Olé Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Odd game. Reading passing was far more fluid and with Aluko bags of pace but they missed three or four sitters in the box and Fielding made a cracking save to tip a long range shot wide, before their ponderous patient football eventually ran out of steam and finally surrendered midfield. On the other hand we were largely disjointed first half with very little cutting edge but undoubtedly adjusted better at half time, got closer to one another in the midfield and played short passing with more pace through them in the second half along with a brilliant press if we lost the ball, didn't get our reward and looked like the game was heading for a 0-0, but our youthful energy and the addition of Leko gave us some new life, producing pressure culminating in Flint's drilled winner - which for our energy alone was deserved. A feature of the game was the diversity of performances in our team. Bobby Reid was once again out of this world - he leads the team in everything, the press without the ball, the forward passing, the movement - but alongside him Diedhiou was a virtual non-entity and awful: slow, tired, static and apparently unable to win or to control the ball despite his size and strength. Similarly Joe Bryan and Paterson on the left were solid, Bryan in particular largely getting his positioning spot on and Pato drifting into great positions - setup for our best chance of the game during our dominant spell at the start of the second half - but on the right Vyner really struggled against very good opponents and got caught out repeatedly (I wish someone had put an arm round him at times) while O'Dowda on the wing was hugely frustrating and should have gone off sooner - I'm more and more convinced he is a physical asset (bright and pacy) rather than a smart footballer, his positioning with and without the ball was repeatedly poor, drifting all over the place, and he got into trouble too often, where the likes of Reid and Paterson and Brownhill were much more intuitive with their one touch passing. Our best in the first half were a couple of attempts to play Reid in behind their back line, a Joe Bryan shot having cut inside and an O'Dowda header at the far post (one of the few times we caused problems with crosses - today our better football was through the middle) but overall Reading looked a far more accomplished side in the first 45 and we depended on Flint and Baker more than anyone, Baker somewhat lucky not to get a red card for a desperate tackle, to my eyes the referee was going to his back pocket as he ran towards the incident but then stopped and assessed rightly that we had Flint dropping back. Second half we got our press going and we played close fast passing between the lines, led by an absolutely irrepressible Reid, who now has more energy than any City player I can remember in my lifetime. I thought Brownhill got into the game more when we played closer passing, and Korey Smith was solid passing from in front of our back four. Several times we sliced through their back line, always orchestrated by intelligent touches, back heels and movement by Reid. On one such occasion Paterson was teed up behind their defence with only the keeper to beat, but his shot on the turn was across the face of goal - the type of miss Reading had been specialising in when in our box. Removing the anonymous Diedhiou should have pushed us over the line but in truth it took about ten minutes for Leko to settle having initially drifted about too much in his anxiety to get in the game, and for that period Reading flashed several shots across our goal and brought one brilliant diving save from Fielding. But it was all they had and they had no joy in the air where Flint and Baker were dominant. When Leko got going, it was all too much for a Reading defence and keeper who by then looked utterly harassed by our high press whenever we lost the ball in the second half. Into that pressure Leko's slick ball control and touches only added to the problems Reid and Paterson were causing their back line, and creating gaps for teammates. But if our weakness using that space to that point had been outside the box (shots - non existent, crosses - routinely poor culminating in Bryan getting put clear on the left and lifting a nothing ball into the stand) then it inevitably needed something to change - and with 6 minutes to go it did. The ball broke to Flint outside the box with space to shoot, and in front of 3500 fans he did what no one on either side had managed and just drilled the ball low at goal. The keeper got down to it but in a carbon copy of Fielding's best save, this time not with enough strength in his touch, and the ball skidded off his gloves into the bottom corner. In front of a typically silent Reading crowd delirium. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the final ten minutes (five minutes of injury time included) was how fit our team look compared to Reading and how confident they were with the ball. Of all the forward players only O'Dowda was second best of his opposite number but Brownhill, Reid, Paterson, Leko all got the game by the throat with the sort of assuredness and 'streetwise' game management so rarely associated with our side, aided by Flint and Baker by now comfortably mopping up everything played forward to them. Overall it was hardly a vintage performance and on another day if Reading could finish we could have been several behind, but in spite of a mixed bag of performances (and you could make a strong case that without the 2017 model Reid we would be a very average team) the energy and effort in the second half earned the result and while there are still plenty of causes for concern (Fielding kicking, Diedhiou everything) I owe it to Lee Johnson (as one of his critics) to commend his small adjustments and instructions at half time. Fielding 7 Vyner 5 Bryan 7 Baker 8 Flint 8 Smith 8 Brownhill 7 Paterson 7 O'Dowda 5 (Pack) Reid 9 Diedhiou 4 (Leko 7)
cidered abroad Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Excellent report, as always Olé. Muito obrigado.
