Reading at home match thread

[marcofisher]

Did anyone get a good view of the disallowed Nakhi goal? The replay looked like the right back was playing him onside but it was not the best camera angle.

[miketh2nd]

Just now, marcofisher said:

Did anyone get a good view of the disallowed Nakhi goal? The replay looked like the right back was playing him onside but it was not the best camera angle.

Yeah i thought that too .

[maxjak]

17 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

It did with Semenyo, hoping this will be similar.

How much do we miss Antoine?

Edited April 1, 2023 by maxjak

[redkev]

3 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

It's quite clear the season is fizzling out. I'm excited to see what 3-4 signings next year can do.

 

We are much weaker without Pring at left back, there were so many gaps down the left that could have been exposed by him overlapping Mehmeti and driving into the box. Unfortunately, JD is not that player. I think Mehmeti was getting frustrated at JD' wastefulness and was just trying to do it himself.

 

Also, midfield considerably weaker without Scott. 

 

All in all, not really much to lose sleep over. It's just the point we are at in the season. Pearson happy just to keep the squad ticking over and trying to avoid more injuries.

 

 

Totally agree , with pring not playing left back and with all the other adjustments to cover injuries it has taken the balance and zip out of our game , we still should have won that game comfortably.

the few things that worry me are it’s not just Scott who will be on other teams radars , if I was a scout I would deffo be looking at Tommy reminds me of a young Teddy sheringham also Cam Pring so dynamic .

Taylor Clarke not ready yet ( that’s no slur on him ) Bell I’m still undecided & Weimann still far to hit and miss for me .

it has also come to a time if we are going to give it a go to get to the prem ( Scott apart because I’m positive he will be gone ) we have to have a few seasons of holding on to our better players we can’t keep on being the tree to pick the apples from 

[Numero Uno]

1 minute ago, maxjak said:

How much do we miss Antoine?

Who was called a League 2 at best player by a few.

[marcofisher]

4 minutes ago, maxjak said:

How much do we miss Antoine?

A lot, I said when he left he will be a bigger miss in this season than if Scott has left in Jan as a huge percentage of our goals and chances were coming through him. Especially with Pring at left back, it must have been one of the best left sides in the division in terms of creativity.

 

I think Mehmeti will be a lot better with Pring behind him who will make those overlapping runs and occupy defenders. Anis had multiple defenders on him today but JD offered very little on the overlap and was wasteful.

Edited April 1, 2023 by marcofisher

[Spike]

24 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

 

You can see his potential though, better decision making needed.

This and the fact he's stepped up a level with a team who are still seemingly trying to figure out their identity. I mean to his credit today a better finisher on the end of a few of his passes and he's potentially got a hat-trick of assists, instead, he's looked poor due to the bad aspects of his game. Another thing I'll give him credit for is his ability to make defenders backpedal and panic, if he can do that and then get a good shooter on the end of a pass he'll create panic in the opposition, as it is his crossing seems to be off and his decision on when to shoot and when to dribble more need work.

[And Its Smith]

37 crosses when (a) none of our players can consistently cross a ball, and (b) they are massive at the back and we have small strikers.   Pearson certainly knows more than me but I’d love his view on the tactic. Doubt he will get asked post match though! 

[Ronnie Sinclair]

19 minutes ago, cityexile said:

Cardiff 2 Swansea 3, 90+9

They are in real trouble, and their fixture list has a couple of right six pointers in there amongst some other tricky games (Blackpool away on Friday for example) 

[marcofisher]

2 minutes ago, redkev said:

Totally agree , with pring not playing left back and with all the other adjustments to cover injuries it has taken the balance and zip out of our game , we still should have won that game comfortably.

the few things that worry me are it’s not just Scott who will be on other teams radars , if I was a scout I would deffo be looking at Tommy reminds me of a young Teddy sheringham also Cam Pring so dynamic .

Taylor Clarke not ready yet ( that’s no slur on him ) Bell I’m still undecided & Weimann still far to hit and miss for me .

it has also come to a time if we are going to give it a go to get to the prem ( Scott apart because I’m positive he will be gone ) we have to have a few seasons of holding on to our better players we can’t keep on being the tree to pick the apples from 

Agreed - I think we are safe with Tommy for another year and I don't think a team will offer the money and take that risk on him yet. However, I think it would be pretty low risk for a top Championship club to come in with decent for money for Pring. 

It has been good for Taylor-Clarke to play and I hope we give him more of a run out before the end of the season. I don't think he is ready, but the experience is more beneficial to him than Andy King. Bell still seems a bit lightweight to me, and seems to have been found out a bit since his purple patch when he broke into the team. I think Bell may benefit from a L1 loan for half a season like Pring did. 

As for your last paragraph, unfortunately, that is just not a thing anymore with players. If the PL comes calling, we don't really have anything to offer to keep them. Best to keep reinvesting correctly until we get there. Something which was not done correctly under LJ/MA.

[bcfc01]

1 minute ago, marcofisher said:

A lot, I said when he left he will be a bigger miss in this season than if Scott has left in Jan as a huge percentage of our goals and chances were coming through him. Especially with Pring at left back, it must have been one of the best left sides in the division in terms of creativity.

