MATCHWATCH : Leyton Orient (h)

[Snowflake Royal]

I like Marriott, he's obviously not got the legs or shithousery of Smith, but he so often makes good decisions and plays smart.

I genuinely think his goal was a case of him seeing the keeper out of position and taking a chance. They had a very similar chance that Pereira got down to and slapped out to safety. Pereira was set and well positioned, their keeper wasn't and was scrambling.

He's not going to win a lot of high balls against CBs, but I think his hold up play and touch is better than Smith's. And he's clinical.

Ritchie looks to me like the absolute perfect player to come on for 10 - 20 minutes and help you see out a game. Can't see him fitting into a starting line up well, maybe at fullback.

Hopefully Lane isn’t out for long, he didn't create an awful lot, but he is crucial to the press and break. And hope Williams isn’t out, he's largely been a revelation and I was looking forward to seeing him and O'Connor together.

We're getting there. Just need get that extra goal to make a lead comfortable more often.

Strange as I often see things much as you do but I thought our front 3 was a real issue yesterday. Marriott’s all round game isn’t up to much, though he clearly has a good eye for goal. But he has to start. Ritchie has to start asap for me, to replace Kyeweera and I’d give Lane another chance or two but Kelvin made a massive difference yesterday when he came on there, and not sure you can 3 small players up top like we had

Can’t see how Camara finds his way in; sadly for him; and would prob go back to Garcia as our left back

My front 4 would be Doyle, Lane/Kelvin, Marriott and Ritchie

Ritchie seems to be impressing purely on reputation to me.

[traff]

I like Marriott, he's obviously not got the legs or shithousery of Smith, but he so often makes good decisions and plays smart.

I genuinely think his goal was a case of him seeing the keeper out of position and taking a chance. They had a very similar chance that Pereira got down to and slapped out to safety. Pereira was set and well positioned, their keeper wasn't and was scrambling.

He's not going to win a lot of high balls against CBs, but I think his hold up play and touch is better than Smith's. And he's clinical.

Ritchie looks to me like the absolute perfect player to come on for 10 - 20 minutes and help you see out a game. Can't see him fitting into a starting line up well, maybe at fullback.

Hopefully Lane isn’t out for long, he didn't create an awful lot, but he is crucial to the press and break. And hope Williams isn’t out, he's largely been a revelation and I was looking forward to seeing him and O'Connor together.

We're getting there. Just need get that extra goal to make a lead comfortable more often.

Strange as I often see things much as you do but I thought our front 3 was a real issue yesterday. Marriott’s all round game isn’t up to much, though he clearly has a good eye for goal. But he has to start. Ritchie has to start asap for me, to replace Kyeweera and I’d give Lane another chance or two but Kelvin made a massive difference yesterday when he came on there, and not sure you can 3 small players up top like we had

Can’t see how Camara finds his way in; sadly for him; and would prob go back to Garcia as our left back

My front 4 would be Doyle, Lane/Kelvin, Marriott and Ritchie

Ritchie seems to be impressing purely on reputation to me.

Then I suggest you review his cameos live rather than on a PC. Its obvious his footballing intelligence is a level above anything else in our team in real life.

[leon]

Strange as I often see things much as you do but I thought our front 3 was a real issue yesterday. Marriott’s all round game isn’t up to much, though he clearly has a good eye for goal. But he has to start. Ritchie has to start asap for me, to replace Kyeweera and I’d give Lane another chance or two but Kelvin made a massive difference yesterday when he came on there, and not sure you can 3 small players up top like we had

Can’t see how Camara finds his way in; sadly for him; and would prob go back to Garcia as our left back

My front 4 would be Doyle, Lane/Kelvin, Marriott and Ritchie

Ritchie seems to be impressing purely on reputation to me.

Then I suggest you review his cameos live rather than on a PC. Its obvious his footballing intelligence is a level above anything else in our team in real life.

Yeah an odd comment to make. I thought his control, movement, passing and all round enthusiasm and organisation stood out.

I hope to see more of him and it rubs off on the team throughout the season

[Snowflake Royal]

Ritchie seems to be impressing purely on reputation to me.

Then I suggest you review his cameos live rather than on a PC. Its obvious his footballing intelligence is a level above anything else in our team in real life.

