News and Views
Plymouth Next After Win On Penalties
14 August 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading needed penalities to overcome League One Wycombe Wanderers last night in the League Cup first round. The Royals were 1-1 at full time, despite fielding a strong side, after a goalless first half, before winning 4-2 on penalties thanks to Rafael's heroics in goal. George Puscas played his first full ninety minutes after his big money signing last week from Inter Milan and scored Reading's equaliser in the second half after Wycombe had taken the lead. Reading gave starts to a group of new signings with Rafael, Adam, Pele, Ejaria, and Boye all starting alongside Puscas.
Puscas, Baldock, and Swift were all on target in the penalty shoot-out with well taken efforts before Danny Loader stepped up to seal it with an equally quality spot-kick. The players surrounded Rafael after Loader scored after the Reading goalkeeper saved two penalties and nearly saved a third in an impressive Reading debut.
The Royals will travel to League Two Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the competition.
Discussion On This Story:
Snowball
FIRST HALF
First half I thought we were very dominant, should have scored a couple, at least.
Played a LOT of long ball (Joao would have had a field day) but I thought Puskas held it up well,
fought for everything, ran his heart out. I think he will get a lot of goals but ATM he seems to be trying
a bit too hard. I don't mind strikers missing (esp if they get a goal) and he was a constant threat.
WhenI watched Boye on You Tube he was almost always left wing. First half he seemed to be swapping
a lot with Puskas at centre forward. He's reasonably quick and has a good dribble. I think he will settle
and get a reasonable amount of goals and assists
Ejaria was quite superb, IMO, He won some good ball and, as usual showed great feet.
Richards played very well, found a lot of space, worked well with Ejaria. If he continues in this
vein, Obita/Blackett will struggle to take the shirt
For the first 15/20 Adam played higher and I thought, played well, but then
he faded/turned into a pumpkin. Surprised he came on for second half.
Looked like we were playing 5-3-2, though, no doubt, I'm wrong
McIntyre and Morrison did very well. Moore OK-ish but he doesn't lookmanything close to his best
Rhino appeared to be RWB. OK but wasted out there IMO
Pele was decent. One of those unsung midfielders does mostly the simple thing
============================================================================
SECOND HALF
With a bit of luck, better composure (their keeper did make two VG saves) we would have gone in with the game all-but-safe
but then, as usual, we forgot to start the second half and Wycombe had a go. The goal came from a corner, I think and it looked
like (yet again) someone had a free header.
Finally the manager hooked Adam, and almost immediately Swift, on as sub, put Puscas away. His shot was blocked/saved but he nodded in the loose ball. NOT lucky, he was there, wasn't he?
There was a moment later, where a poor pass involving Puskas went to a Wycombe player. Puskas charged back, won the ball, gesticulated at the slow midfield, then belted upfield with the ball. he has energy and fight and a big heart. He should start.
Because we equalised quickly, I thought we nick it 2-1 but we dropped off again. Wycombe lacked Championship class, but they were home, with not much to lose. It started to look like we might blow it. They did hit the bar but it was never going in.
As far as I can remember our new keeper, Rafael, though he routinely picked out a few long shots, never had to make a real save.
He looks solid, a safe pair of hands, and I'm sure the defenders will prefer him between the sticks
===============
Penalties
All our four penalties were VERY well-taken (I thought we'd be rubbish)
Rafael was dancing like a dervish on the line, playing mind-games, pointing to the side he "wanted" the player to go. Their first pen rammed home but all the others were got to by Rafael. he saved their second (big cheer) and then went the right way for the next, but actually went past the ball which hit his legs before going in. He was as mad as hell!
Then he saved another and Loader scored our fourth for the win
So our new keeper (please start v Cardiff) gotta 3/4 of their penalties. Impressive
First half I thought we were very dominant, should have scored a couple, at least.
Played a LOT of long ball (Joao would have had a field day) but I thought Puskas held it up well,
fought for everything, ran his heart out. I think he will get a lot of goals but ATM he seems to be trying
a bit too hard. I don't mind strikers missing (esp if they get a goal) and he was a constant threat.
