There are victories, and then there are statements.
On a night when Reading desperately needed a spark to ignite their season, they delivered a performance that reminded us of the quality we have running through this side. The only disappointment was the number of supporters inside the Select Car Leasing Stadium to witness it.
Mansfield Town arrived hoping to continue their strong start to the campaign. Following a recent 5-2 victory over promotion hopefuls Luton Town, the Stags were hoping to continue winning
habits, but instead left on the back of a 5-0 defeat, which in truth could have been much worse.
Although many Reading players could be singled out for praise, I was particularly impressed with George Earthy, whose movement off the ball and passing ability reminded me of a certain Frank Lampard. I wonder if he ever made it in the game!
Paddy Lane had one of his best performances in a Reading shirt and Kyreece Lisbie continues to impress with his direct style of play and willingness to make things happen going forward.
The big ‘step in the right direction’ moment for me though was our substitutions. Apart from the Jack Marriott swap (because he is simply irreplaceable), it was so refreshing to see us make changes that did not weaken us in any way: a sign that we have something resembling real squad depth.
If I am to be ultra critical (which is difficult on the back of a 5-0 victory), I feel sure that better sides than Mansfield will expose our defensive weaknesses, particularly our lack of pace in central areas and our inability to find anyone in a Reading shirt when we play out from the back.
Our left-back position has been consistently weak for some time now, both defensively and going forward, yet the criticism of Jeriel Dorsett seems to overshadow the fact that our central partnership is suspect at times to say the least. As I say, ultra critical, but also obvious to see.
A night when everything clicked
As for the game itself, for 35 minutes, the contest was finely balanced. Mansfield competed well, battled for every ball and even threatened to frustrate us, with David McGoldrick in particular showing why WWE may be his favoured career choice when he hangs up his boots.
Then came the moment that changed everything. Marriott (who else?) was the first to strike, heading home amid a crowded penalty area and some serious comedic defending.
Five minutes later it was two. Goalkeeper Harry Lewis decided to wear oven gloves for the night and failed to deal with a cross that looked as if it would only endanger passing aircrafts. As the ‘keeper somehow spilt the ball, Benn Ward seized his opportunity and poked the ball home for 2-0.
When Earthy then fired home a brilliant third just before the break, you could be forgiven for thinking your half-time pint would be a relaxed one, but this is Reading and relaxation is never a feeling I experience within a two-mile radius of the stadium.
If the first three were a mixture of terrible goalkeeping and defensive mistakes, the fourth was all about the class of Marriott. In League One this season you will see 30-yard screamers, individual mazy runs and goals that scream teamwork, but I challenge anyone to show me a better finish than Marriott’s for the fourth on Wednesday night.
The embodiment of confidence and clinical finishing, Marriott received the ball inside the penalty area with his back to goal and turned brilliantly before firing low beyond Lewis to grab his second of the night.
Bizarrely, Marriott’s current form – in fact his form since the day he signed – further emphasises what an important and sensible signing Jamie Reid is. If we lose Marriott’s goals to injury then I am more than happy with an experienced, proven goalscorer at this level who hardly ever misses a game. The fact that his signature was obtained late in the transfer window does not necessarily make him the desperation signing many imagined.
With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Jacob Brown put the final touches to a magnificent evening. Meeting Randell Williams’ inviting cross, Brown calmly guided the ball home to make it five. The celebrations were joyous, the scoreline astonishing and the message unmistakable: this was a performance that screamed intent, so long may it continue.
This was more than Reading’s first League One victory of the season. It was a reminder of what this squad is capable of when confidence flows and quality shines through.
So, will I be getting carried away with such a performance? The simple answer is no – I have been supporting Reading for long enough now to know that consistency is not something we are famed for, but it was certainly a step in the right direction.
I enjoyed it, I celebrated it and I wanted the game to continue. For one unforgettable September evening, everything clicked. Five goals scored, zero conceded and a warning shot fired across League One. I have certainly had worse Wednesday evenings.
Talking of worse Wednesday evenings, I would like to thank The Highways Agency, Reading Borough Council and whoever else is responsible for communicating the closure of junction 12 just 15 minutes before it was due to happen!
I realise the closure may have been pencilled in some time ago, but deciding to communicate it at 9:45pm (just as football traffic was approaching) is yet another example of roadworks seemingly being deliberately timed to cause maximum chaos when heading to or from the stadium.
This Saturday we entertain Blackpool at the SCL, who have themselves made an impressive start to the season, with just one defeat in four games played.
If the Wednesday Evening Reading turn up then I can see us having far too much quality for Blackpool, but if the inconsistent Reading of last season turn up then we could be in for a tough afternoon. I’m predicting an unchanged line-up and a 3-2 Reading win.
Reading 3-2 Blackpool
(Marriott, Marriott, Lisbie / Charles, Yates)
Until next week.
Much love and c’mon URZZZ!
Dixey
