Blackpool - back from the game

[floyd__streete]

That was good. McLeary absolutely unplayable, luckily for us he is too inconsistent to be in the frame for a move. Everyone played well and we played some good, high tempo stuff. Probably the best we've played for a couple of years tbh, definitely better than the Bolton game.

The only negative - those of you on the buses back, can't you open the sodding windows you helms? Absolute sweatbox, breathing in your wretched germs.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Pog & Alfie are really starting to link well now. We must keep 4-4-2 now I feel. Alfie really has sorted himself out & given himself a kick up the ass I have to say.

Obviously he always had the goals but the all round play is so much better. Agree on GMac - he was my MOTM tonight.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Pogo/Alf, Jobi/Jordan & Danny/Hope all firing as strong partnerships.

(The right and CB is pretty good too)

Makes such a difference seeing us hunt in packs agin

[3points]

Really think having the extra pace in Obita and Akpan is making a big difference defensively to the team. With Gunter and Obita, we must have the two quickest full backs in the Championship.

Williams and Akpan picked up so many loose balls again today, something we weren't doing in our poor run over Christmas.

Gunter looked pretty pissed off on a few occasions having bust a gut to overlap and then for McCleary to cut inside and lost the ball. I actually thought McCleary had a pretty average game.

ALF's link up play continues to improve - liked the way he played in McCleary on a couple of occasions and his through ball to Pog for his goal was quite exquisite.

And why didn't McAnuff square the ball to ALF early in the second half rather than shoot!!!

[TheLawnMowerMan]

Blackpool worse than Bolton?

Both shocking.
No cause to get too carried away.

[Esteban]

Blackpool worse than Bolton?

Both shocking.
No cause to get too carried away.

They were poor, but earlier in the season, we'd have struggled to put them away. There are signs of progress, albeit slow and inconsistent.

[TheLawnMowerMan]

They were poor, but earlier in the season, we'd have struggled to put them away. There are signs of progress, albeit slow and inconsistent.

Agreed.
No need to get carried away yet, but certainly signs of improvement.

[3points]

Thought Blackpool were better than Bolton, Charlton and Birmingham (and probably Millwall as well). They played some OK stuff in the first half, but never really threatened from open play. Cracking goal by their No 9 though. Goal of the season so far at the Mad Stad.

[bcubed]

Really think having the extra pace in Obita and Akpan is making a big difference defensively to the team. With Gunter and Obita, we must have the two quickest full backs in the Championship.

Williams and Akpan picked up so many loose balls again today, something we weren't doing in our poor run over Christmas.

Gunter looked pretty pissed off on a few occasions having bust a gut to overlap and then for McCleary to cut inside and lost the ball. I actually thought McCleary had a pretty average game.

ALF's link up play continues to improve - liked the way he played in McCleary on a couple of occasions and his through ball to Pog for his goal was quite exquisite.

And why didn't McAnuff square the ball to ALF early in the second half rather than shoot!!!

Good post agree with all this

[marlowuk]

A very entertaining game to which Blackpool contributed. We started the Bolton game with the meaningless passes between the back four and goalie before gaining the confidence to attack at pace and play the ball to feet. This game we started with that confidence! Fielding the same line-up for the fourth game running must help as the players are starting to gell and form partnerships.

JoJo (Jobi and Jordan) is working really well. Jobi in particular seems to be reborn after returning from injury. He seems to have gained a yard of pace and is playing with energy and enthusiasm - leading by example. Williams is also everywhere on the pitch! His work rate is far higher than it was at the beginning of the season and he bosses the game in the way Guthrie used to.

But MOTM today, for me, was McCleary. He was a constant threat down the right and had the beating of the full back time and time again. At times he looked unplayable!

Of the other players - McCarthy did well and was given no chance with a tremendous 30 yard screamer from Davies which even garnered applause from the sporting Reading supporters. Gunter was solid bar a few mistakes. The two centre backs always worry me - mainly because of their lack of pace and discomfort with the ball. But Pearce set up Alf's second goal with a nice cushioned header and Gorkss looked more assured. Akpan played well and was competitive although he doesn't seem to challenge for headers when he should. Even if he doesn't win the ball his presence and challenge can force a mistake in his opponent. Pog had an average game against Ipswich by all accounts but he was certainly on his game today. He scored a good goal (thanks to an Alf assist) and was a constant thorn in Blackpool's side! He and Alf are linking up well and we need to keep them together for as long as possible. Alf scored three - and nearly had four. He is obviously enjoying his football and looked happy as he was given a standing ovation when subbed.

