by Hound » 21 Aug 2019 14:00
by SpaghettiHoop » 21 Aug 2019 14:14
by Hound » 21 Aug 2019 14:17
by Snowball » 21 Aug 2019 15:01
by WestYorksRoyal » 21 Aug 2019 15:19
Snowball I’m aware of the tiny data set (and said so) but it ISN’T all down to the Cardiff game.
Perhaps we amassed stats even though we lost against Wednesday, the team currently top of the league, and apart from the dumb start and a horrible keeper-error goal away at Hull, we played very well, had a few first-half chances and totally dominated the second half.
As I said, the Cardiff game taken alone puts us in a different class to WBA’s first four games.
And NO we can’t talk averages for RFC yet because the team has been transformed since the Chelsea/Peterborough games.
We finally have a big target man, a MUCH better, confident keeper, three VERY good CBS, two very decent wing backs who seem to relish the position, a CDM who has pedigree and seems to know what he’s doing, two excellent, play-making, extremely skilful midfielders in Ejaria (8.8 ) and Swift (an outrageous 9.1) who also did well defensively.
Then add in an 8 million “steal”, Puscas who scored 18 in 25 at under 23 level for his country and looks absolutely top notch at this level with three goals in two games.
That 3-0 (could’ve been 5-0) didn’t look remotely like a flash in the pan. It looked thought out, solid, confident, and, in the end, thoroughly deserved.
It’s like we played the reserves in games 1 and 2 and now we’ve put the first team out.
Virginia, Rhino, Barrett, Olise, Meite, Loader and Adam played in game 1
Virginia, Rhino, Meite, Adam played in game 2 where Pelé, Joao and Puscas were blooded and Morrison got a couple of minutes
In game 3 Rafael started, Morrison started, Ejaria started (and was amazing), Pele, Boyé, Puscas and João started.
That is SIX newer, better players than in game 1
So Game 4 compared to Game 1
A new system
Moore back to left
Miazga right
Morrison adding “calm”
Rafael
Morrison
Pelé
Ejaria
João
Puscas
That is SIX players added
So Meite, Loader, Baldock, Novakovich, Rhino, Barrett, Olise, Adam,
McIntyre, Blackett, Obita, Virginia,
Have all shifted to the bench
by Denver Royal » 21 Aug 2019 15:30
WestYorksRoyal 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.
by Hound » 21 Aug 2019 15:35
by Oilroyal » 21 Aug 2019 15:53
Hound Puscas is new to England, Ejaria has had one fairly good half season, Swift is an injury or loss of confidence away from being peripheral again, Meite is emotional and up and down in form, Miazga has played 20 odd games in England, Rafael has had one English league game etc...
by The Enfield Royal71 » 21 Aug 2019 15:56
by Hound » 21 Aug 2019 15:59
by NewCorkSeth » 21 Aug 2019 16:02
Hound https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/high-quality-what-reading-make-16792290
by Hound » 21 Aug 2019 16:11
StellaPlease Few Reading fans floating about up here already.
Suppose the STAR types will arrive about an hour before.
Place is as always a shit hole, but enjoying the best all day breakfast I think I've ever had. Lovely beer too.
HoundStellaPlease Few Reading fans floating about up here already.
Suppose the STAR types will arrive about an hour before.
Place is as always a shit hole, but enjoying the best all day breakfast I think I've ever had. Lovely beer too.
DD's on his way up. Sure he can provide you with some cracking company
by Snowball » 21 Aug 2019 16:23
Hound I like your optimism Snowball, but I really do want to see us perform like Cardiff for a few more games at least, before I start jumping in with how good the side is
We're still not particularly proven. Joao has never been first choice for long, Puscas is new to England, Ejaria has had one fairly good half season, Swift is an injury or loss of confidence away from being peripheral again, Meite is emotional and up and down in form, Miazga has played 20 odd games in England, Rafael has had one English league game etc...
there's still plenty that could go wrong
by skipper » 21 Aug 2019 16:33
WestYorksRoyalStellaPlease Without this stupid red button nonsense it would be more. It's really effecting midweek attendances.
Maybe I'm a fairweather fan, but midweek away games can be hard to balance with work and other commitments. It's great to be able to follow these games through other means. My decision to attend matches or not has only ever been based on time and money factors; I can't think of a single match where the availability to watch it on TV has affected me as, ultimately, watching on TV is nowhere near as good as the real thing.
by Hound » 21 Aug 2019 17:15
by Snowflake Royal » 21 Aug 2019 17:50
Hound Agreed. The ‘red button’ lets me watch 6 or 7 games I wouldn’t be able to get to watch otherwise so it gets a thumbs up from me
by Westwood52 » 21 Aug 2019 17:58
by Woodcote Royal » 21 Aug 2019 18:25
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
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