BFTG - Everton

[BKRoyale]

Just got back to the bar ready for the liverpool game. Thought we had some good possession first half but couldn't create anything. They just took their chances. Happy for Hal, hope Kebe's ok. Out to have a good night in liverpool regardless!

[maffff]

Enjoy your night out.

[winchester_royal]

In car on the way back. Thought we were very unlucky today, gave it a real good go and deserved more luck than we got. The difference today was the impressive Fellaini and there's no shame in that. Akpan and Hal particularly impressive.

Supporters in the Lower Bullens excellent today.

Cautiously optimistic that we have another twist in this season yet to come.

[RFCUK]

Just got back home.

I predicted a 3-1 defeat, though felt the game would be more of a 2-1, and tbh, I after the game, I am sticking with that, as an after thought.

Firstly, what's happened to Federici..? Haven't checked up anywhere, and the first I heard was at the game. Great game from Taylor though, did well to come in, for his first start in a few years. Couple of great saves, and has a great kick on him.

For teh first 30 minutes, we seemed to be quite tight at the back, and looked to have a chance within the game. Fellaini pretty much won every header, including his goal, and had we stopped the cross which led to the goal, then who knows what could have happened.

Pretty open at start of the second half, end to end, though we just never had actual chances.

We seemed to just manage their attack (to an extent), and then hoof the ball forward with a hope that Hunt or Alfie would win a header. What's our problem with playing in on the deck..? When we did manage to keep it on the floor, it'd be with Jobi, and he is just useless. He's never going to cross with his left, he doesn't look up for the pass, just keeps his head down and tried to win a corner. Really don't understand the loyalty with him, especially with McCleary is on the bench..

Legs wasn't as bad as he usually is, but again, he just didn't know what to do with the ball when he had it. Infact, none of the team actually know what to do, and that's what our trouble is. It's terrible.

Overall, we weren't ever going to win, and I didn't expect it, but a bit more of a fight would have been nice. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but I just can't see where our goals come from..?

6's all round
7 Kelly
7 Pearce
5 Harte - Very poor free kicks, I know we go deep for Pearce at the back, but he went far too deep.

[windermere_royal]

Fed stood on someones foot in training and twisted something

[Sanguine]

Our problem with playing it on the deck is personnel. We have 1 ball player in the team - McAnuff a bit, and Akpan a bit. That's it.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Our problem with playing it on the deck is personnel. We have 1 ball player in the team - McAnuff a bit, and Akpan a bit. That's it.

pretty much it. Difference between an average Prem team and us is the quality of first touch and speed of pass. We don't have anyone, possibly with the exception of Guthers, who can do that.

Thought ALF and Hunt worked pretty well. Flashes of class from ALF and Hunt worked his nads off and won a few decent knock-ons .... for a midget. I'm a fan of HRK and thought he looked much more strong and positive than Jimmy - who actually was pretty sharp until he went off. HRK is what we need in a battle and a great finish for the goal.

Taylor gives me confidence if Kanga is out for a week or two.

Pienaar was clearly MotM. Controlled everything. Lively, bright, never wasted a ball and a stunning goal.

[Ian Royal]

Our problem with playing it on the deck is personnel. We have 1 ball player in the team - McAnuff a bit, and Akpan a bit. That's it.

+ ALF, Kebe and Shorey who are all capable. Pog isn't that bad. Roberts too. Carrico.

I thought we played fairly well when in possession of the ball, which makes a bit of a change. But as anyone with half a brain expected 4-4-2 with our midfield and striking options just isn't viable. We were wide open and we got punished.