There was a time, way back in September I think, when I posted that Reading had only scored one goal in open play in five matches. Our last two home games have seen 12 goals - all from open play!! That is progress!! We need to eliminate the careless errors that creep into the play of most of our players from time to time but if we can do that we will a force to be reckoned with for the second half of this season.

[WestRoyal]

A very entertaining game to which Blackpool contributed. We started the Bolton game with the meaningless passes between the back four and goalie before gaining the confidence to attack at pace and play the ball to feet. This game we started with that confidence! Fielding the same line-up for the fourth game running must help as the players are starting to gell and form partnerships.

JoJo (Jobi and Jordan) is working really well. Jobi in particular seems to be reborn after returning from injury. He seems to have gained a yard of pace and is playing with energy and enthusiasm - leading by example. Williams is also everywhere on the pitch! His work rate is far higher than it was at the beginning of the season and he bosses the game in the way Guthrie used to.

But MOTM today, for me, was McCleary. He was a constant threat down the right and had the beating of the full back time and time again. At times he looked unplayable!

Of the other players - McCarthy did well and was given no chance with a tremendous 30 yard screamer from Davies which even garnered applause from the sporting Reading supporters. Gunter was solid bar a few mistakes. The two centre backs always worry me - mainly because of their lack of pace and discomfort with the ball. But Pearce set up Alf's second goal with a nice cushioned header and Gorkss looked more assured. Akpan played well and was competitive although he doesn't seem to challenge for headers when he should. Even if he doesn't win the ball his presence and challenge can force a mistake in his opponent. Pog had an average game against Ipswich by all accounts but he was certainly on his game today. He scored a good goal (thanks to an Alf assist) and was a constant thorn in Blackpool's side! He and Alf are linking up well and we need to keep them together for as long as possible. Alf scored three - and nearly had four. He is obviously enjoying his football and looked happy as he was given a standing ovation when subbed.

There was a time, way back in September I think, when I posted that Reading had only scored one goal in open play in five matches. Our last two home games have seen 12 goals - all from open play!! That is progress!! We need to eliminate the careless errors that creep into the play of most of our players from time to time but if we can do that we will a force to be reckoned with for the second half of this season.

Excellent post agree with all this

[P!ssed Off]

1.56 am - I have arrived back at uni.
Today's game was quality.

We had the free-throwing attacking greatness that we saw against Watford at home, with virtually none of the defensive frailties.

Pearce's best game of the season for me. And the stats agree. 11 aerial duels won. 79% passing accuracy, including 2 key passes, an assist and 7 out of 8 long balls being accurate. He was a beast all game long,

Rest of the defence and keeper were solid.

Attackers were quality.
Le Fondre, Pog, McAnuff and McCleary all had excellent link up play and movement absolutely taking Blackpool to pieces.

McAnuff imo is playing the best I've ever seen him. Can't blame him for shooting when he should have squared it, if it had gone in that team move would have been goal of the season, he would have squared it if we weren't already 2-0 up anyway.
Not to mention that McAnuff is doing wonders for the progress of our wonderkid Jordan Obita.

Williams was the driving force through the centre of midfield that we so desperately needed against Ipswich. Akpan was good for the majority of the game but was a bit sloppy in the 15 minutes or so just before HT.

Great cameo from HRK. Showing all the doubters on here who whine that he's 'overrated'. He can score from absolutely nothing. His goal from 25 yards was no fluke, he came very close to scoring from the same position 5 minutes earlier. He'll be vital as our 3rd choice striker for the rest of the season.


McCarthy 7
Gunter 7
Gorkss 7
Pearce 9
Obita 7
McCleary 7.5
Akpan 7
Williams 8
McAnuff 8
Pog 8
ALF 10

HRK 7.5

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

Our last two home games have seen 12 goals - all from open play!!

Apart from Pog's pen vs Bolton

[Libertine]

I am not getting overly excited but no matter how you slice it going an aggregate 12-2 over the past 2 home games (against any opposition) is very impressive.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

A thoroughly enjoyable evening watching the Royals win 5-1.

