Wrexham Fans Verdict: Reading Put To The Sword
The fans react to a tough afternoon for a stretched Reading team.
So, Fans Verdict is back, I know you’ve all missed it. Here’s to hoping these pieces will be overwhelmingly more positive than the last few seasons. But it hasn’t got off to the best start...
After a few matches where I could’ve brought you some positive sentiment from the Loyal Royals, Fans Verdict returns with a 3-0 away loss. Classic.
As ever though, there was still a lot for the fans to dig their teeth into after the game...
The referee
I don’t think the referee was that bad on Saturday, a lot of the penalty claims in the first half would've been soft to say the least. However, it seems my fellow Loyal Royals tend to disagree with that.
There were definitely some questionable calls from the officials, as there always are in this divisions. And whether or not the referee was swayed by the home crowd is a matter of personal opinion.
Whatever you think, it certainly gave the fans something to talk about after the game...
Also very clear today the ref was a HUGE Ryan Reynolds fan #readingfc
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard) August 24, 2024
Ah so Hollywood money can now afford refs too, nice to know #readingfc
— JP (@JMP1871) August 24, 2024
The ref’s a Deadpool fan obviously. That or the EFL know the takeover is close so they’re using their only remaining outlet to screw us over. #readingfc
— Chris Beale (@bealec1988) August 24, 2024
League one referees at it again! Clear foul on Kelvin E #ReadingFC
— Daniel (@daniel_breen123) August 24, 2024
NO FOUL REF?! #ReadingFC #WXMREA pic.twitter.com/fzcnYaBDAN
— Ross G (@RossGibb_) August 24, 2024
This bloody ref #ReadingFC
— Milo (@MiloRoyal1871) August 24, 2024
Two stonewall penalties, refs being useless again #readingfc
— Jack (@thesimpsonRFC) August 24, 2024
Poor defending
As much as it’s easy to point the finger at the referee, he wasn’t the reason we lost the game. All three of Wrexham’s goals were pretty poor from our point of view.
The first two we got punished down our left-hand side too easily, and the third - depending on how you look at it - was either some pretty weak play from Ben Elliott and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, or a foul on the latter.
The fans weren't impressed with their sides defensive efforts...
Another masterclass in defending!#readingfc https://t.co/druIpOX0qg
— SOUTHBANK 1️⃣8️⃣7️⃣1️⃣ (@longlaneroyal) August 24, 2024
Disgusting defending yet again. Blatant foul in the build up as well. Waste of everyone’s time #readingfc
— Jacob Potter (@pott95) August 24, 2024
Well, we've played well in parts. Just, as per usual with us, we're our own worst enemy. Gifted them two goals. The basics of defending are missing again. #Readingfc
— Guilty, I support Reading. (@Reading106) August 24, 2024
Worst I've seen us play for a long time. Especially defending. All over the place. #ReadingFC
— Milo (@MiloRoyal1871) August 24, 2024
Dorsett really needs to stop going into midfield randomly and leaving the left back position wide open #readingfc
— (@gyb_8) August 25, 2024
Dorsett should have done so much better for the 2nd #Readingfc
— Xan Frank (@Xx_XanFrank_xX) August 24, 2024
Not Dorsett's day. #ReadingFC
— Reading FC (@bluewhitewall) August 24, 2024
No killer touch
Although we left a lot to be desired defensively, I think it was more of a case of being punished very clinically by the hosts. If we’d have shown half of that level of finishing or ruthlessness, we’d have been 1-0 or 2-0 up ourselves.
So many times we worked good openings and got into promising areas, before fluffing our lines or just refusing to pull the trigger. For me, this was a bigger frustration than the defending, because we played well up until the final third.
Was a hard watch today, poor defending for the goals and no killer instinct in the final third. Injuries already taking their toll on an already small and inexperienced squad. Referee absolutely atrocious, completely incompetent. Huge week ahead for our club #readingfc
— James Grant (@jamesgrant1992) August 24, 2024
Mark that down as one of those days. Wrexham more clinical, ref poor, and we looked toothless up front.
— Richard Langley (@simply_langers) August 24, 2024
Had the blatant penalty been given and the two that hit the bar it’s a different story. Hey ho. #readingfc
Wrexham clinical on the break twice but #readingfc playing all the football. So poor in final third. Smith not at it and all very shot shy. There will be chances but we have to score next.
— Nick Knight (@NJK20171) August 24, 2024
#Readingfc 3-0 was harsh today. Yeah we got done on the break but a lot of our passing and build up play was excellent. Just the final ball wasn't there today.
— Chris Price (@ChrisPrice_Esp) August 24, 2024
Reality check for us.
— Ellis (@Ellis5076281381) August 24, 2024
Outmuscled, outworked and clueless in the final 3rd #readingfc
Conclusion
A really difficult afternoon which laid bare all the issues we really need to address. We got punished by a clinical team, lacked any kind of ruthlessness ourselves, and didn’t have the capability to change things up when trying to chase the game.
There were however some rays of positivity. We stuck to to our guns, played our way, and worked some really nice openings. On another day we win that game 3-0, not lose it.
But we did lose it, so we can’t have any real complaints. This coming week is not just a huge one for our season, but for out future. New owners are needed, and then new signings.