MATCHWATCH : Exeter City (h)

[Hound]

Our biggest issue is a massive changing of personnel.

Of the team that opened the season, only 4 started last night - 1 is the goalie and 1 plays in a different position now.

Even if we take the first game after the summer window closed only 5 players from the Barnsley away game started last night.

I know L1 often has a lot of churn over summers but this year, for us, feels particularly crazy in terms or squad changes. This squad has the ability to get closer to the play-offs but that will be a bonus.

The permanent signings show a longer term thinking but the correct balance of personnel still needs to be found.

Certainly something in that, and I do think we’ll look strong for next season

Could question whether we’ve needed to make so many changes - the 2 new FBs have started well but was that a problem area? The CBs have changed a lot due to injury and form. Totally different strike force than started the season

However do think we’ve blown a decent opportunity this year. We’ve a good side in a pretty average division and you never know who we might lose for next year.

We haven't blown anything yet - 8 points back with 2 games in hand means we can still be right in the race but agreed that we could or should be a bit closer in a tight division.

FB was a bit of a problem, as shown by the fact that Yiadom came back in to be 1st choice - he's been a great servant but the fact we brought back in a 34 yo with a lot of recent injury issues shows RB wasn't where it should be and we definitely needed a proper LB - and Roberts has looked a top player for this level so far.

Agree both new FBs have looked good but did we absolutely need to change and disrupt the entire back 4 at this stage? Arguable id say, esp when as you say biggest issue is change of personnel

I thought Abrefa and Dorsett have been ok there. Garcia played the whole of last year there in a team that came 7th and hasn’t had a look in

[Hound]

our game management is shocking. i never feel we are in control of games even when leading comfortably, always feel there is a goal there for the opposition . we also look really disjointed. for me it all stems from CM. We never control the midfield, never seem to have time or space. There is no link from midfield to attack and lets be honest wing has gone completely off the boil, he's been really poor recently.

Don’t want to be a stats bore but Wing and Savage had 175 touches between them last night and over 200 on Saturday.

Marriott had 13 in 90, Lane 3(!)in 30 mins. DK and Doyle were 20/30s

We’re just not getting that ball from the midfield into the forward players for whatever reason. Obvs my feelings are that the main issue is with the forward players rather than the midfielders but others say the midfield which is fair enough. You can say it’s poor service to the forwards or the forwards are not giving anything to pass to

Keane constantly gave the ball away but he showed signs of coming to get the ball and linkup play which the others just don’t do. At least Kelvin got himself well involved even if again not a lot went right for him

I’m hopeful with time and sharpness Keane can start to bring the others into the game a lot more

[South Coast Royal]

Well it’s difficult to argue we deserve the win tbh

We create so little

I mean, we've created two genuine goals, they've scored two pathetic deflections. Wing and Marriott have both had shots well saved.

It's not like they've created much. 2 shots on target and one of their goals was an off target shot that ricocheted in.

I think you have forgotten the first half when they had a number of clear openings but weren't composed enough to take them.
A fair result for 2 mid-table sides who are both very likely to be playing each other next season.

[tidus_mi2]

Leaving the ground yesterday, it did seem like people weren't giving Exeter the respect they deserved, they really did a number on us in the first half especially, they were perhaps fortunate to take the lead but really contained us afterwards, they've been on a good run and while they're normally a lower midtable side, they are above us in the league and currently would hold outside hopes of a play-off push I would have thought.

[Sutekh]

Leaving the ground yesterday, it did seem like people weren't giving Exeter the respect they deserved, they really did a number on us in the first half especially, they were perhaps fortunate to take the lead but really contained us afterwards, they've been on a good run and while they're normally a lower midtable side, they are above us in the league and currently would hold outside hopes of a play-off push I would have thought.

It should be noted that if the season had kicked off on 1st January, Exeter would be top of the table. They are the form team currently and looked thoroughly decent and worthy of being that team. Would have been good to see how we would have fared without the dreadful weather hurling nonstop rain at everyone, but it was the same for all and Reading didn’t do too badly but could & should have made more of things. There’s a lot to work on in terms of being able to create more opportunity and they really should be taking more games to their opponents from the off.

[Snowflake Royal]

Well it’s difficult to argue we deserve the win tbh

We create so little

I mean, we've created two genuine goals, they've scored two pathetic deflections. Wing and Marriott have both had shots well saved.

