Conference trucks::football;1

I saw Ann Newbery on Sunday. She was watching my team in a friendly match.
She asked me to say hi to everyone in the Reading File. She still watches The
Royals, and is hoping to move into football as a career.

Anyone have any news on transfers over the summer. I read last week that Martin 
Hicks was finally on the move. Any replacement?

Al

    Moran has joined Exeter on a free.
    Conroy has joined Burnley for 35k.
    Hicks is playing/training with Birmingham.
    
    Neale Copper came on a free from Rangers.
    Kevin Dillon (ex Portsmouth and Newcastle) is on a months contract.
    
    Other than that, roll on Saturday.
    
    Chris
    

    I heard that ANNIE (FRED)BASSET has rejoined the backroom staff.....
    is this true .......

    Ian Branfoot has just offered the Royals 400 big ones for Michael
    Gilkes. Reading have turned it down saying they want at least 500.
    
    Tony

    A:
       Never...???
    
    Q:  When was the last time that reading won..??
    
    :-) :-) :-)  x  1000"s....!!

    I must totally agree with Simon.
    Reading played some good stuff, but the referee/linesmen/Hull/fortunes
    were never on Reading's side.
    The ball was played on the deck - and Reading deserved to win.
    I would be surprised if Reading did not finish in the top six.
    Cambridge away on Wednesday (Rumbelows Cup) - tough game, but the
    Royals could do well here.
    
    Chris (another optimist)

    When is Reading's first midweek game at home???
    
    Tony

    Re .11,
    
    Simon,
    
    Surely given Dillon's pedigree you can't be surprised at his style of
    play?? after all he did play in the infamous Portsmouth side that
    featured in that now famous "When Saturday comes" cover that celebrated
    their promotion season achieved through bookings, sendings off and even
    a prison sentence.
    
    Oh what a midfield it was with Mick "the Nutter" Tait in there as well,
    and other up and coming loonies such as Kevin Ball at the back and
    Mick "Porridge" Quinn up front.
    
    Ah those were the days - pity Reading got rid of Tait and Hurlock
    really then they would have a midfield (:==:)
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks (Who saw most of the sendings off) 

    Last two results;
    
    Saturday - Brentford 1 Reading 0
    
    Last night - Torquay 1 Reading 2 (Senior, Holzman)
    
    Reading move into tenth place.
    
    After not winning any of the last ten away league games last season (2
    draws and 8 defeats) - it is good to see that two out of four games
    this season have resulted in victories.
    
    Chris

    
    
    Reading lot set to sign David Byrne from Watford after his months loan.
    He has scored twice and it is reported in my local paper that he has
    impressed during his stay at ElmPark which ends after Saturday's game.
    Byrne apparently has impressed the Reading fans by not only scoring but
    providing width and helping to create goals..  The stumbling block
    is the fee. Watford want just over 30k and Reading are thinking it
    over.
    
    What do you Reading fans think?? 
    
    Martin

    I think Reading should buy him - at todays prices, he is certainly
    worth 30k. He seems to be improving the longer he stays at Reading.
    
    Chris

    Apparently David Byrne has gone back to Watford as the Royals couldn't
    raise 30k. Also the Southampton-Gilkes deal is now dead, as the payment
    terms weren't good enough.
    
    Tony

    
    Gilkes is only fit for another season!*!
    This would be a bad investment for any 1st division club.   
    However they probably just as well get the best out of him before he is
    shaged out. Then of course they have the same problem as they did with
    that other donkey, whats his name?? Thats it " Martin Kicks" isn't it. 
    
    
    
    
    Cheers
    
    
    
    

    Well another three points down the swanny on Saturday. Having made the
    trek down there I thought Readings younger players played well. Taylor,
    Williams, Holzman and Lovell are good honest players - I wonder how
    long we'll keep them.
    A game that Reading had sewn up after taking the lead, but the
    inability to hold onto a lead once again cost them dearly.
    Look out for some moves this week (player swop deals).
    Must just mention the support that our Danny Bailey got from the Exeter
    fans - he was/is a favourite down there.
    
    Roll on Saturday.

Ok then:

	Biscuits 3	Jim Davis XI 1

Well it's Friday isn't it...

Having been away all of September, what's the injury/team news from Elm Park? I
can tell you Chuckling Paddy Feeney's style of giving the results on the BBC WS
I have always found particularly irritating :-(

Tarik

Isn't a "Scummer" a Portsmouth insult for an inhabitant of Southampton? Or so
my Scummer friends tell me...

    Well 0-0, what can one say apart from well played the
    youngsters....again.
    Gilkes is AWOL at the moment. He was called in before the Bradford game
    (two weeks ago) to say his goodbyes to the players, last minute hiccup
    and he stays a Royal rather than a Saint (last sung at Reading v
    Southampton in the League Cup 13 years ago....).
    What happens to Dillon now, his trail is up?
    Are we going to sign Byrne?
    Where does McGhee go from here?
    How come we are dominating games without winning?
    
    Answers please!!!!
    

    Dillon has signed for yet another month. I guess 3 months is still
    the max so we either sign him after that or...
    
    Seems to me that until we sell Gilkes we won't be getting anyone
    else.
    
    I think Byrne is worth 30K but we need someone with mobility
    up front in place of Trev and McGhee.
    
    Martyn
    

    Away to Wigan tonight.
    
    I predict a very close game.....Reading to win 2-1 (eternal
    optimist)... both goals coming from defenders.
    
    Chris

    What price a Reading away win tomorrow.
    
    Reading have not won away on a Saturday since early January.
    The last seven away Saturday games have resulted in seven defeats, one
    goal scored and 15 conceded.
    Away to Shrewsbury last season was our heaviest defeat for ages (1-5).
    I am not taking anything away from Reading's away successes this season
    in midweek (Torquay and Swansea) but it doesn't look too good does it?
    
    We shall see

    On the nose Simon.
    
    Reading finally managed a win.
    
    Reading took the lead through Dillon on 55 mins.
    Shrewsury equalised on 62, and instead of Royals doing their usual and
    losing after going ahead, they bounced back with a goal through Taylor
    on 70 mins.
    
    Let's hope this is the end of the rot.
    
    Al

    FA Cup 1st Round draw;
    
    Slough v Reading
    
    There are a number of games from round 1 live on Sky.
    
    I have been to Slough, for a Berks and Bucks cup tie years ago, and
    there was a rather good social club.
    
    For those who are thinking how are Slough playing. Unfortunately, the
    answer is they are playing well - currently 5th/6th in the Conference
    and they dished out a 7-3 away win to Altrinham the weekend before
    last.
    
    Chris 

    Good point Simon, we'll have to wait and see.
    
    Can anyone confirm/deny that Reading have just re-signed Morrow, the
    full-back from Arsenal, on loan again?
    
    Chris

    Should be a good turnout of Reading fans at Slough. I don't think
    Reading will have any problems in selling their allocation. 
    Important things first though, will Richardson be fit for Saturdays
    game at Bolton?
    
    Chris
    

    
    
    5 pound a ticket!!! thats taking the p***.
    

    Home to Darlington tonight, a chance for Reading to turn their home
    form around. Must get three points tonight. 
    Have not won at home in midweek for over a year!
    
    

    On Evening Post billboard, "Royals Sign International Star". Who would
    that be??
    
    Tony

    
    
    Dame Edna probably :-)

    Well whoever this International Star is, I must have missed him last
    night.
    2-2 with Darlington, not an impressive result. 
    Reading twice equalised, through Maskell and Williams. 
    Couldn't blame Steve Francis for the Darlington goals.
    
    Stay 16th.

    After 30 years as a Reading supporter I would honestly say this
    is the worst Reading side in the past decade at least. After being
    a regular supporter I've now got more involved in coaching kids
    football and I can tell you its a heck of a lot more fun. The last
    time I saw Reading before this weekend's West Brom game was back
    in September.
    
    I must admit Reading seemed to wake up in the second half against 
    West Brom after that increadible fluke goal by Goodman. But what
    we actually have is a very mediocre team going nowhere. McGhee
    is I'm afraid past his sell by date and would do better to sit
    on the bench and try and motivate that way. 
    
    If it was me rebuilding I would only keep Francis, Williams, Taylor,
    McPherson and Lovell. In the case of Williams, Taylor and Lovell
    because of their potential as young players and Francis and McPherson
    because they are the only others who I could see playing in Div 2.
    
    Hope I'm proved wrong by the way.
    
    Martyn
    

    Sorry I missed Mark Holzman, another good young player.
    

    I'm sorry but I don't agree with the last note. I feel that Reading
    we're trying to play `football' at times on Saturday but just weren't
    getting the breaks. I thought McGhee had a good game.
    
    The only waster for me was the lanky curly haired ponce wearing number
    six.

    Totally agree with the last note. In "The Times" on Sunday (not a paper
    noted for its sporting bias) there was an extensive match report and it
    went on to say that Reading were unlucky, quite simply not getting the
    breaks. In the same report, Gould (WBA manager) said McGhee was "a
    colossus" - a truly great player.
    I thought McGhee played well. I have missed a dozen games in 20 odd
    years and this is not the worst RFC team I have seen, not by a long
    way.
    The two mates with me on Saturday had not been to Elm Park for over a
    year, and they said what a great game of football it was.
    No one gets more p***ed off than me over continually dropping points,
    but at least they are trying to play football.

    McGhee was or is a collossus ? That's the point.
    
    How many seasons does Floyd Streete have left and for that matter
    Mick Gooding, Trevor Senior and others ? Maskell wins the ponce of
    the century vote. 
    
    Maybe they are trying to play football as opposed to the Branfoot
    regime. Facts speak for themselves. Too much deadwood. 18th in 3,
    1 home win out of 8 (away record not bad I admit), no money in
    bank and apart from Gilkes no real assets to sell and rebuild.
    
    Heck I really hope I'm wrong about this.
    
    Martyn
    

    Geez, I go and watch Reading once a season and am so pissed off with
    the standard that I don't go back. This time I'll be going back.
    
    BTW, I stood in the West Brom end as the crowd there were a lot more
    enthusiastic.
    
    Tony

    rep -1
    
    Simon,
    
    Fanx for your prompt reaction, about this Bournemouth thing well I
    dunno, I don't think I would been seen a whole weekend in Bournemount
    but then again that's me ...... :-)
    
    T_

    Result: Slough 3 Reading 3
    Heard on the radio that Slough were 1-0 up at one time.
    Report anyone?
    DaveT

    Well I have to admit I went. Reading were embarassing for the 
    first 70 minutes and Slough should have been a couple ahead.
    Then Williams scored with a good far-post header and ten minutes
    later Gooding scored direct from a free-kick when everyone missed
    or watched the ball. Then Taylor scored a great goal after McGhee
    back-heeled to Richardson who put Taylor through.
    
    Then it all happened ! A minute from the end Slough scored after
    a goalmouth scramble. Then in the 4th minute of injury time (I know
    this - I set my stopwatch) Slough equalised after a free kick near
    the corner flag - a great header off the underside of the bar.
    The crowd went mad. I was in the Slough end. You couldn't help
    feeling pleased for them. Thoroughly deserved equaliser and once
    again you felt let down by Reading's mediocrity.
    
    Anyone know what happened to Gilkes ? After West Brom I assume he
    was dropped.
    
    Martyn
    

    He AGAIN walked off the training field, I know that much.
    
    Tony

    Royaline says he had a swollen mouth from dental work !
    Didn't realise you had to eat the ball.
    
    Reading have drawn Peterborough away IF they can beat Slough.
    Just about what they deserved - ie to get to the 3rd round they
    should have to earn a place.
    
    Martyn
    

    
    A few questions about the Reading - Slough replay.....
    
    
    Is it true it's all-ticket ? -if so when are the tickets on sale ?
    
    Is it on Wednesday or Tuesday next week ?
    
    Paul
    
    (never been to Elm Park before and may go to the replay)

    
    
    The Evening Post have said that this match is not all ticket and
    will be played wednesday 27 november.
    
    
    ANDY-B..
    
    

    Gilkes on transfer list by own request. 
    

    Reading are giving a trial to a full-back from the States. Apparently
    he has already been flown over.
    
    Home to Northampton tonight in the Autoglass Trophy.

    
    Reading 0 Northampton 2 
    
    A bad defeat against a very poor Northampton side; two defensive errors
    gifted them the lead and then Reading effectively gave up. Few players 
    emerged with any credit and that includes McGhee who looked woefully 
    out of touch.
    
    I haven't been able to see Reading much since the early season but
    after having seen the Darlington game and last nights effort I'm
    convinced they've gone backwards. The midfield lacks any cohesion and
    McGhee can't decide certain players best postions (Taylor started last
    night wide on the right then moved to central midfield after half an 
    hour). Unless they get their act together and fast they may be headed 
    for a long fight against relegation.
    
    jeff

    Saw Stuart Beavon's sponsored Sierra in the Post House car park
    last night - did he play? How's he getting on?
    
    Cheers
    DaveT 
    (who_used_the_post_house_in_order_to_get_out_in_time_for_footy_training;-)

    
    Yes, Stuey Beavon did play, in fact, he was the Northampton captain
    for the night. Apparently, though, he hasn't been able to get in their 
    team recently which means he must have been playing badly!! Also, 
    his son was one of the mascots.
    
    jeff

    
    Here's a little poser for you (no, not Michael Gilkes):
    
    Just suppose that McGhee has resigned (not altogether remarkable)
    citing pressure of work a la Dalglish and for some strange reason
    you have been appointed in his place. The first thing the chairman
    tells you is that you have only a small amount of money available
    to buy a player or perhaps players. Then your thrown in at the deep
    end.
    
    What sort of player(s) would you buy: a defender, midfielder or striker
    (or perhaps even a new goalkeeper).
    Who would you retain and who would you make strenuous efforts to get
    rid of?
    What would your team be?
    
    jeff

    Francis - definitely keep
    Jones - keep when fit
    Morrow - send back to Arse
    Richardson - free at end of season
    Streete - needs replacing soon, last season
    McPherson - keep
    Cooper - get rid
    Holzman - keep for future
    Gooding - get rid when replaced
    Williams - definitely keep
    Gilkes - sell immediately
    Senior - get rid immediately
    Maskell - get rid immediately
    McGhee - sack
    Leworthy - get rid
    Taylor - definitely keep
    
    Probably missed someone. What happened to the guy from Brentford ?
    
    In priority order:
    
    Buy a striker. Dean Holdsworth at Brentford can actually hold the ball.
    Buy a midfielder. Ray Wilkins would do for a season. May as well make
    him player-manager too.
    Buy a central defender. Come back Hicksie !
    Buy a winger. I would sign David Byrne immediately. Good player.
    
    Major surgery needed in my view.
    
    Martyn
     
    

    Knew I forgot someone. I would definitely keep Lovell as well.
    

    STAY		GO
    ---			--
    FRANCIS		JONES
    HOLZMAN		RICHARDSON
    WILLIAMS		SENIOR
    MCPHERSON		GILKES
    LOVELL		LEWORTHY
    TAYLOR		MASKELL
    GOODING		SEYMOUR
    MCGHEE		COOPER
    DILLON		BAILEY
    			MORROW
    			STREETE
    
    Unfortunately, this only leaves nine players.  Reading could actually
    get some dosh for one or two of the players in the right hand column.
    
    I agree, there is some fairly major work needed.  But, I must be honest
    and say that I would give McGhee a fair crack at it.
    I think you need some stability in managership and changing manager now
    would not help the club a great deal.
    
    My priority purchase would be an influencial midfielder - Ray Wilkins
    fits the bill nicely.
         
    Chris

    From what I've seen of McGhee, I'd give him a longer chance to show
    what he can do. He's definitely a 'track-suit' manager and I watch 
    him each week working long hours, several evenings, training the 
    youth squads at Whitchurch. He tries to make them play a decent, 
    accurate passing game. 
    
    Lack of money at the youth level seems to be a problem - the U15s
    all had to squeeze into a small minibus for the trip to Bournemouth,
    to get stuffed 6-1! - no wonder several of them are re-considering 
    QPR and Arsenal! - but I digress....
    
    Give him time and one or two good purchases.
    DaveT
    

    I was maybe a bit harsh on McGhee (as a result of the previous
    night's result !). The point is that as a player he's just about
    had it. So lets start the rumour about Ray Wilkins coming in to work
    alongside McGhee as player-coach and keep McGhee to just manage
    and coach.
    
    Re -2 thanks for reminding me of the other guys I missed:
    
    Seymour - free transfer
    Bailey - get rid
    Dillon - keep
    
    Prediction for tomorrow:
    
    Chester 1 Reading 3
    
    (eternal optimist)
    

    
    Well I suppose as I posed the original question I should at least
    attempt to answer it ;')
    
    The problem areas for Reading at the moment seem to be defending
    against crosses and creating chances at the other end.Therefore my
    priorities would be a good centre-half and either a creative mid-
    fielder or perhaps a winger. Whilst I believe both Streete and
    McPherson are good centre-halves, their weakness in the air is
    constantly exposed partly because most third division teams play with
    a big centre-forward and partly because Francis is very reluctant to 
    come for crosses. As for scoring goals, the problem seems to be lack of
    decent chances rather than poor finishing; a good crosser or inventive
    player in the mid-field may remedy this.
    
    As for who to retain, I think the first priority should be who actually
    wants to play for Reading;therefore Gilkes and Maskell would both be
    out the door. Seymour simply isn't good enough whilst players such as 
    Gooding and Leworthy should only be retained until replacements are
    found. Whatever, keep the youngsters; they're the future of the club.
    
    Back in the real world, McGhee needs all the support he can get. There 
    were one or two "McGhee Out" calls the other night; these don't help
    the side and are counter-productive - another change of manager would
    not help Reading in the slightest.
    
    jeff.

    Our Trev is out for 6 weeks with a burst blood vessel in the thigh.
    

I read in Friday's Evening Post that Mcghee was hoping to make a "big name"
signing before Wednesday. I believe he's looking for a striker. However, could 
this be that Ray Wilkins rumour becoming reality ;-)

Anyone have any more details.

Saturday's result

Chester 2 - Reading 2
	    Maskell 2 (1 pen)

Reading came back from 1 down to lead 2-1, and then, like so many times this
season, allowed the opposition back in. Isn't that something like 6 draws in
the last 7/8 matches. Put them on your coupon next week ;-)

	Al

    Chelsea have now offered #400,000 for Michael Gilkes. This follows
    Southampton's previous `installments' offer.
    
    Branfoot & now Porterfield!! Must have seen something they liked.
    
    Tony

    Well a 2-1 victory, but marred by the loss of Holzman with what looked
    like a broken ankle.
    Reading deserved to win, and had they not dithered in front of goal so
    much then the last 5 minutes would not have been so chaotic.
    IMO pick of the Reading players were Williams (again), Lovell and
    Honey.
    The "big signing" that the press and club have been on about is
    temporarily off.  The guy was Leroy Rosenior (West Ham ?) who failed
    the medical.
    
    Chris

    
    A good performance but once again a lack of professionalism nearly
    allowed Sluff back into it. Reading dominated the first half and would
    not have been flattered by a 4 or 5 goal advantage with 20 mins. left;
    instead, they only converted two of numerous chances and seemed to lose 
    the grip they'd established. Still, they made it.
    
    IMO Reading's best were Williams and Gooding who controlled the
    midfield for most of the game. Honey had a solid first game although he 
    did tend to rush out a bit recklessly at times.
    
    Just a word on the ref.; I'd love to know what the foul count was
    because it seemed to me to be about 30-10 in Sluff's favour. It was the
    most one-sided display of refereeing I've seen at Elm Park.
    
    jeff.

    Can anyone confirm Reading have just signed a striker, Britten ?, from
    Celtic on loan/permanently?
    
    Aparrently he is playing tomorrow!

    hes on loan, heard it on the radio last night...
    Ian.
    

It's worse than you thought Chris. Holzman has broken his leg, and is expected
to be out for the rest of the season. :-(.

Just our luck. That's two seasons in a row that one of the best players has
broken a leg.

Let's hope for a speedy recovery.

Anybody got a run down on Britten??

Al

    Reading have signed goalkeeper Jim Leighton on a month's loan
    from Man Utd. McGhee turned to his old boss, Alex Ferguson for
    help. 
    
    Leighton looks likely to play in goal tomorrow. Can't help feeling
    sorry for Danny Honey.
    
    Martyn
    

    Neale Cooper has signed for Dunfermaline.  To be honest, I don't rate
    this as a great loss.
    
    I suppose Leighton will play tomorrow, and did I hear that the full
    back from the States will play?
    
    Chris

    Jim Leighton had a good game.
    
    Tony

    Haven't been in notes for a long while, and have just read the recent
    banter. I'm officially opening the Craig Maskell fanclub, and get rid
    of McGhee club (as a player only, keep him on as manager).
    
    Simon, have you any details for the train times to Peterborough on
    Saturday and the away team haunts up there ?
    
    Cheers
    Andy..
    
    

    You probably noticed Peterborough are at home to Liverpool
    tonight in the Grumbleblows Cup. Lets hope they get well
    wacked otherwise we could be at a psychological disadvantage
    Saturday to say the least.
    
    Martyn
    

    
    > Lets hope they get well wacked otherwise we could be at a
    psychological disadvantage Saturday to say the least.<
    
    Oh dear! Still, this is our chance to prove we're better than Liverpool.
    
    jeff ;')

Well we showed we were better than the 'pool on saturday with a crushing 0-0
draw at the Posh.