chinapig Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Another excellent write up, thanks. I actually think our style of play doesn't require or benefit from a big man up front. 2 quick, mobile, energetic players would make more sense imo. Think Aguero and Jesus. But this is England and there would probably be outrage if we went down that road.
Davefevs Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Nice read @Olé You do need a bit more faith pre-game on Twitter
Numero Uno Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 8 minutes ago, chinapig said: Another excellent write up, thanks. I actually think our style of play doesn't require or benefit from a big man up front. 2 quick, mobile, energetic players would make more sense imo. Think Aguero and Jesus. But this is England and there would probably be outrage if we went down that road. Difference being Man City have midfield players who keep the ball and they can play their way out of trouble. We don't have that quality so need someone up top who can hold on to the ball and give us a breather. Although that isn't really happening anyway!!!
Guest Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 10 minutes ago, chinapig said: Another excellent write up, thanks. I actually think our style of play doesn't require or benefit from a big man up front. 2 quick, mobile, energetic players would make more sense imo. Think Aguero and Jesus. But this is England and there would probably be outrage if we went down that road. Wonder if we might go Reid /Leko from start against Wolves. Bet he'd be well up for putting one past his own clubs rivals
bristolcitysweden Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 We were solid. The one thing missing was tempo shifting getting hold of the ball attacking.
chinapig Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 3 minutes ago, Numero Uno said: Difference being Man City have midfield players who keep the ball and they can play their way out of trouble. We don't have that quality so need someone up top who can hold on to the ball and give us a breather. Although that isn't really happening anyway!!! Fair point, yet Bobby keeps and uses the ball better than most and seems to be much stronger this season. I could see Leko doing similarly alongside him. Centre backs tend to prefer having a traditional big centre forward to mark. Agreed though that periods of keeping possession are the best way of taking a breather. One of a mobile front 2 dropping into midfield would help imo. Even today Man City had periods passing it slowly backwards and sideways, though that sort of thing tends to enrage some of our fans, the 'get rid of it' tendency.
The Gambler Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Very good write up that. It almost felt for a while after he was subbed that we really missed Diedhiou (however ineffective he seemed). Reading style is incredibly dull. If for nothing else we deserved to win for trying to play the game a better way.
Up The City! Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 What I liked was our defending right from the front. Reid in particular excelled at this. What I am pleased about us we are beginning to see a style of play emerge. We are far from competent at playing that way but the beginnings of it are showing and are very positive. Although early days I am also pleased about our strength in character, last season when under pressure we would have conceaded as mentally we were fragile. This season we are more able to weather any storms. I was a little worried about conceding once we scored but I was pleasently surprised with how well we saw the game out.
Rossi the Robin Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 My Reading mate said Bobby played well but Famara was a lump
Cider red Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Disagree entirely about vyner, had a solid game along with our entire back four, was also a threat going forward. The boy did well!
bearded_red Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Can't wait for Bobby's inevitable Ballon d'Or victory.
reddoc Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Largely agree, although accepting a couple of glaring misses, never thought Reading seriously troubled us, and I liked the fact that even when we were put under pressure, we continued to try and play the ball out , never reverted to hoofing it and played the last five plus added time in pretty much complete control. Smith and Brownhill bossed the midfield, closing down was superb , Joe Bryan complete class and even though first half I thought Reid went missing largely, second half he changed the game. Electric. I'd also give credit to O'Dowda. Nothing spectacular but getting a lot of flak on here currently and I think he fitted the system, worked tirelessly throughout and looked dangerous on occasions. Very impressed by the bunch of them
Admin Ian M Posted September 9, 2017 Admin Posted September 9, 2017 Joe Bryan has come on leaps and bounds since Jamie McAllister got involved with the first team. He's clearly gaining confidence in the role as on at least 3 occasions he outmuscled his winger and sent him the wrong way with a Cruyff turn to start a City attacks. If there's now a better left back in this division, their club is very very lucky. ...and to be fair to Vyner, I think he did fairly well against one of the fastest players in the division in Modou Barrow. A final word for one pass from Brownhill first half, 40yards cross field and inch perfect but he was at his element in the second half when we were doing quick one touch passing in very crowded areas of the pitch.
