Back from the game

[Huntley & Palmer]

Right well, this is my take on it

Defence - USA's kicking is under increasing pressure due to our lack of ability to retain posession in the opposition's half. Unfortunately he seems to be getting worse in the second half of the season and increasingly putting the ball straight into the stands. Sonko and Cisse looked incapable of communicating with each other, Sonko rather alarmingly showing the strikers as much of the ball as they wanted and allowing them to run past him before making a tackle. Cisse made some very basic defending errors and poor decision making today, when Ivar came on he looked far more assured on the ball and we seemed to be a lot tighter at the back. Not much could have been done about their second goal, they were always looking dangerous on the break and we were pushed so far forward that is was always likely. I'd definitely replace Cisse with Ivar and possibly Sonko with Bikey as well.

Midfield - The epitomy of everything that is wrong with us at the moment, no drive going through the middle of the field whatsoever. Harper is increasingly looking like Ray Houghton in the centre of the park, continual sideways passing from one wing to the other with no real forward momentum. What happened to his late runs into the box or shots from the edge of the box that we have seen in previous seasons? Looks totally out of sorts in the system currently, which may have a huge amount to do with the role he has been given. Unfortunately Marek next to him is taking time to settle in, still has some excellent passing ability but is continually being caught in posession and blocked when attempting to do anything. He lacks any real pace or strength to hold off the opposition midfielders and defenders, reminds me a lot of Kevin Watson and not a type of player we can afford to carry in our current plight. I have never been a Gunnarsson fan but we desperately need him back in the squad to help break up the play and allow Harper to move forwards with the ball. An area of the squad that has been massively over looked this season since Sidwell's departure. Hunt looked his usual self yesterday, lots of grit and determination but not much came off for him. Oster impressed me in the first 20 minutes and was getting stuck into the tackle and linked up with Murts well. Unfortunately he faded massively and Kebe had to be brought on. Again though, we have a player that is still taking time to settle in. He looks rather Savage esque currently but had a few nice touches and decent pace, not sure we can wait too long for him to settle in. Little being out for so long has been another huge hole we have not been able to fill, if Rosenior is not to be given his chance at right back then perhaps he should be put back in at right midfield.

Attack - Bereft of any confidence and having to move all over the pitch just to get some touch of the ball. I think Kitson's long range effort summed it up best for me. Two of our attackers against one of their defenders and he makes no attempt to try and take the keeper on at close range, even ignoring Doyle who was free on the left. There were also a couple of other instances where they tried to pass or control the ball for each other and both thought that something else was going to happen, I always considered the two of them to have decent communication but it was desperately lacking against Villa. I think Lita must be given a go in place of Doyle, he looks tired and off the pace and needs a kick up the arse.

[Tilehurst End]

Firstly we should remember that Villa are a very good side with a very good manager. They've an excellent front line which probably contains 2 England stars of the next decade and a centre forward who has played at the highest level across Europe. I would not be surprised to see them sneak the 4th champions league spot.

I've always tried to defend SC as he has given us the best 2 seasons in our history and anyone who wins manager of the year 2 years running must have something going for them but I feel he has been too loyal to some of the team. You must always accept that players will have poor games but the whole body language of the side looks wrong. There was a incident in the first half where a Villa player picked up the ball on the halfway line and carried it forward some 20 yards without a Reading player getting within 5 yards of him, wouldn't have happened in the "young and hungry" days. Whether they are just so low on confidence that they're not taking responsibility because they're scared to make a mistake or, more cynically,
they're sat comfortably on cosy contacts knowing that they'll probably still be playing in the Premier league next season for someone, the time has come for a shake up and a few home truths.

On paper the players in the reserves are not as good as the first teamers but they are not used to losing and maybe have that hunger to prove something.

[Norfolk Royal]

Shorey was terrible yesterday - even allowing for his goal at the death. He must practise his right foot more - he keeps getting into trouble because he won't risk kicking the ball with his right peg. Marek doesn't look like he's adjusted to the pace of the English game yet - got caught in position a couple of times when it looked like he expected to have more time to look for a pass. Kitson has looked really lethargic in the last 3 games - talk of an England call-up for him now sounds absolutely laughable.
Whilst I can understand some of the criticism of Murty here, I thought of the two full-backs yesterday he was the better of them.

