JM 'didn't hear' the boos on Saturday

Apparently John Madejski says he 'didn't hear the boos...' at half-time on Saturday. Personally, if I was the booing type, I would have booed Mr. M for his spectacularly misjudged Delia moment, not for any perceived lack of investment, which was the real reason why sections of the crowd gave him a hard time. The crowd were doing just fine, the team had played well, we probably should have been ahead I suppose, but the last thing we needed was the chairman doing his hubristic motivational thang rounded off with that embarrassing arm-waving routine. I did wonder why the announcer said '...you've heard the views of the chairman!...'. Erm, no we didn't actually, we just saw him prance about like a slightly pissed uncle at a wedding. I guess we should be thankful that he wasn't handed the microphone.

Kebe is 'faster than Ronaldo'!

According to the Evening Post, Liam Rosenior thinks Jimmy Kebe is awesome, and fast. Very fast. Not Usain Bolt fast of course. But pretty darn fast nevertheless:

"I’ve played against Robben and Ronaldo and he's naturally faster than them. I’m not just saying that because he's on my team, he's faster"

I've been very excited by the Kebbster so far this season, and he really tormented the Palace full back all afternoon on Saturday. Together with Rosenior they really looked dangerous down the right, and this could well be a very potent partnership. Murts will have to work hard to dislodge Rosenior right now.

Hunt moans about blocked Toffees move

It's been widely reported that Noel Hunt's brother (as we shall rather childishly refer to him from now on) was a trifle miffed at not being allowed to do one to Everton before the transfer window closed on Monday. Steve Coppell seems to have had a different view of events, but in a direct conflict of opinion the straggley-haired one opined thus:

"...it was a big club and it was disappointing that Reading could not have helped me out a little bit to benefit my career. For what I have done for them, it would have been nice."

Hmmm... firstly, what does he mean 'it was a big club...', I wonder if he meant '...it was a big club, and now it's just a medium size one at best, with aspirations to join the big boys which it is clearly failing spectacularly to achieve'? Erm, probably not.

I like the next bit about benefitting his career, and then 'for what I have done for them...'. Let's get this into perspective now shall we? SC signed you from Brentford and you were given a chance at a higher level, which fair enough you grasped and did us proud son, well done. However, you were paid pretty well I imagine, and at times it was difficult to see what you brought to the team other than a tireless energy and willingness to run around a lot. Let's be clear too that it was the good faith placed in your ability as well as your own hard work which combined to make you a decent player and an asset to the club. An asset which the club should, at the very least, expect to get a decent return on rather than simply hand over for a knock-down fee. It's not really your place to decide what that fee might be either.

Noel Hunt's brother had a pretty indifferent time of it last season, and it's nothing short of a travesty that he won Player of the Season, when it surely had to be Marcus after a many months spent saving more shots than any other Premier League keeper. I think it really is time for the talking to stop and the action to start, whilst Hunt's been in pretty decent form this season so far I expect a lot more from a player attracting such interest from Premier League clubs. Time to get on with it and prove your worth I think.

Newcastle owner needs a drink!

It ain't Royals related, and it's not even Championship related, but this is just funny. Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United, clearly needs a drink after watching his team suffer a trouncing at the hands of Arsenal on Saturday.

Doyle bags three as Royals beat Palace

Kevin Doyle returned to form in spectacular style on Saturday as Reading came from behind to thump Crystal Palace 4-2 at the Madejski. Doyle was always busy and posed a constant threat offering glimpses of him at his very best. Jimmy Kebe was outstanding and caused problems all afternoon with his pace and direct running as the Royals looked a potent counter-attacking force. With three players making their league debuts it was a new look side, but after a brief scare when the Eagles took the lead in the second half it was an assured and confident performance. Alex Pearce in particular impressed but Jem Karacan set up Doyle's second. Noel Hunt replaced a lacklustre Shane Long on and although he failed to make the most of two good chances he will surely be pressing Long for a starting place. With one day to go before the transfer window closes it's still unclear if we'll lose anymore players, but with Leroy Lita not even on making the bench his future must remain in doubt.