United – We won a game and were not at our best! Finally. We kept a clean sheet. We did not have a dodgy final few minutes. We won on Sky and also scored from a corner. We also did not let the opponent as far as I can recall have a shot on target. Time for a beer…or two! First half we started the first 10 minutes well and had a few half chances and the goal disallowed but then they gradually came into it and then we looked very much like we did at Rotherham. We did not pressure the ball, sat off, they got more of the ball and only a complete lack of goal threat or confidence stopped them creating anything. We never really looked like conceding and even for that really poor half an hour up to half time; still had the better chances with another goal disallowed. I thought it had the feel of a reserve or benefit game and was so slow. Reading looked a poor side but gradually got a foot hold in the game.
Second half we made a chance with Duffy on but it was not just about the chance (did help giving other players space) but we played higher up the field and won tackles and pressured them. We passed it much better; got the wing backs forward and generally got amongst them and started to pin them back. Most of the 2nd half was in their half. McGoldrick had two chances and then Sharp a really good one and we looked the only side likely to win. The most annoying thing was the poor final ball or the lack of creativity when we got in the final third with no one unlocking the key. I tweeted the crossing was appalling and so many times we pulled back soft crosses that were easily cleared or over hit them completely. Then Bash got a decent one in; deflected of course but in the right area and we finally score with Billy doing what he does best. The second was crucial though as after all the give aways this season even against an abject opponent; to score this so quick killed the game.
We will have to play much better against the better teams and have some tough tests coming up; especially at the Lane. We need to start games better and individually and collectively we need to be much more consistent. I worry we are struggling to put series of games or even complete games (each half) together and that is why we have played 9; won 3, drew 3, lost 3. We could have had more points but the performances have bee a bit mixed really. Derby away was the same but the opposite way around. Forest was flat. Rotherham really poor. Stoke, Wednesday and Leeds we should have had 5 more points at least but today at least saw an average performance; although much improved 2nd half; yield the win.
Overall, we definitely deserved the win as despite the above words; we had all the chances and save for that half hour spell, I felt controlled the game and second half it was all us. 2-0 was a fair reflection of the game. It was the sort of game; against a really bad side where you get in and in bad conditions, get the win and get out. We sit 3rd and are looking good as Wilder said. A few defeats and we are back down to 7th/8th so important we try and get a run of results together over the Xmas period. Will not be easy as we play 2 fellow challengers sandwiched between a banana skin against Ipswich but it’s about time, we won some big games at the Lane.
Reading – Awful. The worst side we have played and that includes Wednesday. They had a fair bit of the ball first half and won some tackles and as much as I moaned about how poor we were – they were not much better. They did nothing with it and still conceded all the chances. Only the fact our players went too early stopped two offside goals and they saw a few chances from us go begging. They may have felt they were well in the game and maybe got over confident as second half we swarmed all over them and they never got in the game. They looked devoid of confidence and were kind of hanging on even if we were not creating tons of openings. They sat back but did not even offer a threat on the counter. They made two subs but this did not change things either. The late goal flattened them and then 1 became 2 and they just wanted to be off the pitch.
I reckon cost of the squad and wages wise; they will have spent and have a much higher wage bill than us. You only have to look at the players not playing. Experienced players like Meyer, Obita, O’Shea, McShane, Moore, Edwards, Bodvarsson were not even in the squad (most injured) and all these are probably on more than most of our starting players I would assume. As Sky said; they should be much higher but have no confidence, concede goals and look toothless up front. They look a side that will not win many games. It does not help they play at a soulless stadium with no atmosphere and no real help for the team. They simply do not have a home advantage as it is so quiet and just the opposite of intimidating. Teams will go there and win quite a bit. This puts real pressure on them to get points away from home. I think they could really struggle and if they do not get the managerial appointment right, I would not be shocked if they went down. Ipswich look isolated but even teams like Hull and Bolton (and gulp Wednesday) have shown more fight than them in games I have seen.
Opponent man of the match – McCleary did a few decent bits first half and Sims was lovely for a spell but the young lad Loader was easily their best player. He got on the ball and at least tried to attack us. Won a free kick and looked lively. Faded second half but he was the main threat. They have been struggling so I would not want to say who has played well and who has not but when I saw Barrow, Aluko (both fast) and Swift and Kelly on the bench; I was pleased. Those four are probably their best four players for me if I had to think of dangers and all have caused problems for us in the past.
Weak link – Take your pick. The keeper was appalling and every time it went near him, he looked terrified. He was a big lad that looked scared of the high ball and never took a cross all game. He made one good save but most of our chances went wide. He made a few other odd mistakes when the ball came back to him on his feet. The lad Blackett also was quite erratic and made some mistakes – the back pass for instance! Gunter and Yiadom tried hard but were given no help from the midfield. I thought McNulty had no service but looked the player I remembered. Slow, weak and often the games would just pass him by. Nowhere near good enough for the Championship. The midfielder Bacuna has a lot of quality but just strolled around. His lack of effort second half was criminal.