The Royals Looking for the Crown - A Reading FC Story

[iHoward]

February 2012

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Short Month with Big Results
Stoke win Capital One Cup
Reading draw Gillinham in FA Cup Sixth Round

Barclays Premier League Match Day 24

Swansea 2 - 1 Reading

Hooper (2)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 25

Reading 2 - 0 Southampton

Karacan (18), Le Fondre (41)


FA Cup Fifth Round

Reading 5 - 2 Sunderland

Karacan (28), Le Fondre (35, 84), Cattermole (o.g 77), Roberts (80)

February was only a short month but was full of games that are essential for us to get something from. First up was our away trip to Swansea and we went into this game full of confidence but two fantastic goals from Danny Graham rendered the couch journey home a sad one. After this defeat we came up against Southampton at St Mary's and it was a tricky tie with them fighting to stay in the league but we came out of the match with 3 points and that is all that matters in a battle for survival. Finally was our fifth round tie against Sunderland which was a tight affair until we broke ahead 3-2 then Sunderland fell apart as we began to rip them appart in the final minutes.

Performer of the Month

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Jem has been a very consistant performer for us in the midfield but finally this month he has upped the anti just a little and totally shone in all 3 games. He scored two vital goals this month while providing assists but most importantly dictating the tempo of the game to suit us which is key to retaining possesion.

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[Sam91]

Just caught up mate!! Great first season so far and going well in the FA Cup too!!

 

[iHoward]

Just caught up mate!! Great first season so far and going well in the FA Cup too!!

Thanks mate , yeah done quite well in both cups this season and pleased with my league position but I got a trick end to the season so hope it stays positive

 

[iHoward]

March 2012

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Mixed Month ends on a low
Reading Draw Stoke in FA Cup Semi Final
Reading Hit Magical 40 Points for Safety

Barclays Premier League Match Day 26

Reading 3 - 0 Aston Villa

McAnuff (7), Hooper (56), Le Fondre (69)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 27

Chelsea 1 - 1 Reading

Le Fondre (44)


FA Cup Sixth Round

Reading 3 - 0 Gillingham

Elkeson (26, 33), Pearce (90+2)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 28

Reading 2 - 2 Manchester United

Le Fondre (pen 7), Hooper (61)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 29

Newcastle 2 - 1 Reading

Pogrebnyak (75)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 30

Arsenal 4 - 2 Reading

Pogrebnyak (2, 71)


A busy month for us started off brightly with a confident 3-0 win over Aston Villa with Jobi once again proving to be vital to the way we play with a real leaders performance. Next up was a trip to the bridge in which we feared the worst but a confident defensive performance ensured we came away with a point and if it was not for a late Sturridge wonderstrike we would have left the Bridge with all 3 points. Next up was the biggest game in the clubs season with a home tie against League 2 Gillingham in the FA Cup, we were confident our class would shine through but Gillingham had came past Manchest United and Arsenal to reach this round but their luck came to an end as a dominant Elkeson performance proved enough to send us through to a Semi Final. Next up we hosted the red devils and we feared the worst yet again after a poor reverse fixture at old trafford but a counter attacking performance meant we cant away with a point and held a lead within the game twice but Manchester United's quality upfront meant it was difficult to stop them. Finally we had two difficult away fixtures with a trip to St James' park which is under new management as former Newcastle legend Alan Shearer took the helm and the confidence in the North was obvious as Hatem Ben Arfa's flair tore our defense apart. After this result we were desperate to bounce back but an away trip to the Emirates was not the ideal fixture for this. Arsenals speed on the counter was so hard to stop and they proved worthy of their 4-2 lead but scoring twice against a champions league quality side shows our attacking threat. Up next is a very busy April with the 40 point mark hit we have safety all but secured and the rest of the season we are playing for pride and league position which will spur the team on even more.

Performer of the Month

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A difficult month to pick our top player with such good team performances meaning points on the board instead of individual permances. Without a doubt however Itumeleng's performances in goal were outstanding ensuring us points were gained in tricky games against Chelsea and Manchester United when he provided oustanding saves.

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[iHoward]

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Reading Record Signing Homesick

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Reading's record signing Elkeson has reportedly told manager Adam Howard he is missing his homeland and his family just two months after joining the club for a fee rumoured to be in the region of £9.5 million. Elkeson has had two minor injuries since joining the club but his class has been evident in his appearances already and his brace against Gillingham ensured the club now plays in the FA Cup Semi Final against Stoke City. Manager Adam Howard is believed to be frustrated with his record acquisition claiming the player has not had enough time to judge his new surrounding and believes the player must give it more time to settle. Elkeson is rumoured to have asked manager Adam Howard to reunite him with Renan, goalkeeper at his former club Botafogo.​

 

[iHoward]

April 2012

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FA Cup Dream Comes to an End
Reading Secure Mid Table Finish
Readings Strike Force on Form

Barclays Premier League Match Day 31

Reading 2 - 0 Everton

Pogrebnyak (11), Pearce (58)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 32