Taylor - 6.5 don't think he did much wrong and didn't seem to have a chance with the goals. Pulled off some good saves
Kelly - 7 usual from Kelly.
Harte - 6 caught playing someone onside at least once. Overhit set pieces all first half, much better second half. Left totally isolated second half by McAnuff
Pearce - 7 threat at corners ok at the back
Mariappa - 7 good blocks
Leigertwood - 6 handled Fellaini well until the team tired
Akpan - 6.5 he's raw but looks our best midfielder
McAnuff - 7 gave Coleman lots of trouble and threatened the goal. But disappeared from defensive wing duties second half getting sucked inside
Kebe - 7 looked really good in his few minutes
Hunt - 6 worked hard jumped well didn't threaten the goal
ALF - 6.5 should have scored, should have been given a pen for Distin's HB. Lovely touches

HRK - 6.5 good header not much threat otherwise.

McDermott - 6 bit of a hiding to nothing against Everton with the squad he had left. Although I still think he'd have been better off staying 4-5-1 with a proper midfield. But Everton were just way too good for us, even not playing that well.
Ref 6 quite generous to us except for the penalty. No effect on the result.

[Anfield Kopite]

Just got back to the bar ready for the liverpool game. Thought we had some good possession first half but couldn't create anything. They just took their chances. Happy for Hal, hope Kebe's ok. Out to have a good night in liverpool regardless!

Have a good one. Despite what others may say its a good night out in Liverpool. Enjoy it.

[Royalclapper]

It is more and more apparent as the season gradually winds itself down that McD is set to join the symposium for football 'passion killer' managers, Warnock, McCarthy et al.

A reasonable start to the game slowly gravitated towards the side playing all the football (much like last week). Harte made a couple of vital blocks but he had to stay so deep Coleman had time zones to cross before he met any resistance, and the excellent Pienaar scored a great goal from one such situation. We could have done with Alf's first half shot going in to stand any chance of a result, the eventual reality is that it was a stroll for Everton.

At this point we have as much chance of finishing bottom as we do staying up IMO. It aint over til its over though, let's hope the fat lady won't be heard for a while longer than might be expected.

[paultheroyal]

So fed up as a Reading supporter tonight. It's not this result as never expected anything different but it's just the whole damn season and what an absolute pigs ear we have made of it. From piss poor transfer dealings to dour football, loyalty taken to the extreme coupled with bewildering tactics and often mundane football.

With all the hope of Antons millions I had dreams of a half decent season but this is just grim! With the money available next season trust Reading to face relegation this season of all seasons in the most damp squib way!

[AthleticoSpizz]

^ damp squib way?

With 10 games to go....you have a crystal ball Gypsy Rose Paula?

[paultheroyal]

^ damp squib way?

With 10 games to go....you have a crystal ball Gypsy Rose Paula?

Want us to stay up more than anything.....but it ain't great!

[AthleticoSpizz]

agree, but we have to stay chipper

[maffff]

Harte - 6 caught playing someone onside at least once. Overhit set pieces all first half, much better second half. Left totally isolated second half by McAnuff

Couple of good goal-line clearances.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Harte - 6 caught playing someone onside at least once. Overhit set pieces all first half, much better second half. Left totally isolated second half by McAnuff

Couple of good goal-line clearances.

yes but yes but...that doesn't fit into the blameseekers "headhunt"

[Royalwaster]

Good to see that Wigan got thumped by L'pool so we're up again on goal difference ....

[Big Ern]

Watched the game via a terrible online stream. As many have mentioned, never really expected anything out of this and glad to keep it to just 3-1 considering some of the chances Everton had.

Won't comment on the players as they are giving their all to the cause, but noticed even with 2 up front, they looked very isolated. There was always a huge gap from our Midfield to our attack. Could be a confidence thing as our midfield is "powder puff" at the best of times. Left me thinking if only we had a Sidwell type/quality player, might give the others more confidence to go forward a bit more.

So on to next week, and having an aggregate score of 1-6 in the last 2 games, we can only pray for the huge improvement needed to keep our season alive in what may turn out to be the most pivatol game of the season for us.

[maffff]

yes but yes but...that doesn't fit into the blameseekers "headhunt"

Apologies.

[AthleticoSpizz]