Goal drought is Frank-ly depressing

Anthony Smith • Published 9 Oct 2009 08:00 0 Comments

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FRANK Lampard Snr is becoming increasingly concerned with Reading's goal drought at the Madejski Stadium.

Royals have scored a meagre five goals in their last 15 league games at the Madejski Stadium if you include the play-off defeat to Burnley.

And, perhaps not surprisingly, Brendan Rodgers' side have not chalked up a single victory in that depressing, winless run which stretches back to January 27, the night they beat Wolves 1-0 in a top-of-the-table Championship clash.

Since then it has been a constant struggle for the Royals, and no more so than in last weekend's 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough when they did not register a shot on target until the 89th minute.

And Lampard, Reading's football consultant, said: "We're not far away but it's about creating chances. We didn't create many against Middlesbrough and that's the worry.

"Teams go through funny periods at home when the chances you create aren't going in. Far enough, that happens. I just thought we didn't create enough against Boro and the management and coaching staff have to address that and decide what to do.

"Our away form has been okay but home supporters deserve more and we need to make sure we start banging the goals in."

Lampard also suggests some players may be suffering from the build up of pressure at the Mad Stad. Jimmy Kebe was outstanding in a stunning 2-1 victory at Preston only to be hauled off at half-time during Saturday's defeat by Boro.

"I don't know if one or two players feel the pressure is off them when they're not at home," he argued. "It seems that way on the back of our results.

"We've got to look at that and if there are players who feel a bit uncomfortable at home we have to deal with that in our own way.

"Our home form hasn't been as good as our away form. If you're going to be in play-off contention you need to winning your home games, without doubt. Excuse the pun but that has to be our goal."

Royals have a tough schedule ahead when they return from the international break with a trip to second-placed West Bromwich Albion on Saturday week followed by the hoops derby at QPR a few days later.

"I'm confident we can get four points from these next two away games," Lampard predicted confidently. "A win and a draw would be ideal and we've proven we can do it.

"Then we have to get our home form in hand because supporters come to games and go away really disappointed. I can understand it.

"Our results haven't been good enough. We need points to give the crowd something to cheer about."

And he added: "People won't expect us to get a result at West Brom, but you don't get many harder games than Preston away.

"It proves it can be done and that will be the same when we go to the Hawthorns."

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