Reading (H)

[Rizlar]

Got to agree about the 2 in midfield excellent signings and will only get better we are close to being a really good side need a number 9/10 and a RB and then we will be fighting for automatic promotion. 
Lots to be positive about early days yet. 

[Ani]

Lot more positivity on here than I expected. Maybe the M62 did not help but I was really frustrated last night 

As much as we dominated we had only 4 shots on target in the game. Yes their goal was a lucky deflection, so was ours.

Simons and Erhahnon looked very good as a two and for 70 minutes bossed the game, but they are very similar and neither look like busting forward to support the attack with runs into the area , which is not a criticism just an observation. We have a front 4 to create goals. The 9 and 10 are as I said difficult to play in this system need to work hard out of posssesion as well as creating chances. Randall was ok yesterday but not that effective. 
 

SS has to be held accountable for his in game management it was clear after about 70 minutes they were getting into the game and it needed changing. He changed a winger for a winger on 71 and a centre forward for a centre forward on 76. On 83 he did 2 more like for like subs. It was crying out for an extra body in midfield. Lose a winger and make a three in midfield might have worked ? 
 

It is a long way off disaster time but we have 5 points from 4 games, on performances with luck it could be 12. But w can not go through a season blaming bad luck. Last night imo points were dropped because the manager made poor subs at crucial times. 
 

 

[barrycowdrill]

2 minutes ago, W.cramp said:

 Erahon will be upto full speed in a couple games and wasn't last night the first game they have started together ?   

It was. And they complimented each other really well and combined with the ball excellently 

many having a pop at Schuey for bringing him off and the goal wouldn’t of happened if he was still on the pitch blah blah. 
 

people tend to over look it was his first proper start, will be a bit behind the others fitness wise and he looked absolutely gone. So the sub actually made sense. Think the timing of the goal, pretty much straight after, made the decision look worse than it was 

[Zico]

8 hours ago, Casino said:

 

Even then, our keeper hasnt made a save that I can remember

 

21 shots for us, 4 on target and I can't remember theirs making one either

There's definitely a theme in this these first 4 games that if we don't make better of our dominance and efforts on goals we will struggle, as we are most likely going to concede one

Work to be done, everyone needs to get better at their jobs as each game comes 

Lots of chopping and changing so far, need to get settled and in our stride

 

[wakey]

Four games in and I've enjoyed all of them (not so much the results).

Night and day from last year. Going to be an exciting season imo.

 

[thebells]

Brief reflections on last night. 

So much to be positive about. Absolutely dominated for 80 mins. 

Randall had his best game yet, ditto Forino. Conway is an absolute gem (though is far more culpable for the goal than anyone else). Dalby showed what he's about when he came on and clear to see he is going to be good at holding play up for us. Erhahon and Simons excellent in midfield.

We need more of a cutting edge for sure, as we should really have 10 or even 12 points now, but it'll come. Said top 6 for us since the start. Sticking with it but we can make top 2 if we find that cutting edge. This league is so open. 

Assuming now that Schon and CMG will join Dan on the way out before deadline day. And also that Charlie Warren will be found a loan in League Two or, more likely, National League, for a season.

[ianofcleveleys]

When I posted last night having just got back in the pub in Cleveleys I was probably a bit frustrated and ranty, though reading the post match interviews maybe no more frustrated than SS. There were, again, plenty of positives balanced against the areas where we're not anywhere near the finished article yet. That dummy Cissoko threw in the second half was a moment in itself.

Maybe one for that thread we had on tactics but Ani's point about the subs is a good one. It does seem, although current managers talk a lot about subs affecting the game, that a lot of them are still heavily focused on like for like, managing the minutes, he's this but he's not that, rather than seeing the problem that's evolving and doing something dynamic or radical to squash it. 

Evatt was painfully poor at timing his subs and doing the right things to preserve a win or a draw, or try to get us points back. SS, in fairness has looked sharper and more dynamic in that regard but last night he left it 10 minutes too long and the like for like changes only caused us to further lose our grip.

It's easy to batter those subs for that happening but it's not easy to come on with 8 minutes left, get to the pace of the game and re-establish control in the middle of the park or hit your touch and retain possession as a forward.

Edited August 21 by ianofcleveleys

[gonzo]

We can't not make subs.

The players he took off were flagging.

Unless he changes the whole shape of the team at 1-0 up and goes either defensive or all out attack it will always be like for like.

Nobody moaned as he was doing them.

Cissoko was blowing and Gayles fresh legs should've caused more problems than it did. He made no impact and couldn't control the ball.

Bairstow had run himself into the ground so the only option was to replace with Dalby or Shove McAtee up there. Dalby was sound enough apart from one rusty fumble of the ball after no football for 2 months. He had to play at some point.

