BFTMFG - Sunderland (H)

[Ian Royal]

I know Sunderland had a few shots well saved by Federici - or mishit - as well, but I was impressed by how threatening we looked in general, compared to the Chelsea game where we barely got near their box apart from our goals. Pog's header well saved, Mariappa's header saved onto the bar, McAnuff nearly breaking through and Kebe putting the loose ball into the net after the whistle blown. I'm sure that wasn't all of them either.

[If you still hate Futcher]

For the first time this season it looked like we could compete, too often this season we've just stood off teams and waited for them to score. The midfield looks much better without Karacan and Guthrie, Akpan looks like he'll be quite a star and Jobi suits playing the Giggs role to support the wingers or help the attack.

Having Jobi in there doesn't just allow him to support Pog, it releases the wingers to do it too as he can fill in on either side, meaning Pog doesn't have to hold off the entire back 4 until the cavalry arrives.

Yesterday I was worried that , as we were so much on top in the first 25 minutes, we'd only managed to score 1 goal and it had the hall marks of the games earlier in the season, where we'd get into a winning position and not be able to see it out - not helped by a referee who had a tendency to sway toward Sunlun with his decision making.

[BenReadingFC]

Jimmy's Winning Goal

Great stuff, love it! Thanks Ben.

Agree thanks Ben

This sort of stuff is really appreciated by those who can't make some games.

I'm glad that you liked it, I just try to give a supporters perspective of the goals rather that the boring generic Match of the Day type view. I await to be stomped on by RFC,The FA and the Premier league.

[JC]

Sour grapes from Sunderland.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... ejski.html

In-form Reading were accused of being an aggressive, long-ball team after defeating Sunderland. That spiky verdict came from the visitors’ goalscorer, Craig Gardner.
Sunderland defender Craig Gardner criticises Reading's aggressive long-ball game
Something has clearly changed at Reading . At Christmas, they were bottom with a pitiful nine points from 18 games. Since then, they have hauled themselves out of the relegation zone by adding 14 points from seven matches.

Gardner, however, was scathing about how this latest victory was achieved after Jimmy Kebe headed in a late winner from an Ian Harte free-kick. “It was just a game they tried to turn into a fight,” the Sunderland defender said. “It wasn’t football; it was a fight.”

He added: “They were just hoofing everything – from the goalkeeper, from free-kicks. The whole time, everything was going into the box. We defended it brilliantly until the last 10 minutes. To concede d concede a goal like that, just deflates you.”

Coincidentally for Reading, their next game is against Stoke City, the masters of the physical game, and defender Alex Pearce is in no doubt they are ready for the battle. “It won’t be one for the faint-hearted,” Pearce said. “The form we are in, we can take on anyone.”

In the Stoke mould, Reading used set-pieces to cause danger here. While Stoke had Rory Delap’s throw-ins, Reading have free-kicks from Harte, who is reviving memories of his role at Leeds a decade ago.
“If you had a player with a left foot like Ian Harte and a right foot like David Beckham, that would be some player,”

Reading manager Brian McDermott said: “Ian’s a couple of years younger than Becks and showing no signs of not being able to play here still.”

Sunderland looked on course for a draw, courtesy of Gardner’s penalty, until Titus Bramble gave away the foul that allowed Harte to whip in the free-kick for Kebe to nod in.

[Royal91]

Sour grapes from Sunderland.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... ejski.html

In-form Reading were accused of being an aggressive, long-ball team after defeating Sunderland. That spiky verdict came from the visitors’ goalscorer, Craig Gardner.
Sunderland defender Craig Gardner criticises Reading's aggressive long-ball game
Something has clearly changed at Reading . At Christmas, they were bottom with a pitiful nine points from 18 games. Since then, they have hauled themselves out of the relegation zone by adding 14 points from seven matches.

Gardner, however, was scathing about how this latest victory was achieved after Jimmy Kebe headed in a late winner from an Ian Harte free-kick. “It was just a game they tried to turn into a fight,” the Sunderland defender said. “It wasn’t football; it was a fight.”

He added: “They were just hoofing everything – from the goalkeeper, from free-kicks. The whole time, everything was going into the box. We defended it brilliantly until the last 10 minutes. To concede d concede a goal like that, just deflates you.”

Coincidentally for Reading, their next game is against Stoke City, the masters of the physical game, and defender Alex Pearce is in no doubt they are ready for the battle. “It won’t be one for the faint-hearted,” Pearce said. “The form we are in, we can take on anyone.”

In the Stoke mould, Reading used set-pieces to cause danger here. While Stoke had Rory Delap’s throw-ins, Reading have free-kicks from Harte, who is reviving memories of his role at Leeds a decade ago.
“If you had a player with a left foot like Ian Harte and a right foot like David Beckham, that would be some player,”

Reading manager Brian McDermott said: “Ian’s a couple of years younger than Becks and showing no signs of not being able to play here still.”

