The Tilehurst End - Fulham 4-2 Reading FC: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2015-10-27T06:30:01+00:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/93664092015-10-27T06:30:01+00:002015-10-27T06:30:01+00:00Fulham 4-2 Reading: The Alternative View
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<p>A Saturday trip to West London, a two goal lead and we blew it. Views from the social and media viewpoints are here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In midweek we had a tough trip to Yorkshire and came back with a draw after a second half blip. A trip to a Fulham side who have been at best inconsistent seemed to be the perfect remedy, backed up by a very noisy 4,000 fans from Berkshire.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At half time and a 0-1 lead, which quickly turned into 0-2 and most Reading fans were wondering how many we would score against an up-to-that-point, pretty woeful Fulham side.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t think there is anyone who expected the next six minutes of carnage, and a back four that had been reliable all season, suddenly turned into a Sunday league side who looked like they have never played together before.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There has been enough said about this game from the Reading side and it’s interesting to read the tweets of the Fulham faithful prior, during and after the game. Mostly around Kit Symons and his rumoured sacking at half time. How much this is true, probably will never be told, but something certainly gave the Fulham players a boot up the backside.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So sit down, console yourself and lets take a look at the Fulham view.</p>
<h3>Pre-Game</h3>
<h4>Symons was already dominating the headlines, with numerous fans already wanting him gone.</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Last roll of the dice for Symons. I want him gone even if we win. Seen enough to know he's not good enough long-term <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a></p>
— Andy G (@ubergreeny) <a href="https://twitter.com/ubergreeny/status/657890309779628032">October 24, 2015</a>
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<h4>Hope this guy did the lottery numbers on Saturday!</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of two ways for FFC today I reckon - we'll either blow reading away and leave us all bemused at our up-down form or get annihilated <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FFC?src=hash">#FFC</a></p>
— Jack J Collins (@jackjcollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/jackjcollins/status/657892842052984832">October 24, 2015</a>
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<h4>As always our away kit gets interesting tweets and this week is no different.</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So Reading playing in dusty pink today. Nice. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COYW?src=hash">#COYW</a></p>
— Matt Walton (@mattwaltonUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattwaltonUK/status/657900569462493184">October 24, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A very empty Hammersmith End as the teams come out, Reading sporting a strip looking like a washing machine malfunction <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rfc?src=hash">#rfc</a></p>
— DJH (@1966FFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/1966FFC/status/657896448135200769">October 24, 2015</a>
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<h4>So onto the game itself and at 0-2.</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Slow, insipid, pedestrian, naive, dispirited, technically inferior, poorly coached, no plan, no ideas <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/deadmanwalking?src=hash">#deadmanwalking</a></p>
— Paul Maile (@prmaile) <a href="https://twitter.com/prmaile/status/657911898713804800">October 24, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a> Only one team bothered and it is not Fulham. No point getting stressed at another " worst ever" performance.</p>
— Stuart Hitch (@s_w_hitch) <a href="https://twitter.com/s_w_hitch/status/657905996765995008">October 24, 2015</a>
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<h4>3-2 all change.</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kit Symons you legend!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a></p>
— Fulham Matt (@Fulham_Matt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fulham_Matt/status/657915615366258688">October 24, 2015</a>
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<h4>However how much of this was by Symons who was rumoured to have been told he was getting the boot at halftime...</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">top top win! unsure what to make about the rumours <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coyw?src=hash">#coyw</a></p>
