LATEST NEWS ON 'The Royals'
September 2004
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  • 29th September 2004 - Sky Xmas Crackers

    • The Royals will feature in 2 live games on Sky over the Xmas period. The home game with QPR had already been put back to Sunday 20th December (1pm) for live coverage, and now the Boxing Day clash with Watford has also been selected by Sky. This game will now kick-off at the unearthly hour of 11:00am - absolutley crackers!

  • 29th September 2004 - Williams To Miss Clarets

    • Captain Adi Williams is definately ruled out of Saturday's game against Burnley at the MadStad. The central defender picked up a hamstring strain during the draw at Ipswich and was replaced by Ibrahima Sonko. However, it is only a 'tweak' and with the Royals having a 2 week break following the Clarets' visit it should give time for Williams to recover for the next match at Stoke City.

    Meanwhile, Marcus Hahnemann is a slight doubt with a sore back, but is expected to be fit to take his place between the sticks. Lloyd Owusu though, is definately out for several weeks after picking up a knee injury in training.

  • 28th September 2004 - Royals Hold On

    • Reading held on for a point and top spot in the Coca-Cola Championship thanks to a Dave Kitson equaliser at Portman Road.

    In what was the Royals toughest test of the season so far against free-scoring Ipswich Town, things were made all the more difficult as the home side took an early lead after only 10 minutes. A mistake by Ivar Ingimarsson allowed Kuqi to steal in and round the advancing Marcus Hahnemann for a poor goal from Reading's point of view. But it was an even contest in the first half and Kitson grabbed his seventh goal of the campaign so far for the equaliser on 26 minutes.

    The ball was fed through by Forster and the assistant referee kept his flag down as Kitson beat the offside trap to advance and plant a right-footed shot past Kelvin Davis in the Town goal.

    Shortly after, Hahnemann made the first of several good saves to deny Miller who had got on the end of Bent's excellent cross. Then an injury to captain Adi Williams meant he had to be replaced by Ibrahima Sonko after only 34 minutes and the substitute was to have a major part to play in the rest of the game.

    With half-time approaching and Ipswich increasingly looking dangerous, Royals American keeper made another fine save low to his right following a corner when it looked as if the home side would restore their lead.

    After the break, it was pretty much one-way traffic as Ipswich had all of the play. But Sonko was in inspired form at the centre of defence and, when the reargaurd was breached, Hahnemann kept everything out. Reading's attacking moves were few and far between and it was Sonko who had the best effort, but his towering header went straight into the arms of Ipswich substitute keeper, Price, who had replaced Kelvin Davis at half time.

    As the half wore on, the Royals defensive work restricted the Tractor Boys to mostly long-range efforts and they were able to hold on for a hard earned draw, thus ending Ipswich's 100% home record.


  • 27th September 2004 - Ipswich Preview

    • League leaders Reading travel to Portman Road to take on 3rd placed Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.

    With the team in fine form, it is unlikely that manager Steve Coppell will make any changes to the Royals' line-up, although Glenn Little could make a return to the substitutes bench. And Reading will need to be at their best to take anything from the Tractor Boys who, like Reading, boast a 100% home record.

    That record looked like coming to an end on Saturday as visitors Plymouth took a two goal lead. The cause looked even more difficult as Town had Fabian Wilnis sent off in the second half, but free-scoring Ipswich roared back with 3 goals of their own to take the points. Wilnis will be suspended for the visit of the Royals.