Anyone got a report???

And what a money spinning incentive for the 3rd round, an away tie to
Bolton Wanderers ;-)

	Al

    
    
    Agree with the 3rd round draw being crap, I just knew it was going to
    be away to another third division side.
    
    
    As for the match, apart from a 20 minute spell at the start of the
    second half, Reading were easily the better team. The first half saw
    some flowing football, stopping whenever Gilkes tried to beat too many
    players (every time). Lovell wasted the best chances shooting straight
    at the keeper when clean through. Maskell failed to connect to a cross
    in front of an open goal, but it was difficult to see up the other end
    in the fog as to how close he was. Can't remember any other clear
    chances.
    
    2nd half Peterborough put the pressure on but never really looked like
    scoring, and in the last 15 minutes Reading could and should have won.
    Gooding, Maskell and Celtic Loanee (is it Britten ?) came close, but we
    were too busy playing for a draw.
    
    Best players: Maskell and Bailey.
    Worst: Gilkes and Lovell.
    
    Massive Reading support as well - there was a load of part-time away
    supporters (including me)

    The replay is now next TUESDAY (17TH) and not Wednesday.  This is
    because Reading are also at home a week Friday (20th) against
    Hartlepool.
    
    Interesting facts in the local rag last night from Saturdays game:
    Peterborough shots on target - zero
    Peterborough corners  -  zero
    
    Wouldn't mind if it stayed like that for next week!
    
    Chris 
         

Michael Gilkes runs in the Southern section of the Rumbelows Sprint Challenge in
Portsmouth tonight. In a report in the Evening Post last night, he said that he
still hasn't 100% recovered from his broken leg. Just getting in the excuse in
case he doesn't make it to Wembley :-)

Best of luck tonight Michael!!

The highlights will be on the greatest football show ever;-), Saint & Greavsie
on Saturday.

	Al

    I think it's a case of if Gilksey fancies it  - he'll win, and if he's
    not in the mood - he won't.
    
    What chance Saturday's game being on with the current freezing
    conditions???
    
    Chris

I had a quick look through Today's evening Post at lunch time (?) and McGhee
thinks it will go ahead, due to Craven Cottage's sandy pitch ( and I thought
they played on grass ;-)

Al

P.S. You're right about Gilkes' attitude, but he'll probably be do well as he
should only be involved for about 11 secs, which is about as long as he has been
known to be interested in 90 minutes of football :-)

    Depends if any scouts are watching...as he's on telly he'll probably
    try a little harder.
    
    Simon, 
    Thanks for the Peterboro info. last week. Do you have any more of the
    same for tomorrow.
    
    Cheers,
    Andy

    After the 0-0 triumph at Peterborough (proving that Reading are better
    than Liverpool) I wasn't too surprised that no-one in this note
    commented on one of the other 2nd round ties.  However, George Friel -
    who Reading played out of position last season - scored all 3 of Woking's 
    goals against Yeovil last Saturday.  It was a shame the club let him
    go, especially as it was done in the managerless interim.
    
    Tom  

    Re a couple back...
    
    Gilkes qualified for the Wembley finals. He looked to well ahead in
    the first heat then strolled to qualify for the area final. In the
    final he finished second. He has the third fastest time so far with
    two more area finals to come before the final eight at Wembley.
    
    Great result this week according to the pools panel.
    
    Martyn
    

	re. 103

	I cant believe Reading let him go, and Woking have had a result
	getting hold of him. He's scored something like 23 goals this 
	season in as many games and certainly did the business the other day
	versus Yeovil. Woking can do very well again this year, considering
	how they played against Yeovil and also considering the
	abscence of Mark Biggins who is a great player. 

	Fridge.

	P.S.	Off to Farnborough tonight for the Torquay replay. Should be 
	a good 'un. Shame about the ground.

    
    Royals 1 Posh 0
    
    Well we got the result but it wasn't an inspired performance. In fact
    in the first half I thought they were trying to lose the game, the number 
    of times they gave away the ball in dangerous areas. A better second
    half performance, coinciding with Lovell coming on for Britten and a
    good goal well worked by Taylor and finished off by Lovell. Gooding was
    crap but wins man-of-the-match for an incredible clearance off the line
    with only minutes left.
    
    Anyway, at least we're better than Liverpool.
    
    jeff

    Agree with the previous note - not a great game but the result was all
    important.
    
    Wonder what the scouts/managers etc thought of Gilkes last night? -
    especially as Madjeski mentioned in the Post last night that Gilkes
    will almost certainly be gone within eight weeks.

    What has Gilkes got going for him ...
    
    Well... he's fast, and he's um....um...er....fast, and he's got
    a...um..er...good turn turn of speed, but most of all he's
    um...er...um....fast.
    
    
    
    Andy..
    

    Anyone got our fixtures over Xmas/New year period.
    Starting with a 2-1 victory tonight, the floodgates are about to open.
    
    Andy
    

    
    Reading   0  Hartlepool United  1
    
    Pools complete the double over Reading having beaten them 2-0 at
    the Victoria Ground earlier in the season.

    
    Merry Christmas to all Royals fans!!!
    
    Looks like we need as much goodwill as we can get at the moment but,
    after having consulted Old Moores Almanac, Nostradamus and Russell
    Grant, I predict a second-half of the season surge, culminating in a
    play-off place by May. Forever the optimist, eh!
    
    jeff
    

    
    Well here we are again, nine days and three WINS later! What was I
    saying in .112?
    
    Yesterday's game against the Swans wasn't exactly inspiring but three
    points is three points. Woeful first half but livened up after Senior
    scored (a goal made by a Gooding pass, a Gilkes run and a Maskell
    interception and pass); thereafter Leighton made three brilliant saves 
    and Gilkes missed two sitters.
    
    On the downside, McPherson went off early after receiving a bang in the
    face. Hope he's fit for Saturday.
    
    jeff

    Looks as if McPherson could miss tomorrow.  Hope Reading do not have to
    rely on Leighton quite so much - he has been superb.
    
    I'd be happy with a draw tomorrow.
    
    One totally useless fact for you - Do you know that three current
    Conference sides had their attendance records set against Reading...
    ...Colchester, Cheltenham, and Merthyr.
    
    Chris

    
    A draw might be the best we can hope for; after all, surely we can't
    win FOUR games in a row.
    
    jeff_the_pessimist

    Correct, we can't win four in a row.
    
    Never-the-less, time to concentrate on the league now.  A play-off spot
    is definately within reach and the next few games (Huddersfield, Stoke
    and maybe Orient) are vital.
    
    Did anybody else see Jim Leighton on Saint and Greavsie on Saturday?
    
    Was Senior seriously injured on Saturday?
    
    Chris

    Reading sign Steve Archibald on a week-to-week contract.
    
    Chris

    McPherson is out for a month, Richardson for two weeks. Other than
    that, should be interesting tomorrow.  Will Archibald play?
    
    Nice to see in Tuesday's Post that McGhee is still hopeful for a
    play-off spot.  Probably need 45 points from remaining 24 games.
    
    Chris

Good win for Royals on Sat.

Looks like the bad home form is behind them. 2 wins in a row and nearly in the
top half of the table (13th)0

I am very confused as to why the score was only 1-0 however.

according to CEEFAX Senior Scored after 30 minutes
    "      " ORACLE   "      "      "   90    "
    "      " Sth Today  "    "      "   83    "

so the final score should have been Reading 3 Huddersfield 0
with Senior getting a hatrick ;-)

Whilst watching S&G on Saturday, Mark Mcghee called in to say that Archibald
would be playing. How did he get on??

Al

    A very good result - particularly when the game is heading towards 0-0
    with a few minutes left.
    
    Leighton was, once again, superb - and Streete and Williams played well
    also.  Senior deserved his goal.
    
    The play-offs are definately within sight now, but still a couple more
    wins required.
    
    What chances Stoke away on Saturday ?
    
    Chris 

    Bad news, Leighton is about to sign for a Scottish club.  Reading are
    currently trying to work out if Leighton can work his loan period.
    
    Chris

    
    
    Good to see Reading starting to pick up some points with there
    fourth league win on the trot but it will be a tough test on 
    Saturday with a difficult game away to Stoke, if this run 
    continues i'll be very tempted to start going to a few games.
    
     It's also interesting to see that with Reading not scoring alot
     of goals that those who have left have been finding the net on a
     regular basis    Moran for Exeter
                      Conroy for Burnley
                      Friel for Woking
     And David Crown has become a polific goalscorer since his move from
     Elm Park.
    
                                Neil.....

    You are right Neil, all have done well since leaving Reading. However,
    none of them, except Moran, is really going to do that well at Div 2
    level - which I hope is where Reading are (eventually) heading.
    
    Anyway, on to tomorrow - I reckon a draw would be a great result.
    
    Chris

    I see Conroy got a hat-trick for Burnley on Sat.
    Anyone with a match report from Stoke ? Sounded like a right farce.
    
    Martyn
    

    Leighton's move to Dundee has fallen through.  I understand Reading are
    interested in keeping Leighton longer - particularly as Francis is
    still not fit.
    
    Might have a problem in defence soon;
    
    McPherson injured
    Richardson injured
    Holzman injured
    Jones - probably injured after Saturday
    Francis injured
    Leighton - probably leaving
    Street - facing a ban
    
    Chris 

    Dillon, Williams and Gooding have picked up two-match bans.   Street
    has a one-match ban.
    All will obviously miss Peterborough on Saturday.
    
    In addition, McPherson, Richardson and Seymour are struggling for
    fitness.
    
    When you add that Jones has a busted nose as well, I can not imagine
    who will play in the back four on Saturday.  Could be a busy afternoon
    for Jim Leighton!

    Yes, Gilkes has joined Chelsea on a month's loan - with a view to a
    permanent transfer.
    
    When you add this to the current injury/suspension list (I forgot on my
    previous list - Holzman's broken leg) - who plays on Saturday.
    
    Finally, Dillon got sent off for the reserves yesterday !!!!
    
    Chris

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Reading look as though they are going to be short of a few 1st team
    players, if they don't quickly resolve this I can see them slowly
    slippings towards the 4th Division.
    
    I would return to Elm Park and add my support if they do slip into the
    4th, it would be far more enjoyable watching Reading compete
    and play in a division which they would be far more suited for than
    strugling as they are at the moment in division 3.
    
    Lets face it what Reading need is money!! and they aint got none!!! I
    would love to see Reading back in the 2nd Division but we all know this
    will not happen with the calibre of players reading have at the moment.
    
    
    Cheers
    	
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Flog Gilkes and buy David Byrne + a striker + a midfielder that doesn't
    get sent off every other game.
    

    David Byrne is currently at Fulham on a months loan.

    Have Reading got anybody on loan yet for Saturday?
    
    At present they haven't got four fit defenders!!!
    
    What happened to Steve Morrow?
    
    Chris

    
    Steve Morrow was given a free transfer to Bournmouth---Beach he is
    presently working with Martin Hicks on the Donkey rides.
    
    They are both happy in their new roll in life and the kids love them.
    They are fed very well on apples and carrots and at the end of a hard
    day they look forward to a lovely bed of hay.
    
    

>>         -< U.T.B.N.B. >-


Sorry for being a pest but could you explain this DEC like acronym please???
    
    

Reading have signed a defender from Chelsea on a months loan, but I cannot
remember his name (Lee ???)

Any one got any more details??

Al

    Yes, he is a six foot three inch, fourteen stone central defender. He
    has been capped for the England U-21 team this season. He played in
    half of Chelsea's games last season, but with the arrival of Elliott
    his appearances have been limited.
    
    Chris

    David Lee

    
    Who are Reading playing against this Saturday!!
    
    
    

    
    RE -1.
    
    Peterboro.
    
    If thats you Neil you owe me a tenner. 
    
    CHELSEA 1 	EVERTON 0
    
    CHELSEA 1 	EVERTON 0
    
    CHELSEA 1 	EVERTON 0
    
    CHELSEA 1 	EVERTON 0
    
    CHELSEA 1 	EVERTON 0
    
    JN.

    
    Jeff,
    
    I am a fair man and I always pay-up, however in this case I had my toes
    crossed. I will buy you a few beers the next time I see you.
    
    NO'R

    Latest from Elm Park.
    
    Jim Leighton has joined Dundee for 200,000 quid. Steve Francis is back
    in training.
    
    Kevin Dillon has been charged with drink-driving. Not having a good
    season as he has already been sent off three times.
    
    McGhee looks like he'll be suspended soon - his booking on Saturday
    takes him to, probably, 21 points.  Reading have already been warned
    over the poor disciplinary record.

    
    Bollards Neil. You don't pay up.!
    
    :-8
    
    JN.

    RE -2.   They won't go down, problem is that they won't go up !!

    
    Wanna Bet !!!!

    Yes, a fiver.

    
    your on.

    
    PEKING::ROSEC
    
    I shook hands for a tenner mate so you've got no chance.
    
    :-)
    
    JN.

    
    Jeff,
    
    When I next have the pleasure of your company I will PAY-UP.
    
    Cheers

    
    No, its OK Neil. I'm only taking the pi$$ as the 8-) depicts.
    
    JN.

    Back to reality, looks as if John Keeley from Oldham will be Reading's
    fourth goalie in four months tomorrow.  Francis and Honey are not fit.
    

So did they play against Stockport last night?

If so did they manage to keep the score respectable?

Tarik

    re -1
    
    Yes they did play against Stockport last night.
    
    >>respectable
    
    Will if you class losing 1-0 'respectable' then yes.
    
    Finlay scored for Stockport after 60 mins crowd attendance was 3720.
    
    Hope this helps
    
    mac

    After a dismal display against Fulham last week, Reading return to
    action at Huddersfield tomorrow.  Not an easy trip, but the sort of
    game that Reading could gain a point.
    Nobody gets more p***ed off than me when Reading lose, but to have used
    over 30 players by February gives the indication that McGhee has a) 
    rarely been able to field the same side in two consecutive games and b)
    has been hit by a vast number of injuries and suspensions.
    I know that Reading must take the blame for the suspensions, but the
    injuries have been severe to say the least.
    After following the club for a long time, I am pleased that they are
    trying to play football this season.  I hope that McGhee is given the
    chance to stay on for a season or two.
    
    Come on you Royals.  

I suspect not...

If they go down this year - and they look like good candidates for the drop
from the current league position - then that'll be it: McGhee will have to go.

And if they _do_ go down, then I would hate to see them go the same way as
Aldershot

Still, the away form's been quite good...

Tarik

Another valuable 3 points away at Huddersfield on Saturday. winning 2-1 with
goals from Lee & Williams.

This Lee looks like he's been worth every penny spent on the loan. Any one know
if there's a chance that he could be moving permanently?? 3 goals in 4 games,
senior eat you heart out!!!

I wonder if McGhee's scare tactics ( Telling 11 of the first team that if they
don't start getting their act together that they wont have the contracts renewed
at the end of the season ) had anything to do with it.

Hoping that this is the turning point, and play offs here we come ;-)


Al (Ever the optimist)

>Hoping that this is the turning point, and play offs here we come ;-)

Eh??? We're only 5 points off a relegation place... (if I read the table
correctly)

Tarik

    I think that Reading are seven points clear of relegation, however
    Reading do have between 1-3 games in hand on all bar three clubs in the
    Third.
    
    So with seventeen games to go it's approx 5 wins to avoid the drop and
    approx 12 wins to reach the play-offs.

	"Reading Star signs for Southampton"

	Not too sure who that was but that was the headline on CEEFAX 
	at dinnertime.


	Also Peter Shilton has signed for Portsmouth as a player manager	

		Chris.

    
    Gilks - on loan again I think.
    
    Paul

Re last 3

To Confirm:

Gilkes has gone to Southampton on a months loan:  Will he ever play for the
Royals again?????

Shilton has become player/manager of Plymouth.

Al

    Phew...
    
    For one brief moment I thought that the Scummers were attempting to
    sabotage Pompey's bid for promotion by sending another one of their
    cast-offs along the M27; Pompey already have Mcloughlin.
    
    Obviously they're hoping for some extra revenue from two local derby
    games in Div 2 next season.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks
                                   

This is my last reply this morning.

Reading had, from the scoreline, an exciting game against 2nd place Stoke Last
night.

Royals took the lead on 8mins from Stuart Lovell.
Stoke then scored 2 within a couple of minutes to take the lead. But all credit
to Reading, they hit back straight away with a Adrian Williams strike to make it
2-2 at half time.

The second half saw Mick Gooding score with a great volley to put Royals back in
front, but Stoke soon hit back with 2 goals again within a couple of minutes of
each other. The 2nd an own goal, McPherson(?)  was running back to goal on the 6
yard line, the ball was headed across the area, and wrong footed he tried to
clear it, but only managed to put it into the net.

So 3-4 the final score. Was it as exciting as the score shows, or was the
defending just awful??

    Darlington 2 READING 4
    
    A Craig Maskell hat-trick.  Although Reading almost let it slip again.
    2-0 up, back to 2-2, then two goals in the last four minutes.
    
    Reading move up to 15th.

    Reading's remaining fixtures are:
    
    SAT 21 MARCH - WBA (A)
    SAT 28 MARCH - CHESTER (H)
    WED 1 APRIL -  BRENTFORD (H)
    SAT 4 APRIL -  BIRMINGHAM (A)
    TUE 7 APRIL -  FULHAM (A)
    SAT 11 APRIL - TORQUAY (H)
    TUE 14 APRIL - PRESTON (A)
    SAT 18 APRIL - BRADFORD (A)
    MON 20 APRIL - EXETER (H)
    SAT 25 APRIL - BOURNMOUTH (A)
    WED 29 APRIL - ORIENT (H)
    SAT 2 MAY -    WIGAN (H)
    
    Chris

    
    
    Hi,
    
    How did Reading get on against WBA? 
    
    I didn't catch the results this week.
    
    Thanks
                    

Lost 2 - 0 :-(

Trust WBA to start winning again against us!!!

Only their 2nd win in 9 matches.

Al

    Reading have signed Newcastle striker Dave Robinson, 23, on a month's
    loan with a view to a permanent signing.
    

    
    Dave Robinson!!!! What can you say!! good at winning the ball in the
    air, but he couldn't control a wet bag of cement. When are Reading
    going to start buying players that can play football.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Well as Senior would say, "thats another one in the stable"
    
    
    
    
   Cheers
   N

    
    re-1
    
    What d'you expect for NOWT! Neil?
    
    Tim

    
    The PFA ballots the players this Friday concerning possible strike
    action; at Elm Park on Saturday the strike began a week early as the
    Reading and Chester players "fought" out an end of season thriller.
    This is the first game I've been to for some time as I've been turning
    out myself this season and Saturday's fayre showed me just what I've
    been missing - bugger all. Not a game to inspire headlines but let's
    just run over the "highlights":
    
    A couple of close calls for the Royals and a good debut by
    sixteen-year old Lee Bacchus, naturally enough considering he comes
    from my old school, Bulmershe. Well, that's about it really.
    
    As for our new signing from Newcastle; Mr O'Reilly described him in
    .179 as "good at winning the ball in the air, but he couldn't control a
    wet bag of cement". Apart from the bit about winning the ball in the
    air, I'd say this was a pretty accurate summimg-up. A fair indication
    of his abilities is the fact that the "crowd" (ah, so somebody other
    than me has nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon) began calling the
    name of the prodigal son, Trevor Senior, after about 15 minutes.
    Fortunately, he didn't come on until the second half.
    
    Finally, a word about Chester's tactics, simple and direct; namely,
    when awarded a free-kick, take as long as possible before you actually
    kick the ball. In fact, I think they even time-wasted before kicking
    off for the second half. All this occurred from the first whistle and
    did the ref. have a word with them, even once? Er, what do you think?
    
    jeff
    
    

    
    Wednesday 1st April:
    
    Reading 0 Brentford 0
    
    Crowd 5600+
    
    Amazing really, I know Brentford are going for promotion but you
    wouldn't think they'd get 5000 people following them away from home
    8^).
    
    jeff

    Lee Baachus played in the first team ????
    
    Doesn't his mum work in the DRC at Winnersh ??
    
    	Brian

    
    I don't know, maybe his great, great, great (etc,etc) grandfather was
    Bacchus, the Roman God of food and wine.
    
    However, I don't think so, mainly because I spelt his name wrong in
    .181. It's actually Barkus (or so it say's in the Chronicle which isn't
    saying much).
    
    jeff

    
    
    Brian, It is Lee Barkus's mum who works in the DRC here at Winnersh
    and apparently had an excellent debut.
    
                 Neil... 
         
    

    
    	When was Lee's mum's debut in the DRC then Neil ? ;-)
    
    	Andy.

    
    Birmingham 2 Reading 0
    
    Royals fail to score for the fourth game in a row; bring on Lee Barkus'
    mum, that's wot i say.
    
    jeff

    
    Fulham 1 Reading Er, what do you think?
    
    What can you say, apart from AARRRGGGHHHHHHH!!!! Reading have about as
    much chance of scoring as I did last Friday night i.e. none. I think
    our leading scorer this season is someone called OG...
    
    jeff

    
    Has he ever scored and I mean ever? If so we'll have him 'cos I don't
    think we have.
    
    jeff

    I think so but it happened a long time ago.

    Well, I for one saw the deluge finally come this Saturday. Excellent,
    excellent performance from Royals with Mark McGhee really doing a grand
    job holding the line.
    
    Lea Barkus is indeed a nice prospect. Kevin Dillon was very bright
    early on as well.
    
