The Tilehurst End - Reading FC 0-1 AFC Bournemouth: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2015-04-15T15:00:12+01:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/81737422015-04-15T15:00:12+01:002015-04-15T15:00:12+01:00Keen: The Better Team On The Night Lost
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<img alt="This is Kevin Keen back in 2000, not last night. Obviously." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2s21s38tRT6md6N9Gf3vpJoRHXE=/0x184:1840x1411/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46128036/GettyImages-946390.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This is Kevin Keen back in 2000, not last night. Obviously. | Stuart Franklin/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Reading assistant manager Kevin Keen took on the media after the defeat to Bournemouth, here is what he had to say.</p> <p>Steve Clarke didn’t speak to the media last night, so left it to his assistant Kevin Keen to discuss our 1-0 defeat to league leaders Bournemouth.</p>
<p>The Cherries scored in the fourth minute with Callum Wilson adding to his tally, Reading pushed throughout to get a point, but Bournemouth just held on.</p>
<p>Keen told the official club website and press:</p>
<blockquote>"Throughout the game I thought we had a real go."
<p>"The start was disappointing, they came out firing and managed to score, but then we had a real go and showed the integrity of the club and the League.</p>
<p>"I think the better team on the night probably lost, but the best team throughout the season is going to go up to the Premier League, and all credit to them.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc made a fantastic save to deny a Jamie Mackie volley in the first half, we did also create other chances that didn't really test Bournemouth, Keen added:</p>
<blockquote>"They showed they are a good team, but little things like the keeper’s save in the first half from Jamie, a fantastic save. That turned the game, an amazing save.
<p> </p>
<p>"We had two or three other efforts blocked, had a real go, and it was a really good performance against what’s going to be the best team in the league.</p>
<p>"So lots of positives, really disappointed we lost after three unbeaten, but it was a big effort from us so credit to the boys. We had some really good individual performances."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Now, we move on to Saturday, a huge game in the clubs history when Reading play Arsenal in the FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley.</p>
<blockquote>"It’s going to be really interesting.
<p> </p>
<p>"We’re going to embrace it and enjoy it – but we are going there to try to win."</p>
</blockquote>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/4/15/8419645/reading-fc-0-1-afc-bournemouth-keen-the-better-team-on-the-night-lostsophierfc102015-04-15T14:00:02+01:002015-04-15T14:00:02+01:00Reading 0-1 Bournemouth: Player Ratings
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<figcaption>Tom Dulat/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sophie brings us her player ratings from Tuesday night's defeat to the league leaders.</p> <h4>Adam Federici - 7</h4>
<p>Saved us numerous times this season and yesterday wasn't really much different as he made some good saves to deny Bournemouth. If we are going to be serious promotion challengers next season, he has to stay.</p>
<h4>Chris Gunter- 6</h4>
<p>Gunter had a reasonably good game, had some good runs down the right but had nobody to support him, and when he has nobody to help him, he does tend to put hoof the ball up the pitch, which doesn’t create anything.</p>
<h4>Alex Pearce - 6</h4>
<p>Has some moments where I’m not really sure what he’s going to do with the ball. He doesn’t seem as confident as what he did last season. Has started to run forward with the ball a lot more and does seem confident doing that.</p>
<h4>Michael Hector - 7</h4>
<p>Thought Hector had a really good game last night, but did put everyone’s heart in their mouths for a couple of moments when it looked as though he was going to get another yellow card after his challenge on Callum Wilson. Looked solid on the ball and will turn out to be a top player.</p>
<h4>Nathan Ake - 6</h4>
<p>Had another solid game at left back, but was moved into central midfield during the second half. He did make some good challenges.</p>
<h4>Nathanial Chalobah - 6</h4>
<p>Was taken off in the second half, I would imagine as a precaution. Played well again and got himself into the box.</p>
<h4>Jem Karacan - 7</h4>
<p>Jem had another really good game. It’s so good to see him back in a Reading shirt and leading out the side. He put in some really good crosses, but there was nobody in the penalty area to get on the end of them. Personally, he would be the first name on my team sheet Saturday at Wembley.</p>
