Back from the (last PL) game

[PEARCEY]

Today encompassed the whole gamut of emotions and will be as memorable as Leicester was, as Brentford was. Tension at half time, elation at 2-0 with a very quick realisation that there was half an hour to go in the game at Fratton Park. A slight tingle of excitement when rumours of a Pompey goal abounded, followed by heart-sinking realisation that my phone wasn't buzzing with a promised update. A gut-wrenching fifteen minutes of nervousness set in and it was almost relief when news of the Fulham goal came through. Relaxed, I enjoyed watching the amusing pitch invasion and the fisticuffs down the front at the end with a wistful smile on my face .

I am still 3-2 up on promotions vs relegations, with 2 further 'promotions' disallowed on a play-off final losing technicality. All part of life's rich tapestry. Reading - inevitably - 'til I die.

Well said Floyd.

[LUX]

indeed well said.

I'm miles ahead of you on the promotions and relegations, mind.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Why do we have w@nkers in our support who think it's amusing to shout out that Pompey are one up and thus get everyone excited. They are a disgrace.

My suspicion is that they might have been fans who also support Man Utd or Chelsea getting excited about the goals in "their" teams' matches.

Which reminds me, I stopped off at Cherwell services and there seemed to be loads of middle-aged brummies in Chelsea shirts about. I can see how a kid might jump on the bandwagon, but greying blokes from the midlands deciding to support Chelsea?

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Today encompassed the whole gamut of emotions and will be as memorable as Leicester was, as Brentford was. Tension at half time, elation at 2-0 with a very quick realisation that there was half an hour to go in the game at Fratton Park. A slight tingle of excitement when rumours of a Pompey goal abounded, followed by heart-sinking realisation that my phone wasn't buzzing with a promised update. A gut-wrenching fifteen minutes of nervousness set in and it was almost relief when news of the Fulham goal came through. Relaxed, I enjoyed watching the amusing pitch invasion and the fisticuffs down the front at the end with a wistful smile on my face .

I am still 3-2 up on promotions vs relegations, with 2 further 'promotions' disallowed on a play-off final losing technicality. All part of life's rich tapestry. Reading - inevitably - 'til I die.

Well said Floyd.

2-1 In promotions to relegations for me. Absolutely gutted, but if you're going to get relegated, do it beating a team we have to play next season in style. I know we let ourselves down in recent months, but I am so proud of the efforts today, and am eagerly anticipating the first weekend of August.

[DelBoyRodders]

Feeling more upset at the thought that Steve Coppell is leaving, but Schards and I were lucky enough to speak with him this morning and tell him what a legend he is in the eyes of all true Reading supporters. I love that man and what he's done for this team, he gave us a taste of the Prem and for that I'll always be grateful, whether we ever come back up or not. God bless Steve Coppell.

Agree 100%

Post of the year.

[DaveM]

Left it a bit late with tickets, so found myself in the home end. Heres a picture of the travelling support - you gave 100% today, well done.

[firstdivision]

Really proud of the team today, and the away support. The level of noise, passion, optimism and good humour in the face of adversity was immense. Anyone who has the balls to complain about our support was not there.

Now we are back in the CCC which is gutting but if we can take this support into next year and keep most of the current team, we will get a decent season.

Most of the Derby fans I spoke to were decent football fans and v complimentary about our club, apart from some of the retards that got onto the pitch. LOL at the asbo standing behind a copper on the pitch and offering out the Reading support.

Reading and proud. Bring on next year.

[Alan Partridge]

We were excellent

Derby were the worst team i have seen in 14 years of watching Reading

Lita, Doyle, Kitson all scored, Harps goal was excellent, we defended really well

Just

Redknapp's utter oxf*rd mob got turned over, wonder if Al Fayed gave him a brown envelope before the game?

End of the day over 38 games we've not been good enough, fatal mistakes made in the transfer market and sadly we've paid the ultimate price. If Coppell goes then it really will bring an end to a quite glorious chapter in the history of this club. Thank you Steve, you are almost irreplaceable.

[earleyroyal]

I had a gut feeling Fulham would win at Portsmouth. We weren't relegated today, we were relegated in our games against Bolton and Fulham, and when things were out of our hands after the Spurs game. There's no place for injustices or what ifs, we failed to invest, failed to have the strongest teams and team spirit, and failed to play in the games that mattered. The players were excellent today, admittedly against an awful Derby team, but it's a shame that they had to be forced into such a situation before giving their best. If we had played with such vigour and heart, ignoring the standard of opposition, against Fulham then we'd be safe.

It was a great day, regardless of result. From the moment we went in just before 2 pm the fans were in good voice, when Harper scored I can't remember celebrating any goal more strongly, grabbing onto any stranger or object within about five metres. Unfortunately Fulham were still 0-0 and the longer things went on, the more inevitable a goal became. Floyd has put it better than I can, I think our season can be summed up by the front cover of one of the Whiffs: 'I can take the despair, it's the hope I can't stand!' I think most of us travelled expecting to be relegated, to walk all over Derby and be 15 minutes from survival, then hear the cheers spread round the ground before seeing the confirming text, was a punch in the stomach.

I'm glad Coppell said farewell (if it is) in such a way, to a packed stand of appreciative Reading fans. No matter what happened this season, or whose fault it was, the man deserves all the applause in the world. I think in the next few years/decades this time will be looked back on as our golden age, the two seasons before this one really were something out of Hollywood. The memories of the Championship and 8th place will last far longer than the pain of relegation. Whatever happens next every fan will remember those two seasons as incredibly enjoyable times, and after all isn't that what football's about?