I disagree with such a scathing assessment of Shorey. What little threat we had yesterday was normally from his dead ball ability, not to mention the goal.

Kitson really should have scored from the excellent free kick Shorey put in. That was the sort of chance Kitson was burying a few months ago or last season.

It would be ridiculous to drop our main source of assists, see player ratings etc.

[TommyF]

I think our faults can be summed up by 2 CB's on the bench and one forward and Coppells comments about why that was.

Last season, especially at home we were all out attack - our football looked great and we hit teams so hard they didn't have time to get themselved organised. We were on the offensive from the start.

These days, the opposition could arrive late, wait for the game to start and get changed out on the pitch. We lack the urgency and bite and we approach everything cautiouly - and that's all set out by Coppell in advance, especially with a bench like yesterdays.

I thought before the game that we would get nothing - I think most people did too - so why not just 'ave a go? Thats how we beat Liverpool. Thats how we drew with United at Old Trafford. So why send out such a timid statement at home to Villa?

[Big Ern]

Firstly we should remember that Villa are a very good side with a very good manager.

No first, we should remember that Villa lost away at Fulham last week.

[readingbedding]

Firstly we should remember that Villa are a very good side with a very good manager.

No first, we should remember that Villa lost away at Fulham last week.

And also remember that we beat Liverpool at home this season as well.

[The Surgeon of Crowthorne]

Shorey was terrible yesterday - even allowing for his goal at the death. He must practise his right foot more - he keeps getting into trouble because he won't risk kicking the ball with his right peg. Marek doesn't look like he's adjusted to the pace of the English game yet - got caught in position a couple of times when it looked like he expected to have more time to look for a pass. Kitson has looked really lethargic in the last 3 games - talk of an England call-up for him now sounds absolutely laughable.
Whilst I can understand some of the criticism of Murty here, I thought of the two full-backs yesterday he was the better of them.

I disagree with such a scathing assessment of Shorey. What little threat we had yesterday was normally from his dead ball ability, not to mention the goal.

Kitson really should have scored from the excellent free kick Shorey put in. That was the sort of chance Kitson was burying a few months ago or last season.

It would be ridiculous to drop our main source of assists, see player ratings etc.

I am not advocating dropping Shorey, after all who would play in his place? But, a full-back's first responsibility is to defend & he didn't do that well at all yesterday. Of all his dead-balls yesterday, only 2 were remotely dangerous - agreed that Kitson should have burried the earlier free kick.

[loyalroyal4life]

Why is everyone looking at Shorey's poor performance? Agreed it was poor but MURTY'S was even worst. Just because he is the captain doesnt mean he cannot be dropped. Oh silly me then again he cant as Sir STEVE is the boss

[Norfolk Royal]

Shorey was terrible yesterday - even allowing for his goal at the death. He must practise his right foot more - he keeps getting into trouble because he won't risk kicking the ball with his right peg. Marek doesn't look like he's adjusted to the pace of the English game yet - got caught in position a couple of times when it looked like he expected to have more time to look for a pass. Kitson has looked really lethargic in the last 3 games - talk of an England call-up for him now sounds absolutely laughable.
Whilst I can understand some of the criticism of Murty here, I thought of the two full-backs yesterday he was the better of them.

I disagree with such a scathing assessment of Shorey. What little threat we had yesterday was normally from his dead ball ability, not to mention the goal.

Kitson really should have scored from the excellent free kick Shorey put in. That was the sort of chance Kitson was burying a few months ago or last season.

It would be ridiculous to drop our main source of assists, see player ratings etc.

I am not advocating dropping Shorey, after all who would play in his place? But, a full-back's first responsibility is to defend & he didn't do that well at all yesterday. Of all his dead-balls yesterday, only 2 were remotely dangerous - agreed that Kitson should have burried the earlier free kick.

