FOLLOWING a successful debut last week, our new weekly Reading FC column is back!
Each week, Simeon Pickup, journalist, lifelong Royals fan and editor of leading Reading fansite The Tilehurst End will delve into what has gone on at the club over the past seven days to give a view from the supporter base, exclusively for The Wokingham Paper.
PODCAST: Victory and two signings make for a cheery podcast this week!
A NEW HOPE
By Simeon Pickup –
Reading’s 3-1 win at Burton Albion has given them something they haven’t felt in far too long: hope.
It wasn’t just getting three points, which we haven’t managed since early December, but also the nature of doing so which should give cause for optimism.
The Royals have shown themselves this season to be very capable of blowing an opportunity like the one presented to them at the Pirelli Stadium.
We’ve already seen leads wasted at relegation-threatened Millwall and Barnsley, whilst Birmingham City and Burton themselves have each managed wins in the last two months.
So, being able to beat The Brewers on their own patch took a level of drive and self-belief that simply hasn’t been there in recent weeks.
In truth, Reading weren’t that far away from getting better results out of games against Hull City, Brentford and others, but they didn’t have the confidence to do so. That was not
the case against Nigel Clough’s side.
The first goal was, as it always is, vital. Burton are going through similar difficulties to Reading, and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s 20th-minute opener allowed The Royals to kick their opponents while they were down.
Barring the equaliser after the break, that resolve and self-assuredness meant that the away side always looked good value for a win.
It’s that confidence which Reading must take into Saturday’s game against Millwall.
As one fan aptly put it on Twitter on Tuesday night, one swallow doesn’t make a summer, and The Royals can’t afford to let complacency slip in before Saturday without taking Millwall’s threat seriously.
Not only have Neil Harris’ side already beaten Jaap Stam’s men this season, but they have also had their own boost this week in the arrival of Tim Cahill. Reading must nullify that at the weekend by taking the initiative and, as on Tuesday, getting an early goal.
It may be a little early to be talking about back-to-back wins for the first time in several months, but achieving that might just be the start of better times.
Simeon can be found on Twitter @BucksRoyal and his website’s account is @TheTilehurstEnd.
If you missed Simeon’s debut column, it is available here.
