HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Friday evening’s game at the Madejski Stadium by delving into their forums.

“We are a work in progress but the foundations have been laid”, “Last season we were absolutely pathetic, whereas this season we have been all over every side we have played up to the final third and we have been very solid at the back.”

“It is amazing how one win can change the mood completely.” The Royals come into Friday’s game in good spirits after picking up their first win of the league campaign at Brentford just before the international break after drawing their three previous Championship fixtures.

“It looks to me as if we are back to a moment similar to when Steve Coppell started to make the team his own. He picked what we needed in the short term without busting the budget but all the time keeping an eye on the team structure a couple of years down the line.”

Three season-long loan signings secured late in the transfer window have further boosted morale. Czech international striker Matej Vydra, Brazil U23 winger or playmaker Lucas Piazon and Dutch right winger Ola John have strengthened an attack which has lacked a cutting edge this season.

“Have we changed our name to ‘Reading Nil’ when we play at home yet?”, “Is that six straight home games without scoring?” One repeated concern up to now has been the team’s lack of goals at the Madejski. “Our current home form is one win in [11 league] games which let’s face it is completely rubbish.”

Steve Clarke

“Say what you like about our manager, but if the day job doesn’t work out, he will certainly have an alternative career with a chainsaw as an effective tree surgeon. He has done good work in the transfer window”, “He’s a very straightforward guy and is beginning to put his own team together.”

“Clarke has ripped the guts out of past season’s underperforming squad.” Royals have been quick to praise their manager for the work he has done over the summer rebuilding the squad. Many can see a new team with a new identity begin to emerge. “He’s turning us around from last season’s mess.”

“I am confident Clarke will prove a success.” The former West Brom boss “has sorted the defence out and has then started to add the flair options - textbook”, “It is clear that he felt that he club had become stagnant, complacent and comfortable with players playing below their abilities.”

“I hope he has until the end of the season.” Some Royals are concerned that the club’s new owners may lack patience if they do not see rapid progress on the pitch. “I can’t help feeling that if Clarke screws up promotion this season, he may be out on his ear pretty sharpish.”

Formation

“It’s a balance, isn’t it? Nigel Adkins had us open at the back with defenders making mistakes. We lost plenty, but we also scored and won games. Clarke has us very solid at the back (apart from two keepers likely to drop a clanger a game) but very impotent in front of goal so we have lots of draws.”

“We look too pedestrian and slow-paced in our build-up play and simply telegraph our intentions”, “What is missing is a more urgent, faster-paced pressing and passing game”, “More movement on and off the ball is needed to leave the opposition not knowing what you are going to do next.”

Goalkeeping concerns apart, Steve Clarke has put together a solid defence in which the back four have started to operate effectively as a unit. They have lacked natural quality out wide in midfield and while Orlando Sa has played well up front, he is widely seen as needing a strike partner.

Many Royals liked the width and balance of the team which started the game at Brentford (above). Right winger Garath McCleary suffered a calf injury in early August and is being nursed back to the starting XI while Nick Blackman’s good early-season form has surprised many Royals.

“I cannot see Vydra playing as a lone striker and the Vydra-Sa combination sounds very tasty”, “The key to our season is to find a way of playing at home which allows us to force the issue.” For many fans, success will hinge on their ability to take control of games rather than playing on the counter.

Brentford 1 - 3 Reading

“An all-round cracking day”, “What a day, what an atmosphere”, “The first half was the most one-sided half I have seen in years. It was brilliant”, “So pleased we appear to have gone 4-4-2, away from home especially”, “We finally appear to be playing with some width and we score as a result.”

“Our slick passing tore them apart in the final third.” An Orlando Sa header and a Nick Blackman freekick gave the Royals a two-goal cushion at half-time. The hosts rallied, scoring from a long-range Lasse Vibe strike before Blackman scored his second, a late penalty, to seal victory.

“The first half was the best I have seen us play in years.” Royals were happy with the tempo of their build-up play and the way they used the width of the pitch to stretch Brentford. “We’re beginning to see Clarke’s stamp on the team with that performance both in mentality and tactics.”