McAtee for Randall was an obvious choice. He was out of the game and McAtees harrying and chasing again should have done more than it did. 

Sheehan was bought on to take control of a midfield that was being overran.

I'm not sure what else the manager could've done. 

Our biggest problem last night was decision making in forward positions.

Cissokos header should've been back across goal. Dubs could've cut it back or squared it about 30 times but opted to dive in and shoot. All that needs better coaching. 

Once those forwards start to read their patterns of play it'll all come together.

 

[Burndens Bogs]

If we can become more ruthless and clinical in front of goal, we're going to smash someone soon 4 or 5 nil.

Lots to be positive about last night , we just need to find our cutting edge, i'm confident it will come.

[Bertie]

1 hour ago, Ani said:

Lot more positivity on here than I expected. Maybe the M62 did not help but I was really frustrated last night 

As much as we dominated we had only 4 shots on target in the game. Yes their goal was a lucky deflection, so was ours.

Simons and Erhahnon looked very good as a two and for 70 minutes bossed the game, but they are very similar and neither look like busting forward to support the attack with runs into the area , which is not a criticism just an observation. We have a front 4 to create goals. The 9 and 10 are as I said difficult to play in this system need to work hard out of posssesion as well as creating chances. Randall was ok yesterday but not that effective. 
 

SS has to be held accountable for his in game management it was clear after about 70 minutes they were getting into the game and it needed changing. He changed a winger for a winger on 71 and a centre forward for a centre forward on 76. On 83 he did 2 more like for like subs. It was crying out for an extra body in midfield. Lose a winger and make a three in midfield might have worked ? 
 

It is a long way off disaster time but we have 5 points from 4 games, on performances with luck it could be 12. But w can not go through a season blaming bad luck. Last night imo points were dropped because the manager made poor subs at crucial times. 
 

 

Great summary (although M62 was ok for me for once getting back to God’s own 😂).  Loving the Simons/Ethan partnership….class players….one downside though from last night seemed to be a gap between them and Randall as the number 10, as neither appear box-to-box players? We felt a bit short when attacking sometimes in supporting the front two.  Hopefully Schuey can fine tune things.  Agree with subs/formation and not responding to their threats - just feel someone like Challinor would have nipped that in the bud when they started to get on top.

Anyway - felt positive when I got home last night and still feel the same today.  Roll on Saturday 💪.

[noxid]

Think we will have more success playing like last night away from home where teams can't just put 10 men behind the ball for 80 minutes in front of their own supporters. 

Think we missed Toal last night at the back and TuTu in defense is a big worry

A big three points on Saturday is desperately needed.

 

[Wanderlust]

A lot of folk were writing Reading off before the match, predicting daft scorelines and viewing it as if everything our players were going to do would come off and that Reading would fold.

It pisses me off, but tbh bigging us up and dismissing the opposition happens almost every week. It wouldn’t be so bad if the same people were honest about where we are at in terms of our development, recognising our weaknesses and areas in need of improvement - and also the vagaries of a football match where it can turn on a bad decision, bad referee or a worldy out of the blue. And then they’re angry and look for individual players, refs and in Evatt’s case, managers to blame when we don’t win by a landslide every week.

Evatt had more than a fair share of opportunities to get us promoted and no doubt Schumacher will be given the same, but there will always be teams with bigger budgets, always be teams fighting for survival and always be the randomness of events during a game of football to contend with.

At least we are entertained every game, but I wish folk would stop counting their chickens before every game. 

[Whitesince63]

9 hours ago, Casino said:

Fwiw, i dont think it turned when Burstow went off

Oddly, us scoring released some of the pressure on us and they had less to lose

Even then, our keeper hasnt made a save that I can remember

To be fair nor did their keeper and that’s more worrying.

[barrycowdrill]

14 minutes ago, gonzo said:

We can't not make subs.

The players he took off were flagging.

Unless he changes the whole shape of the team at 1-0 up and goes either defensive or all out attack it will always be like for like.

Nobody moaned as he was doing them.

Cissoko was blowing and Gayles fresh legs should've caused more problems than it did. He made no impact and couldn't control the ball.

Bairstow had run himself into the ground so the only option was to replace with Dalby or Shove McAtee up there. Dalby was sound enough apart from one rusty fumble of the ball after no football for 2 months. He had to play at some point.

McAtee for Randall was an obvious choice. He was out of the game and McAtees harrying and chasing again should have done more than it did. 

Sheehan was bought on to take control of a midfield that was being overran.

I'm not sure what else the manager could've done. 

