Good first half performance, second half less so but all in all a decent point at a team high up in the table, need to take momentum forward to Swansea

Jaakkola 6 - distribution better today, few loose kicks still

Yiadom 7 - calm and composed on the ball, solid defensively
Ilori 6 - accident waiting to happen, he did OK on the whole but could have been punished twice with two sloppy clearances
O'Shea 8 - rock at the back
Richards 8 - much better, was positive and dangerous on the ball

Rinomhota 7 - very good first half, disappointing by his usual standards second half, thought he tired
Swift 8 - controlled the game first 60, died down a little towards the end but was positive and dangerous
Aluko 7 - looked more at home in that position, sprayed the ball around nicely and worked hard

McCleary 6 - brightest of the front three, a few loose touches but his linkup with Yiadom was decent
Meite 3 - harsh but I can't think of anything that he did that was helpful, he miscontrolled the ball numerous times and ran off the pitch a few times as well. Being back from injury isn't a valid excuse to compensate not being able to control the ball. Disappointed with him
Barrow 5 - worked hard and kept the ball well, but was no threat whatsoever in an attacking sense, don't remember him running at his marker and making a cross all game

Subs were too late, feel Kelly/ Meyler should have come on though instead of Loader as we began to lose the midfield battle at the end

Feel positive after that though, signs were there at times, a few too many passes around the back four when we had opportunities to advance, but for four or five days of training, I was surprisingly impressed

Useful report thanks.

Yeah, mentioned earlier that Swift, McCleary, Aluko and Barrow look different players already. I know quite a few in here don't rate them, and so this can be a positive, or an unexpected bonus, etc

It will be like a new signing if Aluko can fit in successfully in CAM. certainly need to reposition him because he`s not a winger.

Very encouraging. Different type of possession game to Stam as we constantly looked to play through the thirds and did so with some success. Swift and Rinomhota we’re both excellent and the full backs looked to play forward rather than going backwards all of the time. Bottom line though is that we weren’t good enough in both boxes. Meite gives his all but is learning on the job at present and QPR were a threat whenever they made it into our box.
Huge transfer window coming up. If we can stay in the division then they’re might be some better times ahead.

Saw a stat that showed Meite only had 17 touches in 82 mins which is a bit poor

Aluko looks like a new signing today, he was very good in CAM role whilst McCleary and Swift returned to top form, heres hoping they can stay consistent. I thought Oshea did well as well but Meite was poor. After he was fouled, he'd lay down to much and numerous occasions it stopped Readings momentum. Jakkola had another great game to,

Overall a nice showing and loving the new attacking style., heres hoping they can follow up with back to back wins.

Was completely against the Gomes appointment, but we looked a different team today. We controlled the game, and it definitely wasn't possession for possession sake. Back four all played very well. Rinomhota class again. And Swift looked every bit the player he can be, some lovely touches and quality passes. Big up Aluko, was playing more central and put in a good performance, clean slate and all that, and the fans appreciated it - hopefully that ovation will give him a bit of a confidence boost. I'm a lot more hopeful of staying up than I was a few days ago.

Interesting. Very interesting.

That sounds hopeful. Let’s be honest. Aluko had never been comfortable playing on the wing and has constantly moved inside towards the centre of the pitch. Perhaps he is now playing where he feels comfortable.

Decent game, decent entertainment, decent performance and a decent result.

Bit surprised QPR are up near the playoffs as I thought they were fairly poor but we passed the ball well and had the majority of possession. Swift and Rinomhota were our best players but was disappointed by the front three who, I felt, didn't make much impact. Good to keep a clean sheet but we desperately need a big threat up front. Maybe that's John Dadi now he's back.

I actually thought we did OK today.
Fair enough QPR were pretty useless but Swift totally controlled midfield and if we had a cutting edge, we would have won comfortably.
Hard to pinpoint what has changed, but the manager appears to have installed some confidence and belief.
Any neutral watching this afternoon would not have had us of the two as the relegation candidates.

The fact that various players can have such a markable difference in performance is more than just confidence. Awful attitude, particularly swift. Not the sort of player's we need at our club long term.

I’ve never thought Swift has had a particularly bad attitude. Lacks confidence and defensively he is poor but I think it matters to him more than some

Either way, I suspect whether we stay up or not largely depends on his form for the next 4 months or so. Clearly going to be a key player for Gomes

Not sure how anyone can accuse Swift of having an awful attitude, this is a player who left Chelsea and came down to Reading as he was hungry to be playing football week in week out.

Yes he's young, yes he's still developing his game, yes he can frustrate at times (as well as dazzle) , but one thing I personally wouldn't doubt is his attitude.

Received no service as such today.

McCleary was a good choice of Captain on the day. Led by example.

O'Shea is invaluable in helping the lesser experienced players and keeping the defence organised.

Rinomhota another excellent performance.

