PRE SEASON FRIENDLY AT BOREHAM WOOD

[NewCorkSeth]

And it's all over, a 5-0 win for Reading with Fosu scoring with a smart shot from the ease of the 6 yard box with literally the last kick of the game

MOTM for me was Liam Kelly

Any depth on the 2 new boys?

[Nameless]

Second half will see a completely different XI for Reading....

Ward
Stacey
Griffin
Kelly
Tanner
Barrett
Fosu
Samuel
Gravenbirch
Dickie
Jules

Very impressed with Stam thus far. Very much a track suited touchline manager with constant encouragement and instruction going out to the team in English

at that line up.

We really need to get this Tshibola deal done so we can try and flesh out the squad a bit more.

We are missing Gunter, Norwood, Quinn and the new French lad.

[TBM]

Very impressed with Stam thus far. Very much a track suited touchline manager with constant encouragement and instruction going out to the team in English

lol why would he talk to the players in any other language?

[Lower West]

Opposition not the greatest. But how did the Reading passing and movement look. Quick and slick?

[The Royal Forester]

Very impressed with Stam thus far. Very much a track suited touchline manager with constant encouragement and instruction going out to the team in English

lol why would he talk to the players in any other language?

If Stam has been teaching the players a bit of his own language and gave his instructions in Dutch the opposition may not know what the instructions are. Cleaver those Dutch!

[Barcelona Blue]

Any chance of any player ratings ??

[sandman]

Second half will see a completely different XI for Reading....

Ward
Stacey
Griffin
Kelly
Tanner
Barrett
Fosu
Samuel
Gravenbirch
Dickie
Jules

Very impressed with Stam thus far. Very much a track suited touchline manager with constant encouragement and instruction going out to the team in English

at that line up.

We really need to get this Tshibola deal done so we can try and flesh out the squad a bit more.

We are missing Gunter, Norwood, Quinn and the new French lad.

Indeed. Still doesn't leave us with much squad depth and there isn't a game changer in those four that you mentioned who can come off the bench and turn a match in our favour.

In fact, if you bring Gunter back in that just drops another inexperienced player back to the bench and weakens it further.

[Sutekh]

Ok girls and boys....

Nice stuff to watch but then this was a pre-season friendly v a Borehamwood team who had played v Brentford last night and also play Peterborough on Monday so dont think we can read too much into it but as a first work out for the squad it was worthwhile.

No long ball was the first think that sunk in, can't even recall a goalkick being wellied up the pitch by Reading. Everything was short passing and pretty much pass and move rather than last season's pass and run away so there are stirrings happening.

McShane was damaged in the first 10 minutes after a clash with an opponent (no malice intended just a clumsy challenge from a Boreham player from what i could see). McShane had to go off for about 10 minutes to be bandaged up but played on ok when he reappeared so wouldnt expect any after effects despite the 5 minute delay in the game to treat him.

Joey filled in in the centre of defence and my observations of him is that he is big. He's like Cooper only with a bit of height displaced to reappear as width, not the sort youd want to run into. He actually looked quite useful - always moving and looking to start something (with the ball that is, rather than an opponent). Cleaned up well and largely sat in front of the back 4 but often forayed out wide left and right to get things going. Definitely a defnsive central midfielder.

The other highlight of the first half was McLeary who manged to hit two terrific shots which were unlucky not to go in being a little wide/high of the goal.

The Cormorant swooped to head the ball nicely into the corner at one point but a fantastic save from Dave Beasant's son stopped it more or less right on the line.

Goal arrived in 44 minutes from the boot of Evans just inside the penalty box. He had been showing some nice movement throughout the first half so was good reward for that.

Still struggling a little going forward with that final pass, more concerned with passing and moving but then Boreham did sit rather deep for nearly all the first half and let Reading try to play around or through them.

Second half saw Joey and Garath replaced by Fosu (playing wide right until about the 70th minutes) and Kelly. Kelly is seriously good. Kelly is going to have a very very bright future if he can be nurtured in the right way. He looks like a 13 year old and is only slight in build so you think he's going to be mullered by opponents but he held is own with ease and scored with a good free kick in about the 80th minute. Obviously a good half in a pre season doesnt mean he's ready but if he gets regular game time this summer and still holds his own then we've got a player who we should look to build a team around.

Rakels scored with a neat chip on 55 mins or so. He had a decent game and showed plenty of pace and movement.