    On the opposition, Fashanu was rubbish, the keeper was worse and as for
    the left-back, (on loan from QPR), Roberto something or other, he was
    diabolical!!
    
    Tony

    
    Reading 6 (yes, SIX) Torquay 1 (offside).
    
    Five games without a goal followed by six in one game; getting
    promotion is all about consistency which is why Royals are languishing
    in mid-table. A great performance on Saturday albeit somewhat aided by 
    Torquay's interesting and bizarre new policy for saving on the wage
    bill: using cardboard cut-outs in place of defenders (well, I didn't
    see them move anyway).
    
    Reading's first goal since the Ice Age came on 17 minutes and what a
    goal it was: an inswinging corner straight at the keeper, who must have
    been suffering from double-vision since he flapped at a different ball
    to the one which sailed over his head and into the net. The applause
    and cheers of the crowd was drowned out by laughter.
    
    Three more goals followed in quick succession as the Torquay defence
    struggled to reach an understanding; namely, what was that white, round
    thing that kept going in the net? They pulled one back on half-time as
    the linesman, feeling a bit sorry for them, failed to flag for a
    blatant offside.
    
    Two goals in the second half for substitute Craig Maskell and Reading
    score six for the first time since Noah was a boy. (Actually, it was
    against Preston last season.)
    
    Finally, things to wonder at today: before the match, Maskell (a
    striker), was awarded Royals player of the month for March; given that
    we hadn't scored for five games this makes you wonder just how bad the
    rest of the team were. Obviously McGhee didn't think much of the award
    since Maskell started the game on the subs bench.
    
    jeff

    
    Preston 1 Reading 1
    
    Royals return from their trip to the far reaches of the northern
    hemisphere with a point, thanks to an 86th min. equalizer from Craig
    Maskell. If he carries on like this, the Reading fans might actually
    start to like him! (Yes, I know, and Reading might win the European Cup
    next season as well.)
    
    jeff

    
    Reading 1  Exeter 0
    
    Reading created more chances in this game than they have in the past
    decade but a combination of poor finishing and bloody pathetic
    finishing contrived to produce only one goal. This came after five
    minutes when Maskell lobbed over the defence for Dillon to run onto; he
    squared it for McGhee who, remembering what the goal was for,
    side-footed the ball into it. Thereafter, Royals confirmed their
    commitment to keeping the fans on the edge of their seats (or steps in
    my case) by failing to convert a hatful of simple opportunities; chief
    culprits were Robinson, McGhee, Maskell, Taylor, Jones.....well, just
    about everyone really.
    
    Exeter are "managed" by Alan Ball; and to think he nearly came to
    Reading.
    
    jeff

    
    Bradford 1  Reading 0  (Saturday's game)
    
    Forgot about this one; probably the best thing really.
    
    jeff
    
    

    Hi,
    
    	Anybody know what are Reading's last 3 matches of the season.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Neil
    ~~~~

    Sat 25th April vs Bournemouth (away)
    Wed 29th April vs Leyton O (home)
    Sat 2nd May vs Wigan (home)
    
    Martyn
    

    I'm off to Elm Park tonite to watch a local cup final between Ibis &
    South Reading.
    
    Tony

    
    Bournemouth 3 Reading 2
    
    Admist all the trivial claptrap about the First Division Championship,
    this vital third division local derby was forgotten about. 
    
    Mr OG scored again for the Royals whilst 'Mouth won with a penalty in
    the last minute.
    
    jeff

    
    Reading 3   L.Orient 2
    
    Reading's turn to win by the odd goal in five (as local football
    writer's love to put it). Another couple for Maskell and one for
    McGhee.
    
    Last game on Saturday. Thank God, I hear you cry. (By you, I mean me
    'cos I don't suppose anyone out there bothers to read this mindless
    drivel about a third division side who couldn't win a southern seat for
    the Tory party.)
    
    jeff

Heard on the radio this morning (210) that next season Reading will be wearing
their famous blue & white hoops again.

I think somehow that it may take a change of strip to get them out of division 3.

Good win last night though, Orient have been one of the in form teams this year.

Al

    A very funny moment at Elm Park last night. My bruver is an avid QPR
    fan(ho ho), and was complaining on the way to the ground about the fact
    that Reading were re-adopting the hoops. 
    
    We sat down, him still moaning that everyone would think that the shirt
    he had on would be mistaken for a Reading shirt. Anyhow, at half time
    there was a sponsorship presentation made, (you probably saw it Jeff),
    by the new sponsors to John Madjeski, the chairman. Well, he clocks my
    bruvs shirt, leans over and tells him how nice they're going to look,
    to which my ever eloquent bruvver said, "F**k off, this a QPR shirt you
    prick". 
    
    Madjeski, went red as a beetroot as did exactly that.
    
    How we laughed.
    
    Tony

    
    Ho, ho
    
    You're bruv isn't Kevin Dillon by any chance, is he?
    
    On the subject of a return to hoops, I confidently predict that this
    will lead to Reading storming the division next season and being
    promoted by Christmas. But then again, I'm a bloody idiot.
    
    jeff

    Yeh, Kevin Dillon isn't himself at present is he?? Every game he seems
    to stay on. Must be a tongue injury.
    
    Tony

So will us Biscuits be putting a team into the noters' 5-a-side.

As the Home side I think we should... (even though the injured Mr Robertson
will be unable offer his services - you're a bit young to be married aren't you
Al ;-)??? )

Tarik

    
    Well, I'm game.
    
    I'm also willing to play football.
    
    jeff

    Errm, I'm in. This means I'm letting down the Millwall, spit, team I'd
    put my name to.
    
    So that's three of us.
    
    Tone.

You could be right there Tarik. Next you'll be telling me I'm to old to have 
2 kids right???? ;-)

I'll definitely see you on the 13th for a bevvy or 2.

Al

Reading finished their campaign with what would seem on paper to be an exciting
last half hour. It brought memories of the Plymouth game a few years ago rushing
back.

Wigan were 2 up within 15 minutes. Then with half an hour to go Reading get a
penalty, which Maskell put away. Then in the last 10 minutes McGhee gets an
equaliser, and then ???? gets a winner in the last minute. A good way to finish
the season, considering Wigan beat runners up Birmingham 3-0 in mid week, and it
put Royals in the top half in 12th position.

Now the rebuilding starts. There are 10 players whose contracts are up and only
a couple will be re-signed. Amongst the 10 are Senior, Lovell, Holtzman, cannot
remember the rest.

Roll on August. I might even start going to watch the odd game again next season.

Al

    
    For an hour of Saturday's game Reading looked to be just going through
    the motions; in fact, the way Senior was lolloping round the pitch, it
    looked like he'd just HAD a motion. Wigan, one of the division's form
    teams, were quicker and more eager, and took a two goal lead courtesy
    of some laughable defending, particularly the first when Senior
    contrived to headbutt Macpherson on the nose thus allowing the ball to
    fall to a Wigan forward.
    
    The turning point in the match came when Francis was injured (I think
    he came two feet off his line and so suffered a dizzy spell) and the
    ubiquitous Senior went in goal. At this point the Reading players
    seemed to realise that if they didn't start trying, they might lose by
    double figures. Hence they upped gear (from neutral) and proceeded to
    outplay Wigan for the final third of the game. Lovell got the winner in
    the 89th minute. Actually, Senior looked a damn sight better in goal
    than he had on pitch, including one tremendous flying save when the
    score was 2 - 1. Perhaps they've found a new niche for him. But then
    again, perhaps not.
    
    jeff

    
    And so, a season that promised little and delivered less, comes to a
    close. Back in August, we looked forward to mid-table mediocrity, early
    exits from the cups, ever-worsening attendances and behind-the-scenes
    mumblings about financial ruin and that is exactly what we got. With
    the advent of the premier league, Reading are perhaps further away than
    ever from mixing it with the top-flight; the Pontins league is a more
    realistic proposition.
    
    On the playing front, the Royals were too inconsistent and suffered all
    season from an inability to score. A few good results were invariably
    followed by half-a-dozen bad ones; all season mid-table beckoned as we
    looked too good to go down but nowhere near good enough to go up.
    Gilkes was farmed out to various suckers but this meant that we
    struggled to create chances. Coupled with a forward line that lacked
    the power to worry defences, there were times when it looked like we'd
    never score again. This changed encouragingly in the last few games of
    the season, when McGhee seemed to find some form and Maskell began to
    look interested at last. 
    
    Of the players, this season should be seen as a transitional period
    when the old staff of Senior, Jones, Streete etc were replaced by
    younger, hopefully better, players like Williams, Lovell and Barkus.
    These young players are the future of Reading for the simple reason
    that we cannot afford to buy from outside. However, given the catchment
    area for Reading (remember that with the demise of Aldershot, we are
    now the only league football team for about 40 miles in each direction)
    surely we can produce a good young side, in a similar way to Portsmouth
    under Jim Smith.
    
    Next season, Reading must look to build a young team, capable of taking
    them up a division and then to challenge for greater honours. With
    practically the whole population of the Thames valley to choose from,
    surely we can produce a side able to compete with the likes of
    Cambridge, Southend etc.
    
    jeff

Al, so are you "making yourself available for selection" then?

Maybe if somebody knows where Simon Trinder is we could get him to join up too!

T

    Is he any good.

    
    If you want Simon you'll have to mail him.  Since he was transferred to
    TBG he can no longer access notes (he did have a spell using GPC but
    that's been disabled).  Simon play's regularly for the TTB 5's against
    other fanzine teams and normally plays in goal.
    
    Simon Trinder@wlc,
    
    Loz. 

    
    Is anyone interested in entering a Reading team for the Noter's comp.
    (providing there's still time) or shall I prostitute myself and play
    for the "All-Stars"?
    
    Or shall I just prostitute myself?
    
    jeff

Well, as I said, I want to play, but we may have to transfer a couple of
players in if we are to get a team together...

I think there should be at least four of us. Surely we can get a fifth?

Tarik

    Fascinating stuff but what about the topic for this notesfile ?
    Gilkes in possible swap deal for Gavin MacGuire of Portsmouth.
    Trev considering "big money move" to er, what was it, er hum
    Woking. Of the GMVC that is.
    
    Any other gems ?
    
    Martyn
    

    I've been away for a few months but I'm back now - can someone
    elaborate on this 5-a-side thing - when/what is/was it ?
    
    If it's still to come count me in - I'm better than Mike Conroy (honest
    !)
    
    Andy..

    Is it true? .... Are we really going to stuff the Red Devils.
    
    Too, Too good to be true. Even under a Tory government.
    
    Any news on getting tickets...
    
    Ta,
    
    Richard.

    Re -1
    
    
    Tickets go on sale in two weeks time.
    The match is on August 6th.
    
    
    Andy..

    Well, if Reading do half as well as we did on Saturday then they'll
    be alright.
    
    A cracking all-round display, only beaten by a bunch of non-Millwall
    fans, with a ringer chucked in for luck.
    
    Tony

    I still reckon we should have won - there were no after tournament drug
    tests and I'm pretty sure a couple of Millwall boys had Benzene thrown
    in with their orange juices.
    
    I'm sick as a parrot, but the lads done well.
    
    Andy..

    Just to make you all feel better, my ankle has swelled up like a tennis
    ball.
    
    Tony

    
    Chairman John Madjeski has bought Cap'n Bob's shares in Reading FC and
    now owns 87% of the club. This finally closes an era which began when
    the fat crook tried to amalgamate Reading and Oxford and thereafter
    tried to buy every club in the known universe.
    
    No news on the transfer front although various deals have been mooted
    in the local rags. But then they've probably made them all up as
    they've got nothing else to write about.
    
    jeff
    
    ps. I'm allowed to call him a fat crook as he's dead and can't sue me.
        According to Ian Hislop, that is.

    Looks as if Maskell is set to join Swindon.
    
    First game of the season is away to Hartlepool.

    
    > Looks as if Maskell is set to join Swindon.
    
    ah! i wondered why he wasnt commentating on Wimbledon anymore!
    
    :-)
    
    Ian.

    
    Well, tomorrow's my last day at DEC so I'd just like to say thanks and
    good luck to all you noters and I wish your teams every success (unless
    they're playing the Royals of course).
    
    It's been great fun particpating in this conference so keep up the good 
    work. Special thanks to Mike McCabe for organising the noter's
    tournament and to the other Reading lads for such a sterling
    performance in reaching the final.
    
    Good luck one and all,
    
    jeff 

    I hope your as lucky as...
    
    Sunderland and..
    
    as successful as...
    
    Newcastle !!! 8-)
    
    Have fun...
    

Good luck Jeff,

and 

Good luck Reading :-))


Mick
		

    
    bye Jeff!
    
    good luck for the future.
    
    Ian.

    
    Good luck Jeff.
    
    Tim

    Good luck Jeff.
    
    jb_also_on_his_way.

    
    At this rate, a "sorry I'm leaving" topic would seem appropriate.
    
    Sorry to hear you're leaving too jb. 

   Good luck Jeff

      Regards,

       Martin

    
    	Bon voyage, Jeff. Be lucky.
    
    	And what's this about jon blyhte departing the piece? Surely
    	not?!?! 8-( 8-(
    
    	Andy.

    Jeese Jeff, Whose a popular boy eh ?
    Thanks for helping Reading reach the final in the 5-a-side, we wouldn't
    have made it without you.
    All the best.
    
    Re; back to the Reading topic.
    Reading have signed Tom Jones (NO 'ITS NOT UNUSUAL' JOKES PLEASE!) from
    Swindon in exchange for Maskell. They are also on the verge of signing
    Phil Robinson ? from Bury ?. I can't remember too well, I was half
    asleep when it came on the radio.
    
    Also I had a visit round my house yesterday from someone from the club
    doing a 'boost the attendance drive' asking me if I planned to watch
    the super hoops in action this year ! Is Trevor Senior a donkey ?
    Anyway, it's a big task going around the houses of all the names on
    their lists. (ex-card members, FDS members etc.) and big John M must be
    getting desperate. (I think the insurance on his Jag has gone up.)
    Anybody else had a visit.
    
    Andy.. 

Good luck Jeff!! One of the more articulate and thoughtful contributors to this
conference I might say...

So is this the beginning of the break-up of that great
noters-tournament-cup-final team???

Stay tuned...

Tarik

    
    All the best Jeff, I'm glad I got a chance to meet you during the
    torny,
    
    Loz.

Jeff,

Be good.

T_

    
    On my last note, a prediction:
    
    Reading to win the second division by ten clear points!
    
    Er, I think I've been drinking at lunchtime.
    
    jeff

    Is it true that our Trev has gone to Woking for less than that Italian
    chappie got transferred for??
    
    Is he the last of the great Simod cup winning side to go (:==:)
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    	Only Francis, Richardson, and Gilkes are left of the Simod Cup
    team. Incidentally, Trev never actually played for Reading in the Simod
    Cup year, he was on his travels at Watford/Middlesborough.
    
    We've got Maidstone in the first round of the Rumbelows.
    
    Andy..

    
    Is the Man-U game in august all ticket, should be a good game.
    
    I hear that the away fence is the only one now left up..
    
    ANDY.B
    

Well,

It seems that the Digital "retained list" has just been published and I'm not
on it...!

I'm afraid that like jb up in Leeds, after seven years, I shall be a Digital
employee no more as of Monday 13th July - actually I volunteered for it.

So to all you football fans out there goodbye, it's been great reading and
replying to all your comments and banter - I'll miss them. Good luck to you all
and to your teams whoever and wherever they may be!

Tarik

I'll be back...!

Tarik,
	So you managed to escape :-)

	Best of luck in what you choose to do, and if you ever feel like a lunch
time drink, give me a bell x3838.

	I may see you at Elm Park one of these days. Now that I've had to stop
playing, and I haven't got a satellite dish, It'll be about the only live footy
I'll get to see.

All the best

Al

    Farewell Tarik!
    
    The only man I know who half way thru a footy tournament drove home and
    back to get a headband for his glasses.
    
    Goodluck geezer.
    
    Tony

    Well, the season is nearly upon us. I went to see the royals entertain
    Swindon Friday night when we won 2-1. I left when it was 1-0, a
    brilliantly worked goal by McGhee from a decent and accurate (!!!)
    Gilkes cross. Quinn was a bit quiet but I was reasonably impressed with
    Parkinson and Jones. Jones was playing left back and was abit
    uncomfortable defending, but looked good going forward. Parkinson is a
    Dillon clone. Scott Taylor also impressed, and even McGhee looked
    sharp.
    
    There was some good football, but the atmosphere (or lack of it) ruined
    what could have been a good game. Swindon should have scored a couple
    more but were trying to walk the ball into the back of the net.
    
    Andy..

    The remainder of the game was equally good.  McGhee scored a great
    second goal before Swindon scored with a last minute penalty.
    
    The new back pass rule takes a bit of getting used to!!!
    
    Overall, Reading played well......and the ball stays on the deck !!!

    
    
    	Reading 0  Portsmouth 1
    
    Not a bad game to watch.  Portsmouth look a good bet for promotion.
    Reading are giving the ball away too much in midfield thus putting the
    defence into trouble.
    
    
    Shaun
    
    
    p.s  Next game  v. Ipswich (7.45pm)

Can anybody tell me if the Reading - MAN.UTD game next
thursday is all ticket or pay on the turnstiles job?

I've heard you can pay on the night but just wanted to
verify before I made the trip.

Simon (from Reading but lives in Manc)

Simon,

Its NOT an all-ticket game...All seats have been sold but the club told me
that we'll be able to pay at the turnstiles for standing on the night..!!

7:45 kick off..

see you there


Tony

Cheers Tony.

    
    	Excellent news...
    
    	Andy (anybody want to share the trip to/from the South coast?)

Bl**dy typical,

	I finally get the chance to see Reading play a decent team, a signed pass
from the wife and what happens, I get a bad case of the flu, which even I
couldn't shake off for the 7-45 kick-off. The first time I've been ill in ages.

	So I didn't get to see the game. :-( :-(

	Could someone put in a report from Royals point of view???

	Cheers

Al

    Al,
    
    Can't remember that far back but it was a good game.
    Mostly Utd reserves, but still a strong team (inc Webb, Wallace,
    Phelan, Donaghy, Robins)
    Reading played good football and I thought they deserved to win.
    Our goal was a 20 yrd free-kick by Clayton bent round the wall -
    superb. It was a shame that it was the only thing he did all game.
    The Utd goal was just before half time when our defence were thinking
    of their cuppa.
    Best players -IMO - Dillon and Barkus (first half)
    Quinn missed an open goal before the end but he was stretching.
    
    Overall, it looks good for the coming season, bring back the FDS !
    
    On a fan note, I wander how many the Utd 'fans' at the game have ever
    been to Old Trafford - not many.  There were too many 'The're a good
    team, I'll support them, even though I live 250 miles away' sort of
    people.
    
    Andy..

    Erm, a bit like me really. Ho! Ho!
    
    Tony

    
    
    HARTLEPOOL 1 READING 1
    
     Reading played well taking the lead with a goal from jimmy quinn.
     Steve Richardson gave Hartlepool a penalty minutes from time to 
     draw the game..
    
     ANDY.....B
    
    

    RE: -2
    
    Tony,
    
    You traitor you.., I thought I saw you in an Manc shirt the other week.
    How can you support that standard of football when we have the masters
    of the art down at Elm Park.
    
    Andy..
    
    P.S I presume Reading have a bye in the first round of the Happy
    Shopper Lemonade Cup, sorry... Coca Cola Cup.

>    P.S I presume Reading have a bye in the first round of the Happy
>    Shopper Lemonade Cup, sorry... Coca Cola Cup.

	According to CEEFAX this morning, we do. When did we last make
it to the 2nd round?? :-)

Al

P.S. Thanks for the report on the Man U game

    Tony,
    
    You're quicker off the mark than Old Trevor ever was !
    
    Andy.
    
    P.S Prediction after Saturdays disappointing result.
    
    Bolton 1 Reading 2    (McGhee and Taylor)
			

    
    Has the Coca Cola cup draw been made yet, if so who did Reading get..
    
    Andy...B
    

    
    Its alright i have just seen the paper, Watford over two legs.
    
    Andy....B
    

    My name is Colm Walsh and I work in DEC in Galway and am going to
    Reading next Monday on business. Could someone please fill me in on 
    the football action over there next week and of the surrounding areas.
    This is my first visit to Reading so I know nothing about the place.
    
    BTW I support Man Utd so if there are any utd fans over there why not
    respond and we can go see Reading playing.
    

    Reading are at home to Hull City on Saturday the 5th Sept - they do not
    have a midweek game.

    Is there a DEC football club in Reading, if so do they train ??
    Where and when ??
    Details would be much appreciated.

    
    
     Digital Reading have two sides in the Sunday league. One in the
     Premier and one in division 5 if you contact me on 7830 1342 i'll
     give you all the details....
    
       Neil...
     

    Re last paragraph of last note - the Reading defender used his knee to
    pass it to Francis.
    
    You forgot to mention the FIVE Reading players booked in the first 50
    minutes.

>>                      <<< Note 38.275 by PEKING::ROSEC >>>
>>                      -< WHO'S THE ****** IN THE GREEN ! >-

>>    Re last paragraph of last note - the Reading defender used his knee to
>>    pass it to Francis.
  
	Ahhhhh.......  couldn't see that from my end....he had his back to us.
	Cheers..

  
>>    You forgot to mention the FIVE Reading players booked in the first 50
>>    minutes.
	