 

I think Mehmeti will be a lot better with Pring behind him who will make those overlapping runs and occupy defenders. Anis had multiple defenders on him today but JD offered very little on the overlap and was wasteful.

I thought Mehmeti was wasteful and his decision making poor, and with the predictability of him cutting inside it'll make him quite easy to mark when playing decent teams. I'd give him a few games centrally now, behind a front two. 

If he stays wide left, maybe Pring at left back will help him, I hope so as he's been flattering to deceive so far. All very well showing a few tricks now and then which gets people up off their seats, but he has to start delivering some end product.

Weimann and Wells were shocking today which didn't help.

[Davefevs]

48 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

Weimann miscontrols - he had been poor today.

Thought he had a good game today, at the heart of most of our good stuff.  Conway v.good, as was Pring…next was Weimann for me.

The sooner we can get Pring to LB to support Mehmeti, the better. Dasilva not offering enough, especially in a game where we have lots of possession.

[Davefevs]

34 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

If we're going to draw games then I'd rather we dominate, take shots, be wasteful, and draw than be second best, hang on, nick a goal, and draw.

Hard to get excited either way by that game.

We dominated, took shots, were wasteful and drew…so we hit all four of your KPIs…

[And Its Smith]

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Thought he had a good game today, at the heart of most of our good stuff.  Conway v.good, as was Pring…next was Weimann for me.

The sooner we can get Pring to LB to support Mehmeti, the better. Dasilva not offering enough, especially in a game where we have lots of possession.

Agreed.  Weimann was generally good.  7/10 performance.  I thought Wells was good as well but he also seems to be getting some stick on here 

[maxjak]

15 minutes ago, Numero Uno said:

Who was called a League 2 at best player by a few.

Most definitely not by me.........I always thought he would be a bit special.  But u are correct, a lot of posters dismissed his talents..........it makes you wonder?  

[Davefevs]

14 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

37 crosses when (a) none of our players can consistently cross a ball, and (b) they are massive at the back and we have small strikers.   Pearson certainly knows more than me but I’d love his view on the tactic. Doubt he will get asked post match though! 

We did score from a cross though

[marcofisher]

10 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

I thought Mehmeti was wasteful and his decision making poor, and with the predictability of him cutting inside it'll make him quite easy to mark when playing decent teams. I'd give him a few games centrally now, behind a front two. 

If he stays wide left, maybe Pring at left back will help him, I hope so as he's been flattering to deceive so far. All very well showing a few tricks now and then which gets people up off their seats, but he has to start delivering some end product.

Weimann and Wells were shocking today which didn't help.

I agree, but I thought Dasilva was far worse in this regard which doesn't help the situation as it reduces Mehmeti's options. Everytime Anis put JD in down the left he either hit the first man with a cross or failed to do anything substantial with it.

[Redinthehead]

Frustrating but some good performances. Had a lot of openings before they equalised without creating that many clear chances. 

[ExiledAjax]

7 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

We dominated, took shots, were wasteful and drew…so we hit all four of your KPIs…

Relative KPIs. Not absolute KPIs. 

We've seen at times this season that a few very good shots gets goals. Today we saw what many quite poor shots gets you - one goal and a bucket of frustration.

Blend the two please.

[old_eastender]

Just now, marcofisher said:

I agree, but I thought Dasilva was far worse in this regard which doesn't help the situation as it reduces Mehmeti's options. Everytime Anis put JD in down the left he either hit the first man with a cross or failed to do anything substantial with it.

As others have said Pring at LB is a massively better option than JD, unfortunately we need him to play CB right now. JD is always neat & tidy but does not offer the cutting thrust that Pring does and Pring is a better defender too.

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

I agree, but I thought Dasilva was far worse in this regard which doesn't help the situation as it reduces Mehmeti's options. Everytime Anis put JD in down the left he either hit the first man with a cross or failed to do anything substantial with it.

I really used to like Jay, but he is doing my head in at the mo’.  As you say it’s not helping Anis.  We need Pring back to LB asap.

[Robbored]

11 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

I thought Mehmeti was wasteful and his decision making poor, and with the predictability of him cutting inside it'll make him quite easy to mark when playing decent teams. I'd give him a few games centrally now, behind a front two. 

I think he needs to be more direct. He’s obviously got quick feet and going into the opposition box with some trickery could well result in him getting brought down.

At least twice in the second half he headed towards the penalty box but stopped and laid the ball off. …….……a few more steps and the defenders are afraid to touch him.

[BCFCGav]

We were good for 90% of each attacking move, very good at times. But wasteful as all hell in the last 10%. Deserved to win. I’m gonna think positive and say if we’re capable of playing that well with a thin, injury hit squad, things are looking very promising. 

[marcofisher]

7 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I really used to like Jay, but he is doing my head in at the mo’.  As you say it’s not helping Anis.  We need Pring back to LB asap.

I don't think he fits the way Pearson wants to play and I don't think we will even see him offered a deal on reduced terms. Considering his rumoured salary there must be better players in L1/L2 who will better fit the bill, such as the Wimbledon lad we were bidding for in Jan. 