The proverbial flotilla of subs appeared at the hour mark and we went to 3 at the back (Dickie, Gravenbirch and - i think - Zac Jules). Gravenbirch is like Floyd Streete. Big, squat and powerful. Should scare the life out of less physical opponents. Did ok seemed to marshal things at the back successfully but need more time watching him to get a decent picture.

Once Fosu switched to the left Reading came cack to life and scored three times, twice through Fosu with two opportune strikes. Didnt quite set the world alight like he did at Derby but still looking promising.

Overall there is something bright at the club snd definite in the right road but obviously need more preseason games to see actual progression

Habsi 7 - largely nothing to do other than stop a Yakubu "special" hit straight at him
Watson 7 - not a lot to do defensive but supported attack well
Mcshane 8 - got forward a fair bit with the ball, gave his all as youd expect of him
Cooper 7 - not to much to do but some assured passing and calm when pressurised
Obita 8 - got forward well
Van den Berg 8 - looks useful, definite someone you'll like if he can turn in the same performances when the stakes matter
Williams 7 - seemed to be a little more controlled, not quite so much of the random runs not passing to anyone
Evans 8 - got about the pitch a lot and used the ball well
Rakels 7 - committed to chase everything still, made a nuisance of himself and took his only real opportunity well
Kermorgant 7 - unlucky with his header, linked things well
McLeary 8 - two really wicked runs resulting in two excellent shots

Best of the subs

Fosu 8 - did well
Kelly 9 - best player out there
Samuel 7 - got himself about a bit, had a nice shot just wide
Gravenbirch 7 - watching him takes me back to 3 division no nonsense affairs v Port Vale
Stacey 7
Dickie 7
Jules 7
Tanner 7
Barret 7
Griffin 7

Odd that of that squad Kuhl, Bond and Keown were not involved so i am presuming that they are carrying injuries currently.

Finally, Jaap Stam seems to be just about what you'd want from a manager. Visible and very vocal throughout, getting players to move and encouraging them, also always patrolling his technical area. Looks like our players are going to be motivated whether they like it or not!

[Barcelona Blue]

Ok girls and boys....

Nice stuff to watch but then this was a pre-season friendly v a Borehamwood team who had played v Brentford last night and also play Peterborough on Monday so dont think we can read too much into it but as a first work out for the squad it was worthwhile.

No long ball was the first think that sunk in, can't even recall a goalkick being wellied up the pitch by Reading. Everything was short passing and pretty much pass and move rather than last season's pass and run away so there are stirrings happening.

McShane was damaged in the first 10 minutes after a clash with an opponent (no malice intended just a clumsy challenge from a Boreham player from what i could see). McShane had to go off for about 10 minutes to be bandaged up but played on ok when he reappeared so wouldnt expect any after effects despite the 5 minute delay in the game to treat him.

Joey filled in in the centre of defence and my observations of him is that he is big. He's like Cooper only with a bit of height displaced to reappear as width, not the sort youd want to run into. He actually looked quite useful - always moving and looking to start something (with the ball that is, rather than an opponent). Cleaned up well and largely sat in front of the back 4 but often forayed out wide left and right to get things going. Definitely a defnsive central midfielder.

The other highlight of the first half was McLeary who manged to hit two terrific shots which were unlucky not to go in being a little wide/high of the goal.

The Cormorant swooped to head the ball nicely into the corner at one point but a fantastic save from Dave Beasant's son stopped it more or less right on the line.

Goal arrived in 44 minutes from the boot of Evans just inside the penalty box. He had been showing some nice movement throughout the first half so was good reward for that.

Still struggling a little going forward with that final pass, more concerned with passing and moving but then Boreham did sit rather deep for nearly all the first half and let Reading try to play around or through them.

Second half saw Joey and Garath replaced by Fosu (playing wide right until about the 70th minutes) and Kelly. Kelly is seriously good. Kelly is going to have a very very bright future if he can be nurtured in the right way. He looks like a 13 year old and is only slight in build so you think he's going to be mullered by opponents but he held is own with ease and scored with a good free kick in about the 80th minute. Obviously a good half in a pre season doesnt mean he's ready but if he gets regular game time this summer and still holds his own then we've got a player who we should look to build a team around.

Rakels scored with a neat chip on 55 mins or so. He had a decent game and showed plenty of pace and movement.

The proverbial flotilla of subs appeared at the hour mark and we went to 3 at the back (Dickie, Gravenbirch and - i think - Zac Jules). Gravenbirch is like Floyd Streete. Big, squat and powerful. Should scare the life out of less physical opponents. Did ok seemed to marshal things at the back successfully but need more time watching him to get a decent picture.