	Yeah....    The Ref' gave out more cards than Access do in a year  *8]

				

				Alboy..

    Could you believe that referee !!!
    
    I have never in my life left a ground so frustrated and annoyed. I
    think Reading were actually the better team, apart from the first 15
    minutes when we were warming up.
    But that ref....
    Picture this:
    Hull guy playing injured lying right in the middle of the penalty area.
    Referee plays on for another couple of minutes whil Reading are
    defending and Hull are playing about on the wing. Ball breaks to Tom
    Jones who sends Barkus through with a superb ball.
    Yep, you've guessed it... Phhhheeeeeeep ! The Ref blows up for some
    attention to the pansy on the floor !!!!
    
    I spoke to a couple of Hull guys after the game, and they admitted the
    ref was terrible, and that they were lucky. The ref was reported by
    Bradford last year for another pretty inept performance.
    
    I'm still fuming.
    As for Reading's dismal start, I'm still optimistic. Chris, your money
    looks lost and it's only September !
    
    Andy..

    Andy,
    
    I'm the eternal optimist.  I still think Reading will do well this
    season (he says hopefully  !!!).
    
    Away to WBA on Wednesday.

    
    
    
    Evening Post last night.
    
    Shots on Target: Reading 10 Hull 5
    Off Target:      Reading  9 Hull 2
    Also Hull commited more fouls yet we got 5 yellows and a red !!!!!
    
    And we lost.....I still can't believe it.
    
    

    
    West Brom 3 Reading 0
    
    What can I say.... muggins here thought he'd make the trip. What a
    wasted journey !  
    McGhee made a few changes to the team: Barkus in for Gilkes, Dillon in
    for McGhee, Hopkins in for Richardson, a more defensive line up.
    Reading started well and had more than their fair share of possesion in
    the first half, and could be considered unlucky to be 1-0 down at
    half-time, a superb strike from Simon Garner (ex-Blackburn).
    We were all looking to the second half with baited breath (caused by
    the dodgy hamburgers they were selling ).
    For 35 minutes of the half Reading never had a sniff, West Brom were
    playing some good football, and Reading were chasing shadows. When they
    did catch the player, it normally resulted in a foul. Parkinson, Dillon
    Hopkins and Taylor getting booked (Dillon for mouth surprise surprise)
    This culminated in Parkinson getting sent off for a trip (no way a
    sending off offence).
    Suddenly things started looking up. McGhee replaced Taylor, and we had
    two or three chances, Quinn and McGhee going close.
    Suddenly - bang bang 3-0 !
    Just to rub salt in the wounds Quinn hit the post in the last minute.
    
    The best team won, but 3-0 was a bit flattering

     >>                  <<< Note 38.280 by SUBURB::LAINSBURYA >>>
    
    
     >>   West Brom 3 Reading 0
    
     >>   What can I say.... muggins here thought he'd make the trip. What a
     >>   wasted journey !
     
     Tek art aer kid - methinks many better teams than Reading F.C will
     be leaving the Hawthorns this season on the wrong end of a Baggies
     beating. It was interesting to see that the crowd of 13,000+  was 
     more than turned out for either the Scotland or Wales games.
                             
     For any others contemplating this perilous journey I can recommend 
     a post match trip to the Bull & Bladder in Brierly Hill for a few pints 
     of Bathams and a couple of bags of pork scratchins (ask for the hairy
     ones), as a suitable antidote to such a drubbing.
    
     Aynuk 
                 

    Just a note to outline the sort of luck? Reading are currently getting.
    
    Match facts:  WBA shots on target - 4
    	 	  Reading shots on target - 6
    
    By the way, Steve Francis has asked for a transfer after being dropped
    on Wednesday.
    
    No game on Saturday - next game, Rotherham at home next Wednesday.

    READING 3   ROTHERHAM 1
    
    Not a great performance from Reading but at least it was three points.
    For the first hour had Rotherham taken their chances they would have
    been leading.  Then, three goals in three minutes.  Firstly Quinn (who
    ran a lone battle up front all night) with a shot from the edge of the
    area, then Quinn again running through with just the goalie to beat.
    Finally Gilkes lobbed the goalie from the corner of the penalty area.
    Three great goals.  Rotherham pulled one back within five minutes but
    Reading held on.  Hislop, Reading's new keeper, made one superb save
    and his distribution (although sometimes erratic) is fairly impressive. 
    A couple of times he THREW the ball past the half-way line and one of
    goal kicks bounced on the edge of Rotherham's penalty area.
    
    Maybe the performance in the first hour was down to nerves, but Reading
    still lacked something.  However, the result was important and Reading
    moved from 24th to 20th in the table.
    
    Wigan at home on Saturday.
    
    Chris

    READING 4   WIGAN  0
    
    Totally deserved result.  Reading dominated the game and scored four
    superb goals.  Wigan did not have one shot on target.  
    Those who missed it - tough !!
    
    Away to Watford tonight in the Coca-Cola Cup.

A good draw for the Royals At Watford Last night.

Reading managed to equalize twice through Quinn & Williams, the second in the
87th minute.

Good chance of proceding to the next round.

When's the return leg??

Al

    
    The return leg is on :
    
                          Wednesday 7th October
    
    
      Shaun

    WATFORD 2 READING 2
    -------------------
    
    The Royals more than deserved their draw,  both of Watfords goals
    against the run of play.
    
    It was difficult to see the game properly from Watfords crappy terrace,
    but the first half was pretty even, Quinn equalising soon after
    Watfords goal, with a virtual open goal from 18 yards when ??? shot got
    blocked. Someone, couldn't see who, too far away, also hit the post for
    Reading after a scramble.
    The second half Reading played good football and were the better team ,
    Watford taking the lead early when McPherson slipped allowing Furlong
    to beat Shaka 1 to 1.  By the end of the game the pitch was like a
    paddling pool and Reading's slick passing began to get stuck, but we
    stuck to it and PArkinson in paticular was really strong in midfield. A
    succession of corners near the end allowed Williams to head home whilst
    the Watford keeper was doing a Bruce Grobelaar flapping at thin air.
    
    
    Back to Elm Park and guess who's gonna miss it.
    
    After Wigan and Watford the Royals are on their way back.
    
    Andy..

    The paper today quotes Jimmy Quinn as a bargain buy. Any opinions on
    this??
    
    Tony

When you consider his record with Bournemouth, he has to be a good buy.

You just have to look at the last 3 games to see the benefit. He's scored 5
times. Reading were sadly lacking up front last year, I think we should be
alright this year.

confidence seems to be high at the moment so let's hope we can pull out of the
bottom half of the table, and get a good cup run.

Al (Trying to get a pass for the 7th)

I put the mockers on Quinn with my last reply, as he didn't score on Saturday :-)

However Lovell did, Brighton didn't. Reading March on toward mid-table med...
I mean Division 1

Al

    
    Did anybody hear the Danny Baker show on radio 5 on saturday, they have 
    a phone in for fans that have been to matches on that day. Anyway
    they had some nut from Brighton complaining about Brighton having to
    wear their away strip for a home match and also said that Reading
    had pinched the idea of blue and white hooped shirts from QPR.
    Bad losers or what.. 
    
     ANDY....B
    

    Looks like a good stuffing for Reading coming up on friday night.
    
    Kev

    Re:-1
    
    We were listening to it on the way home from Brighton - you can imagine
    our reaction....
    
    ...Yyyaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhh
    
    
    Andy..

    I thought the Brighton fan was right, everybody knows Brighton wear
    blue so why travel with just a blue kit to Brighton ???
    
    Sums up the Reading mentality........
    
    		Brian.
    
    :-)
    

                      <<< Note 38.294 by CHEFS::HOUSES >>>
                        -< Blue and yellow hoops????? >-

>    I thought the Brighton fan was right, everybody knows Brighton wear
>    blue so why travel with just a blue kit to Brighton ???
    



      Everyone knows that Brighton wear discarded Tesco's bags ( see Eagle
      Eyes passim ).

      Stuart    

    
    Ok, Reading shouldn't have taken blue, but the home kit is
    predominantly blue as well. This is a bit stupid - but surely the league
    have to approve team colours ???
    
    As for the discarded tesco bags - I agree.
    Their away kit is red with a splattering of seagull droppings.
    
    Andy..

Reading got their fourth win in a row on friday night, against Fulham.

2-0 at half-time, Own goal & Lovell(??) and a third added late by Gilkes.

According to R210, it was one of the best displays from The Royals in a long
time, which was made even more impressive by the weather conditions.

Watford on Wed in the Coke Cup, I hope to be there. Should be a good game

Al 

Gilkes' goal was pure class - good to see him playing again - has he settled 
all his differences now?

g

Grahame,
	It would appear so

	From what I read in the evening post couple of weeks ago, he is feeling
very positive again now, The first time since breaking his leg, and his
confidence is sky high.

	I hope he turns it on against Watford on Wed.

Al

It's to see Reading winning for a change.

A look at the table suggests they may even get out of that 
middle table syndrome!

Si...

    
    A good crowd at Elm park 7200 on friday, i dont think any of them
    could really complain about what they had seen. It's one the best
    matches that i have seen down there for years. Should be a big crowd
    also for Watford on wednesday...
    
    Andy.....B\
    

    
    What a load of rubbish, apart from ten minutes of the second half 
    when they managed to keep the ball on the floor. Reading would 
    not have scored if they had been there all night. Whats the point
    of short corners, i thought the point was to get the ball in the 
    goal mouth, not play it short and lose it. Oh well back to two
    and half thousand for the next match and i dont blame the people
    who dont go....
    
    Andy....B
    

    Who did Watford get in the next round??
    
    Tony
    
    

re -.1

	Watford have drawn Leeds Utd. (or Scunthorpe!!! )

	Well I went last night, and the Royals unfortunately got Man Utd.
syndrome (Couldn't put the ball in the back of the net)

	It's the first time I've been since a dull 0-0 draw v Swansea a couple
of seasons ago, and I have to say that although we lost, I enjoyed watching the
team trying to play football, although it didn't come off most of the time.

	Watford seemed content with letting Reading take the game to them for
the full 90 minutes, and make the odd trip into the Reading half on the
counter, and this paid off in the 34th minute, with a swift break. Reading
managed a couple of efforts in the first half. The best to Gilkes, but he shot
straight at the keeper.

	I felt that it was only going to be a matter of time before we scored in
the second half. However, Jones hoofed the best effort over from 8 yards, 
Gilkes did some good work on the left to give himself a shooting chance but also
shot over, and at one point the ball was pushed into the six yard box by jamie
Lambert, and just needed a touch, but there was no-one there :-(

	By the comments around me, Lovell was sorely missed, he was out with
a virus, and his replacement, Scott Taylor, although sound in the first half,
totally lost it in the second and was finally pulled off. At one point in the
second half, There was a 2 on 2 situation. Taylor had the ball and Quinn was
moving like an express train through the middle. A ball between the defenders
would have put him clean through, but no he squared the ball to Gilkes who was 
closed down in no time.

	The tie was killed off in the 88th minute, when a teasing cross from the
left fooled everyone, including the keeper and found the far corner.

	Anyway, I enjoyed the game, and I can see myself becoming a more regular
visitor to Elm Park again.

Al

    At last someone who seemed to be watching the same game as me - too
    many people expect Reading to be playing international class football
    and moan when they don't produce.
    
    The second half Reading played well, but I can't understand why McGhee
    was playing Taylor upfront - what was wrong with himself if Lovell was
    ill - has McGhee finally hung his boots up ?  Lambert would have been a
    better choice - Taylor battles well but he's no forward.
    
    Watford learnt from the first game and closed us down too quickly for
    us to play football.
    
    Anyway back to the league now - we're going for thirteen wins on the
    trot again.
    
    Andy..
    

    
    Match report from Saturday anyone??
    
    Tony
    
    

    re -1
    
    "Sorry its brief"
    
    No problem, when it comes to Reading - the briefer the better :-)
    
    		Brian.

    Any of you Royals fans remember Neil Smillie ?
    
    The reason I ask is I'm fortunate and discerning enough to have
    followed Brentford for about the last 30 years. Now I don't want to
    gloat (no honestly !) but the Bees signed Smillie on a free transfer
    from Reading 3 seasons ago, and I think he's magic. He's (still) quick,
    skilful, and INTELLIGENT (OK, by Brentford standards he's Mastermind
    finalist level !) He was certainly a major contributor to our
    Championship last season. (Sorry - didn't mean to rub it in - oh all
    right, of course I did !!)
    
    How did he perform for Reading (didn't he score in the Simod final) and
    what did he do wrong to make Reading want to give him away ?
    
    There should be a note somewhere (probably is) about players that one
    team has dumped only for them to star somewhere else. Ian Holloway
    springs to mind - free (or very small fee) transfer from Brentford to
    Bristol Rovers, thence QPR, where he's now performing very competently
    at the top of the Premier League. It's a funny old game, eh ?
    
    Come on you Bees.
    
    Jim
    

    Neil Smilie performed very well for a long period at Reading, maybe not
    scoring as many as he should have. I think the club felt that he was
    getting a bit long in the tooth, and cleared him on out.
    
    The reason that it was a `free' was that Reading were struggling at the
    time and didn't attract many scouts!!
    
    Tony
    
    

    Re: Neil Smilie.
    
    Smilie and the then manager Ian Branfoot were not seeing eye to eye,
    and I believe this is the reason Smilie went. He was one of our best
    players in his final year, culminating in a goal in our Simod Cup
    victory.  Funny reading the entry about him, because on the train up to
    Swansea (yes I know, what a wasted journey) I was talking to Clive
    Baskerville the post reporter, and he was telling me all about Branfoot
    being a real disciplinarian and players such as Smilie and Bailie
    weren't too happy about him.
    
    As for the Swansea game, the first half wasn't worth mentioning, we
    were absolutely crap. However, I thought we were marginally the better
    team in the second and after the equaliser - a strong run by Adi
    Williams who was playing up front! - we looked the more likely to go on
    and win, but a long (and I mean long) throw from the right was headed
    straight in by their no5, terrible marking.
    
    Anyway, Swansea deserved on their first half performance. We only got
    in their half once, and Williams blasted wide with just the keeper to
    beat.
    
    Oh well, 5 games without a win - only last week it was 6 league games
    unbeaten !!!!
    
    Andy..

    
    I went to Swansea saturday and watched the game, Reading were
    rubbish in the first half, no one was picking up other players
    and Swansea went in 1-0 up on the half. The second half was
    better with Williams scoring a good goal past the ex Chelsea
    Keeper, Reading give away a poor goal when Swansea scored from
    a header after a long throw in..
    
    Andy..B
    

    
    Andy...
    
      Why do you go and watch Reading when you support Chelsea ???
    
    You could have gone to Coventry.
    
    Dave...

    
    Why should i go to Coventry!  No one would speak to me..
    
    
    

    F.A CUP Round 1
    
    Reading at home to Birmingham.
    
    The game has been changed to Sun 15 Nov, does this mean that the TVS
    cameras will be live at Elm Park.... I think not.
    
    Andy..

Too true, Andy - Sky have got the game . . .

grahame

    
    Erm, does that mean it's live on Sky.
    
    Tony
    
    

As for Neil Smillie.

He was definitely one of the better players at Reading at the time, but like
all the other good players in the team he didn't get on with Branfoot.

Other players that he discarded while favourites with the Crowd

Kevin Bremner	to Brighton
Keith Curle	to The Wombles, Now with Man City and England Cap(s) too
Terry Hurlock	to Millwall, Now Southampton
Steve Wood	to Millwall

Craig Maskell recently departed  and has definitely found his footing in the
Swindon line up. He scores regularly, and was in the English 2nd Div team
against the Italians last week, scoring twice. It's a shame he wasn't happy at
Reading.

    Guys,
    
    If you read replies .316 and .317, you'll realise that you're a bit
    behind the times.
    
    I can't believe nobody has mentioned the Plymouth game. Superb
    performance by anyone's standard - old man Shilton thought he was
    playing against a team of international class !
    
    Has anyone got a report on Tueday's game - a 1-1 draw at Burnley, not a
    bad result considering.
    
    Finally, I was in a pub in Bracknell on Saturday night, as were Scott
    Taylor and Adi Williams. They were stood there quietly when some girl
    brought the bouncers over and they threw poor Adi out ! God knows what
    happened, I'm thinking about ringing the local press for an exclusive !!
    
    Andy..
    

    
    He was removed for walking around with successive dodgy, nay, illegally
    bad haircuts.
    
    I heard the Plymouth performance was a cracker.
    
    I'll be at the Birmingham game, no conflicting local football.
    
    Tony
    
    

    
    A game with very little to talk about, Blackpool were very poor
    and would not have scored if they had been there all night.
    Reading were not much better, but did manage to hit the bar.
    
    Anybody know what happened behind the Tilehurst end at half time,
    also did anybody here the interview with Stan Flashman of Barnet
    on radio 5 on saturday, what is he on.....
    
    Andy..B
    

    
    Reading have been rewarded with a home game against Layton Orient
    in the next round of the F.A Cup..
    
    I thought Reading deserved the win yesterday and were unlucky
    not to have won it by more, nice to see Lambert start the game
    he played a vital part in the victory..
    
    Andy..B
    

    RE: -1
    
    A good performance and a good draw. Orient may be top of the league but
    that's because they've won 8 and drawn 1 of their 9 home games. Their
    away record is not impressive, indeed we could and should have beaten
    them quite easily earlier this season. (1-1)
    
    What's the betting that if we get beat then Orient will draw Man.U or 
    Liverpool etc, but if we win we'll be drawn away to Preston, Hartlepool
    etc.
    
    Andy..
    
    

    A pretty poor game, a pretty poor Reading performance, a poor
    Bournemouth performance, and a diabolical refereeing performance.
    The 'ref' gave Bournemouth 40!!! free kicks during the game (info from
    Post) which sums up how bad he was. 
    Bournemouth had more of the play but it was all in midfield, they never
    really threatened, and we went one up against the run of play, Gilkes
    with a simple 6 yd shot at the far post.
    Reading sat back on their 1-0 lead but Bournemouth never looked like
    scoring all day...and when that goal went in, last ******* minute !!
    That's about all I can recall.                                         
    
    Even though we were poor, we still should have won. 3 draws in
    succession now - might as well have won one and lost two.
    
    
    Oh well.. Exeter on Saturday. 4-1.
    
    Andy.

    
    Am I correct in thinking the goal was in the 93rd minute, when there
    didn't seem like any reason for stoppage time???
    
    Typical jammy Bournemouth.
    
    Tony
    
    

    Not a bad cup draw, at least we get to play a big team.
    Well, Manchester here we come. After seeing the Manchester Derby on
    Sunday, we have absolutely nothing to fear.
    
    If anybody hears anything about tickets etc, can you post them in here.
    Even though it's gone real quiet.
                   
    Andy.

    We have 2,500 seat tickets at a tenner each.  The game is not all
    ticket, but there is no standing room for away fans.
    
    Tickets will be on sale from, hopefully , the end of this week.
    
    Anyone driving, there is a large car park next to the away end.
    
    Chris

    
    Andy Lainsbury's my hero. He gave the "Fan's Verdict" in the Evening
    Post yesterday.
    
    Tony
    
    ps: And what a good photo!!
    

    Tony,
    
    Because this is the notes file, I won't swear at you over the system. I
    was trying to keep it quiet !!
    By the way, Baskerville rung me up at 9.30 Sunday morning, so there's
    me with this headache trying to remember the game. So 90% of that stuff
    he made up himself  !
    
    Andy
    
    P.S I'll come round and autograph it for you if you want !
    
    

    
    Hey, there was nothing wrong with that team photo. The other team
    members are so ugly that I look acceptable. -ish.
    
    Tony
    

A good away win on Saturday  3-0 at lowly Chester

Makes a change to win at the struggling clubs

Goals from Gilkes (2) & Lambert

According to 210 Souness was at the game!!!

Al

    
    I heard on the radio last night that Lambert is to start training with
    Monaco.
    
    Andy..B
     

    Re:-1
    
    Lambert and McGhee have gone to Monaco, just so they can have a look at
    him.  McGhee is not selling.  He is hoping to make some contacts
    for a French loanee or maybe arrange Pre-season friendlies.
    
    Stockport at home Saturday. According to Mike Lewis on the radio this
    morning, there is something happening at Elm Park on Saturday at 5
    minutes before kick off. He wouldn't say what it was except that you've
    got to be there and don't miss it !
    
    Whatever it is , it will be the prelude to our third successive 3-0
    victory.
    
    Andy.
                                         

    Reading have sold the allocation of 2,555 tickets for the Man City cup
    tie, and are trying to get another 135 seat tickets and 1,000 terrace
    tickets for the game.

    
    My brother was selling tickets for the Man City game, he said that 
    there were a lot of touts trying to buy up the tickets so he turned 
    them away, but all they done was to send kids in to buy them instead.

    
    A match report please......
    
    Tony
    
    

From Stuart Hall on R5

The first half was played with mainly the high ball game which City didn't like
at all. Reading capitalised on this a minute before the break when Taylor scored
from the edge of the area.

City then managed to get into their stride and equalised in the 73rd minute.


Replay at Elm Park on the 13th

Winners play QPR or Swindon away

Al

    Re: -1
    
     The high ball was being played by City, not Reading. The first half
    hour was constant City aerial bombardment but Reading's defence was
    superb, and City never really created any clear chances.
    
