Dredd Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 I actually think tonight’s game is more important than a 3rd game of the season affair. Since NP has come in, results have been poor. There’s many reasons for that, most of which were outside of Pearson’s control, but the fact remains that this was a team that was used to losing, and usually without much fight. We should have beaten Blackpool and FGR, Boro was always going to be tough but I think it’s really important we get a win under our belts and get going under Pearson. Winning breeds confidence and I think the squad is short on that at the moment. So let’s get some momentum, no going down without a fight, and have a bit of belief. Reading have scored a 4 in their first two league games so have a goal in them, but have let in 4 as well. We need to be solid at the back (bring in Kalas for me) and Wells up top. I don’t care if he plays in one of those wide forward positions as he makes the right moves into the box and is out most natural goal scorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturny Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 We'll win tonight and the season begins for us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 First and foremost I’d love to see a clean sheet. Anything else is a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelton Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Kalas right back? It sort of worked with Bailey Wright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dredd Posted August 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Just now, Gimme Shelton said: Kalas right back? It sort of worked with Bailey Wright. I think he’s played there for us before, but I’m not sure RB is the problem area (not yet anyway). I do think he offers better cover for Vyner than Baker does, being a right footer helps in that regard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 I'd play Wells as the lone striker tonight. Martin offers very little, IMO. Kalas and Simpson should also come in for Baker and Vyner. Perhaps COD might also be fit to start and offer some width for an hour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTone Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 9 minutes ago, Davefevs said: First and foremost I’d love to see a clean sheet. Anything else is a bonus. Dont have that Chicken Jalfezzi and 5 pints before going to bed then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady bunch Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 I wonder if he will play Vyner in another position (assuming Kalas or Simpson is coming in at right back), I know most rule out Vyner, but I still can see him in an more advanced role right side of midfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phileas Fogg Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 26 minutes ago, Davefevs said: First and foremost I’d love to see a clean sheet. Anything else is a bonus. I think we need a win really. Even a draw wouldn’t be enough for some sections of our support if we then lose vs Swansea and Cardiff. I’d like to think most would keep a long term perspective - but I know that if we end up with 0 points from 5 the support would get very jittery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grifty Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 8 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said: I think we need a win really. Even a draw wouldn’t be enough for some sections of our support if we then lose vs Swansea and Cardiff. I’d like to think most would keep a long term perspective - but I know that if we end up with 0 points from 5 the support would get very jittery. Especially as we've already got 1 point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 19 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said: I think we need a win really. Even a draw wouldn’t be enough for some sections of our support if we then lose vs Swansea and Cardiff. I’d like to think most would keep a long term perspective - but I know that if we end up with 0 points from 5 the support would get very jittery. I’d like a win, but I’m happy with baby steps improvement. I genuinely couldn’t give a toss what some sections of our fanbase think…..one game at a time too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selred Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 54 minutes ago, Gimme Shelton said: Kalas right back? It sort of worked with Bailey Wright. Was right back for Boro, and did well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phileas Fogg Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 23 minutes ago, grifty said: Especially as we've already got 1 point! You’re right and whilst just a typo on my part.. bit of a Freudian slip in a way. Shows the Blackpool game felt like a loss and perhaps explains why some fans seem rattled so early when you factor in last season’s form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturny Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 minute ago, Phileas Fogg said: You’re right and whilst just a typo on my part.. bit of a Freudian slip in a way. Shows the Blackpool game felt like a loss and perhaps explains why some fans seem rattled so early when you factor in last season’s form. Last minute equalisers always feel like a loss, they're rubbish. If we scored that last minute equaliser I reckon the mood would be different here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellie Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 as long as i can keep seeing small (at least) improvements game on game i will be happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodiesaffer Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Looking over the last few games there are Improvements over last season, it’s not a instant fix. 1st win tonight. let’s stay focus don’t overreact, get behind the team. COYR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dredd Posted August 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 4 hours ago, Dredd said: I think he’s played there for us before, but I’m not sure RB is the problem area (not yet anyway). I do think he offers better cover for Vyner than Baker does, being a right footer helps in that regard. Already changing my mind. RB is a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 3 points is great. I'm happy we won. But, I'm not sure tonight is a sign of a great turnaround. Reading were better in almost every metric. 