[Northern Red]

2 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

I don't think he fits the way Pearson wants to play and I don't think we will even see him offered a deal on reduced terms. Considering his rumoured salary there must be better players in L1/L2 who will better fit the bill, such as the Wimbledon lad we were bidding for in Jan. 

Plus you'd think he'd be able to get a deal in the Championship. Coventry were linked in January and I suspect he'd have gone if we'd got the lad from Wimbledon in.

[SouthS22]

Very very poor Reading side, and we still couldn’t beat them. The pitch didn’t help, and neither did the injuries, but his has been a pretty terrible run since the Man City game. A solitary win against Blackpool aside, we look back to the same clueless bunch of numpties we did before Christmas.   Reading even gave us the ball a number of times today, including in their own penalty area and we didn’t have a clue how to put it the net.  Not many positives to take from today, but good to get TC back and welcome return for James. 

[Sleepy1968]

7 minutes ago, SouthS22 said:

Very very poor Reading side, and we still couldn’t beat them. The pitch didn’t help, and neither did the injuries, but his has been a pretty terrible run since the Man City game. A solitary win against Blackpool aside, we look back to the same clueless bunch of numpties we did before Christmas.   Reading even gave us the ball a number of times today, including in their own penalty area and we didn’t have a clue how to put it the net.  Not many positives to take from today, but good to get TC back and welcome return for James. 

Crikey, we're all frustrated, but I think that's completely over the top.

[spudski]

Today was the type of game that as a manager you would be really pissed off. 

Both teams with injuries. The opposition in recent games playing as relegation fodder. 

Regardless of injuries...we should have won that game easily. 

Its the type of game that shows our weaknesses.

Nothing to play for...yet everything to play for if you want to be here next year. 

How many games have we created yet not finished. 

How many games have we conceded weak goals. 

Don't get me wrong...I want NP to keep this club progressing...but if I were him I'd be spitting feathers. 

If we were in a relegation battle this forum wouldn't be so forgiving. 

I hope NP isn't with the players. 

It's very obvious that certain players aren't up to levels expected every week. 

DaSilva and Weimann...regardless of what they've done at the top of their game, they don't perform to expectations needed every week imo. 

I'm pro NP...but imo that was telling today. 

[Shuffle]

52 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Thought he had a good game today, at the heart of most of our good stuff.  Conway v.good, as was Pring…next was Weimann for me.

The sooner we can get Pring to LB to support Mehmeti, the better. Dasilva not offering enough, especially in a game where we have lots of possession.

Funny how we watch the same game & come away with such different views but guess it’s all about opinions.  Personally, though Weimann was terrible and wasted so many good opportunities to deliver one final quality ball.  Not quite as bad as Memehti who despite having so much of the ball failed to deliver any end product. Add in Wells who I thought was poor then your top 3 offered next to nothing and that’s why I believe we didn’t win.  All about opinions though.

[Shuffle]

39 minutes ago, BCFCGav said:

We were good for 90% of each attacking move, very good at times. But wasteful as all hell in the last 10%. Deserved to win. I’m gonna think positive and say if we’re capable of playing that well with a thin, injury hit squad, things are looking very promising. 

In fairness it was a weakened Reading side who were the worst I’ve seen this season 

[Spoonbed]

6 minutes ago, Shuffle said:

Funny how we watch the same game & come away with such different views but guess it’s all about opinions.  Personally, though Weimann was terrible and wasted so many good opportunities to deliver one final quality ball.  Not quite as bad as Memehti who despite having so much of the ball failed to deliver any end product. Add in Wells who I thought was poor then your top 3 offered next to nothing and that’s why I believe we didn’t win.  All about opinions though.

It’ll be interest to see if Fev’s ( whose opinions I massively respect) changes his opinion when watching back again. I watched it on Robins tv , and thought Weimar and Wells were exceptionally poor( and I’m a fan of both players). Though Nakhi was very heavy legged with poor movement, and nothing seemed to come off for Weiman. 
Definately a position we need to strengthen

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Thought he had a good game today, at the heart of most of our good stuff.  Conway v.good, as was Pring…next was Weimann for me.

The sooner we can get Pring to LB to support Mehmeti, the better. Dasilva not offering enough, especially in a game where we have lots of possession.

Conway, Pring agree.

Weimann, good at what, kicking the corner flag, kicking the ball into touch?

As someone else has said he is a shadow of last season’s Weimann, even his legendary work rate was missing today.

[GrahamC]

3 minutes ago, Shuffle said:

In fairness it was a weakened Reading side who were the worst I’ve seen this season 

Certainly amongst the worst, though Blackpool were awful against us.

Strangely I thought the pitch helped them, they didn’t come to play football & hoofed it all game.

Think it is obvious we are struggling for numbers, the bench was a lot of kids again today. Could do with Kalas & Naismith back.

[Offside]

Definitely a game we should have one, so very frustrating. We were sloppy in the attacking third and at 1-0 always looked susceptible to their strength in the air. But with a makeshift line-up we were never going to be at our best  

I didn’t see what was wrong with Wells’ goal, but I haven’t seen the highlights yet. 

[spudski]

10 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

The one thing I can't understand is how we can be shit and wasteful. If you're wasteful you must be creating ample opportunities and dominating a game, and therefore not shit. 

