MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (h) sponsored by Dylan Kerr

[morganb]

But IMO in their last couple of appearances both have looked more likely than most of the team to help get us points.

Aluko has shown some nice skill but without the end product. Baldock is Baldock. Meh.

Was a difficult one with Baldock on Saturday

Joao and Puscas weren’t working together very well and it was probably right to sub one of them off

Problem was Baldock was our only striker on the bench. I think he has his uses and I certainly rate him more than you seem to, but as someone pointed out in the matchday thread, he was never likely to change the game. You’re then left with a conundrum, do you stick with a duo that isn’t working, change to one up front (which will be seen as “defensive”) or being someone on who will bring energy and intelligence but a lack of goal threat

Personally feel he should be either used from the start in a two with Joao or Puscas or brought on to preserve a lead. Unfortunately can’t see much use for him outside of that

I wonder why Reading have managed to produce Academy players to cover goalkeeper, and provide both first 11 and bench options for both defence and midfield but none to cover the striker position?

[Snowflake Royal]

Because we buy loads of expensive flop strikers so there's never room to give one a chance.

Plus we're in the fad of coaching skill not position so everyone's a positionless attacking forward who isn't clinical.

[Hound]

Smith, Liddle and House have come through, but lets be honest just weren't good enough, but seem to be doing ok down a rung or two

Loader was an odd one. He was obvs the big name striker who came through, but also just didnt look up to men's football yet tbh

[Snowflake Royal]

Smith, Liddle and House have come through, but lets be honest just weren't good enough, but seem to be doing ok down a rung or two

Loader was an odd one. He was obvs the big name striker who came through, but also just didnt look up to men's football yet tbh

Novakovich.

[Old Man Andrews]

Not good enough again.

Keep trying.