Reading Post Match Thoughts

[Shark27]

I’m not sure what people want. That performance today was better than most of our games in the last 3 seasons.

I thought we passed it around quite well. Yes, there were a few times towards the end where better decisions could be made but overall I was happy.

Any comments on their free kick? Was it an air shot or a foul? I haven’t seen it back yet.

[frogmiller]

I hope not. Still not the finished article but rapidly improving.

I agree

[frogmiller]

I’m not sure what people want. That performance today was better than most of our games in the last 3 seasons.

I thought we passed it around quite well. Yes, there were a few times towards the end where better decisions could be made but overall I was happy.

Any comments on their free kick? Was it an air shot or a foul? I haven’t seen it back yet.

I was thinking the same Sharky

The thing that made it so was the way Reading played. They are a good team, yes they’re learning but they play the modern game. They start from the back and play out.
I thought that we pressed well but at times we didn’t press as one. JCH pressed on his own but I honestly don’t think that he’s the trigger. When Nombe pressed the rest of the team understood.

If we are to be successful this season a lot will depend on Nombe.

He’ll be worth more than a million in three years!

[Shark27]

I was thinking the same Sharky

The thing that made it so was the way Reading played. They are a good team, yes they’re learning but they play the modern game. They start from the back and play out.
I thought that we pressed well but at times we didn’t press as one. JCH pressed on his own but I honestly don’t think that he’s the trigger. When Nombe pressed the rest of the team understood.

If we are to be successful this season a lot will depend on Nombe.

He’ll be worth more than a million in three years!

Agree Frog, Nombe was great today. Also against Cambridge, as soon as he came on he was reaching the balls down the line and causing a problem. We need to keep the faith with him because there is a great player there.

[Brin]

Don't understand the criticism of Tiehi . He's mobile,shows for the ball,gets in good positions and rarely gives the ball away. Alongside Kelly and Powell we'll have a decent midfield at this level,despite losing the energy of Rathbone. Contrastingly Odoffin frequently looks lost in midfield. It's very gradual but there are signs of improvement. We need another striker to play with Nombe. Michael Smith would make him a better player. JCH i'm afraid has had his day.

TT, joking apart, I'd take Smudge back tomorrow, the player to leave would be Hugill in January.

[Tigerish]

Positives:
Nombe finally looking worth the million we paid for him
Dawson. He is now our goalkeeper.
Humphreys and McCart. A slick partnership developing.
Negatives:
Powell on dead ball kicking. Practice, practice, practice needed.
Sicknotes....Raggett and Kelly.
Fading from the scene...McWilliams, Jules.
Lack of width. Too much tripe high down the middle.
It's not looking bad now but it can't be described as promotion material either. Yet.

[avondalemiller]

Positives:
Nombe finally looking worth the million we paid for him
Dawson. He is now our goalkeeper.
Humphreys and McCart. A slick partnership developing.
Negatives:
Powell on dead ball kicking. Practice, practice, practice needed.
Sicknotes....Raggett and Kelly.
Fading from the scene...McWilliams, Jules.
Lack of width. Too much tripe high down the middle.
It's not looking bad now but it can't be described as promotion material either. Yet.

I agree with most of that. mcCart struggles for pace. One instance was in the 2nd half when he looked like he was running in treacle in a race with Smith.
He's good in the air and probably one of the not many threats in the for set pieces. I can see why he didn't play much in the Championship. He will make way for Raggert, if we get him fit........................utm's

[Milesaway]

First half very much what we had seen all season. Pass around the back then long hopeful balls in the box, rinse and repeat. All our hopes on a lucky flick on or the clearance dropping to one of ours on the edge of the box. Expected hearing all about another high xG without a win and without any real quality efforts at goal.
Hats off to the lads second half because the system didn't really change but the players effort did and it paid off.
JCH tracking deep isn't going to bag him many goals but it did put pressure on their midfield and give space for Nombe who had a brilliant game.
One real positive change in play I saw towards the end was how we showed attack with pace on the break. Especially with Holmes confidence. Hughil also looked more suited to this style. A couple of times he held it up, turned his man and found space.

McCart - was solid at the back and had another good game
Tiehi - I don't get all the dislike. He's steady but 9 times out of 10 does the right thing and helps us keep possession
Powell - always in the mix, he's on the ball or after the ball all game. Doesn't get every delivery right but definitely improving
Nombe showed his worth. Best player at the club by a mile

[Ronners]

First half we were awful, just lump it forward and hope for the best. Second half we started very brightly, closed them down quickly and got the 2 goals in the first 10 mins. We were still the better team up to the sending off of their number 9 and then they started to bombard us with our own game of long ball, and Sam Smith and Jamie McCart had one hell of a battle which McCart stood firm. How we didn't make the best of more than a few breakaway in that second half,showed a lack of quality or a lack of confidence, because we really should have put them to the sword. Dawson in goal gives me way more confidence, as I'm sure he gives our defence, but for me we need Kelly back, hopefully soon and a right sided attacker like chieo and I hope we address that in the next transfer window. UTM

[flourbasher]

I was thinking the same Sharky

The thing that made it so was the way Reading played. They are a good team, yes they’re learning but they play the modern game. They start from the back and play out.
I thought that we pressed well but at times we didn’t press as one. JCH pressed on his own but I honestly don’t think that he’s the trigger. When Nombe pressed the rest of the team understood.

If we are to be successful this season a lot will depend on Nombe.

He’ll be worth more than a million in three years!

Yes agree with this and in particular with Nombe.

For the people who perpetually complain we wasted a lot of money, he wasn’t actually a million pound player because MKD got a significant slice of that so Exeter probably valued him around £750k. Don’t get a lot for that in any division.
Of late he appears to be shining through and that’s down to hard work on the training pitch

Well done to the coaching staff and SE too….oh and Paul Douglas and Scotty whilst I’m doing the compliments