<h4>Hal Robson-Kanu - 5</h4>
<p>Frustrating as normal, just another Hal Robson-Kanu performance. Don’t have much more to say on that!</p>
<h4>Garath McCleary - 5</h4>
<p>Didn’t really create any chances, was never down the right when Gunter had the ball and was struggling. He’s not the same player that he was last season and that could be because of his injury earlier on in the season, he just needs to get his confidence back.</p>
<h4>Jamie Mackie - 7</h4>
<p>Worked so hard on his own upfront. Really gives 110% every game and runs after everything. So impressed with him this season and would absolutely love to see him at the Madejski next season too.</p>
<h4>Jordan Obita - 6</h4>
<p>Had a few chances and was moved down to his proper position of left wing, but was also quite quiet. Didn’t really put in many crosses into the box either.</p>
<h3>Subs:</h3>
<h4>Danny Williams - 5</h4>
<p>Did a good job for the minutes he was on the pitch. Good to see him back considering on Saturday the management were unsure and tight lipped about his injury and his chances of playing at Wembley.</p>
<h4>Kwesi Appiah - 5</h4>
<p>He’s got a lot of energy but does seem to panic when the ball comes to his feet. Didn’t really create anything when he did come on.</p>
<h4>Yakubu - N/A</h4>
<p>Wasn’t on for long enough, but it was one of his better performances I’ve seen from him at the Madejski.</p>
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<p><i>Who was your man of the match? Vote in our poll at the bottom of the page, and leave your thoughts in the comments section.</i></p>
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<p><span><b>Season Ratings (click for a larger version):</b></span></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://i.imgur.com/J1RyVzB.png"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/J1RyVzB.png"></a></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/4/15/8419643/reading-0-1-bournemouth-player-ratingssophierfc102015-04-15T12:32:11+01:002015-04-15T12:32:11+01:00Reading 0-1 Bournemouth: A Sharp Contrast
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<figcaption>Tom Dulat/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Royals fans were forced to watch another losing performance that was full of effort and bluster, but lacking in goals as promotion-chasers Bournemouth did everything in their power to stop Reading.</p> <p><i>Reading: Federici, Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita, Chalobah (Appiah 67), Karacan (Williams 57), Ake, McCleary, Mackie, Robson-Kanu (Yakubu 81)</i></p>
<p>League leaders Bournemouth were the visitors at the Madejski last night and took all three points in 1-0 win on an evening where Reading were on top.</p>
<p>A Callum Wilson four minute goal meant that Bournemouth stay top of the Championship and Reading stay in 18th, eight points ahead of Millwall in 22nd.</p>
<p>Steve Clarke surprisingly only made one change from our goal-less draw on Saturday against Blackburn with <span>Jordan Obita</span> returning. <span>Pavel Pogrebnyak</span> had a slight knock so missed out, but should return for Saturday at Wembley.</p>
<h4>First-Half</h4>
<p>The Royals, like many times this season, started slowly and it was quite clear from the kick off that one team were up for it more than the other as kick-off had to be retaken three times with Bournemouth players stepping over the line, visibly eager to get on with the game!</p>
<p>It was no shock that four minutes later, the visitors took the lead. It was good play from the Cherries with Andrew Surman hitting the post from just outside the box, and as it was not cleared by the Royals defenders Wilson scored his 22nd goal of the season.</p>
<p>It was mid-way through the first half before Reading had an attempt on goal. A great save from Artur Boruc denied a Jamie Mackie volley to keep Bournemouth in the game. The hosts were then on top until half time, with half chances from <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span> and Obita, but both fired high and wide.</p>
<p>It did seem last night that the Royals weren't too keen to put in too many challenges, it was quite clear to me that the players had their mind focused on Saturday. Fair enough, I suppose, but a few more challenges could have maybe seen us get in some better positions with the possibly of getting the equaliser.</p>
<h4>Second-Half</h4>
<p>Early on, Matt Richie had a fantastic chance to make it 2-0 to the visitors with a fantastic curling shot which went just wide from the corner of the penalty box. Yet again, however, the story of our season began to tell as we got into some really good positions but couldn't pull off a decent effort, or actually shoot at all. Half chances came again from Jamie Mackie and Robson-Kanu, but were either blocked or well wide of the target. Like Saturday, we were on top during the game, and should have come out with at least a point.</p>
