Reading Vs Doncaster - 19th October 2013

 

Danny Guthrie celebrating Reading's opener

 

 

Pavel Pogrebnyak inspired Reading to a 4-1 win over Doncaster Rovers on Saturday moving them firmly into the Play-Off places.

 

In-form Danny Guthrie took the lead for the Royals with a curling effort from outside of the box beating Rovers keeper Ross Turnbull for his third goal in four games, shortly after Rovers equalised from close range  through early-substitute Theo Robinson.

 

Adam Le Fondre then flicked on Garath McCleary’s pass to restore Reading’s lead before the break. At this point Doncaster then lost their captain and had to play with 10 men for the rest of the game after what looked like a serious arm injury forced the skipper off.

 

Shortly after, McCleary found the net after making good use of Hal Robson-Kanu. The Royals then took advantage of playing against 10 men and barely let Doncaster touch the ball. Man-Of-The-Match Pogrebnyak scored Reading’s fourth in the seventh minute of added time drilling the ball into the roof of Turnbull’s net.

 

The Royals moved past Watford into sixth place with momentum definitely going Reading’s way, Nigel Adkins added after the game;  "I'm so pleased for Pavel, it was an absolutely super finish. He's been working so hard at the training ground. It's all been down to him and he's now reaping the rewards.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex McCarthy called up to latest England squad.

After many impressive performances over the last few weeks for Reading, Alex McCarthy has finally been called up to the England setup. Since his return from injury against Liverpool in mid-April McCarthy has performed at a England level standard and has kept Reading in many of their post-relegation matches. McCarthy has previously featured in the England U21 setup making 3 appearances for Stuart Pearce's side. McCarthy is the first Reading player to come through the youth ranks to be called up by England and youth coach Eamonn Dolan was more than delighted with the call up, he had this to say on the matter :-

McCarthy for England U21's

"For Alex to make the England squad and hopefully get a cap will be thrilling for him, Credit goes to Sal Bibbo, Colin Barnes, Steve Smith and Alex's father and many others who have worked with him and helped shape him into the fine player he is, they will all be delighted"

 

Many of Alex's Reading team-mates have congratulated McCarthy over his call-up on Twitter with Adam Le Fondre, Hal Robson-Kanu and Noel Hunt all showing their congratulations.

With the call-up their are likely to be many Premiership teams interested in the 23 year old but Adkins has stated that it would have to be a big amount of money to move McCarthy     away from the Royals who seems very reluctant to sell the goalkeeper.

 

Is Uche Ikpeazu the next big thing?

Reading U18 striker Uche Ikpeazu

This year in Reading FC U18's Uche Ikpeazu has bagged a remarkable 28 league goals in their very successful season, and having just won Reading FC Scholar Of The Year for the 2012-13 season the future is looking bright for the young striker. The u18's are currently sitting 2nd in the U18 Premier League sitting 3 points behind Fulham who have played a game more and sitting 1 point ahead of Man Utd who have played 2 games more, the U18s could end the season winning the League which would be seen as a huge achievement by many. the Royals are currently on a  9 game unbeaten streak beating the likes of Man Utd, Fulham, Chelsea and Everton. The 18 year old Nigerian striker has bagged an incredible 5 hat-tricks over the course of the season, one of those was against Chelsea and two against Arsenal in both fixtures in the season. Many have likened him to his idol Didier Drogba in his approach to the game, and his playing style. I would not be suprised if he is a regular starter in the next few seasons as his talent is undeniable, a natural goalscorer which is just what the first team needs! Unfortunately he hasn't been given any chance in the first team set up this year, but it will naturally take time to break into the time, i think Uche could be the missing link in a winning formula that has been clearly missing this season.

Rodgers wants Pearce!

Rodgers sets his sights 
on Pearce
Liverpool look set to sign Royals defender Alex Pearce on a free transfer when his contract expires in the Summer. Pearce would be reunited with former Reading boss Brendan Rodgers if he were to join the Merseyside giants, Pearce has reportedly turned down 8 fresh offers from Reading giving Adkins no choice but to sell last seasons Player of the Season and Vice Captain, Pearce hasn't played since last months 4-1 loss to Arsenal  which has sparked the fresh speculation that he is heading towards the exit door at the Madejski Stadium, Rodgers believes that Pearce could be the perfect replacement for retiring legend Jamie Carragher, Rodgers is also a very big fan of Pearce often admiring his work rate and dedication and making him Captain when he was Reading manager. Personally i think it will be a very big loss for the Royals as his work rate is second to none and always gives 100% for the team, but i do believe he is replaceable with Sean Morrison proving his worth this season he could be the successor to Pearce. i personally wish Pearce the best of luck at Liverpool if the deal does happen as i am a huge admirer of the Irishman.

Relegation ...

Reading and QPR will both be championship teams next year as the inevitable relegation was finally confirmed after Sundays stalemate between the two teams, it was a game where neither team showed any real determination or will power to try and hold off the relegation back down to the Championship, but as the final whistle blew the inevitable was confirmed. It was a game of very few chances with Pavel Pogrebnyak having the best chances for the Royals shooting wide and a goal line scramble finally denied by Jose Bosingwa, Sean Morrison had a chance to grab all three points for the Royals in the final stages of the game, only to be denied by Rangers goalkeeper Rob Green.  Esteban Granero had the best chance for Rangers when he saw his first half free-kick clip the bar of Alex McCarthy's goal, Adel Taarabt also had a few chances to put Rangers on top, but fluffed the opportunities
 when they came his way considering the occasion both sets of fans where in very high spirits as they have both known for quite some time the fate of their clubs, In fact the fans singing was the most interesting part of the game in my opinion with both sets of fans singing " Clap your hands, if you're going Bournemouth " or " Clap your hands if your not going Wolves " which gave the game a much needed comedy aspect as what was happening on the pitch wasn't worth watching. Watching Reading this year has been painful and makes me wonder why i payed £150 for a season ticket to sit in the cold on a Saturday afternoon and watch my team lose week in, week out. but then again we cant be too harsh on the players, they gave their all they were just not simply made for the big time.

Adam Le Fondre and Pavel Pogrebnyak vs QPR

Ins & Outs in the Summer

Outs

Mikele Leigertwood - Simply not good enough for the new Reading, has had a shocking season and would just be surplus to requirements at Reading next season.

Alex Pearce - With the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle sniffing around him, i cant see him signing a new contract and staying on in the Championship next season

Ian Harte - Has done more than his fair share at Reading over the last few seasons, and considering his age, his contract situation and first team football opportunities elsewhere i doubt he will stay on at the Royals

Jobi McAnuff - Yes hes the skipper, but what has he really done this season? just run up and down the wings like a lunatic with no final product, has to go for me

Noel Hunt - out of contract in the summer, other first team opportunities elsewhere, bye bye Noel!

Ins

New Striker - We need a goalscorer! its as simple as that, we cant be relying on a super-sub for the rest of our lives, we need a proven  striker who has scored bagfuls of goals wherever they have been, my ideal signing would be Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes, has proved he can score goals in a below average team and i think if you add him into the Reading team with the service of HRK, McCleary & Guthrie he is bound to score loads of goals!

Left Back - i think Southampton's Danny Fox would fit in a treat in the Reading team, will obviously have strong links with Adkins, and with him not getting many games at Saints he could be persuaded.

Possible Line Up for next Season

So be loud, be proud, back the boys and make some noise!

COME ON URZZZZZZ!