Is Sonko missed?

[alad]

5 games without him and 5 goals conceded.

Compare that to the previous 5 full games he played in and 8 goals were conceded.

Is he really that important? Or is he just over rated because he wins alot in the air and makes some blocks? He does the noticable things well but he's very poor at the less noticable things like marking and positioning.

The last 3 games have seen only 1 goal conceded, lets hope the good record defensive record continues.

I was shot down the other week for suggesting he might not be missed much, it seems I was once again spot on.

[Memories Of India]

Spot on indeed - good analysis and probing questions.

I'm going to miss this cutting edge thinking when you leave the forum.

[AthleticoSpizz]

The results speak volumes

Maybe we underestimate our back-up boys

or maybe we have met poor opposition


Seriously, whilst the loss of Sonks and the emplacement of his successors has hardly been seamless, the quality of the training and gelling at Arborfield must be something else.

[alad]

I think you have to take into account 2 of Sonkos last 5 games included Chelsea and United away, but only 1 goal was conceded at United yesterday so it evens itself up.

[Platypuss]

I think you have to take into account 2 of Sonkos last 5 games included Chelsea and United away, but only 1 goal was conceded at United yesterday so it evens itself up.

You don't think Man U's side was considerably stronger in December then?

[readingbedding]

We miss Sonko, but with everyone, if he comes back 100% he'll have work to do.

[Coppelled Streets]

Of course we miss him, he's one of the best centre backs in the league, but Bikey has been outstanding, as he needs to be in Sonko's absence!

[Stranded]

Yes he's missed but the beauty of our squad is having adequate replacements. Nobody, including Sonko, is irreplaceable at Reading and that is one of our strengths.

[AndyRFC]

I think you have to take into account 2 of Sonkos last 5 games included Chelsea and United away, but only 1 goal was conceded at United yesterday so it evens itself up.

You don't think Man U's side was considerably stronger in December then?

The scorers on that day, Solskjaer and Ronaldo, both played yesterday

[Stranded]

I think you have to take into account 2 of Sonkos last 5 games included Chelsea and United away, but only 1 goal was conceded at United yesterday so it evens itself up.

You don't think Man U's side was considerably stronger in December then?

The scorers on that day, Solskjaer and Ronaldo, both played yesterday

There's a politician's answer if ever there was one.

[Maguire]

He is missed, although his absence is mitigated by the inclusion of another large black man in his place. Had we replaced him with a white player I probably would have missed him a bit more.

[philM]

He is missed, although his absence is mitigated by the inclusion of another large black man in his place. Had we replaced him with a white player I probably would have missed him a bit more.

I felt we missed having a small black chap up front at Man U. Very confusing for the fans.

One does get used to a certain pattern.

[Nezhen]

Another ridiculous thread Alad, well done !!

I guess you need to get as many in as possible, before your self imposed exile? You won't be missed !!

[alad]

Another ridiculous thread Alad, well done !!

I guess you need to get as many in as possible, before your self imposed exile? You won't be missed !!

Is was a serious thread, the facts clearly show the defence is better without him. How's that ridiculous?

I've forgotten more about football today then you'll ever know in your lifetime m8.

[readingbedding]

Another ridiculous thread Alad, well done !!

I guess you need to get as many in as possible, before your self imposed exile? You won't be missed !!

Is was a serious thread, the facts clearly show the defence is better without him. How's that ridiculous?

I've forgotten more about football today then you'll ever know in your lifetime m8.

That wouldn't be hard.

[Platypuss]

I think you have to take into account 2 of Sonkos last 5 games included Chelsea and United away, but only 1 goal was conceded at United yesterday so it evens itself up.

How? They created 3 simple chances that were all missed. I'd say poor finishing was the reason for the draw.

[alad]

I think you have to take into account 2 of Sonkos last 5 games included Chelsea and United away, but only 1 goal was conceded at United yesterday so it evens itself up.

How? They created 3 simple chances that were all missed. I'd say poor finishing was the reason for the draw.

It was, but the defence still handled the threat posed by Ronaldo, Park, Saha and Solskjaer very well.

[Big Ern]

He is missed, although his absence is mitigated by the inclusion of another large black man in his place. Had we replaced him with a white player I probably would have missed him a bit more.

Once you've had black, you never going back

[Millsy]

Good question I think Alad. Not unreasonable.

My hunch (that's all it is) is that Sonko would be better given the teams played.

And I just happen not to be a fan of Bikey personally: always makes me nervous.

But then with Coppell's miracle team it is extremely difficult to tell. Whenever one player goes out he brings in someone else who pretty much does the same job

[seahawk10]

I think it's a matter of small sample size. Five games won't tell you much. And football is about the entire team, which I think has stepped up quite a bit since Sonko went down.