'Remotely dangerous' is a sight more than we achieved elsewhere.

[Gordons Cumming]

And also remember that we beat Liverpool at home this season as well.

A blip.

[readingbedding]

And also remember that we beat Liverpool at home this season as well.

A blip.

A win.

[Huntley & Palmer]

Seems so long ago now

[brendywendy]

I think our faults can be summed up by 2 CB's on the bench and one forward and Coppells comments about why that was.

Last season, especially at home we were all out attack - our football looked great and we hit teams so hard they didn't have time to get themselved organised. We were on the offensive from the start.

These days, the opposition could arrive late, wait for the game to start and get changed out on the pitch. We lack the urgency and bite and we approach everything cautiouly - and that's all set out by Coppell in advance, especially with a bench like yesterdays.

I thought before the game that we would get nothing - I think most people did too - so why not just 'ave a go? Thats how we beat Liverpool. Thats how we drew with United at Old Trafford. So why send out such a timid statement at home to Villa?

i m not sure if its us who arent attacking as much, i think we try, its a chicken and egg situation
but the wingers are usually nullified,the full backs pressured earlier on the ball and people just sit and wait for us to pour forward and hit us on the break.

[TommyF]

I think our faults can be summed up by 2 CB's on the bench and one forward and Coppells comments about why that was.

Last season, especially at home we were all out attack - our football looked great and we hit teams so hard they didn't have time to get themselved organised. We were on the offensive from the start.

These days, the opposition could arrive late, wait for the game to start and get changed out on the pitch. We lack the urgency and bite and we approach everything cautiouly - and that's all set out by Coppell in advance, especially with a bench like yesterdays.

I thought before the game that we would get nothing - I think most people did too - so why not just 'ave a go? Thats how we beat Liverpool. Thats how we drew with United at Old Trafford. So why send out such a timid statement at home to Villa?

i m not sure if its us who arent attacking as much, i think we try, its a chicken and egg situation
but the wingers are usually nullified,the full backs pressured earlier on the ball and people just sit and wait for us to pour forward and hit us on the break.

But last season when we went forward we did so almost as a team. I remember commentators were always pointing out that even against top side we'd get forward and have 5, 6 or even 7 in the opposition box and overwhelm them. This season we're lucky to have 6 in the opposition half whilst attacking sometimes which gives those getting forward little choice as to what to do with the ball. The whole team also worked for each other filling in positions if we were caught short as a result. Yep, we conceeded goals as a result but at least we were scoring them too..

Attack last season was the best form of defence. This season our prefferred method is to turn around and hope it bounces off our arses

[Norfolk Royal]

I think our faults can be summed up by 2 CB's on the bench and one forward and Coppells comments about why that was.

Last season, especially at home we were all out attack - our football looked great and we hit teams so hard they didn't have time to get themselved organised. We were on the offensive from the start.

These days, the opposition could arrive late, wait for the game to start and get changed out on the pitch. We lack the urgency and bite and we approach everything cautiouly - and that's all set out by Coppell in advance, especially with a bench like yesterdays.

I thought before the game that we would get nothing - I think most people did too - so why not just 'ave a go? Thats how we beat Liverpool. Thats how we drew with United at Old Trafford. So why send out such a timid statement at home to Villa?

i m not sure if its us who arent attacking as much, i think we try, its a chicken and egg situation
but the wingers are usually nullified,the full backs pressured earlier on the ball and people just sit and wait for us to pour forward and hit us on the break.

But last season when we went forward we did so almost as a team. I remember commentators were always pointing out that even against top side we'd get forward and have 5, 6 or even 7 in the opposition box and overwhelm them. This season we're lucky to have 6 in the opposition half whilst attacking sometimes which gives those getting forward little choice as to what to do with the ball. The whole team also worked for each other filling in positions if we were caught short as a result. Yep, we conceeded goals as a result but at least we were scoring them too..

Attack last season was the best form of defence. This season our prefferred method is to turn around and hope it bounces off our arses

Tbf if we're got six in the oppostion half when attacking, that is everyone apart from the defence.

