MATCHWATCH : Peterborough United (h)

[Snowflake Royal]

And do you think the upturn in results is a consequence of replacing Marriott up front or having a more settled backline with the return of Williams + O’Connor?

Because our goals scored has stayed at a relatively flat rate through the season with/without Marriott whereas our goals conceded has improved massively in recent weeks (3 clean sheets in 6 as opposed to 1 in 12 before)

Maybe you think the two are linked somewhat but I personally see the change coming around as a result of having a better defence and not having to rely solely on the likes of Ahmed, Burns etc (I.e. a very inexperienced backline!)

I do agree with you that we’re in need of an attacker or two and that our attack is a bit too small and lightweight but I just don’t think KE solves that problem enough

Agree. As for Marriott and Kelvin in a ST-AM or ST-ST pair, it's a very low energy, low press pairing.

Maybe we should be low press and more compact. I don't think our forward line players are good at it, and it has already been pointed out that O'Connor and Williams aren't suited to a high line.

I know pressing is fashionable, but we haven't recruited the right players to do it

Is certainly a fair point.

[Hound]

And do you think the upturn in results is a consequence of replacing Marriott up front or having a more settled backline with the return of Williams + O’Connor?

Because our goals scored has stayed at a relatively flat rate through the season with/without Marriott whereas our goals conceded has improved massively in recent weeks (3 clean sheets in 6 as opposed to 1 in 12 before)

Maybe you think the two are linked somewhat but I personally see the change coming around as a result of having a better defence and not having to rely solely on the likes of Ahmed, Burns etc (I.e. a very inexperienced backline!)

I do agree with you that we’re in need of an attacker or two and that our attack is a bit too small and lightweight but I just don’t think KE solves that problem enough

Agree. As for Marriott and Kelvin in a ST-AM or ST-ST pair, it's a very low energy, low press pairing.

Maybe we should be low press and more compact. I don't think our forward line players are good at it, and it has already been pointed out that O'Connor and Williams aren't suited to a high line.

I know pressing is fashionable, but we haven't recruited the right players to do it

Yeah agreed

[Brogue]

Agree. As for Marriott and Kelvin in a ST-AM or ST-ST pair, it's a very low energy, low press pairing.

Maybe we should be low press and more compact. I don't think our forward line players are good at it, and it has already been pointed out that O'Connor and Williams aren't suited to a high line.

I know pressing is fashionable, but we haven't recruited the right players to do it

Yeah agreed

finally! people are waking up this. been saying it for months. the moment we lost Smith Knibbs Mbengue the high press was no longer feasible. Christ, even Wareham could play that role but we let him go too for what? to be replaced but a 30+ year old non mobile short arse striker who has barely played any games for the last 5 years . There isn't a single player at the club that can play the high press game. Not one. name me a player in this squad that can? this is our problem, we need a few Yorkshire Terrier type players charging around the field yapping at peoples ankles or flying in with big heavy challenges. for the first time in the 35 years I've been watching Reading we haven't got anyone in the squad like that. from the james harpers to the jay tabbs, jem karacan, danny williams, harvey knibbs, mick gooding, parky, ricky newman, andy hughes, brynn, mcanuff, leigetwood, josh laurent. to name but a few. When was the last time we saw a Reading player run the length of the pitch chasing back a man and flying in to make a great interception to lift the crowd. Too many powder puff show ponies in the team. No grit or determination.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Maybe we should be low press and more compact. I don't think our forward line players are good at it, and it has already been pointed out that O'Connor and Williams aren't suited to a high line.

I know pressing is fashionable, but we haven't recruited the right players to do it

Yeah agreed

finally! people are waking up this. been saying it for months. the moment we lost Smith Knibbs Mbengue the high press was no longer feasible. Christ, even Wareham could play that role but we let him go too for what? to be replaced but a 30+ year old non mobile short arse striker who has barely played any games for the last 5 years . There isn't a single player at the club that can play the high press game. Not one. name me a player in this squad that can? this is our problem, we need a few Yorkshire Terrier type players charging around the field yapping at peoples ankles or flying in with big heavy challenges. for the first time in the 35 years I've been watching Reading we haven't got anyone in the squad like that. from the james harpers to the jay tabbs, jem karacan, danny williams, harvey knibbs, mick gooding, parky, ricky newman, andy hughes, brynn, mcanuff, leigetwood, josh laurent. to name but a few. When was the last time we saw a Reading player run the length of the pitch chasing back a man and flying in to make a great interception to lift the crowd. Too many powder puff show ponies in the team. No grit or determination.