— Sam Anderson (@samfulham) <a href="https://twitter.com/samfulham/status/657927665362579456">October 24, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have the players, we have the tactics, we have the goals. Parker states his case for manager <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coyw?src=hash">#coyw</a></p>
— 3J 5+ap1er (@Fulhammy_End) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fulhammy_End/status/657916177553969152">October 24, 2015</a>
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<h4>We have to, however give Fulham Credit for a decent comeback.</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What an amazing comeback today! ⚽❤ Great performance in the second half! 3 goals in 6 minutes! <a href="https://twitter.com/FulhamFC">@FulhamFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FFC?src=hash">#FFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/BMUDjAHVSn">pic.twitter.com/BMUDjAHVSn</a></p>
— Lindsay (@RoachyBaby) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoachyBaby/status/658004391828549632">October 24, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Did we really come back from being 2nil down?! At 2nil people were calling for Kit's head, but were quickly silenced! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COYW?src=hash">#COYW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ffc?src=hash">#ffc</a></p>
— Jesse Westgate (@jessewestgate) <a href="https://twitter.com/jessewestgate/status/657950228906168320">October 24, 2015</a>
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<h4>However, please do not give up the day job!</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We go Symons in, Symons out IN OUT, IN OUT, SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT Score 4 against Reading from 2-0 down THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FFC?src=hash">#FFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COYW?src=hash">#COYW</a></p>
— Matthew Baldwin (@MattRhys63) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattRhys63/status/657926415820681216">October 24, 2015</a>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ok, so that’s the twittersphere dealt with. Onto more jolly reading, what did the press say!</p>
<h3>Media</h3>
<p>As you can imagine, after having lead 2-0, then getting beat 4-2, most of the outlets picked up on it. So take a deep breath and let’s see what’s been said.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Starting with the national mainstream press and the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-4-reading-2-whites-10325120?">Guardian</a>, lead with it was a "remarkable" comeback and all the press is around 19 year old Dembele, whose contract is nearly up. Clarke makes the point in this and many other articles about not talking to the players straight after the game… Read into that what you want!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Given that we gave a 2-0 lead away the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3287634/Fulham-4-2-Reading-Moussa-Dembele-scores-twice-hosts-win.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490">Daily Mail</a> is fairly nice to us! However they do call it a thriller and have some really good pictures on the site.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/10041673/fulham-4-2-reading-moussa-dembele-inspires-fightback-win?">SkySports</a> lead with Dembele inspiring a fightback, but also give credit to McCormack on scoring the first goal and getting Fulham back into it. They also comment on Fulham should have had a 5th, apart from a good goal line clearance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a target="_blank" href="http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-things-we-learned-from-readings-collapse-at-fulham/?#aTTXWAOhLDkj1SKM.97">Football League World</a> win the award for stating the obvious. Reading should shoot more and our defense can be broken. However that is a point, for 30 minutes we did try and score the perfect goal with some nice intricate play. As good as it looked maybe we should have shot more?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The strangest write-up of the day comes from the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Football-SkyBet-Championship-round/story-28046379-detail/story.html?">Derby Telegraph</a> who give us 5 lines, quickly followed on with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/moussa-dembele-double-lifts-pressure-on-fulham-manager-kit-s-1786386.html?">Clubcall </a>and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/match-report/339680/-?">Sportinglife</a> who carry an abridged version of the Sky Report but with differing reactions and photos.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a target="_blank" href="http://talksport.com/football/fulham-4-2-reading-cottagers-stage-remarkable-comeback-two-goals-down-151024171731?">TalkSport</a> have a similar report, but to get a mention on TalkSport in itself is a major honour! <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/half-time-report/half-time-report-piazon-hands-reading-advantage_253878.html#%24%24nwuhb8&&byJbPnwhEeW6WhKdzsiGHw%24%24">Sportmole </a>carry on their regular good work with half time and full time reports, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.espnfc.co.uk/gamecast/statistics/id/422807/statistics.html">ESPN FC </a>carry their usual Sky version but with a fair amount of stats.