MATCHWATCH : West Bromwich Albion (a) sponsored by as hard as it gets

[Snowball]

Swift needs to be on his game at set pieces tonight

Been banging on about it, but we've the height and power to cause major problems from free kicks and corners. WBA look a pretty small side to me except the CBs (I think Austin is the only other player 6ft or above). If the delivery is good, they'll have a major issue with Morrison, Joao, Puscas, Miazga and Moore

Average Height (cm) 181.9 - WBA
Average Height (cm) 185.8 - RFC

4cm, more than 1.5 inches

[Snowball]

Whoscored has WBA-Reading almost identical on most stats

[Oilroyal]

Whoscored has WBA-Reading almost identical on most stats

I saw that. It’s going to be a fascinating game to watch. Can’t help thinking that we have a different type of momentum going into this game, more so than Albion. I’m hoping this can give us the edge

[Denver Royal]

There is far too much optimism on here over one win against a truly terrible Cardiff. It’s making me uncomfortable. Think we’ll be back down to earth with a bump.

Yep, I hear ya. But win or lose, still looking forward to it. How we'll line up, how the new players will do again, etc. And so the anticipation and intrigue is a big part of it. Somebody said this week that if we lose, it will still be ok. I kinda agree, and I very rarely feel that way. Of course, if we perform well, then that will hold sway too.

[URZZZZ]

There is far too much optimism on here over one win against a truly terrible Cardiff. It’s making me uncomfortable. Think we’ll be back down to earth with a bump.

Yep, I hear ya. But win or lose, still looking forward to it. How we'll line up, how the new players will do again, etc. And so the anticipation and intrigue is a big part of it. Somebody said this week that if we lose, it will still be ok. I kinda agree, and I very rarely feel that way. Of course, if we perform well, then that will hold sway too.

Result against Cardiff was a huge one. Would have caused real unnecessary pressure on tonight IMO. 4 points until the international break and we’ll be looking solid I think. I wouldn’t say people would be happy with a defeat but there’s a lot less pressure on tonight now, it’s about the team gaining experience of playing with each other

Interestingly enough, Bilic took a while to get West Ham going when he first joined at home whereas they picked up a lot of points away from home at the start (including 3 points against Arsenal, Liverpool and City). Seems to be following a recurring theme at West Brom so far

[Snowflake Royal]

There is far too much optimism on here over one win against a truly terrible Cardiff. It’s making me uncomfortable. Think we’ll be back down to earth with a bump.

Am feeling this a little. We played very well and would have beaten anyone in the division on the day. But it was one game. Cardiff certainly aren't a truly terrible side - but they did play poorly (mainly due to how good we were though)

There were very positive signs, but our away record stinks, and I'm expecting a defeat tonight

+1. And you know it's just going to provoke an angry reaction if we have a poor performance or result.

[Snowball]

Whoscored has WBA-Reading almost identical on most stats

I saw that. It’s going to be a fascinating game to watch. Can’t help thinking that we have a different type of momentum going into this game, more so than Albion. I’m hoping this can give us the edge

On player ratings (not sure how good these are yet with so few games)
we come out significantly better

8.81 WBA DIANGANA
7.22 WBA BARTLEY
7.09 WBA FERGUSSON
7.06 WBA PHILLIPS
7.02 WBA EDWARDS
6.98 WBA KROVINOVICH
6.89 WBA AJAYI
6.86 WBA GIBBS
6.76 WBA LIVERMORE
6.69 WBA PEREIRA
6.55 WBA JOHNSTONE
6.46 WBA ZOHORE
6.29 WBA TOWNSEND
6.25 WBA HARPER

6.92 WBA Average
7.19 RFC Average

8.58 RDG Ejaria
8.55 RDG Cabral
7.84 RDG Swift
7.50 RDG Joao (avg)
7.39 RDG Puscas
7.18 RDG Miazga
6.87 RDG Morrison
6.84 RFC Richards
6.83 RFC Yiadom
6.81 RFC Barrett
6.76 RFC Moore
6.52 RFC Rhino
6.49 RFC Pele
6.48 RFC Meite

7.19 RFC Average

7.19 is 50/51st out of about 450 in the league
6.92 is 116th

As I say, no idea how good these stats are but that "on paper" is a significant difference

[Oilroyal]

Whoscored has WBA-Reading almost identical on most stats

I saw that. It’s going to be a fascinating game to watch. Can’t help thinking that we have a different type of momentum going into this game, more so than Albion. I’m hoping this can give us the edge