Once Fosu switched to the left Reading came cack to life and scored three times, twice through Fosu with two opportune strikes. Didnt quite set the world alight like he did at Derby but still looking promising.

Overall there is something bright at the club snd definite in the right road but obviously need more preseason games to see actual progression

Habsi 7 - largely nothing to do other than stop a Yakubu "special" hit straight at him
Watson 7 - not a lot to do defensive but supported attack well
Mcshane 8 - got forward a fair bit with the ball, gave his all as youd expect of him
Cooper 7 - not to much to do but some assured passing and calm when pressurised
Obita 8 - got forward well
Van den Berg 8 - looks useful, definite someone you'll like if he can turn in the same performances when the stakes matter
Williams 7 - seemed to be a little more controlled, not quite so much of the random runs not passing to anyone
Evans 8 - got about the pitch a lot and used the ball well
Rakels 7 - committed to chase everything still, made a nuisance of himself and took his only real opportunity well
Kermorgant 7 - unlucky with his header, linked things well
McLeary 8 - two really wicked runs resulting in two excellent shots

Best of the subs

Fosu 8 - did well
Kelly 9 - best player out there
Samuel 7 - got himself about a bit, had a nice shot just wide
Gravenbirch 7 - watching him takes me back to 3 division no nonsense affairs v Port Vale
Stacey 7
Dickie 7
Jules 7
Tanner 7
Barret 7
Griffin 7

Odd that of that squad Kuhl, Bond and Keown were not involved so i am presuming that they are carrying injuries currently.

Finally, Jaap Stam seems to be just about what you'd want from a manager. Visible and very vocal throughout, getting players to move and encouraging them, also always patrolling his technical area. Looks like our players are going to be motivated whether they like it or not!

Great report, Kelly sounds the business

[moo]

What a win! 5-0!

[genome]

Promotion Party Countdown thread

[George_]

Sat behind the dugout today & really liked the way Jaap stood on the touchline for the entire 90, speaking to and encouraging the players throughout.

Kelly looked very good 2nd half, easily one of the best technically gifted players on the pitch, but also held his own in tackles & when defending. Could tell from Jaap's body language & the way he was speaking to him that he likes him. Wouldn't suprise me to see him in the squad come 1st game of the season.

What I learnt about Jaap's playing style was that he was trying to instal into the players about pressing the opposition as soon as they get the ball & also that when we have the ball at the back we move it forward quickly & not just slow sideways passing. Promising stuff so far.

[Nameless]

at that line up.

We really need to get this Tshibola deal done so we can try and flesh out the squad a bit more.

We are missing Gunter, Norwood, Quinn and the new French lad.

Indeed. Still doesn't leave us with much squad depth and there isn't a game changer in those four that you mentioned who can come off the bench and turn a match in our favour.

In fact, if you bring Gunter back in that just drops another inexperienced player back to the bench and weakens it further.

We fielded 2 different sides and had At least 8 players not available. So that's a decent sized squad.
I'd agree we could do with adding a couple but it's been made clear this is the season the young players need to step up. A bench with Fosu, Samuels, Kelly, Barratt and Stacey has the raw talent to be quite exciting.

[Ian Royal]

Ok girls and boys....

Nice stuff to watch but then this was a pre-season friendly v a Borehamwood team who had played v Brentford last night and also play Peterborough on Monday so dont think we can read too much into it but as a first work out for the squad it was worthwhile.

No long ball was the first think that sunk in, can't even recall a goalkick being wellied up the pitch by Reading. Everything was short passing and pretty much pass and move rather than last season's pass and run away so there are stirrings happening.

McShane was damaged in the first 10 minutes after a clash with an opponent (no malice intended just a clumsy challenge from a Boreham player from what i could see). McShane had to go off for about 10 minutes to be bandaged up but played on ok when he reappeared so wouldnt expect any after effects despite the 5 minute delay in the game to treat him.

Joey filled in in the centre of defence and my observations of him is that he is big. He's like Cooper only with a bit of height displaced to reappear as width, not the sort youd want to run into. He actually looked quite useful - always moving and looking to start something (with the ball that is, rather than an opponent). Cleaned up well and largely sat in front of the back 4 but often forayed out wide left and right to get things going. Definitely a defnsive central midfielder.

The other highlight of the first half was McLeary who manged to hit two terrific shots which were unlucky not to go in being a little wide/high of the goal.

