Conclusions from the Madejski (or is it Majedski?) Stadium

Reading	3-1	Leicester City
	(HT 1-0)
Leigertwood 15 Roberts 75 Church 89		Danns 90

Madejski Stadium, attendance: 21,858
BBC Match Report

Home Team: Federici, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Cummings, Karacan, Leigertwood , MacAnuff, Robson-Kanu, Hunt, Roberts (Church 84)

Away Team: Schmeichel, Peltier, Dyer, St. Ledger, Drinkwater (Gallagher 73), Wellens, Beckford (Howard 46 ), Danns, Morgan, Kennedy (Bamba 46), Nugent.

---

• City lost to the better team. Reading were far and away the better side this afternoon, dominating the possession. The statistics may show that Leicester had more shots on goal but the story of the Foxes' trip to Reading was one to be forgotten. Few true chances (except for a brief spell in the second half), a poor defensive record and a lack of passion and bite saw the Royals march to an easy home victory.
• Defensive improvement is still needed. Leicester City's back five have conceded six goals in the past two games and the strike force have been unable to compensate. Not that David Nugent and Jermaine Beckford can be blamed for the Foxes' woes: the defence must take the flak and Nigel Pearson, as a man who made his name playing as a steely defender, should be very concerned about how to turn-around City's fortunes.
• Would Leicester have ever beaten Reading? The Royals are, after all, riding the crest of a wave in third and have now won eight on the trot. Leicester, meanwhile, have indifferent form and are hardly a side you would bet on to win away from home, particularly at Reading who are becoming, like Bristol City, a bogey team.

---

Winners

Lloyd Dyer

The only man looking like creating something was Lloyd Dyer. His pace caused a few problems for Reading - as it has against other sides this season - and with him as the sole true winger in the squad he is fast becoming a vital part of the first team.

Neil Danns
The Foxes' midfielder has come under criticism from some quarters following some misconstrued comments he made on Twitter, but Neil Danns was once again leading by example from the midfield and contributed in attack to give Leicester their sole consolatory goal.

---

Losers

Ben Marshall

His impressions on Foxes' fans have so far been limited and Ben Marshall has disappointed many in what he has shown. There is no doubting his potential and he clearly needs time to develop as a footballer but, if he is to shine in royal blue, he must do so soon to avoid becoming a scapegoat for another mediocre season.

Leicester City fans
The reaction to this defeat is far, far more embarrassing than the reaction to the loss at Bristol last week. Against the Robins, Leicester should have been the better side and indeed dominated the game whereas away to Reading a defeat was always a possibility. The performance against the Royals may not have been scintillating - far from it - but Reading were the better side and deserved their three points. Against Bristol, on the other hand, it was Leicester that threw the game away and not the Robins who won it. Some Foxes fans need to remember some perspective and be fairer on their team.