80% pass completion to our 61%. We only completed about 170 passes in the whole match - Reading managed 450ish. Just the 8 shots for us, 5 of which found the target and of course 3 went in - so again a reliance on clinical finishing that is very difficult to sustain. Those numbers are reminiscent of last season. Good to get the win, and some improvements in terms of workrate, but I'd keep the champagne on ice for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clevedon Red Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 2 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: 3 points is great. I'm happy we won. But, I'm not sure tonight is a sign of a great turnaround. Reading were better in almost every metric. 80% pass completion to our 61%. We only completed about 170 passes in the whole match - Reading managed 450ish. Just the 8 shots for us, 5 of which found the target and of course 3 went in - so again a reliance on clinical finishing that is very difficult to sustain. Those numbers are reminiscent of last season. Good to get the win, and some improvements in terms of workrate, but I'd keep the champagne on ice for now. Killjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob k Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 4 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: 3 points is great. I'm happy we won. But, I'm not sure tonight is a sign of a great turnaround. Reading were better in almost every metric. 80% pass completion to our 61%. We only completed about 170 passes in the whole match - Reading managed 450ish. Just the 8 shots for us, 5 of which found the target and of course 3 went in - so again a reliance on clinical finishing that is very difficult to sustain. Those numbers are reminiscent of last season. Good to get the win, and some improvements in terms of workrate, but I'd keep the champagne on ice for now. Sometimes stats dont tell the full story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityexile Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 8 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: 3 points is great. I'm happy we won. But, I'm not sure tonight is a sign of a great turnaround. Reading were better in almost every metric. 80% pass completion to our 61%. We only completed about 170 passes in the whole match - Reading managed 450ish. Just the 8 shots for us, 5 of which found the target and of course 3 went in - so again a reliance on clinical finishing that is very difficult to sustain. Those numbers are reminiscent of last season. Good to get the win, and some improvements in terms of workrate, but I'd keep the champagne on ice for now. Still work in progress for sure, but I would argue the two best chances tonight after the goals were Kalas and ours right at the end. It’s always thin lines in this league, but across the 3 matches so far 4 points is about right. Not lucky tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Swan and Cemetery Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 4 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: 3 points is great. I'm happy we won. But, I'm not sure tonight is a sign of a great turnaround. Reading were better in almost every metric. 80% pass completion to our 61%. We only completed about 170 passes in the whole match - Reading managed 450ish. Just the 8 shots for us, 5 of which found the target and of course 3 went in - so again a reliance on clinical finishing that is very difficult to sustain. Those numbers are reminiscent of last season. Good to get the win, and some improvements in terms of workrate, but I'd keep the champagne on ice for now. A lot of their passes were pointlessly unambitious and easy to complete though. That said, didn’t think it was a massive improvement on previous 2 leagues, but didn’t think we were awful in those. Some things a bit better tonight, including the rub of the green. Overall pleased with work rate and organisation and we do, at times, pose a threat going forward. Still need to cut out daft defensive errors and switching off at the wrong time. But attitude night and day vs end of last season and that’s a massive positive. Impressed with Pring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akira Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Thought we were excellent tonight, should've had four to be honest. A great improvement from Saturday, especially the first half on the weekend. We looked much more up for it. Great win, deserved the 3 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew-T Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 13 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: 3 points is great. I'm happy we won. But, I'm not sure tonight is a sign of a great turnaround. Reading were better in almost every metric. 