by South Coast Royal »
10 Feb 2020 19:36
URZZZZ South Coast Royal Regardless of Formationgate as discussed at tedious length between Seth and Ian ,IMHO the most significant change was Aluko coming on to play in midfield with Baldock the striker being subbed.
When we play with one-up I feel that player is often too isolated when bodies from midfield should be getting closer quickly to that lone striker.
Following Bowen's post-match comments I am hopeful that he has seen the light regarding Aluko and won't play him again-his post-match comments were that in making the substitution he had hoped Aluko would perform in the role that he had at Hull and Fulham and the reason for Reading buying him but he didn't say anything more such as "I thought the lad offered something different" or "He brought a vibrancy to the midfield area".
Aluko has been given this chance again but he just doesn't do enough (the odd good pass really isn't enough) and in no way warrants a starting place-even Ejaria and Swift being under par are still so much better than him.
Ironically, you call the exchange between those two tedious but your post focuses solely on Aluko once again like many others have. Were we playing particularly well before he came on? No. Did we play particularly well after he came on? No. But does that mean he was the reason we didn't win? No
This was more than just Aluko's cameo, it was about Aluko's career at Reading which has been about 3/10.
The consensus seems to be that we might have scored again if Baldock had remained on the pitch so yes, he could be the reason why we didn't win.
This player brings nothing to our team and the sooner he moves on the better.
Probably the worst signing ever taking into account his transfer fee and hardly any better than most if you don't take the fee into account and makes the likes of Sean Evers seem like a reasonable signing.