    Reading pounced before half time, a beautiful 18 yarder from Talor into
    the top corner.  We couldn't believe it, I even dropped my meat pie.
    
      We expected City to all-out attack in the second half, and although
    they had the great majority of the play, most of it was cleared once
    they got near the box. 
      About half way through Flitcroft fired one against the post and it
    rebounded straight into Francis's arms. I thought then that this was
    going to be our day. 5 minutes later, Jimmy Quinn just missed with a
    good shot, and soon after the Mancs equalised.
      A good ball from Flitcroft and Sheron chipped it over Francis.
    
    	The rest of the game was just cheering every time Reading blasted
    it into touch, or when ****** McMahon hit the corner flag with a
    volley.
    
    	Not brilliant to watch as anything other than a Reading fan, but we
    got the result our defenders deserved, and nothing to fear for the
    replay.
    
    	The game is all ticket unless you hold a South Bank card.
    
    Andy.

    
    So for South Bank cardholders it's cash on the gate???
    
    Tony
    
    

    
    For all you Royals unable to make the game tonite, because of the Aston
    Villa game being abandoned, Reading v Man City is now live on SKY.
    
    Tony
    
    

    Well, since no-one else has put it in, Man City convincingly beat
    Reading last night 4-0. Reading were far from disgraced, and
    listening on the radio it sounded like they were still in with a 
    chance even at 2-0 down in the second half. Sorry don't know the goal
    scorers, but Niall Quinn got one and I think Holden(?) was involved 
    in some of the others. Steve Francis saved two goals by stopping a
    rolling ball going over the line. Gilkes combined well with Lambert 
    on one occasion, but just failed to beat Coton who had a good game.
    
    Cheers
    DaveT                                   

Scorers

Sheron, Holden, Flitcroft, Quinn

Unfortunately we met City in inspired form, I didn't manage to get there as I was
at work 'til late. Don't know if that was a good move or not.

Over 12000 there, must have been one hell of an atmosphere.

Anyway there's still the Autoglass trophy :-)

Al

    
    City were in a different class and Reading didn't start playing until
    the 46th minute.
    
    Lambert and Lovell both had gilt edged chances.
    
    Tony
    
    

    To Paaaaatch from READING !
    
      I admit City were a different class, but 4-0 was definately an
    exaggerated scoreline.
      Reading had 3 open goals (Lambert, Lovell, and Taylor) and when we
    were pressing City kept hitting us on the break and looked like scoring
    every time.
    
     To make the night worse, the ref was diabolical.
    
     Oh well, Brighton at home Saturday. 4-0.
    
    Andy.

    
    The ref was in fact a sheep-shagging b****** with no eyes.
    
    Funniest moment of the night was Kevin "Brains" Dillon taking a
    free-kick to himself and expecting to get away with it. Ho!Ho! how I
    chuckled!
    
    We have a very bad pace problem at the back. The second goal showed
    this up badly as four defenders chased Holden in vain.
    
    Tony
    

    
    Can one of you good people tell me when Reading are playing Bolton at
    Elm Park. I've got to take the missus along.
    
    Tony
    
    

    Bolton at home, a week Wednesday (27th)
    
    Chris

    .re .350  which "missus" is that Tony old chap?
    
    andy

    
    re.352  Sorry for the confusion Andy dear boy, it should have read Miss
    Us, respected female football journalist.
    
    Tony
    
    

    Tony,
    
    	I thought it was a misspell on your part. I thought you meant
    'misses'  - something more associated with you and football 8^)
    
    Andy. 

    
    Oh, oh, please, Andy, oh, deary deary, my ribs.....etc etc...
    
    Tony
    
    ps I won't mention the County Arms then?
    
    

    Reading 1  Bolton 2
    
    Reading took the lead after 30 mins, a Williams header.  Bolton
    equalised just before half-time and scored the winner with about 20
    mins to go.
    Amazingly, the referee managed to book 6 players, and Bolton had one
    sent off.  Reading had three players booked in the first half when
    there wasn't even one bad tackle.
    Who do blame for another defeat?  McGhee can only play the resources
    available to him.  Quite frankly some of Reading's players are just not
    good enough - probably only Francis can be exempt from any blame last
    night.
    Lambert and Gilkes both play wide, so Quinn fights a lone battle in the
    middle up front.  With five across the back, that only leaves two in
    midfield.
    Bolton had the desire to win, that's why they won.  Reading have now
    won only three of the last seventeen league games and unless they get
    their act together, they will be fighting against relegation.
    
    Anyway, roll on Saturday...let's go and stuff Orient.

    RE:-1
    
    	I have been saying all season that Reading's football deserves a
    higher league position, but last night's second half performance was
    the worst I've seen at Elm Park all year.
    	
    	The game started brightly and Reading and Bolton both played some
    good football, and 1-1 was a fair half-time score. But Reading had
    looked comfortable at 1-0 until the ref decided to book 3 players
    within a few minutes (not one for a foul). From there we just went
    downhill and gave away a soft goal.
    
    	The second half was mostly Bolton even after theyt were down to 10
    men and they got a deserved goal, Lee outpacing our less than mobile 
    defence and getting a rebound off Francis which was his only error of 
    the match.
    	We could have played all day but we never looked like scoring.
    
    
    I agree with Chris in that Quinn is too exposed and alone up front, and
    our 3 centre backs are too similar and lack mobility. McGhee has the
    nucleus of a good side, but we are in desperate need of a strong front
    runner to partner Quinn and some pace at the back.
    
    	We now have the worst disciplinary record in all 4 divisions, and
    we're not even a dirty side !!
    
    Andy

    Leyton Orient 1 Reading 2
    
    	What a result ! bye bye Orients undefeated home record. Best day
    out I've had all year !
    
    	First 15 minutes was all Orient, and they even hit the post, but
    Reading started back at them and scored a beauty of a goal when Dillon
    chipped the keeper from 20 yards after Gooding had collided with him
    (the keeper that is). Can't remember what else happened in the first
    half - just the goal really, oh yeah, and Francis made a superb one
    handed save when fat boy Andy Jones was through on goal.
    
    	Second half started as the first, Orient bombardment although they
    didn't have that many chances. Reading started coming back at them
    again, and just when the game was getting slower and Orient ran out
    of ideas, they had a free kick 20 yards out. The ref had let the O's
    player run through and have a shot that went wide. He then called play
    back and gave a free kick for something only he knew. Even the home
    crowd never shouted !
    	Anyway, the free kick luckily found the corner of the net and it
    was 1-1. 2 minutes later Gilkes beats the full back, pokes it across
    and Parkinson sweeps it in to send the crowd wild. 
    
    	Reading should have had a penalty 10 minutes later, but the ref was
    50 yards behind play, and the linesman was adjusting his glasses.
    Another superb Francis save near the end but it was not to be for
    Orient and consistently inconsistent Reading record only their 8th
    league win of the season.
    
    	Hartlepool at home Saturday, god knows whats going to happen, but
    at least it was good to the midfielders getting goals at last.
    
    	
    Andy..

    
     I see McGhee has now signed one of the central defenders he has been 
     "holding out for". A reserve donkey from Oxford.
    
     Tony
    
     Ps He couldn't to get Steve Wood, even on loan

    Well, another three points at the expense of Hartlepool.
    
    Reading hit the bar three times in the first half....you tend to think
    that it's never going to go in.  Adrian Williams scored with a diving
    header with about 15 minutes to go.  The last 5 minutes were total
    bedlam, Hartlepool were pushing for the equaliser (which they would not
    have deserved) and Reading were panicking.  Fortunately, Quinn scored a
    deserved second goal in the dying seconds.  Can't help but feel sorry
    for Quinn, he won a lot of the ball in the air and was then expected to
    be in the box for the forthcoming cross.  Andy Gray was Quinn's partner
    up front - loads of enthusiasm but I can't remember anything he really
    achieved.
    The guy on loan from Oxford, Jackson, seemed solid enough.  Reading
    will miss Adrian Williams when he starts his suspension soon.  Francis
    played well in goal, and made one superb save when the score was still
    0 - 0.
    
    On the positive side, we are now 12th in the table.
    
    Tomorrow is Exeter away in the Autoglass trophy, followed by Hull away
    on Saturday in the league.
    
    Chris

Well no trip to the twin towers this year

1-1 after 90 mins

No more goals aet

Exeter go through 4-2 on Pens

We can now concentrate on the league.

Al

    Re 361
    
    1 - 1 after 90 mins 
    
    2 - 2 after extra time.  Quinn scored.
    
    
    
    
    Gary

    Unfortunately, we had Adrian Williams sent off.  Could be a problem,
    particularly as he is just about to start a two-match ban anyway.
    
    It gives an opportunity to Jackson (bloke on loan from Oxford) to
    establish himself and maybe join Reading permanently.  

    	Another sending off ! What did he go for this time Chris ?
    
    	

    Don't know yet......probably adjusting his shinpads !!!!    Actually
    knowing the way that Exeter play (Mike Tyson isn't hard enough for
    Exeter) he was probably sent off for retaliation.
    
    Williams will miss at least five of Reading's last eighteen games.
    
    The only crumb of consolation is that Reading can concentrate soley on
    attemping to reach the top six (play-offs).  They can do it, but they
    need one or two defenders back from injury (like McPherson).
    
    I notice that Hull, Reading's opponents on Saturday, won at Rotherham
    last night.  We could do with a result there. 

re .362

Good to see the standard of ITV's Teletext service hasn't changed since the 
takeover :-)

Al

    1-1 draw at the weekend at Hull.
    
    Apparently Dean Windass scored from a free kick while Steve Francis was
    still arranging his wall. Andy Gray replied for Reading.
    
    Cheers,
    DaveT

    Hull were spawny at our place, I wouldn't be surprised if the goal was
    a bit dodgy,  and it was with only 8 minutes left !!!
    A win would have put us tenth, only 5 points off the play off zone. As
    it is we drop to 13th and need to win most of our remaining games.
    
    Too many 1-1 draws against crap opposition (i.e Mansfield, Wigan, Hull,
    Bournemouth etc)
    
    2 home games to follow against Preston and Huddersfield. 6 points a
    must. 
    
    
     Andy.

    
    I'm looking for a programme for an U16 game between England and Ireland
    at Elm Park on Mon Feb 8th?  Can anybody help?  I'd gladly refund any
    costs incurred or will send dsome programmes in exchange.
    
    Gary.

    Well, a resounding victory on Saturday, it could so easily have been
    10-0. I was just reading this article in the telegraph about the
    match..well more about John Beck's long ball policy.
    
    Gary Peters, no.2 to Beck, and an ex-Reading player who's last game was
    as a sub in the Simod Cup Final, said in this report "You have seen a
    team playing direct today and a team playing a passing game. Preston
    played the passing game and you saw what happened."
    
    That really bugs me. How he can say that Reading played the long ball
    is beyond me. The only high played to Quinn were from free kicks and
    wide positions, which every team would do.  How can he say that !
    Probably sour grapes because Preston were probably the worst team I've
    seen all season.
    
    Andy.

    
    Gary Peters was always a prat anyway. Couldn't pass to save his life,
    and had a gravity defying shot.
    
    Play-offs still a tiny possibility then?
    
    Tony
    
    

    What is Gary Peters on !!!  Preston are managed by John Beck - enough
    said.  I cannot believe anybody thinks Reading play the long ball game.
    I think it must have been sour grapes - Preston were well beaten, and
    it could easily have been more.
    My main recollection from the game is that Jackson (Reading's on loan
    left full back) spent most of the second half in Preston's half playing
    one-two's.  Gilkes gave the Preston right-back an afternoon he won't
    forget in a hurry.
    Any game involving Preston must seem like a long-ball game as they,
    attempt, to play the offside trap.  
    Apart from the goals, Lambert, Quinn and Gilkes could all have scored.
    Also their goalie made two good saves.  A good three points and now a
    home game against Huddersfield to come next Saturday.  
    
    RE -1  The play-offs are a possibility.  The remaining sixteen games
    would need a record of something like (W10 D2 L4)....this would give
    Reading 72 points which should be enough to make it.
    There are some tough away games to come....P.Vale, Stoke, Stockport,
    Bradford (all in April).
    We'll see.

    Good to see Abingdon Town knock the mighty Reading out of the Berks &
    Bucks Cup earlier this month.  Reading fielded 6 players with 1 st team
    experience.  Abingdon were the better team in both matches and the 1-0
    win in the replay was kind to Reading.
    
    The Post reported Mark McGhee making excuses like "the pitch was a bit
    bobbly" afterwards.  He should get most of those who played for Reading
    used to those sort of pitches as the majority of them will be playing
    Diadora football in couple of years time.
    
    What is all the fuss about Jamie Lambert ???? Rather ordinary teenage
    striker who didn't get a kick all night.  Any of you "Loyal" Royals
    attend ????
    
    		Brian

    RE -1, I can't believe I am doing this, but I'll reply to the last
    note.
    
    In the last couple of games I've been at Reading, not one person has
    mentioned the B&B cup - surprise, surprise.  I can say that no one
    really gives a toss about it.  Why would "loyal Royals" want to go to
    an away reserve match?????  Reading last won it 100 years ago - as you 
    can see it means a great deal to the club ??????
    
    The other comment about Reading players playing in the Diadora league
    is a typical comment from somebody who never goes to Elm Park - it
    isn't worth the effort it took typing it out.
    
    Re Lambert - all the fuss comes from the press etc etc He doesn't play
    in Reading's first team at the moment anyway !!
    
    Onto matters more relating to this conference note, Fulham away on
    Saturday.

    Chris,
    
    Many young pros & apprentices who don't make it end up playing football
    in the Diadora League - I don't need to go outside my back door to know
    that, let alone Elm Park.  
    
    Re the rest of your note - Thanks for your feedback.
    
    		Brian

    Another game where we could have and should have won. Fulham never had
    a shot on target the whole game, and we only had 3.
    
    Fat boy Stannard (how can you be that fat and still play professional
    football ??) kept Fulham in the game with three goods saves from
    Quinn's header in the first half, the best from Dillon's drive in the
    second half, and from a great volley from Taylor in the dying minutes.
    
    McGhee decided to drop Gray who's scored in the last 3 games for David
    McDonald, who nobody has ever heard of. Seems like McGhee must have met
    him in the pub Friday night. Anyway this McDonald stood in the
    full-back position (I say stood because I  didn't see him do bugger all
    else than that.) So we could have 5 at the back. Bit too defensive if
    you ask me, and that's why we never attacked enough to grab the winner.
    
    Anyway, at home to high flying Port Vale Wednesday. I won't be able to
    make it so a match report from anyone will be appreciated.
    
    Andy.

A good win v Port Vale on Wed 	1 - 0

Vale seemed happy with a draw but Royals snatched it in the last 10 minutes.

Followed by a similar result on Saturday at Blackpool, Quinn Scoring the all
important winner in the 78th minute.

We have now moved up to 8th place with 50 points, only 6 off a playoff place

Andy - your personal name may yet come true

Al

    Back to Saturday first of all - A well earned victory against Burnley.
    A very good goal from Gilkes capping a good performance by Reading -
    the scoreline could however have been more than 1-0.  Another great
    performance by Gooding at full-back, and overall the defence
    giving nothing away.
    
    Last night - a 0-0 draw at Exeter.  After Saturday, most people would
    have expected Reading to have gained three points last night - but
    Exeter can kill a game quite easily.
    
    From Reading's point of view, the top five look like breaking away
    (Stoke, P.Vale, WBA, Stockport, Bolton).  It leaves a scrap for the
    sixth and final play-off spot.  The teams realistically involved are
    Brighton, Orient, Reading, Rotherham and Swansea.  Plymouth, Fulham nad
    Bournemouth are probably out of it.
    
    Reading are ninth after last night.....a win would have taken them to
    sixth !!
    
    At home to Bournemouth on Saturday, followed by P.Vale away the
    following Saturday and Chester at home on the Wednesday.
    
    To reach the play-offs, Reading probably need 20-22 points. So the last
    ten games of the season (5 home and 5 away) need to be something like;
    
    5 wins and 5 draws  or  6 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat  or  7 wins !
    
    Chris

I read on CEEFAX last night that The Royals are about to sign Mark Stimson from
Newcastle today for an undisclosed 6 figure fee.

Anyone have anymore details??

What's Stimson like??

Al

    >What's Stimson like??
    
    Very poor indeed. As Mcghee was his colleague at Newcastle, I would have
    thought he'd have known this already. He can't tackle at all and has no
    positional sense whatsoever, but he does possess a fairly useful left foot.
    
    Tim

    
    The Stimson deal's off, due to the player not being able to agree
    personal terms with Reading's management team. Lucky escape methinks.
    
    Tim

Thanks Tim,

	As you said looks like we've had a lucky escape.

    Well, my personal name has come true a month early. Come on you R's.
    
    Brilliant first half Saturday, but we were sweating at the end as
    Bournemouth scored two late goals, and if it wasn't for a great save by
    Francis right at the end, we might not even have won.
    
    Lovell was brilliant on his return, perhaps he may come off the list.
    	
    Highlights of the game:
    Gilkes running 3/4 the length of the pitch past 4 players and blasting
    the ball against the post.
    Gooding running half the length of the pitch to be substituted before
    realising he was wearing 3 and not 2, then running all the way back
    waving to the crowd.
    The referee finally giving a handball decision. (Bournemouth obviously
    thought it was American Football.)
    
    8 wins and 3 draws from the last 11 now. The next two weeks are vital.     
    

    I hope that we have not picked up too many injuries from Saturday -
    Bournemouth were a bit physical.  Both Taylor and MacDonald went off
    injured, and both Lovell and Parkinson were limping long before the end
    of the game.
    
    However, a great result.  These are Reading's last nine games;
    
    SAT 3 APR   P.VALE (A)
    WED 7 APR   CHESTER (H)
    SAT 10 APRIL  STOKE (A)
    MON 12 APRIL MANSFIELD (H)
    FRI 16 APRIL STOCKPORT (A)
    WED 21 APRIL WBA (H)
    SAT 24 APRIL BRADFORD (A)
    SAT  1 MAY  SWANSEA (H)
    SAT  8 MAY PLYMOUTH (A)
    
    Chris

    A tough run in for Reading, let's hope they blow it.
    
    		Brian :-)

    Thanks Brian.
    
    This must be a torrid time for those that dislike Reading.
    
    There is still a long way to go.
    
    Chris

    
    I believe Peter Beadle played for Bournemouth on Saturday, getting on
    the scoresheet with B'mouths second goal. He is on loan from Spurs...
    
    Did he look any good ?????
    
    Dave...

    Dave,  He didn't do much in the first half - most of the play was in
    the Bournemouth half.  Towards the end of the game he got a bit
    involved and he scored a great goal.  20 yards out, into the top
    corner.  In the first half he did have a bit of a niggle with McDonald
    (who is his team mate at Spurs !).   That was about it.
    
    Chris

    
    Reading ended up on the end of a 3-1 beating on saturday and deserved
    it , the midfield never picked up any players allowing the Vale all
    the time in the world to pass the ball about the park.
    Vale took the lead on 12 minutes with a goal from Houchen, Quinn
    leveled in the 16th minute with a header. Reading were looking good 
    for a point at the half time, that soon changed in the second half
    I dont think they even had a shot on target. Vale took the lead again
    in 60th minute with a goal from Cross, this was soon followed by  
    Walker putting a penalty past Francis. Francis also received a booking
    for bringing down a Vale foward just outside the box during the second
    half....
    
                        DIVISION TWO
                      P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
         STOKE       38 23 11  4 66 30  80
         PORT VALE   38 21  9  8 62 37  72
    ----------------------------------------
         STOCKPORT   38 18 12  8 73 44  66
         WEST BROM   38 19  9 10 66 45  66
         BOLOTON     37 19  9  9 61 35  66
         READING     38 15 12 11 55 40  57
    ----------------------------------------
         L ORIENT    39 16  9 14 54 44  57
         ROTHERHAM   39 15 12 12 52 49  57
         BRIGHTON    39 16  9 14 49 48  57
         
    Reading play at home wednesday to Chester who are bottom of the league
    with only 29 points ( won 8, lost 26, drawn 5 ).. 7.45 kick-off
    
    ANDY...B 
         

    Andy,
    
    	I think you're being a bit unfair on Reading. I felt after Port
    Vale's steaming start, we did well to get back into the game, and as
    you said by half time we looked like we could go on to win. Reading
    battled well throughout the match, and although it wasn't our best
    footballing performance, I think to say they were letting Vale play
    football is a bit unfair, because if anything our battling pushed them
    out of their stride. 
    
    	But once Cross had fouled Hopkins to score the second (Hopkins
    spent five minutes stuffing his torn boot into the refs face) , Port Vale 
    ran the game and Reading never looked like scoring.
    
    	As for Francis's booking, he clearly played the ball, and in my
    opinion it was that booking and the shouldn't_have_been_allowed second
    goal which totally changed the game and Reading were never in it after 
    that.
                                           
    	I must admit though, no complaints on the penalty.
    
    Cheers,
    Andy

    Reading 1  Chester  0
    
    Not a classic, but three vital points.  Parkinson scored with eight
    minutes left.
    Chester's goalie played well, he had to, he had a busy night.  Reading
    seemed to miss Gooding and the game seemed to be heading towards 0-0.
    The game was very stop-start and apart from the goalie, the only other
    representative I can remember from Chester was the trainer. Oh yes, and
    the 34 fans behind the away goal.
    Thr Brighton manager said to his team recently "forget performances,
    it's points now".  That just about sums up last night - at least it was
    three points.
    