Yeah an odd comment to make. I thought his control, movement, passing and all round enthusiasm and organisation stood out.

I hope to see more of him and it rubs off on the team throughout the season

He's played 17 minutes of League football for us. Yes, his experience is clear, but you can’t play 70 odd minutes on experience alone.

[AthleticoSpizz]

You know best, of course, but……may I suggest that he will run through walls for your 70 minutes (my Pompey workmates rated him a terrier who will graft until he drops and would’ve happily have kept him for another season)

Hunt needs to start him

[leon]

Then I suggest you review his cameos live rather than on a PC. Its obvious his footballing intelligence is a level above anything else in our team in real life.

Yeah an odd comment to make. I thought his control, movement, passing and all round enthusiasm and organisation stood out.

I hope to see more of him and it rubs off on the team throughout the season

He's played 17 minutes of League football for us. Yes, his experience is clear, but you can’t play 70 odd minutes on experience alone.

Well you've completely dismissed him as being irrelevant as apparently he's "impressing purely on reputation". As people as pointed out a ridiculous statement.

And not something you'd ever be accused of.

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah an odd comment to make. I thought his control, movement, passing and all round enthusiasm and organisation stood out.

I hope to see more of him and it rubs off on the team throughout the season

He's played 17 minutes of League football for us. Yes, his experience is clear, but you can’t play 70 odd minutes on experience alone.

Well you've completely dismissed him as being irrelevant as apparently he's "impressing purely on reputation". As people as pointed out a ridiculous statement.

And not something you'd ever be accused of.

Not if you can read I haven't.

[South Coast Royal]

I kind of agree with Ian here.
The two wide players should be quick if we are playing a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 and that is something Ritchie isn't and in fact IIRC he used to be a full-back.

He may well have shouted a lot on Saturday and fans like that sort of stuff and he played one decent ball in but I want much more from my right-winger than somebody who can't run (Lane doesn't look very quick either) and can only play for part of a game.
BTW didn't he also get booked for time-wasting which is not a great example to our young players?

He could turn out to be a useful coach as he certainly has experience at some of the lesser clubs and at Bournemouth and Newcastle and even playing for Scotland (although perhaps that is no big deal these days) but as a regular starter for us, I don't see it.

I guess we have had so little class in our teams since Olise that we fans are crying out for it from our current crop but unfortunately apart from the occasional great strike from Wing ours is a dull lot of functioning players .
Ritchie is not the Messiah IMHO as he is being made out to be following a decent short cameo but we all have opinions and that's what this site is all about isn't it with no definitive right or wrong?.

[WestYorksRoyal]

The best Reading winger I ever saw was Glen Little, and he wasn't quick. There are many ways of being an effective winger.

If Ritchie can buy half a yard and deliver a quality cross, he should start. Better that than sprint past the full back and fall over/shank out of play. I trust a player with over 100 Premier League appearances to make the right decision in the final third.

[jd82]

Bearing in mind the appalling level of refereeing seen this year, I thought the referee was excellent yesterday.

Apart from repeatedly getting the most basic things wrong.. allowing players to advance 20 yards up the line taking throws, restarting the game with a drop ball when LO had put the ball out of play when someone was down injured, allowing Wellens to scream in his face after already booking him, the terrible decision to a) give a free kick and b) book Williams for a clean tackle.

Didn't blow his whistle for the first 9 minutes of the game, when Marriot was getting manhandled all over the place.

[leon]

I kind of agree with Ian here.
The two wide players should be quick if we are playing a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 and that is something Ritchie isn't and in fact IIRC he used to be a full-back.

He may well have shouted a lot on Saturday and fans like that sort of stuff and he played one decent ball in but I want much more from my right-winger than somebody who can't run (Lane doesn't look very quick either) and can only play for part of a game.
BTW didn't he also get booked for time-wasting which is not a great example to our young players?

He could turn out to be a useful coach as he certainly has experience at some of the lesser clubs and at Bournemouth and Newcastle and even playing for Scotland (although perhaps that is no big deal these days) but as a regular starter for us, I don't see it.

I guess we have had so little class in our teams since Olise that we fans are crying out for it from our current crop but unfortunately apart from the occasional great strike from Wing ours is a dull lot of functioning players .
Ritchie is not the Messiah IMHO as he is being made out to be following a decent short cameo but we all have opinions and that's what this site is all about isn't it with no definitive right or wrong?.