If you're shit you don't create enough to be deemed wasteful. 

Was good to see TC back and how that front three could work going into next season. Worth persisting with for a bit after our recent drought in chances/goals. 

Copy and pasted...sums up today. 

 

Football Language: (to) Flatter to Deceive

 

To flatter someone is to tell them they are doing well when in fact they are not doing that well. You give too much praise. To deceive is to lie to someone or to trick them. These words put together into this phrase, to flatter to deceive, mean to make people think something good will happen but in the end the result is bad. So, in football if a team flatters to deceive it means that it looks like they are playing well and it looks like they will win – they flatter the fans – but in the end they do poorly or the good result doesn’t happen – the fans are deceived.

[Shuffle]

Just now, GrahamC said:

Certainly amongst the worst, though Blackpool were awful against us.

Strangely I thought the pitch helped them, they didn’t come to play football & hoofed it all game.

Think it is obvious we are struggling for numbers, the bench was a lot of kids again today. Could do with Kalas & Naismith back.

Agree that lack of numbers are a huge problem. Looks like Easter games too soon for kalas & Naismith & god help us if James is injured. Being realistic any points over Easter are going to be a bonus. Injuries have killed us. 

[RedM]

20 minutes ago, spudski said:

Today was the type of game that as a manager you would be really pissed off. 

Both teams with injuries. The opposition in recent games playing as relegation fodder. 

Regardless of injuries...we should have won that game easily. 

Its the type of game that shows our weaknesses.

Nothing to play for...yet everything to play for if you want to be here next year. 

How many games have we created yet not finished. 

How many games have we conceded weak goals. 

Don't get me wrong...I want NP to keep this club progressing...but if I were him I'd be spitting feathers. 

If we were in a relegation battle this forum wouldn't be so forgiving. 

I hope NP isn't with the players. 

It's very obvious that certain players aren't up to levels expected every week. 

DaSilva and Weimann...regardless of what they've done at the top of their game, they don't perform to expectations needed every week imo. 

I'm pro NP...but imo that was telling today. 

I agree. I came away thinking that it was a good thing that the result didn't matter today, but of course it should have. 

We are on the right tracks, mostly, but don't look like being able to push on to the next level (and I don't mean the Premiership). We are not ruthless/clinical or consistant enough. Its hard to explain but I don't think we have that extra 'something' I see in some teams. 

[Jeez]

Andy Carrol after 30 minutes

[Dr Balls]

If I was NP, I would make all of the players watch that game back and critique themselves honestly. There was a good performance (Conway), some solid 6s, but a lot of players who played well below what they are capable of.

We actually got what we deserved from this game, because we were so wasteful. The attack is so poor at the moment - the final ball either just doesn’t happen or it’s too far ahead of or behind the intended player, or the wrong option is taken. That happened so often, it was like bashing your head against a brick wall just watching it.

Clearly we are not clinical enough in front of goal, and we can’t cope with having the majority of possession. Given the form that Stoke are in, and the hex that Alex Neil teams seem to have over us, I expect us to lose up there on Friday, especially as our away form is currently non-existent anyway. 

Edited April 1, 2023 by Dr Balls

[redkev]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Thought he had a good game today, at the heart of most of our good stuff.  Conway v.good, as was Pring…next was Weimann for me.

The sooner we can get Pring to LB to support Mehmeti, the better. Dasilva not offering enough, especially in a game where we have lots of possession.

Totally agree Dave , pring is so pivotal to how we play , which is good & bad as it does make us a little one dimensional/ predictable 

[Red-Robbo]

13 minutes ago, Jeez said:

Andy Carrol after 30 minutes

 

I spotted him after the match, soaking up the Harbourside atmosphere...

[HOZDA]

Was at the game today. Will likely be my last visit of the season, so I was hopeful to see a win! We really should have. Dominated possession and got into multiple dangerous positions, particularly down the flanks, but dear me, the end product was poor. Crosses were not beating the first man, shots delayed or straight at the keeper.

Reading's goal was so frustrating as it was blatant what they were going to do - chip it to Carroll for him to head/flick it on. Very one dimensional but looked inevitable as we had conceded a lot of height vs them. 

Thought James was pretty good - commanded the middle, missed Scott though. Great to have Conway back and for him to score. Mehmeti had a lot of the ball but rather wasteful and often delays his outlet - still think he will come good. Pring was solid but we do miss him at LB. Tanner also good and had some decent runs, same for Weimann.

Must say, when Joao was through at the end I thought we'd concede, then he completely lost control of it and Cornick could have won it - would have done him a world of good! Ah well. 

Overall, it was a decent game and I had a good day out with my dad. Hoping we can find a way to win these games where we are the more dominant. Exciting summer to come. 

COYR

 

[downendcity]

2 hours ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Need to get this second goal

 

2 hours ago, Malago said:

This referee’s a cock BTW

 

2 hours ago, mozo said:

Wow. Got to beat these surely?!

 

2 hours ago, Slippin cider said:

Bollocks 

Sequence of posts that could be cut and pasted so many times over recent seasons! 

[Red-Robbo]

2 minutes ago, HOZDA said:

 

Must say, when Joao was through at the end I thought we'd concede, then he completely lost control of it and Cornick could have won it - would have done him a world of good! Ah well. 