It's not like they've created much. 2 shots on target and one of their goals was an off target shot that ricocheted in.

Deflections happen - both our goals on Saturday were either a deflected cross or loose ball which just landed at our forwards feet. Not having it as bad luck

Wing and Marriotts save were routine really.

Don’t think they created loads either but a draw is about right.

Either way it’s 2 points from 3 games against mid table teams, 2 at home.

I didn't say it was bad luck, but you're going on like we didn't create enough to deserve a win, and we created plenty to have done so, and a fair bit more than Exeter

[South Coast Royal]

Why is it that managers feel that bringing on a number of subs, particularly defenders, towards the end of the game will protect a lead?

The players take a while to get into the flow of the game and bringing Fraser on to replace a more attacking player for example doesn't guarantee a stronger defensive unit, it just probably means that opposition defenders will have more time on the ball and can play further forward..

By all means bring off a player who is knackered but changing the shape I feel is dangerous and last night it didn't work and as another poster said, if we had attacked and got a 3rd goal it would have been game over.

Our manager is far from being alone in this and when watching a number of games where this is done for tactical reasons often it just doesn't work as players aren't robots or chess pieces.

[South Coast Royal]

I mean, we've created two genuine goals, they've scored two pathetic deflections. Wing and Marriott have both had shots well saved.

It's not like they've created much. 2 shots on target and one of their goals was an off target shot that ricocheted in.

Deflections happen - both our goals on Saturday were either a deflected cross or loose ball which just landed at our forwards feet. Not having it as bad luck

Wing and Marriotts save were routine really.

Don’t think they created loads either but a draw is about right.

Either way it’s 2 points from 3 games against mid table teams, 2 at home.

I didn't say it was bad luck, but you're going on like we didn't create enough to deserve a win, and we created plenty to have done so, and a fair bit more than Exeter

"A fair bit more than Exeter" Ian.
Did you watch the first half?

[bcubed]

our game management is shocking. i never feel we are in control of games even when leading comfortably, always feel there is a goal there for the opposition . we also look really disjointed. for me it all stems from CM. We never control the midfield, never seem to have time or space. There is no link from midfield to attack and lets be honest wing has gone completely off the boil, he's been really poor recently.

Im pretty sure I dont watch as many games as you but I thought Wing ran the game on Saturday.

[Snowflake Royal]

Deflections happen - both our goals on Saturday were either a deflected cross or loose ball which just landed at our forwards feet. Not having it as bad luck

Wing and Marriotts save were routine really.

Don’t think they created loads either but a draw is about right.

Either way it’s 2 points from 3 games against mid table teams, 2 at home.

I didn't say it was bad luck, but you're going on like we didn't create enough to deserve a win, and we created plenty to have done so, and a fair bit more than Exeter

"A fair bit more than Exeter" Ian.
Did you watch the first half?

I watched the entire game thanks. Exeter had two 'shots' on target. Pereira didn’t make a single save.

Sure they took a few wild shots from miles out that went nowhere near the goal... that's not what I consider a chance.

[tidus_mi2]

The defensive subs did seem a poor choice, it seemed a bit early to be trying to shut up shop, especially since everyone must have been aware there would have been sizeable stoppage time, seem to recall there was close to zero football played between the 60th and 67th minute.

[South Coast Royal]

I didn't say it was bad luck, but you're going on like we didn't create enough to deserve a win, and we created plenty to have done so, and a fair bit more than Exeter

"A fair bit more than Exeter" Ian.
Did you watch the first half?

I watched the entire game thanks. Exeter had two 'shots' on target. Pereira didn’t make a single save.

Sure they took a few wild shots from miles out that went nowhere near the goal... that's not what I consider a chance.

So is "miles out" the edge of the penalty area?
If so, Lewis Wing scores most of his goals from miles and miles out.

They were chances, not gilt-edged but even so , chances and you implied otherwise.

[leon]

our game management is shocking. i never feel we are in control of games even when leading comfortably, always feel there is a goal there for the opposition . we also look really disjointed. for me it all stems from CM. We never control the midfield, never seem to have time or space. There is no link from midfield to attack and lets be honest wing has gone completely off the boil, he's been really poor recently.

Im pretty sure I dont watch as many games as you but I thought Wing ran the game on Saturday.

