COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

There are many words to sum up yet another pathetic performance, many not suitable to write but the simple matter of the fact is Reading are not good enough. There's no flair, no fight, we are slow, predictable, cannot score and its time Manager Steve Coppell sorted it out.

Reading now lie just inside the play-off's with Derby, Sheffield United and Preston breathing down our necks. Coppell decided to keep with the same team that performed poorly against Leicester in the cup apart from Steve Sidwell returning to the heart of the midfield to replace the suspended Ricky Newman. Bobby Convey did not even feature in the squad.

As par usual The Royals started brightly before Plymouth got going. The Pilgrims came for a point and although they did not stick their coach in front of the goal they were certainly never in too much of a rush to get into Reading's half. Yet again Reading had most of the possession for the whole match but hardly had a shot on target which is an appalling statistic. The most notable effort coming from veteran forward Les Ferdinand whose header was well saved by Plymouths keeper.

Plymouth missed a golden opportunity when new loan signing Dexter Blackstock somehow put his effort wide from 10 yards out when he had the whole goal to aim at.

Half Time: Reading 0:0 Plymouth

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Reading dominating but failing to ever look like scoring. The closest they did come was right at the death when Nicky Forster hit the bar.

As Reading pushed for a winner late on surprisingly Steve Coppell decided to take off Reading most dangerous threat, Les Ferdinand to bring on a centre half, anyone managed to work that one out? It defiantly didn't improve things and later on Nicky Forster was also sacrificed to bring on Lloyd Owusu. So The Royals finished the game with a striker who has scored five goals this season and a centre half. Plymouth supporters probably could not believe there luck.

Changes must be made before Reading head to Elland Road to face a rejuvenated Leeds outfit, a new striker may not go a miss and a spark in midfield is needed. Lets hope for a goal and three points at Leeds, I've got my fingers crossed!

To see a round-up of all the weekends Championship results please Click Here

Full Time: Reading 0:0 Plymouth

Man Of The Match: Ivar Ingimarsson

Solid as ever but no one played really deserved it as the performance was yet again not good enough.

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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

12th February 2005, Madejski Stadium, 3:00 PM Kick Off

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