... the team is assembled, they board the coach, there is an uneasy tension on the coach trip to derby, the few players seemingly trying not to show nerves have some half hearted jokes, the fans pile into cars, trains coaches, sombre faces, the flags that wee displayed so magnificantly at the start of the season appear to be at half mast.
The thoughts going through fans minds are those of the unknown, the biggest game in our history, the make or break. So now the difference between the 60's and 70's where fans carried small radios or looked on the advertising boards for the cryptic half time results instead we now use ipods and mobile phones, The atmosphere at Derby is awesome, almost party mode with the home fans, a feeling of relief unless you are a Reading fan.
The game kicks off and you know the next 90 minutes is our destiny. You need to believe, dig deep, extend for the ball that you might have let go in earlier games, run down your opponents like you have the wind behind you. Courage, Commitment and self belief and most of all pride to wear the shirt, what ever might be come sunday evening there will be tears, one of sadness or relief.
C'MON URZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
The Royals go to Derby on Sunday knowing that they must get a positive result to have any realistic chance of moving out of the bottom three and avoiding relegation.
Derby vs Reading
We travel to Pride Park to take on a Derby side who will end the season with the lowest total in Premier League history. They are currently on 11 points, with one win and eight draws. Their only win was at home to Newcastle back in September, and their last point was at home to Sunderland on 1st March. Their home record is W1 D5 L12, GF12 GA39.
The Royals' last win was on 22nd March when we beat Birmingham 2-1 at home, and that was also the last game in which we scored. Our last point was away at Wigan two weeks ago. Our away record this season is W1 D4 L13.
Portsmouth vs Fulham
Only the top four clubs have lost fewer games at home than Portsmouth this season. They have drawn a fair number though, with W7, D8 L3 their record at Fratton.
The Cottagers go south with a record of W2 D7 L9 away from home. They have scored 15 and conceded 29 on their travels, and until they played at Madejski Stadium they had not won away in the league for more than 18 months.
Birmingham vs Blackburn
Only Derby have won fewer games at home than Birmingham this season. They have a record of W5 D8 L5. They have the highest number of home draws, sharing that record with Portsmouth. Their last win was at home to Man City at the end of March, and they drew with Liverpool two weeks ago.
The permutations
Approaching the final games, two out of four teams will be relegated, and the situation at the bottom of the table is:
Bolton 36pts, GD-18
Fulham 33pts, GD-23
Reading 33pts, GD-29
Birmingham 32pts, GD-19
A win would make us safe if Fulham fail to win when they face Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Birmingham's result at home to Blackburn would then be irrelevant and they would be down.
A draw would see us safe if Fulham lose, as well as Birmingham losing to Blackburn.
If Fulham win, we could still stay up with a huge victory at Derby, but it would need to be along the lines of an unprecented 7-0 or 8-0. If we were to equal Fulham's goal difference that would be enough because we would have scored more goals.
We would need an even bigger turnaroud to overtake Bolton, who are away at Chelsea.
The only way we could stay up with a defeat is if Fulham are improbably hammered by six goals at Pompey, and Birmingham also lose.
I think Rosenior was the only player that actually showed any drop of passion wearing a reading Shirt (raising to get the ball after Spurs had scored and racing off the pitch when being subbed so as not to waste any time - shame he couldn't move that quick during the match though)
I think that what summed it up for me was the lack of players coming over to show their appreciation after the game (only Harper, Marcus & Doyle) the others couldn't give two shites which proves they don't give a flying f**k about the supporters who pay their wages!
Made me think "i'll be here next season whilst they looked as if they were already thinking about what other team they could sign and play for next season".
Another thing I noticed was how Shorey actually raised his game after being booed and put in a couple of decent crosses. I wasn't one of those that booed him, but really had to force my lips closed to stop myself - he was grinning like a cheshire cat at the booing when he came over to take a corner in the East/North stand corner - more like a smug "well heh I don't care - i won't be here next year anyway" look.
If players are on 10-20k per week and are judged on their 90 minutes performance on the pitch then over the season all of them would have been sacked if any other normal profession. So think the supporters have the right to show their feelings in the only way they really can by booing as the management team certainly don't appear to make the changes when things are going wrong or the performances are not up to scratch by dropping players.
I'm now resigned to us going down - apart from the odd couple of games against the bigger teams (Liverpool, Man Utd and Cheatski) where we have raised our games and showed passion - we have been dire and don't deserve to stay up.
Unfortunately the management team & Chairman have been tactically niaive by not investing in the squad whilst all the other teams around us have!! (Sunderland £50m, Wigan £30-40m, Fulham £40m). Small town club small town mentality - proved by the lack of passion & investment on the pitch. Media Centre and ground expansion my a**e - what an utter waste of money which we won't be needing in the Championship next year.
Every cross, free kick and throw in was rubbish, defending was a joke as was the big gap in midfield with no width and 3 strikers all within a yard of each other!! Spurs goal summed up how schoolboy we were , 5 players running after the player that had the ball, Keane who scored the goal had ben fouled and was on the floor, but still had time to give our defenders/midfielders a 20 yard head start before getting up and putting the ball in the net.
We were bloody lucky not to have conceeded more yesterday - thought at one point in 2nd half Spurs felt sorry for us and were almost giving us the ball to let us try and equalise!
Moan over - still p***ed off with the lack of fight that weve shown this season and thats what gets me the most, icing on the cake was the lack of appreciation by the players after the game - think its time to get rid of dead wood and build again from the start!
We can still stay up mathmatically but i am not holding my breath, I'll be there next year - most of our lack lustre players won't