“Brentford caused us problems and scored in a 25-minute spell after the break when they pushed much higher up the pitch and put us under pressure, mainly with crosses”, “We sat too deep all second half”, “They didn’t have many clear opportunities apart from a scramble near the end.”

Reading 0 - 0 Milton Keynes

“A good solid performance but we need to be more creative and ruthless in the final third”, “This is exactly the type of game we would have lost last season and we should have won with something to spare. Milton Keynes clearly came for a point and offered nothing going forward.”

“Our midfield is solid if uninspiring at times.” The Royals second scoreless home draw of the campaign brought back memories of their struggles last season to break teams down at the Madejski Stadium. “We need a striker, not a number 10 or a playmaker. We need a bloody striker!”

“We are still pretty clueless in attack”, “We lack any real width and desire to take on and beat an opponent. We really do need McCleary back and Hurtado match fit”, “I like the way the defence and midfield have become more solid and reliable but it is urgency in attack that needs to be added.”

Sheffield Wednesday 1- 1 Reading

“Anyone at the game tonight will tell you that it was the most controlled, disciplined away performance a Reading side has put together in a long time, punished by an individual error a manager can do nothing about”, “Wednesday had four shots all game.”

“This is the life of a Reading supporter.” Reading took the lead in a game they never looked like losing when Danny Williams fired home following good work by Orlando Sa just after the break. A blunder by keeper Jonathan Bond saw the Owls snatch a last-minute Modou Sougou equaliser.

“My criticism of Clarke is that he went 4-5-1 with six minutes left to play. It invited Wednesday to have a go”, “They were reduced to hoofing it but a bread and butter catch was dropped”, “It was a simple take with no pressure and Bond dropped it into the path of a striker.”

Goalkeeping Clangers

“What is it with our keepers? They both seem to have the ability to drop regular clangers”, “This team tests your mental fortitude. Having a goalie who couldn’t catch a cold doesn’t help”, “We clearly have a massive problem in goal. Should we be looking for another keeper?”

“Bond - licence to spill.” Jonathan Bond’s error against the Owls added to Royals’ nervousness about the 22-year-old summer signing from Watford. “On the previous Saturday Bond made a great pass to a Leeds striker just outside the box but was saved by his defence.”

Many Royals are more anxious about Bond’s kicking. “I genuinely get worried every time the ball gets passed back to him. Defenders need to head it back to him so he can pick it up instead”, “The error at Wednesday apart, his shot-stopping and commanding his area have been absolutely fine.”

“Watching Ali Al Habsi in the warm-ups, it does seem as if Bond is the best of what is available”, “It’s Al Habsi that looks properly suspect.” The 33-year-old Oman international arrived from Wigan this summer and many Royals are even less convinced after watching his Capital One Cup performances.

The Back Four

“The real positive is that we are reasonably solid in the first two-thirds of the pitch, although we have not yet been tested by a particularly good attack”, “Anton Ferdinand and Paul McShane are just class in defence, so much better than Alex Pearce who was a liability last year.”

“Chris Gunter was average at right-back against Brentford but once McCleary came on he started getting forward more and attacks started flowing down the right a lot better. “ The 26-year-old ex-Nottingham Forest man “has been our most consistently good player, His energy is unreal”.

“Gunter actually looks like he can defend now”, “He didn’t make any mistakes against Milton Keynes but otherwise was unremarkable.” In earlier games, the Wales international has been seen as solid if unspectacular. “He cut inside and crossed with his left foot on a couple of occasions.”

“Jordan Obita’s problem is two-fold. He loses concentration and he makes poor decisions. This leads to him being caught out of position and his stock response is to foul his man.” The 21-year-old left-back and youth product “has natural attacking tendencies, good pace and age on his side”.

“This is the season when Obita needs to mature defensively. He is clever and can read the game well, but needs to make sure he attacks at the right time and not leave gaps behind him”, “He still has issues with niggling fouls”, “He can handle most wingers with pace although he lacks strength.”

