Reading FC Match Report: 2017/2018 Season - Championship
BURTON 1 READING 3
Reading: J Bodvarsson (20), C Gunter (57), J Bodvarsson (68)
Burton: L Akins (pen 51)
Post Match Fans' Opinion
Brum Royal
A game we thoroughly deserved to win. We could have scored more and Burton scored (the pen) from their only real chance in the game. This was not a nervy victory but one that once we got in front we never looked like giving away. Despite being pegged back to 1-1, the heads didn't drop. The second half in particular was played in fairly miserable conditions - driving rain throughout and it was never going to be pretty - but there were the individual moments of quality that we have been crying out for this season, and that proved to be the difference between the two sides.
For 1-0, an overhit Bacuna cross from the right was well retrieved by Edwards(?) and a good quality cross was tucked away by Big Daddy.
For 2-1, a good corner to the top of the box, a good touch from Gunter and a cool, left footed, placed finish into the bottom right corner from the top of the box.
For 3-1 a good through ball behind the fullback to play in Barrow and a low cross was tucked away at the near post by Big Daddy.
All 3 goals had a bit of quality and a bit of composure to them - something we have been lacking for a while. Encouraging signs.
For 1-0, an overhit Bacuna cross from the right was well retrieved by Edwards(?) and a good quality cross was tucked away by Big Daddy.
For 2-1, a good corner to the top of the box, a good touch from Gunter and a cool, left footed, placed finish into the bottom right corner from the top of the box.
For 3-1 a good through ball behind the fullback to play in Barrow and a low cross was tucked away at the near post by Big Daddy.
All 3 goals had a bit of quality and a bit of composure to them - something we have been lacking for a while. Encouraging signs.
Kitsondinho
Well that was fun. The weather and the quality of the game were both awful......However, I was massively impressed with our grit, fight and will to win tonight. It wasn’t pretty, it was far more direct than normal under Stam...BUT it worked. I don’t think the passing style has been thrown out the window, but it was lovely to see our tactics be a bit more flexible. Yes Burton contributed to that by constantly booting the ball into the air....but we rolled our sleeves up and dug in. My MOM was Edwards. That is the type of performance I’ve been expecting fron him for a while. He drove the team forwards, fought hard in the middle of the park and moved the ball on quickly when he got it. Special mentions to Jon Dadi, Barrow and Bacuna. All excellent too. Aluko looked lost again (he shouldn’t be playing CM, but anyway)
Overall, delighted....loved Gunt’s celebration with Stam. A result to build on I hope. Maybe I’ll have thawed out by Saturday’s game.....
Overall, delighted....loved Gunt’s celebration with Stam. A result to build on I hope. Maybe I’ll have thawed out by Saturday’s game.....
3points
Well that was very different. We played a very pragmatic form of football. Very little passing around at the back. Definitely safety first. It wasn’t pretty but was what was needed against a very limited Burton team and in the wet conditions. Can’t see Burton staying up tbh
We started as a 4-4-2 with Bacuna right back and Gunter left back, and Aluko playing in central mode filed with Edwards more to the right. Just before the goal Stam made a tactical switch and went to a back three of Gunter, Moore and Ilori with Bacuna at left wing back, and Barrow on the right. Bacuna got the cross in for JDB to tap in from close range.
Second half started with Barrow and Bacuna switching flanks. Then when Elphick replaced Aluko, Gunter went to RWB and Bacuna went into the centre of midfield (his third position of the night). Penalty decision look harsh from a long way away so I’d like to see a replay, but definitely clumsy.
Then I was left totally shocked with Gunter’s left footed finish from outside the box following Bacuna’s corner direct to him. Third goal, Barrow looked offside when the ball was played through to him but JDB’s extra pace compared to Yann showed as he got in front of the defender for a close range finish.
Overall a much needed result and I’m not sure it moves us much further forward as I can’t see Stam settling for too many more games of head tennis in the remainder of the season. However, it could be the pragmatic approach against Millwall as well.
