AshtonRobin21

I'm sorry to do it, but far too many times we've seen Chris Martin brought on when chasing a game. It's never worked, and in all honesty, the opposition probably breathe a sigh of relief when they see it happening. What's the point in bringing on Semenyo to play in the space, to then later bring on Martin to.... Limit the space!!! We went from playing quick, short passes, great movement and causing them lots of problems, to suddenly hoofing it long against a defence that love to head it. Alex Scott was incredible, he had space to run into, but that changed when Martin was brought on. Suddenly he wasn't getting the ball to feet, and we started playing it long. Equally, the decision to put Weimann to Right wing-back was baffling. Again seen far too many times. Sykes was causing them issues by trying to get to the byline, Weimann didn't attempt it once. A really good performance, but the tactical changes finished us tonight. We were dominating the ball, causing them lots of problems. A strike force of Wells, Conway and Semenyo that was making them nervous. 2 of the 3 centre backs were booked for bringing down Semenyo, surely that indicates its working and they would have to be careful not to foul him again. Sorry to rant, but it completely drained the momentum we had built up.

Thought he looked very comfortable in the central role. He was also the 'experienced head' at the back today, and I think he stepped up. Credit to all 3 of the lads today, that's one of the most composed performances we have seen in defence so far this season.

I would have taken a point before kick-off. But I found it so frustrating how we lost all of our attacking threat once they equalised. They would have left gaps for us to counter-attack in the later stages. Semenyo and Conway would have been able to exploit the gaps.

My immediate guess would be Bajic.

I honestly believe it's a case of right manager, wrong players. And that hurts to say. He has made progress, that's obvious for most to see. Plus, he has worked with no budget whatsoever. However, there is still a serious turnover required of this squad, for a variety of reasons. Contract, wages, ability etc. My concern is... how long will it take to overhaul this squad to a level where we can compete? I hope Nige is able to outstay certain members of this squad.

Let's put this another way... A partnership of Andy Carroll and Shane Long did us on the counter-attack in the 93rd minute to score their 2nd goal. They had the desire to win, we never. Overall, we were a shambles.

My issue with todays performance is that Reading are in a much worse financial position than us. They are limited to £12k per week maximum wages. They wanted to win the game more than we did.

Who was it that got out-muscled by Shane Long? Embarrassing.

Very poor first half. We are so boring to watch at the moment. We don't look like an attacking threat at all. Reading look comfortable in defence.

Why is it that every single one of Semenyo's shots go miles over the bar?! Needs to show composure when he gets those opportunities.

We've lost all of our attacking threat. Pass the ball 40 times and then over-hit a long-ball out for a goal kick.

It worked out well for us last night. However, if we were the team chasing the game, we would be fuming. Stop-start, all through the second half. It certainly worked in our favour.

Agreed. I think he still looks very raw, but capable of improving. Certainly needs to regain the eye for goal that he showed at Salford. But, for the reported £300k, it's a good bit of business by West Brom.

Worth keeping a close eye on Thomas-Asante tonight. He would have been one of my choices as a possible Semenyo replacement. Too late now, however.

I saw an interview, not long after the final, by Paddy "the baddy" Pimblett, who explained how worried he became by what was happening. This is a guy who gets the the UFC cage and fights for a living, who also recently made 9 royal marines tap out. He said what he experienced was crazy, and that even after the game, fans were having to group together to make it back safely to their hotels.

Dasilva is very lucky to be playing based on recent form. For a player so one footed (Left), he is always cutting back inside onto his right foot. I can't understand why he doesn't get to the byline more. - Bench is looking stronger. - Right decision to take Weimann out. It could allow him time to re-set. - Scott in the '10' position? - We've missed James in midfield. Challenge for everyone watching tonight.... Can you count how many cross field passes we attempt at Dasilva?

Sykes confidence looks to have disappeared since the red card incident against Luton. However I think he will keep his place. I think Pring may get a chance tonight as he gave a good account of himself against Birmingham. Bentley might be on his last strike, It sounds like Nige is very impressed with Bajic. Williams and Scott in midfield. Weimann will play to try to regain some form. Semenyo and Wells would be my guess up front.

@Davefevs I think you might be right RE: Massengo. He was presented with a perfect opportunity to claim a place in the starting 11, and both games passed him by. He looks too slow in possession, and often misses opportunities to play the ball forward quickly. Kadji looked to try and get in the game on Saturday, and in my opinion deserves a place on the bench ahead of HNM currently. Massengo could be a very good player. But I get so frustrated waiting for him to regularly put in performances like he showed against Preston (away) last season.

I saw someone post earlier that this is now Nige's team, which baffles me. Of today's starting 11, Nige signed 3 of them (Sykes, Atkinson and King). Of the entire matchday squad, he signed/promoted 7 of them (Conway, Tanner, Klose and Kadji, being the other 4). During his entire tenure, he has only spent money on 2 players (Atkinson and Tanner). Plus Kane Wilson if we are counting the tribunal fee. But some supporters still believe that we could attract the likes of Wilder. You make a very good point about the accounts. Hopefully it will open the eyes of a few.

Weren't there rumours that he fell out with the Middlesbrough owner as Wilder was demanding more money be spent on strikers? He wanted the likes of Gyokeres and Riis. I doubt he will be eager to to join us, when our transfer budget contains less money than the 2p slot machine down Weston Pier.

I feel Nige might be under a bit of pressure in the coming weeks. This has been nothing short of an embarrassment.

Not the ideal partnership for long ball football. Birmingham are pressing high which leaves gaps in behind. If we were composed we would attempt to play through the gaps. Instead we are panicking on the ball.

Why are we playing long-balls to Conway and Wells. We look so poor, no cohesion, no desire to press, and no intelligence on the ball. Nige needs to light a firework in the changing room to get this lot going in the second half.

This is terrible. Performance of the season away at Norwich, and awful since then. This defence looks like it could be caught out every time Birmingham attack.

Absolutely, but whose to say we will continue with the CEO model. It hasn't exactly been a roaring success in the past. It could be that we look to a 'director of football' role instead. That would seem a reasonable next step for Tins.