“For all of Michael Hector’s attributes and positive moments that catch the eye, he is still raw and error prone.” The 23-year-old centre-back and youth product was signed by Chelsea on the final day of the transfer window and immediately loaned back to the Royals for the season.

“Hector is the best tackler at the club”, “He wants to be a bit too clever instead of just concentrating on the basics of defending first and foremost”, “His pace and agility, which are rare for a young centre-back, are a real asset”, “He has the potential to become a far better player.”

“Anton Ferdinand has to be a contender for most improved player.” The 30-year-old former QPR centre-half “is not as good as Paul McShane but has been rock solid and keeps doing everything right”, “He did very well against Sheffield Wednesday, keeping their big striker quiet.”

“Ferdinand’s positional play is good. You can tell he is the product of a proper footballing academy. I am not worried about his or McShane’s lack of pace as their experience makes up for it”, “He makes it all look easy, a class act”, “Fair play to him getting fit and giving Clarke something to think about.”

Paul McShane

“The key for me is our distribution - McShane and Ferdinand don’t lump the ball around once they have possession. They are always looking for a runner or a chance to move forward. It means less pressure on the defence and improves our ability to recover position.”

“McShane has been solid and has slotted into the team already.” The 29-year-old summer signing from Hull “is as good as Ferdinand but with better passing and composure”, “I’m surprised and impressed with his willingness to play on the ground and his awareness of when to clear the ball.”

Central Midfield

“Aaron Tshibola is probably one of the best young prospects seen at the club for ages who can play in the first team.” The 20-year-old youth product “is cool under pressure, breaks up play well and has a good range of passing and awareness”, “He is going to be some player and has skill and vision.”

“Tshibola is growing with confidence, maturity and composure with every game”, “He looks as good as Nathaniel Chalobah”, “He started the move for the Wednesday goal with great vision, unlocking their defence a couple of more times after that. Good composure and touches and great at tackling.”

“Stephen Quinn kept on running against Brentford but his dropping deep caused us problems in the second half.” The 29-year-old summer signing from Hull “was immense until he tired with about 15 minutes to go. His running off the ball, his ball control and passing were Premier League standard”.

“Quinn is not a natural winger so we have lacked width when he has played out wide”, “His work-rate and battling are fantastic”, “He would be the most defensive of our central midfielders”, “He is like a better, ginger Jem Karacan, working hard and winning the ball back often.”

“Oliver Norwood had a great first half at Brentford, but he was taken out in after the break as he was sitting deeper and could not find the space to get the ball.” The 24-year-old ex-Terrier “can go from the sublime to the very poor almost in an instant”, “He struggles to dictate play when sitting deep.”

“Norwood’s passing is good and he links up defence and midfield well but he is weak in the tackle”, “One of our best passers of the ball but playing a poor man’s Pirlo role”, “He has barely been used as a playmaker and Danny Williams has played further forward when they have been paired together.”

Danny Williams

“Danny Williams is our most dangerous threat coming forward from midfield.” The 26-year-old USA international and ex-Hoffenheim man “was our best player against the Owls, scoring a well taken goal”, “He is clearly not a winger and we lacked width and creativity when he was on the right side.”

“The bloke is everything Reading fans love, an aggressive battler who runs all day and is full of passion. It’s great to watch”, “We all know that his driving runs through the middle are what he is best at”, “He is better operating deeper in midfield”, “He is more effective playing further back.”

“I suspect Williams will do everything he can to be back for Ipswich, but it seems crazy to have a league game on the Friday after the international break.” Williams played and scored for the USA in a friendly against Brazil played in Massachusetts in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Wide Midfield

“Hal Robson-Kanu unbelievably had a superb first half on the right at Brentford, winning challenges and adding a superb assist for the first goal”, “It sounds like he is having his one good game a season. Long may he keep it up”, “The problem is that he is naturally gifted but doesn’t put the work in.”

“As far as I am concerned, over two seasons of utter tripe means he gets cut no slack.” The 26-year-old youth product is mistrusted by Royals. “One of the most frustrating players ever”, “It baffles me who Robson-Kanu can’t be bothered to put the same effort into playing for us as he does for Wales.”

