Reading Roars!

With delight, I recount the prediction I made several days earlier, following Reading’s defeat of Man City:

Next up: Aston Villa at the Madejski. Reading will surely raze this Villa to the ground.

Two goals by Steve Sidwell ensured that the Royals did just that (my prediction was also more accurate than Mark Lawrenson’s, of the BBC, but then he also forecast a Reading loss against City - why doesn’t he have confidence in the Royals?). The 2-0 defeat of the Midlands club, once European Cup holders (a long time ago), was the club’s 5th win in a row.

Sidwell headed in his first goal from 6 yards within the first 15 minutes of the game, thanks to a Stephen Hunt corner. He added his second in the 90th minute, with an assist provided by Dave Kitson. Sidwell could have completed a hat-trick 3 minutes later from 25 yards out, but was blocked by the Villa keeper.

It seems to me that club most do everything possible to secure Steve Coppell’s services next season. It just wouldn’t be the same in Europe without him. And of course, it would also help that McClaren remains at the helm of our pathetic national side, as the Reading manager is presently very highly coveted indeed.