One8Seven1 Overall a terrible performance from Reading. First half we mostly passed along the back four, occasionally seeing Karacan and Williams pick up possession before deciding nothing was on, then giving the ball back to the back four, who then looked to Karacan and Williams, who the decided nothing was on, and passed it back to the back four, who...
We had a couple of chances, and all seemed to come through Drenthe cutting in from the right. He's only one in our first-team who seems capable of causing sides any problems!
Second half Obita was the star man. He has pace, tricky feet, and a good cross on him. Oman may not exactly be a top international side, but they played some good stuff today and would more than match a top half Championship side on that performance, and Obita beat two and three men on more than a couple of occasions, and caused them plenty of problems. On that performance he deserves a place on the bench, and should certainly be ahead of Jobi, and Blackman also if you were to put him out wide.
Having mentioned Blackman, he was his usual hapless self second half. His first touch is shocking, he doesn't seem to do anything right, nor does he appear to boast any strong traits. He doesn't run into space, nor does he create any, or read the game. In possession he looks confident, rather than panics, but is just awful with it. Pogrebnyak did naff all better it has to be said, but at least he has some strengths - if we play to them; whereas Blackman doesn't, currently. Uqwu when he came on did more than both strikers put together. One decent effort on goal that he was unlucky not to have scored, and held the ball up very well. A few nerves, but solid and a monster of a frame.
Aaron Tshibola also did well second half. He did as well as Karacan had to be fair to him. Always wanting the ball, pushed forward as well and some decent passes.
Bringing Tshiboa, Obita and Ugwu on, suddenly we had movement in the middle of the park, something we clearly lacked in the first-half, and every other week. These kids are raw, but Obita most certainly could come in and would slot in well. Tshibola and Ugwu could also do a job if called upon. They might not take us forward yet, but they wouldn't take us backwards! Aquably, Obita may take us forward on the left. His willingness to take his man on and get that ball in the box is something we are missing.
The first-team should be very disappointed, the youngsters should be very proud of their contributions tonight.
Nah. The first team kept their shape throughout. What game were you at again?
My aspect of the game:- The first half, we had a good shape, there was flowing football but lack of attempts on goal. I can see what Adkins is trying to do. Griffin was told off by Pearce a couple of times for not passing back to him. When we pass back to our two centre halves, Karacan is there to take the ball and dictate play. Guthrie played some great football, good awareness and passing, Karacan passed well too. Le Fondre had lack of chances, Pog worked well and tried a couple of things that didn't work out. Drenthe was quiet, Williams had a good game, Kelly done ok.
Some silly jeers from the crowd when Griffin passed the ball forward, now if they had of been watching properly, they would of seen or heard Pearce constantly telling him to pass back. He was doing what he was told to do by a senior player. He held his position well but failed to win a header which eventually led to their first.
The goal was a silly one to conceed, Oman are very organised but lacked possession.
Second half, we pressed forward more, they sat back more. The subs that came on done ok, I felt Obita had a good spell in the game. We seemed to have lost our shape in this half. There were far more chances at goal from us this half, 10-12 at most.
Overall, I can see what Adkins is trying to do and there was so much positivity about our game, far greater than anything negative. With a few more tweeks here and there, we will get there. Oman were a good organised side. There was nothing to be ashamed of today.The game was competitive and if we had of taken our chances better, we would of won.
Give this team a chance.
