Reading lost 3-1 to Tottenham yesterday, and still remain without a win upon their return to the Premier League.
Having watched the Reading versus Tottenham game I have to say I fear for the Premier League new boys.
I call them boys as it looked like men against boys and to be honest Spurs didn’t look that good; apart from Defoe who looks in great form.
They had two shots on goal the whole game; and scored with one in the 90th minute. With all due respect to Ian Harte he’s too old and not good enough at the highest level. So why didn’t they buy more players to help in their fight for survival?
The Berkshire club gained a new owner in the summer, billionaire Anton Zingarevich. A family friend told the man from a successful family business that the club was looking for a new owner. Zingarevich and John Madejski had struck an outline deal for the Russian to buy 51 per cent of the club for £12.7m, with a firm commitment to buy the other 49 per cent for £12.3m.
They have plans for a new 140-acre training complex with no less than 17 football pitches. There are also plans for ‘partnership links’ in North and South America.
While this is all good news for the future I can’t help feeling they should have spent a bit more on the squad for this season. They were missing Jason Roberts today but one player can’t carry a team, and it has been a while since he contributed regularly at this level.
As I wrote earlier I don’t think Spurs got out of second gear; there really is more to come from them. The form of Defoe can only be good not only for Spurs but England as well.
In the goalkeeping department Brad Friedel kept his position and really didn’t have a lot to do and should keep his place for the next game.
Hugo Lloris does have age on his side and every club should have two goalkeepers that the squad and fans feel good about.
It’s going to be a long season for Reading and I think Mr Zingarevich will need to spend some cash in January just to keep his new club at the top table of English football.
image: © crystian cruz
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