I'm struggling with the way Wing slows everything down and then tries the Hollywood ball forward. Someone said earlier that Savage and Wing dont really work together as well as Brogue above - there's no link from midfield (where there's always a massive hole in the centre of the pitch - AKA the midfield) to attack (who are permanently too far up) - hence our usual route to goal is down the flanks - with very variable results.

When we do go down the middle we look far more dangerous. (1st half DK picking up and driving through and Marriot(?) almost scoring)

[Snowflake Royal]

"A fair bit more than Exeter" Ian.
Did you watch the first half?

I watched the entire game thanks. Exeter had two 'shots' on target. Pereira didn’t make a single save.

Sure they took a few wild shots from miles out that went nowhere near the goal... that's not what I consider a chance.

So is "miles out" the edge of the penalty area?
If so, Lewis Wing scores most of his goals from miles and miles out.

They were chances, not gilt-edged but even so , chances and you implied otherwise.

Exeter's players aren't Lewis Wing.

[Snowflake Royal]

our game management is shocking. i never feel we are in control of games even when leading comfortably, always feel there is a goal there for the opposition . we also look really disjointed. for me it all stems from CM. We never control the midfield, never seem to have time or space. There is no link from midfield to attack and lets be honest wing has gone completely off the boil, he's been really poor recently.

Im pretty sure I dont watch as many games as you but I thought Wing ran the game on Saturday.

I'm struggling with the way Wing slows everything down and then tries the Hollywood ball forward. Someone said earlier that Savage and Wing dont really work together as well as Brogue above - there's no link from midfield (where there's always a massive hole in the centre of the pitch - AKA the midfield) to attack (who are permanently too far up) - hence our usual route to goal is down the flanks - with very variable results.

When we do go down the middle we look far more dangerous. (1st half DK picking up and driving through and Marriot(?) almost scoring)

Wing was fine.

He turned back a fair bit yesterday because there wasn't a forward pass on.

He's super aware and turns out of danger really well. But he can only pass where there's an option, and Exeter were squeezing the forward space really well, and often had two close to him.

We're generally getting better at passing and moving, so his long range passes are getting fewer.

83 passes yesterday, 9 long passes.

Go back to say... Stockport.
59 passes, 12 long.

[leon]

Im pretty sure I dont watch as many games as you but I thought Wing ran the game on Saturday.

I'm struggling with the way Wing slows everything down and then tries the Hollywood ball forward. Someone said earlier that Savage and Wing dont really work together as well as Brogue above - there's no link from midfield (where there's always a massive hole in the centre of the pitch - AKA the midfield) to attack (who are permanently too far up) - hence our usual route to goal is down the flanks - with very variable results.

When we do go down the middle we look far more dangerous. (1st half DK picking up and driving through and Marriot(?) almost scoring)

Wing was fine.

He turned back a fair bit yesterday because there wasn't a forward pass on.

He's super aware and turns out of danger really well. But he can only pass where there's an option, and Exeter were squeezing the forward space really well, and often had two close to him.

We're generally getting better at passing and moving, so his long range passes are getting fewer.

83 passes yesterday, 9 long passes.

Go back to say... Stockport.
59 passes, 12 long.

As with everything it's not black and white - Wing is bad/He should play every ball forward. There were a number of times where his default pass was backwards or sideways.

There wasn't always a ball forward (see my point about midfield - lack of movement to receive = massive hole in midfield)

He's playing so far back he is constrained by the balls he plays ie natural risk aversion means he doesn't want to thread a ball into midfield for fear of giving away dangerous possession.

He also doesn't have a lot of pace to drive into the space that there is.

Last night they were pressing more than saturday. (at least that what it felt like) which exacerbated the above points.

[Hound]

I didn't say it was bad luck, but you're going on like we didn't create enough to deserve a win, and we created plenty to have done so, and a fair bit more than Exeter

"A fair bit more than Exeter" Ian.
Did you watch the first half?

I watched the entire game thanks. Exeter had two 'shots' on target. Pereira didn’t make a single save.

Sure they took a few wild shots from miles out that went nowhere near the goal... that's not what I consider a chance.

Their keeper barely made a save either tbf. Couple of fairly harmless long rangers from Wing and Marriott. The only real time he was taxed was that early one from Marriott after a nice cross from the left

The only chance I can think from the last 3 games when I’ve watched and thought ‘he really should have scored that’ was Keanes against Barnsley

We’ve been very very reliant on being extremely efficient on goal scoring chances - Wing and Marriott have the two biggest differences between goals and XG in the entire division.