    Stokw away on Saturday and then Mansfield at home on Easter Monday.

    
    Whats the league table looking like this morning ?....And what are
    Reading's remaining fixtures ?...
    
    Neil...

    		PLAYED	POINTS   GOALS
    STOKE	39 	80	66-31
    P.VALE	39	73	64-39
    WBA		39	69	69-45
    BOLTON	38	69	63-36
    STOCKPORT	39	66	74-46
    ORIENT	40	60	57-46
    READING	39	60	56-40
    BRIGHTON	40	60	52-49
    ROTHERHAM	40	58	53-50
    BRADFORD	40	56	58-59
    SWANSEA	37	55	50-39
    BURNLEY	40	55	49-47
    PLYMOUTH	39	50	47-53
    
    Remaining games;
    
    SAT 10 APR  STOKE (A)
    MON 12 APR  MANSFIELD (H)
    FRI 16 APR  STOCKPORT (A)
    WED 21 APR  WBA (H)
    SAT 24 APR  BRADFORD (A)
    SAT  1 MAY  SWANSEA (H)
    SAT  8 MAY  PLYMOUTH (A)
    
    Chris

Not an easy run in at all

3 out of the top 5 + 2(3 if you count Plymouth) of our challengers for the last
play-off place.

One thing's for sure, If we do make it, we'll have deserved it

As long as the weather's good on Monday I'll be taking my son to his first game,
hopefully not his last.

I was a little confused by the table thinking that Reading should be above Orient
as we have a +16 goal difference and they only had +11, then I remembered that
this year, Barclays are using the goals for as the first stat used when the
points are equal :-(

Al

    Re; -2
    
    	What are you doing in the Reading topic Cossey, thinking of
    watching them now there going well ????
    
    	Get back to your 'I fancy Gazza in his pink shirt' topic.
    
    Cheers,
    Andy

    
    BIG BIG BIG game tonite. Stockport (67pts) away. If we can win this one 
    we will be 1 point behind them, thus opening up another play-off place.
    
    We MUST draw at least.
    
    Tony
    

    And that's exactly what we did do.  A 2-2 draw at Stockport would
    normally be regarded as a great result, but with a goal conceded five
    minutes from time a priceless win was snatched.
    
    Hopkins was sent off just before half time.  The ref made a major
    cock-up.  Adrian Williams and a Stockport guy were squaring up, the ref
    wasn't watching but when he came over he sent off Hopkins.
    McGhee played in the second half, and apparently played very well.
    
    The Brighton result on Saturday was the only one that really went
    Reading's way.  The next game is WBA at home on Wednesday.  Reading are
    in a situation where 4 wins might not be enough (Swansea could still
    catch Royals on goals scored) BUT 2 wins, a draw and a defeat could be
    enough (if the other results go Readings way).
    
    I hope I am wrong but if I were to lay money on the outcome of the
    Second, I would have;
    
    1. Stoke
    2. P.Vale
    3. Bolton
    4. WBA
    5. Stockport
    6. Swansea
    
    After that I can't see much separating Reading, Brighton, Orient and
    Bradford.  Orient, like Reading, still have to play Bradford and
    Swansea.  Needless to say, if Swansea come unstuck at home to
    Huddersfield tomorrow then anything could happen.
    
    Chris

    RE - 1
    
    Delete part about Williams being involved rather than Hopkins.  It was
    Hopkins.  210's report was inaccurate.

    RE:-2
    
    	Chris,
    
    	With the table you gave, that's the first time I've ever known you
    to be pessimistic. I still reckon we'll do it. Stockport have been on a
    bad run lately, and I believe they will be caught the chasing pack,
    opening two positions.
    
    	The top 4 have now run away with it, although I reckon Bolton will
    overtake Port Vale.
    
    	The next two positions, will be taken by two of six teams, although 
    if we beat both Bradford and Swansea, one defeat for any team could push 
    them out of the race. We have to win those two games, and I still think 
    two points from the other two games will be enough, because games will 
    be won and lost, and no team are going to win all their remaining games.
    
    	My prediction:
                         Pts
    	Stoke
    	Bolton
    	Port Vale
    	West Brom
    	Brighton           73
    	Reading            72
    
    	Brighton simply because they have the easiest run in - except
    Swansea who will stutter like Stockport.
    
    
    	Andy

Reading 1 - 1 WBA

WBA took the lead 34 mins, Parkinson equalised on 41.

Any Reports??

		    pld  f   a	pts	Max pts poss.
1   Stoke City	    42	70  32	86	98
2   Port Vale	    42	70  41	79	91
==================================
3   WBA		    43	78  52	76	85
4   Bolton	    41	69  39	75	90
5   Stockport	    42	78  53	68	80
6   Leyton Orient   43	64  48	66	75
==================================
7   Brighton	    43	59  53  66	75
8   Bradford	    43	64  61	65	74
9   Reading	    43	62  46	65	74
10  Swansea	    41	58  43	64	79

11  Rotherham	    43	55  56	59	68
12  Burnley	    43	54  52	59	68
13  Fulham	    43	49  52	58	67
14  Plymouth	    42	55  60	56	68


Only 4 points separating 6 clubs looking for 2 play-off places.
The best positioned team is Swansea with 2 games in hand. Reading can definitely
do themselves a favour by beating Swansea & Bradford, but unfortunately it's not
totally in our hands.

Teams from 11-14th can still mathematically make the play-offs, but that would
be highly unlikely


Al

    re -1  Just about sums it up.
    
    Although Reading played well against WBA, a draw was probably a fair
    result.  It seemed as if we played with no full-backs (3-4-3
    formation), quite exciting but a bit dangerous.  WBA had 5 bookings -
    they were a bit physical, and were lucky to have 11 players at the end
    of the game.
    
    At least this season Reading are going into the last two weeks of the
    season with something to play for.  The feeling after Wednesday is that
    Reading need to win their last three games.  Bradford away tomorrow is
    a tough one. 

    Re:-1
    	Just adding to that bit about still being in touch with 3 games to
    go. I'm just pleased that the season still has something left in it.
    For the last 4 years we have had extremely boring mid-table mediocrity,
    although we had to bite our nails when Branfoot was only 45 minutes
    from dropping us 2 divisions in 2 years !
    	Although our season only took an upturn from February, all season
    we've been playing good football, and looked way above most teams we
    have played. With the exception of the top four in the league, I would
    be confident of beating anybody. It's looking tight now, to win at
    Bradford and Plymouth is no mean feat, but even if we don't make it,
    McGhee has inbuilt the confidence in the players and supporters that
    next year we will definately be challenging. 
    
    	I've been to more games than ever this season and I've really enjoyed 
    watching Reading (except  vHull and Exeter) and am seriously unchuffed 
    I won't be around for next season.
    
    	Anyway, let's hope this one isn't finished by a long way.
    
    Andy..

    0-3 at Bradford all but finishes Reading's season.  Brighton,  Orient
    and Stockport also lost.  As I said earlier, Swansea will probably take
    one of the play-off spots.  Both Swansea and Stockport play this
    Tuesday.

Well after last nights results it's as good as over.

Swansea & Stockport both won

Stockport now need a point ( but have scored far more goals so don't really need
it) and Swansea 2 to remove Reading from the fray

The table looks thus.....

1   Stoke City	43	71  32	    89
2   Port Vale	44	74  41	    85
-----------------------------------------
3   Bolton	43	76  40	    81
4   WBA		44	83  53	    79
5   Stockport	44	80  55	    71
6   Swansea	43	63  43	    70
-----------------------------------------
7   Bradford	44	67  61	    68
8   L. Orient	44	64  51	    66
9   Brighton	44	60  55	    66
10  Reading	44	62  49	    65


As long as the teams remains pretty much unchanged over the close season, and we
are lucky with injuries and suspensions, we should be in with another shot next
year

Al

    Tony  
    
    You should play yourself  your such a player!!
    
    didn't you have trials?
    
    cheers
    then

    
    The only trials I've had Lewis were held at Reading Magistrates Court.
    
    Tony
    

    TONY 
    
    W   E     W  O  N  T     S   AY    W   H   AT    FOR    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    CAT RAPIST

    Last home game of the season resulted in a well deserved 2-0 win over a
    very poor Swansea side.  Had Reading tried 10% harder (which was well
    within their capabilities) the result would have been a 5 or 6 goal
    win.  Swansea only came into the game with ten minutes to go, and it
    was all to late.
    
    Although mathamatically Reading are still involved, probably until
    Tuesday when Swansea play Wigan (only a Wigan win will make it go to
    the last game of the season), Swansea are likely to take the sixth
    spot.  Whoever they play in the play-offs won't matter, because
    Swansea won't be going any further.
    
    Dillon played, after missing the last four, and he was quite clearly a
    class above anything else on the pitch. Reading have missed this guy
    recently.
    
    Gooding won the player of the year vote.

     No surprise about Gooding, he has been by far the most consistently
    good player throughout the season, and especially in the last third.
    As Chris said, we need too many results to go our way for us to get to
    the play-offs, but we can still hope.
    
     I heard there was some trouble at Elm Park. Being stuck out here I
    don't know what happened. Was there trouble ? What happened ? Did the
    Welsh attack with there lethal leeks ? Or was it their blow up sheep ?
    
    
     Anyway, c'mon Wigan !
    
    
    Andy.
    

    
    Shop windows were broken on the Oxford road as Swansea made their
    way to the ground, also as i came out of the southcote a fight
    broke out on the bath road. Inside the ground was a nightmare, stewards
    were leading about three Swansea fans around the pitch when one decided
    to jump in the southbank. He received a bit of a slap, this angered
    the Swansea fans so they invaded the pitch and also run towards
    the southbank. The game stared 15 minutes late... When Reading 
    scored the second they started trying to pull the fencing off, which
    towards the end of the match they did.
    

    If Swansea fans get upset every time they go 2 goals down, and they
    manage to win through the play-offs (which I doubt), they had better
    get used to it.
    
    Re tonights game, Swansea vs Wigan. I did not realise just what a bad
    run Wigan are going through.....lost last six, scored two, conceded
    seventeen, relegated on Saturday, last home crowd was 1400.  Not a
    chance I'm afraid.
    
    Chris

The only way Reading can go through to the play-offs is if 

		Wigan win tonight
		Leyton Orient draw with Swansea on Sat.
		Bradford don't win on Sat.
		Reading win on Sat.

Not too hopeful, as Chris said, but at least Reading have managed to
keep interest throughout the whole season.

I'll probably go to a few more games next year if they keep playing
as they have this season

Al

    
    Mind you, one good thing came of Saturday. Apparently the burger bar
    got a right doing over. I hope they took the burgers with them.
    
    My mate reckons it was the worst trouble he's ever seen at Reading.
    
    Tony
    

    
    The worst trouble at elm park has to be when Bristol City visited
    in 1984....
    
    Andy...B

    Well it was bad enough to get a page on BBC Ceefax all by itself on
    Saturday night.   And the police and assorted alsations were still
    at the railway station @19h30 when I got back into Reading.
    
    Ray

    
    	re .417..
    
    	Well I'm glad to hear it wasn't any worse than that shameful
    	display.
    
    	I was in the South Bank at Elm Park that day, and the behaviour
    	of the Bristol City lot was disgusting. Terry Cooper averted a
    	certain riot by his intervention imo..
    
    	The Reading fans that day were marvelous. Maybe they were scared
    	to get involved, but thank heavens they were. A very nasty
    	incident was isolated by some very brave policing. I saw two
    	coppers get hit by flying chunks of the Reading End terrace. 
    	Anyone who thinks that's funny isn't right in the head themselves..
    
    	No doubt one or two would say the police "over-reacted". Genghis
    	Khan here would have set the dogs on 'em...
                                     
    	Andy.

Well, at 8-15 last night, I was listening to R 5 when they gave out the
latest scores.

	Swansea 0  Wigan 1

I almost crashed the car.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got as Swansea got 2 later in the 
game to secure a play-off place and deny Reading :-(

A win on Sat with Bradford & Leyton Orient not winning would put us
a very respectable 7th

Al

    
     The chairman should plough money in. The games should be changed to a
    Friday.
    
    Tony
    

    Interesting points Tony, but let's not forget......
    
    Re - The Chairman. Frank Waller was here for years (1950's-1980's ??)
    and all the time he was here any funds used for the benefit of the club
    were self-generating.  Waller was bad news !!!  When he was eventually
    hounded out, anybody could have come in.  It wouldn't have mattered
    who it was because Waller was about to amalgamate Royals with Oxford!
    Roger Smee took over.  Mr Smee is a business man and he was aiming to
    make money from Reading FC rather than put money into it.  When his
    personal empire began to crumble (two years ago), he pi**ed off.
    
    John Madjeski took over a totally broke club, massive debts etc etc.
    If you ever speak to the guy he admits he is not a football fan, BUT he
    has ploughed over a million quid into the club already, and he has
    avoided the club following Maidstone and Aldershot.
    
    You have to have stability off the field as your first priority.  A
    classic example.......The guy from Newcastle that nearly joined
    Reading on transfer deadline day.  The Post said he would cost
    100,000....what they didn't mention is that he also asked for 100,000
    for signing-on fees and house relocation!!!  Not on really !
    
    With the ridiculous fees branded around, the best bet for lower league
    clubs is to utilise your youth policy.  This season at Elm Park I have
    seen Williams, Taylor, Holzmann, Lovell, Lambert, Gray, Barkus and
    Bass - the oldest is 22!!
    
    I'll be the first to admit that one or two signings would help, but
    quite frankly some of Reading's younger players are better than the
    players in the 100,000+ bracket.
    
    To be successful ie get out of Div Two - Reading need to keep Madjeski
    as chairman, McGhee as manager, sign maybe one or two players before
    next season, and then we'll do it.
    
    Do you know that the new season starts 14 weeks on Saturday !!!
    
    Chris

    
    I agree whole-heartedly with everything you've said there. However our
    youth/reserve policy has recently been seriously down-graded and the
    chances of the number/quality of players you've mentioned coming
    through in the NEXT three years isn't as good.
    
    My reasoning for the Friday night switch is that Reading (and
    surrounding areas) has one of the biggest local football set-ups in the
    country. And one of the best may I add. This means, by my crude
    calculations, that 3-4 thousand football fans are busy playing the game
    in the area whilst Reading are kicking off.
    
    Lets say that 25% would watch their local team if they didn't play
    football. An extra thousand. Take into account an average "crowd" of
    one fan per player. An extra thousand. Add on wifes, kids, pals, dads
    etc etc etc and I think that the gates would swell by three thousand a
    game. 
    
    Then we would have the cash needed for investment not only on players,
    but also on the over all infrastructure of the club.
    
    What I'm saying is the club needs to innovative and ambitious NOT
    restrictive and tight.
    
    Tony
    

Tony,

I don't know about your Friday night games idea. To me, Saturday afternoon 
is footy afternoon, and Friday night is a beer night.(I suppose you could 
combine the two !) Another problem with Friday nights is the away fans.
It's great for you, and many like yourself as you mentioned who play on a 
Saturday, and I think the crowd may be boosted on the occasional Friday 
night.

But what about the fans from Hartlepool, Bradford, Hull, Plymouth, etc. who 
have to get to Elm Park on a Friday night. As a reasonably regular away 
traveller I would not go to Friday night games, unless it were local (south 
of Watford and east of Bristol) or unless it were a really big game.
Half the reason for the away day Saturday is not only to support your team , 
but to have a good day out !

There are benefits to Friday night games in terms of home support - just 
look at what Stockport and Tranmere have achieved, mostly because of their 
home records.

I think the occasional Friday night game is not a bad idea (Fulham worked 
this season 7000+) against a 'local' team, but to totally change would not 
get my vote.

As for youth team - Because we would have won a major trophy within 3 years, 
we needn't worry about affording to buy players !


Andy

Well we ended up in 8th place behind Orient, with the
6 Chris predicted in .398 taking the Promotion/play-off
places, if not quite in that order.

A couple of signings over the summer to strengthen the 
squad, and hopefully a lack of departures should give
us a good opportunity for going a step or two closer next
season

Al

    
    	>                  -< Preston 2  Reading 2 >-
    
    	I think it was Plymouth instead of Preston, Al ;-)
    
    	Oh, and for the benefit of Barry, apologies for this note being so
    	boring...
    
    	Andy.

    ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz

Mark McGhee has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club
until 1996.

Also Steve Richardson, the longest serving player in the squad has
been given a free transfer.

Al

Did you know ?

Reading actually came third in one table this year:

The discipline table.
	
With 75 bookings and 5 sending offs we had the third worst record in all 4 
divisions behind Cambridge and Torquay. So I think the club can expect a 
hefty fine.

There's two solutions for this problem next year. One is to get decent refs 
who don't give unnecessary bookings, and the second is to sell Kevin Dillon.

Andy.

    
> who don't give unnecessary bookings, and the second is to sell Kevin Dillon.
    
    Surely you mean give him away. ;-)
    
    Tim

    RE -1
    
    Unfortunately, two of Reading's better players have diabolical
    disciplinary records.....being Dillon and Parkinson.  Although I am a
    McGhee fan, he does not exactly set a good example.
    
    Richardson going is no surprise....he is injury prone, he is not a
    first choice player and he is not he player he was 5/6 years ago.
    
    Although I am always fairly optimistic, I am sure that Reading will
    finish in the top six next season (hopefully top two).  I am not just
    saying this because I support Reading.  I have seen all the teams in
    the Second Div this season, and Reading were about the fifth best team
    I saw.  The only team coming down from the first who IMO will do well
    is possibly Cambridge, and from the Third possibly Cardiff.
    
    I would expect the losers of the play-off, either P.Vale or WBA, and
    Reading, Cambridge, Huddersfield and Burnley to scrap for the top
    places.
    
    Chris
    

    
    I thank you, I thank you. In last nights Evening Post John Madjeski
    announced plans to switch all Royals home games to Friday for next
    season.
    
    AND, he lists reasons that I've mentioned!!
    
    Tony
    

Mr. Absolom,

	I hope this means that we will be seeing you at Elm Park more
often. We need someone to get the crowd behind the team. Practice your
vocal chords over the summer, and learn the words to the Reading Anthem:
	'U R's'   'U R's'
	
	It takes a bit of getting used to , but I'm sure your work 
colleagues won't mind if you practice it during your lunch hour.

Best Regards,
MM

    Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Rrrrrr's -- Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Rrrrrr's - Uuu
    uuuuu, nope, not right. Start again, UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU RRRRRRRRRRR
    RRR's -- UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR's, UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR,s...............
    
    Tony

    
    Madjeski has scrapped the Friday footy idea. Bastardo. This means that
    the Royals will miss my advice and insight for most of next year.
    
    Tony
    

RE:-1

	And I had you down for the 'Fan's Verdict' as well !
	Maybe next year.

Regards,
Clive

    Good to see that Season ticket sales are doing well.  Reading have
    taken nearly 48 grand so far, the same as the whole of last year.  This
    means sales are about 50% up.

	Hey, I won 5 pounds as a consolation winner in the 
Royals Blue Chip Draw !!! That's 6% of my investment back already !!

	
Regards,
JM

    Well I've just emptied my pocket of 120 well-earned sovs.  I've just
    been to Elm Park and bought my first season ticket for 5 years.
    I can hardly wait for that mid-winter Tuesday night game at home to
    Huddersfield in the pouring rain !!
    
    

    Whether I've been dealt a full deck of cards is questionable, but I'e
    only missed a dozen games at Elm Park in the last 19 years - so for me
    it's sensible to get a season ticket.
    
    For those that have read my notes, you know that my only gripe is about
    committment.  Quite frankly, as long as the players try and always give
    100%, I feel I've got value for money.  It's when some players waltz
    through the game like its a bloody training session that my blood
    boils.
    
    Another reason I've bought a season ticket is that for the first time
    in years, as I have said before, McGhee is TRYING to bring back
    football to Elm Park.  Whether it is successful or not is almost
    immaterial - people obviously like to watch it (gates 24% up last
    season).
    
    Anyway if Reading do play badly, the performance can always be blamed
    on injuries, suspensions, weather, refereeing, length of the grass etc
    etc.
    
    The first league game of the season is eight weeks on Saturday !!

    
    I will be attending a lot more this year. Sadly a persistant cartilige
    injury is going to keep me out next season.
    
    Tony
    
    
    
    

    Reading seemed to have signed Dylan Kerr - a left-back from Leeds for
    75 grand.  He played 11 games for Leeds last season as deputy for
    Dorigo.  Apparently he can also play in the centre of defence or
    midfield.
    
    Chris 

Thanks for that Tony.

	With only 4 weeks to go to Readings glorious season and not alot of 
action in the notes file, let's get some views on the division. Reading will 
be challenging this year, of that we can be sure, but who will be our main 
rivals. Will Port Vale continue where they left off ?, will Bournemouth 
suddenly ascend from the doldrums (I hope not)?, will Hull continue to beat 
us at home in their usual spawny fashion ?, will Orient be unbeatable at 
home (except to us) ?, or will Brentford go straight back up - I hope not ?
	All these questions and more must be answered.

	My prediction for the top 4 in any order.
	Reading
	Port Vale
	Plymouth
	Bradford

Andy

    I'll stick to my note in here dated 12th May.
    
    Top four - P.VALE
    	       READING
               HUDDERSFIELD
               BURNLEY
    
    By my reckoning, Reading's first two games, Huddersfield away and
    Burnley at home are tough.  

