BFTG 'Uddersfield

[SCIAG]

Agreed, I do not understand playing Hector when Taylor is a better midfielder. Perhaps he wanted more of a tackling presence but I'd have stuck with Akpan for that. I would also have reverted to the same line up that we had v Bolton and Blackpool. still don't get why Kanu plays ahead of Le Fondu

Overall another crap performance best forgotten as quickly as possible. Thank god for 2 away games up next

Taylor has not looked that good on the occasions that he has got on the pitch and could get destroyed if the fans started moaning about making mistakes. Wouldn't expect Adkins to play any of the youngsters (inexperienced) players in the current climate/environment, unless he had absolutely no other choice.

Taylor is neither particularly young, nor inexperienced (particularly relative to Hector or Obita when they started starting matches). He also hasn't had the opportunity to "look particularly good". Again, compare with Hector or Obita, neither of whom particularly impressed in their substitute appearances.

Adkins has really stuck two fingers up at him by picking a brute of a centre half ahead of him, there's no two ways about it. Reading career over, nearly four years (!) after his debut.

[leon]

Hands up any of you who think we can finish 6th or better with this team?

How stupid are you exactly?

Another classy comment from Ian Royal.

[marlowuk]

The statistics continue to tell their ever more depressing story!
- Over 9 hours of football at home without scoring a goal from open play
- No home wins in 2 months
- No win, home or away, when going behind since the first game of the season

True - today's display was an improvement on Tuesday's. But not by that much!

Since those exilarating wins against Blackpool and Bolton we have been found out. Teams now press us high up the pitch, close us down and give us little time on the ball and we can't handle it. In contrast we give our opponents all the time they need to measure their passes, or make a run at our defence and have an attempt at goal. At throw-ins we have reverted to our old bad habits of early season. We never contest their throw-ins and few of our players make themselves available at our own. It is a miracle we are still in 6th place!!

The most frustrating sight was to see Pog, McCleary and Gunter (I think) combine in a dazzling display of rapid one-touch football (Are you Brazil in disguise?) resulting in a cross and a Pog header forcing a great save out of their keeper. Why was that frustrating? Because it showed the quality we have in this side if only ...

To be honest Huddersfield should have won. They had 22 shots to our 13 and only McCarthy's MOTM display (and the post) gained us a point. As the BBC report concludes 'the home side held on for a point'

It is surprising how Nobbers' perceptions of individual players varies but here is my assessment!

McCarthy was MOTM - even his distribution was better than usual - and the other stand-out player was Pog. I thought he got involved (unlike on Tuesday), fought for the ball and gave their defence trouble all game. He still tends to fall over too easily (Are you Miss Brazil in disguise?). Gunter was given a severe test by their left winger and made some elementary mistakes but was OK. Good to see Pearce and Morrison together in defence again although their lack of pace worries me. Morrison obviously lacks match practice and gifted them their goal and I wish Pearce could use his heading ability to direct the ball to a player in hoops! I reckon around 80% of his headers go straight to an opposing player. Obita did well and was a constant threat as well as solid in defence.

The central midfield of Hector and Williams was new and not convincing. I am a great fan of Williams but he was anonymous until the 2nd half. Hector showed composure on the ball and, despite some silly mistakes, I think he will be one for the future. I thought Jobi had a good game and he won the penalty for us with a mazy run. But he worked hard and was encouraging the team as a captain should. McCleary was disappointing again but I would always play him because he has that ability to unlock defences and has a shot on him as well.

I didn't think that Hal was as bad as some have made out on here but he was not a great threat to them. When Alf came on his understanding with Pog was almost immediately apparent and those two do work well together. I know Alf can go missing for chunks of a game and I know he has missed some easy goals recently (Are you Alan Brazil in disguise?) but he and Pog do work well together.

I am also a great fan of Royston but he didn't offer much when he came on although we missed his crosses and free kicks when he wasn't on the pitch. On the other hand I think Akpan did excellently when he came on! This was probably the best I had seen him for some time (albeit for a short time!).

So - overall - another disappointing display. We need to close our opponents down quicker; we need to be competitive at throw-ins again; and we need to make those 50-50 balls our own!!

[EverHopeful]

Absolute crap again, how the hell we are still sixth only confirms how rubbish the league is. God help any of the top 6 or even 8 going up as it will be embarrassing next season for all of them especially with FFP. Looks like a glorious failure and missing out narrowly on goal difference last game of the season. Guess, at least the club can have the metaphorical clear out following the fahl the night before, sort out the ownership (hopefully) and then plan properly for the future. Failing that it is fire sale anyway!

As for today and players coming out with credit - McCarthy some excellent saves (still dodgy distribution), Obita, not a bad left back for a winger, Pog, worked hard despite shit service and maybe some play that deserved an oscar. The rest decidedly average and not worth any further comment..........oh and officials absolutely f'ing awful especially Lino on East stand side second half

Mood will no doubt change following two away wins in the next 10 days!

[bobby1413]

Gotta say, I think Obita is excellent, most of the time he's been solid when I've seen him. Pog is also alright, I think he does what he can with the service given.

The problem I think is his supporting number and mid field

[Pepe the Horseman]

Yeh, Obita's gonna end up running away with POTS at this rate.

Why did their CB get booked off the ball towards the end?

[AthleticoSpizz]

Obita was the best player on the pitch today by a country mile....cannot believe some of the low marks awarded to him on here.

[URZZZZ]

Mccarthy-8
Gunter-6
Morrison-4
Pearce-6
Obita-6
Mccleary-4
Mcanuff-6
Williams-4
Hector-5
HRK-4
Pog-4

Drenthe-4
Alf-4
Akpan-5

[Agent Balti]

And what was the spat about between Gunter and their no.3???

