Archive for the 'sidwell' Category

Chelsea are coming to the Mad Stad

Published by
Terry
at August 15, 2007 in Stephen Hunt, chelsea, madejski and sidwell. 0 Comments

I’m actually a little bit nervous ahead of the game tonight against Chelsea.  Not entirely sure why, as I can’t remember being nervous for a Premier League game before.  Certainly not before the Middlesborough game, that was just pure excitement, as was Sunday’s game against Man United.  Also, we have very little to lose as Chelsea are one of the big four.  I wasn’t particularly bothered about losing 4-0 to Arsenal, although it is not something I’d want to watch every week. 

No, I think I’m a little bit nervous on behalf of Stephen Hunt.  As the media has helpfully pointed out, it will be Chelsea and Petr Cech’s first visit to Reading since that night.  I’m sure he’ll take it in his stride, but I’m worried Mourhino will do something, or Hunt will let the occasion get to him, react badly to a challenge or something. 

I almost forgot about the return of Steve Sidwell.  I’m sure he’ll get a cheer from most of the Reading fans (probably when his name is read out as one of the substitutes).  Cech will also be applauded and Hunt will be cheered.  I’d like to think Mourhino will be totally ignored, but I know better.  Still, he deserves it, and probably loves the abuse anyway.

The bus comes at 7 and hopefully will manage to get up the hill; we were so nearly late for the last evening game.  There are more buses this season, and a train station is planned for 2008, so that should help with the traffic a bit. 

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News in briefs (cos it is the holiday season)

Published by
Terry
at May 24, 2007 in Shorey, madejski, murty and sidwell. 0 Comments
  • Reading to extend ground capacity Excellent (providing we stay up) but they must do better with the public transport otherwise the traffic chaos will just get worse.
  • Steve Sidwell joins Chelsea I can understand the attraction for Steve but I hope he is prepared for a lot of time not playing much football. As much as an admirer of Sidwell as I am, I don’t think he is good enough for Champions League, so will be very much a squad player
  • Congratulations to the Murtys on the birth of their daughter.
  • Shorey in England B squad Not good enough. What I mean is that he should be in full squad :)
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Tottenham 1-0 Reading

Published by
Terry
at April 2, 2007 in Premiership, Previews, Reading, federici, greg halford, hahnemann, kitson, leta, robbie keane, sidwell, tottenham and white hart lane. 0 Comments

Reading were beaten at White Hart Lane by a dodgy penalty decision. However, a host of missed chances in the 2nd half meant that Tottenham could only win 1-0.

Poor Greg Halford. His starting debut on live on Sky was marred as the ball bounced of Robbie Keane’s knee onto his hand. When this normally happens the commentator usually remarks that “he has seen them given” when usually they are not. Well, this one was, unlike the two ball to hand non-penalties that the ref correctly didn’t give in the 2nd half.

Halford actually had a good game in the end. He did look a bit slow but he was up against speedy wingers, particularly Lennon and was caught up field a lot when Reading were chasing the game in the 2nd half. Murty is still first choice, but Halford is one for the future.

Hahnemann played well until he got a hip injury and was replaced by Federici at half-time. Federici also made a couple of good saves. The defence was fairly good, despite being exposed by the midfield which was where we lost the game. Little and Hunt contributed little despite some earnest ball hunting. Harper and Sidwell lost the centre midfield battle and Gunnarson should be given a run in the middle.

Up front, Leta and Kitson played fairly well but only created two (excellent) chances. Leta hit the post with a powerful header, and Kitson hit a snap shot straight at Robinson. Doyle couldn’t get into the game when he came on.

The season looks like it will petter out unless we can pick it up. Perhaps a good win against a distracted Liverpool on the 7th will do the trick. Putting one over on Pardew at Charlton will do nicely too.

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Is getting into Europe a good idea?

Published by
Terry
at March 20, 2007 in Articles, Reading, bolton, coppell, europe, sidwell, uefa cup and west ham. 1 Comment

It seems that most managers and fans think that qualifying for Europe is a good idea. Except Reading manager Steve Coppell.

Coppell said :-

“We’re not geared up for Europe.
“It would be too heavy a load in our development, which would not be good for us.”

Why wouldn’t a manager show the ambition to get into Europe?

For a start it is important to remember that it is Reading’s first ever season in the Premiership and they have vastly exceeded expectations. It is reasonable to believe that the Pragmatic One is looking at next season and thinking that Reading will struggle. It is reasonable to believe that Reading will not finish as high next season as this. No one knew anything about Reading this season. Next season they will.

It is important to get as good as start next season as we did this, where we amassed enough points at the start to get over a dodgy spell where we played United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in the space of 6 weeks. Add in a few games in Europe and a little tiredness means a few more dropped points and suddenly, you are lucking at a West Ham season.

Another thing is that the UEFA Cup is not the Champions League. It doesn’t produce as much money as you think. Premiership money is more important and is guaranteed.

Finally, all the comments from Steve leads us to believe that he is trying to cement Readings place in the Premiership. He knows that if you can stay up the next two seasons, you can aim to stay a long while. Compare Bolton to West Ham.

On the other hand, getting into Europe will give Reading extra exposure to getting the better players to the club. It might make Sidwell more likely to re-sign.

I’m sure that Steve is “taking it one game at a time” and that if a European place is achieved, he will welcome the challenge. And put out a “reserve” side against Dynamo RussianFarAwayPlace.

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Oster in dark over Toshack snub

Published by
Terry
at March 15, 2007 in Reading, england, lita, murty, oster, sidwell, sonko and wales. 0 Comments

It seems that skilful midfielder, John Oster has done something to upset Wales manager, John Toshack and keeps being left out of the Welsh squad.

“It’s frustrating when you see players in the Wales team who wouldn’t get into our reserves side at Reading.”

Maybe, Toshack is scared of Oster’s sharp shooting skills. Or he is too friendly with Robbie Savage. Either way, he can join the club in Reading players sadly neglected from international duty. Nicky Shorey is clearly England material. And if Preston’s David Nugent can be called into the England squad, Leroy Lita should be a little bit upset. Steve Sidwell may feel that he needs to leave Reading to get a chance for a cap, whilst injured Ibrahima Sonko keeps turning down Senegal so he can be ignored by France.

At least living right back Legend Graham Murty gets into the Scottish team (I won’t say how easy this actually is for fear of upsetting the kilt wearers).

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