 

 

It was rather amazing the number of times they could've had a man through, but then the Reading player contrived to either fall over his own feet or otherwise totally fail to control the ball.

You could see why they are where they are. 

[Super]

I didn't think we were too bad yes wasteful but we've played a lot worse this season. Happy for a stress free end to the season and look forward to next season.

[downendcity]

4 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

The coach and horses that has been driven through our defence too often this season. 

[redysteadygo]

3 minutes ago, HOZDA said:

Was at the game today. Will likely be my last visit of the season, so I was hopeful to see a win! We really should have. Dominated possession and got into multiple dangerous positions, particularly down the flanks, but dear me, the end product was poor. Crosses were not beating the first man, shots delayed or straight at the keeper.

Reading's goal was so frustrating as it was blatant what they were going to do - chip it to Carroll for him to head/flick it on. Very one dimensional but looked inevitable as we had conceded a lot of height vs them. 

Thought James was pretty good - commanded the middle, missed Scott though. Great to have Conway back and for him to score. Mehmeti had a lot of the ball but rather wasteful and often delays his outlet - still think he will come good. Pring was solid but we do miss him at LB. Tanner also good and had some decent runs, same for Weimann.

Must say, when Joao was through at the end I thought we'd concede, then he completely lost control of it and Cornick could have won it - would have done him a world of good! Ah well. 

Overall, it was a decent game and I had a good day out with my dad. Hoping we can find a way to win these games where we are the more dominant. Exciting summer to come. 

COYR

 

From my view in the Dolman thought he should have played Wieman in on his right for a far easier finish.

[Red-Robbo]

Just now, Super said:

I didn't think we were too bad yes wasteful but we've played a lot worse this season. Happy for a stress free end to the season and look forward to next season.

 

Without Scott and Sykes and with Reading desperate to get points to guarantee safety, I feared the worst. But we were comfortably the better side and at times played some lovely stuff.  Shame about the result, but you can't have everything. 

[2015]

1 hour ago, SouthS22 said:

Very very poor Reading side, and we still couldn’t beat them. The pitch didn’t help, and neither did the injuries, but his has been a pretty terrible run since the Man City game. A solitary win against Blackpool aside, we look back to the same clueless bunch of numpties we did before Christmas.   Reading even gave us the ball a number of times today, including in their own penalty area and we didn’t have a clue how to put it the net.  Not many positives to take from today, but good to get TC back and welcome return for James. 

The irony of your last sentence. Maybe our bad run has come because we have lost Atkinson, Naismith, James, Conway, Kalas, Williams and now Sykes has a 4 game ban. 6 of those members are core members of our first team.

[italian dave]

The worry is that it’s the umpteenth game recently where we’ve dominated the first 45 minutes, looked full of intent going forward, but just never really threatened to score. Just no quality into or around the box.

The positive was TC back who did finally manage to get a goal. 

But what frustrated me more than anything was the manner of the goal we conceded: not so much the failure to win aerial challenges (that was always going to be a concern today) but what led up to it.

There has been lots of discussion on here about how we need to get smarter, more streetwise, a bit cannier. And probably a view that we’ve got better at that. But it’s not just about “professional” fouls for the sake of it. And today was a perfect example of how to get the professional foul wrong.

We managed to pick  up a booking, and all for the sake of breaking up open play, from which Reading had been next to useless all game. And to present them with a set piece, which had always looked like the only way they were going to threaten. 

 

[spudski]

24 minutes ago, RedM said:

I agree. I came away thinking that it was a good thing that the result didn't matter today, but of course it should have. 

We are on the right tracks, mostly, but don't look like being able to push on to the next level (and I don't mean the Premiership). We are not ruthless/clinical or consistant enough. Its hard to explain but I don't think we have that extra 'something' I see in some teams. 

I agree...regardless of injuries, I think we still flatter to deceive. 

I get the impression most fans, can see the whole picture for what it is. We get the debacle of the mess created in the past. We understand the position of the club and it's squad. 

We mostly approve of the direction NP has taken us. 

However...the frustration of creating chances and not converting still continues. The frustration of playing well and conceding silly goals still continues. This has been like this for a long time. There is always an excuse to be found...never counteracted with the situation of the opposition. 

Whilst NP down plays expectations, I expect deep down he is really frustrated and expects better. I know I do with certain established players. 

[Beni71]

Personally thought we played some decent football today. Reading are a poor team and we’re very one dimensional. Not a surprise the way we conceded. 
 

Conway was excellent and thought Weimann was at his best when he was on the pitch. 
 

Come the final whistle felt like a loss given the performance. Yes, we lack some quality in the final 3rd but much prefer this team/squad under NP Vs the bloated over paid squad from earlier this season and the last two seasons. 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

14 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

It was rather amazing the number of times they could've had a man through, but then the Reading player contrived to either fall over his own feet or otherwise totally fail to control the ball.

You could see why they are where they are. 

and why we are where we are. There's 3 points between us.

[spudski]

3 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

That's just being overly focused on the outcome for me. Create that much in every game and we win more than we don't. 