On player ratings (not sure how good these are yet with so few games)
we come out significantly better

8.81 WBA DIANGANA
7.22 WBA BARTLEY
7.09 WBA FERGUSSON
7.06 WBA PHILLIPS
7.02 WBA EDWARDS
6.98 WBA KROVINOVICH
6.89 WBA AJAYI
6.86 WBA GIBBS
6.76 WBA LIVERMORE
6.69 WBA PEREIRA
6.55 WBA JOHNSTONE
6.46 WBA ZOHORE
6.29 WBA TOWNSEND
6.25 WBA HARPER

6.92 WBA Average
7.19 RFC Average

8.58 RDG Ejaria
8.55 RDG Cabral
7.84 RDG Swift
7.50 RDG Joao (avg)
7.39 RDG Puscas
7.18 RDG Miazga
6.87 RDG Morrison
6.84 RFC Richards
6.83 RFC Yiadom
6.81 RFC Barrett
6.76 RFC Moore
6.52 RFC Rhino
6.49 RFC Pele
6.48 RFC Meite

7.19 RFC Average

7.19 is 50/51st out of about 450 in the league
6.92 is 116th

As I say, no idea how good these stats are but that "on paper" is a significant difference

Thanks Snowy. So on paper if the team applies itself we should see a result

[Snowball]

A different visual on player ratings is..

Reading 2 out of the top 3
Reading 5 out of the top 6
Reading 6 out of the top 8

but then 6 of the next 8 are WBA making it 8/16

Looks to me that WBA are "solid throughout" (well, eight players)
with one "star player" (only played 45 minutes, two goals)

Whereas, Reading have 5-6 players on top form, backed up
by 4-5 players who are OK.

Personally I think Morrison, Yiadom, Richards deserve higher scores
and based on Reading v Cardiff, so does Pele

Our lowest individual score v Cardiff was 6.9 (rising to 8.6 and 9.1)

WBA team average is 6.92

8.81 WBA DIANGANA
8.58 RDG Ejaria
8.55 RDG Cabral
7.84 RDG Swift..... (9.1 v Cardiff)
7.50 RDG Joao (avg)
7.39 RDG Puscas.... (8.5 v Cardiff)
7.22 WBA BARTLEY
7.18 RDG Miazga...(8.7 v Cardiff)
7.09 WBA FERGUSSON
7.06 WBA PHILLIPS
7.02 WBA EDWARDS
6.98 WBA KROVINOVICH
6.89 WBA AJAYI
6.87 RDG Morrison .....(7.7 v Cardiff)
6.86 WBA GIBBS
6.84 RFC Richards .... (7.2 v Cardiff)
6.83 RFC Yiadom .... (8.0 v Cardiff)
6.81 RFC Barrett
6.76 RFC Moore ...... (7.6 v Cardiff)
6.76 WBA LIVERMORE
6.69 WBA PEREIRA
6.55 WBA JOHNSTONE
6.52 RFC Rhino
6.49 RFC Pele -------------- (6.9 v Cardiff)
6.48 RFC Meite
6.46 WBA ZOHORE
6.45 RFC Adam
6.29 WBA TOWNSEND
6.25 WBA HARPER
6.22 RFC Virginia
6.18 RFC Boye

[Notts Royal]

I reckon (and I hope) Gomes will drop out either Swift or Ejaria for Rinomhota to be slightly more defensive tonight.

As long as Rino is used regularly enough throughout the season, I’m happy! Too much of a talent to not be utilised

[Snowball]

Thanks Snowy. So on paper if the team applies itself we should see a result

I definitely think WBA have to improve and we have drop slightly for us to lose
but football can be cruel and/or flukey. A cross that swings in, keeper makes a
couple of outrageous saves, a sending off, a key injury, general bad luck....

But I think 5-1 for us to win is a fab bet. We should not be more than 2-1

[Oilroyal]

There is far too much optimism on here over one win against a truly terrible Cardiff. It’s making me uncomfortable. Think we’ll be back down to earth with a bump.

Am feeling this a little. We played very well and would have beaten anyone in the division on the day. But it was one game. Cardiff certainly aren't a truly terrible side - but they did play poorly (mainly due to how good we were though)

There were very positive signs, but our away record stinks, and I'm expecting a defeat tonight

+1. And you know it's just going to provoke an angry reaction if we have a poor performance or result.

