Rotherham United Fans Verdict: A Frustrating Trip To South Yorkshire
Harry rounds up the reaction of the Loyal Royals after a poor second half cost Reading dearly.
I don’t think I’ve been frustrated by a game as much as I was after the full-time whistle on Saturday. We were in a prime position at half-time to kick on and get our third win in a row, but let ourselves down with a really frustrating second-half performance.
The two goals were really poor defensively, particularly the second, and then a brain fade from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan killed us, and any hope of clawing our way back into the game.
We know it’s going to be tough at times this season, but the game was there for us - and silly, silly errors cost us again.
Here’s what the fans were talking about the most after the game.
Kelvin’s red card
It was always a struggle to figure out what exactly has gone on in scuffles like that. The Rotherham United player has made the most of it, but you would knowing both Andre Garcia and Ehibhatiomhan were already on yellows.
One thing’s for sure from my perspective: if you’re already booked, just don’t get involved. Don’t give the referee the chance to send you off. It’s silly, a bit petulant, and Ehibhatiomhan should know better.
Here’s what the fans had to say about the incident...
Kelvin E let his team big time today. Got caught up in something he didn't need to get involved in.
— Jack (@thesimpsonRFC) October 5, 2024
Pick up a stupid first yellow for mounting off at the ref which again was unnecessary.
If you are on a yellow don't get involved in scraps #readingfc
Urgh. Disaster second half goes from bad to worse.
— Greg Double (@Dubstep1988) October 5, 2024
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan given a red card after doing a “big brother” defence of Garcia who’d been roughed up by a Rotherham player.
In a depressing comic turn, BBC Radio Berkshire think it’s Garcia has been sent off. #readingfc
Don’t think we deserved to lose today. Silly red card but we were the better team #readingfc
— Chris Murray (@CJM1871) October 5, 2024
Fairly decent first half but that second half was just shocking today. Do we even have an identity when playing away from home? And what was Kelvin doing..? Just so silly #Readingfc pic.twitter.com/CFHFEedpH8
— Jamie C (@JamieCollis1995) October 5, 2024
Not a fan of criticising a 16 year old child! Kelvin was rushing to support Garcia, yes they can learn from it and it was deliberately targeting Garcia (typical Steve Evans) but I can't blame either of them. #readingfc
— James B (@rfc106) October 6, 2024
A poor second half
The first half wasn't great, but we were leading and dealing with what Rotherham were throwing at us pretty comfortably. However, in the second half we looked like a different team.
We let a Steve Evans team do exactly what they want to do: go long and direct, win duels and challenges, and unsettle us and how we want to play football.
We shot ourselves in the foot a bit, and the fans weren’t impressed with what they saw...
Sorry couldn’t keep an eye on the game as was out and about.
— BerkshireBoys (@BerkshireBoys_) October 6, 2024
So 1-0 up first half seemingly playing okay?
Lose 2-1 - what is going on in the second half of games we always look lacklustre.
Anyone who went can you shed some light on what happened? #readingfc
Dreadful second half display. Referee can get in the bin #Readingfc https://t.co/EeDyVCb7Yx
— JNGLJOEL (@joel_shelton) October 5, 2024
Don’t know what Selles told the boys and half time but he needs to never say it again awful second half awful from everyone #readingfc
— (@gyb_8) October 5, 2024
Painful second half so far. We haven't been good enough so far.
— Reading FC (@bluewhitewall) October 5, 2024
They have come out better and cut out their simple mistakes.
I don't see us winning this now unless something magical happens.#ReadingFC
Away form is crap but is it just me or the performances in the second half recently have been trash compared to first half even at home or in wins #readingfc
— emma | JACK DOOHAN F1 DRIVER (@formulamclaren4) October 5, 2024
Absolutely diabolical second half, no excuses for such a poor showing. Horrendous away form continues.#readingfc pic.twitter.com/VrBeGLBOnS
— RFC Latest (@RFCLatest) October 5, 2024
The away form
This is a question that’s probably lingered in the periphery of most fans’ minds since Ruben Selles came in. The wait for an away win this season drags on, but there is a bigger picture that shows us only winning four league away games in Selles’ tenure.
For me, it all feeds into the plain and obvious: this club is a shambles off the pitch at the moments and, until it’s sorted, we won’t find any consistency - home or away.
However, some feel Selles needs to sort things out - perhaps even change shape - when on our travels. All of us want to start seeing some more away wins though...
Everyone kicking off about our away form when we’ve played the top 2, last seasons play off team and a team just relegated from the championship. That’s besides the fact we’ve only got a weaker side and our best keeper is injured ♂️ ♂️ #Readingfc
— Dave Winks (@david_winks1987) October 5, 2024
Sellés is not immune from criticism because of off field issues, and the away form warrants it. We cannot continue doing the same thing away from home and expecting different results. You cannot blame away form on the ownership situation, that's a coaching issue #ReadingFC
— Milo (@MiloRoyal1871) October 5, 2024
Fell right into their trap today. Button has to do better for the second.
— MbenGOAT (@MbenGOAT) October 5, 2024
Away form continues to be absolutely depressing. Long drive back now… #ReadingFC
Slight questions need to be asked about our away form now. A very frustrating 2nd half against a very beatable Rotherham team. Both teams will struggle for top 6 #readingfc pic.twitter.com/YO1evdMNQs
— Ellis (@Ellis5076281381) October 5, 2024
6 points from 9 is nothing to sniff at but away form is unacceptable. Selles has got to figure it out #ReadingFC
— Ben (@BenParsons89) October 5, 2024
And the pathetic away form continues. Might as well forfeit every away match and save us fans all the hassle #readingfc https://t.co/dSkrQBECoD
— Ethan Lewendon (@EthanLewendon) October 5, 2024
Away form is awful again this year. Feels like we are very naive and give up far too many chances. #readingfc
— Nick Knight (@NJK20171) October 5, 2024
Conclusion
A really frustrating way to end what had been a positive week. Even more frustrating when we don’t have another league game for two weeks to try and put things right.
It was just a really, really bad second half that cost us. The first half wasn’t scintillating but we were leading the game, and dealing with the Rotherham threat very well.
We crumbled a little bit, allowed Rotherham to get on top of us, and the red card killed the game. But, and I’ll keep saying this, there is a bigger picture here and until that’s sorted you can kiss goodbye any dreams of consistency or stability - that’s just the fact of the matter in my opinion.