Reading FC Match Report: 2016/2017 Season - Championship
FULHAM 1 READING 1
Reading: J Obita (53)
Fulham: T Cairney (65)
Post Match Fans' Opinion
genome
» 13 May 2017 19:38
Al-Habsi 5 - Nothing to do really, aside from the goal which he should've done better on.
Gunter 7 - Really good game. Even blocked some crosses
Moore 7 - Some super blocks, kept Martin completely silent
Blackett 7 - Solid, didn't allow himself to be rinsed for pace despite that being an obvious weakness. Good game.
McShane 4 - Stupid boy. Decent game before an absolutely horrendous tackle and deserved red card.
Obita 9 - Brilliant. Had Aluko (?) in his pocket for most of the game. Great goal. Hope he's not injured too badly. MOTM
Williams 7 - Everywhere. Put in some really good tackles, gave the ball away a bit though.
Evans 6 - Can't remember much from him.
Swift 6 - Some nice ideas but a bit too sloppy. Right decision to take him off.
Grabban 6 - Got a bit unlucky with the break of the ball in the first half, but was guilty of taking risks in dodgy areas.
Kermorgant 7 - Won pretty much every header. Unlucky with his effort. Slim pickings otherwise.
Mendes N/A - Felt for him getting taken off, but the right decision to shore up.
Ilori 6 - Not a huge amount of time to make an impression but he made one important block. Looked good.
Van Den Berg 6 - Same with Ilori.
I need a lie down.
alfie9
» 13 May 2017 20:22
Gunter: 7- Solid
McShane: 6- What a stupid challenge, defended well up until that point
Moore: 7- Solid
Blackett: 8- Stepped up big time. Was worried when I saw him in the lineup but he was terrific
Obita: 9- What a man. Will be a huge loss to have him out for Tuesday
Evans: 5- Some good tackles but generally too slow in decision making
Williams: 9- One of the best performances I've seen from him
Swift: 5- Didn't do much, not a lot of passing options for him
Grabban: 4- Looked off the pace. Didn't get much service either
Kermie: 6- Meh, didn't win as many aerial battles as he usually does but had some decent hold up play
The subs were all decent. Ilori looked comfortable in those last 10 minutes, will feel confident with him partnering Moore on Tuesday (assuming Blackett has to move out to the left). A draw is a great result for us, Stam's tactics worked a treat.
The ball is now in our court, and we have every chance of getting back to Wembley. BRING. IT. ON.
jd82
» 13 May 2017 20:30
Didn't look a red live, looks like Macca didn't see him coming and was aiming to poke the ball away, but can see why it was given..
Great day out as always, bring on Tuesday.
Would love to find out what the stand up row in row P block p5 was about in the first half. Lots of angry faces and finger wagging.
RoyalBlue
» 13 May 2017 21:18
Looked to me that McShane got caught out of position, you'd want Ali to do better but not sure it was his fault.ultimately.......the GK is always at fault
( )
Didn't realise live but replays suggest that he should've perhaps held the shot and if not should've pushed it wide rather than straight out in front. I suspect he will be disappointed with the way that goal was conceded.
WAZZOCK
» 13 May 2017 22:09
We could arguably be a bit disappointed to not have taken the win given we were ahead and it was a bit of a foul up for their goal. That said, they will be frustrated with the draw given we had one shot on target and we were down to 10 at the end.
A bit worrying with McShane suspended and Obita seemingly missing on Tuesday, but all in all I think we have to be positive.
Bob1871
» 13 May 2017 22:09
The game was more about containing them and hitting on the break, Obita took his goal well.
If we play the same formation on Tuesday I'd like to see Mendes in for Grabban.
McShane's challenge did look a little reckless and high live, however did seem to make an attempt at the ball, seen a yellow been given before but understand why he went. Quite why Swift was booked in the first half is beyond me.
