I gather this wasn't a full strength Reading team. Nonetheless, we played pretty well. Morgan was decent as our playmaker but needs to deliver better set pieces imo. Clare and Mac looked good. I thought Davison had a good game and ought to be just fine in third tier. Washington rampaged well and DJ was probably our most exciting player although their goal scorer, Ejaria, was probably the best player on the pitch. Nice to see old Morro again. What a plum Roland was for letting him go!
I gather this wasn't a full strength QPR team. Nonetheless, we played pretty well. Morgan was decent as our playmaker but needs to deliver better set pieces imo. Clare and Mac looked good. I thought Davison had a good game and ought to be just fine in third tier. Washington rampaged well and DJ was probably our most exciting player although their goal scorer, Ejaria, was probably the best player on the pitch. Nice to see old Morro again. What a plum Roland was for letting him go!
Might be a whoosh, but just in case. The team today don’t deserve any outrage put against them. We were on top for first 20 minutes and then a lot of the second half. All against a club who finished 7th in Championship last season.
It was interesting to see more of Deji Elerewe. He looks a terrific prospect with echoes of Rio Ferdinand about him. What I did feel was a development point in the games I saw him play last season was how he defended against players attacking him directly. I thought the Reading goal was an example of this. It is something I'm sure will get addressed and then we have something really special on our hands, but I'm not sure he is ready just now. He ought to start the pizza cup and league cup games for the experience.
I should add, playing next to Pearce. I would make him a project for Pearce and pay him a bit more to take responsibility for developing him. The elements he needs, Pearce has.
Morgan looked good but I think this is a make or break season for him. The shot he missed was not a tap in, but if he is going to be the player we think he can be, he needs to score it. The passes he makes show vision, but he needs to find his man about 10% more often. I say this not as a criticism, because I think he has the game. I suspect the final step for him is confidence. I am the best player on the pitch, I am going to be clinical, I have vision and accuracy etc...
This is pre-season, but I am seeing what he can be and I get the feeling we need to see that this season. And we may well do.
I watched Albie take part in the shooting practice against Welling. He was trying to absolutely leather and larrup it each time and by the 4th just yelling 'fackkkkkkkk'.
For me it's his technique in striking the ball that needs addressing, rather than him being unlucky in not hitting that particular ball in the 'top bins' via the laces.
Everybody misses from time to time, but he has missed a few shot opportunities too often. Something needs addressing. I don't think it is limited by his talent so it is worth Adkins solving this. I really feel confidence is a big factor and maybe he is trying too hard.
And in the context that he has done well so far in pre-season. It is that next jump. He should be aspiring to be our player of the year next season.
Everybody misses from time to time, but he has missed a few shot opportunities too often. Something needs addressing. I don't think it is limited by his talent so it is worth Adkins solving this. I really feel confidence is a big factor and maybe he is trying too hard.
And in the context that he has done well so far in pre-season. It is that next jump. He should be aspiring to be our player of the year next season.
I really like Morgan, but I would be concerned if he was our playmaker this season on current form.
I would be concerned if he doesn't make the next step up and fulfil his potential. It isn't a given that he will so you are right. My point is that I think he can. If he gets into that mode, he will pick himself and probably be better than anybody we can realistically buy. I think we have to find his blue touch paper and light it and hope there is the gunpowder we think there is in him.
Morgan looked good but I think this is a make or break season for him. The shot he missed was not a tap in, but if he is going to be the player we think he can be, he needs to score it. The passes he makes show vision, but he needs to find his man about 10% more often. I say this not as a criticism, because I think he has the game. I suspect the final step for him is confidence. I am the best player on the pitch, I am going to be clinical, I have vision and accuracy etc...
This is pre-season, but I am seeing what he can be and I get the feeling we need to see that this season. And we may well do.
I thought the same last season but THIS season, this is actually the one for him to step up and take his chance otherwise I fear he'll just drift into being a squad player for us. There's definitely a player in there somewhere and think Bowyer probably set him back a bit with his criticisms the last couple of seasons. Hope he can do a Luke Shaw this year.
Morgan looked good but I think this is a make or break season for him. The shot he missed was not a tap in, but if he is going to be the player we think he can be, he needs to score it. The passes he makes show vision, but he needs to find his man about 10% more often. I say this not as a criticism, because I think he has the game. I suspect the final step for him is confidence. I am the best player on the pitch, I am going to be clinical, I have vision and accuracy etc...
This is pre-season, but I am seeing what he can be and I get the feeling we need to see that this season. And we may well do.
The first time I ever saw Morgan play in the flesh, or at least noticed him, was the 1st leg of the play off semi. I thought wow we have got a player here.
3 years later I have no idea what his best position is. Obviously he is a midfielder, but I still don't really know what type he is.
