Exeter City Fans Verdict: A Dogged Win For Reading In The South West
The fans were in a great mood as Reading battled their way to a first away win of the season.
The only grey cloud hanging above Ruben Selles has been Reading’s inability to win, or regularly pick up results, away from home this season.
The home form is second to none (well, to Birmingham City and Wrexham), but the away form has been disappointing to say the least. Reading, the players, Selles and the fans all needed Tuesday night’s win to ignite a real belief that something could happen this season.
The first half was a textbook Selles performance, while in the second we rode our luck and battled to a big win. Here’s how the fans reacted to the performance.
Jayden Wareham
He’s had to wait very, very patiently for his chance, but he finally got it on Tuesday. So far, in the league at least, he’s been limited to fleeting appearances from the bench, but against Exeter he got his first league start, and within a minute had bagged the opener.
He’s clearly a talented player, but we still don’t know a huge amount about him. If he keeps scoring though we will know soon enough.
The fans were happy with his performance...
Been impressed with Wareham, beat and tidy and took his goal really well, he's similar to Smith in some ways but seems a bit more mobile, a lot of learning to be done but again promising player #readingfc
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard) October 22, 2024
Wareham looking powerful upfront to proper strong and the pace on him to he’s rapid great first half from him #readingfc
— Miles (@Milesyyy12) October 22, 2024
What a start! Wareham with such a good turn to give him all the time in the world. Classy #ReadingFC
— Sam Spencer-Ades (@SamSpencer001) October 22, 2024
What a start for #readingfc pleased to wareham score on his first start
— BerkshireBoys (@BerkshireBoys_) October 22, 2024
What a start, Wareham you beauty. #readingfc
— Rob Nutley (@Rnutley) October 22, 2024
Rearguard action
The first half was really impressive: we looked assured on the ball, aggressive in the press and, with a little bit more composure in the final third, could’ve been three or four up at the break.
However, in the second half, it was all Exeter. The hosts put their foot down and we had to grind our way to all three points - which we did in stellar fashion. We looked ropey at times and rode our luck, but Joel Pereira, Harlee Dean, Tyler Bindon and Amadou Mbengue all popped up with huge moments to keep us ahead.
Sometimes a rearguard action like we say in the second half is just as impressive as a dominant attacking performance...
Harlee Dean with the vital block a the death, fair play to the lad #readingfc
— BiscuitManSam (@P0PAD0M) October 22, 2024
2 games in a row we’ve been under the cosh and it’s calmed down as soon as Dean comes on. Criminally underrated #readingfc
— BigJay (@BiggunRFC) October 22, 2024
So much more assured with Joel pereira in goal #readingfc
— mitch (@mitchrfc1) October 22, 2024
Cast your minds back to how Amadou Mbengue was when he first joined us on a ST contract - a young kid in strange country, barely able to speak English & taken under Meite's caring wing - & compare to the confident giant of a player that we are now so fortunate to have #readingfc
— Andy C #FBPE (@AndyRFCCharman) October 23, 2024
I just wanna say thank you Harlee dean I may have hated you since you’ve joined this bloody club but today you showed me how much you’ve changed absolutely unit #readingfc
— (@gyb_8) October 22, 2024
How is Mbengue not in championship, terrific performance #readingfc
— Frank Maguire (@fsmaguire) October 22, 2024
Gutsy performance from Mbengue. #readingfc
— Mick Day (@MickDay99) October 22, 2024
That is a heroic block from Harlee Dean. Crikey me #readingfc
— Jacob Potter (@pott95) October 22, 2024
An away win
It’s hard to really nail down why we’ve been so good at home recently but not been able to replicate that away from home. I think it’s just a mental barrier that the players need to get over and, sometimes, you just need luck in one game to go your way and the picture looks a bit rosier.
We’ve played better away from home and lost games, but sometimes you just need luck to go your way, which it did on Tuesday. The fans were buzzing with the result...
Jesus wept that second half was a hard watch. Important to get that first away win though. URZ #ReadingFC
— Ben (@BenParsons89) October 22, 2024
Brilliant away win. Run ragged 2nd half, but pulled together against a in form Exeter side.
— Rich. (@Rich_sharman) October 22, 2024
Another win Saturday please #readingfc
An away win #ReadingFC
— Dan (@RoyalsDan95) October 22, 2024
Get in lads. Much needed away win. We don’t half make it difficult for ourselves though #ReadingFC
— Dan (@DanTheMan__98) October 22, 2024
Wow that first half we were so fluid, but the second half knocked a few years off me. It’s great to get that first away win and I have to applaud Ruben and the team. #readingfc
— Mark (@MarkHopgoo44290) October 22, 2024
Ah, can you smell that?
— Bobbins (@ohbobbins) October 23, 2024
It's the sweet odour of an Away Win.
And it's delicious
Good morning!! #readingfc
Conclusion
A fantastic first-half performance, a dogged second-half showing and a really, really important win. Honestly, if we can start picking up results away from home on a regular basis, this team could surprise a few people this season.
I love this team and want nothing more than to see them succeed. They deserve it, Selles deserves it and, let’s be honest, we deserve it.
A really good result and a great chance to make it a nine-point week at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.