Wigan 1 - 2 Reading

Kebe (28), Hooper (80)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 33

Reading 4 - 1 Norwich

Le Fondre (24, 78), Pogrebnyak (54, 88)


FA Cup Semi Final

Reading 1 - 4 Stoke

Elkeson (11)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 34

Reading 4 - 1 Stoke

Pogrebnyak (20), Le Fondre (39), McAnuff (77), Hooper (87)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 35

West Ham 2 - 2 Reading

Le Fondre (26), Pogrebnyak (30)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 36

Reading 0 - 3 Tottenham


Well this month was full of highs and lows. The undeniable low has to be our defeat in the FA Cup semi but our run there was enjoyable and it will provide a valuable experience to all members of the squad. The positive to take from this FA Cup tie was the dominant win we had against stoke in the league the same week shows how the squad instantly bounce back form defeat and proves that we want to fight through the pain of defeat rather than live in the gloom of missing out on a FA Cup Final

Performer of the Month

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This months award has to return back to our original man of the month Pavel. He was outstanding this month chipping in with alot of goals but also was involved in the build up and provided several assists to other players this month. He is desperate to remain at Reading next season and his performances certainly have given us reason to extend his contract.

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[iHoward]

End of Season Review

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Reading Break all the Odds
Manager Adam Howard has Outstanding Debut Season
Reading Achieve Top Half Finish

Barclays Premier League Match Day 37

West Brom 4 - 1 Reading

Pogrebnyak (21)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 38

Reading 3 - 0 Q.P.R

Alderweireld (o.g 2), Le Fondre (15), Pogrebnyak (31)


That rounds up my first season in charge of Reading. I came in as an inexperienced manager in my debut season and have come out against all the odds as a top half premier league manager. The squad and the club have been fantastic support and now it is time to move forward and progress with the side next season.

Final League Table

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Reading Player of the Season

Jobi McAnuff

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Reading Young Player of the Season

Alex Pearce

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Reading Top Scorer of the Season

Adam Le Fondre

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[iHoward]

2011/12 - Season Awards

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Barclays Premier League Golden Glove

Joe Hart - Manchester City

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Barclays Premier League Manager of the Year

Adam Howard - Reading

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Barclays Premier League Player of the Year

Gareth Bale - Tottenham

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Barclays Premier League Players' Player of the Year

Wayne Rooney - Manchest United

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Barclays Premier League Players Young Player of the Year

Jack Wilshere - Arsenal

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Barclays Premier League Top Goalscorer

Emmanuel Adebayor - Tottenham
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Barclays Premier League Champions

Manchester United​

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FA Cup Winners

Stoke City

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Capital One Cup Winners

Stoke City

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Champions League Winners

Bayern Munich

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Europa League Winners

Liverpool

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UEFA Super Cup Winners

Chelsea

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[iHoward]

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Reading in Squad Overhaul

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Today concludes then end of the summer transfer window 2012. Reading have been the most active of all sides with no less than 14 new faces. Key introductions to manager Adam Howard's squad include Ashley Williams, Alberto Costa, Denis Stracqualursi and Aaron Ramsey. Manager Adam Howard however has also began to build for the future with the signings of young starlets Carlos Fierro, Connor Wickham and Nathan Redmond. Adam Howard had the following to say, "This is a momentous day for the club. It is the end of a busy transfer window with 14 new faces added to our squad. We did however let a lot of players depart the club but the players we have brought in provide a lot more quality at the club with a mixture of youth and experience that can help us build on last years fantastic results. It is true all of these new faces have cost some money but we also made some money back from player sales and with the growth of the club we will have a huge increase in revenue to help pay for these stars. I hope all the Reading fans are eager to see all of these new players in action and I am full of confidence we can succeed.

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[Sam91]

Great stuff man, nice signings. Especially Redmond, he turns into a quality winger

 

[iHoward]

Pre Season

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Reading have 100% Start
Reading fans in high Spirits
The Future Looks Bright


Port Vale 0 - 11 Reading

Le Fondre (3), Stracqualursi (2), McAnuff, Elkeson (2), Robson-Kanu (3)


Reading 4 - 0 Blackpool

Mariappa, Eastham (o.g), McAnuff (2)


Basingstoke 0 - 6 Reading

Stracqualursi (3), Le Fondre, McAnuff (2)


Didcot 0 - 5 Reading

Le Fondre (2), Stracqualursi, Wilding (o.g), Volta


Preston 3 - 5 Reading

Williams, Elkeson (2), Mariappa, Stracqualursi


Reading 2 - 1 Nottingham Forest

McAnuff, Le Fondre


Pre-Season Summary

Fantastic pre-season, the team looks comfortable with my style of play and the strike force is banging in the goals, I have a lot of confidence about this season.

