MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (h)

[Snowflake Royal]

Just an observation on the whole goalkeeper debate. We are unbeaten in 4, conceding only 3 in the process. In the preceding 3 games with pretty much the same defence, we conceded 9. I suspect the defence feel more confident with Nyland in goal.

Coming up against some very blunt teams and improved performance from midfield and defence is more likely the answer. Given the two in two we conceded were both keeper errors, one a howler as bad as any Southwood made.

Take slight issue with "blunt teams" seeing as all but Barnsley have scored more than us.

Bournemouth - 62 (2nd)
Blackburn - 51 (=9th)
Stoke - 50 (12th)
Reading - 47 (13th)

Stoke have scored more than I expected... looked very blunt to me. Weren’t Blackburn on a run of barely scoring any at the time?

[windermereROYAL]

Went to bed as soon as i get in last night but what a horrendous miss by the Stoke striker many thanks.
And I do wish 1871 would stop chanting we are staying up, it`s just tempting fate.

[Stranded]

Coming up against some very blunt teams and improved performance from midfield and defence is more likely the answer. Given the two in two we conceded were both keeper errors, one a howler as bad as any Southwood made.

Take slight issue with "blunt teams" seeing as all but Barnsley have scored more than us.

Bournemouth - 62 (2nd)
Blackburn - 51 (=9th)
Stoke - 50 (12th)
Reading - 47 (13th)

Stoke have scored more than I expected... looked very blunt to me. Weren’t Blackburn on a run of barely scoring any at the time?

Away from home yeah, they didn't score a goal between the 14th minute v Cardiff on 15th Jan and the 46th minute of the Coventry game on Saturday. A run of 752 minutes without a goal away from Ewood Park.

[leon]

Hoilett creating again. Looks really sharp. He's not as quick as Ince, but he seems to be stronger and better at the end product.

Good job Morro. Lovely.

Sorry for doubting you Jnr.

Hoilett the best of the summer signings for me. He will be unlucky if he is dropped on Saturday.

He was great yesterday. As was Drinkwater. And Yiadom.

[Zip]

Updated after last night.

Quick count up of results this season, hopefully counted correctly

Record when Ejaria has started

8 wins, 4 draws, 6 defeats. 25 points from 18 games - basically 1.6 points a game

Record when he hasn’t started

22 games, 15 points. 0.7 PPG. I’m sure it’s not a coincidence

And none of those hammerings came when he started either

A mate of mine came along to the game tonight. He thought the attitude of both Joao and Ejaria were very poor. He is not a Reading fan so was neutral.
I have to say that was the worst performance I have seen from Ovie. He was a liability at times and has zero confidence.

The only time I recall him taking on an opponent he took it too far and lost the ball. He also struggled at times to run down the flank and provide Swift with an option.

He can be a joy to watch but he just doesn’t seem at all happy these days.

[Zip]

Hoilett creating again. Looks really sharp. He's not as quick as Ince, but he seems to be stronger and better at the end product.

Good job Morro. Lovely.

Sorry for doubting you Jnr.

Hoilett the best of the summer signings for me. He will be unlucky if he is dropped on Saturday.

He was great yesterday. As was Drinkwater. And Yiadom.

They were the three stand outs. Hoilett is a clever player.

[leon]

Updated after last night.

Quick count up of results this season, hopefully counted correctly

Record when Ejaria has started

8 wins, 4 draws, 6 defeats. 25 points from 18 games - basically 1.6 points a game

Record when he hasn’t started

22 games, 15 points. 0.7 PPG. I’m sure it’s not a coincidence

And none of those hammerings came when he started either

A mate of mine came along to the game tonight. He thought the attitude of both Joao and Ejaria were very poor. He is not a Reading fan so was neutral.
I have to say that was the worst performance I have seen from Ovie. He was a liability at times and has zero confidence.

The only time I recall him taking on an opponent he took it too far and lost the ball. He also struggled at times to run down the flank and provide Swift with an option.

He can be a joy to watch but he just doesn’t seem at all happy these days.

One particular low point was being last man from a corner and then ending up pissing around until he needed Drinkwater to run back and make a last ditch rescue tackle, only then to try and beat 2 men, lose possession and put us in trouble again.

Calamitous play. He really needs to be coached to at least try and use his fcuking brain once in a while.

[leon]

Hoilett the best of the summer signings for me. He will be unlucky if he is dropped on Saturday.

He was great yesterday. As was Drinkwater. And Yiadom.

They were the three stand outs. Hoilett is a clever player.

Yiadom's crossing wasn't great but his lung busting run in injury time to basically take on half the Stoke team and use up about a minute was worth going to the game by itself. (well his and TDB's similar run made injury time)

[Hendo]

He was great yesterday. As was Drinkwater. And Yiadom.

They were the three stand outs. Hoilett is a clever player.

Yiadom's crossing wasn't great but his lung busting run in injury time to basically take on half the Stoke team and use up about a minute was worth going to the game by itself. (well his and TDB's similar run made injury time)

Made a couple of very decent tackles/interceptions as well. Thought it was Yiadom's best game for us for a while.

[Brum Royal]

Enjoyable little trip down last night. I've not been to many this season, but my last two games were Brum (h) and last night.

Yids is developing into a bit of cult hero I reckon. Solid defensively, lung busting runs to support the attack, a goal line clearance to retain the win v Brum. Yes his crossing may not be quite up to scratch, but if he's got someone like an in form Hoilett of last night in front of him then it doesn't need to be. But he's got all the attributes in a player that you want to see as a fan, someone who clearly cares and gives his all for the shirt.

