Barnsley Fans Verdict: A Valuable Point On The Road For Reading
How the fans reacted as Reading continued their unbeaten run on the road.
Any point on the road is a good one, but again - similar to the Stevenage game really - I feel all three points were there for the taking on Tuesday at Barnsley.
Not so much in our performance: there were times when we really got under the cosh and had to withstand a lot of pressure. More so in terms of the moments we created: getting it back to 2-1, then to concede the way we did and let Barnsley back onto us, was all too familiar.
However, a point’s a point, and the Reading of the not too distant past would’ve crumbled after conceding so early on. It’s three games unbeaten on the road and you can’t turn your nose up at that.
Here’s how the fans reacted to the game...
Sam Smith
It wasn’t all that long ago that some fans were questioning Smith’s spot in the starting lineup. On Tuesday night he certainly put in a strong reply to those particular questions.
I’d go as far to say it’s the best all-round performance I’ve seen from him since he returned to the club. Two really good poacher’s goals, he linked up play really nicely and, arguably most importantly away from home, when it got sent up to him more often than not he made it stick.
He’s a very, very good striker at this level and Tuesday night proved that...
Sam Smith truly is the striker #Readingfc have always needed
— (@gyb_8) November 27, 2024
Where are all the Sam Smith haters now btw? He is a top striker, best in years. #readingfc
— H (@dinghugo6) November 26, 2024
Sam Smith is so so good. Even without the goals, he was immense tonight #readingfc
— Michael Dakin (@youvebeen_miked) November 26, 2024
Sam Smith clearly man of the match for me. Nothing to do with the goals either, he was a superb focal point and held the ball up really well, brought others into play and worked his socks off. Another 2 goals for his efforts as well, great performance #readingfc
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard) November 26, 2024
Sam Smith was immense tonight. Not just his goals, but his hold up play, pressing, superb performance #readingfc
— Andy Bryant (@andybryant28) November 26, 2024
When a few weeks ago people were asking for Smith to be dropped #ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/LCoNDMY3jW
— JB (@JoshSB91) November 26, 2024
SAM.
— Guilty, I support Reading. (@Reading106) November 26, 2024
SMITH.
SCORES.
GOALS.
You beautiful man.#Readingfc
Andre Garcia
Unfortunately for Jeriel Dorsett, he had a bit of a nightmare first half. However, this did allow Garcia to be introduced at half-time and, yet again, he really impressed.
Garcia is still only 16 and has a serious amount of developing to do, but when he’s got a ball at his feet he looks like a seasoned pro. He really helped us get the ball down and play in the second half and made a real difference.
The fans understand we might have another gem on our hands...
Garcia has made a huge difference down that left side so far #readingfc
— BerkshireBoys (@BerkshireBoys_) November 26, 2024
Just enjoy Garcia whilst we can. Kid got a big future #ReadingFC
— Cameron #SELLBEFOREWEDAI (@ronniemac93) November 26, 2024
I thought when Garcia came on he was fantastic, he actually changed the dynamic totally for us at the back, carried the ball forward, showed confidence and composure. Top performance from him, Holzman not out of place tonight either, thought he was pretty steady #readingfc
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard) November 26, 2024
Andre Garcia has played 872 minutes in all competitions at just 16! Another talent out of our academy. #ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/1FuYm3Kwsl
— Readingfcnews_latest⚽️ (@readingfclatest) November 27, 2024
How old is he again?
— Matt (@RustyRoyal) November 27, 2024
Some lad. Some footballer. Another one heading to the top.
Need to get him signed up on a long contract. Good left backs are highly wanted.
— Paul Woollard (@woolly2210) November 26, 2024
A valuable point
We rode our luck at times - the first half wasn’t great at all and it was frustrating to concede an equaliser after fighting our way back - but again this team continues to dig in and impress.
We were well worth a draw, and if Harvey Knibbs showed a tad more composure in the final moments, we would’ve had all three.
Not too long ago we couldn’t buy a point on the road; now we’ve got five from our last three games and look a lot stronger. The fans were ultimately pleased with the result...
Says a lot about how far we've come that people are disappointed with a point away at a fellow play off chasing team. Given circumstances. Rubens a miracle worker. Very lucky to have him ajd this squad who all fight for one another! #readingfc
— Dean Bennett #SellBeforeWeDai (@DeanBennett1993) November 27, 2024
A great point and take that all day long. It’s amazing when you look at our sub bench which apart from Button was all youngsters. Imagine Prem managers only having those options, they’d all be bleating and crying #ReadingFC
— Mark (@MarkHopgoo44290) November 26, 2024
That’s a great point in our situation. Rode our luck of course but another mammoth shift, especially the young back line. Need another outlet up top to relieve pressure, Chem/Knibbs very leggy. Ball kept coming back, but can’t fault the fight in this team. #ReadingFC
— Alex Sheppard (@Alex_Shep_Urzz) November 26, 2024
Someone said to me you’ll take 4 points out of the past two games I would of taken it, great point tonight specially coming from behind and upto 7th I couldn’t be more happy with this team , roll on Sunday UTFD #readingfc
— Miles (@Milesyyy12) November 26, 2024
It’s nice to see a #Readingfc team finding a way to take points from away games rather than finding a way to throw them away. Average performance but another point on the road.
— UTFD! (@UTD1871) November 26, 2024
Excellent point away from home given that we had so many youngsters out there and one making his debut. They are improving with every game at the moment. Good to see. #readingfc
— Paolo (@Skeptichead) November 26, 2024
Always take a point on the road. Could have taken all 3pts too. Ruben’s starting to turn it around away from home. Performances are becoming more consistent #ReadingFC https://t.co/5QM13cifuH
— Sam Spencer-Ades (@SamSpencer001) November 26, 2024
Decent point in the end, probably could have won it. Would have happily taken 4/6 from these 2 games #readingfc
— dom #SellBeforeWeDai (@domwindle) November 26, 2024
Conclusion
We were lucky only to be one down at half-time as we didn’t get going at all, and the two goals we’ve conceded are really, really poor when you look at each one individually. However, this team at the moment is making me look at things a lot more positively.
I can forgive and forget the bad moments, because they keep fighting their way back and giving everything for us. A point on the road is never to be sniffed at, and now you’d imagine most of the first-team players have a few days off before facing Cambridge United at home next week.
URZ