Wolves - back from the sofa

[teignmouth hoops]

Say what you want about akpan. Alright not his best game but no akpan second half left our fragile defence wide open to walk straight through the middle. You always need a ball winner in the middle of the park

Akpan isn't a ball-winner either though.

I'm not an Akpan fan particularly either but thought he did ok against a very strong physical side and we needed someone to do that job, Guthrie was slow and unfit and lucky to stay on the pitch, but he did improve as the half wore on

[Pepe the Horseman]

The reason people think Akpan is a defensive midfielder, is because he's tall, black, and rubbish at his actual job as an attacking midfielder.

[Mr Angry]

If yesterday proved one thing its that Guthrie and Norwood can't play in the side at the same time, and my money would be on Norwood being the first choice creative midfielder as I thought he was excellent.

I should be surprised at some of the over the top negativity on this thread, but frankly, I'm not; certain individuals have their own personal agenda's and so everything is seen through that prism. In my opinion, we played some very good football yesterday against a team that, far from being rubbish, will definitely be in the top 6 at the end of this season. Our passing was both confident and slick a lot of the time, and we are seeing what Adkins wants them to do and generally speaking, the team isn't a long way away from being a top 6 contender.

As with most other people, I was surprised at the half time change (although Akpan wasn't playing particularly well, what he did do he was doing effectively); seemed an odd thing to do when we were leading and in control of the game.

We looked a threat every time we went forward, which is a massive improvement on recent seasons, and a fully fit McCleary replacing Blackman in a front 3 with Cox and Murray will cause major problems for a lot of defence's.

As for OUR defence, its a bit simplistic and 1 dimensional for the usual suspects to simply state that they - and/or Adkins - are cr@p etc etc; they seemed to me to be perfectly comfortable (one great Wolves chance notwithstanding) in the 1st half, but taking Akpan off at h/t had a consequence that the back 4 were over exposed and made panicky errors as a result. Clearly, the defence will have to muddle through as best as it can until January, at which point our new Overlords will need to get the Baht's out for new defenders. If this happens (big if, but nevertheless....), together with key players returning from injury, means that we could see RFC challenging for a play off spot come the end of the season.

[Norfolk Royal]

Some good posts but a couple of observations.

I thought Gunter had an opportunity to tackle the Wolves player before he crossed it for the equaliser. He should have done this so bears most responsibility for the goal.

Has anyone actually worked out whether Pearce is left or right footed. I've seen him play countless times and still can't work that out. It is relevant as he left the cross in the hope that Obita was behind him and would clear it.

I say 'hope' because that isn't acceptable, he should have attempted to clear it himself. It was an opportunity on his right foot, which he spurned, so assuming he is left footed.

This is relevant as I ask whether it is acceptable to have a centre half who doesn't feel able to at least take a calculated risk on such an obviously dangerous cross.

It was a bad mistake by Adkins to take Akpan off at half time. He had given the ball away several times to much frustration but essentially we were very comfortable with the one-nil lead. There was no need for it and Guthrie looked out of condition. One of my Norwich mates actually texted me to say that Guthrie looked 'fat.' Bit of an exaggeration but the point is taken. That can't be acceptable.

Obita made a terrible howler for the second goal but apart from that was our best player behind Cox, who should not have been substituted.

In short, we killed ourselves in that game.

[TBM]

No, because I went to the match.

[No Fixed Abode]

The reason people think Akpan is a defensive midfielder, is because he's tall, black, and rubbish at his actual job as an attacking midfielder.

Have to say every time I've seen him play, he doesn't look up to standard for the Championship.

I was impress with Norwood. Definitely a decent passer/play maker with some technical ability, that Reading have been missing for ages.

[Wycombe Royal]

Akpan was key in keeping McDonald (the Wolves No. 11) fairly quiet in the first half. He plays like Norwood does for us and Akpan gave him very little time on the ball and thus nullified a lot of their possession and attacking threat. In the second half he had much more space and was able to use it to good effect as no-one was pressing him any more.

[Nameless]

The reason people think Akpan is a defensive midfielder, is because he's tall, black, and rubbish at his actual job as an attacking midfielder.

Have to say every time I've seen him play, he doesn't look up to standard for the Championship.

I was impress with Norwood. Definitely a decent passer/play maker with some technical ability, that Reading have been missing for ages.

You are right, apart from the fact that in Guthrie and Kuhl we've got two other decent passer/playmakers with good technical ability.
Guthrie doesn't deliver often enough because his temperament/attitude is questionable. Kuhl will be a better player than Norwood, you should go to a game and see a young English midfielder starting out on his career. Not something seen at Stamford Bridge in living memory....

[Jano]

I thought the defence was poor again, the goals we conceded were comical in the extreme and I guess Obita was due a bad game. I thought the game was passing by Akpan and I wasn't surprised when he came off at half time, he was just being passed around all the time and wasn't really getting involved, other than the one shot I think. I was surprised by Guthrie coming on as I thought any idjit would see that a Guthrie/Norwood partnership was never going to work without someone there to cover them and they were just overrun time and again - rank stupidity from Adkins for me. Also thought Guthrie was shown up by Kuhl once he came on, and as far as I am concerned the kid should be giving a prolonged run in the team, he is too good to be left on the bench.

One other thing, as I just saw that Murray is apparently winning the race for the man of the match award on Twitter, why exactly? Not convinced he would have scored without the deflection, I thought he was poor again and still don't see what he offers over Pog.

[TBM]

you should go to a game and see a young English midfielder starting out on his career. Not something seen at Stamford Bridge in living memory....

Apart from John Terry, you mean......