    Shefki Kuqi who came on as a subsitute to score 2 goals against Argyle will be hoping to make the starting 11. The game will be Joe Royle's 1000th match as a manager.
    Ipswich V Reading
    Top Lge Scorers   Goals   Tuesday 28/9 @ 7:45pm   Top Lge Scorers   Goals
    Kuqi     4   Referee: Michael Jones (Chester)   Kitson     6
    Miller     3         Games: 5 Yellows: 11 Reds: 2   Forster     4
    Bent     3   Last 4 Meetings   Harper     2
    Counago     2   10/01/04 Reading 1 1 Ipswich   Shorey     1
    Bowditch     2   09/08/03 Ipswich 1 1 Reading   Sidwell     1
    Lge Discipline   Y R   18/03/03 Ipswich 3 1 Reading   Lge Discipline   Y R
    Wilnis   1 1   19/10/02 Reading 3 1 Ipswich   Williams   2 0
    Naylor   2 0                                   Sidwell   2 0
    De Vos   2 0   Head to Head   Kitson   1 0
    Horlock   2 0           Ipswich Draws Reading   Forster   1 0
    Westlake   2 0   League 18 6 12   Hughes           1 0
    Lge Goal details:       FA Cup 1 0 0   Lge Goal details:    
    When: F A   League Cup 0 0 0   When: F A
    first half 8 7   Total 19 6 12   first half 10 2
    second half 12 6                                   second half 4 6
    From:       League Games Since   From:    
    open play 12 10   0 a win 0   open play 8 7
    crosses 4 0   0 home win 0   crosses 2 0
    corners 1 1   2 away win 0   corners 0 0
    penalties 2 0   2 a defeat 3   penalties 3 0
    direct from free-kick 0 1   5 home defeat 5   direct from free-kick 1 1
    free-kicks 1 1   1 away defeat 1   free-kicks 0 0
                      1 a score draw 10                  
    Total 20 13   10 a no score draw 10   Total 14 8
                      0 conceding a goal 1                  
                      0 scoring a goal 0                  
                                                                     
    Current Form (last 3 games - all competitions)
    25/09/04 Plymouth Home Won 3:2   25/09/04 Watford Away Won 1:0
    21/09/04 Doncaster Away Lost 0:2   21/09/04 Watford Home Lost 0:3
    18/09/04 West Ham Away Drew 1:1   18/09/04 Gillingham Home Won 3:1


  • 27th September 2004 - Dolan Academy Charge

    • Eamonn Dolan has been unveiled as the new Academy manager to replace Brendan Rodgers. The Exeter City manager has relinquished his role at St.James' Park to take up the position at Reading. He will also manage the under-18s team.

  • 25th September 2004 - Royals Go Top

    • Reading went to the top of the league for the first time in the club's history following a 1:0 victory at Vicarage Road against Watford. The first half of this encounter was a largely dour affair, with little excitement to warm the crowd on a cold afternoon.

    It was the visitors who had the greater share of possession and territorial advantage in the opening 30 minutes, but without causing many serious alarms for the Hornets' defence. Steve Sidwell had the first effort on goal for the Royals, but his strike from 25 yards was always rising over the bar. Reading's best effort came after a neat one-two between Brooker and Williams when the winger fired in a shot but it was well parried by Lee in the Watford goal.

    However, the best chance of the first half arrived 2 minutes before the break and it was Watford who should have taken the lead. A good ball was played across the six-yard box and Webber had a simple chance to slide the ball into an empty net from just a yard out. But the striker, who had already scored 9 goals before this game, somehow fluffed the chance and the ball fell harmlessly into the arms of a grateful Marcus Hahnemann.

    The second half began in a similarly boring manner as neither side really threatened. Then, on 65 minutes, the game suddenly came to life and the Royals took the lead. A nice move involving Harper and Brooker fed the ball out to Shorey whos cross from the left was headed into the top corner by Steve Sidwell at the far post.

    The game became more interesting for a brief period but soon settled back into a miserable affair. In truth, this was by no means a convincing display but that won't bother Reading who gained sweet revenge for their cup exit at the hands of the Hornets in midweek. Given a choice, there is no doubt that everyone would prefer to win this one of the two games.


  • 24th September 2004 - Watford Preview

    • Watford manager Ray Lewington is likely to name the same team than won 2-0 at Millwall last weekend for their second meeting with Reading in four days.

    Lewington made five changes for the 3-0 win over the Royals in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, with Gavin Mahon (ankle) and Sean Dyche (ribs) missing out with injury while Neal Ardley, Heidar Helguson and top scorer Danny Webber were rested. Despite that impressive performance, Lewington is likely to revert back to the XI who started at The New Den. Hameur Bouazza will probably have to settle for a place on the bench despite his goal at Reading, and Paul Devlin (hamstring) is still unavailable.

    Glen Little is fit to return to the Reading squad following a hamstring injury. The winger has twice suffered the same injury this season but has completed a week of full training without any problems. However, Little is short of fitness and manager Steve Coppell could decide to play him in the reserves before he returns to the first-team picture.

