Lol before the game I'd have agreed that was how it was likely to go. Tbf they havent scored yet somehow, so still might only be a 1 nil. Probably the first game we have been categorically outclassed though (no, I wasnt as impressed with Reading as many seemed to be. They defended well and took their chances, that was all, they just knew how to work us...this lot look in genuine control).

That's optimistic. We have 49% possession at the mo and I'd consider taking a 1 nil defeat right now, they're all over us.

Only a matter of time before they score.

Anyway, Downing. Unhelpful signing. The last thing our current approach needs is a slow tempo passer with suspect legs. Great for most of last season, not the man for now. Not even because I think he is bad or anything, just that it will lead us to focus on possession at the cost of points. More than we are. Anybody know how long the deal is? You would assume 1 year but I haven't seen any mention.

I feel like he does this quite a bit. Seems very reluctant to take players off (or even drop them) when they are clearly carrying a problem. Rarely ends well. Happy to do all his subs by the 60th minute or so in a lot of games though (god have we been lucky with that not biting us in the ass until a couple of games ago).

Maybe it's a case of his head going a bit from that not happening then.

It will be if the players all keep shaking hands at the end of the game on camera. Are we all living through the same pandemic or was I watching a stream from a parallel universe?

When I saw Davenport come on for our top scorer at 2-0 down with barely any time left, I said 'That'll do it'. Arma looked as pissed off as me.

Dunno but I'm annoyed MK didnt play him at all when we sent him on loan last season and suddenly he's their number one after buying him for peanuts.

We are far too easy to beat.

Almost verbatim to what I expected the first reply to be.

How does it drop to Evans in that position and I already know it's not a goal?

Eh? I'd at least like to see the Greek play before I jumped to that conclusion. I'd give him the chance against Swansea, there won't be much time Kaminski is injured this season probably so there won't be many chances. Might be a bit harsh to drop Pears after one viewing, even though he looked off the standard, but still. Won't happen though.

Can't believe I've just read TM going on about how it's difficult for Pears to adapt to our style from Boro's. He is a fucking goalkeeper! Ok it affects the passing around at the back part of the game but what the hell does that have to do with the four goals we just shipped?? Not to mention if he is set on playing a sweeper keeper and that's such a key part of our game, why he signed someone who isn't one.

Blimey, that's a strong allegation ?

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18822509.mowbray-expected-reading-approach-rovers-return-ewood/ Pretty much the arse biscuits mate. Tbf he didnt say they were going to come out guns blazing, but he didnt expect a particularly defensive display. I've no idea why not, as they had just played that way against the mighty Rotherham and won 3-0 so fuck knows why he thought they were going to play any differently against the dangerous free-scoring side that have ballsed up every time someone plays a defensive countering approach.

Far from the first we have lost with 65% possession. Reading just like all the other teams that have done us in those games, for me. Getting more credit than they're due in this match because they are top of the league. Take their chances but otherwise...bang. Average. Which is a lot better than our defence is.

I knew we were buggered when I saw TM's comments about how he expected Reading to approach the game. I've no idea why he expected what he expected.

It's only one game, of course, but I didnt rate Pears. Mostly I feel his positional sense is wayward. He gets drawn to the ball too easily. Absolutely caught in no man's land for the first. Looks like a major area of needed improvement for him. His best work was in stopping us putting it in our own net. He did react well to that.

So, we have had games where we scored 4, 5, and 4. But we have also conceded 3, 3 and 4.

Average but take their chances. They wont be the last team to do this to us. Probably not the last in the next few weeks...

Smh indeed.

Ever heard of anyone scoring 25 goals at this point of the season, outside the junior leagues?

Not really. It was absolutely fired in. Had very little time to react and did what he could.

That was a ludicrous decision from the ref.