READING’S stuttering form continued as they could only manage a goalless draw against struggling Stoke City in a game of few chances for either side.
The Royals have now only picked up two points from their last three games, with all three coming against sides around them in the table. Having been beaten by Birmingham City at the Madejski, Mark Bowen’s side followed up with a disappointing 1-1 draw at bottom of the table Barnsley in midweek before today’s scoreless game at Stoke.
Sam Baldock returned to the starting line-up replacing the injured George Puscas, while Mark Bowen reverted to a four at the back formation with Tyler Blackett starting at left-back.
With both sides struggling towards the lower end of the table, Reading captain Liam Moore nearly made a fatal error as his mistimed header fell to Thomas Ince on the edge of the box but the defender recovered well as he threw his body in the way of Ince’s shot.
Charlie Adam, who joined Reading on a free transfer from Stoke in the summer, received a warm reception from the home fans on his return to the Bet 365 Stadium as he exhibited his impressive passing range throughout the half.
The Royals enjoyed some dominant possession early in the half, with one move seeing the visitors keep the ball for a considerable period of time, but they were unable to convert their possession into a goal after Michael Morrison came close from a corner but saw his scuffed volley blocked.
The Potters thought they had opened the scoring with just under half an hour played as Ince put the ball in the back of the net from Sam Clucas’ cross, but he was denied by the linesman’s offside flag.
Chris Gunter continued to venture forward from right back and his pull back found Baldock, who may have been better off to have shot first time, but his reluctance to shoot cost Reading a good opportunity as he was quickly closed down.
Ince then tried his luck again, this time from distance after he let the ball run across his body and struck a half volley which whistled just wide of Rafael’s post.
The sides went in deadlocked at half-time at 0-0 with the game there for the taking for Bowen’s side as they looked to push up the table after a disappointing draw away at Barnsley in midweek.
Both sides had early chances in the second half as Adam fizzed a shot across the face of goal before Stoke went down the other end and lashed a chance high over the bar.
After a decent showing, Adam was replaced by Garath McCleary in the 65th minute.
Reading made their second change of the afternoon with Lucas Boye coming on in place of Lucas Joao as Bowen’s men searched to find a winner with 20 minutes left.
A lack of chances and confidence from both sides, reflected in their respective league positions (18th and 22nd) showed with neither side able to create any chances of note in the closing 20 minutes of the game.
Bowen’s final change saw young forward Danny Loader replace Baldock with just two minutes of the contest left.
The Royals remain in 18th position in the Championship table and return to league action at the Madejski Stadium next Saturday against 16th place Derby County, who are just three points above Reading.
Reading: Rafael, Gunter, Moore, Morrison, Blackett, Rinomhota, Pele, Ejaria, Adam, Joao, Baldock.
Subs: Walker, McCleary, Loader, Boye, Meite, Howe Richards.
Stoke City: Butland, Edwards, Batth, Lindsay, Ward, Allen, Cousins, Clucas, Ince, Vokes, McClean.
Subs: Smith, Davies, Diouf, Hogan, Powell, Collins, Woods.