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34557204">BBC</a> usually factual and little else, this week give us some inches, but mostly about Fulham, however they do carry an article with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34639873">Clarke </a>saying that he needs to look at himself (bit of advice Steve, take a good look at your back 4 and how they let you down).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally we move onto <a target="_blank" href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-4-reading-fc-2-10325136">GetReading</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/26/9611278/further-reading-fulham-4-2-reading-fc-royals">TheTilehurstEnd</a>. Both as usual full of information, however I would recommend @BucksRoyals Further Reading, as this does as always give a good analysis of the game. Charles as usual has his no holds barred iPhone video report, and a full report being the only article I have seen calling it a "capitulation" which is probably as honest as it gets.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So onto Brighton, easy eh. If nothing else we will need a full bloodied effort against the league leaders, and it will be interesting to see if there are any team changes. As usual I will be back after the game with the Seagulls' fans views, news and comments.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/27/9617624/fulham-4-2-reading-fc-the-alternative-view-championship-social-media-twitterdavemc_exile2015-10-26T07:00:02+00:002015-10-26T07:00:02+00:00Further Reading: Fulham 4-2 Reading
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Reading had a comfortable 50 minutes on Saturday, but then collapsed to see Fulham snatch all three points. Here's Bucks Royal's post mortem from a surprise horror show at Craven Cottage. </p> <h3>The ghost of defending past</h3>
<p>I hadn't missed the old Reading at all, but they made a sudden reappearance in the second half at Craven Cottage. The Royals' momentum had slipped at the end of the first period, but stout defending had kept the away side in a comfortable position; no such luck after the break. All traces of concentration vanished, and Steve Clarke's side couldn't recover.</p>
<p>What made it all so surprising was that we were convinced that Reading had turned a corner. The hard work of Steve Clarke and his coaching set-up seemed to have paid off, not to mention the imperious form of new signing Paul McShane. In fact, this was only the second occasion on which the Royals have conceded four in a single game under Steve Clarke. The other match? A 4-1 hammering at soon to be promoted Watford, when a fixture against Bradford City forced Reading into playing a B team.</p>
<p>So what went wrong on Saturday? For me, there were at least two mistakes in the build-up to each goal. For the first, Sa and Williams are pulled towards the ball, leaving an empty space for Cairney to run into. Obita fluffs his lines with a poor clearance. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> then equalise after a cross comes in far too easily, is missed by Hector and McShane, another cross isn't blocked by Obita, and Dembele finds enough room for a tap-in.</p>
<p>The last two goals were a whole new level of incompetence. Fulham take the lead on 56 minutes when a simple layoff gives Kacaniklic a free run through on goal, and they even managed to repeat the process for their fourth. Straight from a long punt down the pitch by goalkeeper Lewis, McShane's lazy header gives the ball straight to Dembele, whose one-two with McCormack gives the Frenchman a free run in on goal after McShane is pulled out of place.</p>
<p>To be fair, Ali Al-Habsi wasn't at fault for any of the goals, and <span>Chris Gunter</span> can't take as much of the blame as his defensive colleagues. But, that being said, it's worrying to think that defensive frailties we all thought were gone are still very much in the system. Steve Clarke has a big job to do over the next week.</p>
<h3>Player in focus: Matej Vydra</h3>
<p>Although Orlando Sa got my vote for Reading's man of the match, Matej Vydra'a performance on Saturday provides some interesting food for thought. The Watford loanee played in a central position against Fulham, with <span>Nick Blackman</span> to his right and Lucas Piazon to his left. Although Orlando Sa played as the main striker for much of the game, Vydra didn't simply support him directly in a 'two up top' style system. Instead, he did this...</p>
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<p>In that graphic, Reading are shooting from right to left, but Vydra spent so much time dropping deep to get involved in the game that you'd have a similar picture if I'd flipped it around. His stats are also impressive - with 36, he made more passes than any other Reading forward on the day, and of the whole front line only Nick Blackman (47) had more touches than Vydra (44).</p>
