Federici debut

[Dirk Gently]

If Marcus was ever injured in a game, I'd have no worries about AF going out in his place.

Sure, he's a little rough about the edges when it comes to crosses and positioning, but that comes with experience, and his shot-stopping, distribution and kicking were top class. (Kicking better than Marcus, IMHO).

In about a year I think Marcus should start to worry - and I also think we can happily sell Stack - if he's worth anything to Leeds.

[papereyes]

I think Federici played well, he had a good debut............

He made a number of outstanding saves.........

However, he was at fault for both Burnley goals. He was indecisive and started coming out to narrow Akinbyi's angle for a shot before retreating to make it easy for Panicbuyi to lob him! Very indecisive there.

For the second goal, he came and flapped at the cross. Looked very unsure of himself, wasn't decisive again in coming for the ball and fumbled around allowing an easy goal for Burnley once more.

I feel bad giving the lad any sort of criticism because at the end of the day, we won the game. He made a number of outstanding stops. He otherwise looked accomplished and of course it was his first team debut.

Overall, well done Federici............ Good debut but there is room for improvement. You will have to be more decisive and more confident coming for crosses from corners if you are gonna jostle with Hahnemann. You can't afford to be letting in easy goals in the Prem son.

If I'd been in earlier, I would have posted the same. Some absolutely top saves, but, imo, communication/awareness let him down for their two goals. Certainly on the second, three Reading players went for the ball, no-one really got there and you're left with an open goal.

That said, the positives out-weigh the negatives in my opinion, as his weaker areas are things that are easily learnt and come with experience. Most keepers are good shot-stoppers, the good keepers are the ones who command their box and defence well.

[Hoop Blah]

I think Federici played well, he had a good debut............

He made a number of outstanding saves.........

However, he was at fault for both Burnley goals. He was indecisive and started coming out to narrow Akinbyi's angle for a shot before retreating to make it easy for Panicbuyi to lob him! Very indecisive there.

For the second goal, he came and flapped at the cross. Looked very unsure of himself, wasn't decisive again in coming for the ball and fumbled around allowing an easy goal for Burnley once more.

I feel bad giving the lad any sort of criticism because at the end of the day, we won the game. He made a number of outstanding stops. He otherwise looked accomplished and of course it was his first team debut.

Overall, well done Federici............ Good debut but there is room for improvement. You will have to be more decisive and more confident coming for crosses from corners if you are gonna jostle with Hahnemann. You can't afford to be letting in easy goals in the Prem son.

If I'd been in earlier, I would have posted the same. Some absolutely top saves, but, imo, communication/awareness let him down for their two goals. Certainly on the second, three Reading players went for the ball, no-one really got there and you're left with an open goal.

That said, the positives out-weigh the negatives in my opinion, as his weaker areas are things that are easily learnt and come with experience. Most keepers are good shot-stoppers, the good keepers are the ones who command their box and defence well.

...and make the fewest mistakes.

I still think the way forward is to try and bring in a keeper better than Marcus (admittedly not as easy and unlikely to happen before the summer) instead of trying to develop a youngster like Federici too quickly.

[Stranded]

It's his first ever competitive game in English football unless you include his time at Maidenhead so it's hardly surprising that he made a couple of errors.

I thought his overall game was very good and you have to remember that he was playing behind a defence that have had very little time together (if any) as a unit. I would like to see him play behind our usual back four.

[Hoop Blah]

It's his first ever competitive game in English football unless you include his time at Maidenhead so it's hardly surprising that he made a couple of errors.

I thought his overall game was very good and you have to remember that he was playing behind a defence that have had very little time together (if any) as a unit. I would like to see him play behind our usual back four.

Absolutely agree. I'm not sure a Premiership club should be gambling on such an inexperienced keeper providing backup to their first choice keeper though.

Keepers don't usually reach their peak until their late 20's, and I'd be worried if Marcus got injured or suspended and was due to miss any games, let alone a handful.

[weybridgewanderer]

Another observation about Federici was that he would either catch the ball or had a good strong hand that put the ball round the post (twice)

In similar circumstances marcus has been "spilling the ball" which we have conceded goals from

[Huntley & Palmer]

It's his first ever competitive game in English football unless you include his time at Maidenhead so it's hardly surprising that he made a couple of errors.

I thought his overall game was very good and you have to remember that he was playing behind a defence that have had very little time together (if any) as a unit. I would like to see him play behind our usual back four.

Absolutely agree. I'm not sure a Premiership club should be gambling on such an inexperienced keeper providing backup to their first choice keeper though.

Keepers don't usually reach their peak until their late 20's, and I'd be worried if Marcus got injured or suspended and was due to miss any games, let alone a handful.

Would you prefer Stack over Federici? Coppell doesn't think so from the looks of it. I'd like to see someone come in but only short term, perhaps an experienced keeper in his early 30's on a two year contract.

[MartinRdg]

It's his first ever competitive game in English football unless you include his time at Maidenhead so it's hardly surprising that he made a couple of errors.

I thought his overall game was very good and you have to remember that he was playing behind a defence that have had very little time together (if any) as a unit. I would like to see him play behind our usual back four.

And we only conceded the second after Ivar went off. Lack of leadership at the back to blame I think.

[papereyes]

Communication ... three players went for the ball, no-one really got it.

[tom_t69]

good performence made some top saves motm for me

[Stranded]

It's his first ever competitive game in English football unless you include his time at Maidenhead so it's hardly surprising that he made a couple of errors.

