Fulham at Reading

Reading had been flying high in 3rd place back in October when we came back from a 2 goal deficit to beat them 4-2 at home. Since then they've gradually slipped down the table, although back-to-back wins have helped them climb to 12th. Those recent wins were against relegation contenders Rotherham and Charlton, so there are points available for us in the match.

 

I agree. We seem to have become confident enough to play like we can beat a team we've already beaten this season (see Rotherham & QPR), but that also counts for exactly diddly squat in this league. I'm just hoping for significant improvement over our effort at home against Middlesbrough. I'm afraid we're back into the old one step forward, two steps back rut. Let's hope we get in the reverse rut of that, starting Saturday.

 

Have to think this will be a very entertaining roller coaster of a match with plenty of chances for each side. Besides the narrow wins over the bottom clubs Reading did take it to West Brom in the FA Cup (the match where the WBA fan hit Brunt with a coin afterwards) and drew with top of the table Burnley, so they are in form.

This is the time of the season where the relegation teams come up with surprising wins and while Fulham are 7 points ahead of Rotherham, there is only 1 team between us and 22nd place. There should be a good contingent of away fans. Any trip to the Royals brings memories of the Great Escape and the performance that gave belief that the lads might be able to dig themselves out of their dire circumstances. Davies to McBride, numerous rattlings off the post/bar (not included in the highlights), and Erik the Viking with his first goal for Fulham to seal it.

 

Should the other thread read Love Bite or Jermaine Jackson? Sounds like he gave up a bad penalty.

Not great that 3 of the 4 teams below won today, but at least Bristol City is reeling. Make no bones about it, we be in a relegation scrap.

 

http://thefootballcouch.com/reading-vs-fulham-highlights/

 

I think Amorebietta's reputation earned that penalty more than anything else. That never should have been called. The ball was going out, he gives him a slight elbow in the back and the guy flops because there are no other options. Amorebietta should play smarter and keep his arms down for goodness sake, but that was not worthy of a penalty. I think in the end a draw was a fair result and I'm happy to have gotten a point from that matchup, although as Joe said the results under us didn't help our situation.

 

I think the key phrase here is "Amorebieta should learn to play smarter..." This assumes that Amorebieta is capable of playing smarter. Suffice to say this is not his first rash challenge. Whether it was a penalty or not is irrelevant. His reputation precedes him, and it was called.

 

I didn't see it, but I enjoy the varying descriptions (and/or disdain) of Amorebieta's play.

 

The phrase "not worthy of a penalty" is a funny one to me. A foul is a foul, and if said foul occurred within the 18-yard box, then it is a penalty. Why is there this belief that spot kicks should only result from severe fouls?

 

I guess for me that was a flop (but a smart play for Reading). I don't think the elbow in the back was enough to make him fall over. If Robson-Kanu got bumped like that exiting a crowded London tube, I say he manages to stay on his feet. So since the contact wasn't enough to have caused him to lose control it shouldn't be a foul. It was a stupid move on Amorebieta's part, but I still don't think it was worthy of a penalty or foul. Fingers crossed he plays smarter today, but I'm expecting more of the same.