Tottenham v. Reading 1/4 Match Thread (Halford in)

[RoyalChicagoFC]

For Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane

Eligible subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Defoe, Taarabt, Huddlestone

For Reading: Hahnemann, Halford, Duberry, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little, Harper, Sidwell, Hunt, Lita, Kitson

On the bench: Federici, Doyle, Oster, Bikey, Gunnarsson

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)

[cmonurz]

'Reading have been a breath of fresh air' says a very dapper looking Mr Redknapp. And 'Reading have gone about it the right way' from a certain Mr Pardew (boo, hiss).

[RoyalChicagoFC]

What's up with Graeme --pick up a knock, did he, or just an extra spot of rest?

[cmonurz]

Injured whilst on Scotland duty.

We really do need a new away kit, this red looks amateurish. All black top to toe would be smart.

[Volvicanus]

No Doyle starting. Don't agree with that choice. Let's watch Lita run around for 70 minutes failing to get around any defenders instead.


Ouch - those first few minutes don't really make you feel confident about the back four.

[nivek elyod]

No Doyle starting. Don't agree with that choice. Let's watch Lita run around for 70 minutes failing to get around any defenders instead.

Sounds like a plan.

[cmonurz]

Malbranque hits the post, so does Lita, Kitson and Keane both close. Great game.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Halford's throw-ins are immense!

[cmonurz]

Like missiles!

Halford has done very well so far.

We are getting in a lot of good positions. The midfield ping-pongs just seem to keep going Spurs' way.

[Volvicanus]

penalty - Halford hand ball
dubious.. though it seemed like he did to me.

1-0

[ReadingPhil]

Penaly to Spurs, goal

live on fivelive

[Volvicanus]

The thing that bugs me about the penalty is that it sure does seem like the ref wasn't going to blow for it before all the Spurs fans started calling for it. To me, a hand ball call should be immediate or not at all. I thought the ref was having a very decent game up to that point- letting it flow and not being too picky. But it does seem like you then have to watch out for those types - because they seem to get bored with not getting to blow their damn whistle so they then start giving penalties away.

In slow mo - it looks like a pretty blatant hand ball because after it first hits it, he goes on to hit it further with the motion of his arm. In real time, it looks like nothing at all.

[shadesrwrf]

I will never see a worse refereeing decision if I live to be two hundred.

(Well ok, perhaps I will)

[YankeeRoyal]

penalty - Halford hand ball
dubious.. though it seemed like he did to me.

1-0

a definite handball, but it looked to me that he was outside the box

[shadesrwrf]

penalty - Halford hand ball
dubious.. though it seemed like he did to me.

1-0

a definite handball, but it looked to me that he was outside the box

A definite handball but not deliberate therefore not a penalty.

[Volvicanus]

Very decent half overall. We have to be proud of the fact that we not only have survived in the Prem. well but that we've done so playing very entertaining, watchable football. This game seems a very good example of this. I'm not too worried about the scoreline at this point. I can certainly see us scoring considering all the chances that we've had so far. A little bit more luck, a little but more presence (hello Doyle) and we can still win this.

[Platypuss]

Well done Harper.

Even with Jermane Jenas out there you've managed to be the biggest fairy on the pitch by an absolute street.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

A definite handball but not deliberate therefore not a penalty.

Compare and contrast to the one John "I really should be playing basketball" Terry got away with yesterday (like he does every bloody time he handballs it)