Reading FC Match Report: 2023/2024 Season - League One
WYCOMBE 1 READING 2
Reading: S Smith (30), L Wing (41)
Wycombe: K Phillips (32)
Post Match Fans' Opinion
Royalwaster
I can think of a few reasons but yes a real opportunity. Season defining I think
Tuesday is big. Don't win, and today is just a day out to enjoy. But yes, 6 or 7 points from the next 3 and things look better. Barnsley and Oxford tricky teams though.
We're lucky that Oxford have lost their manager to Brizzle and have lost today to Cheltenham ...
Sutekh
Carlisle, Barnsley then Oxford all at home are the next 3 league games however there is a cup trip to Eastleigh after Carlisle and another home game v Charlton in the Bristol Motors Cup to be arranged, possibly after Eastleigh.
The Oxford game could be postponed though if Eastleigh v Reading is a draw next Sunday.
Crowbar6753
Great win and great scenes at the end!! plus a change in formation which we've all been crying out for. We looked a bit shaky early on and that was probably down to getting used to the formation change but we certainly grew into the game and looked more secure at the back and retained the ball better in midfield plus we looked sharp and dangerous on the counter.
Craig i thought was awesome in the middle and has to be a permanent starter moving forward. Also a big mention to Azeez who looked good in spells today as did mukairu when he came on.
Big positives and the monkey off our back with the away win. Seven points from safety and a confidence boosting victory, another win on Tuesday will set us up nicely for Barnsley and Oxford.
Hopefully some positive news soon regarding the takeover and you never know, we might just be turning a corner, fingers crossed!!
Craig i thought was awesome in the middle and has to be a permanent starter moving forward. Also a big mention to Azeez who looked good in spells today as did mukairu when he came on.
Big positives and the monkey off our back with the away win. Seven points from safety and a confidence boosting victory, another win on Tuesday will set us up nicely for Barnsley and Oxford.
Hopefully some positive news soon regarding the takeover and you never know, we might just be turning a corner, fingers crossed!!
NathStPaul
Carlisle, Barnsley then Oxford all at home are the next 3 league games however there is a cup trip to Eastleigh after Carlisle and another home game v Charlton in the Bristol Motors Cup to be arranged, possibly after Eastleigh.
The Oxford game could be postponed though if Eastleigh v Reading is a draw next Sunday.
Ridiculous to suggest Reading could draw with a non league side.
Oh wait....
WestYorksRoyal
For a few years now, since the embargoes started, we've cobbled together teams with inexperienced players at the start of their careers but also older players with less mobile and not up to the rough and tumble of a long campaign. We've lacked players in their prime who can consistently deliver.
To an extent it's true this year, but today's scorers were Smith and Wing who are both in their mid to late 20s. If we're going to get out of the bottom 4, they will need to be big players for us; Smith has transformed us in an attacking sense. No injuries to these 2 please.
To an extent it's true this year, but today's scorers were Smith and Wing who are both in their mid to late 20s. If we're going to get out of the bottom 4, they will need to be big players for us; Smith has transformed us in an attacking sense. No injuries to these 2 please.
Snowflake Royal
Don't even recall any close calls, that said they were shooting toward the opposite end of the pitch in the 2nd half so didn't have a great view.
Not sure it was 84th,but there was a cluster oxf*rd with Smith failing to sheppard out and then Button beaten with the ball coming back off the far post.
Stranded
Don't even recall any close calls, that said they were shooting toward the opposite end of the pitch in the 2nd half so didn't have a great view.
Not sure it was 84th,but there was a cluster oxf*rd with Smith failing to sheppard out and then Button beaten with the ball coming back off the far post.
That was pretty early in the half, was nearly Shrewsbury all over again. I do think it came off Button's boot onto the post though so giving him the save there.
LightwaterRoyal
Watched on iFollow (I've lived in spain my whole life. Let me off! Coincidently just down the road from where Ruben Selles grew up.)
Really impressed with the support, looking to get to my first game soon if I can fit it around my work. Any suggestions for fixtures that might be good for a family weekend (wife and 3 year old)
Onto yesterday's game
Button - Kicking mostly poor, wasn't troubled much. Their goal was really well taken. 6/10
Yiadom - Thought he played well, got forward and runs himself ragged 7/10
Binden and Abbey 9/10 - We should do everything we can to build the squad around them.
Dorsett 7/10 - Saw him a few games ago and wasn't convinced but he looked very solid yesterday. Shouldn't be playing Left Back though as lacks going forward and seems vulnerable to pace.
Craig - 10/10. Was everywhere degensively, reminded me of Jay Tabb, Bring the ball forward well too.
Wing - 8/10 Quality, almost everything we do well starts with Wing.
Knibbs - 6/10. I like him, does a lot of the hard work, never stops running, constantly roaring up the fans. Just seems like he's struggling to make his mark on games though yesterday he was a bit more involved that usual. Think he'll be a fan favourite once he gets settled. Plays much better off of Sam Smith unsurprisingly.