WhenI watched Boye on You Tube he was almost always left wing. First half he seemed to be swapping
a lot with Puskas at centre forward. He's reasonably quick and has a good dribble. I think he will settle
and get a reasonable amount of goals and assists
Ejaria was quite superb, IMO, He won some good ball and, as usual showed great feet.
Richards played very well, found a lot of space, worked well with Ejaria. If he continues in this
vein, Obita/Blackett will struggle to take the shirt
For the first 15/20 Adam played higher and I thought, played well, but then
he faded/turned into a pumpkin. Surprised he came on for second half.
Looked like we were playing 5-3-2, though, no doubt, I'm wrong
McIntyre and Morrison did very well. Moore OK-ish but he doesn't lookmanything close to his best
Rhino appeared to be RWB. OK but wasted out there IMO
Pele was decent. One of those unsung midfielders does mostly the simple thing
============================================================================
SECOND HALF
With a bit of luck, better composure (their keeper did make two VG saves) we would have gone in with the game all-but-safe
but then, as usual, we forgot to start the second half and Wycombe had a go. The goal came from a corner, I think and it looked
like (yet again) someone had a free header.
Finally the manager hooked Adam, and almost immediately Swift, on as sub, put Puscas away. His shot was blocked/saved but he nodded in the loose ball. NOT lucky, he was there, wasn't he?
There was a moment later, where a poor pass involving Puskas went to a Wycombe player. Puskas charged back, won the ball, gesticulated at the slow midfield, then belted upfield with the ball. he has energy and fight and a big heart. He should start.
Because we equalised quickly, I thought we nick it 2-1 but we dropped off again. Wycombe lacked Championship class, but they were home, with not much to lose. It started to look like we might blow it. They did hit the bar but it was never going in.
As far as I can remember our new keeper, Rafael, though he routinely picked out a few long shots, never had to make a real save.
He looks solid, a safe pair of hands, and I'm sure the defenders will prefer him between the sticks
===============
Penalties
All our four penalties were VERY well-taken (I thought we'd be rubbish)
Rafael was dancing like a dervish on the line, playing mind-games, pointing to the side he "wanted" the player to go. Their first pen rammed home but all the others were got to by Rafael. he saved their second (big cheer) and then went the right way for the next, but actually went past the ball which hit his legs before going in. He was as mad as hell!
Then he saved another and Loader scored our fourth for the win
So our new keeper (please start v Cardiff) gotta 3/4 of their penalties. Impressive
Royality creeps In
Nice report
Strange formation with three centre backs and Richards and Rhino playing on the flanks.
I thought Ejaria looked good, especially for the first 30, however he faded, probably down to match fitness.
Raphael also did well, not sure he could do much for their goal.
Morrison looked solid
Pele was disappointing.
Adams hit and miss
Swift added some much needed impetus and we looked a lot better when he came on.
Not sure what happened with Boye. He came on for the second half and was substituted before the match re commenced.
All in all there was a lot of sloppy play, giving the ball away far to easily, which is a concern as a better team will punish us.
Not taking anything away from Wycombe who looked a tidy outfit. and on that showing will probably do well this season.
The ground could not cope with a large away support with long queues for food drink etc. Also why make it unreserved when you have a sell out away support? That caused problems with some fans arguing and nearly coming to blows.
Appeared to be more Reading fans than there than home fans.
Positive was that I was back home by 10:30.
Strange formation with three centre backs and Richards and Rhino playing on the flanks.
I thought Ejaria looked good, especially for the first 30, however he faded, probably down to match fitness.
Raphael also did well, not sure he could do much for their goal.
Morrison looked solid
Pele was disappointing.
Adams hit and miss
Swift added some much needed impetus and we looked a lot better when he came on.
Not sure what happened with Boye. He came on for the second half and was substituted before the match re commenced.
All in all there was a lot of sloppy play, giving the ball away far to easily, which is a concern as a better team will punish us.