Offside Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Glad to hear that we were the team who improved in the second half and that we saw the game out strongly.
bristolcitysweden Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 8 minutes ago, Ian M said: Joe Bryan has come on leaps and bounds since Jamie McAllister got involved with the first team. He's clearly gaining confidence in the role as on at least 3 occasions he outmuscled his winger and sent him the wrong way with a Cruyff turn to start a City attacks. If there's now a better left back in this division, their club is very very lucky. ...and to be fair to Vyner, I think he did fairly well against one of the fastest players in the division in Modou Barrow. A final word for one pass from Brownhill first half, 40yards cross field and inch perfect but he was at his element in the second half when we were doing quick one touch passing in very crowded areas of the pitch. If so Bristol City with Lloyd Kelly
Davefevs Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 6 minutes ago, bristolcitysweden said: If so Bristol City with Lloyd Kelly I'm not sure radio co-commentator is gonna be his future! In fairness he did ok, he's 18, I'd have been sh1tting myself going on live radio at that age....and at 47! @redcherryberry perhaps it was best I was busy the other week!
JoeAman08 Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 I agree with most of that. Think a bit harsh on O'Dowda. Think it could've been worse for Vyner if COD hadn't been playing in front of him. I know people are down on his decision making in the final third but think he is very good in the other parts of his game. Don't think I saw him give the ball away once and always getting back defensively. Think we need to get behind the lad a bit more. I said in another thread, Aluko 7m and Barrow 5m and didn't bring much more than COD and especially comparable to Barrow. Barrow probably caught the eye a bit more but was going against an inexperienced RB on a side that had 60% possession he was always going to have more opportunity and still he never picked out a good pass or good shot. Point being there is a reason the wingers are in the championship and not premier league. Goal scoring and assisting wingers are in the top leagues.
INCRED Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 If we were to win at Wolves in the same manner then would other clubs and pundits start considering us as potential play off contenders. There's something about this group of players that gives me the impression that they've got something about them and don't give up, they all get on and buy in to the tactics. I'm not predicting anything but reminds me of that fateful play off season and how we nicked games against more fancied opponents
Admin Ian M Posted September 9, 2017 Admin Posted September 9, 2017 A Reading fan was having a phone conversation behind me on the way back to my car and it was pleasing to hear him describe us as a really good side who didn't let them get their game going.
The Dolman Pragmatist Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Would someone please explain 'high press' to me? Thanks.
wendyredredrobin Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 2 things are particularly impressing me. One is the way we are passing the ball around and the other is the fact that we are constantly pressing when we dont have the ball. I do think that we are not winning enough 50/50s and loose balls though.
1bristolcity Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 11 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said: Would someone please explain 'high press' to me? Thanks. Liverpool.
RedM Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 1 hour ago, Chairman Mao said: Reid's fitness is amazing. I thought that too, ran and chased everything and piled on the pressure. I think he would work well with Leko as they are both clever players who would instinctively know what the other was going to do. Reid and Diedhieu looked quite a way apart again today, in distance and not being on the same wavelength. Leko I thought had a very different style to Bobby, more like Tammy who used his runs efficiently which could make him seem lazy, then he gets the ball and dribbles past a player, switches it on in an instance. Hard to explain on such a short viewing, maybe it's a Premiership thing they coach into their players, do the good things well but don't waste energy on lost causes?
RooknRobin Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Great analysis as per Rob. Maybe a bit harsh on Vyner, feel he had a good game. A few wayward turns from a 7/10 me thinks. Great to see that confidence from a kid. chris
RedM Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 3 minutes ago, kent red said: Great analysis as per Rob. Maybe a bit harsh on Vyner, feel he had a good game. A few wayward turns from a 7/10 me thinks. Great to see that confidence from a kid. chris I think Reading did try to exoloit the fact he is so inexperienced, of course they would. This put him under a lot of pressure, probably more so than if we had Pisano playing. I thought he grew in confidence after this was recognised and other players covered him a bit better.