Not sure anyone is saying he's a 90+ mins player or indeed the messiah - but an excellent addition for the bench for later in the game and to stand in where there are injuries. I think he brings a bit of leadership to the team as well - something we have been lacking especially away from home. Fitness not withstanding.

[South Coast Royal]

I kind of agree with Ian here.
The two wide players should be quick if we are playing a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 and that is something Ritchie isn't and in fact IIRC he used to be a full-back.

He may well have shouted a lot on Saturday and fans like that sort of stuff and he played one decent ball in but I want much more from my right-winger than somebody who can't run (Lane doesn't look very quick either) and can only play for part of a game.
BTW didn't he also get booked for time-wasting which is not a great example to our young players?

He could turn out to be a useful coach as he certainly has experience at some of the lesser clubs and at Bournemouth and Newcastle and even playing for Scotland (although perhaps that is no big deal these days) but as a regular starter for us, I don't see it.

I guess we have had so little class in our teams since Olise that we fans are crying out for it from our current crop but unfortunately apart from the occasional great strike from Wing ours is a dull lot of functioning players .
Ritchie is not the Messiah IMHO as he is being made out to be following a decent short cameo but we all have opinions and that's what this site is all about isn't it with no definitive right or wrong?.

Not sure anyone is saying he's a 90+ mins player or indeed the messiah - but an excellent addition for the bench for later in the game and to stand in where there are injuries. I think he brings a bit of leadership to the team as well - something we have been lacking especially away from home. Fitness not withstanding.

Yeah, you are probably right .
It's just that I don't like us signing a 36 year old player -the likes of Ferdinand and Keown don't seem that long ago -who was no longer wanted by Pompey and wished to carry on living and playing in the South so Reading became quite convenient.

Also I much prefer wide players who can run and the faster the better especially as none of our midfield 3 is very quick.

Obviously it doesn't matter what you or I think , it is about what Hunt thinks while he is still in the job and we will see in the coming months how effective the old boy is.
While we are at it I wonder if Glenn Hoddle might agree to play 20 minutes or so per game to give us a bit of control of central midfield when needed.

[morganb]

Bearing in mind the appalling level of refereeing seen this year, I thought the referee was excellent yesterday.

Apart from repeatedly getting the most basic things wrong.. allowing players to advance 20 yards up the line taking throws, restarting the game with a drop ball when LO had put the ball out of play when someone was down injured, allowing Wellens to scream in his face after already booking him, the terrible decision to a) give a free kick and b) book Williams for a clean tackle.

Didn't blow his whistle for the first 9 minutes of the game, when Marriot was getting manhandled all over the place.

Are you a referee?

My eldest is a referee and he'd reffed a match in the morning and was still in ref mode at the game so picked up on most/all of the above (and (probably) more besides)

[jd82]

Bearing in mind the appalling level of refereeing seen this year, I thought the referee was excellent yesterday.

Apart from repeatedly getting the most basic things wrong.. allowing players to advance 20 yards up the line taking throws, restarting the game with a drop ball when LO had put the ball out of play when someone was down injured, allowing Wellens to scream in his face after already booking him, the terrible decision to a) give a free kick and b) book Williams for a clean tackle.

Didn't blow his whistle for the first 9 minutes of the game, when Marriot was getting manhandled all over the place.

Are you a referee?

My eldest is a referee and he'd reffed a match in the morning and was still in ref mode at the game so picked up on most/all of the above (and (probably) more besides)

Nope, just have eyes and a semi-functional brain.

Thought of more: didn't book the LO midfielder for blatantly trying the get Ahmed a yellow for the deliber8 handball (which was oxf*rd stupid) on the sideline when the ball bounced over his head, and didn't make sure Wing had seen that he'd gone in the book (not even the scoreboard picked up on that one)

[WestYorksRoyal]

I kind of agree with Ian here.
The two wide players should be quick if we are playing a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 and that is something Ritchie isn't and in fact IIRC he used to be a full-back.

He may well have shouted a lot on Saturday and fans like that sort of stuff and he played one decent ball in but I want much more from my right-winger than somebody who can't run (Lane doesn't look very quick either) and can only play for part of a game.
BTW didn't he also get booked for time-wasting which is not a great example to our young players?