Savage can, but when it's just him he looks like a headless chicken as opposed to being part of a pressing machine.

[Vision]

I can take one of the CBs being slow, but I assumed given the plaudits he gained at Lincoln, he must have something else about him. But he seems really quiet, slightly suspect at positioning, not that commanding in the air and utterly atrocious at passing.

We had the farcical sight last night of Wing playing even deeper than normal, laying the ball back to Paudie to lump it forward. To no-one. TBF he wasn't the only one, lost count of the number of apologetic arm raises from players after another misdirected pass.

Really need to see some changes and a positive reaction at Bradford.

At Lincoln O'Connor played in a different system with five across the back, which makes up for his lack of pace.
although you could argue with Wing playing so far back that's what he has here.

He can generally defend his box well - something compatible with Lincoln’s style who look to sit in and contain with little emphasis on “playing out”

It’s another mismatch of player/system if we’re trying to operate with a high line as his lack of pace will expose him every time

It’s up to management to align the squad at their disposal to a system which works best. Something ours have notoriously struggled at!

He's a "good lad" though so seemed to fit the main criteria.

I do wonder if there was a consideration to playing with 3 at the back when bringing both O'Connor and Burns in. Didn't seem like it with pre-season tactics but what we've ended up with seems like it might fit. Burns/O'Connor/Stickland centre or right sided with Williams/Dorsett/Jacobs covering the centre or left side. Garcia and Abrefa seem like readymade wing backs to me and the latter pretty much plays like one even in a back 4. Might make it a little easier to play against teams that press rather than eventually resort to lumping it aimlessly forward which happens too often at the moment. Also might lead to Savage & Wing getting the ball a little higher up the pitch.

Not really a fan of 3 at the back but it might be an option for the manager moving forward if he doesn't get the performances/results he's looking for.

[Vision]

Yeah agreed

finally! people are waking up this. been saying it for months. the moment we lost Smith Knibbs Mbengue the high press was no longer feasible. Christ, even Wareham could play that role but we let him go too for what? to be replaced but a 30+ year old non mobile short arse striker who has barely played any games for the last 5 years . There isn't a single player at the club that can play the high press game. Not one. name me a player in this squad that can? this is our problem, we need a few Yorkshire Terrier type players charging around the field yapping at peoples ankles or flying in with big heavy challenges. for the first time in the 35 years I've been watching Reading we haven't got anyone in the squad like that. from the james harpers to the jay tabbs, jem karacan, danny williams, harvey knibbs, mick gooding, parky, ricky newman, andy hughes, brynn, mcanuff, leigetwood, josh laurent. to name but a few. When was the last time we saw a Reading player run the length of the pitch chasing back a man and flying in to make a great interception to lift the crowd. Too many powder puff show ponies in the team. No grit or determination.

Savage can, but when it's just him he looks like a headless chicken as opposed to being part of a pressing machine.

Williams certainly can but it can't just e 2 or 3, it has to be a unit. As Brogue points out though, it's not going to work without an Mbengue (or Abbey) at the back. We're so ponderous back there. Williams & O"Connor have a lot of good traits but pace isn't one of them. They have to sit so deep that the ground Savage and Wing have to cover is too large.

I know there are many on here who know a bit about goalkeeping so I'll ask them if Pereira's starting position could be a little higher to negate that lack of pace at centre half and allow us to move forward just a bit further? I wouldn't particularly want to mess with him too much since he's the best keeper we've had in ages but it might be a factor.

[Hound]

Yeah agreed

finally! people are waking up this. been saying it for months. the moment we lost Smith Knibbs Mbengue the high press was no longer feasible. Christ, even Wareham could play that role but we let him go too for what? to be replaced but a 30+ year old non mobile short arse striker who has barely played any games for the last 5 years . There isn't a single player at the club that can play the high press game. Not one. name me a player in this squad that can? this is our problem, we need a few Yorkshire Terrier type players charging around the field yapping at peoples ankles or flying in with big heavy challenges. for the first time in the 35 years I've been watching Reading we haven't got anyone in the squad like that. from the james harpers to the jay tabbs, jem karacan, danny williams, harvey knibbs, mick gooding, parky, ricky newman, andy hughes, brynn, mcanuff, leigetwood, josh laurent. to name but a few. When was the last time we saw a Reading player run the length of the pitch chasing back a man and flying in to make a great interception to lift the crowd. Too many powder puff show ponies in the team. No grit or determination.