    Otherwise Reading are injury-free, with Nicky Forster set to return to the side after he missed the Carling Cup defeat against the same opposition in midweek.
    Watford V Reading
    Top Lge Scorers   Goals   Saturday 25/9 @ 3:00pm   Top Lge Scorers   Goals
    Webber     9   Referee: Mick Thorpe (Suffolk)   Kitson     6
    Ardley     2         Games: 7 Yellows: 11 Reds: 0   Forster     4
    Devlin     1   Last 4 Meetings   Harper     2
    Dyer     1   21/09/04 Reading 0 3 Watford   Shorey     1
    Helguson     1   09/05/04 Watford 1 0 Reading          
    Lge Discipline   Y R   29/11/03 Reading 2 1 Watford   Lge Discipline   Y R
    Gunnarson   2 0   30/04/03 Watford 0 3 Reading   Williams   2 0
    Mahon   2 0                                   Sidwell   2 0
    Mayo   2 0   Head to Head   Kitson   1 0
    Helguson   2 0           Watford Draws Reading   Forster   1 0
    Young           2 0   League 34 14 34   Hughes           1 0
    Lge Goal details:       FA Cup 2 1 2   Lge Goal details:    
    When: F A   League Cup 5 3 3   When: F A
    first half 5 2   Total 41 18 39   first half 10 2
    second half 9 3                                   second half 3 6
    From:       League Games Since   From:    
    open play 13 4   0 a win 0   open play 8 7
    crosses 1 0   1 home win 0   crosses 1 0
    corners 0 0   0 away win 2   corners 0 0
    penalties 0 1   5 a defeat 2   penalties 3 0
    direct from free-kick 0 0   2 home defeat 5   direct from free-kick 1 1
    free-kicks 0 0   3 away defeat 0   free-kicks 0 0
                      2 a score draw 9                  
    Total 14 5   8 a no score draw 9   Total 13 8
                      2 conceding a goal 0                  
                      0 scoring a goal 0                  
                                                                     
    Current Form (last 3 games - all competitions)
    21/09/04 Reading Away Won 3:0   21/09/04 Watford Home Lost 0:3
    19/09/04 Millwall Away Won 2:0   18/09/04 Gillingham Home Won 3:1
    14/09/04 Cardiff Away Won 3:0   14/09/04 Preston NE Home Won 3:1


  • 22nd September 2004 - Coppell's Record

    • Steve Coppell reached the 50 game landmark in charge of the Royals last night, so I thought that I would take an in depth look at his managerial record. The statistics make less than impressive reading.

    His teams have won only 294 out of 755 games played - a win rate of less than 39% at a ratio of only 1 win every 2.57 games. On the basis of 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw across all games played, Coppell has achieved only 48% of available points. Over a 46 game season, that average would equate to a paltry 54 points, which would only just about be enough to avoid relegation.

    On the positive side, his record with the Royals so far is the second best of his career - bettered only by his time at Brentford. However, his current record at Reading of a 53.33% points gained would still only bring 73 points from a 46 game season, which may just scrape into the play-offs. So lets hope he can improve on that record further.

    Steve Coppell's full managerial record is as follows:
    Club From To P W L D Win % Max Pts Act Pts Pts %
    Reading 09/10/03 21/09/04 50 24 18 8 48.00% 150 80 53.33%
    Brighton 07/10/02 09/10/03 49 18 17 14 36.73% 147 68 46.26%
    Brentford 08/05/01 05/06/02 54 27 15 12 50.00% 162 93 57.41%
    C Palace 15/01/99 01/08/00 71 19 26 26 26.76% 213 83 38.97%
    C Palace 28/02/97 13/03/98 51 16 22 13 31.37% 153 61 39.87%
    Man City 06/10/96 08/11/96 6 2 3 1 33.33% 18 7 38.89%
    C Palace 08/06/95 08/02/96 32 9 9 14 28.13% 96 41 42.71%
    C Palace 03/06/84 17/05/93 442 179 150 113 40.50% 1326 650 49.02%
    TOTAL     755 294 260 201 38.94% 2265 1083 47.81%


  • 22nd September 2004 - Royals Fans A Disgrace

    • For as long as I can remember, Reading fans have always been pathetic, but last night's vitriolic treatment of Andy Hughes was a total disgrace. When the midfielder was substituted in the second half there was loud cheering and chants of 'Hughes-less', 'Hughes-less'.

    I have often said that Reading has the worst supporters in the Country and it makes you wonder why on earth any player would want to come and give his all for such morons if that is the way they are going to treat one of their own. Yes, we are all entitled to criticise, I often do myself. Yes, we all get wrapped up in the moment and shout at players when things go wrong. But it seems that there are some people who are just waiting for any mistake Hughes makes so as to pounce on it with glee, and they are blind to all the good things he does. The treatment he is being singled out for is grossly unfair and quite ridiculous.