RoystonFoote'snephew Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 The 4 for Diedhiou is harsh for me. After all, he is not a member of the England midfield. This point in the season I am more frustrated by him than disappointed. There are times in a game where he wins the ball, spins and shields it well before laying off. In those moments I think he has something about him. But there are oft times too when you wonder if he reads the game at all, allowing defenders to get in front of him too easily. I would have given him a 5 today.
Fordy62 Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 I think it's important to not underestimate how important that 'tackle' was from Baker. The sort of thing we've been missing for years... a nasty streak.
Fordy62 Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 3 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said: The 4 for Diedhiou is harsh for me. After all, he is not a member of the England midfield. This point in the season I am more frustrated by him than disappointed. There are times in a game where he wins the ball, spins and shields it well before laying off. In those moments I think he has something about him. But there are oft times too when you wonder if he reads the game at all, allowing defenders to get in front of him too easily. I would have given him a 5 today. Really? Wow. I reckon he must have touched he ball about 6 times all game. If you score FD a 5, then you need to score Bobby a 15.
Carey 6 Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 Those Back 2 Action sessions doing wonders for Bobby this season.
redcherryberry Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 1 hour ago, Ian M said: A Reading fan was having a phone conversation behind me on the way back to my car and it was pleasing to hear him describe us as a really good side who didn't let them get their game going. Pretty much what their manager said post match according to the BBC website.
Lanterne Rouge Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 13 minutes ago, Carey 6 said: Those Back 2 Action sessions doing wonders for Bobby this season. More than we can imagine I think. It shows his dedication too - he obviously wants to be the best he can.
Carey 6 Posted September 9, 2017 Posted September 9, 2017 11 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said: More than we can imagine I think. It shows his dedication too - he obviously wants to be the best he can. I know he's done them for years now, but really paying dividends so far this season. Hopefully keeps it up!
Admin Ian M Posted September 9, 2017 Admin Posted September 9, 2017 28 minutes ago, cynic said: Pretty much what Millwall did to us then. Yeah with the exception that I don't think anyone described either of us in that match of being a really good side. A cure for insomnia if ever there was one.
Reigate Red Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 The City team and crowd were dominating a prolonged period in the second half and the stoppage in play for the substitutions dampened both for a while. Whilst we also subbed at the same time, but after Reading, I wondered whether that was Jaap trying to provide some respite.
1960maaan Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 13 hours ago, Fordy62 said: I think it's important to not underestimate how important that 'tackle' was from Baker. The sort of thing we've been missing for years... a nasty streak. I did worry after , when we had him on loan he was a red card waiting to happen. Seems more mature now , maybe the full time job here has changed his attitude a little. There were covering defenders so I don't know what Stamm was on about saying it was a red , important yellow for the team though.
Olé Posted September 10, 2017 Author Posted September 10, 2017 13 hours ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said: The 4 for Diedhiou is harsh for me. After all, he is not a member of the England midfield. This point in the season I am more frustrated by him than disappointed. There are times in a game where he wins the ball, spins and shields it well before laying off. In those moments I think he has something about him. But there are oft times too when you wonder if he reads the game at all, allowing defenders to get in front of him too easily. I would have given him a 5 today. I agree it's more frustration than disappointment and the price tag doesn't help, but we were discussing how he was struggling early in the game so were watching him closely and it became almost ironic how poor most of his key attributes were. Perhaps we had 'confirmation bias' but as well as looking lead legged most of the time and a little lost, there were plenty of times a guy of his size put up no real challenge to a defender, and if he did win the ball had ridiculously heavy first touch to deal with. I remember watching Garita for Plymouth against Liverpool last season and thinking what a limited player we have on our books - physical but clumsy - but recognising that they at least seem to like him and he can bundle into defenders and hold the ball up. I'm not even sure Diedhiou can do that. Strength and speed are not attributes he's producing despite that looking like his "DNA", so I'm not sure what we're supposed to expect. It's bizarre that Kodjia came from a division below this guy. I know the 'win the ball, spins and lays off' you refer to, and you're right, but it's his only contribution and often the spin is a product of a poor touch - at one point I think he had to get across 8 or 9 yards to retain the ball from his first touch. Anyone who can win and lay off the ball is an asset so I'm not knocking it, but someone on Twitter called it the Senegalese Steve Torpey and there's something in that. It's telling how once he's laid it off he's often a non-entity in the attack itself, we play round him. He doesn't seem up to the pace. There was a point in the first half where he was in space with us pushing up, but did not read the situation quickly and his first touch was robbed cheaply for a player of his size, allowing them to break at speed. To his credit he tried to chase the length of the pitch after them, but for the following 10 minutes it left him virtually at walking pace. Best cross of the second half he wasn't sharp and crumpled to the floor as he tried to lean into a header from behind their last man. So strength is poor, reading is poor, reactions are poor, and he can't deal with the pace of the game. Those are not the properties of a £5m player. To be clear, I'm only relating why I rated him a 4 here, I'm not writing him off altogether and hope desperately that he is simply low on confidence and struggling with the move to a new country, but the concern is that it's not simply his morale, it's the limited attributes on show that I would guess that we had all expected from a player of his physique. I would kill to have a Wilbraham back with us because I think if there is a player there in Diedhiou now, it's someone who needs to learn precisely from a 37 year old how to be a nuisance and get in positions to finish, in spite of a lack of acceleration. I am not seeing a player who is going to run the channels or do anything like what Bobby Reid is doing. His best chance is developing his physique to hold off defenders for shooting/heading opportunities. The Senegalese Steve Brooker rather than Torpey.