<p><span>Michael Hector</span> had a nervy moment in the second half, after already being booked earlier on in the half, he clattered into Wilson, who looked as though he’d made the most of the challenge. Bournemouth players surrounded the referee, another yellow for Hector would have meant he would have not been available for Wembley on Saturday. He escaped further punishment, but <span>Alex Pearce</span> did receive a booking for the proceeding scuffle.</p>
<p>The final 10 minutes saw the host apply a lot of pressure onto the visitors to find the equaliser, but with three points critical for Bournemouth every man was behind the ball and there was no way for the Royals to get through.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/4/15/8419631/reading-0-1-bournemouth-frustrating-evening-for-royals-against-leaguesophierfc102015-04-14T21:56:17+01:002015-04-14T21:56:17+01:00Reading FC 0 - 1 AFC Bournemouth: Instant Reaction
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<figcaption>Tom Dulat/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Get the immediate report of Reading's game against Bournemouth.</p> <p>Clarke made a shock team selection on Tuesday night as he made only one change from the team that drew against Blackburn at the weekend; Obita came in for Pogrebnyak, with Robson-Kanu continuing his role as one of three central midfielders. Mackie went up top.</p>
<p>The game got off to a predictable start, with Callum Wilson scoring a goal in the 4th minute to the joy of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/afc-bournemouth">Bournemouth</a> fans and exasperation of loyal Royals.</p>
<p>17 minutes in and Artur Boruc made a super save from Mackie after a super cross in by the returning Obita.</p>
<p>The Royals didn't play too badly after the opener, but an equaliser evaded them in the first half.</p>
<p>The second half started sluggishly, with the only moment of note being Chalobah going down under a heavy challenge.</p>
<p>Matt Richie had the chance to score a second for Bournemouth in the 62nd minute only for his curler to bend off target.</p>
<p>The game ended in a very end-to-end fashion, and with five minutes added time the pressure piled onto both sets of fans and the players, with a flurry of yellow cards seeing the game out; another loss for the Royals.</p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>FULL TIME: Visitors hold on to take all three points after Wilson&#39;s early goal. <a href="http://t.co/0fTWl2skI9">pic.twitter.com/0fTWl2skI9</a></p>&mdash; <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/">Reading FC</a> (@ReadingFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFC/status/588082882796720130">April 14, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><i>Reading: Federici, Gunter, Obita, Pearce, Hector, Karacan (C), Chalobah, Ake, McCleary, Robson-Kanu, Mackie <br>Subs: Andersen, Kelly, Norwood, Williams, Stacey, Appiah, Yakubu</i></p>
<p><i>Bournemouth: Boruc, Daniels, Cook, Elphick, Francis, Pugh, Surman, Arter, Ritchie, Kermorgant, Wilson <br>Subs: Camp, Ward, Smith, Gosling, Fraser, Pitman, Jones</i></p>
<p>Attendance: 18,917 (4,259 Bournemouth)</p>
<p><b>Stay tuned to The Tilehurst End for full match reports, player ratings and post-match analysis in the coming days.</b></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/4/14/8415335/reading-fc-0-1-afc-bournemouth-instant-reactionThe Tilehurst End News Desk2015-04-14T19:36:59+01:002015-04-14T19:36:59+01:00Ref-Watch: Bournemouth (H)
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<img alt=""But Ref I didn't do anything!....oh wait - I'm the ref!"" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1amBjNRTYwfOQKhKYy8nBkw2mOA=/0x127:1804x1330/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46121066/GettyImages-460055586.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>"But Ref I didn't do anything!....oh wait - I'm the ref!" | Pete Norton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He's been trialled in the Premier League a few times, but never been given the gig full-time. It's KEITH STROUD.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">You have to feel for Keith Stroud. The Premier League have trialled him a few times now, yet he’s never been named a permanent official.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has taken charge of 15 top division matches to date, with the latest being Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Leicester back in September, which followed a five year absence from the Premier League. Stroud has also taken charge of a few big League Cup clashes this season, such as Arsenal vs Southampton and Liverpool vs Swansea, but the majority of his 35 games in 2014-15 have come in the Championship.