Mannone 6 - not much to do. Distribution average and felt he could have come for a couple of crosses but stayed on his line
Gunter 8 (+1 for the goal) - did what was asked of him. Didn’t mess around with the ball and just kept clearing it
Moore 6 - battled hard against Akins and Bent and won a lot of headers
Ilori 6 - looked pretty comfortable all evening but still feel he’s got a mistake in him
Bacuna 7 - worked hard, played three different positions and got two assists (I think)
Joey 5 - Didnt really notice him that much, quiet game
Edwards 7 - thought he had a good game. Worked tirelessly and made a lot of forward runs, tracked back and was very vocal in organising the team
Barrow 6.5 - good moments and bad. Final ball lacked quality. Definitely isn’t a right wing back. Great pace that troubled Burton and he got chopped down on a few occasions when he did the defenders for pace. One comedy moment when he realised, as a RWB, that he had to take a throw in. Complete foul throw which the ref didn’t give despite the cries of the locals!
Yann 4 - not sure he actually did anything all evening apart from win a few headers which promptly fell to no one. Hasn’t yet got a decent understanding with Jon Dadi yet. Still seems to be struggling to get back to any kind of form.
Jon Dadi 8 (MOTM) - two goals. Right place, right time. Worked really hard and it’s a mystery why he hasn’t started more games. Stam gave him a really big hug at the end of the game.
Subs
Elphick 5 - ok, can see he’s not used to stam’s usual style. Several times passed it back to Mannone and then didn’t move in order to get the return ball. However, was very vocal in the last 10 minutes organising players around him which is a good sign.
Evans 5 - limitedtime to make an impact and picked up a knock within 10 seconds of coming on
Stam 6 - took a pragmatic approach, changed the style. But Some of the formations/personnel were a bit strange, especially Aluko in central midlfield
Ref 4 - too inconsistent. Booked Moore for a full bloodied 50:50 and then let one of their players get away with a similar, but probably worse tackle
Pirelli Stadium 7 - enjoyed being so close to the game. Easy to get served at half time and good value for money
We started as a 4-4-2 with Bacuna right back and Gunter left back, and Aluko playing in central mode filed with Edwards more to the right. Just before the goal Stam made a tactical switch and went to a back three of Gunter, Moore and Ilori with Bacuna at left wing back, and Barrow on the right. Bacuna got the cross in for JDB to tap in from close range.
Second half started with Barrow and Bacuna switching flanks. Then when Elphick replaced Aluko, Gunter went to RWB and Bacuna went into the centre of midfield (his third position of the night). Penalty decision look harsh from a long way away so I’d like to see a replay, but definitely clumsy.
Then I was left totally shocked with Gunter’s left footed finish from outside the box following Bacuna’s corner direct to him. Third goal, Barrow looked offside when the ball was played through to him but JDB’s extra pace compared to Yann showed as he got in front of the defender for a close range finish.
Overall a much needed result and I’m not sure it moves us much further forward as I can’t see Stam settling for too many more games of head tennis in the remainder of the season. However, it could be the pragmatic approach against Millwall as well.
Mannone 6 - not much to do. Distribution average and felt he could have come for a couple of crosses but stayed on his line
Gunter 8 (+1 for the goal) - did what was asked of him. Didn’t mess around with the ball and just kept clearing it
Moore 6 - battled hard against Akins and Bent and won a lot of headers
Ilori 6 - looked pretty comfortable all evening but still feel he’s got a mistake in him
Bacuna 7 - worked hard, played three different positions and got two assists (I think)
Joey 5 - Didnt really notice him that much, quiet game
Edwards 7 - thought he had a good game. Worked tirelessly and made a lot of forward runs, tracked back and was very vocal in organising the team
Barrow 6.5 - good moments and bad. Final ball lacked quality. Definitely isn’t a right wing back. Great pace that troubled Burton and he got chopped down on a few occasions when he did the defenders for pace. One comedy moment when he realised, as a RWB, that he had to take a throw in. Complete foul throw which the ref didn’t give despite the cries of the locals!
Yann 4 - not sure he actually did anything all evening apart from win a few headers which promptly fell to no one. Hasn’t yet got a decent understanding with Jon Dadi yet. Still seems to be struggling to get back to any kind of form.
Jon Dadi 8 (MOTM) - two goals. Right place, right time. Worked really hard and it’s a mystery why he hasn’t started more games. Stam gave him a really big hug at the end of the game.
Subs
Elphick 5 - ok, can see he’s not used to stam’s usual style. Several times passed it back to Mannone and then didn’t move in order to get the return ball. However, was very vocal in the last 10 minutes organising players around him which is a good sign.