 

In one 

he doesn’t make changes and we concede from players unable to track back cos they’re leggy or he puts McAtee up top instead of Dalby then he gets pelters again. 
 

People moaning that Dalby shouldn’t have been brought on cos he’s had no football will be the same people who moan that he’s not getting any game time if we need a goal. The only way he gets up to speed is being on the pitch and building him up 

[Stig]

10 hours ago, ex_midlandwhite said:

We're taking shot after shot from very low quality positions. Average xg per shot tonight was 0.05. It's an attacking unit made up of individuals shooting on sight at the moment, rather than working more clear cut chances.

I'd agree with this. We're not missing sitters, everything is a low percentage chance.

But I'm not sure passing it around waiting for the perfect opportunity is the answer. It's the opposite for me, mix it up and get it in the box quicker. Burstow can win headers and the number 10 should be looking for loose balls.

[Stig]

10 hours ago, boltonboris said:

Concerned at how it had such an air of inevitability about it though. 

I know I shouldn’t look at last season, but after 5 games it’s difficult to see what’s changed 

Come on. It's night and day versus last season. This is frustration that it's not quite clicking and we're dominating games but not creating good enough quality chances and then conceding sucker punches.

Last season was a shambles for the first 5 games. We looked all over the place and were lucky to have 4 points. 

[ianofcleveleys]

52 minutes ago, gonzo said:

We can't not make subs.

The players he took off were flagging.

Unless he changes the whole shape of the team at 1-0 up and goes either defensive or all out attack it will always be like for like.

Nobody moaned as he was doing them.

Cissoko was blowing and Gayles fresh legs should've caused more problems than it did. He made no impact and couldn't control the ball.

Bairstow had run himself into the ground so the only option was to replace with Dalby or Shove McAtee up there. Dalby was sound enough apart from one rusty fumble of the ball after no football for 2 months. He had to play at some point.

McAtee for Randall was an obvious choice. He was out of the game and McAtees harrying and chasing again should have done more than it did. 

Sheehan was bought on to take control of a midfield that was being overran.

I'm not sure what else the manager could've done. 

Our biggest problem last night was decision making in forward positions.

Cissokos header should've been back across goal. Dubs could've cut it back or squared it about 30 times but opted to dive in and shoot. All that needs better coaching. 

Once those forwards start to read their patterns of play it'll all come together.

 

By and large the changes made were what you'd expect, more the timing for me, I just thought he left them a bit late, in Sheehan and McAtee's case at least, to the point where going defensive and seeing out a 1-0 a bit scruffily might have been best. I'd maybe have put Morley on before Sheehan if he was going like for like but it's nit picking.

Totally agree and said same last night about the decision making up front. At half time we'd had 9 shots off target but only created one clear chance. Too many of those 21 efforts we had were the wrong choices and a waste of Burstow taking up the right positions. A good sit down required with the wingers before Saturday. 

[matty2094]

Was in the 1877 Suite last night for the first time in years so was sat in the posh seats behind the dugout. Completely different perspective watching it from there as opposed to the East Lower with the great unwashed.

Couple of things off the top of my head:

- Their keeper going down ‘injured’ stemmed from their manager telling their centre half to pass on the message about 2 minutes before. I know it’s common sense but it’s weird watching that interaction play out. 

- Conway was knackered towards the end and pulled up in injury time. Didn’t look to me moving comfortably which is a bit concerning 

- Erhahon, Sissoko and Burstow were all knackered and had to come off. Just not sure the changes made were the right ones. Morley would’ve offered a bit more steel than Sheehan surely?

- Noel Hunts a whinging little fucker. Every single decision he was at the 4th official.

- CMG was sat near us second half and spent the entire 45 on his phone, disinterested. Not a good look really.

- Ali Al Habsi was in hospitality last night. Obviously played for both teams but I didnt realise he only made 10 appearances for us. Would’ve put money on it being a lot more. 
 

Not good last night but I don’t think it’s quite as doom and gloom as social media would have you believe. Keep the faith. 

[SirNat80]

I've criticised some of the teams performances last season for schoolboy defending , lack of effort, passing sideways and backwards and playing it safely, lack of commitment etc. Went last night and for 70 minutes it's the best I've seen us play in years and chalk and cheese from previous games.

We completely bossed the game and should have been out of sight after the first half and this is the only criticism I can offer.

The wingers are super quick and tricky and no doubts will turn most League One defenders inside and out most games. Unfortunately though their lack of ability to find that pass to a colleague in a better position holds us back and our end product is the major reason why we are not sitting at the top of this poor league.

I hope SS is given the money to find a quality striker, a right back and a midfielder who has an eye for goal and can put their foot in when required.

I really enjoyed it last night Simmons and Erhahon were both exceptional and both wingers are so positive so here's to more of that but better quality and composure where it matters most.

