When I saw Reading starting with Lita, Kitson and Doyle up front I was concerned but I didn't need to be - they were all crap. On that performance Lita isn't worth ?7.
Our midfield started sluggishly, Davies picked up a card after being outwitted by Hunt and we were being over-run. But step forward Cahill and Steinsson. Throughout the game Hunt was Reading's main attacking threat but Steinsson rarely gave him a look in. And Kitson barely got a touch thanks to Cahill. Both look real quality, classy defenders. Cahill in particular made some great tackles and won everything in the air. It's only one game but it seems like we've got a defender we can rely on. All of a sudden AOB looks like the weak link at the back.
Up front Heidar was in and out of the game, though he had a few opportunities to score before his goal - all attempts were off-target. His goal was at the far end so I couldn't really see what happened, but the Reading players seemed to stop and he had all the time in the world to run on to the ball and tuck it under Hahnemann. Their fans were up in arms about it.
Davies was his usual self and spent much of the game on the right flank - no sign of a goal from him but he got the assist for Nolan's strike. Taylor played OK but his penalty was at a comfortable height for their keeper to save.
As time went on we looked really comfortable. Steinsson had to clear off the line from a corner but I can only recall Jussi making one save.
After those two drab goalless draws it was pleasing to see us continuing to attack whilst leading. No, we didn't sign a replacement for Anelka, but if the midfield and attack have a defence they can trust, maybe they will play with more freedom and contribute the goals to keep us up.
An excellent win, and many positives!!!
When I saw Reading starting with Lita, Kitson and Doyle up front I was concerned but I didn't need to be - they were all crap. On that performance Lita isn't worth ?7.
Our midfield started sluggishly, Davies picked up a card after being outwitted by Hunt and we were being over-run. But step forward Cahill and Steinsson. Throughout the game Hunt was Reading's main attacking threat but Steinsson rarely gave him a look in. And Kitson barely got a touch thanks to Cahill. Both look real quality, classy defenders. Cahill in particular made some great tackles and won everything in the air. It's only one game but it seems like we've got a defender we can rely on. All of a sudden AOB looks like the weak link at the back.
Up front Heidar was in and out of the game, though he had a few opportunities to score before his goal - all attempts were off-target. His goal was at the far end so I couldn't really see what happened, but the Reading players seemed to stop and he had all the time in the world to run on to the ball and tuck it under Hahnemann. Their fans were up in arms about it.
Davies was his usual self and spent much of the game on the right flank - no sign of a goal from him but he got the assist for Nolan's strike. Taylor played OK but his penalty was at a comfortable height for their keeper to save.
As time went on we looked really comfortable. Steinsson had to clear off the line from a corner but I can only recall Jussi making one save.
After those two drab goalless draws it was pleasing to see us continuing to attack whilst leading. No, we didn't sign a replacement for Anelka, but if the midfield and attack have a defence they can trust, maybe they will play with more freedom and contribute the goals to keep us up.