Not taking anything away from Wycombe who looked a tidy outfit. and on that showing will probably do well this season.
The ground could not cope with a large away support with long queues for food drink etc. Also why make it unreserved when you have a sell out away support? That caused problems with some fans arguing and nearly coming to blows.
Appeared to be more Reading fans than there than home fans.
Positive was that I was back home by 10:30.
Royalcop
That’s a very good write up. It was a frustrating game in many ways, we controlled the first half but couldn’t find a finish then a sloppy goal to concede after HT but couldn’t fault the reaction to it and some nerveless penalties.
All the new signings looked decent, Puscas will definitely be a crowd favourite with his all-action style and chasing back but he looked one-paced and his finishing was disappointing given his pedigree.
Boyé is elegant on the ball with quick feet, shame he had to go off early. I thought Pelé was excellent, kept the ball moving, disruptive and likes a tackle. Rafael was solid and reassuring. Morrison was commanding in the air and a threat going forward. Adam looked decent in the first half but needs to work on his fitness.
Definitely some promising signs but Cardiff will be a much sterner test.
All the new signings looked decent, Puscas will definitely be a crowd favourite with his all-action style and chasing back but he looked one-paced and his finishing was disappointing given his pedigree.
Boyé is elegant on the ball with quick feet, shame he had to go off early. I thought Pelé was excellent, kept the ball moving, disruptive and likes a tackle. Rafael was solid and reassuring. Morrison was commanding in the air and a threat going forward. Adam looked decent in the first half but needs to work on his fitness.
Definitely some promising signs but Cardiff will be a much sterner test.
If you still hate Futcher
Totally agree, but if it had be Virginia in goal some would be saying he should've got a hand to it (ie Sheff Weds 2nd goal)
but...
Interesting the different views on the same performance - I agree with Royalcop, Pele did exactly what you want from the holding midfielder, broke up their play and was combative in the centre but not too ambitious with the ball, just giving it to someone else to use. The one thing I didn't like was his attemtped back heel in the 2nd half when he could easily have headed it.
He came out slightly earlier than the rest of the squad and did a quick test to see if he was OK and decided he wan't - hopefully just precautionary
Was it unreserved? When I was buying my tickets it was shown as reserved and the signs outside the ground said so too - are you sure it wasn't just some groups who wanted to sit together but couldn't get a tickets at the same time so just decided they'd sit where they want?
Not too sure how much we can take out of the game to be honest, the change in formation should suit how Jose wants to play but Rhino was wasted out on the right. Moore looked much more comfortable out there in the 2nd half when we went back to a back 4.
It was a bit of a disjointed performance what with the change in formation and all the new faces, but we started the game brightly, dominated the 1st half and should really have gone in ahead but their no 5 (Stewart?) was excellent and cut out a number of moves.
2nd half they came at us more and we generally coped OK. Zonal marking cost us for their goal as the scorer was allowed to run free at the front post and glance in a header that Rafael could do nothing about.
For some reason I thought the penalties were never in doubt (despite our abysmal record). I usually don't watch penalties that I want to go in but felt comfortable that we'd put them all away. All our penalties were well taken and their keeper never had a sniff, Rafael on the other hand was close to 3 of their 4 and was playing mind games with their takers which helped to put all but the 1st one off.
Ejaria was MOTM for me - showed what we all have come to expect and tied their players in knots at times.
but...
Interesting the different views on the same performance - I agree with Royalcop, Pele did exactly what you want from the holding midfielder, broke up their play and was combative in the centre but not too ambitious with the ball, just giving it to someone else to use. The one thing I didn't like was his attemtped back heel in the 2nd half when he could easily have headed it.
He came out slightly earlier than the rest of the squad and did a quick test to see if he was OK and decided he wan't - hopefully just precautionary
Was it unreserved? When I was buying my tickets it was shown as reserved and the signs outside the ground said so too - are you sure it wasn't just some groups who wanted to sit together but couldn't get a tickets at the same time so just decided they'd sit where they want?
