Bftg- Wigan (h)

[Steve_Upper_West]

First time since Jan 1st that I could be arsed to drag myself to the Madstad. Sat there for most of the game thinking nothing much has changed we are still a poor team. Had decided to leave on 90 mins if we had not scored and instead witnessed another miracle - I was at Bristol a couple of years ago and the mayhem yesterday was not dissimilar

I also thought Loader did ok...

Can a loan player win Player of the Season.. Martinez has saved the day two weeks in a row

[tee peg]

Win Ugly certainly describes yesterday game.

[Snowflake Royal]

Would definitely agree Loader grew into the game. I thought he was good in the last 20 and I was thinking he may well score

One thing that I really like about this team is the passion of the loan signings. Quite why they seem to passionate towards Reading I’m not sure, but someone is doing something right. Starting to like Baker a lot and he was absolutely roaring after the last goal and at the end.

Massive difference compared to the likes of Martin, Mutch, Piazon etc from over the last few years

I only saw the last 30 and thought Loader looked better. He seemed to have more guts and drive than I saw in his earlier performances, but that may have just bbeen the entire team's desire.

Sandman is right though. Hes unlikely to shine played either as a lone striker or half way into midfield as a No. 10.

Its not really his game and he doesnt have the experience to adapt to it. Hes got a lovely touch, good skill and passing, but I just dont think hes he going to properly succeed without a loan away or a change in shape.

[Snowflake Royal]

Would definitely agree Loader grew into the game. I thought he was good in the last 20 and I was thinking he may well score

One thing that I really like about this team is the passion of the loan signings. Quite why they seem to passionate towards Reading I’m not sure, but someone is doing something right. Starting to like Baker a lot and he was absolutely roaring after the last goal and at the end.

Massive difference compared to the likes of Martin, Mutch, Piazon etc from over the last few years

Many of our recent loan signings have been at the other end of their career to the ones we have now, farmed out because they were surplus to requirements.
Obviously most of this lot have had previous loan spells but Imthink they are still at the stage where they expect to have a big future at a higher level and they are genuinely playing to build their career.

A lot of our previous loans were also here to win the league so just didnt care once promotion hopes were gone.

The likes of Ola John and Piazon at least. And were luxury players you wouldnt expect to scrap in the first place.

[Nameless]

Would definitely agree Loader grew into the game. I thought he was good in the last 20 and I was thinking he may well score

One thing that I really like about this team is the passion of the loan signings. Quite why they seem to passionate towards Reading I’m not sure, but someone is doing something right. Starting to like Baker a lot and he was absolutely roaring after the last goal and at the end.

Massive difference compared to the likes of Martin, Mutch, Piazon etc from over the last few years

I only saw the last 30 and thought Loader looked better. He seemed to have more guts and drive than I saw in his earlier performances, but that may have just bbeen the entire team's desire.

Sandman is right though. Hes unlikely to shine played either as a lone striker or half way into midfield as a No. 10.

Its not really his game and he doesnt have the experience to adapt to it. Hes got a lovely touch, good skill and passing, but I just dont think hes he going to properly succeed without a loan away or a change in shape.

No 10 is very much where Loader can play (you need to reread Sandman’s post). He’s stuffed if he can’t play as a lone striker (which I agree he can’t) and can’t play as an advanced midfielder behind a striker (which he can). For the u23 he used to play fairly deep, late runs into the box, runs with the ball from deep. Not convinced a loan to a Scottish club or a lower division club would do much for him, apart from Novacovic we’ve not had many forward season do well on loan in recent years because they are not given time to develop. Unless they say score they sit on the bench ( see Smith, House, Barrett......)

[Snowflake Royal]

Would definitely agree Loader grew into the game. I thought he was good in the last 20 and I was thinking he may well score

One thing that I really like about this team is the passion of the loan signings. Quite why they seem to passionate towards Reading I’m not sure, but someone is doing something right. Starting to like Baker a lot and he was absolutely roaring after the last goal and at the end.

Massive difference compared to the likes of Martin, Mutch, Piazon etc from over the last few years

I only saw the last 30 and thought Loader looked better. He seemed to have more guts and drive than I saw in his earlier performances, but that may have just bbeen the entire team's desire.

Sandman is right though. Hes unlikely to shine played either as a lone striker or half way into midfield as a No. 10.

