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Awayday Reviews - Reading, Madejski Stadium
Awayday Reviews - Reading, Madejski Stadium
Tuesday, 4th Nov 2008 22:55

A second consecutive goalless draw on the road but the performance at Reading was a world away from that at Swansea - Tony Gibson was our awayday reviewer at the Madejski Stadium.

1 – The Match
Like Swansea, another goalless draw was played out, this time in front of the live Sky cameras, but it was a much improved performance than that on the previous Tuesday night. At lot of attention was given to caretaker manager Gareth Ainsworth in his first game in charge following the sacking of Iain Dowie the previous day. QPR forced good second-half saves from Marcus Hahnemann through Daniel Parejo and Akos Buszaky. Reading went close to taking the lead just before the break with Radek Cerny saving Noel Hunt's close-range header. QPR were perhaps also a bit fortunate to survive two good penalty appeals while Kalifa Cisse's header almost grabbed the win for Reading late on.
7/10

2 – Rangers’ Performance
QPR's performance had Gareth Ainsworth written all over it and the result was just reward for a fully committed performance. Rangers were extremely comfortable against a free scoring Reading side with good performances at the back from Cerny, Stewart and particularly, Leigertwood at right back. The midfield was solid enough but if there is a negative we were, yet again, severely lacking in the forward department. A more than creditable and deserved result though.
7/10

3 – QPR Support
Around 2,500 made the short trip up the M4 for this one, but would have certainly filled the whole end had the match not been on the telly. Probably a bit shell shocked from the events of the previous day, the R's fans started quietly but improved as the game wore on - fully behind the team and in support of Gareth Ainsworth. The noise from the Rangers end also came across very well on TV too.
8/10

4 – The Ground
Opened in 1998, the Madejski is one of the newer grounds in the Championship and is miles away from their previous home at Elm Park. It has been purpose built in close proximity to the M4 and like what seems to be a trend with new stadiums, also has a hotel attached to one of the stands. The good thing is, it has been designed with the supporter in mind with the fans being very close to the pitch, with decent leg room and facilities and the acoustics can make for an excellent atmosphere.
8/10

5 – Atmosphere
Pretty good overall with lots of banter between the supporters before and during the game. As mentioned, the acoustics at the Madjeski are good so a decent noise can be generated. Rangers fans improved more and more as the game wore on and with that, the home fans started venting their frustrations against their team and the rare lack of goals for Reading, brought a chorus of 'one Leroy Lita' from the fans to our right. Sounded pretty good on the telly too.
7/10

6 – Pre Match
Due to traffic problems on the M4, we more or less headed straight to the ground. Parking was a tad on the expensive side, but there is little choice if you have travelled by car. There are plenty of food outlets around the stadium but a distinct lack of pubs. Alcohol and the normal football food is served inside the ground, but seeing a large majority of the away end suitably inebriated, it seemed there was plenty of life to be found in the town centre before the game.
6/10

7 - The Journey
As previously mentioned, traffic problems on the M4 diverted us onto the back roads into Reading and with it being a late kick off, plenty of traffic was about in the town centre and leading to the stadium.
4/10

8 – Police and Stewards
A bit over the top with the steward searches on entering the stadium but in saying that, they seemed friendly enough and very helpful once inside. No major Police presence either to be honest.
9/10
Total – 56/80

Photo: Action Images



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