Happy to criticise the clinicality of the team of late,  but won't  criticise the performance. Its not flattering to deceive, its just football sometimes. 

' football sometimes'...I can agree with, if it's ' sometimes'. 

However our performance today is typical of many games. Substance with no result. 

We create...but don't score from the chances created. 

We concede from silly mistakes. 

Those two sentences sum us up. 

Everyone can see we are going in the right direction. Everyone pretty much wants NP to do well. We can all see the progress. We all understand the past mess. 

However...sometimes constructive criticism is needed. Without fearing our criticism will be detrimental to NP. 

I'm sure he would agree at the frustration. 

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, marcofisher said:

I don't think he fits the way Pearson wants to play and I don't think we will even see him offered a deal on reduced terms. Considering his rumoured salary there must be better players in L1/L2 who will better fit the bill, such as the Wimbledon lad we were bidding for in Jan. 

The story is that he’s one of the players that has NOT been offered anything, not even on reduced terms.  Seems like Nige was really keen to move him on in January.  I can’t see Jay having done anything to make Nige change his mind.  I can imagine that Nige feels it’s not quite time to give Morrison or now Leeson a go.

53 minutes ago, Spoonbed said:

It’ll be interest to see if Fev’s ( whose opinions I massively respect) changes his opinion when watching back again. I watched it on Robins tv , and thought Weimar and Wells were exceptionally poor( and I’m a fan of both players). Though Nakhi was very heavy legged with poor movement, and nothing seemed to come off for Weiman. 
Definately a position we need to strengthen

Quite possibly.  We all see different things.  Although same might apply to you and @Shuffletoo on a second watch also.

I thought Weimann was at the heart of most of our good stuff in the first half, him and Tanner linked up well.  Involved in the goal, shot cleared off the line, etc.

In the second half it was him drifting in from the right and finding / playing in Mehmeti a couple of times.

 

[ralphindevon]

Enjoyable game, once we start converting that dangerous possession into goals we’ll be a top half team comfortably.

Was desperate for Anis to get something for all his endeavours, I think if he’d got one he’d get a few before the seasons up.

If it wasn’t for Alex Scott I’d certainly be voting for Cam Pring for player of the year. What a talent, the best crosser in the team which we missed a bit today. Hopefully he’ll be back on the left soon. 

[Merrick's Marvels]

23 minutes ago, spudski said:

' football sometimes'...I can agree with, if it's ' sometimes'. 

However our performance today is typical of many games. Substance with no result. 

We create...but don't score from the chances created. 

We concede from silly mistakes. 

Those two sentences sum us up. 

Everyone can see we are going in the right direction. Everyone pretty much wants NP to do well. We can all see the progress. We all understand the past mess. 

However...sometimes constructive criticism is needed. Without fearing our criticism will be detrimental to NP. 

I'm sure he would agree at the frustration. 

You're frustrated. We all are.

Pearson was upbeat afterwards, going so far as to say there are good times ahead.

That'll do for me. 

Even more so given the fact, with everyone fit our team - a Pearson team - will have plenty of 6 footers to deal with set pieces into our box- unlike today. Being the point. 

A goalkeeper who doesn't go walkabout would help too. That's a personal preference, not one I expect to be popular and not wishing to sidetrack this thread either. 

With a team full of novices, Pearson is providing points and performances that few other City managers with the same resources at Tier 2 level ever have.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Merrick's Marvels

[Davefevs]

4 minutes ago, spudski said:

' football sometimes'...I can agree with, if it's ' sometimes'. 

However our performance today is typical of many games. Substance with no result. 

We create...but don't score from the chances created. 

We concede from silly mistakes. 

Those two sentences sum us up. 

Everyone can see we are going in the right direction. Everyone pretty much wants NP to do well. We can all see the progress. We all understand the past mess. 

However...sometimes constructive criticism is needed. Without fearing our criticism will be detrimental to NP. 

I'm sure he would agree at the frustration. 

The way the game panned out…and resulted in what was a frustrating afternoon, was in part (a good part) because of Reading.  They sit deep, fill the box and rely on “number of bodies” to make it difficult to create clear-cut chances from close-in.  On a pitch where it was difficult for agile players to be agile (!) it gives defenders an extra split-second to mark, block, etc.  Mehmeti’s shot late on that looked more like a cross, was a result of the ball bobbling just as he strikes it.

We had quite a few melees in the box too, didn’t quite fall to us.

If you ever played attack v defence on a half pitch in training (I’m sure you have), you know how difficult it is to score when the defence only has one objective…and they don’t get dragged out of shape.

Performance wise, I’m pretty content.

Result wise, less so.

One final thing.  We have no real bench currently to keep the levels up.  So when your best players go off you are weakening yourself.  Some teams are able to strengthen with subs.  It was right to sub Conway today, but I think today Conway’s 59 mins highlighted the gulf between him and Bell overall.  I’m not referring to today for Bell (not sure anyone would compare a 2 min display!!), but over the period he’s been out.  Conway is a star.  Bell has done ok…that’s a big difference.

[Red-Robbo]

22 minutes ago, Marina's Rolls Royce said:

and why we are where we are. There's 3 points between us.