[Hound]

I'm struggling with the way Wing slows everything down and then tries the Hollywood ball forward. Someone said earlier that Savage and Wing dont really work together as well as Brogue above - there's no link from midfield (where there's always a massive hole in the centre of the pitch - AKA the midfield) to attack (who are permanently too far up) - hence our usual route to goal is down the flanks - with very variable results.

When we do go down the middle we look far more dangerous. (1st half DK picking up and driving through and Marriot(?) almost scoring)

Wing was fine.

He turned back a fair bit yesterday because there wasn't a forward pass on.

He's super aware and turns out of danger really well. But he can only pass where there's an option, and Exeter were squeezing the forward space really well, and often had two close to him.

We're generally getting better at passing and moving, so his long range passes are getting fewer.

83 passes yesterday, 9 long passes.

Go back to say... Stockport.
59 passes, 12 long.

As with everything it's not black and white - Wing is bad/He should play every ball forward. There were a number of times where his default pass was backwards or sideways.

There wasn't always a ball forward (see my point about midfield - lack of movement to receive = massive hole in midfield)

He's playing so far back he is constrained by the balls he plays ie natural risk aversion means he doesn't want to thread a ball into midfield for fear of giving away dangerous possession.

He also doesn't have a lot of pace to drive into the space that there is.

Last night they were pressing more than saturday. (at least that what it felt like) which exacerbated the above points.

In basic agreement - but what do we change to get that link between midfield and attack and fill that space?

[Brogue]

Wing was fine.

He turned back a fair bit yesterday because there wasn't a forward pass on.

He's super aware and turns out of danger really well. But he can only pass where there's an option, and Exeter were squeezing the forward space really well, and often had two close to him.

We're generally getting better at passing and moving, so his long range passes are getting fewer.

83 passes yesterday, 9 long passes.

Go back to say... Stockport.
59 passes, 12 long.

As with everything it's not black and white - Wing is bad/He should play every ball forward. There were a number of times where his default pass was backwards or sideways.

There wasn't always a ball forward (see my point about midfield - lack of movement to receive = massive hole in midfield)

He's playing so far back he is constrained by the balls he plays ie natural risk aversion means he doesn't want to thread a ball into midfield for fear of giving away dangerous possession.

He also doesn't have a lot of pace to drive into the space that there is.

Last night they were pressing more than saturday. (at least that what it felt like) which exacerbated the above points.

In basic agreement - but what do we change to get that link between midfield and attack and fill that space?

wings pass map yesterday says it all



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfIGz9Iqei4

[South Coast Royal]

Wing was fine.

He turned back a fair bit yesterday because there wasn't a forward pass on.

He's super aware and turns out of danger really well. But he can only pass where there's an option, and Exeter were squeezing the forward space really well, and often had two close to him.

We're generally getting better at passing and moving, so his long range passes are getting fewer.

83 passes yesterday, 9 long passes.

Go back to say... Stockport.
59 passes, 12 long.

As with everything it's not black and white - Wing is bad/He should play every ball forward. There were a number of times where his default pass was backwards or sideways.

There wasn't always a ball forward (see my point about midfield - lack of movement to receive = massive hole in midfield)

He's playing so far back he is constrained by the balls he plays ie natural risk aversion means he doesn't want to thread a ball into midfield for fear of giving away dangerous possession.

He also doesn't have a lot of pace to drive into the space that there is.

Last night they were pressing more than saturday. (at least that what it felt like) which exacerbated the above points.

In basic agreement - but what do we change to get that link between midfield and attack and fill that space?

The better sides seem to have a striker who drops to receive the ball and link with either a midfielder or a wide player.
Also their midfielders pass and move forward between themselves.

Two criticisms I would make of Reading teams is that midfielders for many seasons pass and stand still (remember Harper and Sidwell axis that passed and moved?) and our full-backs tend not to block crosses (remember Gunter?).
As of now that IMHO is still the case but hopefully our two new full-backs will finally be the ones to do that part of the job.

Unfortunately I feel that the Wing/Savage axis is not quick enough, intricate enough or forward thinking enough to be the real deal and that area of operation needs to be improved if we are to become real promotion prospects and a team capable of playing at a higher level.