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Back the boys and make some noise, as the PA announcer tells the fans
to get behind the Reading side. One question that could be asked to him
is how can we get behind a team that has now played so poorly for the
last two weeks against teams that by our standards we should be
beating. Coppell made a couple of changes from the non showing at
Stoke a week earlier. Steve Brown came in at right back to replace
stand in skipped Graeme Murty who missed out through injury yet again.
Bas Savage also regained his place from Scott Murray. Kevin Watson
stood in as third choice captain. Crystal palace had been lifted by
the news that Ian Dowie will be unveiled as there new manager after
resigning as Oldham Athletic manager. Palace looked much brighter out of the blocks then Reading and had
a number of early opportunities to take the lead including a header
which hit the foot of the post and rebounding out to the relief of the
Royals goalkeeper. Royals lacked anything in the final third with
Nicky Forster yet again being marked out of the game by three Palace
defenders at times and so did not have the support of his team
mates. Bas Savage was once again ineffective down the right side
of midfield, why Coppell keeps deciding to play him in that position
is beyond me when you have a natural right hand sided player in Murray
warming the bench. Ok Murray may not be playing that well but he must
be a better option down the right when we want some quality balls into
the box compared with Savage. It looked like being a goalless at half
time as the fans went down to the concourse to get there pie and a
pint for only £4.00, yes ONLY £4.00! Though if you went down early
then you were likely to miss Palace's two quick fire goals. On 40
minutes a ball over the Reading defence fell nicely to Andy Johnson
who controlled and finished well passed the diving figure of Marcus
Hahnermann. And before Reading could get thee breath back they fell
further behind. 5 Minutes later and they were further behind good work
down the wing this time and when the ball came across goal the
unmarked figure of Routledge who tucked the ball passed Hahnemann..
Christmas had come early for Crystal Palace, a new manager and 2 goals
up at Reading. Changes had to be made!
Half Time: Reading 0:2 Crystal Palace
Surprisingly Coppell decided to stick with the same team that
played so poorly in the first half, and guess what no change. Whatever
Coppell had said at half time made difference as the Royals continued
to struggle against a side that could have been in the bottom three
with a bad result from today's game. Though from a mutual view it
could have been said that it was Palace who were seventh in the league
and Reading who were fourth from bottom. Reading could just not find
that cutting edge which had helped them to such a great start to the
season under the guidance of Alan Pardew. Coppell finally decided to
change it by bringing on Murray to replace John Mackie. New signing
Dean Morgan also made a late appearance as a substitute replacing John
Salako. Neither could really change Reading's dreadful performance
buy Morgan gave some good signs and looked much more interest then
half of the Reading team did.
Palace then added another killer punch to what was already a day to forget for all Reading fans.
Another ball through the heart of the Royals defence made its way to
hotshot Johnson who slotted the ball home sending the Palace fans home
rather happy lifting them further away from the drop zone. The
majority of Reading fans went home saving Coppell from a loud chant of
booing the team firmly deserved.
Full Time: Reading 0:3 Crystal Palace
Man Of The Match: Just as bad as last week, could be seen as controversial
but I am giving it to Ingimarsson.
Ref Watch: Not too bad but his officials got it wrong a number of times.
Attendance: 12,300 - C'mon Reading fans we may be going through a
rough patch but you have got to support your team!
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