[RoyalBlue]

Shorey was terrible yesterday - even allowing for his goal at the death. He must practise his right foot more - he keeps getting into trouble because he won't risk kicking the ball with his right peg.

You are so right about that. The fact that such a one-footed player can make it into the England squad just shows how low our national team has sunk. I really can't see Capello picking him again until he has shown that he can use his right foot for more than standing on.

[Wycombe Royal]

Shorey was terrible yesterday - even allowing for his goal at the death. He must practise his right foot more - he keeps getting into trouble because he won't risk kicking the ball with his right peg.

You are so right about that. The fact that such a one-footed player can make it into the England squad just shows how low our national team has sunk. I really can't see Capello picking him again until he has shown that he can use his right foot for more than standing on.

You mean like Ashley Cole can?

[RoyalBlue]

Shorey was terrible yesterday - even allowing for his goal at the death. He must practise his right foot more - he keeps getting into trouble because he won't risk kicking the ball with his right peg.

You are so right about that. The fact that such a one-footed player can make it into the England squad just shows how low our national team has sunk. I really can't see Capello picking him again until he has shown that he can use his right foot for more than standing on.

You mean like Ashley Cole can?

As I said - an indictment of how poor we are at our own national game. Why is it that highly paid professionals don't practise/can't use both feet when both my kids have always been coached in doing so by the clubs they play for?

[Where The Fox Hat]

Can't be bothered to read the who thread, so apologies if this has already been said.

Laursen and Davis can't have had many easier games than yesterday, with us constantly knocking long balls up to Kitson and Doyle which they easily dealt with in the air. The only way we were ever going to get any joy yesterday was by in getting behind their full backs, particularly their right-back who Hunt seemed to have the beating of, but we just didn't do this enough.

The fact is, the team just isn't good enough at the moment. I always thought that if we were ever in a position in the Premier League where the likes of John Oster were starting games, we'd be in big trouble and this has proved to be the case. Also, there's just no bite in centre midfield. Whereas we had Sidwell breaking up play and mopping up in front of the back four last season, Harper and Matejovsky (as composed on the ball as he often looks) are unable to do this.

I also can't understand what Kitson was doing yesterday when he kept dropping deep and onto the wing. The few times that Doyle managed to hold the ball up and get a cross in, Kitson was nowhere to be seen. Even when Shorey's shot was saved in the second half, Hunt was the only player in the box looking for the rebound.

Coppell talks about making wholesale changes, but sadly we don't have any real quality to bring in. I personally would give Lita another shot as he can't be any worse than what's happening at the moment. I'm pretty resigned to relegation now as I can't see where our next points are coming from. We need to pick up a really unlikely victory away at somewhere like Boro now to kick-start the season again.

Well I agree with your comments on Kitson and Doyle and long balls, we seem to be taking the route one option far to often now and all we are doing is giving the ball back to the opposition we are not big enough or strong enough to playing that way. I thought we were a footballing team. Our tactics were dreadful yesterday and have been for some time now. Just do not get me on to marking on corners. Have we really had two weeks to decide the best way to defend a corner is to put Kitson, Sonko and Cissie on Carew? No it gets better than that lets put Stephen Hunt on Larsson and it happened every corner in the first half so it just wasn't a one off. or shall we go back even furtherto the Chelsea game when Hunt was marking Ballack on corners - well we know what happened there don't we. if these are the tactics we are practicing through the week no wonder we are in the state we are.


Also, how bad do the starting 11 have to play before Coppell will even think of playing the likes of Rosenior, DLC, Bikey, Long, Fae, Fed. I don't agree in changing 5/6/7 players in one take, but there have been too many below par performances this season and the manager hasn't dealt with it as it has happened, he has just let them carry on and all they have done is reach a new low.

You could see yesterday that confidence was an issue and it didn't take long for the crowd to show it's displeasure with certain individuals. The problem has now entered their heads which is a problem and a problem I don't feel Coppell can put right if he keeps to his "chosen few" each week.

[Platypuss]

Meanwhile, Lita starts for the reserves against Villa tonight.