Williams MOTM for me, was a little sloppy with passing at times but was everywhere and put in countless great challenges and really stopped them playing
WAZZOCK
» 13 May 2017 22:13
Seeing the red card live, I first thought the player was going down before contact and the reason that McShan went in like that was because her was dragged back. That said, it looks like it was the right call, one of the few correct decisions from that linesman today.
Top Flight
» 13 May 2017 22:17
PistolPete
» 13 May 2017 22:23
Immense: Williams
Good: Moore, Obita, Kermy, Blackett, Gunter, (Joey)
Par: McShane, Evans, Grabban
Poor: Al Habsi, Swift
Stam decided enough is enough with away performances and went with the 3 centre backs and told the team to break a neck to get us a result. To our fortune, Atwell was determined not to get card happy until he ran out of patience; Williams and Kermy could each have had a few yellow cards, but it was working, all over the pitch we were winning battles. Swift was unlucky to cop a yellow for timewasting, I'm just glad it wasn't Al Habsi who held on to the ball for at least 15 seconds at one point!
Obita' goal was well taken. Al Habsi should have dealt better with the initial shot.
The neutral end is amazing (great but weird), are Fulham the only team that allows it?! Great stadium, great stewards and staff, great ticket prices.
Stam is the real deal, but we knew that already.
I can see a very different set up at home with Beerens and McCleary returning in a 4-3-3.
Let's finish the job now, only 2 wins needed and we're back in the premier league.
RG7Fan
» 13 May 2017 22:30
Was watching on Sky so have seen endless replays of McShane - a harsh red but can see why it might have been given. The way the ref ran over there was never any doubt it was going to be serious.
Thought the ref had a shocker - lots given against us, but lots by them ignored.
All to play for on Tuesday - I do feel we are Wembley bound ...
PistolPete
» 13 May 2017 22:38
Because he had 2 saves to make and ballsed one up, because he kicked poorly - one was very lucky not to cause serious trouble.
I ask you, what did he do that was good?
He's one of our top 3-5 players this season... he's just shaky sometimes and I think he'll be disappointed with how he did today
Gunny Fishcake
» 13 May 2017 23:10
genome
» 13 May 2017 23:14
Reading's tactics were superb, totally eradicated our passing game especially from the back. For weeks I have wondered why other teams have not been able to adopt the set up that Reading did today and stop us playing. We play some great football, as do Barcelona, but if teams commit 3, 4 or even 5 players forward to stop defenses developing moves from the back, very difficult to come out with a plan B if you are not used to struggling for possession. That said I was happy with a draw, even though their goal should not have been allowed after the foul on Johansson and the obvious hand ball. Evenly poised for Tuesday!!
In December Reading came & played football with us & got spanked. Stam has learnt his lesson well. Tactics spot on.
And to think we wanted to avoid Wednesday. Never expected Reading to be that disciplined
ILoveMoonPig
» 13 May 2017 23:16
Hopefully Gmac and Kelly are back for Tuesday and the game will be completely different.
Match Stats
Full Time: 1-1
Half Time: 0-0
Attendance: 23717
Referee: S Attwell
Teams
Reading: A Al Habsi, T Blackett, P McShane , L Moore, D Williams, J Obita, C Gunter, G Evans, L Grabban (J Mendes, 68 (T Ilori, 82)), J Swift (J van den Berg, 74), Y Kermorgant.
Subs not used: G McCleary, R Beerens, A Popa, A Jaakkola.
Fulham: M Bettinelli, T Ream, T Kalas, S Malone, R Fredericks, T Cairney, S Johansen, K McDonald, F Ayite, S Aluko (G Cyriac, 87), C Martin (N Kebano, 61).
Subs not used: Lucas Piazon, S Parker, R Sessegnon, D Button, D Odoi.
Bookings / Red Cards
Reading: Y Kermorgant, J Swift
Sent Off: P McShane (80 mins).
Fulham: S Malone, K McDonald
This Championship game took place 2780 days ago in the 2016/2017 season.