Robins must show improvement after lacklustre display

AS part of the pre-match build up, Sky put up a table showing Reading bottom of the current form guide (the last 5 games) out of all 92 football league clubs. That made me nervous about our trip up the M4 to the Madejski Stadium.

Surprisingly to me, Dean Holden opted not to make any changes to his starting 11 or formation. With games coming thick and fast, it’s important we rotate the squad.

Yes, we have had it tough the last few weeks but every club is facing the same issues in terms of number of games, Covid-19 rules and an increase in injuries. We have really struggled this season to get going in the first half and play with enough intensity, creativity and attacking intent. Holden has to address this.

The first half was forgettable. Reading must have been low on confidence after their run of results but we never exploited it. We didn’t manage a single shot on target. Holden has developed a habit of getting his side to improve after the break. It’s good he has that impact but worrying how often he needs it.

Ironically, the opening goal for Reading came just after our first notable chance. Reading broke and Jack Hunt and Adam Nagy allowed Ejaria to come inside and his shot was deflected off Zak Vyner past the helpless Dan Bentley. On came first Chris Martin for Famara Dièdhiou and then Nahki Wells for Tommy Rowe. It took until the 60th minute for us to get our first shot on goal. You can’t expect to win games with so few efforts on target.

There was controversy just after when Taylor Moore was booked after taking a heavy touch and jumping in two footed to try and win it back. It wasn’t a great afternoon for Moore and he was lucky to escape the red. Chris Martin was also lucky to only get a yellow after raking his studs down the back of a Reading player.

Sky commentator Don Goodman pointed out that with the change in formation we had looked more threatening and with 20 minutes to go Nahki Wells got the equalizer. Holden was seen punching his chest and obviously felt we could go on and win the game. Unfortunately our defensive frailties put paid to that.

The win was no more than Reading deserved. We were poor and Dean needs a response from his players tomorrow night at QPR. We had poor performances right throughout the side with only Bentley getting anywhere near the level needed.