Back from the game - Preston

[ZacNaloen]

I think Mccarthy is a more dependable, less big error prone goal keeper.. on current showing. But his kicking isn't even in the same ball park as feds

McCarthy's not error free, though. There was that preliminary flap on Saturday; and would Feds have let last night's goal in? I'm a fan of both of them; but it might make sense to sell Feds.

Most goal keepers would have flapped at that save. It bounced about a foot in front of him.

[Silver Fox]

Feds, Hunt and Mills playing for the reserves today - so we *might* have a much strengthened squad to choose from for our run-in!

If Feds gets brought back in as soon as he's fit I will go absolutely ballistic!

Everyone one seems so sure that McCarthy is better than Feds.

Not everyone

[Terminal Boardom]

I think Mccarthy is a more dependable, less big error prone goal keeper.. on current showing. But his kicking isn't even in the same ball park as feds

McCarthy's not error free, though. There was that preliminary flap on Saturday; and would Feds have let last night's goal in? I'm a fan of both of them; but it might make sense to sell Feds.

How many howlers has Fed had. The ball hit him after coming off the post. Slightly unfortunate. Twice last night McCarthy has bad positioning for the corner kick. Nothing came of that fortunately but he has started so much better than Feds. I hope he's not pushed aside for Feds to come back into the team as McCarthy would not warrant this.

Feds resembles more of a lump whereas Macca is far more agile

[Hoop Blah]

You could argue that McCarthy should've been able to guide the freekick round the post so that it didn't come back and hit him.

That's possible a little harsh, but if it was Federici it would probably be my stand point. I'm willing to give the McCarthy a bit more slack at the moment as he's obviously just finding his feet. He flapped a couple of times last night and he didn't smoother a couple of saves he should've done against Pompey.

All in all he's shaping up very well though.

[ZacNaloen]

I have sympathy for Mccarthy there because his view was blocked by the number of people in the box for a long time. He couldn't get down quick enough once he saw where it was going.

[Hoop Blah]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it was easy, just that if you were looking at what could've/should've happened there would be an argument that his reactions may have been quicker and he'd have just tipped it round the post instead of what actually happened.

You could also argue that he/we should've had the defenders a bit higher to give him a better view. That's by no means easy when you take into account where the freekick was coming from, the quality of the delivery and the runs by the Preston players.

Like I said, that would be a tad harsh!

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Finally got going in the 2nd half.

I sit in the North Stand so I had a great view of the handball incident. Definite penalty. The shot was going into the net and was clearly blocked by the arm. Shocking decision.

Man of the Match - Jem Karacan. Made a number of great tackles in the first half and got forward well in the second. Kebe didn't have the best of games, hogged the touchline too much.

Great atmosphere in the second half.

[ZacNaloen]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it was easy, just that if you were looking at what could've/should've happened there would be an argument that his reactions may have been quicker and he'd have just tipped it round the post instead of what actually happened.

You could also argue that he/we should've had the defenders a bit higher to give him a better view. That's by no means easy when you take into account where the freekick was coming from, the quality of the delivery and the runs by the Preston players.

Like I said, that would be a tad harsh!

I think your just being harsh because you don't want to jump on the pro mccarthy bandwagon, you grumpy git

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Mention to the shot that Manset had last night from about 20 yards out.

The power behind it.
Also a mention to the shot that Ian Harte had which forced a great save from the goalkeeper.

[zummerset]

Back after a bit of a detour today to see some old sites and visit the relatives.

I thought this looked tricky but the boys played very well, amazing team spirit in the second half and some inspired managerial changes. We did look rocky at the back for pace but they compensated with commitment and endeavour so I guess you could fault that and its too soon to count chickens about a possible premiership standard team.

Midfield in the first half was a bit dicky too with odd flashes of brilliance amongst the incoherent patches. The PNE goal was always coming as we seemed to sit back and lose confidence after our first goal and in a way thank God for the PNE goal as the boys really got their head down for a thrilling second half. Legs coming on was the making of the midfield and Jem was inspired thereafter. The Beast played well and looks like a find when he gets established. Longy and Kebe looked sharp and the goal was only a matter of time for me when the second half subs came on.

For me that was also a stonewall handball off the line from Zurab (this taken from the BBC but I thought it was Jem or Ian Harte) around 70 mins but equally some in the North Stand would have had a better view so will be interested to read the comments. Well played boys - made me proud to be a Reading Fan.

[URZZ]

Mention to the shot that Manset had last night from about 20 yards out.

The power behind it.
Also a mention to the shot that Ian Harte had which forced a great save from the goalkeeper.

True 'dat. Felt for the advertisement board that got pummeled by Manset, what a shoooot, that boy has a left foot or what?

Ivar was a concern last night, as well as Griff. Great footballing minds but they cannot contain pace anymore. For Griff's booking he got absolutely skinned by their left winger, and he literally grabbed his neck and held him back...

[RoyalBlue]

Having seen Phil Brown's diatribe I have now completely lost any sympathy for him and his team and will happily wave goodbye as they disappear through the trap door come the end of the season!

The ref didn't give you a single decision all night? I would say failing to award one of the most blatant penalties you could see and then follow it up with the mandatory red card is giving your team a couple of massive decisions. On top of that you got his incredible tolerance of your team's foul tactics - tackling straight through the back, blatant pull backs (shirts and arms), double armed shoves etc.

Influenced by our crowd into ignoring two blatant fouls when our first goal was scored? You were at the Mad Stad were you Phil?

Incidentally, whats with the new style free kicks? Why not stick to having a shot at goal rather than the lob in for the back headed flick?

Particularly when you position Kebe, of all players, to undertake that flick!!

BTW was it you who rang BBCRB after the game and mentioned Billy Davies?

[Silver Fox]

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere else

[zummerset]

^this is what I thought I saw. Perhaps the ref was unsighted I can't remember exactly where he was - pretty poor ref in anycase.

[Wycombe Royal]

^this is what I thought I saw. Perhaps the ref was unsighted I can't remember exactly where he was - pretty poor ref in anycase.

He's in the picture.

[Svlad Cjelli]

Deliberate? Or could he not get out of the way?

Because to me that picture just shows him with his arms in a normal position.

[brendywendy]

hes clearly lifting his elbow to reach the ball imo

[ZacNaloen]

Mills got a red card and a penalty was given when the ball bounced off his body onto his arm, by that margin it should have been a red and penalty because that's gone straight to his arm and blocked a goal

[Kitson12]

hes clearly lifting his elbow to reach the ball imo

^this.

[Royal Rother]

^this is what I thought I saw. Perhaps the ref was unsighted I can't remember exactly where he was - pretty poor ref in anycase.

He's in the picture.

With about 3 bodies between him and the ball. Why would he not give it if he saw it?

It's now become a matter of course that if a ref doesn't give an obvious penalty then he must be useless but a ref can't guess if he doesn't see. Or should he just go with crowd and player reaction?