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since the start of the campaign, the Hampshire official has produced a staggering 151 yellow cards and seven reds, averaging at 4.5 cards per game. In fact, there have only been three games this season where he’s not produced multiple cards.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stroud has already been the man in the middle of two Bournemouth games this season (they've won both), but has not taken charge of Royals fixture since March last year as we drew 1-1 at home Huddersfield.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In total, we've played nine games with Stroud as the ref – winning six, drawing once and losing two. One of those defeats was a 6-4 loss to Tottenham in December 2007. He also sent off Matt Mills twice in the space of two months in 2010, as the defender was given an early bath by Stroud against Doncaster and Ipswich.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">History lesson over with (although the past is better than the present at the moment in Berkshire), and I can tell you that as well as his high card count, Keith has awarded 11 penalties this season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mr Stroud sounds like the kind of ref who doesn’t take any prisoners, and certainly one who won’t take pity on a team of youngsters that Steve Clarke could send out against Bournemouth. But then again, it’s better than a key player being sent off by this card-happy ref just before Wembley…</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/4/14/8412849/ref-watch-afc-bournemouth-hOlly_Allen2015-04-14T11:27:50+01:002015-04-14T11:27:50+01:00Bournemouth - Infographic Lowdown
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<figcaption>Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Royals host the table-topping Cherries just four days before taking on Arsenal at Wembley, so while all could be forgiven for ignoring Tuesday night's opponents here is our infographic lowdown of their key stats.</p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p><i>All stats provided by Squawka, transfer markt, and statto.</i></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/4/14/8409627/reading-fc-v-bournemouth-infographic-lowdownMarc Mayo2015-04-14T09:02:01+01:002015-04-14T09:02:01+01:00View From The Town End: Bournemouth
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<figcaption>Michael Steele/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Championship leaders Bournemouth will be looking to continue their promotion party at the Madejski Stadium tonight and here to give us the low down on the Cherries is Peter Bell.</p> <p><b>How would you sum up Bournemouth's season so far?</b></p>
<p>Amazing, sensational, incredible, unbelievable! take your pick. While many fans would have hoped for an improvement of the strong season we had in 203-14, there were not many who expected us to do better than pushing for a play-off position. To be in with a shout of the title and automatic promotion with just four games to go is a fantastic story. I only hope that the players can finish the job because they have been tremendous this season.</p>
<p><b>You're looking primed for a first season in the Premier League, do you think the club is ready for it?</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/afc-bournemouth" class="sbn-auto-link">AFC Bournemouth</a> are a small club in the Championship so to be in the Premier League will be a huge leap in every aspect of the club. However, we've seen other small sides make it so I don't see why the Cherries can't make the jump. It won't be easy and it will be a massive learning curve, but the type of football we play from the back is suited to the higher divisions as the players get a bit more time on the ball and do not face the long ball game quite so much. You can only ever beat the teams in the division you are in, apart from in the cup games so I don't think we really know yet how good this Bournemouth team is and whether it has further potential, but the age of the team is still fairly young and with a couple of additions I do feel that the Cherries could stay up if they do get promoted.</p>
<p>The new £5.13bn contract with Sky kicks in in 2016-17 and suddenly AFC Bournemouth could be one of the top 20 richest clubs in Europe just by getting to the Premier League and staying there for a season.</p>
<p><b>What is the current ownership situation and how much do you know about those running the club? Is this the fairytale story it seems or have the club had some money to power this promotion push?</b></p>