Drinkwater last night was also excellent, controlled the midfield some great recovery tackles to bail out Ejaria, and some good distribution - ie the player we hoped we were getting when we signed him on loan, and not the lightweight player who couldn't play a pass we had for much of the earlier part of the season.

Hoilett was ace last night, and formed a very effective trio with Joao and Swift to terrorise his fullback. I'd never really rated him when I'd seen him at previous clubs, but he certainly looks a really trick player on the basis of the last few games, and one I hope we retain for next season.

Ejaria was definitely off his game last night, a few tricks early on which didn't come off, and the mishit for the cross when he was on his own in the box in the opening 10 minutes. Nasty looking tackle too. Good decision to take him off.

Thought Swift was lucky to get away with a kick out at the Stoke player on the floor second half too. Not many seemed to pick up on it, only saw EPR on Twitter mention it. Hopefully it won't be picked up in any post match investigation.

A really important win last night, and I think that's us the bulk of the way to safety now, a draw or better against Cardiff on Sat and that'll make this a really good week's work.

[Zip]

I reckon last night was our lowest gate of the season. I’m guessing circa 10,000. A very poor turnout from our support and Stoke’s too.

[windermereROYAL]

I reckon last night was our lowest gate of the season. I’m guessing circa 10,000. A very poor turnout from our support and Stoke’s too.

Yep I was surprised how few Stoke there were, normally have a large following when they come here.

[NathStPaul]

I reckon last night was our lowest gate of the season. I’m guessing circa 10,000. A very poor turnout from our support and Stoke’s too.

Club need to do far more to change this next season. One idea I had was for them to sell a midweek season ticket. It is a special one off low price that covers any midweek game, including cups and also allows the user to buy a half price ticket for a friend or family member. The club need to think about the bigger picture. Yes you are selling the seats for cheaper than you'd want to but you are recouping some of the lost revenue through increased food and drink sales. You are also creating an atmosphere which is certainly lacking in midweek.

It would also be a decent option for supporters who are maybe struggling financially.

[Hendo]

I reckon last night was our lowest gate of the season. I’m guessing circa 10,000. A very poor turnout from our support and Stoke’s too.

Yep I was surprised how few Stoke there were, normally have a large following when they come here.

Would imagine the rearranged date and the fact it is on a Tuesday night and the fact they haven't won away since January made their attendance on the low side.

[Brum Royal]

Just watching the highlights on the Sky Sports app, and Nyland's had a pretty good view of the shot, just didn't get a strong enough hand to push it over the bar. There's two views of the goals, one from the top of the west and another from the south looking down the pitch so you can see he's seen most of that shot most of the way. Probably also why Ince mentioned him in the post match saying "he's apologised and he should do".

[Zip]

I reckon last night was our lowest gate of the season. I’m guessing circa 10,000. A very poor turnout from our support and Stoke’s too.

Club need to do far more to change this next season. One idea I had was for them to sell a midweek season ticket. It is a special one off low price that covers any midweek game, including cups and also allows the user to buy a half price ticket for a friend or family member. The club need to think about the bigger picture. Yes you are selling the seats for cheaper than you'd want to but you are recouping some of the lost revenue through increased food and drink sales. You are also creating an atmosphere which is certainly lacking in midweek.

It would also be a decent option for supporters who are maybe struggling financially.

A midweek ST isn’t a bad idea but it can’t be too cheap otherwise STH’s will not see the benefit of paying over the full season.
The club need to do more of these £1 games for schools. They are doing it for the Cardiff game and the ED will be close to full.

[Zip]

Just watching the highlights on the Sky Sports app, and Nyland's had a pretty good view of the shot, just didn't get a strong enough hand to push it over the bar. There's two views of the goals, one from the top of the west and another from the south looking down the pitch so you can see he's seen most of that shot most of the way. Probably also why Ince mentioned him in the post match saying "he's apologised and he should do".

I was behind the goal in the ED and initially thought he had saved it. The ball was hit with power and swerved but he really should have kept it out.

[Millsy]

Does Hoilett stay in the side over Ince?

Probably will start Ince over Ovie after last night's performance. Ovie did do some good stuff and was at the centre of a lot of attacks, and even put in a good defensive shift, but so many cockups and wrong decisions, he is clearly not on his game atm so will probs get dropped.

Credit to Ince for getting the best out of Drinkwater who was just brilliant.

Yids always a flipping hero - love the guy.

[Weymouth Royal]

Does Hoilett stay in the side over Ince?.

He should stay in the side at the expense of Ejaria. He's a lazy luxury we can do without.

[Orion1871]

Updated after last night.

Quick count up of results this season, hopefully counted correctly

Record when Ejaria has started

8 wins, 4 draws, 6 defeats. 25 points from 18 games - basically 1.6 points a game

Record when he hasn’t started

22 games, 15 points. 0.7 PPG. I’m sure it’s not a coincidence

And none of those hammerings came when he started either

A mate of mine came along to the game tonight. He thought the attitude of both Joao and Ejaria were very poor. He is not a Reading fan so was neutral.
I have to say that was the worst performance I have seen from Ovie. He was a liability at times and has zero confidence.

The only time I recall him taking on an opponent he took it too far and lost the ball. He also struggled at times to run down the flank and provide Swift with an option.

He can be a joy to watch but he just doesn’t seem at all happy these days.

Apart from Fulham away he's been awful this season.

He's at a crossroads now with his career, really needs to kick on and deliver on the promise he had in previous seasons. Question is, does he have the desire to deliver on that promise?

Tbh I don't think he does.