Evans 5 - limitedtime to make an impact and picked up a knock within 10 seconds of coming on
Stam 6 - took a pragmatic approach, changed the style. But Some of the formations/personnel were a bit strange, especially Aluko in central midlfield
Ref 4 - too inconsistent. Booked Moore for a full bloodied 50:50 and then let one of their players get away with a similar, but probably worse tackle
Pirelli Stadium 7 - enjoyed being so close to the game. Easy to get served at half time and good value for money
Denver Royal
Good write up's.
I thought Yann played pretty well (although I'm going to watch the game again to be sure). But yes, he's still getting his legs under him and his timing down and sharpness back. The thing I see with him, though, is that he still occupies defenders and they are wary of his rep and record, which I think brings other players in to the game, like Bod tonite.
Really wish the pair of them had started the season differently. Yann was out injured, period, for the first couple months with a bad injury. Bod was signed very late, wasn't really fit, started game one, and promptly got injured in it.
If these two had had a full off season, a full camp, a full pre-season, and both been fit and ready game one, and remained fit, then I think we might have been looking at a different season. That stuff is so vital for conditioning, training with the coaches, developing chemistry, etc, and it's not easy to navigate around those injuries on our budgets with our squad and resources.
As it was, either one of them, or both of them, were injured a lot of the time til about Dec. But hopefully the pair of them can really gel and be a force going forward and we can push on from here...
TiagoIlori
Good write up's.
I thought Yann played pretty well (although I'm going to watch the game again to be sure). But yes, he's still getting his legs under him and his timing down and sharpness back. The thing I see with him, though, is that he still occupies defenders and they are wary of his rep and record, which I think brings other players in to the game, like Bod tonite.
Really wish the pair of them had started the season differently. Yann was out injured, period, for the first couple months with a bad injury. Bod was signed very late, wasn't really fit, started game one, and promptly got injured in it. If these two had had a full off season, a full camp, a full pre-season, and both been fit and ready game one, and remained fit, then I think we might have been looking at a different season. That stuff is so vital for conditioning, training with the coaches, developing chemistry, etc. As it was, either one of them, or both of them, were injured a lot of the time til about Dec. But hopefully the pair of them can really gel and be a force going forward...
Bodvarsson seems to have gained a lot of confidence as of late, being there to score simple tap ins is a sign of a great striker. He’d be perfect with a powerful striker, the things I’d do to have the 11/12 version of Jason Roberts back
Denver Royal
Good write up's.
I thought Yann played pretty well (although I'm going to watch the game again to be sure). But yes, he's still getting his legs under him and his timing down and sharpness back. The thing I see with him, though, is that he still occupies defenders and they are wary of his rep and record, which I think brings other players in to the game, like Bod tonite.
Really wish the pair of them had started the season differently. Yann was out injured, period, for the first couple months with a bad injury. Bod was signed very late, wasn't really fit, started game one, and promptly got injured in it. If these two had had a full off season, a full camp, a full pre-season, and both been fit and ready game one, and remained fit, then I think we might have been looking at a different season. That stuff is so vital for conditioning, training with the coaches, developing chemistry, etc. As it was, either one of them, or both of them, were injured a lot of the time til about Dec. But hopefully the pair of them can really gel and be a force going forward...
Bodvarsson seems to have gained a lot of confidence as of late, being there to score simple tap ins is a sign of a great striker. He’d be perfect with a powerful striker, the things I’d do to have the 11/12 version of Jason Roberts back
Yep, agreed. I think Bod may be a season away yet, given his delayed start here. But yeah, this is a brute of a division, with some big clubs with big money. (castoff Elphick is an example). What we did last year was amazing, and it was unlikely we'd do the same this season. (We don't exactly have a long history of going back to back in the Champ anyway). As you sit down over the Summer, and you try to at least chart doing it, how do you do it? How do you circumnavigate Wolves, Villa, Leeds, Boro, Derby, Norwich, Fulham, etc. (Appoint Gilkes?
). Well for starters, significant injuries to Yann and Bod very early doors wouldn't be in your ideal scenario. With just Yann alone, subtract his 20 goals, and you are going to feel it. At our level, with our scope as a club, in this league today, we'd want all our ducks in line and the stars to align...and they didn't this season at the outset with Yann and Bod.FiNeRaIn
They should have bought strikers and wasted it on midfielders instead, its totally their fault, they didn't even get a loan so its not like it was some unfortunate unlucky occurrence. We knew Kerm would be out for a while and there was no guarantee he'd come back fit so we put all our eggs in a striker who hasn't hit a barn door in his career. He's looked better recently but it was against a league two team and the worst team in the division yesterday, lets see how he does long term.
