch and fire low past a helpless McCarthy.</p>
<p>Thankfully QPR didn't really press home their advantage and it soon turned into a bit of an end-to-end contest where either side could have snatched all three points. Kebe had come on for McCleary just before the goal but in another interesting move, McDermott subbed captain McAnuff for <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span> with 11 minutes to go. Robson-Kanu could have made an instant impact but couldn't direct his header from a goalwards. <span>Jimmy Kebe</span> also made a couple of great solo runs to remind us of the Jimmy of old but both times failed to produce an effort that troubled Cesar in the QPR goal.</p>
<p>QPR had the best chances to win it though and Reading were indebtted to McCarthy for keeping the scores level as he produced a stunning 1-on-1 save from Taarabt that most of the ground had already started celebrating. Then right at the death Cisse hit a stunning long range drive that just about swerved wide of the post.</p>
<p>The full time whistle brought boos from the Rangers fans, with many calling for Harry Redknapp but Reading won't be too distraught at leaving Loftus Road with a point.</p>
<p>Performance wise, <span>Alex McCarthy</span> was Sky's man of the match and deservedly so for another sensational performance. If we do stay up it'll be in no small part down to this young goalkeeper who has to be in consideration for the England squad soon.</p>
<p>The defence was much shuffled but did OK. Morrison and Gorkss both looked solid enough and it'll be interesting to see whether McDermott restores Mariappa when he's fit. Shorey didn't have a great game and should have stopped the cross for the goal but otherwise was OK. Gunter looked pretty good down the right but <span>Shaun Cummings</span> might feel a little hard done by for getting dropped.</p>
<p><span>Jobi McAnuff</span> was also OK without being amazing, while the same can be said of the man on the other wing Garath McCleary who did little to suggest he's a definate starter ahead of Kebe going forward. Leigertwood and Tabb were both good with Tabb in particular excellent in the midfield. Much like <span>Noel Hunt</span>, I didn't think he'd be playing much of a role this year but he was probably second in my MOTM rankings after a great performance. Ledge was also good but once again gave the ball away too often, nearly fatally after giving the ball away in the final minute that led to Cisse's last minute effort.</p>
<p>Both strikers worked hard with Roberts the better of the two in my eyes. it was a bit of a subdued game for Noel Hunt who once again worked his socks off but struggled to make the sort of impact that he has done through most of his appearances this year. However given he'd scored 3 in his last 3 starts, you can understand a quieter game.</p>
<p>Subs wise and Kebe showed encouraging glimpses of his best form, taking on players and causing problems on the break, If only he played with that much purpose and drive when he started, then we could have the man to turn this season around. Robson-Kanu and Le Fondre both had little time to make a real impact.</p>
<p>So what have we learned?</p>
<p>Well Reading still clearly lack the quality that's going to get them the 'extra' special goals that'll nick wins in games like this. Kebe aside there seems nobody who can just do something on their own and create a chance or score a goal out of nowehere. Likewise the midfield is hard working yet lacks imagination while without any central midfield cover there's nobody to come on and ease the constant physical and mental pressure on our current starting two. With the extra intensity of this league it's almost impossible to go 90 minutes without a lapse or two and maybe that's why we're seeing the team drop deeper after the hour mark as they struggle to match the concentration and energy of the first 60 minutes.Sadly we still very much look like a good Championship team rather than a Premier League team.</p>
<p>Is it time to panic? No still not yet but I don't think there's any Reading fan out there that isn't worried now.</p>
<p>Any point gained away from home is a good point and when it stops your relegation rival getting two points, even better. However that's another winnable game that's slipped away and it only increases the pressure on games such as Norwich on Saturday. Our margin for error is growing smaller game by game and this run can't go on for much longer.</p>
<p>Oh well, after the dire nature of the defeat on Tuesday night this was better but there's still some way to go before we can feel safe. Let's hope this was the first step in the right direction rather than the peak of our powers.</p>
<p>But how did you see it? Please let us know in the comments section below.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2012/11/5/3602458/qpr-1-1-reading-our-lead-story-once-againWimb2012-11-04T11:27:53+00:002012-11-04T11:27:53+00:00QPR v Reading Match Thread