    Last night, for example, Andy Hughes' performance was no worse than that of several other players such as Paul Brooker, Shaun Goater or Adi Williams. On one occasion when Hughes lost possession as a result of no player making themselves available to receive the ball, someone sat close to me shouted abuse at Hughes. Just seconds later when Hughes had raced into the penalty area to immediately win the ball back I turned to this person and said "..but you don't say anything when he makes a great tackle to win the ball back like that do you?". The response was along the lines of "..did he? I didn't notice that". Exactly the point, you only look for the negative aspects. Later in the game, James Harper (who had replaced Hughes) was in acres of space in midfield and had 3 or 4 players available only to play a dreadful ball straight to the opposition. Without doubt, it was the worst pass of the game, but not a murmer from those who had slated Hughes all night.

    In all honesty, that behaviour towards a player who is always first on the manager's teamsheet (and I mean any manager, not just Coppell) for his total commitment to the cause made me feel embarrassed to be a Reading fan.

    The treatment he received last night was extremely hurtful and would probably destroy many a person, but Andy Hughes is mentally tough and a true professional so I'm sure he will rise above it. But he shouldn't have to!

    To all those who were guilty of giving such abuse last night, SHAME ON YOU.

  • 21st September 2004 - Cup Hopes Ended

    • Watford enter the draw for the third round of the Carling Cup after their 3-0 win at Reading but the scoreline flattered the visitors.Neil Cox's penalty gave the Hornets the lead and they survived wave after wave of Reading attacks before Hameur Bouazza and an Ivar Ingimarsson own goal sealed the win.

    Graeme Murty, Andy Hughes and Dave Kitson combined well to produce the first real chance of the game for Bobby Convey but the American midfielder's powerful shot was too high and wide to threaten the Watford goal. Reading looked the more comfortable in the early stages but it was the visitors who took the lead with their first real attack. The 13th minute proved unlucky for Reading defender Adie Williams as his challenge on Bruce Dyer presented Cox with the penalty and the Hornets defender made no mistake, sending goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann the wrong way.

    Reading went in search of an immediate response and Shaun Goater forced goalkeeper Richard Lee into a fine save and the shot-stopper did well to prevent Kitson from netting the rebound. Goater then crashed a header against the woodwork as Reading pinned Watford inside their own half. The former Manchester City striker must have thought it was not going to be his night when he curled a shot off the crossbar on the stroke of half-time and Paul Brooker's follow up was blocked.

    The hosts started the second half the way they finished the first and Lee had to be on his toes to keep out Ricky Newman's powerful free-kick. Despite enjoying the bulk of the possession, Reading failed to create the type of chances they carved out in the first half and Lloyd Owusu and Dean Morgan were thrown on in place of Newman and Brooker.

    As Reading committed themselves to attack, gaps started to appear at the back and Bouazza took full advantage and killed the game with a powerful finish as time ran out. And Reading's misery was compounded when Ingimarsson scored a freak own goal with the last kick of the ball.


  • 20th September 2004 - Ashdown Fee Agreed

    • Just 3 days before the tribunal hearing (that has been 3 months coming), Reading and Portsmouth have finally agreed a fee for the transfer of goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown. The amount agreed has been undisclosed (which I think is a disgrace - what happened to all the talk about transparency in football?), but Reading will receive an amount immediately with more payments dependant upon appearances.

    The fact that this saga has been going on for so long only to then be settled just days before the two sides were due to face each other at a tribunal, certainly suggests that one of the parties was holding out for a better deal than could reasonably be expected only to then cave in fearing the decision may not go in their favour. Judging by recent rulings of the tribunal in other disputes, I rather suspect that it would have been the Royals who were holding out before realising that it would be better to take the offer and run.

  • 18th September 2004 - Kits, Kits, Kits

    • Dave Kitson scored 2 penalties in a first-half hat-trick to help the Royals despatch Gillingham with ease at the MadStad. The final scoreline of 3:1 may have been the same as that against Preston in midweek, but the performance was oh so different. Gone was the long ball rubbish and instead the Royals played some nice football against a Gills side that were surprisingly easy opposition.

    Kitson headed the home side ahead inside the first minute before converting two near-identical penalties as Gillingham paid the price for some ordinary defending.

    Gillingham scored a fine goal through Darren Byfield after the break, but Reading's dominance was otherwise uninterrupted.