The Cormorant swooped to head the ball nicely into the corner at one point but a fantastic save from Dave Beasant's son stopped it more or less right on the line.

Goal arrived in 44 minutes from the boot of Evans just inside the penalty box. He had been showing some nice movement throughout the first half so was good reward for that.

Still struggling a little going forward with that final pass, more concerned with passing and moving but then Boreham did sit rather deep for nearly all the first half and let Reading try to play around or through them.

Second half saw Joey and Garath replaced by Fosu (playing wide right until about the 70th minutes) and Kelly. Kelly is seriously good. Kelly is going to have a very very bright future if he can be nurtured in the right way. He looks like a 13 year old and is only slight in build so you think he's going to be mullered by opponents but he held is own with ease and scored with a good free kick in about the 80th minute. Obviously a good half in a pre season doesnt mean he's ready but if he gets regular game time this summer and still holds his own then we've got a player who we should look to build a team around.

Rakels scored with a neat chip on 55 mins or so. He had a decent game and showed plenty of pace and movement.

The proverbial flotilla of subs appeared at the hour mark and we went to 3 at the back (Dickie, Gravenbirch and - i think - Zac Jules). Gravenbirch is like Floyd Streete. Big, squat and powerful. Should scare the life out of less physical opponents. Did ok seemed to marshal things at the back successfully but need more time watching him to get a decent picture.

Once Fosu switched to the left Reading came cack to life and scored three times, twice through Fosu with two opportune strikes. Didnt quite set the world alight like he did at Derby but still looking promising.

Overall there is something bright at the club snd definite in the right road but obviously need more preseason games to see actual progression

Habsi 7 - largely nothing to do other than stop a Yakubu "special" hit straight at him
Watson 7 - not a lot to do defensive but supported attack well
Mcshane 8 - got forward a fair bit with the ball, gave his all as youd expect of him
Cooper 7 - not to much to do but some assured passing and calm when pressurised
Obita 8 - got forward well
Van den Berg 8 - looks useful, definite someone you'll like if he can turn in the same performances when the stakes matter
Williams 7 - seemed to be a little more controlled, not quite so much of the random runs not passing to anyone
Evans 8 - got about the pitch a lot and used the ball well
Rakels 7 - committed to chase everything still, made a nuisance of himself and took his only real opportunity well
Kermorgant 7 - unlucky with his header, linked things well
McLeary 8 - two really wicked runs resulting in two excellent shots

Best of the subs

Fosu 8 - did well
Kelly 9 - best player out there
Samuel 7 - got himself about a bit, had a nice shot just wide
Gravenbirch 7 - watching him takes me back to 3 division no nonsense affairs v Port Vale
Stacey 7
Dickie 7
Jules 7
Tanner 7
Barret 7
Griffin 7

Odd that of that squad Kuhl, Bond and Keown were not involved so i am presuming that they are carrying injuries currently.

Finally, Jaap Stam seems to be just about what you'd want from a manager. Visible and very vocal throughout, getting players to move and encouraging them, also always patrolling his technical area. Looks like our players are going to be motivated whether they like it or not!

Great report, Kelly sounds the business

Cheers.

When was the last time we had a good convincing pre-season win, even against lowly opposition? It feels like we haven't had one for years? Surprised to hear Kelly stood up to the test so well. I was very concerned about his physique (undeniable skill), pleasant surprise though.

[AthleticoSpizz]

2008, 9-0, Didcot

[Ian Royal]

2008, 9-0, Didcot

Wow... 8 years.

We've been shit haven't we.

[tmesis]

2008, 9-0, Didcot

Wow... 8 years.

We've been shit haven't we.

A bit more recently, and a bit more impressive, was Wimbledon 0 Reading 7 in 2012.

[Lower West]

Sounds like Stam and the management team got what they wanted from the game. i.e. to put the playing style they wish to adopt into practice against real opposition. Early days still.

[LumpWarden]

Opposition not the greatest. But how did the Reading passing and movement look. Quick and slick?

I actually thought we played the ball around better in the second half once all the youngsters were on

[mambo3]

Ok girls and boys....

Nice stuff to watch but then this was a pre-season friendly v a Borehamwood team who had played v Brentford last night and also play Peterborough on Monday so dont think we can read too much into it but as a first work out for the squad it was worthwhile.

No long ball was the first think that sunk in, can't even recall a goalkick being wellied up the pitch by Reading. Everything was short passing and pretty much pass and move rather than last season's pass and run away so there are stirrings happening.