    
    My top four have to be :
    
    		Stockport
    		Reading
    		P.Vale
    		Leyton Orient
    
    
    Shaun

    
    Reading have been drawn at home to Northampton in the first round of
    the Coca-Cola Cup.
    
    First leg on Wednesday 18th August
    
    
    Shaun

    Reading's first pre-season friendly resulted in a 2-1 victory over
    Chelsea on Tuesday night.  The game became more competitive as it went
    on.  Williams scored a tap in for the first goal, Chelsea equalised
    just before half time. Quinn scored a penalty about 10 minutes from the
    end.
    
    Our best players were (in order) Shaka Hislop, Tom Jones and Hopkins. 
    Chelsea's best player was Wise.  Missing from Reading's team were Kerr
    (new left full-back), Gilkes, Parkinson and Taylor.  Reading made three
    substitutions, bringing on Hislop, Gray and Gooding for Francis,
    Lambert and Holzmann.
    
    Bearing in mind that friendlies mean nothing, the crowd of 4200 was
    fairly good.
    
    Reading travel to Bath on Saturday before playing WBA at home
    next Tuesday.
    
    One final thing, Hoddle had a right winge about Reading's first goal
    being offside - both in the paper and on TV.  SO WHAT  - calm down pal.
    Actually it wasn't offside - the officials (for a change) were
    sensible.
    
    

    
    Steve Francis has signed for Huddersfield, fee to be arranged.
    
    Shaun
    

    Reading won their third pre-season friendly last night.  After beating
    Bath City 2-1 on Saturday (Lovell scoring twice), Reading beat WBA 2-1
    last night (Quinn and Williams scoring).  

    
    If Francis has left, that obviously means Shaka is no1, but who is
    back-up??
    
    Tony
    
    
    

I read in last week's Chronicle that McGhee was hoping to sign Tommy Wright from
Newcastle. This was when there was talk about Flowers moving from Southampton up
to Newcastle. However, this has probably all changed since then. 10 days is a
long time in football.


Al

    I reckon Shaka Hislop will start as no.1 for the season - I've got no
    idea who the back-up is.   
    
    Reading beat Calne Town of the Beazer Homes League 5-0 away on
    Saturday.  One friendly match left (thank god!) against Portsmouth on
    Wednesday.
    
    I also saw that James Lambert is in a bit of bother - something in the
    paper linked him with a assault charge, I think it said he's bailed to
    appear in court in September.  Shame he doesn't show that sort of
    aggression on the football field !
    
    Chris          

    Reading lost their last pre-season friendly 0-1 to Portsmouth last
    night.  During the game Reading made 6 or 7 substitutions - basically
    giving everybody a run out who was fit.
    
    That's it until Aug 14th - Huddersfield away

    
    Well, it seems that Reading & Micheal Gilkes are no more! Gilkes has
    repeatedly turned down new contracts over the summer and it seems that
    he walked out of the squad photo session.
    
    Lewis and McGhee seem to have lost all interest in his behaviour with
    Lewis saying, "I've got a filing cabinet with files on 30 odd players,
    a sixth of which is taken up with reports about Micheal. He is finished
    with this club as far as I'm concerned".
    
    A sad case of delusions of grandeur from Gilkes me thinks.
    
    Tony
    
    
    

According to last night's evening post, Gilkes has apologised and McGhee and
Lewis are willing to accept this. Gilkes is therefore going to sign a two-year
contract but this is all subject to Madjeski agreeing. He left to go on holiday
saying the offer to Gilkes had been withdrawn. McGhee is therefore trying to
contact him to talk it over but is hopeful Gilkes will be playing on Saturday
against Huddersfield.

Reading also hope to sign David Rush from Sunderland but this is dependant on
the tribunal deciding in Reading's favour over the Steve Francis transfer. This
will be known today.


Neil

At 1pm saturday I passed the Junction on the M1 to Huddersfield and said to my
Wife that she could drop me off here, but she didn't :-( and I had to be content
with spending an anxious Saturday afternoon in Harrogate.

But what a start to the season. A convincing 3-0 Thrashing, and I'm definitely
not talking to her at the moment :-) !!

Any reports

Al

    
    Have we signed David Rush yet????
    
    Tony
    
    

    Last night   -   READING  3   Northampton 0
    
    After a fairly dissapointing first-half, Reading had a purple patch for
    the first twenty minutes of the second half.  Quinn scored a header,
    then Lovell scored after a superb run from Gilkes, and finally
    Parkinson scored from inside the area.  To be honest, Northampton
    played quite well - both sides hit the bar, but overall Reading
    deserved to win.  The second leg isn't for three weeks, but I can't
    imagine that being a problem.
    
    Reading's best player was Dylan Kerr - a great game both defensively
    and attacking.
    
    Next one is Burnley at home on Saturday.
    
    Chris

    
    	..and the Clarets'll do ya!
    
    	2-1 to Burnley (promotion this year)

My first trip to Elm Park last night, and I liked what I saw.

Reading were good for the win, but the crowd couldn't even put together a decent
"aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh...you're s**t" when their goalie took a kick. What is the
world coming to?

Reading passed it about a lot in midfield, but it was noticeable that none of
their goals came from this arty-farty nonsense, Instead, two came from good
old-fashioned corners and the other from a great run by Michael Gilkes who used
strength and speed to round the Northampton right-back before knocking it into
the middle for a nice tap-in.

English football was built not on continental style midfield meanderings but on
exciting, aggressive direct football. Not direct in the sense of long balls but
direct in the sense of running at the goal rather than building up gradually.
This style of football led Man U to the Premier title last year and, though it
pains me to the very pit of my soul to admit it, it was nice to see. 

(I remember watching the Villa-Man U game on Sky last season and the feeling
pant-filling panic everytime the reds got the ball and ran at our goal. Villa
looked very pretty but weren't what you'd call scary.)

I hope more teams this year learn from the Manc example, but I'll certainly go
back to watch the Royals again regardless.

Mike

    
    Five years ago, you wouldn't of dreamed that that someone would call
    Reading a footballing side!!
    
    Tony
    
    

    You would now !!!  
    
    The Clarets didn't do Reading 2-1, they got done 2-1.  And as
    the Burnley fans I spoke to after the game agreed, they felt they were
    quite lucky to get off with only a 2-1 defeat.
    Once again Reading had one superb spell, this time it was the first
    half.  The score was 2-0 but could easily have been 4.
    
    McPherson signed a new deal before the game.  I have also heard that
    Lambert (who can't even get on the subs bench) is just about to join
    Blackburn on loan.
    
    Chris 

My first visit to Elm park this season for what I thought would be a tough game.
However, in the first thirty minutes, Reading were excellent playing some great
passing football and, if it hadn't been for some good goalkeeping and better
finishing Reading would have won very easily. 
 
The team obviously has a lot of confidence at present and McGhee has bought
wisely. Both full backs played well and it was great to see Kerr go on a forward
run to the edge of the opponents box and Gilkes run back to take Kerr's place
at left back. I can't remember when Gilkes last had the commitment to do this.

I can't say I thought McGhee was the best man for the job when he was
appointed manager but he is doing an excellent job. It was also nice to see
Madejski speak to the crowd before the game and outline his hopes and plans 
which include buying a new striker (and he named Rush of Sunderland) in the
near future.

Quinn scored after 10 minutes from a great build up and McPherson scored after
26 minutes from a corner. Burnley scored from a penalty with five minutes left
and to be honest, it was probably the only way they were going to score.


Neil 

 

Is the Lambert that is rumoured to be signing for a loan spell with Blackburn
the 19 year old? He was featured in 90 minutes magazine this month as a Young
Eagle i.e. in their opinion a player to watch out for along with Robbie Fowler
et. al.

If he's that good why can't he get a place?

Mike

    
    Lambert...
    He was a four match wonder. Runs head down, normally towards the corner
    flag.      
    
    Reading were very good Saturday, very confident. However, they have to
    be careful that they don't get too arrogant. They were letting Burnley
    run at them and it was beginning to look dangerous.
    
    Brentford watch out.
    
    Tony
    
    
     
    
    

    
    I'm off to Brentford Saturday. Any of you boys going?
    
    Tony
    
    

    From the coversations I had last Saturday at Elm Park I seem to be the
    only Royals fan NOT going to Brentford.  I foolishly agreed to take my
    missus and kid away this weekend.  At least I've got two games next
    week to go to.
    
    By the way, as long as Reading avoid a disaster at Northampton in the
    second leg of the League Cup 1st round, we've drawn Man City over two
    legs in the second round.
    
    Chris

I think it's time for revenge. 

City are definately on the downward slope at the moment, let's hope they 
don't pick up before we play them.

Tony, are you feeling OK ? Not only have you been to a home match you're 
even becoming an away supporter. What's next, trading in the MUFC shirt for 
those blue and white hoops ? 8^)


The man who wishes he could go to Brentford.

    
    And I'll be going to many more if over 2000 others do as well! 
    
    What a mental occasion!!! We couldn't get in the ground until 3:15 and
    then we had to stand in a cordoned-off bit of the home end. There were
    miiiiiillllions of happy Reading fans there. And what's more, no-one
    looked like starting trouble until the idiotic local Police geed-up a
    part of the section I was in. And why oh why were they stopping people
    put there flags up?? Pure clueless idiots. (as were the stewards).
    Cracking line from one of the mounties with attitude..
    
    Fan: Why can't we go in?
    Cop: There aren't enough stewards to cope.
    Fan: (feeling proud) That's Reading FC for yer!
    Cop: (smugly) There's not many of you here.
    Fan: Then why the f*** can't you plonkers get us in the ground.
    Cop  Errrrrm......
    
    The game, well, Reading's passing game was badly out of touch in the
    first half. Far too many passes went astray, and one from Gilkes led to
    the break from which Joe Allan scored. (he was a prat btw). McPherson
    really should have cleared but was in slow motion.
    
    Brentford then controlled the half and were deserved leaders at h-t.
    However, after the break the Royals took the game to them and tried in
    vain to level matters. A Lovell (I think) header shaved the post,
    Gilkes hit the side netting, a Jones scorcher nearly went in, and I
    thought Lovell was pulled down in the box.
    
    Brentfords very good defence held out, they could have scored a couple
    more themselves. Not many teams will beat them at Griffin Park thi
    year.
    
    I felt Parkinson was outstanding, Quinn was in the centre-halfs pocket,
    Gilkes was the biggest hope of breaking them down, Shaka was brave as
    ever and McPherson/Williams looked a bit shaky.
    
    In summary, absymal linesman (about 18 years old), a referee that
    couldn't keep up, crap away fan facilities, terrible stewards/cops, a
    draw would have been fair.
    
    Tony
    
    ps anyone hear that doddy old winger on 606??
    

    
    Reading v Barnet tonite at Elm Park. I predict a 2-1 victory for the
    Royals against a Barnet side desperate not to lose again.
    
    Tony
    
    

    
    Well, very good news and very bad news. 
    
    The Royals won 4-1 against Brnet last night. Scorers were Gooding,
    Parkinson, Quinn & Gilkes.
    
    The bad news is a late,late horror tackle has broken Tom Jones's leg in
    the same place as last year.
    
    Tony
    
     

    Thank God we only have to play Barnet twice a season, our squad isn't
    big enough.  Barnet will be leaving Div Two by one of two options this
    season - relegated or folded (due to financial reasons).
    Reading played well in patches but still looked a class above Barnet.
    Unfortunately a serious injury to Jones and almost certainly injuries
    for others (Gilkes is one) looks like depleting the squad early in the
    season.
    
    Gooding played superbly, as usual, and when called upon Hislop made a
    couple of good saves - he's a right character.
    
    Nice to see the Reading crowd boo Barnet off the pitch at the end  -
    'cos they bloody deserved it!
    
    Anyway, three more points and four goals was handy.

    
    Do you think Jones will sue?? I would.
    
    Tony
    
    

RE:-1

I don't know about all this suing lark. What with Beardsley suing Ruddock as 
well I think it's getting out of hand.

No matter how much of a thug the Barnet player was, I find it hard to 
believe that anyone would actually go out to break anyone's leg.

I haven't seen the tackle so I can't comment on how late it was, but I feel 
that there will be court cases after every game at this rate. The trouble 
now is that precedents have been set, take Hicks v Futcher, Uzzel v Blisset 
and Absolom v Brentford Police. Every Tom (Jones) Dick and Harry wants to 
get in on the act now.

Obviously sometimes it is justified, take Paul Davis laying out Glenn 
Cockerill, but most of the time I feel it is up to the FA to look at videos 
and fine players. But then the money will go into their executive lunch 
kitty and days out at Wembley comittee - perhaps that's not a good idea 
after all.

I don't know what the solution is but as much as I am feeling for Tom Jones, 
injuries are part and parcel of football. It SHOULD be up to the referees to 
stamp out the bad tackles.

Oh well, on the bright side, a 3-0 win tomorrow.

Andy

    
    Andy
    
    What's this "Star Striker" have you moved up the field since you 
    left us.......
    
    Shaun
    
    
    
    

RE-1: Shaun,

	Even Jimmy Quinn learnt his trade from me.

Another win on Saturday with goals coming from Quinn (2) & Parkinson.

Still in 3rd behind Stockport & Hull by a point.

Wed is the second leg of the CC v Northampton. Should be no problems,
and another trip to Maine Road is on the cards

Al

P.S. Why wasn't the second leg played when all the others were ???

    Firstly,  the second leg against N'ton is tomorrow. The reason for
    the delay was that N'tonshire were still playing cricket and part of
    the football pitch is used as a car park!!!
    Although financially two games against Man City is handy - the out and
    out top priority is promotion.
    
    A sound performance by the Royals on Saturday with my top marks going
    to Gooding.  Also very good performances from both full-backs (Kerr and
    Ranson) and the front three (Quinn, Lovell and Gilkes).
    
    Surprising to see the captain McPherson dropped to sub - was he unfit??
    
    If Gilkes and Kerr had shown a little more composure in front of goal
    the Royals would have scored 5.  However, I'm not complaining. 
    Cambridge started the game strongly but once Reading took the lead they
    looked the better team - and for a while in the second half they
    steam-rollered all over Cambridge.  The effect of this is that with
    about 15 minutes to go most Reading players are knackered but by then
    they've done the business.
    
    After tomorrow's game, Reading have two away league games - Wrexham on
    Saturday and Bradford a week Wednesday.
    
    We've got 12 points - this time last season we had 2.
    
    Chris 

    
    
    Last nights result
    
    	Northampton  0   Reading  2
                            
                          Gray
                          Dillon
    
    
    Shaun

    
    Which Andy Gray ?
    
    Has the one that played for Everton given up his job on Sky ?
    
    Paul

    
    Paul, that joke has been cracked already, on Sky last night. Wasn't
    funny then ;-)

    
    I thought Lambert has been sent back for refusing to train.
    
    Tony
    
    

    RE -1  Apparently Lambert is still with Blackburn and he's played a
    couple of reserve games.
    
    Reports indicate that Reading played cr*p against Wrexham.  Not exactly
    the right preparation for the trip to Bradford tomorrow.  Bradford's
    home record is played 3, won 3, scored 10, conceded 1.  
    
    The consolation is that if someone had said that Reading would be
    fourth after six matches I would have accepted that.
    
    One final point, Reading will not be increasing charges for the Man
    City CC Cup game - quite right to.
    
    Chris

Re:-1
	The Wrexham result doesn't look so bad when you see that 
	last night, current leaders Hull got stuffed 3-0 there, but
	Stockport won 2-1 at York.
	
	A win tonight puts us 1 point behind Hull and Stockport.

	Pred:A lone Gilkes goal enough to see us through.

Andy
	

	I had to be first in there with this one. Superb result last night.

	Bradford 2 Reading 4. (Parkinson,Lovell,Quinn2)
  
	We were 4-0 up at one stage.

	If the 2nd division didn't realise that we mean business, then they 
	do now !

	Quinn 8,Lovell, Parkinson 4 each in just 9 games !!!

	And 18 goals in 7 league games.

	Come on U R's !

    Re: Lambert
    
    He scored for the reserves the other night, i'll pass on whatever
    Saturdays programme says about it. 
    
    You have to be pretty good to be playing in the reserve team at the moment,
    he was the only one who hadn't appeared for the first team.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Andy
    
    Andy

    re .492
    
    > a lone strike for a 1-0 win...
    
    Well close but no cigar....but I guess you're not worried about that
    now.
    
    Could this be Reading's season, with Jimmy Quinn coming through in the
    twilight of his late career....I certainly hope so!
    
    Good Luck.....Ned

    Another three points on Saturday, although it was close.  Quinny scored
    a superb goal in the last minute to clinch it.
    
    Bad points - defensively we missed Ranson and both Williams and
    McPherson have had better games.  The officials.
    
    Good points - Quinny's goal, Gooding's goal and three more points.
    
    Plymouth weren't a bad team but they missed a couple of chances.  The
    one good thing is that if you can play less than 100% and still get
    points from teams then that's OK by me.  
    
    Reading play at Man City on Wednesday and then, more importantly, Hull
    at home next Saturday.
    
    Chris

Top 6

Hull            8  6  1  1  18  13   19
Stockport       8  6  1  1  16   8   19
Reading	        8  6  0  2  21  11   18
Bournemouth     7  4  2  1  10   6   14
Plymouth        8  4  1  3  17  13   13
Blackpool       8  4  1  3  13  12   13
York City       8  4  1  3  10  10   13
Swansea         8  4  1  3   9   7   13

At this time of the year the table is not that important, but one thing to point
out is that the top 3 have already built up a 4 point margin to 4th place. 
(and if Bournemouth win their game in hand it will be 4 point between 4th & 5th)

Not bad after 8 games.

Al

	I watched Man.City last night on Sky and I believe we can get a 
result at Maine Road tomorrow. White and Holden are both injured and may not 
make the game. It was those two that ran us ragged last year.

	It was difficult to see how Man City will play because they did not 
know how to handle Wimbledon, but of course Reading play a superior brand of 
football which City may be more used to.

	I reckon Gilkes will be the man to turn it on. Pred 2-1 to City and 
then a famous victory in the second leg, but as the rest of you I'm sure, 
I'd take a 6-0 defeat if it meant a 6-0 win over Hull on Saturday.


	Does anyone know if City fans are still planning this stay away 
tomorrow in protest to Syrup head Swales ?

Andy.

    The last I heard was that 7000+ fans (part of FLAG - Francis Lee Action
    Group) were planning to boycott this game.  Suits me.

Is the home leg against Man City all ticket? If so, are they on sale yet and
where from?

Reading are League joint top scorers so it should be a goodie against Hull. My
prediction is a 3-1 win for Reading.

Mike

I too saw the game last night, and if Reading can take the game to City, then
anything can happen. Their defence looked totally disorganised, and if Royals
are going to go through, then tomorrow would be the ideal time to get a result,
before the new defence gets to know the ropes, and any injured players are back.

Saturday's game should be a cracker, I'll go for 2-1 to Reading, as we march to
a 100% home program for the season ( In the league ) :-)

Al

    RE - 2
    
    The game against Man City, at Elm Park, is definately NOT all-ticket.
    
    Chris

    The TV highlights portrayed Reading as playing well last night.  The
    second half in particular seemed to be mostly Reading.  The one
    unfortunate thing is that Kerr is likely to be out of Saturday's game
    after a bad 'tackle'.
    
    From what McGhee said on TV last night it would appear that Lovell is
    about to sign a new contract.
    
    Chris  

How serious is Kerr's injury? I thought it might be okay when he carried on
playing afterwards. It will be a blow if Reading lose him.

I'm confident that they can do Hull though.

Mike

    
    I was at the game last night and Kerr`s injury did not look to be to
    bad, after about 10 minutes Kerr was running around Ok, so hopefully
    should be fit for saturday.
    
    The second half Reading should have been more attack minded and gone
    for the second goal, as City looked disorganized at the back, I believe
    that we would of got the second goal.  Instead of just trying to keep 
    passing the ball around looking for a clear cut chance of someone
    getting a good run on goal.
    
    Reading will win the second leg 3-2.

Gents,

	1-1 then , a bit disappointing but did anyone go, can anyone post a 
match report ? Chris, my normal Elm Park gossip guru, is away for two weeks, 
and I'm relying on the notes conference.

	Here's to beating Swansea on Friday and going top.

Cheers.
Andy.

Reading 1 (Hopkins 13m) - Hull 1

A match which Reading totally dominated for the first hour and could have scored
more than once. Indeed the Hull goalkeeper made an excellent save from a Lovell
volley in the first 30 seconds. Reading dominated the midfield and both Dillon
and Parkinson were excellent.

Reading scored following a free kick which Hull failed to clear and Hopkins
forced over the line from about a yard out. Reading created several other good
chances but failed to capitalise on their territorial and possessional advantage.

I can't remember Hull having a shot on target the whole of the first half and 
really were made to look an average team and certainly not one at the top of the
division.

Having said that once they scored after an hour following a mix up in the
Reading defence, Hull gained alot of confidence and for the last half hour they
looked as if they would force the win. The goal was down to Hislop in my 
opinion because he failed to come and collect a fairly routine cross which their
forward mishit over the line.

Overall a disappointing result considering the first half performance but if
Hull are one of the top teams in the division, then Reading really should get
outright promotion this year.


Neil

   Good luck to Reading for tonights visit to Swansea.

   Lets hope the royals can come away with 3 points and take that top slot.