<p>From looking at that, it's clear that Reading have a player on their hands who's at his best when dropping back into the midfield to orchestrate the play, before himself getting forward. That worked to terrific effect in the first goal, when Vydra started the move from deep and provided the assist.</p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><i>Gif made from </i><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beQcoEOEazs"><i>official YouTube highlights.</i></a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Missing faces</h3>
<p>After a defeat like that, Steve Clarke <i>needs</i> to ring the changes. You can't let a performance that bad go unpunished and, by and large, we've got good options in reserve to call on. As my fellow assistant editor Olly Allen said, "Now, if a player needs to be dropped, we know the replacement is just as good." That's certainly true at the back, where we've got the likes of <span>Anton Ferdinand</span> (fitness willing, fingers crossed) and Andrew Taylor to come in for <span>Michael Hector</span> and <span>Jordan Obita</span> respectively.</p>
<p>To be fair to both of them, Ferdinand and Taylor haven't really put a foot wrong this season. Up until his injury, Ferdinand was just as good as McShane, whereas Taylor has in my opinion been unlucky not to displace Jordan Obita at the back, having looked solid on each occasion he's played.</p>
<p>There's another player we're missing at the moment - Stephen Quinn. I doubt his presence on Saturday would have <i>guaranteed </i>a different outcome (the experienced McShane himself went missing after all) but, on a defensive level, his current replacement Lucas Piazon leaves much to be desired. So far this season, Quinn's proved himself to be a tenacious customer, currently being the third highest for average number of tackles per game. Piazon doesn't match that, meaning that Reading lack a degree of protection from the midfield when Quinn is absent.</p>
<p>It's a great source of comfort that, after a defeat of this manner, Reading have the players in reserve who can make a difference. But, then again, it's equally worrying that such a key player in Stephen Quinn is thought to be <a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/21/9581589/double-injury-blow-for-reading-fc">out until January due to injury.</a> Nonetheless, it'll be very interesting to see what team Steve Clarke chooses to put out next Saturday when league leaders Brighton come to town.</p>
<p><i>All stats are taken from WhoScored.com</i></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/26/9611278/further-reading-fulham-4-2-reading-fc-royalsBucksRoyal2015-10-25T19:25:03+00:002015-10-25T19:25:03+00:00Fulham 4-2 Reading: Video Highlights<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/beQcoEOEazs" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Want to see how a 2-0 lead turned into a 4-2 defeat? Well here you go.</p></p></div>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/25/9611460/fulham-4-2-reading-video-highlightsWimb2015-10-25T18:39:36+00:002015-10-25T18:39:36+00:00Clarke: "Result was unexpected and out of the blue
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<figcaption>Justin Setterfield/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>By now we've all had time to digest Saturday's capitulation at Craven Cottage but what did Reading boss Steve Clarke make of it?</p> <p>A surprising and frustrating afternoon at Craven Cottage yesterday afternoon saw a 4-2 defeat after the Royals were 2-0 up against <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fulham</a>.</p>
<p>Lucas Piazon and Orlando Sa put the Royals two ahead, but a breathless six minutes saw Fulham steal the points with a brilliant second half display.</p>
<p>Steve Clarke was disappointed with the result, he told the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk">Official club website</a>..</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk"></a> "At the moment it is still quite difficult to get my head around because for most of the game we were in control, but we had a crazy spell and Fulham scored three goals in five or six minutes.</p>
<p>"It turned the game on its head and we went from being a team that looked very assured and playing good attacking football, to suddenly looking very weak.</p>
<p>"It went from 2-1 to 2-2 and then to 3-2 very quickly, and it is uncharacteristic. It's not the way that you want your team to play; you want your team to respond better to adversity in the game and if that's something that we have to work on, then we start working on it immediately.</p>
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<p>The Royals before the game had only conceded just eight goals in 12 Championship games, so it was an uncharacteristically poor performance, Clarke added:</p>
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<p>"We pride ourselves on being solid at the back and that we haven't conceded many shots and haven't conceded many goals. Nobody that has watched Reading this season could have said they would see a game where we would concede four goals.</p>
