Huge 3 points in a largely poor performance. Given Reading's home form (won 4 drawn 2 in the last 6) I expected more but they only really threatened first half on the counter/from our mistakes. We were slightly better first half but it was Ndiaye who kept trying to manufacture something himself. We didn't create much and the game was really scrappy. We were the better side in the second but there were inly short periods when we looked like a flowing unit. We stood off too much and let them put balls in. Grinded it out in the end but a pretty poor spectacle.
Once again we looked vulnerable to the counter. Bogle playing as a winger and Bash jogging forward left huge gaps with Norwood having to cover. A better team punishes us two on two. We really need to sort that out. Anel does it but he has more chance of actually getting back. It's kamikaze and we are poor at retaining the ball going forward so get exposed. Lots of players need to make much better decisions on the ball.
We looked most dangerous when we made runs down the side of the defence, but it didn't happen anywhere near often enough. In the end we deserved the win and more likely of the two to score again, but we hardly tested their keeper and it wasn't until later on that we looked coherent going forward.
but 3 very important points but looks like we might have lost Ndiaye and McAtee for a few games.
Wes - 6.5 - Solid really. Tipped one over and made a routine save. Kicking mixed but marshalled his box once. For all their high balls they had few for him to deal with.
Lowe - 6 - Better from him. Put one really good first time cross in for Sharp but hardly got forward. Got closer to his man defensively and wasn't the worst defender on the pitch.
Robinson - 6 - Dithered a couple of times on the ball, one in his own box, and nearly got punished for it. Stuck at his task though.
Egan - 5.5 - Struggled with Carroll all night and made a few missed passes under no pressure. Had a free volley he should have done better with.
Basham - 4.5 - I was watching him first half and he was passing the ball off then wander upfront. I have no idea what that is about but their best two attacks came from it. Really needs to be more intelligent with when he goes forward, especially when Bogle is pushed so far up. Better in the second and put his head on a few things late on.
Bogle - 5.5 As above really. Played so high up first half and did very little when he actually got on the ball. Defensively suspect and left huge gaps first half. Better in the second and put a clever ball down the side for the goal.
McAtee - 5 - He made a number of bursts forward, which we needed, but the end product was lacking. He didn't do nearly enough on or off the ball.
Norwood - 5.5 - He was poor on the ball first half and got caught dawdling a couple of times. Got better as the game went on but not really influential. Did a lot more defensive work and he was almost playing on the right side of the defence first half covering gaps.
Berge - 5.5 - I was watching him closely and he really doesn't seem to want to be the near the ball out of possession. He looks for a way to be somewhere else. Far too much jogging but he did get better as the game went on. Actually put a few challenges in.
Ndiaye - 7 - He looked a bit more like himself but had to do most of the work himself as well. Found himself heavily marked most of the time but almost got through with quick feet. Good front post run and finish for the goal. It looks like he might be out for a few weeks which will be a huge loss.
McBurnie - 6 - Poor first half. Seemed to be running on sand and the ball just kept bouncing off him. Put a couple of late tackles in which he was lucky to get away with. Much better second half. He seemed to have a lease of life. great run and cross for the goal and caused them a few problems.
Subs:
Baldock - 6 - Secured us up a bit defensively. Didn't get forward much but showed good energy
Sharp - 6 - McBurnie and Sharp aren't exactly an ideal striking partner but did ok tonight. He had one good chance from a Lowe first time cross and offered an outlet upfront.
Fleck - 5.5 - not on for long but we looked a bit more secure with defensively with him on.
Hecky - 6 - A big win but a poor performance. We lacked composure and ideas first half. Better after the break but I'd say it was only just about enough to win. If we lose Ndiaye and McAtee that will be a big blow.
Reading - Dad's army with a number of players well past their sell-by date. You can see why Boro hammered them and without their home form they'd be in the relegation mix. One of the worst teams I've seen in this league. We weren't good but they were awful. Best player is a laugh. I guess Carroll still looked dangerous and put in a surprisingly nice cross.
