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Blackburn 2-2 Reading

Jesus.

 Look - I would have taken a battling 2-2 before the game. I would have taken any point before the game to lift off us level points with Q.P.R.. But to give away two penalties to throw the game away is unforgivable.

As always recently, it could have been worse. Blackburn squandered numerous chances in the first half to punish defensive lapses. Instead hitting the bar on one occasion, and almost cushioning the ball back to Mannone on another.

At the other end things started, for once, brightly. Three goals in three Championship starts for the Iceman, capitalising on a loose ball behind the defence to finish well for his first before he followed up on Meite's cross for goal two. Worth mentioning that Tyler Blackett - who's been quietly going about his business so far this season - put in a very good cross for the second.

In the second half Blackburn switched to match us up and, as we have often seen under Clement, Reading lacked an out ball. Baldock seems to have struggled in the last few games, after initially impressing, and didn't really contribute at all, and Bodvarsson still can't seem to win the second ball. The panicked clearances to nobody can only work for so long.

It seems to me that they need to learn the balance between the hoof ball of this season and Stam's tiki taka. Take a touch and look for a pass over the top, or play the easy ball. If neither are on, clear it. It's not hard. Especially when you have Mo Barrow ready to tear after anything. We have surely learnt by now that Bod is not going to flick it on, or hold it up with any regularity toward the end of the game.

As I've said, I understood why Ilori was missed by the fans but also why management may have chosen to leave him on the bench. Allegedly out with an injury this evening but his starting place has never looked more assured. Paul McShane at it again with two moments of madness - never looking like getting near the ball on either occasion. For every goal that The Scythe of Selfoss scores, our captain seems to give away. Yes, you can argue that he doesn't necessarily bring the man down with for the second penalty but the fact that he's gone to ground in the box, nowhere near the ball is frankly reason enough to award one.

Considering my optimism after 45 minutes of this season, it's amazing how utterly dejected I am after five games. Villa, be kind.

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