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Derby were the worst team i have seen in 14 years of watching Reading

I wouldn't quite agree, but they did remind me of the Huddersfield team that went down with us in 1988. I think that team is easily capable of dropping straight through to League One. Paul Jewell keeps taking about how his going to replace the players, but that team would require surgery of Dr Frankenstein proportions to mount a challenge next year.

[Ginger Ninjas]

I had a gut feeling Fulham would win at Portsmouth. We weren't relegated today, we were relegated in our games against Bolton and Fulham, and when things were out of our hands after the Spurs game. There's no place for injustices or what ifs, we failed to invest, failed to have the strongest teams and team spirit, and failed to play in the games that mattered. The players were excellent today, admittedly against an awful Derby team, but it's a shame that they had to be forced into such a situation before giving their best. If we had played with such vigour and heart, ignoring the standard of opposition, against Fulham then we'd be safe.

It was a great day, regardless of result. From the moment we went in just before 2 pm the fans were in good voice, when Harper scored I can't remember celebrating any goal more strongly, grabbing onto any stranger or object within about five metres. Unfortunately Fulham were still 0-0 and the longer things went on, the more inevitable a goal became. Floyd has put it better than I can, I think our season can be summed up by the front cover of one of the Whiffs: 'I can take the despair, it's the hope I can't stand!' I think most of us travelled expecting to be relegated, to walk all over Derby and be 15 minutes from survival, then hear the cheers spread round the ground before seeing the confirming text, was a punch in the stomach.

I'm glad Coppell said farewell (if it is) in such a way, to a packed stand of appreciative Reading fans. No matter what happened this season, or whose fault it was, the man deserves all the applause in the world. I think in the next few years/decades this time will be looked back on as our golden age, the two seasons before this one really were something out of Hollywood. The memories of the Championship and 8th place will last far longer than the pain of relegation. Whatever happens next every fan will remember those two seasons as incredibly enjoyable times, and after all isn't that what football's about?

Totally spot on.

Pleased to see all the strikers score - Leroy really deserved his, and hopefully Doyle will return to goalscoring ways next season after getting that monkey off his back. Will be a great shame if/when Coppell goes, but I won't forget what we has done for the club.

Apologies to anyone I hugged too vigorously after the first two goals.

And thank you to Malcolm for making the train journey home that little bit more bearable!

Roll on August....

[Turns8]

Derby were the worst team i have seen in 14 years of watching Reading

I wouldn't quite agree, but they did remind me of the Huddersfield team that went down with us in 1988. I think that team is easily capable of dropping straight through to League One. Paul Jewell keeps taking about how his going to replace the players, but that team would require surgery of Dr Frankenstein proportions to mount a challenge next year.

but on a technicality that team in 1988 was 20years ago

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Derby were the worst team i have seen in 14 years of watching Reading

I wouldn't quite agree, but they did remind me of the Huddersfield team that went down with us in 1988. I think that team is easily capable of dropping straight through to League One. Paul Jewell keeps taking about how his going to replace the players, but that team would require surgery of Dr Frankenstein proportions to mount a challenge next year.

but on a technicality that team in 1988 was 20years ago

yeah

would the Barnet team of 1994 be within 14 years, as they were truly pathetic?

[loyalroyal4life]

might as well watch the royals 4 last time on motd

[floyd__streete]

Other highlights of a memorable day:

Tannoy pre match: "Our player of the season for 2007/08 is you, the fans of Derby County!"
An hour or so into the game: You're not fit to wear the shirts

The steward striding purposefully with a 6 foot inflatable cock under his arm

[earleyroyal]

Other highlights of a memorable day:

Tannoy pre match: "Our player of the season for 2007/08 is you, the fans of Derby County!"
An hour or so into the game: You're not fit to wear the shirts

The steward striding purposefully with a 6 foot inflatable cock under his arm

Derby fans: going down going down going down
Reading fans: 'Worst team in history!'
Derby fans: ; silence



Sniffer dogs, all kicking off in the East Stand, the angry mob abusing the Derby players and throwing inflatables at the Reading coach that must've scared them.

[PieEater]

The steward striding purposefully with a 6 foot inflatable cock under his arm

Or the chief steward picking it up then ordering one of his minions to carry it out.

[RFCMod]

I think Shorey will go, but can;t see anyone else who is deserving of moving on to a 'bigger' club, so think the spine of the team will stay. I also think that Derby may well be a force in the Championship next year, therefore by despatching of them so convincingly makes me feel confident. URZZZZZZZZ

After the Euros I think Mateovsky will be in great demand
I think in some small way all of us expected it to happen but at last a spirited performance made you feel a little better about it all
Some of the Derby lads after were scathing about Jewell which I was surprised at,the best being the pensioner who wished that "Jewell had played Stanley Matthews today because he knew how to score a goal"

Coppell please stay and guide us through another Championship adventure,please mix some of the youth in as well though,the thoughts of Doyle playing in a side mixed with youngsters inspires you to think that we hav'nt got that bad a set up even if players do leave

Made you feel better as well watching Brum fans on TV protesting to sack the board,really does put into perspective what knobs they are

[Seal]

Well for 75 mins it was one of the best away trips I've had in ages. Lots of beers in the sun, great atmospere and standing for the duration of the game. I was 3 rows from the front, right next to the Derby fans and was able to stand without any problems for the whole game. If ever proof was needed that standing at games is the way ahead then I think yesterday was it.

Prior to the game I thought the Derby fans were a decent bunch, very friendly. However I too have to admit to getting a bit wound up when they started celebrating Fulham's goal. It's hard to say if our fans would have done the same thing, but regardless of that it did thoroughly annoy me, and I can't wait to go back there next season and beat them in a game that matters to them.

[Platypuss]

My God Hunt was awful.