My worry for him is that he is OK, with out excelling in any midfield role. He is obviously a very good passer, has quite good set piece delivery but I don't think he is a 10. I fear this time next year we will be none the wiser. Hopefully I am wrong and he is the first name on the team sheet come Christmas.
Might be a whoosh, but just in case. The team today don’t deserve any outrage put against them. We were on top for first 20 minutes and then a lot of the second half. All against a club who finished 7th in Championship last season.
Nothing to really complain about,good performance,everybody got a game of sorts,and to me ,whatever 11 is on the pitch,there is a togetherness that was not there most of last season.Stand outs,DJ could run riot,Morgan and Washington,both tireless ,Davison continues to improve,very good hold up play,won lots in the air.Two slight concerns,Famewo got caught on the ball a couple of times in dodgy positions,Dobson had a good game,but,allowed players past him too easily,especiallly for their goal,when he was beaten and then just stood and watched as the guy went on his merry way.
Nothing to really complain about,good performance,everybody got a game of sorts,and to me ,whatever 11 is on the pitch,there is a togetherness that was not there most of last season.Stand outs,DJ could run riot,Morgan and Washington,both tireless ,Davison continues to improve,very good hold up play,won lots in the air.Two slight concerns,Famewo got caught on the ball a couple of times in dodgy positions,Dobson had a good game,but,allowed players past him too easily,especiallly for their goal,when he was beaten and then just stood and watched as the guy went on his merry way.
For me Deji should have got a foot in there too. Rather than going for a leisurely stroll with him.
Yes the goal we conceded was a series of very soft defending from a few players really. Would also have to give some credit to their player who was able to skip around our players with ease. Thankfully there's not too many like him in league one.
To be fair Ajaria? I can say it but not spell it could / maybe should be playing in the premier league if he was a bit more consistent, I thought he would be running rings around our defenders. And yes he did in that instance, but overall I think we did ok.
To be fair Ajaria? I can say it but not spell it could / maybe should be playing in the premier league if he was a bit more consistent, I thought he would be running rings around our defenders. And yes he did in that instance, but overall I think we did ok.
I hadn’t realised until after the game he was previously at Liverpool and went to Reading for over £3m. Impressed that we limited him to the one goal after reading that
Didnt watch the stream as by the time I got back with the shopping & unpacked it all it was half time. Had a bite to eat & then had to go to the hospital to pick up a replacement insulin pen for my youngest.
Golfie Jnr watched it & said 2nd half better than the first & showed me the goals. Am I the only one who thinks Ghandour should have hit it with his left, due to the ball coming across him.
Still think we need a proper striker. Relying on Davison wont cut the mustard I'm afraid. Also still convinced the plan is to use the yoof rather than bring in experienced players. Saw Roddy at Welling and wasn't impressed but Deji mk 2 & Claydon ok.
I think Ghandour does beautifully here. You can see that he consciously opts to use his right.
Why? Because it makes the eventual finish into the right-hand post very simple. He also had the option of hitting it back across the goalkeeper, but the 'keeper is not central and would probably have kept that type of shot out.
The left foot shot to the right-hand post? Bit a hook, I would say, so less easy to control.
The only downside of Ghandour opting for his right foot was that it gave the 'keeper slightly more time to scramble across goal. But the judgement was correct based on the fact that the ball ended up in the net.
All of this went through Ghandour's head (instinctively) as Clayden's cross came over.
Comments
This is pre-season, but I am seeing what he can be and I get the feeling we need to see that this season. And we may well do.
For me it's his technique in striking the ball that needs addressing, rather than him being unlucky in not hitting that particular ball in the 'top bins' via the laces.
And in the context that he has done well so far in pre-season. It is that next jump. He should be aspiring to be our player of the year next season.
I thought the same last season but THIS season, this is actually the one for him to step up and take his chance otherwise I fear he'll just drift into being a squad player for us. There's definitely a player in there somewhere and think Bowyer probably set him back a bit with his criticisms the last couple of seasons. Hope he can do a Luke Shaw this year.
3 years later I have no idea what his best position is. Obviously he is a midfielder, but I still don't really know what type he is.
My worry for him is that he is OK, with out excelling in any midfield role. He is obviously a very good passer, has quite good set piece delivery but I don't think he is a 10. I fear this time next year we will be none the wiser. Hopefully I am wrong and he is the first name on the team sheet come Christmas.
The shame of that name. My God! They deserve to get relegated.
Why? Because it makes the eventual finish into the right-hand post very simple. He also had the option of hitting it back across the goalkeeper, but the 'keeper is not central and would probably have kept that type of shot out.
The left foot shot to the right-hand post? Bit a hook, I would say, so less easy to control.
The only downside of Ghandour opting for his right foot was that it gave the 'keeper slightly more time to scramble across goal. But the judgement was correct based on the fact that the ball ended up in the net.
All of this went through Ghandour's head (instinctively) as Clayden's cross came over.
Quite good, I would say.