[Stig]

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

We can't not make subs.

The players he took off were flagging.

Unless he changes the whole shape of the team at 1-0 up and goes either defensive or all out attack it will always be like for like.

Nobody moaned as he was doing them.

Cissoko was blowing and Gayles fresh legs should've caused more problems than it did. He made no impact and couldn't control the ball.

Bairstow had run himself into the ground so the only option was to replace with Dalby or Shove McAtee up there. Dalby was sound enough apart from one rusty fumble of the ball after no football for 2 months. He had to play at some point.

McAtee for Randall was an obvious choice. He was out of the game and McAtees harrying and chasing again should have done more than it did. 

Sheehan was bought on to take control of a midfield that was being overran.

I'm not sure what else the manager could've done. 

Our biggest problem last night was decision making in forward positions.

Cissokos header should've been back across goal. Dubs could've cut it back or squared it about 30 times but opted to dive in and shoot. All that needs better coaching. 

Once those forwards start to read their patterns of play it'll all come together.

 

He definitely needed to make the subs, the questions on here are could he have made them a bit earlier and could he have changed the team shape slightly to counter their threats? Not major formation change but maybe Morley for Randall to give us 3 in midfield or even a midfielder out left for Cissoko as a more defensive option to help Conway as the threat was coming down his side.

These suggestions are obviously with the benefit of hindsight, but what I liked when SS first came in was that he would make these tactical tweaks mid game. I'm hoping he keeps that flexibility because I was fed up with Evatt's like for like subs for the last few years.

[Ani]

6 minutes ago, Stig said:

He definitely needed to make the subs, the questions on here are could he have made them a bit earlier and could he have changed the team shape slightly to counter their threats? Not major formation change but maybe Morley for Randall to give us 3 in midfield or even a midfielder out left for Cissoko as a more defensive option to help Conway as the threat was coming down his side.

These suggestions are obviously with the benefit of hindsight, but what I liked when SS first came in was that he would make these tactical tweaks mid game. I'm hoping he keeps that flexibility because I was fed up with Evatt's like for like subs for the last few years.

Bring on Morley when Cisoko went off and move Erahahon to the left of 3 and you are more solid. Still three up front so should be some outlet. 
 

The two were great up but as Reading chucked more forward we looked vulnerable. 

[barrycowdrill]

Can see why Schuey did make like for like changes but can also see the argument of changing shape and trying to see the game out. 
 

But it’s not as though we were under a barrage of pressure and riding our luck. The team just sat off and allowed Reading to be a bit more adventurous. Going Like for like he probably just thought by replacing the leggy players with fresh ones keeping the same formation, we would wrestle control back by keeping the ball better again like the previous 70 minutes or so. 
 

the ball doesn’t loop in and it’s a totally different conversation today and his changes are being applauded. It’s one of them 

Edited August 21 by barrycowdrill

[boltonboris]

1 hour ago, Stig said:

Come on. It's night and day versus last season. This is frustration that it's not quite clicking and we're dominating games but not creating good enough quality chances and then conceding sucker punches.

Last season was a shambles for the first 5 games. We looked all over the place and were lucky to have 4 points. 

I mean last season under Schumacher. I feel like we’re almost a good team and I don’t know if it’s mentality, or still not having good enough players in key areas, but we’ve been nearly men too often 

[Casino]

37 minutes ago, SirNat80 said:

The wingers are super quick and tricky and no doubts will turn most League One defenders inside and out most games. Unfortunately though their lack of ability to find that pass to a colleague in a better position holds us back and our end product is the major reason why we are not sitting at the top of this poor league.

I hope SS is given the money to find a quality striker, a right back and a midfielder who has an eye for goal and can put their foot in when required.

I really enjoyed it last night Simmons and Erhahon were both exceptional and both wingers are so positive so here's to more of that but better quality and composure where it matters most.

better striker won't make any difference if youre right the wingers can't pick the pass

[Arrested development]

1 hour ago, Stig said:

I'd agree with this. We're not missing sitters, everything is a low percentage chance.

But I'm not sure passing it around waiting for the perfect opportunity is the answer. It's the opposite for me, mix it up and get it in the box quicker. Burstow can win headers and the number 10 should be looking for loose balls.

This was Evatts thing. He didn't like low XG shots so we'd only shoot in good positions which meant stat lines like 70 percent possession, 3 shots. Now were kind of the opposite. I don't think its the amount of shots that's the problem, it's most aren't on target. We need to hit the target more often.

I think with Burstow and Dalby we have to be willing to get the ball in the box more. I hate the winger getting it and the ball ending back with the centre half through being too patient.