Another game, another really odd display to try and sum up. Essentially, this is a team that is consistently inconsistent, and a reactive side rather than a proactive one.
At half-time it looked like we were on our way to another timid away loss, but credit where it’s due, the second half was a lot better – and we came away with a deserved point. The annoyance is the inconsistency, and it’s a constant frustration for the fans.
Here’s how they reacted to what ended up being a solid point…
A good point, an odd performance
I seem to be saying, or at least thinking, the same things after every game at the moment and it seems most of the fans are in the same boat.
Even when we get objectively good results, it feels the performance never matches it, meaning there’s always something that just feels a bit off.
It’s a weird situation to be in. Some fans focused on the point, some stressed their concerns with the performance…
Matt Ritchie
The second half was already going a lot better than the first, which isn’t saying much, but the introduction of Matt Ritchie was the moment the contest started to really turn in our favour.
He’s made a really positive impact in all of his performances so far, and is quickly becoming a bit of a fans favourite…
Jack Marriott
There is a player who’s made an even more impactful start to his Reading career than Ritchie though, and that’s Jack Marriott.
Bagging another goal against Stockport, he’s quickly become a vital player for us and is already proving a few of the naysayers (myself included) wrong…
Conclusion
Personally, I think it’s going to take two or three comprehensive wins for me to change my mind on Noel Hunt. He’s got some key players out injured and it is a new team, but we’re seeing the same issues every single game and I still don’t know what he’s trying to achieve in terms of a style of play.
He mentioned after the game that he wants his team to outrun, outwork and outfight teams – and then you earn the right to outplay them – but we have the players to be able to outplay teams from the get-go. This team can be so much more than what it is right now.
With all that said though, it’s a good point. But we need to see it built on.