Royals are unsure about reports from Benfica fans about new Dutch signing Ola John. “He sounds like a younger version of Drenthe: ‘A great prospect but one of the laziest players I have ever seen and mentally not these. He is not a playmaker, slowing everything down and super-predictable’.”

Benfica fans had more to say about the ex-right winger. “Ola will be great if he finds his potential, but really needs to work harder.” The 23-year-old “has excellent passing ability and can unlock any defence on his day. His football intelligence is not the best and he can leave his full back exposed”.

“Lucas Piazon describes himself as direct rather than a tricky dribbler and moves the ball quickly. He would play off Sa or on the left wing.” The 21-year-old Chelsea loan signing “isn’t a typical Brazilian dribbler but is more of a passer with quick feet”, “Stylistically he’s similar to Javier Pastore.”

Piazon has had loan spells at Malaga, Vitesse Arnhem and Eintracht Frankfurt. “He struggled in La Liga and was out of his depth in the Bundesliga but was a real success at Vitesse, which is roughly our level”, “I am happy to have him here but not that excited.”

Garath McCleary

“McCleary will be key to converting the solid defensive and midfield displays into wins”, “Assuming he gets back to the form he displayed in the season after we were relegated and not last season’s form.” The 28-year-old ex-Forest right winger “is way better than anything else we have out wide”.

He “looked far from match fit” when playing the second 45 minutes against Brentford. “McCleary seems to have done nothing since he came on”, “We looked less balanced with him playing out wide, whereas Robson-Kanu was always cutting in and making life difficult for Brentford.”

Strikers

“What has happened to Simon Cox? He looked a bit on the tubster side against Milton Keynes.” Fans have been very critical of the 28-year-old ex-Forest man. “Well, he’s just not a particularly good footballer, is he?”, “He’s absolutely useless, not fast, not strong, not tall and not good at finishing.”

“Nick Blackman is going to be one of our star players this season. Who would have thought that last year?” The 25-year-old former Blade “started well last season too, but was injured and regressed. He is one of our most threatening players. He just needs to improve his decision making and finishing”.

“Clarke said they were concentrating on getting Blackman more aware of the players around him in training and getting him to be more effective in front of goal. It seems to be working.” Some fans are yet to be convinced. “He’s a very selfish player who has just found the back of the net a few times.”

Orlando Sa

“I like the look of Sa, a big striker who can hold the ball, turn and run at defenders. He has a terrific leap and was in the air for an age to score at Brentford”, “He looks a great player if we play to his strengths. He definitely plays better with another striker to play off and will score goals”,

“He has plenty of quality to go with his work-rate.” The 27-year-old Portuguese arrived from Legia Warsaw this summer having previously played for Fulham. “He needs a quick striker, an Adam Le Fondre type to nip in and collect his pay-offs”, “He really continues to impress me.”

“Sa is strong and had good technique but he was often drawn wide against Milton Keynes when we needed him in the box”, “He probably should work on shooting with his left foot as it appears he doesn’t want to use it”, “He needs the ball played to his feet, not blasted to him at shoulder height.”

Matej Vydra

“We have brought in a really decent player here who could make a difference to our season”, “What a superb signing with nothing to lose and plenty of upside”, “He doesn’t need great service to score goals, which will suit us”, “He is proven with goals at this level and pace, age and ability on his side.”

The deal agreed to bring the 23-year-old to the Madejski for the season has raised a few eyebrows. Reading have reportedly paid a fee of over £2 million to secure the striker on a season-long loan and have an option to buy Vydra for £10 million should the secure promotion at the end of the season.

“I’m starting to worry that we are a bit ‘all eggs in one basket’ with this. You have got to think that the owners are expecting promotion with loans like this. Is it doom for Clarke if we don’t go up?”, “This is good but I feel underwhelmed after finding out that we are losing Hector to fund this.”