    The Royals' fifth victory out of five home games this season pushed Steve Coppell's side up to second in the Coca-Cola Championship table. The win was never in much doubt after Kitson evaded his marker to guide Paul Brooker's cross past Steve Banks from Reading's first attack. The hosts, boasting a 100% record on home turf this season, doubled their advantage after 16 minutes when Ian Cox bundled over Nicky Forster following the livewire striker's surge into the area. Kitson's spot-kick gave Banks no chance, arrowing into the bottom corner.

    Ivar Ingimarsson then headed narrowly wide of the post as Reading continued to dominate an utterly one-sided half. The decisive third goal arrived shortly before the half-hour, with Gillingham again contributing to their own downfall. Nicky Southall lost possession inside the area after a poor first touch and, after Steve Sidwell latched on to the loose ball, the Gillingham defender compounded his initial error by hauling down the midfielder. Kitson, who has gone from strength to strength since Coppell paid Cambridge £150,000 for him last Christmas, chose the same corner and again struck the ball sweetly to complete his first hat-trick for Reading.

    Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler withdrew the anonymous Iwan Roberts at the break to introduce Nyron Nosworthy. And, though Reading continued to look dangerous, it was the visitors who dragged themselves back into the game. Southall beat the offside trap with a well-timed run, and his accurate centre was stylishly converted by Darren Byfield.

    Kitson could have added a fourth goal shortly after the hour but his crisp right-foot shot cannoned back off the post. Forster was withdrawn for Shaun Goater and the former Manchester City legend twice went close to snatching his first Championship goal of the season.


  • 17th September 2004 - Gillingham Preview

    • Reading manager Steve Coppell is likely to name an unchanged side for the visit of Gillingham after his side suffered no fresh injury worries against Preston in midweek.

    Glen Little is the only absentee, as he continues his rehabilitation following a hamstring injury.

    USA winger Bobby Convey is pushing for a recall after a substitute appearance against Preston, but Coppell has been satisfied with the performances of wide men Andy Hughes and Paul Brooker.

    Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has no fresh injury worries.

    Hessenthaler's men go into the match full of confidence after their second-half fightback to earn a 2-2 draw at Coventry in midweek, and the player-boss has no reason to make changes.

    Striker Patrick Agyemang will be aiming to continue his recent resurgence following his two goals at Highfield Road, while Nicky Southall should continue at right-back in place of the injured Nyron Nosworthy.
    Reading V Gillingham
    Top Lge Scorers   Goals   Saturday 18/9 @ 3:00pm   Top Lge Scorers   Goals
    Forster     4   Referee: Kevin Friend (Leics)   Byfield     3
    Kitson     3         Games: 5 Yellows: 23 Reds: 2   Roberts     3
    Harper     2   Last 4 Meetings   Agyemang     2
    Shorey     1   21/02/04 Gillingham 0 1 Reading   Smith     1
                      14/10/03 Reading 2 1 Gillingham          
    Lge Discipline   Y R   10/02/03 Reading 2 1 Gillingham   Lge Discipline   Y R
    Williams   2 0   09/11/02 Gillingham 0 1 Reading   Roberts   3 0
    Sidwell   2 0                                   Hessenthaler   2 0
    Kitson   1 0   Head to Head   Hills   2 0
    Forster   1 0           Reading Draws Gills   Cox   2 0
    Hughes           1 0   League 33 17 36   Banks           1 0
    Lge Goal details:       FA Cup 4 2 0   Lge Goal details:    
    When: F A   League Cup 4 1 3   When: F A
    first half 7 2   Total 41 20 39   first half 5 8
    second half 3 5                                   second half 4 6
    From:       League Games Since   From:    
    open play 7 6   0 a win 2   open play 8 8
    crosses 1 0   0 home win 2   crosses 1 5
    corners 0 0   2 away win 1   corners 0 0
    penalties 1 0   1 a defeat 1   penalties 0 1
    direct from free-kick 1 1   4 home defeat 0   direct from free-kick 0 0
    free-kicks 0 0   0 away defeat 2   free-kicks 0 0
                      8 a score draw 0                  
    Total 10 7   8 a no score draw 8   Total 9 14
                      0 conceding a goal 0                  
                      0 scoring a goal 0                  
                                                                     
    Current Form (last 3 games)
    14/09/04 Preston NE Home Won 3:1   15/09/04 Coventry City