[leon]

Mccarthy-7
Gunter-5
Morrison-5
Pearce-5
Obita-7
Mccleary-2
Mcanuff-5
Williams-4
Hector-5
HRK-3
Pog-6

[bobby1413]

Am I over reacting...

I saw McAnuff shouting at the crowd (around Y24/Y25 about 10 mins into the game). I've not seen this in recent times, a player seemingly reacting, maybe it's pressure?

Or am I mis-reading it? I honestly don't know and I'm willing to accept any explanation? My worst thought is it shows the mindset of the squad, a bit alienated to the fans, confrontational and lacking confidence.

[Pepe the Horseman]

And what was the spat about between Gunter and their no.3???

I liked how McCleary stepped in to protect his bff

[Agent Balti]

Am I over reacting...

I saw McAnuff shouting at the crowd (around Y24/Y25 about 10 mins into the game). I've not seen this in recent times, a player seemingly reacting, maybe it's pressure?

Or am I mis-reading it? I honestly don't know and I'm willing to accept any explanation? My worst thought is it shows the mindset of the squad, a bit alienated to the fans, confrontational and lacking confidence.

See page1, Bobs.

[P!ssed Off]

Once again we were deprived of an actual proper goal, a defensive error and a penalty the cause of goals yet again.
I look forward to Tuesday for some actual entertainment at the Madejski.

So goals don't count if they come from a mistake, a penalty, or an own goal? What about set pieces? What about long range goals from nowhere?

They count for the scoreline, they don't count as value for money.
They are cheap, knock-offs that offer very little excitement or entertainment.
We've been credited with 3 goals at home over the last 2 months. Piss poor entertainment on its own, but when you consider that those three goals comprise of an own goal, and two penalties, then that is a truly horrific return.

The last 6 games have all been devoid of decent goals, bar one:
Reading 0 : 2 (penalty, McCarthy error) Sheffield Wednesday
Reading 0 : 1 (McAnuff error) Blackburn
Reading 1 (own goal) : 1 (McCarthy error) Yeovil
Reading 0 : 0 Derby (zero goals)
Reading 1 (penalty) : 3 (Gunter error, 2 decent goals) Barnsley
Reading 1 (penalty) : 1 (Morrison error) Huddersfield

Football is predominantly about goals, and the last 6 home games have seen only 2 that have not come about directly through errors.
Who would have thought after the 7&5-1 that Barnsley would be the only source for a decent goal in the following two months?

[P!ssed Off]

Gotta say, I think Obita is excellent, most of the time he's been solid when I've seen him. Pog is also alright, I think he does what he can with the service given.

The problem I think is his supporting number and mid field

What about the service Pog gives?
Did you catch the dying seconds of the match when Obita pointed exactly where he wanted the ball, only for Pog to turn his back on him, sit on the ball for another 5 seconds, before passing the ball behind Obita so he had to deliver a right footed cross in to the box?
Pure stupidity and tbh he quite often looks like a clumsy twat with no idea what he's doing when he's in possession.

[Royal Ginger]

very poor but 100% better than Tuesday.

Indeed. Some dick who i think was a nobber (he appeared to be on hobnob on his phone on the bus) was trying to tell strangers in the queue that we were better against Barnsley, and was an aggressive prick about it.

So, Mr Maroon trousers and blue canvas shoes...i'm calling you out.

[strap]

Some mindless trivia to take minds off current terrible home form.

Only 4 opponents have played against RFC this season (in a total of 40 games), that have not fielded a single loanee in their 18 man match day squad.

Peterborough A (27/08/13)
Leeds Utd H (18/09/13)
and Huddersfield A (14/12/13) and H (29/03/14)

Conversely, QPR and Yeovil have both fielded 6 loanees in a game v RFC (yes, I know the rules allow a max of 5, but I have checked the players, and am convinced they have exceeded the legal limit).
In addition, Yeovil and Birmingham have also fielded 5.

It's a pretty sad indictment of the system when in 90% of our games, opponents have fielded at least one loanee this season against us.

[Royal Ginger]

I thought Pearce had a better game then most are crediting him with. He was totally solid and spent a lot of time covering for Morrison too.

Our midfield didn't exist in the first half (Hector's positioning was atrocious) they couldn't get into the game. Adkins split them in the second, pushed Williams forward, and dropped Hector back, and i thought the were much better. Williams was very good, and Akpan did well in his 10 minutes.

Got to be Guthrie (defensive) and Williams (offensive) next time out.

Also, was it just me, or was the first half the half of a thousand throw-ins? I got so bored of throw-ins.

[semtex1871]

Hands up any of you who think we can finish 6th or better with this team?

Yeah, we CAN finish higher than 6th with this TEAM, as in "should". But not with this MANAGER.

If on Monday, YOU go to work and decide that YOU cannot be ARSED, you don't do anything OF any WORTH and don't contribute ANYTHING to the well being of YOUR employer.....is that your MANAGERs fauLT?

No of course it's not. You are paid to do a job and would not be doing it......

.....roll on the summer when we can get rid of these so-called big boys who are actually a load of shite.....

[Caversham Royal]

I thought Pearce had a better game then most are crediting him with. He was totally solid and spent a lot of time covering for Morrison too.

Our midfield didn't exist in the first half (Hector's positioning was atrocious) they couldn't get into the game. Adkins split them in the second, pushed Williams forward, and dropped Hector back, and i thought the were much better. Williams was very good, and Akpan did well in his 10 minutes.

Got to be Guthrie (defensive) and Williams (offensive) next time out.

Also, was it just me, or was the first half the half of a thousand throw-ins? I got so bored of throw-ins.

Pearce covering for Morrison. Story of his life. Or anyone else lucky enough to play along side Morrison.