News and Views
Young Reading Side Overcome Millwall In Extra Time
23 August 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading finally overcame a Millwall side offering little more than stubborn resistance with goals in extra time from George Evans and Sam Smith to reach the Third Round of the EFL Cup. Reading dominated possession in the first half, taking the lead through a stunning goal from Bacuna making his home debut, only to concede an equaliser within minutes. The game opened up in the second half with Reading creating more scoring opportunities than their opponents but were frustrated by some wayward shooting. The introduction of Barrow and Clement from the bench in the second half gave the Royals a more of a cutting edge but nobody was able to find the composure to provide the finish. Reading took control of the game in extra time and after re-taking the lead inevitably ran out comfortable winners in the end.
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Discussion On This Story:
Snowball
I really enjoyed it. There were plenty of very good performances, a few moments of brilliance,
some moves that were a joy to watch.
Bacuna is classy and should soon establish himself as a starter in midfield. Apart from one moment, he worked hard, tackled back, won loads of ball, was always available, keen to receive the ball and showed lots of vision with almost always the most sensible pass, He fed Popa often (Popa had a great game apart from his finishing). The goal was excellent. Picked up the ball deep in midfield, ghosted through two opponents, carried it to the edge of the box and wellies a great shot into the back of the net. This is a very good player. 8
Popa ran his socks off, was a great outlet. Had he not missed all those chances he'd've got 8.5 from me, but 7.5
Clement showed some fabulous ball skills when he came on as sub. He is going to be an awesome player in a few years, 8
The kid up front worked very hard, but didn't look like he'd ever score. I was so chuffed for him when he finally got a goal. 6
Rinomhota was solid throughout and can step into the first 11 without worries, when needed. 7
The three centre backs did OK throughout up against some big strikers, but we still manage to give away chances after dominating. 6.5s
Gunter was a mixed bag, sometimes OK-to-good, sometimes a bit casual, but overall he was probably a 6.5
Keeper was decent throughout, so I'd go 7
McCleary looked rusty and, I thought, a bit heavy
Millwall looked like a League 1 outfit, but when they went Route 1 it almost came off.
Barrow, Bacuna, Clement show some real class and lovely touches. We still lack "steel" though. At our best we look like we could open up any defence. I expect us to put 5-6 past some team this season
Snowball
I really enjoyed it. There were plenty of very good performances, a few moments of brilliance,
some moves that were a joy to watch.
Bacuna is classy and should soon establish himself as a starter in midfield. Apart from one moment, he worked hard, tackled back, won loads of ball, was always available, keen to receive the ball and showed lots of vision with almost always the most sensible pass, He fed Popa often (Popa had a great game apart from his finishing). The goal was excellent. Picked up the ball deep in midfield, ghosted through two opponents, carried it to the edge of the box and wellies a great shot into the back of the net. This is a very good player. 8
Popa ran his socks off, was a great outlet. Had he not missed all those chances he'd've got 8.5 from me, but 7.5
Clement showed some fabulous ball skills when he came on as sub. He is going to be an awesome player in a few years, 8
The kid up front worked very hard, but didn't look like he'd ever score. I was so chuffed for him when he finally got a goal. 6
Rinomhota was solid throughout and can step into the first 11 without worries, when needed. 7
Quin was industrious throughout. I think we look better when he plays.
The three centre backs did OK throughout up against some big strikers, but we still manage to give away chances after dominating. 6.5s
Gunter was a mixed bag, sometimes OK-to-good, sometimes a bit casual, but overall he was probably a 6.5
Keeper was decent throughout, so I'd go 7
McCleary looked rusty and, I thought, a bit heavy
Millwall looked like a League 1 outfit, but when they went Route 1 it almost came off.
Barrow, Bacuna, Clement show some real class and lovely touches. We still lack "steel" though. At our best we look like we could open up any defence. I expect us to put 5-6 past some team this season
Top Flight
I just feel we need to be able to penetrate more. I think we need to put more balls in the box and have bodies charging in trying to get on the end of things.
Anyway, I'm not going to interfere with Stam's work. I will let him get on with it and I will support him. Something good is brewing at Madejski Stadium. I hope Stam can bring in the players he wants.
bobby1413
I have to say I i think Popa is great, he basically runs around non stop. He also ripped their right back to bits over and over, plus created several great chances.
I also got a different view of Gunter. I really can not understand why people are overly critical of him, I mean those who stupidly suggest he's one of our worst players. He really isn't. I think he's a loyal and respected international who has some faults but really is decent. He got forward a fair bit and worked in well with Popa.
Jaakkola looked very shakey. I remember he tried to punch the ball and completely missed, I think that was around the 88th minute? Also not comfortable with the whole passing at the back.
Ilori - not sure I really think he's that good. Looks lightweight and also gave the ball away a few times
Quinn - but gutted to hear that he may be loaned out as I think he could add something. He seemed good to me.
Clement I'm still not sure about
Bacuna looks good
Barrow looks great
Brilliant goal from Evans
McCleary - forgot he was on the pitch tbh
Impressed with Andresson - he made a couple of mistakes but I really liked the look of him
Hound
Is a great competition in terms of allowing some of the fringe players to get game time and see the likes of Rinomhota get a few starts etc
Stam managing McCleary well I think - in the meantime Popa seems to be doing a decent job covering
Jaap shouldn't let Quinn go out on loan. With Swift injured we haven't that much depth in CM. esp with Joey being injured for every other game
Nameless
1. Thought Jakkola was very comfortable with the ball at his feet, never saw him in any difficulties but he was helped by the fact that the players in front played very intelligently. Only criticism was that a couple of times he had the chance to release the ball quickly to Popa or Barrow and he didn't
2. Illori is a classy player. Ideal for our style as he can play. He had a couple of feisty forwards to contend with and he stood up well, even when Morison was consistently playing the man rather than the ball.
3. Clement will be a star. Works hard, wins tackles, distributes well, plays anywhere. Probably our best signing this window based on home performances.
SCIAG
Jaakola - fine
Rimonhota - incredible industry to win a few balls he had no right to. A few questions over his passing and positioning.
Ilori - fine
Evans - good goal, best game from him all season. Very important for getting the ball up the pitch.
Axel - he's come on leaps and bounds in the last year. Really tenacious and suited Ilori well, although concentration went a bit at the end. Better than Cooper.
Gunter - not his usual self but that's understandable, on the wrong side of the pitch with another right footer. Did well enough without impressing.
Bacuna - very impressive, just ghosted past players and struck the ball well. Stuck in two minds for their goal.
Quinn - useful
McCleary - easing himself back into it.
Popa - good game except for his shooting
Smith - clearly not good enough but took his goal well and did a decent job of teeing up others.
Clement - looks really good. Let's find him a position.
Barrow - much livelier than McCleary.
Blackett - fine
Loader - good experience for him
Nameless
You have to be kidding me. no doubt it was boring on the radio..
I saw someone on twitter thanking Reading buses for putting an earlier bus on back to town as they said it was boring. The Gillingham game was desperately boring in the previous round except for Kelly's cracker.
Neither game was boring though.
bobby1413
Really enjoyed it, people need to think back 2-3 seasons to really appreciate what boring was. Remember we had about 2-3 games in quick succession of 0 (ZERO) shots. Of just nothingness, pure silence and just sat there watching drivel.
West Stand Man
Surely this is a good thing?
Indeed it is. If the Millwall fan didn't deliberately wind up the home fans then just let it go. I have to confess that I would not openly celebrate if I was in the opposition end, learning to sit on your hands and do a stifled "Yes!" when score is pretty much essential if you are going to sit 'wrong'.
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