 

TBH the gulf looked larger. Reading have their injury list, but ours is like the roll call after the Battle of the Somme. 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

8 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

TBH the gulf looked larger. Reading have their injury list, but ours is like the roll call after the Battle of the Somme. 

It did indeed yet we are where we are.

[maxjak]

A very frustrating game.........but although i am in danger of being over pedantic.........when i Hear NP state that the goal we conceded from a set piece "was a lesson learnt", it does make me wonder how many lessons do we  need     until we learn?   While appreciating the injury problems evident at the back this season, it was still a really poor goal to concede?  But then again, I guess if the forwards had done THEIR job..........it would have been a mere consolation?

Edited April 1, 2023 by maxjak

[spudski]

2 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

As I said, no issue with criticising our finishing, it's been poor for a while. (4-3-3 is a bag of shite formation for teams at our level, in my opinion and this is the inevitable consequence of setting up in a series of 1v1s rather than doubling up in key areas). 

Performances have been average lately, but that's been down to injuries to our most important 4 or 5 players.

Today was fine. Arguably better than fine. Just didn't score.

Most goals at this level are a result of a defensive errors! 

Thanks for the response. 

I agree..our finishing has been poor for a long time. We create quality chances. But don't finish.

As a comparison to our competion...Anyone who has followed Sheffield Utd this season will compare, and be highly frustrated. They create far below us...yet score, defend and win more. 

However...conceding from silly mistakes has also been like it for a long time. Regardless of formations, injuries, or personnel. 

For me...it's not 433 that's the problem...it's the quality of performances weekly by championship standard players,that flatter to deceive. 

Don't get me wrong... I think we will improve and are improving.

But let's not protect NP from constructive criticism, just because we want him here and fear criticism is negative. 

He will be fuming inside imo...even though he's seen positives in performance for next season. 

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

The way the game panned out…and resulted in what was a frustrating afternoon, was in part (a good part) because of Reading.  They sit deep, fill the box and rely on “number of bodies” to make it difficult to create clear-cut chances from close-in.  On a pitch where it was difficult for agile players to be agile (!) it gives defenders an extra split-second to mark, block, etc.  Mehmeti’s shot late on that looked more like a cross, was a result of the ball bobbling just as he strikes it.

We had quite a few melees in the box too, didn’t quite fall to us.

If you ever played attack v defence on a half pitch in training (I’m sure you have), you know how difficult it is to score when the defence only has one objective…and they don’t get dragged out of shape.

Performance wise, I’m pretty content.

Result wise, less so.

One final thing.  We have no real bench currently to keep the levels up.  So when your best players go off you are weakening yourself.  Some teams are able to strengthen with subs.  It was right to sub Conway today, but I think today Conway’s 59 mins highlighted the gulf between him and Bell overall.  I’m not referring to today for Bell (not sure anyone would compare a 2 min display!!), but over the period he’s been out.  Conway is a star.  Bell has done ok…that’s a big difference.

I concur with your sentiments Dave...however...we can make as many excuses as we like, and point out Readings' game plan and pros...They've only got a point against Blackpool and lost a host of games beforehand, with arguably a stronger squad available. 

They are cannon fodder. We should have nailed them. Them and QPR are awful ATM. 

[Kingswood Robin]

11 minutes ago, spudski said:

Thanks for the response. 

I agree..our finishing has been poor for a long time. We create quality chances. But don't finish.

As a comparison to our competion...Anyone who has followed Sheffield Utd this season will compare, and be highly frustrated. They create far below us...yet score, defend and win more. 

However...conceding from silly mistakes has also been like it for a long time. Regardless of formations, injuries, or personnel. 

For me...it's not 433 that's the problem...it's the quality of performances weekly by championship standard players,that flatter to deceive. 

Don't get me wrong... I think we will improve and are improving.

But let's not protect NP from constructive criticism, just because we want him here and fear criticism is negative. 

He will be fuming inside imo...even though he's seen positives in performance for next season. 

I concur with your sentiments Dave...however...we can make as many excuses as we like, and point out Readings' game plan and pros...They've only got a point against Blackpool and lost a host of games beforehand, with arguably a stronger squad available. 

They are cannon fodder. We should have nailed them. Them and QPR are awful ATM. 

Agreed. Reading looking like a team with about 6 players making their debut. They were appalling and we should have smashed them out of site. No excuses for that, just not good enough.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Kingswood Robin

[ralphindevon]

17 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

The way the game panned out…and resulted in what was a frustrating afternoon, was in part (a good part) because of Reading.  They sit deep, fill the box and rely on “number of bodies” to make it difficult to create clear-cut chances from close-in.  On a pitch where it was difficult for agile players to be agile (!) it gives defenders an extra split-second to mark, block, etc.  Mehmeti’s shot late on that looked more like a cross, was a result of the ball bobbling just as he strikes it.

We had quite a few melees in the box too, didn’t quite fall to us.

If you ever played attack v defence on a half pitch in training (I’m sure you have), you know how difficult it is to score when the defence only has one objective…and they don’t get dragged out of shape.

Performance wise, I’m pretty content.

Result wise, less so.