He could turn out to be a useful coach as he certainly has experience at some of the lesser clubs and at Bournemouth and Newcastle and even playing for Scotland (although perhaps that is no big deal these days) but as a regular starter for us, I don't see it.

I guess we have had so little class in our teams since Olise that we fans are crying out for it from our current crop but unfortunately apart from the occasional great strike from Wing ours is a dull lot of functioning players .
Ritchie is not the Messiah IMHO as he is being made out to be following a decent short cameo but we all have opinions and that's what this site is all about isn't it with no definitive right or wrong?.

Not sure anyone is saying he's a 90+ mins player or indeed the messiah - but an excellent addition for the bench for later in the game and to stand in where there are injuries. I think he brings a bit of leadership to the team as well - something we have been lacking especially away from home. Fitness not withstanding.

Yeah, you are probably right .
It's just that I don't like us signing a 36 year old player -the likes of Ferdinand and Keown don't seem that long ago -who was no longer wanted by Pompey and wished to carry on living and playing in the South so Reading became quite convenient.

Also I much prefer wide players who can run and the faster the better especially as none of our midfield 3 is very quick.

Obviously it doesn't matter what you or I think , it is about what Hunt thinks while he is still in the job and we will see in the coming months how effective the old boy is.
While we are at it I wonder if Glenn Hoddle might agree to play 20 minutes or so per game to give us a bit of control of central midfield when needed.

Keown and Ferdinand didn't work out, but Harte and Roberts did. Kermogant had an Indian summer with us too, though he hadn't hit the earlier career heights of others mentioned.

Hunger and motivation is key. I don't think Keown and Ferdinand had it. I don't know if some players view the lower leagues as a nice gentle wind down and final payday, but they most certainly are not. They are brutal and hard work, even if lower on quality. If you want a nice final few years go to Australia; Karacan has a nice anecdote about being politely applauded off after losing 4-0 when he'd have taken so much stick in England.

I think Ritchie still has it in spades. He left Portsmouth for first team football, he delayed joining us in case he could get a Championship move, which for me shows the motivation and ambition is still there. His cameo on the pitch showed he's still well up for the challenge, and I thought his post match interview was great.

I think he'll be a Harte/Roberts and not a Keown/Ferdinand.

[South Coast Royal]

Not sure anyone is saying he's a 90+ mins player or indeed the messiah - but an excellent addition for the bench for later in the game and to stand in where there are injuries. I think he brings a bit of leadership to the team as well - something we have been lacking especially away from home. Fitness not withstanding.

Yeah, you are probably right .
It's just that I don't like us signing a 36 year old player -the likes of Ferdinand and Keown don't seem that long ago -who was no longer wanted by Pompey and wished to carry on living and playing in the South so Reading became quite convenient.

Also I much prefer wide players who can run and the faster the better especially as none of our midfield 3 is very quick.

Obviously it doesn't matter what you or I think , it is about what Hunt thinks while he is still in the job and we will see in the coming months how effective the old boy is.
While we are at it I wonder if Glenn Hoddle might agree to play 20 minutes or so per game to give us a bit of control of central midfield when needed.

Keown and Ferdinand didn't work out, but Harte and Roberts did. Kermogant had an Indian summer with us too, though he hadn't hit the earlier career heights of others mentioned.

Hunger and motivation is key. I don't think Keown and Ferdinand had it. I don't know if some players view the lower leagues as a nice gentle wind down and final payday, but they most certainly are not. They are brutal and hard work, even if lower on quality. If you want a nice final few years go to Australia; Karacan has a nice anecdote about being politely applauded off after losing 4-0 when he'd have taken so much stick in England.

I think Ritchie still has it in spades. He left Portsmouth for first team football, he delayed joining us in case he could get a Championship move, which for me shows the motivation and ambition is still there. His cameo on the pitch showed he's still well up for the challenge, and I thought his post match interview was great.

I think he'll be a Harte/Roberts and not a Keown/Ferdinand.

I will be surprised but delighted if he has a good an impact as the first two.
BTW, they were 33 and 34 respectively when they signed for us and not 36 but obviously fitness levels vary.

Also they didn't just play minor roles for us so if Ritchie is just a super fit guy where will he play?