Its not really his game and he doesnt have the experience to adapt to it. Hes got a lovely touch, good skill and passing, but I just dont think hes he going to properly succeed without a loan away or a change in shape.

No 10 is very much where Loader can play (you need to reread Sandman’s post). He’s stuffed if he can’t play as a lone striker (which I agree he can’t) and can’t play as an advanced midfielder behind a striker (which he can). For the u23 he used to play fairly deep, late runs into the box, runs with the ball from deep. Not convinced a loan to a Scottish club or a lower division club would do much for him, apart from Novacovic we’ve not had many forward season do well on loan in recent years because they are not given time to develop. Unless they say score they sit on the bench ( see Smith, House, Barrett......)

I know sandy said defensive midfield, but seeing as Ive never seen him play there, including yesterday I assumed he made a mistake.


I know he tended to play deeper in the U23s, but I dont think hes got what it takes to succeed there in our system without more experience. I thought his obvious greater quality allowed him to play that role at the lower level, but he wasnt a natural there and so against better opposition it doesnt work.

We need to get better at matching player to loan club. Hes not going to benefit playing for cloggers on a ploughed field. But I also dont think he has to go somewhere and play 40 games scoring 20 goals for him to benefit either. I just think he needs a transitional level of quality between Championship and U23 to hone his skills and decisions.

[Nameless]

Out of interest where do you think Loader CAN play ?

[Snowflake Royal]

Out of interest where do you think Loader CAN play ?

I think he's perfect for a big guy, little guy - traditional two up front system.

Whether thats 4-4-2, 5-3-2, 3-5-2....

I also think he'd transition better from youth to first team as a winger/wide forward as a stepping stone to playing No. 10 / striker. Its certainly not his position, but in many ways its a simpler position as the game doesnt surround you, youre largely up against the side of the pitch. Like you sometimes see youth CBs get a few first team starts at RB.

I think his first appearance was out wide and that was about as impressive as I've seen him.

He just has too much responsibility in that pivot point and ends up looking a bit lost because he's no longer comparatively big and skillful enough to power past people so comfortably.

[retro royal]

Thought loader had his best minutes in first team yesterday, mixed it up, won headers to flick on, he's still young and a mix between u23's and first team a decent preseason think he'll come good next season

[Nameless]

Out of interest where do you think Loader CAN play ?

I think he's perfect for a big guy, little guy - traditional two up front system.

Whether thats 4-4-2, 5-3-2, 3-5-2....

I also think he'd transition better from youth to first team as a winger/wide forward as a stepping stone to playing No. 10 / striker. Its certainly not his position, but in many ways its a simpler position as the game doesnt surround you, youre largely up against the side of the pitch. Like you sometimes see youth CBs get a few first team starts at RB.

I think his first appearance was out wide and that was about as impressive as I've seen him.

He just has too much responsibility in that pivot point and ends up looking a bit lost because he's no longer comparatively big and skillful enough to power past people so comfortably.

But he’s never been big and powerful, even comparatively. His talent is about touch, acceleration, timing. In the U18/u23 he was never the lad who grew early and could bully his opponents as a result.
He’s an inside forward but no point suggesting he play there because they no longer exist !
Playing in that pocket between midfield and attack is just where he excels, in a different way to Swift.Swift is an advanced midfielder, Loader is a forward who runs from deep. I think if he played him pushed right up next to a big centre forward you lose some of the things he is good at with out playing to any of his obvious strengths.
Inter3sting to see very different impressions of what he is about (and I’m not saying I am right !) and would be interesting to know how Gomes thinks Loader would ideally fit in the team.

[Lower West]

Obviously most of this lot have had previous loan spells but Imthink they are still at the stage where they expect to have a big future at a higher level and they are genuinely playing to build their career.

Still requires someone to motivate them and buy into the "project". Yesterday I sensed a bond between everyone in in the team. Even Martinez sprinted up to celebrate the winning goal with the rest of the team. Moments like this go alone way together to building a fighting mentality and unity.

[Nameless]

Obviously most of this lot have had previous loan spells but Imthink they are still at the stage where they expect to have a big future at a higher level and they are genuinely playing to build their career.

Still requires someone to motivate them and buy into the "project". Yesterday I sensed a bond between everyone in in the team. Even Martinez sprinted up to celebrate the winning goal with the rest of the team. Moments like this go alone way together to building a fighting mentality and unity.