   Nigel

Well it was only a point, with a 1-1 draw, with that man Uwe marking his debut
with a dramatic equaliser in the 87th minute.

We're now 3 points behind Hull & Stockport who won & drew on saturday
respectively.

Man. City on Wednesday, and I think Sky want us to win, as City are playing
tonight. They played on the monday before the 1st leg too, so hopefully ,
they'll:

	a) pick up an injury or two.

	b) be too knackered on wednesday

Who's going??

Al

A question on the Swansea game.

If Uwe made his debut, who was dropped, Archie ?

Andy

    
    Well Reading take on Man City tonight at Elm Park....With everything
    thats going on at City at the moment I reckon Reading will win...
    Any news on Reading's team for tonight....
    
    Prediction   2-1 to the Royals
    
    Neil....
    
    

Unfortunately it was 2-1 to City, saw the
game on Tv and Reading had some good chances
Dibble in the City goal had a bit of a
shocker and was at fault for the Reading
goal and almost gave one away at the end.

Chris Swiffen

At least it wasn't 4-0 like last time!!

I was going to go, but with all the heavy rain gefore the game, I didn't fancy
getting soaked just getting to the ground, and then having to stand for 2 hours
in soggy clothes. So I sat back at home and waited for the highlights. 

After last January's drubbing I would have been pretty happy only to have lost
2-1, but City's goals came from fundamental errors by the defence.

The first saw Lomas alone in the area, with 3 defnders, not one within 6 yards
when he got the ball...

And you NEVER EVER leave Niall Quinn unmarked in the box. Cracking header though.

Shame, as City has Chelsea at home in the next round, and we have a habit of
beating them.

According to BBC Radio 5, which is all I can get here, Reading were the 
better team, and Lovell and McPherson both had efforts cleared off the line 
in the last few minutes.

Oh well, put these Mickey Mouse competitions to the side and concentrate on 
doing the double (Promotion + Autoglass Trophy).

Exeter on Saturday. They took 4 points off us last season, including a 0-0 
draw at their place when we had a perfectly good goal disallowed.
Wrexham went down 5-0 there a couple of weeks ago, but with 3 draws and a 
defeat in our last 4 games, we are looking to bounce back and go top if Hull 
and Stockport both lose (some hope)

Prediction: Exter 1 - Reading 3. I fancy Adi Williams to grab a goal.


Andy


P.S When our our Autoglass fixtures ?

I didn't manage to get to the match last night in the end but I saw it on TV.

I am concerned about some of the goals we are letting in at present. Both goals
last night resulted from terrible defensive lapses and Shaka Hislop has looked
far from reliable in the last three games. Against Hull, he failed to come for
a cross, against Swansea he failed to hold on to the ball from a cross (although
it was extremely wet) and last night he was out of position for Quinn's goal.

On top of this, McPherson is not his old self. He seems to have lost a yard of
pace this year and is not the reliable defender he has always been. Both Hopkins
and Ransom are steady but again not quick. Dylan Kerr has also failed to 
impress in the games I have seen. 

Adie Williams is the real strength but if the supposed interest in him results
in him moving, then I have real fears for our promotion bid being sustained.

What does anyone else think?


Neil

    A stunning 6-4 win at Exeter on Saturday moved Reading into second
    place.  Quinn, Lovell and Taylor (placing his first full game this
    season) scoring two a piece.  The good news is that Reading are almost
    scoring at will this season, apart from the six on Saturday three other
    excellent chances were missed.  The bad news is, as the previous noter
    mentioned, defensive errors.  Williams was missing from the team, and
    it noticed.
    
    At least Reading are playing with a very positive attitude - the two
    subs on Saturday were Gilkes and Harterburger.  Reading were hardly
    going for a draw!
    
    Reading have scored 29 league goals in 11 games this season, last
    season it took 21 games, the season before that 25 games.  In addition
    we have won three away games so far this season, last season was four
    in total.  Finally Reading have won 7 league games so far, it took
    until January last season to reach 7 league victories.
    
    Tighten up the defence and we'll do it!!
    
    re-2  Autoglass fixtures:
    Oct 20 - Brighton away
    Nov 10 - Fulham home
    
    The first result in this group was a 4-1 Fulham win over Brighton.
    
    Chris

Since the last note, Reading have beaten Orient 2-1 at home last Saturday and
drawn 2-2 with Brighton in the Autoglass Trophy. All four goals have been scored
by Jimmy Quinn. Adrian Williams was sent off against Orient for deliberate
handball and, as I have mentioned several notes back, without him this leaves a
big hole in our defence. I don't know how long his suspension will be or when it
takes affect.

Tomorrow we have a very tough game away to Port Vale. Personally I would be
happy with a draw, although if we are going to win promotion, then games like
this are critical.

Neil

    Shaka did not drop the ball, after watching the goals you can see that 
    the ball was punched out of Shaka's by some Orient player.
    
    What a result on Saturday Port vale 0 READING 4, Lovell with a great 
    turn in the box and curled the ball just inside the post, The second
    was a pure check/skill from Taylor to do reverse turn on there byline
    and solt it nicely into the bottom corner.  I thought I was in heaven
    by this time.  I think that it was Kevin Dillion that crossed the ball
    over only for one of their players to handle the ball, just as Jimmy
    Quinn was going to nod it in, He scored any way with the penilty.
    The forth came from a good run from Lovell who solted the ball across
    the box for an unmarked Jimmy Quinn to solt home the forth.
    
    Listening to Radio five on the way home and the have the phone in
    section where all the fans get there say, A slightly depressed Port
    vale fan came on and said that Reading bullied them out of the game
    with hard tackles.  This fan seams to think that Reading will only win
    about another four games this season,  (was He one of the fans that
    left with 20mins still left to play).  
    
    Adie has been quoated as saying that Jimmy Quinn is on fire and nobody
    can put Him out, & if we keep a clean sheet then we will win as nobody
    can stop us from scoring.
    
    Mark Meghee reackons goal ace Jimmy Quinn will play in a higher
    division, "He's a quality player too good for this level.  He can play
    at a higher level and will - WITH READING.

And you're never deprived of incident at freezing Vale Park.

I came home and finally got to see the Royals this season. And I probably 
picked the best result so far.

Division favourites Port Vale started strongly and in the first ten minutes 
could and should have been 1 up. The rest of the half was pretty boring 
midfield play with no real chances at either end.

But straight after half time, Archie spins Ian Rush style - 1-0. The expected 
Vale onslaught lasted for only about ten minutes with them missing 2 sitters, 
good goalkeeping by Shaka, and some superb timewasting by the rest of the 
team. The main stoppage however was for literally 5 minutes (no injury time 
was played !) when Ray Ray Ray Ray Ray etc. Ranson ,limped off injured.

Vale started to get a bit upset and Reading started attacking, and when 
Taylor broke through turned his man it was 2-0. After that it could have been 
6 or 7. Every time we got the ball we looked like scoring and Vale gave up.

3-0 Quinn just about to nod it in when defender handles (no booking !). Quinn 
puts in the penalty.

4-0 Brilliant work from Lovell sets up Quinn for a 2 yard sitter.

Brilliant.

Best Players were Dillon and Lovell.


Andy

    
    
    Anyone care to post the top of the table please. 
    
    Cheers, Paul

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Stockport	13	9	3	1	25	10	30
Reading		13	9	2	2	35	18	29
Hull		13	7	3	3	24	19	24
Bristol Rovers	13	7	3	3	19	14	24
Plymouth	13	7	2	4	26	20	23
Burnley		13	7	1	5	25	17	22
Bournemouth	13	6	4	2	16	10	22
Port Vale	13	6	3	4	23	18	21
Blackpool	13	6	2	5	22	21	20

Saturday's result was a great result and really gives an indication of the
team's potential. I thought a draw would be a good result as I indicated on
Friday but to win 4-0 was really beyond probably anyone's expectations.

Reading are the leading goalscorers in all four divisions by quite a margin and
Jimmy Quinn is the leading goal scorer (19 in total with 15 in the league). 

We have now recorded excellent away wins at Huddersfield, Exeter and Port Vale
having scored 13 goals in these three games alone. 

The irony is that we managed to lose to Wrexham and  Brentford!


Neil

Further to my last note, I have just been reminded that we beat Bradford 4-2
away as well. So 17 goals in four away games (19 in total if you include the
loss to Wrexham).

Neil

Great result saturday.

I thought Saturday's result had to be the best of the day until I saw that
Watford did to their opponents what we did to Plymouth 7 years ago. i.e. 3-0
down with 20 minutes to go, and winning 4-3. Has Kevin Bremner moved to Vicarage
Road :-)

Changing the subject for a second.

Reading Have Drawn Cambridge Utd away in the 1st Round of the F.A. Cup on 13th
November.


Al

    A blinding result indeed against Port Vale,and good to see Scott Taylor
    is scoring.
    
    I thought before the game that Port Vale is probably going to be about
    the most difficult away game this season.
    
    Lets hope Uwe Hartenberger picks up form,(i heard he was a bit
    ineffective in the Autoglass Mug competition) `cos Reading don`t want
    to be in a position where you rely on Jimmy Quinn to keep scoring.
    

    
    Is Uwe in the reckoning for Saturday??
    
    I blerrrrdy hope so.
    
    Tony
    
    

    It`d be good to see wot he`s like....and i`d like to see Gilkes on the
    bench,`cos he`s crap at the moment.
    
    Kieran`s going to the game,btw. Exchiting.
    

    
    I'm drying my knickers out right now Stu.
    
    Tony
    
    

    Uwe won't play unless someone is injured.  You can't drop Quinn or
    Lovell and nobody in the midfield deserves to be dropped either.  He'll
    just have to keep Gilkes company on the bench!
    
    Chris

    Why does Kerr keep taking corners? He`s absolutely hopeless at them.
    The only other person i`ve seen is Dillon,who is a bit better,but
    surely there must be someone who can do a decent corner.
    
    I think i`ve only seen Reading score once from a corner - a header by
    McPherson.
    

Lovell was crap last time I saw Reading. Was this just a bad day on his part?

Mike

    
    Delete that e from believing.
    

    Well, a below-par performance from the Royals, BUT  a deserved three
    points.  Fulham played some good football in the middle of the park but
    I can barely remember one shot they had on target.  Quinn and Taylor
    (twice) could have scored for Reading before Quinn got the all
    important goal.
    A couple of notes back someone mentioned the corners/goals scored ratio
    - well this was a Dillon corner and an excellent near post header from
    Quinny.
    
    Reading have now won their last four games and remain unbeaten at home,
    in the league, since January (17 games).
    
    Tomorrow night is Rotherham away followed by Blackpool at home next
    Saturday.  They will have to play better tomorrow to get anything from
    Rotherham.
    
    Gilkes came on for the last 20 minutes on Saturday and looked fairly
    useful, but with Williams available again tomorrow I wouldn't have
    thought that Gilkes would get a game.
    
    Chris

    
    A girl I work with was chatting to Uwe Uwe all night up the Mill.
    
    Tony
    
    

    Yes,what a lucky girl she is.
    
    Possibly the worst game of the season so far,but Reading won which is
    all that matters. Fulham played like they had no desire to score,and
    were quite happy to scrap for the ball and hoof it down the field.
    There were only 3 real chances for Reading to score - Archie Lovell had a
    clear shot on goal,but passed it to Scott Taylor for some strange
    reason,and the ball bobbled a bit and Taylor missed. The Quinn goal
    from the corner (only the 2nd goal from a corner i`ve seen),and a
    blinding run from Giles passing 3 or 4 players which would have gone
    in but for a great save from the Fulham goalkeeper.  The best part of
    the game was a rousing rendition of "Whose eat all the pies?"
    
    For want of something better to do,i`ll be going to the Rotherham game
    tomorrow night. Lets hope Reading put on a better performance.
    
    

Well if MM gives them the same kind of Rollocking they got after the Brighton
match it could be a good result tomorrow. 

After Brighton we went to Port Vale !!

Al

    
    re.545
    
    Would that be Newth or Brandreth?? Do tell Stu.
    
    Tony
    
    

    That`s Farmer Giles,actually.
    
    
    

    
    Oooo arrrghh my lovelies.
    
    Tony
    
    

    
    So how did Stockport, Hull, B.Rovers etc do? Anyone care to post the
    table again please.
    
    Cheers, Paul. A long way from a 2nd Div table. :(

I know that Stockport won 4-0 and Hull drew.

    re :-2 
    
    Division 2 Top of Table
                P	F	A	G/D		Pts
    Stockport	14	29	10	+19		33
    Reading	14	36	18	+18		32
    Burnley	14	30	17	+13		25
    Plymouth	14	27	21	+6		24
    Port Vale	14	25	18	+7		24
    Hull	14	24	20	+4		24
    Bristol R.	14	19	15	+4		24
    
    Hope this helps
    
    
    Mac

Does anyone know kick off time at Rotherham tonight, as I am thinking of going....

Hopefuly it will be a better showing than the one I saw on Saturday against Fulham...

James.

>Does anyone know kick off time at Rotherham tonight, as I am thinking of
>going.... 

1930

g

Didn't make it in the end....

I also missed the scores last night...

What happened?

James.

Did Quinn score?

James.

    Lovell scored 2.
    
    
    
    GAry

A disappointing result last night having been 2-0 up just after half time.
Archie scored in the 25th and 47th minutes. Rotherham scored 10 minutes after
our second goal and then equalised with about 15 minutes left. 

Stockport unfortunately won 3-0 against Orient so are now three points clear of
us but we remain 6 points clear of Bristol Rovers who are now third. Burnley
lost as did Hull who seem to have blown up recently. Mind you I am not that
surprised since Reading were all over them for the first 60 minutes of the game
earlier this season. Hull actually lost 6-2 to Blackpool who Reading play at
home on Saturday. Still we seem to play better against teams in the top half of
the division.

Neil

    McGhee said on Royal-line that Shaka made a great save four minutes
    from time - so it could have been worse.  A draw away is not a bad
    result, particularly as Burnley, Plymouth and Hull all lost.
    No one in the pack chasing Stockport and us seem to be able to put a
    run together....although saying that, our visitors on Saturday,
    Blackpool, have won their last two games.
    
    Be a tough one on Saturday.

    Having trecked all the way up to Rotherham i was hoping for a win..but
    Reading conceded 2 points,rather than winning 1.
    
    In the first half Reading played tight passing football,and scored an early
    excellent goal by Stuart Lovell. Then early in the 2nd half,Lovell
    scored again and I thought that was 3 points in the bag. Then Reading
    did what they`re prone to do and fell asleep. Once they lost
    possession,they found it very hard to get back in the game. The first 
    Rotherham goal was very odd - it was possibly an own goal by
    Kerr,watched by 3 defenders and Hislop,as it trickled over the line.
    There was the ususal incompetent refereeing,which lead to a free kick
    given to Rotherham which lead to the 2nd goal in about the 80th minute.
    Reading then woke up from their slumbers and did their best to come
    back,but it was too little too late.
    
    Still,the meat and potato pies were excellent. 
    

    
    Were the luuurcals friendly like?
    
    Tony
    
    

  Congratulations to Mark Magee for being awarded Manager of the month for
  Division 2...Well deserved in my opinion.

  Good luck on Saturday..

  Nige

    Manager of the Month,eh? He`s Premier league material,i reckon.
    
    Reading vs Blackpool tomorrow,then. A difficult game is on the
    cards,but i think Reading play best against good teams. 
                        
    

    Reading 1 Blackpool 1.
    
    An enjoyable game,even though Reading didn`t win. A bad error by Mickey
    Gooding let Blackpool take the lead after 10 minutes. Reading put on 
    the pressure for the rest of the game,and thankfully equalised to keep
    their unbeaten home record stretching back to January. Some nice,fluid
    passing,though Reading have got in the habit of taking the ball
    forward - then passing it bacwards again! Very odd. Jimmy Quinn looked
    knackered (he`s ill at the moment,apparently) but notched up his 21st
    goal for this season.  
    
    Thankfully Stockport lost for once,and so did Bristol,so Reading are
    still 2nd only 2 points behind Stockport,and a nice 6 points in front
    of the 3rd placed team. 
    

    RE -1  Good Report.  First half frustration because Reading couldn't
    get going and everything seemed to fall for Blackpool.  Second half
    frustration because Reading piled it on but couldn't get the second
    goal.
    Reading ended the game playing without a right-back as McGhee brought
    on Hartenburger and went for the win.
    An enjoyable game watched by an enthusiatic crowd.  Blackpool's fans
    cheered like mad when the whistle went - getting a point at Elm Park
    is a good result.
    
    Wednesday is Fulham at home in the Autoglass - I assume that Lambert,
    Holzmann, Hartenburger will all play.  A win means Reading will win the
    group (home draw in next round), a draw or defeat by 1 or 2 goals means
    we qualify in second place (away draw in next round), a defeat by 3
    goals will put us out.
    
    Chris

	re .564

>    Manager of the Month,eh? He`s Premier league material,i reckon.

	Maybe you'd like Ian Branfoot back in exchange.

	Southampton supporter of Spitbrook

    Well...he did lead Reading to the heady heights of the Simod Cup
    final..but no ta.
    

    
    He got sacked from Reading. Done a bit of high profile posing in a
    track-suit for Palce and hey presto, he's manager of the Saints! He
    could get by in the long-ball glory days, but now football is becoming
    just that again, he's lost. He should get in room with Don Howe, Bobby
    Gould, John Beck, Dave Bassett & Andy "He took a gamble near post" Gray
    and shoot their load over each other.
    
    Tony
    
    

re:-1

	As much as I hate Branfoot and think that his sacking was the best 
thing Roger Smee ever did, it is embarrassing but true to say that he was 
the most successful manager in Reading's history. 
	Most people are of the thought that he inherited a good team from 
Maurice Evans and didn't do much to change it. In fact on Sky's 'The boss' 
last night he admitted that the early days at Reading were easy and he 
didn't have to do much. There were no injuries, the team picked itself and 
they kept winning.

	But after that, he sold a few and with the exception of Mick Gooding 
I cannot think of one good player he brought in.(someone correct me if 
wrong). The team then went downhill.

	But Third division champions, highest position in Readings history 
(14th Div 2) !!!! (until next year) and Simod cup win.

	If Southampton want to compete in the Premier League they must get 
rid of him now, and then England will probably give him a job.

Rgds.	

    
    For anyone going tonite, I'll wave to you in a patronising manner from
    my seat in the Westcoast private box.
    
    Tony
    
    

    
    Scott Taylor scored the only goal in the 79th minute..
    
    Reading 1 Fulham 0
    
            Andy..B

    
    Worst game of the season by faaaaarrrrrr. Neither team were interested
    in it.
    
    Tony
    
    

    I`m glad I didn`t bother going.
    
    Anyone going to the Cambridge game? 
    

    
    It's in the balance at the moment Stu. 
    
    Tony
    
    

    It may not have been a great game - but we won.  At least we tried to
    win, more than "defend at all costs Fulham" .  Because we won the group
    we are at home to Northampton in the next round.
    
    Most of the talk on the terraces last night was the various travel
    arrangements for Cambridge and Brighton.  Reading will do well to avoid
    defeat at Cambridge.
    
    Interesting note from last night - Gilkes played at full-back and then
    spent more time in the opponents half than he does when he plays up
    front!!

    
    Good point about Gilkes!
    
    I hope I'm going Saturday, it's case of how really.
    
    Tony
    
    

Anyone see Andy 'its the quality of the cross' Gray's boot room last night.
Mark McGhee himself was on, talking about the Manchester Derby. There weren't 
too many references to UR's but he did mention Jimmy Quinn. 

We seem to have a good relationship with Sky. Let's hope it gets us live on 
the FA Cup games soon. It's the only way I ever get to watch them.

Regarding the Autoglass - how many rounds are there ? If we get past 
Northampton, how many rounds left after that ? If we did well great but as 
long as it doesn't interfere with the League.

Any team news for Saturday ?


Andy..

    RE -1
    
    Autoglass - is down to the last 32 (16 in north, 16 in south). 
    Straight forward knockout from now on (extra-time, penalties etc etc)
    
    Re tomorrow - probably a full squad to pick from.  Dillon and McPherson
    are the only ones carrying a slight injury.
    
    Chris

    
    Andy "Get the ball in the box" "he GAMbled Martin"  Gray
    
    Tony
    
    

     
    I see in the Evening post today that Swindon are trying to sign
    quinn..
    
    Andy..B

    
    I bet he'll go too. He isn't exactly a one-club man is. However, I hope
    he doesn't.
    
    Tony
    
    

    I`d hate to see him go n`all. But with Hartenberger signed and Lovell
    having signed a contract at last,I too am expecting the lad to go. 
    Hopefully they`ll get a good defender with the money.
    
    

    Wycombe away in round 2, if we beat Cambridge.
    
    Chris

    Quinn isn't going to Swindon.Good job to,he's the backbone of Readings
    team.Let's not think about selling one good player to buy another for
    a while,and build on the foundation we have got.

    I agree with that. Quinn seems to be the motor of the team at the
    moment.
    
    Did anyone go to Cambridge? Did Quinn play,or was he on International
    duty? I hear Reading were the better team,and missed a number of
    chances.
    

    
    Jimmy "Mighty" Quinn scored another cracker for N.I last night.
    
    Tony
    
    

    I`ve read it was a good `un.
    
    Is it Brighton this Saturday?
    

    
    Yep, fancy going on the beach (nudge nudge).
    
    Tony