Home draw not a disaster

On the day when Derby County’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, Reading collected another valuable point with a 0-0 home draw with Blackburn Rovers. Reading was reduced to ten men midway through the second half following the dismissal of Marek Matejovsky for a second yellow card. With Bolton Wanderers throwing away a two goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to Arsenal, Reading now sit six points above the drop zone with six games to play.

Blackburn Rovers arrived at the Madejski Stadium as one of six sides that Reading has failed to beat since their entry into the Premier League. The other five being, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth and Watford. Both sides were keen for victory for opposing reasons. Rovers under Mark Hughes were again going for another season in Europe. The Lancashire side would not have relished the trip to Berkshire, but Reading would also not be too enamoured about playing a side that they have failed to record a victory against since 1986.

The first half failed to produce too much in the way of incident. Although Andre Bikey, the hero of last weekend’s victory against Birmingham City tried his luck after just two minutes with a long distance lob that was gathered by Rovers’ goalkeeper Brad Friedel. Bikey had a tremendous game showing timely touches and tackles as Reading’s defence played its way to a third clean sheet in five matches. The chances for Reading were few and far between in the first period, with Friedel making good saves from Dave Kitson and John Oster.

The second half did not offer too much more. Stephen Hunt could have put Reading in front but could only direct a Liam Rosenior cross wide of the Blackburn Rovers goal. In the 72nd minute it appeared the game was about to swing towards the visitors. Marek Matejovsky was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rovers striker Jason Roberts. Alarm bells were suddenly ringing loud and clear in the collective Reading mind as Matejovsky left the pitch. However a brilliant point blank save by Marcus Hahnemann from Roque Santa Cruz helped Reading hold on. Indeed Hunt could have given the home side all the points had he made a better contact to a Shane Long cross from six yards out.

In view of results elsewhere, a draw might be seen as a bit of a disappointing result. To hold this opinion would be to disregard the nature of Reading’s performance. The composed play of Bikey and Rosenior have given the Reading defence an air of stability that at times earlier in the season appeared to be non-existent. The psychology of the performance will prove just as important as the score-line. Blackburn Rovers pursuit for a European place was always going to make this game a tricky fixture. The point means that Reading close March with 10 points gained. A month ago relegation looked quite likely especially as Reading were desperately trying to recover from eight consecutive defeats. As we head towards April the Premier League table looks much more positive from a Reading perspective. However do not dare forget the old adage – it’s not over yet!

By Stuart Croucher.