80% pass completion to our 61%. We only completed about 170 passes in the whole match - Reading managed 450ish. Just the 8 shots for us, 5 of which found the target and of course 3 went in - so again a reliance on clinical finishing that is very difficult to sustain. Those numbers are reminiscent of last season. Good to get the win, and some improvements in terms of workrate, but I'd keep the champagne on ice for now. Maybe it’s been so long that we’ve seen a win, even longer a good performance. But I thought we played well bar the last 10 minutes… I think Pring coming off weakened us and after them scoring the 2nd, we were always going to sit on the lead. I definitely saw some encouraging signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Rollason Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Dredd said: Already changing my mind. RB is a problem It really is. Simpson looks shot. 3 points very welcome and hope we kick on. I thought we were pretty poor actually and where did Matty James get to second half? I had to check he was still on the pitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 15 minutes ago, Rob k said: Sometimes stats dont tell the full story. 13 minutes ago, cityexile said: Still work in progress for sure, but I would argue the two best chances tonight after the goals were Kalas and ours right at the end. It’s always thin lines in this league, but across the 3 matches so far 4 points is about right. Not lucky tonight. 12 minutes ago, The Swan and Cemetery said: A lot of their passes were pointlessly unambitious and easy to complete though. That said, didn’t think it was a massive improvement on previous 2 leagues, but didn’t think we were awful in those. Some things a bit better tonight, including the rub of the green. Overall pleased with work rate and organisation and we do, at times, pose a threat going forward. Still need to cut out daft defensive errors and switching off at the wrong time. But attitude night and day vs end of last season and that’s a massive positive. Impressed with Pring. 5 minutes ago, Lew-T said: Maybe it’s been so long that we’ve seen a win, even longer a good performance. But I thought we played well bar the last 10 minutes… I think Pring coming off weakened us and after them scoring the 2nd, we were always going to sit on the lead. I definitely saw some encouraging signs. I think I can answer you all at once as I agree with a lot of what's written here. I know stats don't tell the full story, I said this was a statbuster game on the match thread. I also agree that there are signs of improvement, as there were in the Blackpool game. As you guys say some bright individual performances that are encouraging, and I agree Reading were not great even with so much possession. My point is that whilst the win is good tonight, if we post those numbers in other games, against better opposition, then we won't get too many more. I just like to keep my feet on the ground. After both losses and wins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbored Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Yep, a good win away from home and quite a relief! Hopefully a sign of things to come but let’s not get carried away with one win in the third game of the season but at least the monkey off Nige’s back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviestevieneville Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 25 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: 3 points is great. I'm happy we won. But, I'm not sure tonight is a sign of a great turnaround. Reading were better in almost every metric. 80% pass completion to our 61%. We only completed about 170 passes in the whole match - Reading managed 450ish. Just the 8 shots for us, 5 of which found the target and of course 3 went in - so again a reliance on clinical finishing that is very difficult to sustain. Those numbers are reminiscent of last season. Good to get the win, and some improvements in terms of workrate, but I'd keep the champagne on ice for now. This is a prime example of why I think too many people over rely on stats . Our work rate , passing & movement much better than last season & a improvement on this. I’ll continue to go on what I see rather than bloody pass completion rates etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozo Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 13 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: I think I can answer you all at once as I agree with a lot of what's written here. I know stats don't tell the full story, I said this was a statbuster game on the match thread. I also agree that there are signs of improvement, as there were in the Blackpool game. As you guys say some bright individual performances that are encouraging, and I agree Reading were not great even with so much possession. My point is that whilst the win is good tonight, if we post those numbers in other games, against better opposition, then we won't get too many more. I just like to keep my feet on the ground. After both losses and wins. It depends how the numbers are posted. If you bombard a an opponent with your energy, like we did for the first almost 20 minutes, then you need to make it count with goals. We did. As an away side, a two goal lead will nearly always lead to a behavioural change. Then, when conceding possession and defending, are you in control or not? Are you resolute? Basically, we could post those exact same stats over and over and win every game, but only if we follow certain patterns within the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 16 minutes ago, mozo said: Basically, we could post those exact same stats over and over and win every game, but only if we follow certain patterns within the game. Based on what? I disagree because we've been posting the same figures - in terms of shots/shots on target for a year now...and we've not been winning every game. Happy to disagree of course, but on that showing we still need a lot of improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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