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Reading 1-0 QPR

Paul Clement's first game in charge saw Reading's first win in 10 games. However the performance still left something to be desired.

  Sone Aluko finally seems to be showing why Reading shelled out for him. He was instrumental in the last home game against Leeds, and he can add a terrific long range strike to his haul. Leeds doubled up on Aluko, but QPR had no such worries which seems like an error. He managed to turn Bidwell easily before cutting inside and hitting The Top Corner™.

 At the other end there were real problems - and it was luck more than skill that QPR didn't manage to capitalise. Mannone - who was obviously the hero at the end - looked poor for the majority. Weak punches and flapping at the ball made the decision to drop Jaakkola seem harsh. He also managed to slip up and almost present a goal to QPR - although he can hardly be blamed for the surface.

Ilori and Blackett also had heart-in-mouth moments. Ilori basically passed a cross straight to Wszolek, who picked out Washington but thankfully the once-Royal-linked Conor Washington struck wide. The latter sliced a clearance into his own box that thankfully didn't cause too many problems.

There were only two real differences from the Stam-era. The players set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation that did seem more solid defensively. They didn't really press the QPR back four but tried to keep the shape. When it worked it was great, however it was still sliced open a few times far too simply. The other was the fans - the noise after Mannone's penalty miss has been missed for far too long.

In many ways it was almost a perfect replication of the away match at Elland Road - more so after that stoppage time penalty. We looked fairly good, but it was more the opposition losing the game than Reading manage to win it.

Still, the result was what's important, especially with Birmingham currently beating Ipswich. With Bolton playing Birmingham, Barnsley going to a poor Nottingham Forest side, and our having to go to Villa it could prove vital.

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