It was a good result that eases some growing relegation fears but make no mistake if we follow this up with a home draw or defeat to a poor Millwall team then people will be right back on Stam's case again. Its time to get some consistent positive results. I don't care who we have up, lets have another 2 wins and two draws from out next 5 games.
It was a good result that eases some growing relegation fears but make no mistake if we follow this up with a home draw or defeat to a poor Millwall team then people will be right back on Stam's case again. Its time to get some consistent positive results. I don't care who we have up, lets have another 2 wins and two draws from out next 5 games.
Hound
Yep, right after scoring Gunter ran a long ways over to the sidelines...and it was quite a looong hug, too. Great to see.
Great to see who the teacher's pet is!
Ha, thought that myself
Thanks for the write ups. Sounds a better performance, albeit against a poor side
Need to follow this up now with a positive result against millwall
NewCorkSeth
Was working so only managed a bit of the second half. Happy to see us both winning and scoring.
Did anyone see Ilori dribbling around the 80th minute? (Ifollow doesn't have a clock) He did some kind of FIFA skill thingies to rodeo past a player right in front of him.. still not sure how it happened.
Did anyone see Ilori dribbling around the 80th minute? (Ifollow doesn't have a clock) He did some kind of FIFA skill thingies to rodeo past a player right in front of him.. still not sure how it happened.
Kitsondinho
Yeah it was very much get the job done somehow!
For those of you who have seen/will see the highlights.....look out for the sad loner all on his own to the left of the away terrace! When Jon Dadi scores number 3, he puts his hands on his head.....I know this because it was me.....I thought it had gone over......then I realised it had gone in!!
For those of you who have seen/will see the highlights.....look out for the sad loner all on his own to the left of the away terrace! When Jon Dadi scores number 3, he puts his hands on his head.....I know this because it was me.....I thought it had gone over......then I realised it had gone in!!
TiagoIlori
Bodvarsson seems to have gained a lot of confidence as of late, being there to score simple tap ins is a sign of a great striker. He’d be perfect with a powerful striker, the things I’d do to have the 11/12 version of Jason Roberts back
Yep, agreed. I think Bod may be a season away yet, given his delayed start here. But yeah, this is a brute of a division, with some big clubs with big money. (castoff Elphick is an example). What we did last year was amazing, and it was unlikely we'd do the same this season. (We don't exactly have a long history of going back to back in the Champ anyway). As you sit down over the Summer, and you try to at least chart doing it, how do you do it? How do you circumnavigate Wolves, Villa, Leeds, Boro, Derby, Norwich, Fulham, etc. (Appoint Gilkes?
). Well for starters, significant injuries to Yann and Bod very early doors wouldn't be in your ideal scenario. With just Yann alone, subtract his 20 goals, and you are going to feel it. At our level, with our scope as a club, in this league today, we'd want all our ducks in line and the stars to align...and they didn't this season at the outset with Yann and Bod.Looks like we’re about to replace Yann with Chris Martin as a loan deal is close, hopefully that motivates Yann even more to get himself at a healthy weight again, injury seems to have crippled him sadly, lost all his confidence because he’s barely scored. Not good at all for Yann
Hendo
I thought we had gone a very long time for away league games (posted by somebody under another topic) but if wrong I'll stick with the Saturday hoodoo which I know is correct as I have been to every game and can't remember being entertained let alone win a game.
Won at Birmingham last season 0-1, a year ago today in-fact. A quick count puts 4 away games on Tuesday nights between then and last night.
Saturday is a hoodoo which is correct and one I hope we end at the weekend.
Victor Meldrew
I thought we had gone a very long time for away league games (posted by somebody under another topic) but if wrong I'll stick with the Saturday hoodoo which I know is correct as I have been to every game and can't remember being entertained let alone win a game.
Won at Birmingham last season 0-1, a year ago today in-fact. A quick count puts 4 away games on Tuesday nights between then and last night.
Saturday is a hoodoo which is correct and one I hope we end at the weekend.
A year is long enough to be a hoodoo IMHO.
Hendo
Won at Birmingham last season 0-1, a year ago today in-fact. A quick count puts 4 away games on Tuesday nights between then and last night.
Saturday is a hoodoo which is correct and one I hope we end at the weekend.
A year is long enough to be a hoodoo IMHO.