<p>The fairytale really is that the club has been fortunate enough to find an owner that does not seek attention, loves the club and the area and who was prepared to share the dream with the fans that 'Anything is possible'. Maxim Demin is not someone you will often see around Dean Court as he is pleased to stay in the background. He talks to Eddie Howe on a daily basis and has accumulated substantial wealth in the petrochemicals industry and the major club sponsors are Energy Consulting that you will see on the shirts. The extent of Maxim's wealth is not really talked about but he brought a house in Sandbanks (Poole) for several million a few years back and anyone who is happy to lend the club £7 million as an interest free loan shows you that he isn't short of a few bob.</p>
<p>The club is debt free which is the important thing and that's why it has kept out of any financial fair play problems. It is a very well run club now. Players are improved when they come to the club and become assets like Lewis Grabban who was sold on for a big profit. Most of the players have come from League One and some from even lower down the scale, while we have some good ex-Premier League players now in the squad that have added experience.</p>
<p>The owners have invested in new facilities like gyms, the club shop, training facilities, car park and stadium - the list is endless. The club does not own the stadium but it has options to expand on the current site which is the preferred option and who knows what the money from being in a division like the Premier League could do for the club.</p>
<p><b>Bournemouth easily brushed aside Reading earlier this season, what did you make of us that day and from what you've seen of us since?</b></p>
<p>Reading have not had a good run against the Cherries for sure. It was an evening game when you played us in October and it ended 3-0. Callum Wilson scored from a rare header and while Reading played really well in the first half hour they could not convert their dominance into any goals and were punished in a 15 minute spell in the second half when the Cherries clicked. That is the difference between the top and middle teams in this league. Over 90 minutes AFCB usually find a way to finish and don't keep missing chances, but Reading have scored less than half of what AFCB have scored in the league.</p>
<p>When you said goodbye to Nigel Adkins I expected a more resilient Reading to emerge and one that used pace to attack teams with players like <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span> in your side and Jordan Obita. But Steve Clarke needs to work out what is best at Reading and I think he has to get it right this summer for you and bring in some hungry players. I think your home form has not been great so perhaps hat is also something that Clarke needs to look at, because the players can do it if they have beaten teams like Ipswich and Derby away.</p>
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<p><br><b>Any Reading player you're not hoping to face on Tuesday?</b></p>
<p>I probably don't really mind that much who Steve Clarke puts out. I've not seen Jamie Mackie and I'd like to see him play as well as Jordan Obita. Sadly, I think your big guns will be rested and I imagine that defence might be the first consideration of Steve Clarke's mind.</p>
<p><b>Which Bournemouth players should we be particularly concerned about?</b></p>
<p>All of them to be fair as they are all capable of scoring. Those that have been in form though are Callum Wilson and Yann Kermorgant and if Adam Smith gets a start I would not be surprised if he gets a goal because just about everything has been going right for the side and that would be another pleasing story.</p>
<p><b>Score prediction?</b></p>
<p>It's a bit hard not knowing what Steve Clarke is going to do but AFCB will score and I think it will be tough for Reading. Still I see it as a game where the Cherries will just be trying to be professional and come through unscathed. It could be interesting if Reading can keep Bournemouth out for an hour, but I'll go for a 1-3 away win.</p>
<p><b>Finally who are you tipping to win promotion and to join Blackpool in League One?</b></p>
<p>League Two is very competitive this year and while Burton and the Shrews look like they are up, along with Wycombe I have a sneaky feeling that Plymouth will come with a late run to go up via the play-offs.</p>
<p>Finally, the very best of luck to Reading in the FA Cup. Make sure you rest lots of players ahead of that game, perhaps your youth team players want a run out against AFC Bournemouth!</p>
<p><i>Thanks again to Peter and you can follow him on twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/peterbell19" target="_blank" data-ref-index="9">@PeterBell19</a> and read more on </i><a target="_blank" href="http://afcbchimes.blogspot.co.uk/"><i>Cherry Chimes</i></a></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/4/14/8409589/view-from-the-town-end-afc-bournemouthThe Tilehurst End Guest Writer