Ballard - 7/10 While he was on he looked like he'd be the one that'd make the difference. Loads of clever runs, and always gets himself in good positions to score. Injury looked really bad.
Azeez - 9/10. Never seen a player be so good at times and so bad at times within 90 minutes. Spends half the game skinning his man, whipping dangerous crosses in and getting good shots off then the other half he looks like he has no confidence, ca t control the ball when through on goal and can't play a simple pass. Reminds me a bit of Shane Long pre 2007. Please stop taking corners.
Two assists though so hopefully he can take some confidence from that.
Smith - 7/10 Could be our most complete forward since Kermorgant or Oliveira. Has changed the attack completely. Tired towards the end and would-be liked to see Kelvin come on to try hold the ball up.
Mukairu - 5/10 Spent some time working in Nigeria recently and the locals I got chatting to had never heard of him. Wasn't up to speed at all, constantly gave the ball away, didn't offer Dorsett any protection, forgot he was on the pitch. The only thing I'll say is he doesn't get the deer in headlights moments and seems reasonably composed when on the ball. I imagine we'll see a lot more of him in the next few games so hopefully can replicate some of his cup form.
Mbengue - 6/10 Good sub performance, looked as though we were vulnerable down our left and he shored it up along with Carson.
Carson - 6/10 As Mbengue.
Savage - 6/10 Couldn't really do much in the time he had. Pressed well though which is crucial at that stage of the game.
Ruben Selles - 9/10. Really wanted him to do well, I hope he stays but fear he's lost some of the players support and is too late.
Great use of his subs. Identified where we were starting to struggle and everyone he brought on improved the side at that point in the game. (Bar Mukairu but thought was forced)
Knocked a point off because I felt Smith / Knibbs should have been subbed off for Ehibhatioman around the 75th minute as we sat back they were isolated and was struggled to hold the ball up consistently.
Really impressed with the support, looking to get to my first game soon if I can fit it around my work. Any suggestions for fixtures that might be good for a family weekend (wife and 3 year old)
Onto yesterday's game
Button - Kicking mostly poor, wasn't troubled much. Their goal was really well taken. 6/10
Yiadom - Thought he played well, got forward and runs himself ragged 7/10
Binden and Abbey 9/10 - We should do everything we can to build the squad around them.
Dorsett 7/10 - Saw him a few games ago and wasn't convinced but he looked very solid yesterday. Shouldn't be playing Left Back though as lacks going forward and seems vulnerable to pace.
Craig - 10/10. Was everywhere degensively, reminded me of Jay Tabb, Bring the ball forward well too.
Wing - 8/10 Quality, almost everything we do well starts with Wing.
Knibbs - 6/10. I like him, does a lot of the hard work, never stops running, constantly roaring up the fans. Just seems like he's struggling to make his mark on games though yesterday he was a bit more involved that usual. Think he'll be a fan favourite once he gets settled. Plays much better off of Sam Smith unsurprisingly.
Ballard - 7/10 While he was on he looked like he'd be the one that'd make the difference. Loads of clever runs, and always gets himself in good positions to score. Injury looked really bad.
Azeez - 9/10. Never seen a player be so good at times and so bad at times within 90 minutes. Spends half the game skinning his man, whipping dangerous crosses in and getting good shots off then the other half he looks like he has no confidence, ca t control the ball when through on goal and can't play a simple pass. Reminds me a bit of Shane Long pre 2007. Please stop taking corners.
Two assists though so hopefully he can take some confidence from that.
Smith - 7/10 Could be our most complete forward since Kermorgant or Oliveira. Has changed the attack completely. Tired towards the end and would-be liked to see Kelvin come on to try hold the ball up.
Mukairu - 5/10 Spent some time working in Nigeria recently and the locals I got chatting to had never heard of him. Wasn't up to speed at all, constantly gave the ball away, didn't offer Dorsett any protection, forgot he was on the pitch. The only thing I'll say is he doesn't get the deer in headlights moments and seems reasonably composed when on the ball. I imagine we'll see a lot more of him in the next few games so hopefully can replicate some of his cup form.
Mbengue - 6/10 Good sub performance, looked as though we were vulnerable down our left and he shored it up along with Carson.
Carson - 6/10 As Mbengue.
Savage - 6/10 Couldn't really do much in the time he had. Pressed well though which is crucial at that stage of the game.
Ruben Selles - 9/10. Really wanted him to do well, I hope he stays but fear he's lost some of the players support and is too late.
Great use of his subs. Identified where we were starting to struggle and everyone he brought on improved the side at that point in the game. (Bar Mukairu but thought was forced)
Knocked a point off because I felt Smith / Knibbs should have been subbed off for Ehibhatioman around the 75th minute as we sat back they were isolated and was struggled to hold the ball up consistently.
This League One game took place 374 days ago in the 2023/2024 season.