So, Fans Verdict is back, I know you’ve all missed it. We hope these reviews will be more overwhelmingly positive than the last few seasons. But it’s not exactly off to the best start…
After a few games where I could have given you positive vibes about the Loyal Royals, Fans Verdict returns with a 3-0 away defeat. Classic.
But as always, there was still a lot for the fans to discover after the game …
The referee
I don’t think the referee The poorly on Saturday, many of the penalty calls in the first half would have been weak to say the least. My loyal Royals colleagues, however, don’t seem to agree.
There were definitely some questionable decisions by the referees, as is always the case in this league. And whether or not the referee was influenced by the home crowd is a matter of personal opinion.
Whatever you think, it certainly gave fans something to talk about after the game…
The referee is obviously a Deadpool fan. Or the EFL knows the takeover is imminent and is using its only remaining opportunity to screw us over. #readingfc
– Chris Beale (@bealec1988) 24 August 2024
Poor defense
As easy as it is to point the finger at the referee, he was not the reason we lost the game. All three of Wrexham’s goals were pretty poor from our point of view.
In the first two we were penalised too lightly on the left side and the third was – depending on how you look at it – either a pretty poor play by Ben Elliott and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan or a foul by the latter.
The fans were not impressed with their team’s defensive performance…
Once again, a disgusting defense. An obvious foul in the build-up play. A waste of time for everyone. #readingfc
— Jacob Potter (@pott95) 24 August 2024
Well, we played well at times. But as always, we are our own worst enemy. We gave them two goals. The basics of defense are missing again. #Readingfc
– Guilty, I support Reading. (@Reading106) 24 August 2024
This is the worst game I’ve seen from us in a long time. Especially in defense. Everywhere. #ReadingFC
– Milo (@MiloRoyal1871) 24 August 2024
Dorsett really needs to stop randomly moving into midfield and leaving the left back position completely open #readingfc
— (@gyb_8) 25 August 2024
No killer touch
Although we left a lot to be desired defensively, I think we were punished very consistently by the hosts. If we had shown half as much finishing power and ruthlessness, we would have been 1-0 or 2-0 up ourselves.
So many times we created good chances and got into promising areas before messing up our lines or just refusing to pull the trigger. For me that was more frustrating than the defense because we played well until the final third.
Was difficult to watch today, poor goal defense and no killer instinct in the final third. Injuries are already taking their toll on an already small and inexperienced squad. Referee absolutely awful, totally incompetent. Big week for our club #readingfc
— James Grant (@jamesgrant1992) 24 August 2024
It was one of those days. Wrexham were more determined, the referee was bad and we looked toothless up front.
If there had been the obvious penalty and the two that hit the crossbar, it would be a different story. Oh well. #readingfc— Richard Langley (@simply_langers) 24 August 2024
Wrexham countered twice, but #readingfc Played the whole game. So weak in the final third. Smith is out and everyone is very shot shy. There will be chances but we have to score next.
— Nick Knight (@NJK20171) 24 August 2024
#Readingfc 3-0 was tough today. Yes, we were exhausted on the counterattack, but many of our passes and our build-up play were excellent. The only thing missing today was the final ball.
— Chris Price (@ChrisPrice_Esp) 24 August 2024
Reality check for us.
Inferior, overworked and clueless in the final third #readingfc
— Ellis (@Ellis5076281381) 24 August 2024
Diploma
A really difficult afternoon that exposed all the problems we really need to address. We were punished by a subdued team, lacked any kind of ruthlessness ourselves and didn’t have the ability to turn things around when we tried to run the game.
But there were also some bright spots. We stuck to our principles, played our way and created some really good chances. On another day we won the game 3-0 and didn’t lose.
But we lost, so we can’t really complain. Next week is very important not only for our season, but also for our future. We need new owners and then new signings.
