Five Things From Reading’s Proper Team Display Against Charlton

Reading were excellent on Saturday to record a 2-0 home win over in-form Charlton Athletic at the SCL.

Testament

Some days are etched into your memory when following Reading FC. Some are easily forgotten, like last week’s showing in North Wales. But this showing was quite the spectacle that deserves to be lauded instead.

This had all the hallmarks of a proper Ruben Selles team performance which epitomises everything our Spaniard manager wants from his charges. The energy, presence, power, persistence, skill, composure, teamwork and spirit were all very much present. And, in fairness to Charlton Athletic, they had to be as they had us on the ropes for spells, especially in the second half.

It’s a testament to how resilient we were under Selles. Earlier in his tenure we’d have folded like a terrible poker player. But when the stakes are it their highest, we’re finding different ways to win football matches nowadays.

Respect

This was one of those games where whoever took the lead was likely to go on and win the game. Two young managers pitting their wits against each other. Nathan Jones paid us the utmost respect by trying to man-mark Lewis Wing in the second half as he had dominated possession in his quarterback role, drifting into pockets to receive and distribute the ball with ease.

Fortunately for Selles, he had other options in Charlie Savage and the ever-impressive Ben Elliott to take over where Wing had been ever so slightly shackled. And that’s where this game was won, where we had to adapt, and by jingo, they did it ever so well!

We shouldn’t be surprised when Savage receives the ball near the edge of the box and witness what the end result is, but this one was pretty special. In tandem with Elliott, who had the easiest assist of his life by laying on the pass, Savage unleashed a thunderous drive that kissed the post on the way through. Sublime!

Up until then it was nip and tuck between the two sides. Charlton huffed but had no real end product to speak of, but they had their moments to hurt us. But our defence was resolute. The entire back four put in quite the shift and should be rightly proud of their actions.

Strength

None more so than Tyler Bindon, who spent time on the floor after landing awkwardly in the first half and then further time recovering after another hard tumble which led to Wing putting Bindon into the recovery position, such was the severity of his landing.

Up until then, he and Amadou Mbengue had been incredible in the centre of defence. Both have become stronger and determined this season it would seem, winning their own battles with pure strength and agility. They’re not just young kids who were thrust together, borne out of necessity; it’s a proper partnership now.

But the same can be said of many. Michael Craig is doing a sterling job at right-back. His acumen as a footballer rises week on week. Elliott has cemented his place in central midfield, having adjusted to life in League One. His ability to drop into pockets of space has always been so smart, but now he’s physically adapted to the required role. He’s no pushover in the centre of the park any longer.

Perfect

And then we come to the goal that put the whole contest to bed. As simple but as perfect a goal as you’re likely to see. Adrian Akande, who has arrived on the scene in fine fashion, had the entire half to run into, surrounded by several Charlton defenders - well, the ones who were paying attention some kind of attention anyway. His cross had to be perfect as there were even more Charlton defenders surrounding Sam Smith who was lurking in the box.

The cross was inch-perfect, low and hard. Smith had nothing else to do other than to prod the ball home from six yards. He couldn’t miss.

Afterwards, Nathan Jones was scathing of his team for conceding the goal, and rightly so. Charlton had SEVEN players in and around, Smith and Akande and none of them put a foot in or challenged either. It is the kind of goal that any manager would be livid about conceding, but Jones could not hide his extreme displeasure at how they capitulated.

But for Akande in particular, that must have felt ever so sweet to deliver such an important goal on a plate for Smith. But, again, should we be surprised? Every time we have to replace a player that we’ve lost, someone steps up, physically and figuratively.

It’s not a happy coincidence any more. It’s all down to the hard work and ethos of our management team. The fruit of this evolution was as succulent a three pointer that you’d get in the last knockings of summer.

Slap

And that’s where we have to wrap up this whole win into a cute little bundle, slap a bow on it with a sign saying: “Yeah, we can do this despite having the worst owner in the history of football (probably), having not been able to sign a single player in the transfer window (until, we somehow managed to get one done, magically!) And still despite having lost so many players to pay the bills, time after time after time, we can still topple a side that had previously won all their three games.”

OK, it’s pretty big sign, but nonetheless, it’s worth showing it off!

Overall, it was quite the day. Rob Couhig was in attendance once again. For the second home game in a row, he was treated to a fine spectacle of a game in each and two home wins for (almost) his club.

And behold! What is this? A half-time reveal of a NEW SIGNING? Unreal scenes unfolded before our very eyes as Chem Campbell was paraded to much applause from everyone who wasn’t in the concourse or an Addick. All rather bewildering and surreal, but I guess you’ve just got to roll with it.

(See what I did there?)