Poor Old Reading!

I can't say I like Reading - that 6-0 hammering at the Madejski Stadium drove a stake through the heart of an affection I had felt going back to the days of Steve Victor De'ath (How could a team take to the field with Death between the sticks?). However, how unlucky were they to lose yesterday, based on the game's stats?

Swansea only had four shots on target and scored four goals - and one of those went in off a Reading player! Reading had more shots on goal, more shots on target and more corners, but still contrived to lose the game 4-2. Even when they were 3-0 down, I cautioned my son not to write them off, and sure enough, they showed typical dogged, fighting spirit to pull it back to 3-2. The fourth Swansea goal was a cruel blow.

One is tempted to say what a great job Brian McDermott has done - and he has - but cruel fate delivered another savage blow because Swansea are managed by the guy Reading sacked before McDermott was appointed. How shit is that?

And the final cruel twist of fate? Swans are, of course, the dish of royalty but yesterday the Swans devoured the Royals. You couldn't write it, could you?

I'm not going to pretend any love for Reading. There was a falling out between the clubs when we poached Pardew and the wound of that 6-0 thrashing is still raw, but my sympathy goes out to the club and to its fans today. I hope you get up via the playoffs next year guys, providing, of course we finish in one of the two top berths!