Sunderland looked on course for a draw, courtesy of Gardner’s penalty, until Titus Bramble gave away the foul that allowed Harte to whip in the free-kick for Kebe to nod in.

long ball??

Well actually Gardner if you look at the stats

Reading- 14.4% of our passes were 'LONG BALL'
Sunderland'-17.7% of their passes were LONG BALL

Sunderland produced more fouls and more bookings!

What a dickhead.

SSN

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

long ball??

Well actually Gardner if you look at the stats

Reading- 14.4% of our passes were 'LONG BALL'
Sunderland'-17.7% of their passes were LONG BALL

Sunderland produced more fouls and more bookings!

What a dickhead.

SSN

+ 1

A player spouting his mouth of without knowing the facts to back it up.

That said I would not mind Gardiner at Reading!!

[The bitter biscuit]

Like many others I was delighted with the performance Saturday, i don't think i have felt so sure we were going to win all season.. I think at times we looked a little too comfortable in fact and the sloppy passing almost managed to land us in trouble. I couldn't single any player out for criticism, everyone contributed..

Bring on Stoke, happily take a point and then enjoy stuffing United in the cup (maybe i am getting a little too optimistic)

[Ouroboros]

long ball??

Well actually Gardner if you look at the stats

Reading- 14.4% of our passes were 'LONG BALL'
Sunderland'-17.7% of their passes were LONG BALL

Sunderland produced more fouls and more bookings!

What a dickhead.

SSN

+ 1

A player spouting his mouth of without knowing the facts to back it up.

That said I would not mind Gardiner at Reading!!

There have been times this season that accusation would have been fair, but on saturday we definitely kept the ball. A bit strange to complain that we have good delivery at set-pieces as well. Quite apart from the fact that Harte hit the first man most of the time on sat, is being good at set-pieces supposed to be a bad thing?

[Victor Meldrew]

Sour grapes from Sunderland.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... ejski.html

In-form Reading were accused of being an aggressive, long-ball team after defeating Sunderland. That spiky verdict came from the visitors’ goalscorer, Craig Gardner.
Sunderland defender Craig Gardner criticises Reading's aggressive long-ball game
Something has clearly changed at Reading . At Christmas, they were bottom with a pitiful nine points from 18 games. Since then, they have hauled themselves out of the relegation zone by adding 14 points from seven matches.

Gardner, however, was scathing about how this latest victory was achieved after Jimmy Kebe headed in a late winner from an Ian Harte free-kick. “It was just a game they tried to turn into a fight,” the Sunderland defender said. “It wasn’t football; it was a fight.”

He added: “They were just hoofing everything – from the goalkeeper, from free-kicks. The whole time, everything was going into the box. We defended it brilliantly until the last 10 minutes. To concede d concede a goal like that, just deflates you.”

Coincidentally for Reading, their next game is against Stoke City, the masters of the physical game, and defender Alex Pearce is in no doubt they are ready for the battle. “It won’t be one for the faint-hearted,” Pearce said. “The form we are in, we can take on anyone.”

In the Stoke mould, Reading used set-pieces to cause danger here. While Stoke had Rory Delap’s throw-ins, Reading have free-kicks from Harte, who is reviving memories of his role at Leeds a decade ago.
“If you had a player with a left foot like Ian Harte and a right foot like David Beckham, that would be some player,”

Reading manager Brian McDermott said: “Ian’s a couple of years younger than Becks and showing no signs of not being able to play here still.”

Sunderland looked on course for a draw, courtesy of Gardner’s penalty, until Titus Bramble gave away the foul that allowed Harte to whip in the free-kick for Kebe to nod in.

Definitely sour grapes.
They play the same long-ball game as us and Stoke-try watching yourselves on TV Craig IMHO yours is the most boring team around.

[Jano]

Alot of the people around me still bash Pog, went on alot on Saturday until I highlighted the difference between when he was on the pitch, and after he got subbed and Blackman (who clearly is not a target man and can't hold up the ball anywhere near as well as Pog) came on. The ball was constantly being lost and coming straight back to us after the Pog went off, he may not be scoring too many at the moment, but the team is massively improved when he is on the pitch.

Other notes, didn't think Harte had a good game, was caught out of position on a few occasions and his lack of mobility was highlighted by Sessegnon, fortunately Sunderland weren't able to capitalise on it. Mariappa looks a top class premiership defender now, I especially love the way he is happy to break out of defence with the ball, reminds me hugely of a young Rio Ferdinand. Kebe, despite his goals frustrated the hell out of me - looked disinterested and wasn't willing to take his man on. Akpan, minus the hoofs from defence which went nowhere and invited pressure back on to us, looked very very good, his passing in particular was superb. Leigertwood still scares the hell out of me whenever he attempts anything more than a 5 yard pass, but will admit he had one of his better games today.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

Just one thought ... that McDermott made a potential mistake/took a big gamble by switching to 4-4-2 and bringing on ALF after 65 minutes. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, even playing 4-5-1 we were well on top, and Sunderland were nowhere with virtually no possession.