<p>"I'll go away and do my work and assess how we are and how we played in the cold light of day, rather than now when it's a little bit emotional. I didn't trust myself to speak to the players after the game because I was so angry, so I want to go home and watch the game again.</p>
<p>"It was completely unexpected and out of the blue. But sometimes it is a little wake-up call and a reality check. I've said that we have come along way since the summer; we changed a lot in the club and we have been riding on the crest of a wave for a little bit. But this division is unforigiving and if you switch off for a moment, you can get punished.</p>
<p>"We have been punished today and we have to take stock, reassess and look to go forward again."</p>
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<p>Next up, Reading face league leaders Brighton at the Madejski Stadium next Saturday.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/25/9610730/clarke-fulham-result-was-completely-out-of-the-bluesophierfc102015-10-24T20:22:10+01:002015-10-24T20:22:10+01:00Fulham 4-2 Reading: Player Ratings
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>In the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde performance Olly reveals which players could leave Craven Cottage with their heads held high.</p> <h4>Ali Al-Habsi: 5</h4>
<p>His goal was barely threatened in the first half, and in the second half the first shot on target from Fulham went in. Could have stopped the cross for the second goal, and as the goalkeeper, he has to take responsibility on a day when Reading conceded the most they have in a single game this season.</p>
<h4>Chris Gunter: 6</h4>
<p>Got forward well in the first half, but his sole job in the second half was to defend. Although none of the goals came directly from his flank, Gunter was sloppy on a few occasions. He did however stop the scoreline being higher with a clearance off the line to deny McCormack.</p>
<h4>Michael Hector: 5</h4>
<p>Struggled against the impressive Dembele and McCormack and lost concentration on multiple occasions which allowed Fulham to create chances in the second half. Showed that he still has a lot to learn despite his rapid rise in the last few years.</p>
<h4>Paul McShane: 5</h4>
<p>Arguably his worst performance in a Reading shirt since signing in the summer. It was his mistake that allowed Fulham to score their fourth, whilst when the rest of the team needed a lift, the skipper for once was unable to provide it. Didn't have the leadership we expect of him.</p>
<h4>Jordan Obita: 5</h4>
<p>Ineffectual going forward and lost his man on numerous occasions, and that led to two of the goals. It's not a game that he will look back on with fondness and it puts forward the argument that Andrew Taylor, who wasn't even on the bench, could be the better option for certain opponents.</p>
<h4>Nick Blackman: 5</h4>
<p>We expect so much from Blackman now that any game he does not perform in is heavily criticised. Couldn't provide the attacking spark that he has done so far this season and the shots he did have were easily saved. Will need to play much better against league leaders Brighton next weekend if Reading stand any chance of beating them.</p>
<h4>Oliver Norwood: 5</h4>
<p>Was denied the space in the middle of the park that usually allows him to be so influential. Failed to provide cover to the defence and that was ultimately the reason why Fulham were able to counter attack so effectively. Despite missing just three minutes in the league so far this season, Norwood was substituted midway through the second half.</p>
<h4>Danny Williams: 5</h4>
<p>As with Norwood, Danny Williams concentrated too much on going forward, meaning he had little thought about providing defensive support and gave Fulham space to break away. An uncharacteristic performance from the American international.</p>
<h4>Lucas Piazon: 6</h4>
<p>Looked very bright going forward in the first half, linking up with Orlando Sa and Matej Vydra extremely well to finish off a wonderful move for the first goal before completing a cheeky nutmeg in typical Brazilian style. However he still looks weak in the tackle and seems as though he can't be bothered to track back. Substituted midway through the second period.</p>
<h4>Matěj Vydra: 7</h4>
<p>There is definately a clear difference to the side when Vydra is included, as he brings an attacking impetus that few others can. Set up the first goal with a perfectly timed pass without taking a touch, but wasn't given the opportunity to create much in the second half. All he needs to do now is get on the scoresheet himself.</p>
<h4>Orlando Sá: 7</h4>
<p>Came up against his former employers and didn't do anything to disgrace himself. Played a big part in the first goal and most of the chances in the first half before hitting the back of the net in the second half following a superb solo run. Had a penalty appeal turned down as well as a header cleared off the line, making him Reading's most influential player.</p>
<h3><u>Substitutes</u></h3>
<h4>Ola John: 5</h4>