Absolutely.
Gomes is either a great actor or genuinely passionate about what he is doing. I think his walk round the pitch was a genuine out pouring of emotion and almost ranks with SSC removing his jacket at Leicester !
Whether even he could have got anything out of Chris Martin must be open to question.

[Hoss]

Not sure if its been mentioned but there seemed a lot of police presence after the game. And they looked pretty serious. Did something happen?

It wasn't as if there was a big crowd from Wigan. Was one of the two taxis they ordered late or something?

[Lower West]

Not sure if its been mentioned but there seemed a lot of police presence after the game. And they looked pretty serious. Did something happen?

One minibus was given a sizable escort down to the M4. A couple of traffic cars pulled out from the police base as well when the convoy approached. Obviously to give them an escort off the patch.

[Pepe the Horseman]

+1 for the Baker love. Such a tidy player. Loved how he man handled Swift to put him in position for the free kick, and his quick thinking to nick the drop ball for the equaliser.

[RoyalBlue]

For what it's worth I thought Loader did quite well at being a nuisance up front against the bigger and stronger Olsson.

As you'd know, he'd better get used to that in this div. It is what it is, and we don't get to make the rules. It will be no use us playing the sympathy card each week. But yes, he came in to it more as the game progressed.

The ref and his myopic assistant on the East Stand completely failed to notice the thug Olsson deliberately lead with his fist in an early aerial challenge with Loader, even though it was right under their noses.

[Lower West]

Obviously most of this lot have had previous loan spells but Imthink they are still at the stage where they expect to have a big future at a higher level and they are genuinely playing to build their career.

Still requires someone to motivate them and buy into the "project". Yesterday I sensed a bond between everyone in in the team. Even Martinez sprinted up to celebrate the winning goal with the rest of the team. Moments like this go alone way together to building a fighting mentality and unity.

Absolutely.
Gomes is either a great actor or genuinely passionate about what he is doing. I think his walk round the pitch was a genuine out pouring of emotion and almost ranks with SSC removing his jacket at Leicester !
Whether even he could have got anything out of Chris Martin must be open to question.

I'd summise that for Gomes and Co the offer of the Reading roles was a dream come true. They knew the challenges that lay ahead. Both on and off the pitch. Absolutely nothing to lose.

[RoyalBlue]

The result should not obscure a dreadful performance; yes even in this season of mediocrity; apart from a ten minute spell 1st half; I think this was the worst. Remember the Swans are a fair better team than this bunch of Wigan s**t kickers; whose only tactic was to press and foul at every opportunity.
Also the game hung on not only a fair slice of luck going our way; but the most inept refereeing performance we have had this season-he made Coote look top class.
IMHO:

Martinez: 5 A couple of top class saves, mixed with some awful decision making. On at least five occasions we had players free upfield, and he completely missed the opportunity.

A good number of those were probably due to Wigan players deliberately and cynically blocking him off. He created quite a few other opportunities with quick, accurate, long kicks when he wasn't blocked. Very harsh to only give him five. He is so much better than those keepers that we had to put up with earlier in the season. Commanded his box and produced numerous safe takes in the air, despite being under pressure. Quite frankly if his performance yesterday was only worth a five, some of the best keepers in the country would struggle to get seven, even when on top form!

[RoyalBlue]

And the ref.

What a clown. At least he was totally fair to both sides in his utter incompetence.

To be fair he punished Wigan for their cynical timewasting by adding on 12 minutes, which was ultimately their downfall.

The guy was shit! He didn't properly punish them. Merely adding time when a team is deliberately time wasting, not just to run down the clock but more importantly to break down their opponent's momentum and relieve the pressure is not acceptable, nor is it properly punishing them. Match officials should be alert to that 'tactic' and issue yellow cards early on to prevent it continuing.

[Wycombe Royal]

+1 for the Baker love. Such a tidy player. Loved how he man handled Swift to put him in position for the free kick, and his quick thinking to nick the drop ball for the equaliser.

To me it appears he is a player who needs a run of games. He was pretty anonymous to start with but over the past few games he has got better and better. He is the type of player who just gets on with his game and you don’t necessarily notice anything he is doing. He just does it tidily and effectively and keeps things ticking over.