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<p>So, two hours until kick-off, where's your money?</p>
<p>Brian McDermott has apparently delayed naming his team until this morning hinting there could be injury worries, or maybe he's just keeping the squad on their toes.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">Regardless, the 11 players to pull on the yellow today will be under no illusions of the task that faces them. <br><br>Feel free to discuss anything to do with the game in the comments below.<br><br>C'mon URZ!</span></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2012/11/4/3597880/match-thread-qpr-readingWimb2012-11-04T09:58:41+00:002012-11-04T09:58:41+00:00Game set to go ahead despite poor weather
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<p>QPR have tweeted that they're not expecting any problems with the pitch despite persistent rain this morning.</p>
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">With the weather forecast due to improve in the next few hours, we don't at this stage foresee any problems with today's Barclays Premier League clash against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> going ahead. #QPR</span></p>
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<p>Given the fact we're five points away from safety the last thing we'd need is another postponement so it's good to see today's game going ahead.</p>
<p>We'll update if anything else happens. </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2012/11/4/3597852/game-set-to-go-ahead-despite-poor-weatherWimb2012-11-03T11:42:32+00:002012-11-03T11:42:32+00:00QPR - Reading (Premier League) - Match Preview
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<figcaption>Clive Rose</figcaption>
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<p>Too early to talk about six-pointers? Perhaps, but Reading's trip to QPR could have wider implications as both teams search for their first win of the Premier League season.</p> <p>Another visit to Loftus Road and it's only the start of November... Aside from that 3-2 win against QPR in the Capital One Cup (let's not talk about the next round), the Royals' season has never really got started yet, as they still chase that elusive first win of the Premier League season. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/queens-park-rangers">Queens Park Rangers</a> find themselves in a similar position though, with manager Mark Hughes under severe pressure to deliver. Despite heavy investment, the other blue-and-white-hooped team in the PL find themselves rock bottom - the only other team without a win. This match could be the biggest of the season so far, for both teams, so here's your guide for what to expect.</p>
<p><b>Form Guide (all competitions, starting with most recent)</b></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><b><i>Reading: D (90 mins), D, L, D, D, W</i></b></span></p>
<p><b>QPR: L, D, L, L, L, L</b></p>
<p>As you might expect, it's not particularly pleasant reading for either team. The Royals have only won two matches this season, and both of those were in the Capital One Cup as they overcame first Peterborough then QPR 3-2. It seems to be a case of burnout for Reading - in all of those draws mentioned above in the form guide, they've led before being pegged back - 3 of those were half-time leads. In fact, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> match last week was the only one in which they fell behind at any stage, twice coming back to snatch a point. It seems to work up until Reading have to defend a lead, at which point they simply lose control of the match, as shown by two dismal performances at home to Fulham and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> in the last seven days. Even a 4-0 lead at home to Arsenal wasn't enough to see them through, and that will surely be preying on the mind of the Royals if they snatch a lead at Loftus Road.</p>
<p>Hughes' Rangers, meanwhile, just have problems getting points on the board. 5 losses in their last 6 were only broken up by a 1-1 draw at home to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>, who played for half an hour with ten men. All of those losses have only come by the odd goal, though, showing that they're not whipping boys (it's safe to say that 5-0 shocker at home to Swansea on the first day of the season was a blip). Last time out QPR were perhaps unlucky to lose 1-0 at the Emirates to Arsenal, but a petulant sending-off for Stephane Mbia and a controversial goal helped to seal their fate. So whilst they are on a poor run of form, it's a lot closer than the guide would suggest. And as Reading know by now, the margins between success and failure this level are minuscule.</p>
<p><b>Head To Head</b></p>
<p>Advantage Royals. As mentioned above, a thrilling 3-2 win in the Capital One Cup boosted the confidence of McDermott's side, as Gorkss, Shorey and Pogrebnyak helped to sink the fake hoops. Reading were twice losing in the match, which will surely give them confidence to know they can bounce back if they fall behind. Just as in the last two matches, when they've been 2-1 and 3-2 down against Fulham then 5-4 down at home to the Gunners, the belief is there that the game is never up.</p>