Savage can, but when it's just him he looks like a headless chicken as opposed to being part of a pressing machine.

DK has the fitness to do it. I was disappointed with him Tuesday after a couple of good displays - seemed really reluctant to get high up the pitch - be it in possession or pressing

Of course that’s maybe what he was told to do - but felt the press was generally ineffective as he just let the RB have the ball under little pressure

[Orion1871]

finally! people are waking up this. been saying it for months. the moment we lost Smith Knibbs Mbengue the high press was no longer feasible. Christ, even Wareham could play that role but we let him go too for what? to be replaced but a 30+ year old non mobile short arse striker who has barely played any games for the last 5 years . There isn't a single player at the club that can play the high press game. Not one. name me a player in this squad that can? this is our problem, we need a few Yorkshire Terrier type players charging around the field yapping at peoples ankles or flying in with big heavy challenges. for the first time in the 35 years I've been watching Reading we haven't got anyone in the squad like that. from the james harpers to the jay tabbs, jem karacan, danny williams, harvey knibbs, mick gooding, parky, ricky newman, andy hughes, brynn, mcanuff, leigetwood, josh laurent. to name but a few. When was the last time we saw a Reading player run the length of the pitch chasing back a man and flying in to make a great interception to lift the crowd. Too many powder puff show ponies in the team. No grit or determination.

Savage can, but when it's just him he looks like a headless chicken as opposed to being part of a pressing machine.

DK has the fitness to do it. I was disappointed with him Tuesday after a couple of good displays - seemed really reluctant to get high up the pitch - be it in possession or pressing

Of course that’s maybe what he was told to do - but felt the press was generally ineffective as he just let the RB have the ball under little pressure

Tbf to him Peterborough managed the ref well and clearly targeted Kyerewaa with tactical fouling. So he found it hard to get on the ball and get up the pitch.

A strong ref giving out early yellows for their RB and RW and it may have been a better performance from Kyerewaa.

[Whore Jackie]

He's a "good lad" though so seemed to fit the main criteria.

I do wonder if there was a consideration to playing with 3 at the back when bringing both O'Connor and Burns in. Didn't seem like it with pre-season tactics but what we've ended up with seems like it might fit. Burns/O'Connor/Stickland centre or right sided with Williams/Dorsett/Jacobs covering the centre or left side. Garcia and Abrefa seem like readymade wing backs to me and the latter pretty much plays like one even in a back 4. Might make it a little easier to play against teams that press rather than eventually resort to lumping it aimlessly forward which happens too often at the moment. Also might lead to Savage & Wing getting the ball a little higher up the pitch.

Not really a fan of 3 at the back but it might be an option for the manager moving forward if he doesn't get the performances/results he's looking for.

Yep, I've been thinking along similar lines. Not sure Burns will find his way back, which assuming O'Connor takes the centre of the three, with Williams on the left-side leaves a gap at right-sided centre. Stickland or perhaps Yiadom, now we've got younger options at right-back. Or we shuffle them all across and play Dorsett as the left-sider. Problem being, is that it only takes one injury and that system fast becomes untenable, given how short of options we are, particularly if we send Burns back and Jacobs doesn't return. Let's hope a pacy, right-sided, ball playing centre back is on Leam's Christmas wishlist.

Agreed on Garcia and Abrefa as wingbacks, though I actually think Ahmed is better going forward and delivering crosses than Abrefa.

[Sutekh]

He's a "good lad" though so seemed to fit the main criteria.

I do wonder if there was a consideration to playing with 3 at the back when bringing both O'Connor and Burns in. Didn't seem like it with pre-season tactics but what we've ended up with seems like it might fit. Burns/O'Connor/Stickland centre or right sided with Williams/Dorsett/Jacobs covering the centre or left side. Garcia and Abrefa seem like readymade wing backs to me and the latter pretty much plays like one even in a back 4. Might make it a little easier to play against teams that press rather than eventually resort to lumping it aimlessly forward which happens too often at the moment. Also might lead to Savage & Wing getting the ball a little higher up the pitch.