I thought his overall game was very good and you have to remember that he was playing behind a defence that have had very little time together (if any) as a unit. I would like to see him play behind our usual back four.

And we only conceded the second after Ivar went off. Lack of leadership at the back to blame I think.

Ivar was on the pitch when the first went in but Sodje was to blame there. That was a defender's ball and he let Akinbiyi go.

[Trigger]

I think criticising Fed for the first goal was harsh. Sodje made a total mess of it and allowed Akinbiyi to nip in. I would exect the keeper to have been coming out to receive the ball in that situation.

I was amazed how well he played actually, much better than Stacky in the cup(s) last season.

But re. getting in another keeper - it's normal practice to loan a keeper when you need one because it's not easy to have several top class keepers at a club unless you can pay them astronomical wages. I would imagine if Marcus got injured we'd get dispensation to loan a keeper from another prem club.

Having said that I wouldn't be too worried if Federici stepped in. I know it's only one game but I don't think he's a long way from competing for the first team.

[Denver Royal]

I don't think he's a long way from competing for the first team.

I think thats a key issue. Marcus has been shaky at times this season, and he's no spring chicken, and yet he's not really had anyone pushing him for his place.

[Royalee]

Thought he had a superb game apart from the second Burnley goal, which he took off Pearce's head. I don't see how anyone can blame him for the first goal as that was just plain atrocious defending by Sodje for first playing Akinbiyi onside and then completely letting him go.

Looked very good technically and his distribution was sharp, so it'll be interesting to see how he does against Newcastle or Birmingham in the next round.

[Hoop Blah]

Would you prefer Stack over Federici? Coppell doesn't think so from the looks of it. I'd like to see someone come in but only short term, perhaps an experienced keeper in his early 30's on a two year contract.

Nope, I don't rate Stack at all. He concedes far too many goals for my liking, and although they might not be totally his fault, he should just stop a greater number of them.

I wouldn't mind Ashdown coming back if he's still got it, but in an ideal world a keeper that will push Marcus to number 2 would be great.

Promising start for Federici, but I wouldn't be confident with him starting 'proper' first team games.

[rotherwick_royal]

I think Federici's performance alone justified Coppell's approach to the game, he must have learned a hell of a lot about his squad last night, postives and negatives. I thought the The Fed had a great game, MOTM imo. Too many people write off our squad players when they haven't even seen them play, and I'm amazed that there are still people writing him off after last night.

Federici kept us comfortably in front early on, we conceded goals when we were cruising and making changes at the end of the game. When Ivar went off the whole back four looked uncomfortable, like they need somebody to tell them what to do. I don't think he can be blamed directly for either of the goals.

Better than Stack, and the best saves I've seen all season. Marcus should be looking over his shoulder.

[Top Flight]

I think Federici's performance alone justified Coppell's approach to the game, he must have learned a hell of a lot about his squad last night, postives and negatives. I thought the The Fed had a great game, MOTM imo. Too many people write off our squad players when they haven't even seen them play, and I'm amazed that there are still people writing him off after last night.

Federici kept us comfortably in front early on, we conceded goals when we were cruising and making changes at the end of the game. When Ivar went off the whole back four looked uncomfortable, like they need somebody to tell them what to do. I don't think he can be blamed directly for either of the goals.

Better than Stack, and the best saves I've seen all season. Marcus should be looking over his shoulder.

No one is writing Federici off. I am certainly not writing him off. All I said was that he had a good debut and that there is room for improvement. You can't afford to concede soft goals in the Prem. We won't be 3-0 up in most Prem matches to be able to concede soft goals at this level so you cannot make mistakes.

I thought Fed was outstanding however he needs to become more confident and more decisive. I think those are qualities that he will develop with experience. I believe with more coaching and more first team opportunities hopefully in the Cup, Fed will gain the experience and gain the confidence and become more decisive.

So the signs are very encouraging and its very exciting. Federici could become a top keeper with the Royals. He is not ready now for Prem football but if he improves in a couple of areas he will be.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

This is the Marcus that flapped at Lampard's cross against Chelsea and was out of position for Solskjaer's goal at OT?

Quality examples, and a good comparison against Burnley

Promising 1st reflex save by the lad, made me think we could be onto one here. After all, he could have been picking the ball out of the net without touching it.

After that showed moments of class, but overall impression was that he has a long way to go, and, most importantly IMO, he is too small.

If Hahnemann got injured I wouldn't worry unduly about Federici taking over for a bit. I'd certainly prefer him to Stack.
As for being too short, he's apparently a whole 3cm shorter than Marcus.

People suggesting he was MOM are getting a bit carried away IMO. For me that went to Oster, the only player in contention for a 1st team place who actually raised his game on the night. He stood out as the class act on the pitch.

it's all about opinions. I thought Oster was well off the pace and passed poorly for most of the game.

[Forbury Lion]

Ideally we could have done with a veteran keeper who may be out of a club but able to do a job when called upon for the rest of the season, Say Shaka Hislop at the start of the season.

Marcus has been a virtual ever present since Phil Whitehead had a tantrum threw his gloves down when we cheered Marcus before one game, Ideally we need players who can challenge the first teamers and that includes Marcus.

Stack isn't up to it (Otherwise he'd have made more appearances) and Federici is inexperienced and could probably do with a month or two out on loan to a league side with the gaurantee of games.

[doylefan]

great debut for AF, couldnt really fault him and made some vital saves to keep Reading in front.

People are too easy to write our players off, but i think that AF wont be one of them, he is def a better number 2 than Stack and lets hope he can improve further