[Snowflake Royal]

The best Reading winger I ever saw was Glen Little, and he wasn't quick. There are many ways of being an effective winger.

If Ritchie can buy half a yard and deliver a quality cross, he should start. Better that than sprint past the full back and fall over/shank out of play. I trust a player with over 100 Premier League appearances to make the right decision in the final third.

Sure, but remember Little wasn't being asked to press the back 4, our wingers will be.

[Snowflake Royal]

I kind of agree with Ian here.
The two wide players should be quick if we are playing a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 and that is something Ritchie isn't and in fact IIRC he used to be a full-back.

He may well have shouted a lot on Saturday and fans like that sort of stuff and he played one decent ball in but I want much more from my right-winger than somebody who can't run (Lane doesn't look very quick either) and can only play for part of a game.
BTW didn't he also get booked for time-wasting which is not a great example to our young players?

He could turn out to be a useful coach as he certainly has experience at some of the lesser clubs and at Bournemouth and Newcastle and even playing for Scotland (although perhaps that is no big deal these days) but as a regular starter for us, I don't see it.

I guess we have had so little class in our teams since Olise that we fans are crying out for it from our current crop but unfortunately apart from the occasional great strike from Wing ours is a dull lot of functioning players .
Ritchie is not the Messiah IMHO as he is being made out to be following a decent short cameo but we all have opinions and that's what this site is all about isn't it with no definitive right or wrong?.

Not sure anyone is saying he's a 90+ mins player or indeed the messiah - but an excellent addition for the bench for later in the game and to stand in where there are injuries. I think he brings a bit of leadership to the team as well - something we have been lacking especially away from home. Fitness not withstanding.

Weird that you disagreed with me and took a pop then, because that's pretty much exactly what I'd said about him.

[Snowflake Royal]

Apart from repeatedly getting the most basic things wrong.. allowing players to advance 20 yards up the line taking throws, restarting the game with a drop ball when LO had put the ball out of play when someone was down injured, allowing Wellens to scream in his face after already booking him, the terrible decision to a) give a free kick and b) book Williams for a clean tackle.

Didn't blow his whistle for the first 9 minutes of the game, when Marriot was getting manhandled all over the place.

Are you a referee?

My eldest is a referee and he'd reffed a match in the morning and was still in ref mode at the game so picked up on most/all of the above (and (probably) more besides)

Nope, just have eyes and a semi-functional brain.

Thought of more: didn't book the LO midfielder for blatantly trying the get Ahmed a yellow for the deliber8 handball (which was oxf*rd stupid) on the sideline when the ball bounced over his head, and didn't make sure Wing had seen that he'd gone in the book (not even the scoreboard picked up on that one)

I wouldn’t say I agreed with all of his decisions, but I thought he was fairly consistent.

Early on he let a lot go, but for both sides. He obviously didn't much care for the 'fussier' side of things like stealing ground at throw ins. And let a lot of contact go.

[leon]

I kind of agree with Ian here.
The two wide players should be quick if we are playing a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 and that is something Ritchie isn't and in fact IIRC he used to be a full-back.

He may well have shouted a lot on Saturday and fans like that sort of stuff and he played one decent ball in but I want much more from my right-winger than somebody who can't run (Lane doesn't look very quick either) and can only play for part of a game.
BTW didn't he also get booked for time-wasting which is not a great example to our young players?

He could turn out to be a useful coach as he certainly has experience at some of the lesser clubs and at Bournemouth and Newcastle and even playing for Scotland (although perhaps that is no big deal these days) but as a regular starter for us, I don't see it.

I guess we have had so little class in our teams since Olise that we fans are crying out for it from our current crop but unfortunately apart from the occasional great strike from Wing ours is a dull lot of functioning players .
Ritchie is not the Messiah IMHO as he is being made out to be following a decent short cameo but we all have opinions and that's what this site is all about isn't it with no definitive right or wrong?.

Not sure anyone is saying he's a 90+ mins player or indeed the messiah - but an excellent addition for the bench for later in the game and to stand in where there are injuries. I think he brings a bit of leadership to the team as well - something we have been lacking especially away from home. Fitness not withstanding.

Weird that you disagreed with me and took a pop then, because that's pretty much exactly what I'd said about him.

yeah, go figure

or I was disagreeing with your line about impressing through reputation.

Who knows?!