<p>Came on for Lucas Piazon with 20 minutes to go but you could barely notice him as the game was already over. Still not doing enough to tell Steve Clarke that he is worthy of a starting spot.</p>
<h4>Aaron Tshibola: 6</h4>
<p>Was also given a 20 minute run out as he replaced Oliver Norwood and didn't do much wrong, suggesting that he perhaps should have started. At the same time though, he didn't give Reading anything extra upon his arrival on the pitch.</p>
<h4>Álex Fernández: N/A</h4>
<p>Given a rare opportunity by coming on with five minutes to go, but that wasn't enough time to have an impact or earn a match rating.</p>
<p><b><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></b></p>
<h4><u>Season's Ratings (click for a larger version):</u></h4>
<p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/MMVGRt3.png"></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/24/9607918/fulham-4-2-reading-fc-player-ratings-championship-october-2015Olly_Allen2015-10-24T19:06:42+01:002015-10-24T19:06:42+01:00Fulham 4-2 Reading: Match Report
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Olly looks back on a disappointing afternoon in West London, as a 4-2 defeat to Fulham saw Reading given a reality check. </p> <p>Steve Clarke made two changes from the draw at Rotherham by bringing in Matej Vydra and Jordan Obita into the starting line-up at the expense of Garath McCleary and Andrew Taylor. The 4-2-3-1 formation was retained, with Nick Blackman and Lucas Piazon acting as the wide men with Vydra playing just behind lone striker Orlando Sa. Jonathan Bond returned to the bench following his injury, whilst Ola John was also named as a substitute after missing out in midweek.</p>
<h3>First Half</h3>
<p>As has been the case in the majority of games this season, it was Reading who dominated the opening period as they kept possession well with a couple of neat passing moves. It wasn't long before this was rewarded with a goal, as Orlando Sa was sent clear down the left hand side in the 13th minute. The Portuguese striker played the ball inside to Matej Vydra, whose first time pass found the run of Lucas Piazon who took a touch before calmly slotting the ball home for his second Reading goal.</p>
<p>The Royals continued to impress for the next ten minutes or so, and constantly looked a danger with Blackman, Sa and Piazon all going close to doubling the lead. The first half ended though with sloppy play from both sides which left Chris Gunter and Jordan Obita with yellow cards. The only real action of note was a cheeky nutmeg from Piazon in true Brazilian style.</p>
<h3>Second Half</h3>
<p>What to say about such a shambles of a second half?! It started well enough for Reading four minutes in, as Orlando Sa capitalised on a Fulham error before going on a superb solo run to score just inside the box against his former employers. But that's as good as it got for Steve Clarke's men, who I'm sure felt that the three points were probably in the bag. But just a minute later, Ross McCormack showed the sort of skill that commands an £11 million transfer fee with a neat turn and volley past Ali Al-Habsi to make it 2-1.</p>
<p>It wasn't long before the home side were level as some poor defending allowed a Fulham cross to go straight to Moussa Dembele who tapped into the open net from close range. You hoped that Reading might be able to pull themselves together and sort out the mess that they had created, but in fact it got worse as Alexander <span>Kacaniklic was sent through on goal and slotted past a despairing Al-Habsi. Make that 3-2 Fulham with three goals in the space of six minutes. No one could quite believe what they had just witnessed, and the players looked as stunned and bewildered as the fans around me did at Craven Cottage. </span></p>
<p>There was some brief hope for us visiting fans though as Orlando Sa first had a penalty appeal rejected and then a header cleared off the line - that's when you knew it wasn't going to be our day. With fifteen minutes to go, Dembele scored again to add more misery after McCormack pounched on a Paul McShane error. Fulham could well have had five goals by full-time, but McCormack's chip was cleared off the line by Chris Gunter. The defeat means that Reading are now seventh in the Championship table.</p>
<h3>Closing Thoughts</h3>
<p>Steve Clarke has said it himself and it's hard to disagree - this game served as a huge reality check for the squad who were on a run of five games unbeaten. The opening half an hour or so was very promising and the game could well have been over in that time had Reading taken their chances. If not then, then at 2-0 up we certainly should have put the match to bed. But a mixture of lack of concentration, sloppy defending and being caught on the break meant that we somehow ended up being comfortably beaten. Many points in the game reminded me of last season when we didn't function properly as a team.</p>