One final thing.  We have no real bench currently to keep the levels up.  So when your best players go off you are weakening yourself.  Some teams are able to strengthen with subs.  It was right to sub Conway today, but I think today Conway’s 59 mins highlighted the gulf between him and Bell overall.  I’m not referring to today for Bell (not sure anyone would compare a 2 min display!!), but over the period he’s been out.  Conway is a star.  Bell has done ok…that’s a big difference.

That’s a good point re the bench. I can’t remember a more lightweight bench for us, even in seasons we’ve not been doing as well as this. Which makes it difficult when you’re starting with players like Conway that you know you’ll have to sub after an hour.

This in a season where we’ve seen at Ashton Gate maybe the most expensive bench ever assembled in club football when we played Man City. It feels and looks more than one league apart. 

[Davefevs]

47 minutes ago, spudski said:

I concur with your sentiments Dave...however...we can make as many excuses as we like, and point out Readings' game plan and pros...They've only got a point against Blackpool and lost a host of games beforehand, with arguably a stronger squad available. 

They are cannon fodder. We should have nailed them. Them and QPR are awful ATM. 

We aren’t that great either though (at the mo’).  We might be seen as cannon fodder by some too.  We are a shadow of the team that can contain Atkinson, Naismith, Scott that results in Pring having to play CB, plus Kalas too. 

37 minutes ago, Kingswood Robin said:

Agreed. Reading looking like a team with about 6 players making their debut. They were appalling and we should have smashed them out of site. No excuses for that, just not good enough.

Out of interest who were the 6 (ish) Reading players you thought looked / played as if they were making their debuts?

[Kolsch]

That was a really frustrating performance today against a poor Reading side.

Decision making and final ball in the Reading half was poor throughout. It showed today just how much we miss Scott and his ability to cut open defences and pick a killer pass.

[spudski]

Just now, Davefevs said:

We aren’t that great either though (at the mo’).  We might be seen as cannon fodder by some too.  We are a shadow of the team that can contain Atkinson, Naismith, Scott that results in Pring having to play CB, plus Kalas too. 

Out of interest who were the 6 (ish) Reading players you thought looked / played as if they were making their debuts?

Are we that much better at winning games..not performing...with all those in the team? 

Even with everyone fit...and available, and playing to their strengths...where are we? 

[Davefevs]

7 minutes ago, spudski said:

Are we that much better at winning games..not performing...with all those in the team? 

Even with everyone fit...and available, and playing to their strengths...where are we? 

If our best(ish) 11-14 were available every week, we’d be top half I reckon.  With some further depth we can be top 10, pushing.

We’ve had an 8 game and 13 game unbeaten run this season…coincided with having those players fit.  Of course that’s an over-simplification of it, but I also recognise you don’t get your best players playing every week, hence why I’ve always argued we aren’t anywhere near a top half “squad of first teamer”…if that makes sense.

I’m happy with the progress of players as individuals in the main.  Need to have that level in depth next season to really kick-on.

[Merrick's Marvels]

19 minutes ago, spudski said:

Are we that much better at winning games..not performing...with all those in the team? 

Even with everyone fit...and available, and playing to their strengths...where are we? 

Top half of the middle 8.

But Conway will get better, Pring will get better, Tanner will get better, pray god Atkinson will get better (pray god his knee does) Scott will get better (yes I know, I know), Sykes will get better, Mehmeti will get better, Bell will get better, Kane Wilson might turn out to be Carlos Alberto re-incarnated and Kalas will get fit or a centre half of Pearson's choosing will replace him, ie a gurt big un (what input has Pearson had on any of our defensive signings so far?? precious little, I think).

And if Scott leaves, there's money to spend.

Cheer up!

Edited April 1, 2023 by Merrick's Marvels

[spudski]

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If our best(ish) 11-14 were available every week, we’d be top half I reckon.  With some further depth we can be top 10, pushing.

We’ve had an 8 game and 13 game unbeaten run this season…coincided with having those players fit.  Of course that’s an over-simplification of it, but I also recognise you don’t get your best players playing every week, hence why I’ve always argued we aren’t anywhere near a top half “squad of first teamer”…if that makes sense.

I’m happy with the progress of players as individuals in the main.  Need to have that level in depth next season to really kick-on.

I agree on paper with your observations... however a lot of what we think, in reality, often goes below our expectations.

I often look at expectations and view that we often air on the side of positivity, when in reality, the results prove differently. 

As we stand I see us as just above relegation. With improvement...mid table. 

Our constant displays ' flatter to deceive ' regardless of personnel, injuries or formations. 

You've only got to look through pretty much every games post comments to see the same elements occurring...a common theme. 

4 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Top half of the middle 8.

But Conway will get better, Pring will get better, Tanner will get better, pray god Atkinson will get better (pray god his knee does) Scott will get better (yes I know, I know), Sykes will get better, Mehmeti will get better, Bell will get better, Kane Wilson might turn out to be Carlos Alberto re-incarnated and Kalas will get fit or a centre half of Pearson's choosing will replace him, ie a gurt big un (what input has Pearson had on any of our defensive signings so far?? precious little, I think).

And if Scott leaves, there's money to spend.

Cheer up!

I am cheerful...just a realist. 

C'mon mate there's a lot of hope in your post. Saying ' will get better' doesn't make it fact. 

We hope they do.