Tactical Analysis

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This is my tactical philosophy I have been using both last season and will for the next. We play a fluid and attacking style of play with the aim of outscoring the opposition, yes the defence is important to me but you cannot win games without scoring goals so that is my first priority.​

 

[iHoward]

August 2012

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Attacking Content Shown Early by Reading
Two Clean Sheets Suggest Solid Defence
Madejski Stadium Looking Like a Fortress


Barclays Premier League Match Day 1

Manchester United 4 - 2 Reading

Le Fondre, Stracqualursi

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Barclays Premier League Match Day 2

Reading 4 - 0 Newcastle

Elkeson,

Stracqualursi (2), Jung-Woo (o.g)


Capital One Cup Round 2

Reading 4 - 0 Crystal Palace

Elkeson, Le Fondre, Speroni (o.g), Volta


It is safe to say that on this evidence the club is certainly moving forward, before I took charge teams like Newcastle would walk all over us but now we have a dominant win at home against the Toon to help us put some points on the board in our bid for a higher finish than last year.

Performer of the Month

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This month the award has to go to our leader. His leadership on the field is outstanding picking up the team after a demoralising defeat against Manchester United to show his worth to the club with two outstanding performances against first Newcastle and then Crystal Palace, Jobi is simply top class.​

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[iHoward]

Great stuff man, nice signings. Especially Redmond, he turns into a quality winger

Yeah he is a great prospect both in FM and in real life so it's good to have signed him, will take something special to take McAnuff's or Elkeson's place though

 

[Raikan007]

nice story mate, well laid out and easy to read!

Stoke/Tottenham are bastards to beat, even West Brom lol! I hope you give Spurs a carrot this year!

what tactic are you using?

not bad finishing 9th in the first season, congrats

 

[iHoward]

nice story mate, well laid out and easy to read!

Stoke/Tottenham are bastards to beat, even West Brom lol! I hope you give Spurs a carrot this year!

what tactic are you using?

not bad finishing 9th in the first season, congrats

I posted my tactic on the preseason post

Thanks and yeah west brom and stoke kill me

Thanks for the comment

 

[iHoward]

September 2012

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Reading Draw Cardiff in Capital One Cup Fourth Round
Away Form Improves, Home Form Drops
Reading Sharing the Goals Around the Team


Barclays Premier League Match Day 3

Q.P.R 1 - 3 Reading

Stracqualursi (2), Diakite


Barclays Premier League Match Day 4

Reading 1 - 1 Stoke

Volta


Barclays Premier League Match Day 5

Southampton 0 - 3 Reading

Costa, McAnuff, Williams


Capital One Cup Round 3

Reading 2 - 1 Bournemouth

Robson-Kanu, Wickham


Barclays Premier League Match Day 6

Reading 0 - 1 Leicester


A mixed but positive month with good wins against tough opposition in Q.P.R and Southampton and both away from home makes victory that bit sweeter. However our home form this month as been less than impressive with a hard earned draw with a tricky stoke side but only a narrow 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in the cup and then a loss to Leicester has not given out home fans anything to cheer about.

Performer of the Month

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Ashley has been fantastic this month, we did only keep one clean sheet this month but in that game alone Ashley was a rock at the back and also contributed with a goal at St. Mary's but as been outstanding every game this month really rallying the troops at the back to stop letting in as many goals as last year.

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[iHoward]

October 2012

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Difficult Month for Reading
A Month Without a Win
Reading draw Hull in Capital One Cup Quarter Final


Barclays Premier League Match Day 7

Liverpool 1 - 0 Reading


Barclays Premier League Match Day 8

Reading 1 - 3 Chelsea


Barclays Premier League Match Day 9

Arsenal 3 - 0 Reading


Capital One Cup Round 4

Reading 2 - 0 Cardiff

Robson-Kanu, Stracqualursi


What a month! Absolutely awful fixtures to play all in one month but the positives to take from this is that we are now into the Capital Once Cup Quarter Final and have many of this seasons difficult fixtures out the way early on. Lets hope we can now push on and make some progress.


Performer of the Month

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It's hard to pick a player of the month for this month after such dissapointing results but it will have to go to Robson as his performance in the Capital One Cup is the only performance that stood out in an awful October.

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[Sam91]

Ouch fixtures have been horrible to you

 

[iHoward]

Ouch fixtures have been horrible to you

Yeah I have to admit the cup was the most important fixture that month but gave the other teams a go just with no luck

 

[iHoward]

November 2012

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Reading's Situation Worsens
Reading Need a Confidence Boost
Manager Adam Howard Under Pressure


Barclays Premier League Match Day 10

Reading 2 - 0 West Brom

da Silva (o.g), Pearce


Barclays Premier League Match Day 11

Manchester City 3 - 3 Reading

Stracqualursi, Le Fondre, Rodwell (o.g)


Barclays Premier League Match Day 12

Reading 1 - 2 Sunderland

Redmond


Barclays Premier League Match Day 13

Reading 0 - 1 Bolton


Another tricky month. It was full of highs and low's with a good convincing win against West Brom and a fantastic point away at the Etihad in a 6 goal thriller but with two more losses on the bounce we are out of form going into a very busy December which involves a key Semi Final in the Capital One Cup.

Performer of the Month

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Adam was not at his best this month but his vital performance away at the Etihad stadium picked us up a valuable point away from home and hopefully will spring him back into the form he showed last year.

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