Pog and Alfie up front are working well together, long may it continue.

Mcleary has a new lease of life on the right wing.

Pearce was superb at the back all night my MOTM.

[EarleyRoyal16]

Another simply brilliant game at the Mad Stad.

Pog and Alf superb together again, could potentially have the best partnership in the league on our hands.

Another great hat-trick for Alf and he could have had more, fantastic pass through for Pog's goal as well.

I'm one of his big critics but Pearce was better today. Still not as good as Gorkss though.

McCleary brilliant again, another 2 assists I think? Him and Alf have got a real good understanding.

The McAnuff of old is back. Leading by example, taking on defenders, causing problems all night and gave 100%.

Their goal was class. Gained an applause from the east stand.

Kanu looked a lot more like the Kanu from last season, and a great goal for him too.

[Pepe the Horseman]

I think Pearce was spurred on by the calls of 'shooooot', which he may have mistaken for motivational booing.

[bcubed]

1.56 am - I have arrived back at uni.
Today's game was quality.

We had the free-throwing attacking greatness that we saw against Watford at home, with virtually none of the defensive frailties.

Pearce's best game of the season for me. And the stats agree. 11 aerial duels won. 79% passing accuracy, including 2 key passes, an assist and 7 out of 8 long balls being accurate. He was a beast all game long,

Rest of the defence and keeper were solid.

Attackers were quality.
Le Fondre, Pog, McAnuff and McCleary all had excellent link up play and movement absolutely taking Blackpool to pieces.

McAnuff imo is playing the best I've ever seen him. Can't blame him for shooting when he should have squared it, if it had gone in that team move would have been goal of the season, he would have squared it if we weren't already 2-0 up anyway.
Not to mention that McAnuff is doing wonders for the progress of our wonderkid Jordan Obita.

Williams was the driving force through the centre of midfield that we so desperately needed against Ipswich. Akpan was good for the majority of the game but was a bit sloppy in the 15 minutes or so just before HT.

Great cameo from HRK. Showing all the doubters on here who whine that he's 'overrated'. He can score from absolutely nothing. His goal from 25 yards was no fluke, he came very close to scoring from the same position 5 minutes earlier. He'll be vital as our 3rd choice striker for the rest of the season.


McCarthy 7
Gunter 7
Gorkss 7
Pearce 9
Obita 7
McCleary 7.5
Akpan 7
Williams 8
McAnuff 8
Pog 8
ALF 10

HRK 7.5

Can't agree re Macanuff
He is a good foil for Obita and they work well in combination but he still flatters to deceive far too often.

He beats a few and then loses it. He gets in a great position but the final pass isn't there. It was criminal he didn't pass it to Alf, no excuses.

And he lost the ball on several occasions, wanting too long, once leading to their goal.

[Agent Balti]

JoJo (Jobi and Jordan)

No. Just no.

[Croydon Royal]

Some highlights/observations

- Amazing what a bit of energy and bite in midfield can do. Williams my MOTM - he looked as energetic in the final minute as he did in the first. Actually a very decent passer of the ball too, which we didn't get to see when he was doing Guthrie's donkey work. One of his long rangers will go in soon too.

- Adkins don't half talk a load of guff on the radio, but I agreed with his comment last night about the partnerships forming. Gunter & MaCleary, Obita & McAnuff, Pog & Alf, the two midfielders and two centre backs, they all seem to be working well together which then makes us stronger as a unit. So if one misplaces a pass or is caught out of position the other one is there to mop up. Something we didn't have earlier in the season.

- Fantastic to hear the John Madejski chant reverberate around the ground. I know he has his critics on here (unjustly in my opinion, but this isn't the place for that debate again) but yet again when there's rumour and problems in the club, he's still the one there trying to mop things up and keep the peace. We're lucky to have him and it's good it gets recognised during moments like last night.

- Lovely goal from Pog. Delighted for him - not just because he looked so pleased himself, but also because it shut up the family of mongs who sit at the back of the North East corner by the drummer who constantly get on his back for the slightest wrong movement.

- Highlight of the game was easily the chubby kid doing the penalty thing at half time. Some wonderful finishes, and had the whole of the North East corner cheering him on. Sign him up!