“This really does hurt.” Watford fans are nervous about losing their striker. “The two most successful seasons we have had have been when Vydra played for us”, “It is a good deal with all the risk resting at Reading’s end”, “I’m baffled as to why the best finisher I have ever seen at Watford is leaving.”

Royals’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“I have heard rather bullish reports from the East Anglia and I suspect, Vydra or not, we are, at least, a season behind Ipswich - so shall we say a tight away win?”, “Ipswich will be looking to bounce back from the Brighton defeat. A victory would be sweet but, realistically, we are still a work in progress.”

Royals’ pre-match comments have been cautious, but two-thirds in prediction polls are forecasting a home win with only one in five going for an away win. While their pessimists see us winning by a solitary goal, one third of home fans see their new strike-force scoring at least three goals.

“I'm a bit cautious about this one. Ipswich have a settled side and are going great guns in the league. We have a lot of new players and it is going to take time for them to settle into any sort of form, but now that we have players who can, potentially, get a few goals, I'm going for a 2-2 draw.”

“McCarthy is no mug”, “It sounds as though Ipswich are very much like we were under Brian McDermott in the Championship - solid but with good attackers who can score In every game. Not total football but effective. I will go 2-2 as Clarke continues to mould the team and puts his stamp on it.”

“No doubt Bond will have a moment like the Northern Irish keeper for Tabby's goal.” Freddie Sears has been the Town striker most frequently name-checked, but they have had plenty to say about Jay Tabb. “Many half-wits slagged Tabb off but a large number were disappointed to see him go.”

“When we released Jay Tabb we never expected him to play in the Championship again”, “He was criminally underused by us, fair play to him for moving on to better things.” A post-season discussion among Royals had a few lamenting Tabb’s departure. “He is a typical Reading type of player.”

“Tabb was the only player who performed for us in the Premier League”, “I couldn’t fathom why we let him go”, “The Tabb love-in, one of the least gifted footballers we ever had”, “But one of the most committed and hard-working, qualities rarely seen in the squad last season and greatly missed.”

Websites

The busiest Reading message board is Hob Nob Anyone?. Interesting additional comment can be found at Royals Rendezvous, although registration is needed to access some sections of the forum.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

TR11BLU added 11:17 - Sep 10 Great work Harry and interesting to note the similarities between their fans views of their team now and how we were two years ago. Building from the back, not scoring too many, even the keepers' clangers! Personally I have never seen us win there, despite several visits and its usually an ill deserved defeat or draw at best. If this is indeed to be our season, its these sort of monkeys we need to get off our back. It would be good to enter the weekend on top. Im predicting a narrow win....but then again?! COYB Boys

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ChrisFelix added 11:38 - Sep 10 This used to be my local championship side & surprisingly i have Town win here. However I have left their ground more than once wondering how we lost the match. The same could be said about how they doubled us last seson. Reading are a fantastically run club & have gradually won over the locals who used to follow the big national clubs. However as i watch on Sky at home in Suiffolk I badly want Town to win

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steve_mcalls_teeth added 11:42 - Sep 10 I love these delves into the opposition forum, thank you very much harryfrombath. I think we will score, not sure we wont concede but ill be happy with a 1-2 squeaker !! COYB
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Bluebell added 12:16 - Sep 10 Thanks as always Harry. This is one game that worries me as I have never seen us win at Reading. Aways a first time though and Reading aren't doing too well yet. I will once again predict a 1-2 for us. It would be great to be top of the league again and then quite exciting watching the scores on Saturday hoping we can stay up there.
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jeera added 14:15 - Sep 10 Cheers Harry, Always a great build-up to the game!
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tractorgrl added 14:44 - Sep 10 Thankyou Harry. I like their sense of humour 'are we called Reading Nil'! Gracious me their away kit though, pass the sick bag!😳
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ArnieM added 21:47 - Sep 10 I seem to recall Brighton fans saying Town would test their credentials. Hmmm, well I think Reading will , like Brighton, be testing ours. Would be happy with a point tbh.
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Wonky added 13:20 - Sep 11 As always essential reading. Cheers.
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