Well, if he treats it as another shopping trip, expect to see Sean Murray in Cardiff colours next season...or, pretty much any colours that aren't yellow and red (or, heaven forbid, yellow and black, which I fear we're wearing again next season) since I expect he'll be pinched soonish.

Bloody hell, just seen Leeds' savaging of Reading. I am not one to have sympathy particularly for Reading but, certainly, Wanker has definitely given up his attempt to win friends and influence people that he had at QPR.

I have never seen a player targeted as much in recent years as Karacan. He's had his ankle broken and Leeds should have had Brown and Pugh off.

I made it three straight red card tackles committed by Leeds players.

Warnock, typically, reckons the problem is the referees and the fact (assumption?) that they haven't played the game.

Harry, we still owe you one for ending our status as a "big" club with that Sixth Round defeat. 2-1 Cardiff, unless someone can dig farther back.

I think you're forgetting the infamous 42nd Birthday Worst Away Trip Ever (and contender for Worst Game of Football Ever) of December 11th 2010.

That time was personal.

Is it over yet? Can we go home now?

2-0

He means the tally of decisive/devestating victories in matches between us, not the score in that particular game.

ah right, surely boro score 2 for de railing our promotion last year and their slightly lucky win at cardiff this season

Here goes for the links to those Leeds assaults, sorry tackles, at Reading.

Brown breaks Karacan's ankle.Only a handful of comments so far but they are as bad as the tackle.

The other three.1.50 in is Warnock's reaction to Thompson's red card.

Click also on Karacan's sock which shows how the Leeds players use their studs.

Outside Agent wrote:


Intriguingly, part of his reason for criticising the ref for not understanding the game was the failure to send Danny Pugh off. Obviously, the moans about a possible free-kick to Leeds in the build-up to Readings first goal, and some comments about Reading players not being booked preceded that, and the admission that his side ought to have been down to 9 men was a little bit eliptical, but it was there.

I don't think the tackle that broke Karacan's ankle was that bad. It looks more unfortunate than malicious or aimed at the man. Brown's eyes were on the ball throughout. But Thompson, Pugh and Pugh again were/ought to have been straight reds.

And Michael Brown's off today. I'm always amazed when he manages to stay on the pitch for 90 minutes.

Brown has been sent-off today. Leeds playing with ten men for over half a match yet again.

2-0 to Birmingham! West Ham really are in a mess now.

I'd favour Birmingham over them in the play-offs as well. How long do the parachute payments go on for?

That Night In Barcelona wrote:

The current deal.
In short, £16m for the first two seasons, then £8m for the next two.

3-3 now.

FT at 3-3.

If Reading can beat Brighton tomorrow it looks nearly over.

Oh, just a sec, Southampton and Reading are yet to play each other. Still some life in the corpse, then.

Elation. Relief. Joy.

I could go a bit on seeing us play like we did in the second half today a lot, lot more. Josh King gave me mild tumescence with his display, I hope we've got first dibs on him.

That Reading win was the smash and grab to end all smash and grabs. 19 shots to six, but Reading scored three to Southampton's one.

Southampton were terrific, with pinpoint long range passing and movement. They were just waaayyyy too good for Reading for 95% of the match, and had chance after chance after chance, with Reading's midfield simply bypassed for the majority of the game. Even when Reading were winning 2-1, they weren't especially fluent. But they're often ruthless at closing out games, and there was an odd sort of calm after they went ahead for the second time.

I haven't been that impressed with Southampton this season, but I'd be very surprised if they don't get automatic promotion. They were a cut above.

There's something absurd about this Reading run. 14 wins in 16 without being especially brilliant. Everything that could go right has done. I count us miraculously fortunate.

It'll be interesting we do get into the Premiership, which is now more than likely. McDermott will need to change a lot – neat, well organised, counter attacking 4-4-2 works well against moderate Championships sides (in a fairly moderate division), but not against better teams. But McDermott is an excellent manager.

Yes!