• SU Sutekh 5 Sep 2020 · 5:48pm

  Veljko apparently selected the starting XI though Eddie and John took charge during the game. Poor first half, struggled to show anything very much against a useful looking Colchester and deservedly fell behind. Thankful for Joao being fit and getting the club back into things in injury time with only the second attempt on target. Good tactical change at half time to take off McNulty and bring on Rinomhota and suddenly there was more tempo and more bite going forward. Colchester didn’t seem to have an answer to the change and barely threatened throughout the half. Reading looked bright thereafter, as they should for a team two…

• NE NewCorkSeth 5 Sep 2020 · 6:13pm

  I missed a large part of the match, how was Araruna? Olise looked stellar from what I saw and Laurent looks exactly what was advertised. Hard working with good power. Joao is the shit.

• PI PieEater 5 Sep 2020 · 6:42pm

  Past caring after I saw the team, second string defence/midfield - at least we had a decent attack. Not sure this was the way to go for the first match of a new manager.

• NR Notts Royal 5 Sep 2020 · 6:48pm

  Yes definitely concerning that Pauno picked that side...hopefully he’s not another manager who likes to play players out of position but it’s not a great start. It’s going to take him a while to learn about his players and how to deploy them, which isn’t really ideal so close to the start of the league season. Just as well we have enough quality to not be dragged into a relegation fight. We will see

• JA Jagermesiter1871 5 Sep 2020 · 6:56pm

  Yes definitely concerning that Pauno picked that side...hopefully he’s not another manager who likes to play players out of position but it’s not a great start. It’s going to take him a while to learn about his players and how to deploy them, which isn’t really ideal so close to the start of the league season. Just as well we have enough quality to not be dragged into a relegation fight. We will see LOL famous last words.

• SR Snowflake Royal 5 Sep 2020 · 7:31pm

  Interesting side with some fairly obvious flaws to it. Can't read much into it being a cup game against L2 opposition and the first game of a new manager who only met the players about a week ago, if that. Southwood - 7 one error of judgement bowling the ball out to Morro and putting him in trouble, at least one decent save, no chance with the goal Araruna - 7 beautiful cross for the first goal, decent performance but seemed to go awol a lot towards the end. Tended to play quite high, which leaves me worried about gaps in behind. Though if Rino and Laurent play they can cover that fairly well. Swift, Ejaria or Olise in deeper and…

• RW royalp-we 5 Sep 2020 · 7:42pm

  Totally agree with the line up today - it was only right that Paunovic took the opportunity to cast his eye over Aluko / Baldock / McNulty and I can only really see him wanting to keep Aluko of the three following that game. It was also a great opportunity to hand out some academy debuts and every one of them did well today. It had the aire of a pre season friendly, but it was a test and there were lots of positives. Plenty of Championship teams lost to lower league opposition today, the lads did well. We’ll see a stronger, more experienced line up next weekend with Rafael, Yiadom, McIntyre, Swift, Ejaria, Meite, Puscas etc…

• ST Stranded 5 Sep 2020 · 8:05pm

  Yes definitely concerning that Pauno picked that side...hopefully he’s not another manager who likes to play players out of position but it’s not a great start. It’s going to take him a while to learn about his players and how to deploy them, which isn’t really ideal so close to the start of the league season. Just as well we have enough quality to not be dragged into a relegation fight. We will see He gave fringe players a chance in a competition renowned as one where fringe players get a chance. Based on today for example, he will know not to perservre with McNulty but ship him off to Gillingham.

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