Reading 0-0 QPR
Gareth Ainsworth celebrated his first game in charge with a hard-fought and much deserved point at Reading in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Well, it was all a bit weird today to be honest what with a late kick off and all. But personally, I am still bemused/upset/angry with the decision to sack Iain Dowie yesterday after just 15 games in charge. Hardly good preperation to take on high flying and free scoring Reading away and league leaders Birmingham on Tuesday. But with Gareth Ainsworth taking over as caretaker boss, one thing for sure is that you are guaranteed a fully committed performance from his team and that, it certainly was. Reading had a 100% home record before today, but that record is no more...
It all started well enough though with the journey being a breeze and was probably, the easiest so far for PK and the Henley mob. But the Rangers travelling support couldn't really have asked for any more today. Without getting into a debate of who is picking the team etc etc, the players today did themselves and the club proud.
There was still a little bit lacking from the R's in the final third but Buzsaky and Parejo brought good saves from Hahnemann in the Reading goal. Reading themselves had few chances and had a decent penalty shout turned away by referee Foy when Mahon clearly handled the ball in the area. Rangers had an appeal of their own late on, but to be honest, the dive from Parejo was so pathetic, I am surprised he wasn't shown a card for it. Why he chose to do that rather than put in a cross from what was a good position, I will never know?
QPR: Cerny, Leigertwood, Stewart, Hall, Connolly, Buzsaky, Mahon, Rowlands, Cook, Di Carmine (Blackstock 60), Parejo (Balanta 86).
Subs Not Used: Delaney, Tommasi, Cole.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Damion Stewart had an awesome game in the centre of defence and incidentally was voted Sky's man of the match. Leigertwood looked extremely comfortable in the right back position, but today's award, deservedly goes to R's keeper, Radek Cerny.
In summary, I am a lot happier now than I was yesterday. As mentioned, this was not only a very decent result but a fully deserved one. Reading were six out of six at home before today, scoring freely and we never really gave them a sniff at goal. Another tough test will come on Tuesday against Birmingham, but if Rangers show as much heart, passion and desire as they did at the Madjeski Stadium today, we will have little to complain about, whatever the result.
Congratulations Gaz!!
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