Not too sure how much we can take out of the game to be honest, the change in formation should suit how Jose wants to play but Rhino was wasted out on the right. Moore looked much more comfortable out there in the 2nd half when we went back to a back 4.
It was a bit of a disjointed performance what with the change in formation and all the new faces, but we started the game brightly, dominated the 1st half and should really have gone in ahead but their no 5 (Stewart?) was excellent and cut out a number of moves.
2nd half they came at us more and we generally coped OK. Zonal marking cost us for their goal as the scorer was allowed to run free at the front post and glance in a header that Rafael could do nothing about.
For some reason I thought the penalties were never in doubt (despite our abysmal record). I usually don't watch penalties that I want to go in but felt comfortable that we'd put them all away. All our penalties were well taken and their keeper never had a sniff, Rafael on the other hand was close to 3 of their 4 and was playing mind games with their takers which helped to put all but the 1st one off.
Ejaria was MOTM for me - showed what we all have come to expect and tied their players in knots at times.
stealthpapes
Was it unreserved? When I was buying my tickets it was shown as reserved and the signs outside the ground said so too - are you sure it wasn't just some groups who wanted to sit together but couldn't get a tickets at the same time so just decided they'd sit where they want?
I think it was more this from what I saw, also Wycombe's seats were unclearly numbered - the black stickers were random, the seat numbers were on the underside.
Anyway,
3-5-2 - back three solid, wing backs OK but would prefer a winger out right and Rinomhota in the middle. He's better than Ejaria, Gomes and Adams. Richards also decent.
Adams, first 30 was on the boil, then went off it. Our performance dropped as he became more of an observer. Other two lads are solid, but nothing amazing. It needs work.
Front two - very mobile, very fast, decent enough. But also very rusty - Puscas had, to my count, four decent chances. There was a tendency not to have a go from decent opportunities. Early on, Adam rinsed their centreback with a faked drag back and the goal opened up. He took another touch and the chance was gone. This happened practically every time we had an inch of attacking space. Some credit to a decent Wycombe defensive set up must be given.
Subs - OK and OK.
All in all - promising but really half-baked still. Its clearly got a plan, and its clearly got players signed with that plan in mind. With, what, 6? new signings in the last week of the window, it will take time for this team to gel. Hopefully we'll start getting some better results to give the squad that time.
Penalties -keeper very good, no poor penalties from our players. Think that's the first time I've seen a RFC team win a shootout. Will take that.
stealthpapes
The ground could not cope with a large away support with long queues for food drink etc. Also why make it unreserved when you have a sell out away support? That caused problems with some fans arguing and nearly coming to blows.
I liked the omni queue snaking out the car park when there was another smaller queue through the ticket office just to the right of it.
Also, another food place at the other end of the stand that seemed to work on the principle that hopefully no-one will notice we're here.
If you still hate Futcher
I liked the omni queue snaking out the car park when there was another smaller queue through the ticket office just to the right of it.
Also, another food place at the other end of the stand that seemed to work on the principle that hopefully no-one will notice we're here.
I liked that too as it meant we got in very quickly whereas, if we'd joined the mega queue we would've probably missed the kickoff, although entrances 4,5,6 & 6a turned out to be 1 young girl behind a desk with a qcode scanner.
Also, at the end of the game one steward was intent on sending everyone out of the usual exit but luckily they got over-ruled and they opened up the exit at the other end of the stand, otherwise it would've been chaos getting out.
My favourite though was the car-park I used, where the guy was intent on squeezing in as many cars as possible meaning that everyone was dependent on the guy at the front getting back before anyone could move
Nameless
The seat next to mine had 2 different numbers on it, neither of which bore any relation to the seat numbers either side of it.
The car parking was atrocious.
I hope it is another 17 years before we have to go there again in any numbers.
In terms of the match I thought most players looked good individually, we have signed some very talented players.
What we don't yet have is the understanding, the clarity of approach and a settled line up. Once we have these we'll have a very useful side and good depth. We need to get them quickly though or else we'll be chasing the rest of the division.
The car parking was atrocious.