Not really a fan of 3 at the back but it might be an option for the manager moving forward if he doesn't get the performances/results he's looking for.

Yep, I've been thinking along similar lines. Not sure Burns will find his way back, which assuming O'Connor takes the centre of the three, with Williams on the left-side leaves a gap at right-sided centre. Stickland or perhaps Yiadom, now we've got younger options at right-back. Or we shuffle them all across and play Dorsett as the left-sider. Problem being, is that it only takes one injury and that system fast becomes untenable, given how short of options we are, particularly if we send Burns back and Jacobs doesn't return. Let's hope a pacy, right-sided, ball playing centre back is on Leam's Christmas wishlist.

Agreed on Garcia and Abrefa as wingbacks, though I actually think Ahmed is better going forward and delivering crosses than Abrefa.

Don’t rate Stickland so indeed need a decent centre back in January, perhaps one who could run a bit too

Wonder if Kanu will ever stay on a pitch long enough for us to know if he’s actually any good

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah agreed

finally! people are waking up this. been saying it for months. the moment we lost Smith Knibbs Mbengue the high press was no longer feasible. Christ, even Wareham could play that role but we let him go too for what? to be replaced but a 30+ year old non mobile short arse striker who has barely played any games for the last 5 years . There isn't a single player at the club that can play the high press game. Not one. name me a player in this squad that can? this is our problem, we need a few Yorkshire Terrier type players charging around the field yapping at peoples ankles or flying in with big heavy challenges. for the first time in the 35 years I've been watching Reading we haven't got anyone in the squad like that. from the james harpers to the jay tabbs, jem karacan, danny williams, harvey knibbs, mick gooding, parky, ricky newman, andy hughes, brynn, mcanuff, leigetwood, josh laurent. to name but a few. When was the last time we saw a Reading player run the length of the pitch chasing back a man and flying in to make a great interception to lift the crowd. Too many powder puff show ponies in the team. No grit or determination.

Savage can, but when it's just him he looks like a headless chicken as opposed to being part of a pressing machine.

Savage, Fraser, Kyerewaa, Lane, Rino and RWilliams are all perfectly capable of it. As are Dorsett, Abrefa, Yids etc. Camara's not too bad. Wing and Elliot can support it.

Doyle should have the fitness but has no interest in snapping in. KelvinE has the pace but not really the stamina for the whole game.

Ritchie and Marriott are absolutely not going to be high energy, high intensity press though. And O'Connor, DWilliams and Burns don’t have the pace to step up and still cover the ball over the top, down the channels.

[Clyde1998]

Savage can, but when it's just him he looks like a headless chicken as opposed to being part of a pressing machine.

DK has the fitness to do it. I was disappointed with him Tuesday after a couple of good displays - seemed really reluctant to get high up the pitch - be it in possession or pressing

Of course that’s maybe what he was told to do - but felt the press was generally ineffective as he just let the RB have the ball under little pressure

Tbf to him Peterborough managed the ref well and clearly targeted Kyerewaa with tactical fouling. So he found it hard to get on the ball and get up the pitch.

A strong ref giving out early yellows for their RB and RW and it may have been a better performance from Kyerewaa.

Also wingers can be inconsistent naturally. Despite not really having any sort of end product, he still looked by far our most dangerous player on Tuesday (IIRC) - which tells a story in itself.

[Sutekh]

DK has the fitness to do it. I was disappointed with him Tuesday after a couple of good displays - seemed really reluctant to get high up the pitch - be it in possession or pressing

Of course that’s maybe what he was told to do - but felt the press was generally ineffective as he just let the RB have the ball under little pressure

Tbf to him Peterborough managed the ref well and clearly targeted Kyerewaa with tactical fouling. So he found it hard to get on the ball and get up the pitch.

A strong ref giving out early yellows for their RB and RW and it may have been a better performance from Kyerewaa.

Also wingers can be inconsistent naturally. Despite not really having any sort of end product, he still looked by far our most dangerous player on Tuesday (IIRC) - which tells a story in itself.

Officials need to be strong on this sort of professional cynicism, particularly when it’s the same player being “done” over and over by different opponents. However, expect to see officials just confusing everyone over handball incidents and cracking down on goal celebrations instead.

Wonder if LR will deploy a different approach when Reading go up to Peterborough in a couple of weeks?