McShane was damaged in the first 10 minutes after a clash with an opponent (no malice intended just a clumsy challenge from a Boreham player from what i could see). McShane had to go off for about 10 minutes to be bandaged up but played on ok when he reappeared so wouldnt expect any after effects despite the 5 minute delay in the game to treat him.

Joey filled in in the centre of defence and my observations of him is that he is big. He's like Cooper only with a bit of height displaced to reappear as width, not the sort youd want to run into. He actually looked quite useful - always moving and looking to start something (with the ball that is, rather than an opponent). Cleaned up well and largely sat in front of the back 4 but often forayed out wide left and right to get things going. Definitely a defnsive central midfielder.

The other highlight of the first half was McLeary who manged to hit two terrific shots which were unlucky not to go in being a little wide/high of the goal.

The Cormorant swooped to head the ball nicely into the corner at one point but a fantastic save from Dave Beasant's son stopped it more or less right on the line.

Goal arrived in 44 minutes from the boot of Evans just inside the penalty box. He had been showing some nice movement throughout the first half so was good reward for that.

Still struggling a little going forward with that final pass, more concerned with passing and moving but then Boreham did sit rather deep for nearly all the first half and let Reading try to play around or through them.

Second half saw Joey and Garath replaced by Fosu (playing wide right until about the 70th minutes) and Kelly. Kelly is seriously good. Kelly is going to have a very very bright future if he can be nurtured in the right way. He looks like a 13 year old and is only slight in build so you think he's going to be mullered by opponents but he held is own with ease and scored with a good free kick in about the 80th minute. Obviously a good half in a pre season doesnt mean he's ready but if he gets regular game time this summer and still holds his own then we've got a player who we should look to build a team around.

Rakels scored with a neat chip on 55 mins or so. He had a decent game and showed plenty of pace and movement.

The proverbial flotilla of subs appeared at the hour mark and we went to 3 at the back (Dickie, Gravenbirch and - i think - Zac Jules). Gravenbirch is like Floyd Streete. Big, squat and powerful. Should scare the life out of less physical opponents. Did ok seemed to marshal things at the back successfully but need more time watching him to get a decent picture.

Once Fosu switched to the left Reading came cack to life and scored three times, twice through Fosu with two opportune strikes. Didnt quite set the world alight like he did at Derby but still looking promising.

Overall there is something bright at the club snd definite in the right road but obviously need more preseason games to see actual progression

Habsi 7 - largely nothing to do other than stop a Yakubu "special" hit straight at him
Watson 7 - not a lot to do defensive but supported attack well
Mcshane 8 - got forward a fair bit with the ball, gave his all as youd expect of him
Cooper 7 - not to much to do but some assured passing and calm when pressurised
Obita 8 - got forward well
Van den Berg 8 - looks useful, definite someone you'll like if he can turn in the same performances when the stakes matter
Williams 7 - seemed to be a little more controlled, not quite so much of the random runs not passing to anyone
Evans 8 - got about the pitch a lot and used the ball well
Rakels 7 - committed to chase everything still, made a nuisance of himself and took his only real opportunity well
Kermorgant 7 - unlucky with his header, linked things well
McLeary 8 - two really wicked runs resulting in two excellent shots

Best of the subs

Fosu 8 - did well
Kelly 9 - best player out there
Samuel 7 - got himself about a bit, had a nice shot just wide
Gravenbirch 7 - watching him takes me back to 3 division no nonsense affairs v Port Vale
Stacey 7
Dickie 7
Jules 7
Tanner 7
Barret 7
Griffin 7

Odd that of that squad Kuhl, Bond and Keown were not involved so i am presuming that they are carrying injuries currently.

Finally, Jaap Stam seems to be just about what you'd want from a manager. Visible and very vocal throughout, getting players to move and encouraging them, also always patrolling his technical area. Looks like our players are going to be motivated whether they like it or not!

Not sure I agree with your assessment. Borehamwood did not do enough to assess first Team Players in any positive way. I expected more from the first team players in the 1st half! Saw a lot of effort but no invention. Our defence will never get that much room to run forward as they did today in the championship and when we were put under pressure we wobbled (Yakuba nearly scoring) . 2nd half bought in the youngsters, 2 players that unlocked borehamwood Defense with a touch of skill Kelly and Samuel. Kelly has an eye for a pass, Samuel 2 touches, 1st an assist with a cross and the 2nd taken down by the centre half after going past him and awarded free kick which Kelly scored. Fosu 2 goals as well. The youngsters did there career no harm but the first Team should be looking over there shoulder.