Shot-shy Royals blush READING BLANK IT.. BLADES BOSS IT
READING failed to muster a single shot on target as their first game following Paul Clement’s sacking resulted in another horror show.
Arguably, the only saving grace was just 12,066 fans – their lowest crowd of the season – were there to see it last night.
It was Billy Sharp who provided the decisive moment against his former club by breaking the deadlock on 83 minutes.
Promotion-chasing Sheffield United could eventually celebrate victory three minutes later as Sam Baldock headed into his own net.
But caretaker boss Scott Marshall amazingly claimed there were positives.
He said: “It was good to be around the group and look in their eyes and set a challenge to them. They looked quite positive so there are encouraging signs. I’m looking forward to the next few days.
“I’m disappointed things did not work out for Paul. Personally it’s a challenge, we just need to battle on through for one day or one hour.
“We will battle on, we want to generate some togetherness.
“A couple of wins can turn things around quite quickly.”
Clement was axed on Thursday, hours after Nigel Howe returned to his role as chief executive.
Vitoria’s Portuguese boss Luis Castro is favourite to replace ºclement as Reading hunt for a man who can bring the good times back.
There was certainly no signs of any positivity last night despite a bright start. United soon found their stride and had two goals disallowed for offside.
First, Conor Washington headed in after John Egan had nodded on John Fleck’s corner.
And then strike partner David Mcgoldrick tapped in from George Baldock’s cross but, again, the linesman’s flag was raised.
United were much improved after the break with keeper Anssi Jaakkola coming to Reading’s rescue while Chris Gunter denied Chris Basham on the line.
Reading never looked like scoring a and were punished by Sharp, w who bundled home from B Basham’s cross before Baldock’s o own-goal howler.
Blades boss Chris Wilder s said: “There were a few harsh w words at half-time. The first h half was not the level of performance I wanted but we were better second half.
“We’re blessed with Bill thanks to his goalscoring record and the way he takes things by not spitting his dummy out if he doesn’t start. He just gets on with it.”