Another game, another draw

The Royals were left to rue yet more missed opportunities after drawing a fourth game in a row, against Leeds on Saturday afternoon. We created enough chances to win two games but our lack of killer instinct in front of goal cost us once again. However the away side were lucky not to have had Max Gradel sent off in the first half for a blatant kick out at Andy Griffin.

With Mikele Leigertwood making his debut in place of Jay Tabb in midfield, we lined up 4-4-2 with Simon Church wide left. The first half was a dreadful encounter with both sides cancelling each other out and it too over half an hour for the first real chance of note. Shane Long`s goal bound effort struck the hand of defender Alex Bruce but referee Fred Graham waved away the appeals.

Zurab Kizhanishvili headed wide from Jobi McAnuff`s corner before the major first half talking point involving Gradel and Griffin. The Leeds player kicked out at the Royals right back but amazingly was only shown a yellow card and to make matters worse Griffin was booked as well for his reaction.

Ian Harte went close to scoring against his old club and Noel Hunt went close but both were denied by keeper Kasper Schmeichel. The introduction of Jimmy Kebe for the ineffective Church gave us more impetus going forward but the closest we came to scoring was when fellow sub Michail Antonio struck the post from a tight angle in the closing few minutes.

That meant four draws on the spin and a lack of a decent striker again cost us dear, as at least three of these could have been turned into wins with a striker that could convert chances.

Zurab Kizhanishvili came in for the suspended Matt Mills at the back and he looked different class. The rest at Watford last weekend appears to have done him the world of good and he looked to calm and collected, and comfortable on the ball.

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