Reading manager Terry Bullivant says he is delighted with his players after
their 2-0 win at Peterborough took the through to the third round of the
Coca-Cola Cup.
After drawing the home leg, Reading faced a tough task to get through but
goals from Carl Asaba and Martin Williams were enough to take the tie.
Bullivant said: "We have shown good character to come here and win and
hopefully we can build on this an improve our league form." (24th Sept. 1997)
Royals Routed!
The following is a letter I received after the loss against Tranmere...
Dear Reading Boys,
Don't be downhearted. I know getting stuffed 6-0 by a
team like Tranmere must be nauseating, but you just happened to be in the
wrong place at the wrong time. Apparently we've been threatening to do this
to someone for a while and it just turned out it was you.
Anyway, it gets you back (just a bit) for beating us in
the play-offs a few seasons back, and breaking our hearts, and for knocking
us out of the FA Cup back in the late nineties when we roasted ya.
What goes around, comes around.
Best of luck for the rest of the season. - TROUPY, TRFC LOYALS. (21st Sept. 1997)
Tranmere Thrash Royals
Rovers, with just one previous league victory to their credit, vented
their frustrations on a shellshocked Reading.
Little went right for the visitors, who fell behind to John Morrissey's
goal in the third minute and then saw the home side camp in their half
of the field.
David Kelly, with two, Lee Jones and Gary Jones made it 5-0 before
the break but despite numerous other chances, Tranmere had to
content themselves with just one goal in the second period, Andy
Thompson converting on the hour. - Sky Sports. (21st Sept. 1997)
Terry Still Believes
Reading manager Terry Bullivant believes his side can still progress into
the third round of the Coca-Cola Cup despite their goalless draw at home
to Peterborough.
Bullivant's side must travel to the third division club in a fortnight knowing
they need to score away from home to make it through to the next round.
He said: "We would have liked to have gone to the second leg with a nice
lead but that hasn't happened, yet I am still confident we can get the right
result." (17th Sept. 1997)
A Win!
Yes today at Elm Park Reading won their first match of the
season. Reading came back to win this local match up against Oxford with goals from
Asaba (I told you he was good ;-)), and Hodges (Top goal scorer with 2 goals).
The Royals now have four points in 7 games which puts them
22nd in the league. Now lets see how long this winning streek lasts. (14th Sept. 1997)
Paul Up For Grabs
Reading's former Welsh international defender Paul Bodin has been put
on the transfer list by mutual consent.
Bodin, 32, has struggled to force his way into Terry Bullivant's first choice
team and he has agreed it may be better for him to move on to another
club.
Bullivant will keep faith with striker Carl Asaba for the derby clash at
home to Oxford while Ray Houghton should return from injury to
strengthen the midfield. (12th Sept. 1997)
Try Playing Football!
Reading have turned to bicycles in an effort to get three key players back
from injury lay-offs.
Captain Barry Hunter and strikers Trevor Morley and Stuart Lovell have
been pedalling aroung the Berkshire countryside trying to build up the
strength in their legs.
Hunter said: "We've cycled everywhere and anywhere recently and we now
know the roads like the back of our hands and we are all feeling much
stronger for it." (11th Sept. 1997)
Another New Loan Player
Reading manager Terry Bullivant has moved to strengthen his side's leaky
defence by signing Sheffield United star Lee Sandford on a month's loan.
Bullivant snapped up the former Portsmouth centre-back with Barry
Hunter still short of match fitness, and the move could become permanent.
Sandford is expected to go straight into the side for the Division One
match against West Brom on Sunday while Bullivant keeps faith with out
of form striker Carl Asaba. (6th Sept, 1997)
Madejski Calls For Patience
Royals' chairman John Madejski has urged the club's supporters not to
panic despite seeing their side rooted to the bottom of the First Division.
The Elm Park club have picked up just one point from their first five
matches but Madejski says the situation is not a crisis yet.
He said: "The situation is desperate but three points will make a big
difference. Football is all about winning and once the team gels there will
be no stopping them." (5th Sept, 1997)
Bullivant Delighted After Loss
Reading manager Terry Bullivant said he was delighted with his side's
performance despite the home defeat against Queens Park Rangers.
Bullivant said his team played well even though they were missing eight
first team players and felt they deserved more from the game.
He said: "I thought they were magnificent in the first half. We deserved at
least a point and I cannot fault any of my players." (3rd Sept, 1997)