<p>It will be interesting to see how the squad reacts to the defeat, and games don't come much bigger at the moment than against table toppers Brighton next weekend. The leaders in the squad need to lift the team after failing to do so at Craven Cottage, and hopefully we look back on this game as just a blip in form. The team need to learn from the defeat, and that could be for the better in the long-term.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/24/9607716/fulham-fc-4-2-reading-fc-match-report-royals-craven-cottageOlly_Allen2015-10-24T15:25:27+01:002015-10-24T15:25:27+01:00Fulham 4-2 Reading: Instant Reaction
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Royals threw away a 2-0 lead at Craven Cottage this afternoon. </p> <p>Reading got off to a good start, with Lucas Piazon scoring a good team goal in the 13th minute, with Orlando Sa doubling the lead just after halftime with a right-foot shot from just inside the area.</p>
<p>A bright first half of the game gave way to a terrible capitulation as Fulham rallied and scored three goals in six second half minutes.</p>
<p>Ross McCormack, the £11,000,000 signing from Leeds in the summer of 2014, scored the first. 19-year-old prodigy Moussa Dembele scored the second to equalise from close range before The Cottagers took the lead for the first time in the game when Alexander Kacaniklic scored from a quick, counter-attacking break.</p>
<p>Fulham rubbed salt into the wounds when Dembele again cut through the Reading defence, combining with McCormack to give Fulham a healthy lead and suggest the game was over.</p>
<p>There was still time for yet more drama though, as Fulham had a shot cleared off the line from Chris Gunter and a good chance from a free kick went begging for The Royals.</p>
<p>You wouldn't want to be in that dressing room right now...</p>
<p><i>Keep an eye out on thetilehurstend.com for a full match report, player ratings and reaction from the game. </i></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/24/9607200/fulham-fc-4-2-reading-fc-instant-reactionThe Tilehurst End News Desk2015-10-24T10:02:49+01:002015-10-24T10:02:49+01:00Fulham v Reading: Match Preview
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<figcaption>Ryan Pierse/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Royals travel to Craven Cottage this afternoon to play a 13th placed Fulham side struggling again to find the formula for a promotion push; Phil Owtram previews the match.</p> <h4>Fulham</h4>
<p><span><b>Form (all comps): DDDLW</b></span></p>
<p>Fulham midfielder Jamie O’Hara is suspended and will not feature but Tom Cairney returns for Fulham after serving a three match suspension for his red card against Wolves. Manager Kit Symons has no new injuries following the midweek draw with Leeds.</p>
<p>Fulham have only won once in their last seven matches but did manage to secure a credible draw at sixth placed Middlesbrough last Saturday. The Cottagers sit 13th in the table with 14 points from their first 12 games and owner Shahid Khan went on record this week saying "he’s (Kit Symons) done everything he can but I think obviously we need to get more points and move up the table." After taking over as chairman in July 2013 Khan oversaw the clubs relegation to The Championship at the end of the 2013-14 season. After the club made a considerable outlay of £11m on Ross McCormack – a record for England’s second division – but failed to bounce back at the first time of asking, finishing in 17th place, the pressure is on Kit Symons to find the formula to mount a promotion push.</p>
<div class="pullquote">Fulham FC vs. Reading FC :<span>24 October 2015</span> <span>13:30 KO</span> <span>Craven Cottage Stadium, Fulham </span><span>Referee: Fred Graham</span>
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<h4>Reading</h4>
<p><span><b>Form (all comps): DWWWL</b></span></p>
<p>Reading learnt this week that Hal Robson-Kanu (ankle) and Stephen Quinn (knee) will be out for a considerable period as both picked up injuries that might keep them out until the new year. Aaron Tshibola (groin) is a doubt for the game at Craven Cottage although Jonathan Bond and Anton Ferdinand could return after recovering from injuries.</p>
<h4>Lineups From Last Game</h4>
<p><b> Fulham (v Leeds):</b> J. Lewis, R. Stearman, A. Richards, L. Garbutt, D. Burn, J. O’hara, B. Pringle (R. Fredericks 64), L. Christensen (A. Kačaniklić 68), R. Tunnicliffe, R. McCormack, M. Dembélé (C. Woodrow 84).</p>
<p>Reading (v Rotherham): Ali Al-Habsi, A. Taylor, P. McShane, C. Gunter, M. Hector, G. McCleary (M. Vydra 62), D. Williams, O. Norwood, Orlando Sá, N. Blackman, Lucas Piazon (P. Hurtado 62).</p>
<h4><b>Last Five Meetings</b></h4>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>17 Jan 2015: Fulham v Reading 2-1 (League Championship)</p>
<p>13 Sep 2014: Reading v Fulham 3-0 (League Championship)</p>
<p>04 May 2013: Fulham v Reading 2-4 (Premier League)</p>
<p>27 Oct 2012: Reading v Fulham 3-3 (Premier League)</p>
<p>12 Apr 2008: Reading v Fulham 0-2 (Premier League)</p>
<h4>Head To Head</h4>
<p>Reading v Fulham: W:16 D:13 L:18</p>
<h4>YouTube History</h4>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ppo6QbQ-qV4" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h4>Prediction</h4>
<p>Fulham 2-2 Reading</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2015/10/24/9606820/fulham-fc-v-reading-fc-match-previewPhil90