Every cloud

Reading may have lost on their travels again, but BTB doesn’t want to talk about. Staying positive, BTB’s reporter at Craven Cottage, noticed something else that Steve McClaren may wish to take note of too.

Reading’s difficulties on the road continued with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham. Despite a lively second half performance from Reading, the home side scored two goals in the last twenty minutes to clinch the game. Steve Coppell may feel a little hard done by because Reading were not as far behind Fulham as the 3-1 scoreline might suggest.

The picturesque setting on the river Thames, did not hold too much fear for Reading, given that Fulham were beaten home and away last season. However, the Thames could well have seemed like the cruel sea to Reading following this result. Simon Davies’ brilliantly struck volley was a fine opening goal, but as it came after just 15 minutes, further goals seemed inevitable. Reading equalised soon after the half time break when Kevin Doyle headed in his fourth goal of the season.

Reading held plenty of possession and attacking guile in the second half, but was unable to convert chances into goals. Fulham broke away from Reading’s pressure with Clint Dempsey making the score 2-1 in the 72nd minute. Substitute David Healy got Fulham’s third three minutes from time and a deserved point for Reading was not going to be.

While all the focus in the aftermath of this game will concern Reading’s away form, it is worth noting that there are other issues due for consideration. The first being that Dave Kitson should be considered for an international call up. Kitson’s play across the front for Reading was superb. The former Cambridge United player’s link up play and intelligence was at times breath taking. Kitson, a player with high confidence, was brave enough to try a bicycle kick during the game, particularly when you consider it was Kitson’s header to Simon Davies that resulted in the Welshman’s stunning volley.

Outsiders may scoff at this theory and dismiss it as sycophantic talk from a very biased source. However, Steve McClaren may be wondering if he can produce an able alternative to partner Michael Owen or Wayne Rooney should the need arise and he could do a lot worse than try Kitson. An unselfish player, who plays under no delusions, Kitson displays enough honesty for Steve Coppell to swear by him. While Leroy Lita has already starred for the England Under 21 side and been somewhat unlucky not to find the net this season on a regular basis, Kitson has not had too much consideration for any international team by those in Soho Square.

Kitson has famously trod a very uncommon path to football stardom, with his time as a supermarket shelf stacker almost part of Reading folklore. It is probably that which helps him retain his air of reality and ambition. It is also that which makes him appear genuine and decent. With player’s wages and lifestyle being very much in the news this week, Kitson goes against that particular grain. However, it is worth noting that not all footballers are as greedy as the media may have us believe. It’s like life really, not every one is the same but in the context of the aftermath of Reading’s defeat at Fulham a new international may have been born and that in itself is very much unique.

By Stuart Croucher.