I hope it is another 17 years before we have to go there again in any numbers.
In terms of the match I thought most players looked good individually, we have signed some very talented players.
What we don't yet have is the understanding, the clarity of approach and a settled line up. Once we have these we'll have a very useful side and good depth. We need to get them quickly though or else we'll be chasing the rest of the division.
Snowball
Agree with this.
I worry Morrison may not get the games he deserves.
Think McIntyre is excellent for his age and senior experience
Ejaria will be awesome when match-sharp
Adam was odd. First 20 or so I thought, "That's why we signed him"
but then he just morphed into someone else. Was it mere fitness, age, what?
CountryRoyal
Whilst it was reserved on the tickets it was unreserved when we were there, I asked a steward as much. Absolute shambles, massive queues to get in, and then took me almost 50 minutes to get out of the car park! Complete joke.
As for the game I'll echo what I said yesterday, we started off very brightly with great intensity and were dominant. We had a couple of really decent opportunities and we should have done more with them, not taking away from the saves. Then it all just got a bit laborious. Lots of huff and puff but lacked quality in the final third without ever really looking threatened by Wycombe.
As for the game I'll echo what I said yesterday, we started off very brightly with great intensity and were dominant. We had a couple of really decent opportunities and we should have done more with them, not taking away from the saves. Then it all just got a bit laborious. Lots of huff and puff but lacked quality in the final third without ever really looking threatened by Wycombe.
Theroyalbox
Keeper - Decent kicking a bit hit and miss
Rino - RWB was alright - think he moved into midfield in last 30 minutes left Moore at RB (Thought they might move Morrison)
Morrison - Decent - would like to see him start Sat. Movement from corners a real danger
Moore - What has happened to him - shadow of himself was beaten in the air a lot by there Striker. Poor. Also worth noting they look totally useless with this zonal marking, did they do it last year?
Mcintyre - Didn't put a foot wrong. Good for a youngster.
Richards - gave the ball away a few times - flies into tackles always think hes going to give away stupid freekicks/pens. Got forward well no help from anyone up there tho, can't wait for Obita or Blackett back.
Adam - Don't get the obsession with him. He's slow, Hollywood passing and his positioning is woeful for a senior pro
Ejaria - Love the way he makes space for himself with the feint of a shoulder. Looks unfit.
Pele - Slow, ponderous not a ideal DM. Did play a superb pass to Puscas in the first half though. Willing to give him time
Boye - Weak? *the bull* Few pointless stepovers. Plays a lot like Meite. Still like Pele - willing to give time.
Puscas - Started slow - scored a goal, if he does that every game that's fine. Positioning looks really good for a goal, although could've had a hatty...
Swift - he is our best player. If swift plays well - Reading play well. He carved Wycombe open with his first touch, something that Charlie Adam the great passer couldn't do.
Loader - Meh
Rino - RWB was alright - think he moved into midfield in last 30 minutes left Moore at RB (Thought they might move Morrison)
Morrison - Decent - would like to see him start Sat. Movement from corners a real danger
Moore - What has happened to him - shadow of himself was beaten in the air a lot by there Striker. Poor. Also worth noting they look totally useless with this zonal marking, did they do it last year?
Mcintyre - Didn't put a foot wrong. Good for a youngster.
Richards - gave the ball away a few times - flies into tackles always think hes going to give away stupid freekicks/pens. Got forward well no help from anyone up there tho, can't wait for Obita or Blackett back.
Adam - Don't get the obsession with him. He's slow, Hollywood passing and his positioning is woeful for a senior pro
Ejaria - Love the way he makes space for himself with the feint of a shoulder. Looks unfit.
Pele - Slow, ponderous not a ideal DM. Did play a superb pass to Puscas in the first half though. Willing to give him time
Boye - Weak? *the bull* Few pointless stepovers. Plays a lot like Meite. Still like Pele - willing to give time.
Puscas - Started slow - scored a goal, if he does that every game that's fine. Positioning looks really good for a goal, although could've had a hatty...