Surely, we all look at this team as work in progress and unless they go there with a half-arsed attitude then there's no need for anyone to moan. I'm hoping our loses this season will be down to the better team winning as opposed to we weren’t good enough to compete which has been the case these past few seasons... optimism bring it on

[Hendo]

Am feeling this a little. We played very well and would have beaten anyone in the division on the day. But it was one game. Cardiff certainly aren't a truly terrible side - but they did play poorly (mainly due to how good we were though)

There were very positive signs, but our away record stinks, and I'm expecting a defeat tonight

+1. And you know it's just going to provoke an angry reaction if we have a poor performance or result.

Surely, we all look at this team as work in progress and unless they go there with a half-arsed attitude then there's no need for anyone to moan.

You are aware of Reading fans, right?

[Snowball]

I reckon (and I hope) Gomes will drop out either Swift or Ejaria for Rinomhota to be slightly more defensive tonight.

As long as Rino is used regularly enough throughout the season, I’m happy! Too much of a talent to not be utilised

While I agree with your second sentence, I think Ejaria had a great defensive game v Cardiff
and swift/Ejaria ought to be mightily p!ssed to be dropped.

Almost invisible but-did-his-job Pele is the most obvious swap-out for
Rhino but we want and need a reliable DEFENSIVE midfielder. That
isn't quite how Rhino plays.

Injuries permitting I would start the team that walloped Cardiff

[Oilroyal]

+1. And you know it's just going to provoke an angry reaction if we have a poor performance or result.

Surely, we all look at this team as work in progress and unless they go there with a half-arsed attitude then there's no need for anyone to moan.

You are aware of Reading fans, right?

love/hate

[WestYorksRoyal]

How do those average ratings square with us losing 2 from 3? Obviously a few new players missed Sheff Wed and Hull, but not all. So those averages are basically derived from one great performance against Cardiff. How appropriate is it to extrapolate predictions off the back of that?

Don't get me wrong. I'm excited by this team and we were exceptional on Sunday. But it's a relatively young team who are learning to play together; I fully expect inconsistency and some bafflingly poor performances to go against games like Sunday.

I actually think we're more likely to bring our A game against a top team like WBA. Our WTF?! performance may come against Huddersfield or Charlton.

[Snowball]

I reckon (and I hope) Gomes will drop out either Swift or Ejaria for Rinomhota to be slightly more defensive tonight.

As long as Rino is used regularly enough throughout the season, I’m happy! Too much of a talent to not be utilised

Ejaria had equal-top number of tackles 4 (same as Richards)

Ejaria had top number of interceptions (3)

He made zero clearances, because he won the ball (at least those seven times)
and came away with it.

His pass accuracy was 84.2% second only to Swift who was Whoscored's M-o-M

[Hound]

Swift needs to be on his game at set pieces tonight

Been banging on about it, but we've the height and power to cause major problems from free kicks and corners. WBA look a pretty small side to me except the CBs (I think Austin is the only other player 6ft or above). If the delivery is good, they'll have a major issue with Morrison, Joao, Puscas, Miazga and Moore

Average Height (cm) 181.9 - WBA
Average Height (cm) 185.8 - RFC

4cm, more than 1.5 inches

There you go. They should employ me on tactics.

Thats pretty significant

[Snowball]

Swift needs to be on his game at set pieces tonight

Been banging on about it, but we've the height and power to cause major problems from free kicks and corners. WBA look a pretty small side to me except the CBs (I think Austin is the only other player 6ft or above). If the delivery is good, they'll have a major issue with Morrison, Joao, Puscas, Miazga and Moore

Average Height (cm) 181.9 - WBA
Average Height (cm) 185.8 - RFC

4cm, more than 1.5 inches

There you go. They should employ me on tactics.

Thats pretty significant

and, apparently WBA players can jump 4.1 cms more than RFC players...




cough

[Hound]

How do those average ratings square with us losing 2 from 3? Obviously a few new players missed Sheff Wed and Hull, but not all. So those averages are basically derived from one great performance against Cardiff. How appropriate is it to extrapolate predictions off the back of that?

Don't get me wrong. I'm excited by this team and we were exceptional on Sunday. But it's a relatively young team who are learning to play together; I fully expect inconsistency and some bafflingly poor performances to go against games like Sunday.

I actually think we're more likely to bring our A game against a top team like WBA. Our WTF?! performance may come against Huddersfield or Charlton.

agree. I did mention elsewhere our WhatsApp stats are skewed by a very strong performance against Cardiff