Then we went 4-4-2 and allowed Sunderland lots more possession through the middle - this, coupled with Graham coming on, meant it could easily have gone either way.

Yes, Kebe rescued us close to the end, so BMc got away with the gamble - but it was a damn close run thing I'm convinced that if we'd stayed 4-5-1 we'd still have scored long before the end and we'd not have allowed Sunderland to get the chances they did have.

[Snowball]

Just a thought but maybe Kebe is being asked to be more conservative for the first hour?

[melonhead]

the most comfortable ive been in a prem game this season. just thought we would win all the way through it.

fed 8
kelly 7
pearce 7
marriappa 8
harte 7
kebe 9
jobi 7
ledge 7
mcleary 8
pog 7

[melonhead]

Just a thought but maybe Kebe is being asked to be more conservative for the first hour?

think its clear that his reluctance to go past his man is a direct result of coaching, wanting us instead to keep the ball and bring in other players, and not wanting us left exposed if he loses the ball.

[72 bus]

the most comfortable ive been in a prem game this season. just thought we would win all the way through it.

fed 8
kelly 7
pearce 7
marriappa 8
harte 7
kebe 9
jobi 7
ledge 7
mcleary 8
pog 7

Akpan not worthy of a rating ?

[melonhead]

erm.......yeah, was good 7

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Just one thought ... that McDermott made a potential mistake/took a big gamble by switching to 4-4-2 and bringing on ALF after 65 minutes. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, even playing 4-5-1 we were well on top, and Sunderland were nowhere with virtually no possession.

Then we went 4-4-2 and allowed Sunderland lots more possession through the middle - this, coupled with Graham coming on, meant it could easily have gone either way.

Yes, Kebe rescued us close to the end, so BMc got away with the gamble - but it was a damn close run thing I'm convinced that if we'd stayed 4-5-1 we'd still have scored long before the end and we'd not have allowed Sunderland to get the chances they did have.

I do remember thinking that in the game myself. But whilst we were more comfortable at 451, I dont agree that we would have won it anyway, we did not look like scoring. At 442 we scored and hit the bar, they had a couple of great chances as well. I guess that was our usual game plan in a nut shell. We risked losing it to win, and did win. Next week it might cost us a point, and you no what the reaction on here will be!

[Esteban]

Just one thought ... that McDermott made a potential mistake/took a big gamble by switching to 4-4-2 and bringing on ALF after 65 minutes. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, even playing 4-5-1 we were well on top, and Sunderland were nowhere with virtually no possession.

Then we went 4-4-2 and allowed Sunderland lots more possession through the middle - this, coupled with Graham coming on, meant it could easily have gone either way.

Yes, Kebe rescued us close to the end, so BMc got away with the gamble - but it was a damn close run thing I'm convinced that if we'd stayed 4-5-1 we'd still have scored long before the end and we'd not have allowed Sunderland to get the chances they did have.

This is where McDermott has got a problem. He's leaving Le Fondre out of the starting line-up, despite Le Fondre doing everything that's asked of him and more. Brian has been placating him by giving him 30 minutes at the end of the game to do something, but that can't go on forever. ALF will want to be starting games and the only reason we can give him is "It's not your fault, our midfield isn't strong enough to compliment you from the start."

Brian's man management skills will be tested to the limit on this one. FWIW though, I think if he'd left the Pog on, we'd have been more solid, but he worked so hard for 60 odd minutes, I'm not surprised he was tired. Pog was brilliant on Saturday.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Still a bit worried that we look so vulnerable in a 4-4-2 but can't create shit in a 4-5-1.

Seems that we try and wear people out with 4-5-1 and then do 'em with the 4-4-2 with a quarter of the game to go - nothing wrong with this, but it'd be nice not to feel like vomiting by the end of a match.

[Cypry]

Still a bit worried that we look so vulnerable in a 4-4-2 but can't create shit in a 4-5-1.

Seems that we try and wear people out with 4-5-1 and then do 'em with the 4-4-2 with a quarter of the game to go - nothing wrong with this, but it'd be nice not to feel like vomiting by the end of a match.

Have to disagree there - I thought we were much better going forward in a 4-5-1 with Jobi playing in the middle on Saturday. Kebe's goal, Pogs headed attempt and Jobi's stumble/finish by Kebe/free kick to Sunderland were all first-half, 4-5-1 efforts...we could easily have been 3-1 up at half time...