<p><span style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px;">Before that 3-2 win, Loftus Road wasn't the happiest hunting ground for Reading in recent years - the previous two visits to West London have resulted in 4-1 and 3-1 defeats. QPR did the double over us in 2010/11 in their title-winning season, grabbing a 1-0 win at the Mad Stad. It was in the 2005/06 season that we last won in the League at Loftus, James Harper and Ivar Ingimarsson securing a 2-1 victory for the record-breaking Royals. </span></p>
<p><b>Team News</b></p>
<p>Somewhat of a crisis for Reading, as the central midfield department has been stretched to its limits just three months into the season. Danny Guthrie has either been dropped from the squad because of a bst-up with McDermott or picked up a thigh injury with an indefinite return date, depending on who you want to believe, so he definitely won't play any part in proceedings. <span>Jem Karacan</span>, meanwhile, picked up an injury against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> and has been ruled out for about 6 weeks, leaving just <span>Mikele Leigertwood</span> and <span>Jay Tabb</span> as viable CM options for tomorrow. They won't have been helped by playing the full 120 in midweek against the Gunners either. <span>Alex Pearce</span> and <span>Adam Le Fondre</span> also won't feature prominently, as they played for the U21s on Friday. A contract dispute is keeping Pearce out of the side, causing yet more problems for McDermott's previously closely-knit squad.</p>
<p>The Arsenal match might have caused more problems than it solved with regards to "squad" players. All three strikers (<span>Noel Hunt</span>, Jason Roberts and <span>Pavel Pogrebnyak</span>) netted against the Gunners, so the trio will all believe they have solid shouts to start against Rangers. Meanwhile <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span> and <span>Garath McCleary</span> both supplied crosses for goals against Arsenal and scored late-on against Fulham, so the wing is another position where we could see possible changes - <span>Jimmy Kebe</span> in particular could be on his toes. The back five is likely to remain the same as the Fulham match though, with Gorkss and Mariappa seemingly the preferred centre-back pairing for McDermott. <span>Nicky Shorey</span> has made the left-back position his own since coming in for <span>Ian Harte</span>, whilst <span>Chris Gunter</span> had a good game going forward but perhaps lacked in defence to fully secure his shirt for Sunday.</p>
<p>QPR are likely to name a similar side to the last two games. The only change between Everton and Arsenal was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110221/shaun-wright-phillips">Shaun Wright-Phillips</a> for Park Ji-Sung, who has a knee injury. Stephane Mbia then received his marching orders at the Emirates, so unless Park recovers in time, it could be Alejandro Faurlin who steps in to central midfield.</p>
<p><b>Likely Lineups</b></p>
<p>Reading (4-4-2): McCarthy; Cummings, Mariappa, Gorkss, Shorey; Kebe, Leigertwood, Tabb, McAnuff; Hunt, Roberts</p>
<p>QPR (4-4-2): Cesar; Bosingwa, Diakite, Nelsen, Traore; Wright-Phillips, Faurlin, Granero, Taarabt; Hoilett, Zamora</p>
<p><b>The Ref</b></p>
<p>Michael Oliver was the fourth official on Tuesday and so bore witness to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading's</a> capitulation against Arsenal. The Royals felt aggrieved by some generous refereeing towards Arsenal, particularly with regards to extra-time and <span>Laurent Koscielny</span> staying on the pitch after some horrendous fouls, so perhaps he'll have noted those and might be a bit more generous than Kevin Friend.</p>
<p>Oliver last took charge of us in a 3-3 home draw with Norwich in 2010. So far this season he's reffed 8 games, showing 19 yellow cards and just 1 red.</p>
<p><b>Best Odds</b></p>
<p>QPR 17/20, Draw 13/5, Reading 18/5</p>
<p><b>The Tilehurst End Prediction</b></p>
<p>Goals, goals, goals. Both teams need a win and so will be all-out to ensure they grab that all-important first three points of the season. Whilst Reading's last five games (in 90 minutes) have seen 23 goals, QPR's previous five have seen 16, so there will probably be a few goals go in at either end. Reading haven't kept a clean sheet this season in any competition, whilst QPR's only League shutout came in a 0-0 draw against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>. I'm going to go for Reading holding a 2-0 lead at half-time, QPR pegging it back to 2-2... then Reading grabbing that morale-boosting win in the closing stages and seeing out a tense affair <b>3-2</b>.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2012-13-previews/2012/11/3/3594324/qpr-reading-premier-league-match-previewjonnafon