Swift - he is our best player. If swift plays well - Reading play well. He carved Wycombe open with his first touch, something that Charlie Adam the great passer couldn't do.
Loader - Meh
NewCorkSeth
Lost his man who managed to get in front of him for the goal, no?
Hard to tell with the Zonal marking. I thought Moore was covering the front post but I may well be mistaken. The whole thing confuses me to be honest and I would way prefer man to man.
Really? I much prefer zonal for corners.
Theroyalbox
Hard to tell with the Zonal marking. I thought Moore was covering the front post but I may well be mistaken. The whole thing confuses me to be honest and I would way prefer man to man.
Really? I much prefer zonal for corners.
Just think it allows a man to get a run of the defender. I think we looked really vulnerable with it last night. Especially the free kick at the end after RIchards made that foul. That defending was a mess. Warnocks team on Sunday will make a mockery out of that.
parky
As others have said, We looked brilliant for the first 20 mins, Ejaria and Boye were class. We looked poorer second half when Boye went off. Adam seemed to disappear second half. I didn't think Richards played that well it was only late on when we were chasing that he started overlapping on the left hand side and creating anything before that he was slow and not creating anything. On the right hand side, Moore played basically as a RWB which to his credit he did his best but this is not his strong suit. We are a decent WB away from being a very good side.
My MOTM was the Wycombe PA man. Full credit for him playing Sweet Caroline before the penalties then realising and not playing another chorus.
My MOTM was the Wycombe PA man. Full credit for him playing Sweet Caroline before the penalties then realising and not playing another chorus.
NewCorkSeth
Really? I much prefer zonal for corners.
Just think it allows a man to get a run of the defender. I think we looked really vulnerable with it last night. Especially the free kick at the end after RIchards made that foul. That defending was a mess. Warnocks team on Sunday will make a mockery out of that.
It's an ideal I guess. In proper zonal marking the attackers will be running into a space already covered. But we are shit at marking corners (there was a slight upturn in our fortunes under Gomes last season) so who knows.
Greatwesternline
If we were playing 5-3-2 which i think we were i didn't understand the reluctance of RIchards and Rinomhota to overlap. We had no width as a result. Quite often they would play the first half of a one-two with the CM, but then when the CM made the body angle to pass it into the space down the wing the WBs were not willing to bomb on. That was annoying.
We were so narrow in the final third build up. Its annoying because with about 10 minutes to go when we started to really push on we found a lot of joy out wide getting in behind. I think at championship level going down the wing and crossing in or trying to get in behind has to be your bread and butter. It worked with Little and Convey, it worked with Kebe and Hunt. Its fun to watch.
We were so narrow in the final third build up. Its annoying because with about 10 minutes to go when we started to really push on we found a lot of joy out wide getting in behind. I think at championship level going down the wing and crossing in or trying to get in behind has to be your bread and butter. It worked with Little and Convey, it worked with Kebe and Hunt. Its fun to watch.
Anonymous
I'm sorry but we got away with one there.
Our defending and shape is atrocious and a better side would quite simply have put 4-5 past us.
The amount of opportunities they had was really concerning and the coaching team need to get a grip of it asap otherwise we'll be down in the mix again all season, to be frank. Gomes still doesn't understand how to set up away from home, and it's happening every game.
Another game without a win in the 90. I am happy to keep faith with him, but he needs to do something to change the way we play away. We are just not compact at all.
Just to passive.
Keeper looks an improvement and I'm sure we'll click going forward.
Glad we're through and will be going to Plymouth.
Our defending and shape is atrocious and a better side would quite simply have put 4-5 past us.
The amount of opportunities they had was really concerning and the coaching team need to get a grip of it asap otherwise we'll be down in the mix again all season, to be frank. Gomes still doesn't understand how to set up away from home, and it's happening every game.
Another game without a win in the 90. I am happy to keep faith with him, but he needs to do something to change the way we play away. We are just not compact at all.
Just to passive.
Keeper looks an improvement and I'm sure we'll click going forward.
Glad we're through and will be going to Plymouth.
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