Royals show attitude to overcome leaders

Well it wasn't a thriller, and their were moments when it restored my faith in staying at home and watching the telly, but the Royals achieved a significant result courtesy of a determined performance and a howler of an own goal. Reading lined up with two fringe players in the back four in Julian Kelly (deputising for the suspended L.Rosenior Junior) and Alex Pearce (in for Ivar Ingimarsson, injured?), and although Pearce has had some league minutes this season the defence had a makeshift look about it. Something approaching a good atmosphere was evident for the first time in a while for a game under the lights with 22,000 tickets sold. It didn't take long for the majority of the fans to have something to cheer about when Neil Collins' looping header beat his own keeper and the Royals were in front on 61 seconds. What then ensued for the remaining 88 minutes was a scrappy affair between two very similar teams. Kelly looked uncomfortable at times but grew in confidence towards the end; Pearce had a fairly solid match, first partnering Michael Duberry and then Kalifa Cisse (Duberry took a knock on the head and was unable to continue) with confidence. Aside from a long-range free kick from Noel Hunt that was tipped over it's hard to recall any saves of note from either keeper. It really was that kind of game. Though one could complain about the lack of quality on display, it would be harsh indeed to question the commitment shown by the players. Even Jimmy Kebe got stuck in and had one of his more effective games. Leroy Lita got 10 minutes at the end and caused a few problems, Shane Long joined him and erm, didn't.

So the 'Results Juggernaut' rolls on (with the occasional puncture!). Pretty we ain't right now, but most effective we certainly are. Credit to SC for knowing how to get the most from the players at his disposal - and of course to those players themselves. I'll stand by my pre-match prediction and state for the record I believe we'll go on to win the title now. May be a little premature (OK, it's definitely premature!) but I'm beginning to think about what happens next season, because it's difficult to imagine this current collection of players doing anything other than struggle in the top flight.