[Wycombe Royal]

you should go to a game and see a young English midfielder starting out on his career. Not something seen at Stamford Bridge in living memory....

Apart from John Terry, you mean......

If he had said defender, then you might have a point.

[floyd__streete]

Without question, up there with the one of the most cringing posts of all time. Armchair fans....shouldn't be allowed near the internet.

Well it seems more often than not responses on this thread tended to agree with me.

So go f*ck yourself.

[No Fixed Abode]

The reason people think Akpan is a defensive midfielder, is because he's tall, black, and rubbish at his actual job as an attacking midfielder.

Have to say every time I've seen him play, he doesn't look up to standard for the Championship.

I was impress with Norwood. Definitely a decent passer/play maker with some technical ability, that Reading have been missing for ages.

You are right, apart from the fact that in Guthrie and Kuhl we've got two other decent passer/playmakers with good technical ability.
Guthrie doesn't deliver often enough because his temperament/attitude is questionable. Kuhl will be a better player than Norwood, you should go to a game and see a young English midfielder starting out on his career. Not something seen at Stamford Bridge in living memory....

Yet only last Wednesday, Nathan Ake started in midfield for us v Bolton but I have to admire your typing skills at only a few days old. You've got a bright future.

[floyd__streete]

Individual errors can be sorted out

18 months of the same 'soft-as-sh*t' goals conceded suggests otherwise.

[Ian Royal]

If yesterday proved one thing its that Guthrie and Norwood can't play in the side at the same time, and my money would be on Norwood being the first choice creative midfielder as I thought he was excellent.

I should be surprised at some of the over the top negativity on this thread, but frankly, I'm not; certain individuals have their own personal agenda's and so everything is seen through that prism. In my opinion, we played some very good football yesterday against a team that, far from being rubbish, will definitely be in the top 6 at the end of this season. Our passing was both confident and slick a lot of the time, and we are seeing what Adkins wants them to do and generally speaking, the team isn't a long way away from being a top 6 contender.

As with most other people, I was surprised at the half time change (although Akpan wasn't playing particularly well, what he did do he was doing effectively); seemed an odd thing to do when we were leading and in control of the game.

We looked a threat every time we went forward, which is a massive improvement on recent seasons, and a fully fit McCleary replacing Blackman in a front 3 with Cox and Murray will cause major problems for a lot of defence's.

As for OUR defence, its a bit simplistic and 1 dimensional for the usual suspects to simply state that they - and/or Adkins - are cr@p etc etc; they seemed to me to be perfectly comfortable (one great Wolves chance notwithstanding) in the 1st half, but taking Akpan off at h/t had a consequence that the back 4 were over exposed and made panicky errors as a result. Clearly, the defence will have to muddle through as best as it can until January, at which point our new Overlords will need to get the Baht's out for new defenders. If this happens (big if, but nevertheless....), together with key players returning from injury, means that we could see RFC challenging for a play off spot come the end of the season.

I don't see how 45 minutes of football together, when one is returning from injury, proves anything about how well Norwood and Guthrie can play together.

[Zammo]

When playing alongside Norwood, Akpan is our most improved player. Doesn't mean he's turned into some footballing superstar, he's just been much better this season than anything he had previously served up.

[Royalwaster]

Has anyone actually worked out whether Pearce is left or right footed. I've seen him play countless times and still can't work that out. It is relevant as he left the cross in the hope that Obita was behind him and would clear it.

I say 'hope' because that isn't acceptable, he should have attempted to clear it himself. It was an opportunity on his right foot, which he spurned, so assuming he is left footed.

I think he left the ball as he was afraid otherwise he might score an own goal .... I can see his logic, but it was still pretty rubbish. If he had time to move aside so swiftly surely he should have been able to turn his body away from goal and avoid deflecting it into the goal ...

As regard Akpan - I actually agreed that he needed to be substituted at the time, as I thought Akpan had been particularly poor at holding up the ball; his problem really is his bad first touch and lack of vision, but I felt at the time that there was no-one really on the bench who could replace him, although I thought that maybe Guthrie would be able to do better. I think a fully fit and match-practiced Guthrie would have done so ... but as it was he was gash.

[Ian Royal]

Individual errors can be sorted out

18 months of the same 'soft-as-sh*t' goals conceded suggests otherwise.

Getting rid of Morrison will have an effect as Hector gets better. He already drops fewer clangers than the far more experienced Cardiff player.

Gunter is consistently the main defensive culprit now.

Of course a settled four in front of the defence will also help.

[sandman]

Has anyone actually worked out whether Pearce is left or right footed. I've seen him play countless times and still can't work that out. It is relevant as he left the cross in the hope that Obita was behind him and would clear it.

I say 'hope' because that isn't acceptable, he should have attempted to clear it himself. It was an opportunity on his right foot, which he spurned, so assuming he is left footed.

I think he left the ball as he was afraid otherwise he might score an own goal .... I can see his logic, but it was still pretty rubbish. If he had time to move aside so swiftly surely he should have been able to turn his body away from goal and avoid deflecting it into the goal ...

As regard Akpan - I actually agreed that he needed to be substituted at the time, as I thought Akpan had been particularly poor at holding up the ball; his problem really is his bad first touch and lack of vision, but I felt at the time that there was no-one really on the bench who could replace him, although I thought that maybe Guthrie would be able to do better. I think a fully fit and match-practiced Guthrie would have done so ... but as it was he was gash.

And how many times in the last two years have we heard that about Mr Guthrie only for him to, like yesterday, be "gash"?

[TBM]

you should go to a game and see a young English midfielder starting out on his career. Not something seen at Stamford Bridge in living memory....

Apart from John Terry, you mean......

If he had said defender, then you might have a point.

Oh yeah