Guest blog from Paul Nash at Pride Park
Following Rodgers’ “skilled soldier” comments last week, Reading fans at Derby saw the hoops using military precision to overcome the enemy despite being outnumbered. Unfortunately it was a member of the marines cunningly disguised as Kingsley Royal rounding off a display of unarmed combat; half time entertainment that stood out like an undigested sweetcorn kernel in the turd that was this clash at the dirty end of the championship.
Once more, Reading threw away a lead, surrendering to a nasty, unimpressive Derby outfit. It was a match of mis-placed passes, mis-timed tackles and defending that would be best described as schoolboy, if not for fear of offending the under-tens. The Royals may have the stomach for a fight, certainly there was no lack of commitment (okay, Kebe was akin to a conscientious objector), but the deficiency of technique and tactics displayed confirms we are where we are because we that’s where we deserve to be.
No-one left Pride Park with any dignity yesterday, least of all the home fans who were silent until encouraged by their mascot to abuse Howard after he suffered a jaw injury that may require surgery. That over thirty-thousand paid to see football of a standard they could watch for free at Prospect Park is testimony to their loyalty, I suppose. Or perhaps they should just be sectioned.
Referee Haines is another who should hang his head in shame for the part he played in this unedifying contest. A mere middleman, he should have passed his cards to Robbie Savage at the beginning of the game, for he obediently issued cautions when prompted by the always despicable Derby skipper. Kebe was booked for a spot of gentle shirt tugging and when he was, in turn, assaulted by Hulse’s two footed lunge, Haines judged this a comparable infringement, worthy only of a yellow. Later on, as Haines allowed Derby to foul substitute Shane Long with impunity, the Irishman jumped up from a nasty challenge that didn’t draw the free kick it warranted, and extracted his revenge on the perpetrator. The red card that followed was entirely deserved and now leaves Rodgers short of strikers. Alex Pearce filled in for him during the remaining minutes at Derby, and perhaps our very own John Terry will reprise this role up front, with two million pound man Matt Mills joining Ingi in our creaking back line.
Rodgers claims that his charges attained their latest four game short-term target. If this target had not been revised to include at least a point against Clough’s strugglers, then the poverty of ambition is there for all to see. We have a clueless manager and a couldn’t care less chairman. Make the most of the forthcoming FA cup tie with the scousers, because with these two at the helm, sides of their calibre won’t be regular vistors any time soon.
Posted by toddnash
Posted by toddnash
Posted by toddnash 






