Competitive football has been a long time coming, and while your first proper of the game of the season going to a penalty shootout isn’t quite exactly what we’re used to when it comes to season curtain-raisers, it was still good to see Reading back at it.
Because even the most avid pre-season-goer really lives for Saturday 3pms with stakes on the line.
The game itself was a cagey one, with the level of quality on show more in line with what you would perhaps see in a friendly. However, there were
some promising signs, and ultimately we’re through to the next round. Here’s how the fans reacted to the game…
Kyreece Lisbie
One of the things we look forward to most when the season starts is seeing the new boys in action, and all four of Reading’s summer signings so far started this game. While it was Josh Stokes who got his name on the scoresheet, it was the performance of Kyreece Lisbie that really piqued the fans’ interest.
Leam Richardson has spoken tirelessly since joining about how he wants direct, pacey wingers who can run at defenders, so you’d imagine Lisbie will be an important player this season. And he’s got off to a good start.
He was always our most threatening attacker, and showed just what he can do in winning the penalty Lewis Wing missed. The fans were impressed with what they saw…
The performance
As is the case with the majority of performances I suppose, this was one that split opinion, with some fans fearing not enough has changed since last season and others seeing improvements.
In my opinion, there were definitely signs of more attacking intent and an identity of how we want to attack forming. The issues was that those signs came in sporadic bursts, rather than a consistent 90-minute performance, which is to be expected at this stage of the season.
It wouldn’t be the opening of the day of the season – or any day support Reading for that matter I suppose – without fans disagreeing already though…
Signings needed
As is the case after any game taking place while the transfer windows still open, the need for extra bodies was on the agenda for the fans post-match. But this isn’t just a case of wanting signings for the sake of it – it’s very clear we’re still at least three bodies short going into the new campaign.
Richardson has been banging the drum in every piece of media he’s done in the last few weeks and reiterated it again in his post-match interviews.
With Rob Couhig over in the UK for the next few days, we’ll all be hoping the activity ramps up before the Luton Town game…
Conclusion
There seems to be quite a distinct split among the fans at the moment: those who are giving Richardson a clean slate and second chance, and those who still have last season’s dismal ending etched firmly in their minds.
I fall into the former of those categories (it’s a new season after all). And, as I mentioned, there were definitely positives to take and signs that Richardson wants this team to be more proactive and on the front foot.
All in all, it is a positive start to the season. However, and I know it’s quoting the glaringly obvious, we need to continue evolving into a team that can produce those positives on a more consistent basis.
And hopefully that starts at the SCL next weekend when, let’s be honest, the season properly starts.