After the first 30 minutes of the game was wondering if QPR had turned up on the day. Very limited side though well organised. When the opposition have an off day like this we need to capitalise. While the formation worked today. Concern must be that it is too lightweight against more direct footballing sides. Millwall pressed us back and the unforced errors flowed. Fortunately that wasn't the case today. Need to sort the keeper position out as none currently fill me with any confidence. Jaakkola made one terrible decision in the second half. That could have cost us dear.

The way he often ambles around the pitch without making a lot of effort as a spectator with the occasional fancy flick or trick suggests to me he's not the sort we want. He's always been able to put in the odd good performance, particularly against teams that stand off (which some seem to have suggested QPR did). The question is can he cut out the rancid performances and powderpuff effort that sees us get walked all over quite often when he's in the side. And create some actual goals. I don't think he lacks confidence, I think he lacks commitment to the team/fight and decision making.

Personally, I think you have to 'hide' Swift in the attacking midfield slot behind the striker where he can't do a lot of damage defensively, but he might create something. Which puts him in competition with Aluko, and Clement, maybe Bacuna, Baldock, McNulty and Loader.

The fact that various players can have such a markable difference in performance is more than just confidence. Awful attitude, particularly swift. Not the sort of player's we need at our club long term.
Think that's a bit harsh. Maybe he's just thriving under different instructions. Everything went through him today, could be that he's better when people are giving him the ball, rather than when he has to go chasing for it.

The way he often ambles around the pitch without making a lot of effort as a spectator with the occasional fancy flick or trick suggests to me he's not the sort we want. He's always been able to put in the odd good performance, particularly against teams that stand off (which some seem to have suggested QPR did). The question is can he cut out the rancid performances and powderpuff effort that sees us get walked all over quite often when he's in the side. And create some actual goals.

It pains me to ever agree with Ian, and I’m sure it’s mutual, however I agree.

The way he often ambles around the pitch without making a lot of effort as a spectator with the occasional fancy flick or trick suggests to me he's not the sort we want. He's always been able to put in the odd good performance, particularly against teams that stand off (which some seem to have suggested QPR did). The question is can he cut out the rancid performances and powderpuff effort that sees us get walked all over quite often when he's in the side. And create some actual goals.

It pains me to ever agree with Ian, and I’m sure it’s mutual, however I agree.

John Swift needs to go. He is a fair weather goon who hasn't got an ounce of fight in him. Get rid and generate some cash whilst he is still worth something.

You do remember we were one nil down against Millwall early doors, then spent most of the game with 10 men, the last 10 minutes with 9, and pretty much held our own?

I think that probably had a huge factor, along with having a fullback at CB and our best central midfielder at RB...

It pains me to ever agree with Ian, and I’m sure it’s mutual, however I agree.

John Swift needs to go. He is a fair weather goon who hasn't got an ounce of fight in him. Get rid and generate some cash whilst he is still worth something.
I'd usually agree with y'all, but on today's performance, he's exactly what we do need to get us out of this shite.

Great performance , the best in a long time.

Thought we played some nice stuff yesterday, but aside from the corner in the first half we never really looked like scoring, even the save from loader looks fairly comfortable on the replay.
QPR let us have the ball for most of the game but we could still barely muster a shot on target while they hit the bar twice and forced jaakola into some good saves.
Once teams have seen how we play a few times I can see them picking us off on the counter quite easily.

Crikey, I've read a great deal of bollocks on Hobnob over the years but I think the assassination of Swift must be right up there. Anyone with half a football brain and who went to 'Wall and QPR can see that Swift (and Rino) was the MotM in each game.

Swift is the one player with real quality, vision and skill that we have. Rino is turning into our brightest prospect since Gylfi (although a very different role and type of player.)

Special mentions for yesterday to Aluko who seemed a bit more interested, and O'Shea who didn't put a foot wrong.

I'd like to see Richards and Yiadom gamble more and make forward runs for channel balls - but hey, a clean sheet is a clean sheet.

We really need to sort out a striker or two in whom we have confidence. Meite is so unbelievably poor and his first touch is criminal.

Totally agree with all of that

Totally agree with all of that

Well I was at neither so I’m looking forward to seeing this Swift that you’re all talking about.

When Swift first came to the club he was absolutely brilliant. He's never found that brilliance since he was injured. I just hope that he can find it again under Gomes.

He's possibly the best chance of us avoiding relegation.

I think Swift is a pretty typical Academy product from the top 6. Barring the top ones, like your Sterlings, Rashfords and Kanes, far too many of the players the system churns out now are pretty and technical and look good on the highlights but lack something, be it drive, application or mental toughness.

It seems to make them less consistent or fail to fulfil the potential their technical ability suggests they have.

I'd not be too worried if Swift were to leave or not play, but there's no doubting that if he can play anywhere near his best consistently then he's the most creative player we have.

Easy life and massive money too young isn't it. Told they're special from a young age and so start believing it, but never develop the fight to make it worth anything.