Reading Sink To Rock Bottom
After todays loss agianst Bradford (who were 6th in league before todays fine peformance) Reading slipped into their favourite position, 24th!. Norwich one today agianst some team which put the Royals 2 points behind them. I must say that I have not been pleased with thier performance in August. This month Royals only got one point in the leauge and managed a win against a third division club in the cup.
At lest September can't be much worse. (30th Aug, 1997)

Parky Posied For Return
Royals manager Terry Bullivant says he is happy with the Coca-Cola Cup second round draw which pairs his side against Barry Fry's Peterborough United.
Bullivant said: "They had a good win against Portsmouth in the last round but we are happy with the draw, although the return of Jimmy Quinn will add some sqice to the game."
Phil Parkinson could be named in the Reading squad to face Bradford after playing a full game for the reserves during the week as he recovers from an Achilles problem. (29th Aug, 1997)

Royals Looking For A New Striker!
Reading are reported to be preparing a £300,000 Bid for out of favour Arsenal striker Chris Kiwomya.
Manager Terry Bullivant is said to be targeting the former Ipswich star in a bid to strengthen his attacking options - and a cut price deal could be on the cards.
Kiwomya has struggled to earn a regular place in the Arsenal side following his £2 million switch to Highbury three years ago and is looking for first team football somewhere else. (26th Aug. 1997)

Bernal Faces Spell On The Side Lines
Reading's Australian international full-back Andy Bernal is facing the prospect of suspension.
Bernal was sent off for a second bookable offence during Reading's 3-0 defeat at Birmingham, leaving the Royals down to ten men.
New manager Terry Bullivant now expects to lose the experienced defender for two matches. Bernal was dismissed three times last season. (25th Aug. 1997)

Swansea Will Not Be A Push Over
Terry has called for the Royals to guard against complacency as they defend a two-goal lead at Swansea on Tuesday in the Coca-Cola Cup first round second leg.
Reading won 2-0 in the first leg at Elm Park two weeks ago but Bullivant warned: "Swansea play some very good football under Jan Molby and it will not be easy for us to get a result there."
Record signing Carl Asaba will look for his first goal for Reading since his £800,000 move from Brentford but Barry Hunter, Trevor Morley and Stuart Lovell are all still injured. (25th Aug. 1997)

Andy Sees Red
Andy Bernal pleaded his innocence after he was sent off during Reading's 3-0 defeat at Birmingham on Saturday.
Bernal was dismissed in the second half for a second bookable offence after a challenge on winger Peter Ndlovu having been cautioned earlier for handball.
But the Australian international said: "I didn't think the challenge was anything major. I went in for a 50-50 ball. The decision changed the course of the match." (24th Aug. 1997)

Don't Panic MR. Bullivant
Royals manager Terry Bullivant has told fans not to panic after his side's indifferent start to the season.
Reading have taken just a point from their opening two league games and slipped on Saturday to a 1-0 home defeat against local rivals Swindon.
But Bullivant said: "I'm not worried and the goals will come. Both Carl Asaba and Neville Roach are young players and are learning all the time but their attitude is tremendous and there are plenty of goals to come." (19th Aug 1997)

Terrys not worried!
Royals manager Terry Bullivant saw £1.3 million of new signings out-fought and out-thought in the 1-0 defeat by Swindon yesterday.
Record transfer Carl Asaba who cost £800,000 from Brentford has yet to score after three games in the blue and white hoops.
His strike partner Lee Hodges was substituted on the hour and former Barnet team-mate Linvoy Primus went missing when Hay popped in his 17th minute goal.
Bullivant, with one point from two games, tried to remain cheerful. "I know the pressure is on Carl to score goals, but at 24 he is young and still learning.
"His attitude is great and I know he wants to do well. I am confident there are goals to come from him before too long."
To add to Bullivant's troubles he saw defender Paul Holsgrove limp off with a leg injury. (17th Aug. 1997)

Royals lose at home
Reading lose their first home game of the season. The Royals lost today against Swindon Town, who last week won 2 - 0 putting them fourth. I know it's early in the year to be worrying about other teams, and their positions and performances in the league, but this does show a team who are on a winning streak. Reading who seem to be on a mid-division streak didn't seem to play well in todays match up. They fell behind after 18 minutes of play and according to the Telegraph report didn't have meny chances after that. What I want to know is when this 800 grand player going to score. (16th Aug. 1997)

Rays Houghton called up for international
Reading manager Terry Bullivant will be without player-coach Ray Houghton for the local derby clash at home to Swindon.
Houghton, 34, has reported for international duty for the Republic of Ireland, so Paul Holsgrove is likely to step into the centre of midfield.
Record signing Carl Asaba will make his home league debut following his £800,000 switch from Brentford alongside Lee Hodges up front. (15th Aug. 1997)

Hats off to young ones
Terry Bullivant was delighted with the display from youngsters James Lambert and Neville Roach after they had earned his side a 2-0 win against Swansea in the Coca-Cola Cup first round first leg tie.
Second-half goals in the 58th minute from Lambert and a strike from Roach in the 73rd minute gave Reading a good cushion to take to Swansea in two weeks time.
Bullivant said: "The young lads did very well. We needed a two goal lead because Swansea will be very difficult to beat on their home ground." (13th Aug, 1997)

Terry is pleased with a point
Royals manager Terry Bullivant said he was satisfied with the 1-1 draw away to Bury.
The Royals got off to a great start when Steve Swales opened the scoring after 13 minutes but they allowed Bury to level the scores just after half-time.
Bullivant admitted: "Bury are a big, strong, well organised side and I would have settled for a point before the start." (10th Aug, 1997)

Well at leasted we scored
Even though I wasn't at the game a draw seems bad against Bury. Reading who are now 12th scored first in the game agianst Bury with a goal Steve Swales. May be it was scoring in the 13th minute which did it. They didn't score agian, but let one in the 52nd minute of the game. Now everyone might of played really well but for all that money they spent, one of the new players could have put one in. (9th Aug. 97)