It infuriates me when commentators come out with stats like that.
"Team X hasn't won at team Y for 65 years!!!" when in those 65 years, they have played a grand total of 1 game
Readingfanman
Enjoyable evening at the Pirelli, first time I'd been there, and wow. I never realised just quite how far above their weight Burton are punching.
Mannone - 5.5 Didn't really have much to do at all, can remember a tame long range effort and that's about it. Distribution wasn't bad.
Gunter - 6.5 Took his goal very well, and played well at WB getting forward on the odd occasion.
Moore - 6 Didn't let Bent or Akins really win anything. Unfairly booked in the first half.
Ilori - 6.5 Probably one of his better games I've seen in a Reading shirt. Looked fairly composed all night.
Bacuna - 7 Was all over the park, and once we'd took the lead and went to 3 CB's, was a solid LWB. The man seems to be the ultimate utility player.
VdB - 6 Was involved in some good challenges, and made a few good passes, the one for Barrow to assist for the 2nd goal was a nice pass.
Edwards - 6 Kept harassing the Burton midfield all night, and turned the ball over quickly from defence to attack, or left to right when needed.
Barrow - 7 Played very well, all of his runs seemed to come off last night. A couple of poor crosses/passes but nothing major.
Aluko - 4.5 Really didn't think he did much at all. Hauled off after 60 mins once Burton had equalised and we looked much sharper going forward for the 15 minutes following it.
Kermorgant - 5.5 Won a few headers and looked like he hustled in central midfield well, but I really think his time as a Championship player is coming to an end. I really struggle to see how he's fit enough, and his legs seem to have given way totally.
JDB - 7.5 MOTM for Reading, full of running and was in the right place to score the goals. No matter the side we were playing, even if it was 2 tap ins last night, he was there which is the player we have been lacking all season. Should be starting every week now imo if we don't get a striker in.
Elphick - 6.5 Looked a threat from corners and could have scored twice.
Evans - N/A Didnt play long enough to warrant a rating.
Stam - 6.5 Forced himself to play two strikers, and visibly changed the system once we took the lead. There did seem to be a conceding that actually we couldn't just knock the ball around slowly against Burton like we did last month, and there was a bit more direct football played.
Fans - 6.5 Made a fair bit of noise for small periods of time, and stayed fairly positive throughout even when Burton got their goal.
Mannone - 5.5 Didn't really have much to do at all, can remember a tame long range effort and that's about it. Distribution wasn't bad.
Gunter - 6.5 Took his goal very well, and played well at WB getting forward on the odd occasion.
Moore - 6 Didn't let Bent or Akins really win anything. Unfairly booked in the first half.
Ilori - 6.5 Probably one of his better games I've seen in a Reading shirt. Looked fairly composed all night.
Bacuna - 7 Was all over the park, and once we'd took the lead and went to 3 CB's, was a solid LWB. The man seems to be the ultimate utility player.
VdB - 6 Was involved in some good challenges, and made a few good passes, the one for Barrow to assist for the 2nd goal was a nice pass.
Edwards - 6 Kept harassing the Burton midfield all night, and turned the ball over quickly from defence to attack, or left to right when needed.
Barrow - 7 Played very well, all of his runs seemed to come off last night. A couple of poor crosses/passes but nothing major.
Aluko - 4.5 Really didn't think he did much at all. Hauled off after 60 mins once Burton had equalised and we looked much sharper going forward for the 15 minutes following it.
Kermorgant - 5.5 Won a few headers and looked like he hustled in central midfield well, but I really think his time as a Championship player is coming to an end. I really struggle to see how he's fit enough, and his legs seem to have given way totally.
JDB - 7.5 MOTM for Reading, full of running and was in the right place to score the goals. No matter the side we were playing, even if it was 2 tap ins last night, he was there which is the player we have been lacking all season. Should be starting every week now imo if we don't get a striker in.
Elphick - 6.5 Looked a threat from corners and could have scored twice.
Evans - N/A Didnt play long enough to warrant a rating.
Stam - 6.5 Forced himself to play two strikers, and visibly changed the system once we took the lead. There did seem to be a conceding that actually we couldn't just knock the ball around slowly against Burton like we did last month, and there was a bit more direct football played.
Fans - 6.5 Made a fair bit of noise for small periods of time, and stayed fairly positive throughout even when Burton got their goal.
This Championship game took place 2489 days ago in the 2017/2018 season.