ZiderEyed Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 11 minutes ago, Olé said: I agree it's more frustration than disappointment and the price tag doesn't help, but we were discussing how he was struggling early in the game so were watching him closely and it became almost ironic how poor most of his key attributes were. Perhaps we had 'confirmation bias' but as well as looking lead legged most of the time and a little lost, there were plenty of times a guy of his size put up no real challenge to a defender, and if he did win the ball had ridiculously heavy first touch to deal with. I remember watching Garita for Plymouth against Liverpool last season and thinking what a limited player we have on our books - physical but clumsy - but recognising that they at least seem to like him and he can bundle into defenders and hold the ball up. I'm not even sure Diedhiou can do that. Strength and speed are not attributes he's producing despite that looking like his "DNA", so I'm not sure what we're supposed to expect. It's bizarre that Kodjia came from a division below this guy. I know the 'win the ball, spins and lays off' you refer to, and you're right, but it's his only contribution and often the spin is a product of a poor touch - at one point I think he had to get across 8 or 9 yards to retain the ball from his first touch. Anyone who can win and lay off the ball is an asset so I'm not knocking it, but someone on Twitter called it the Senegalese Steve Torpey and there's something in that. It's telling how once he's laid it off he's often a non-entity in the attack itself, we play round him. He doesn't seem up to the pace. There was a point in the first half where he was in space with us pushing up, but did not read the situation quickly and his first touch was robbed cheaply for a player of his size, allowing them to break at speed. To his credit he tried to chase the length of the pitch after them, but for the following 10 minutes it left him virtually at walking pace. Best cross of the second half he wasn't sharp and crumpled to the floor as he tried to lean into a header from behind their last man. So strength is poor, reading is poor, reactions are poor, and he can't deal with the pace of the game. Those are not the properties of a £5m player. To be clear, I'm only relating why I rated him a 4 here, I'm not writing him off altogether and hope desperately that he is simply low on confidence and struggling with the move to a new country, but the concern is that it's not simply his morale, it's the limited attributes on show that I would guess that we had all expected from a player of his physique. I would kill to have a Wilbraham back with us because I think if there is a player there in Diedhiou now, it's someone who needs to learn precisely from a 37 year old how to be a nuisance and get in positions to finish, in spite of a lack of acceleration. I am not seeing a player who is going to run the channels or do anything like what Bobby Reid is doing. His best chance is developing his physique to hold off defenders for shooting/heading opportunities. The Senegalese Steve Brooker rather than Torpey. Amazing. Also agree on the Wilbraham thing, looks like he'd be the perfect mentor for him.
pillred Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 17 hours ago, Ian M said: A Reading fan was having a phone conversation behind me on the way back to my car and it was pleasing to hear him describe us as a really good side who didn't let them get their game going. not so complimentary on their fan site, hob nobs, called us crap sour grapes methinks.
pillred Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 16 hours ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said: The 4 for Diedhiou is harsh for me. After all, he is not a member of the England midfield. This point in the season I am more frustrated by him than disappointed. There are times in a game where he wins the ball, spins and shields it well before laying off. In those moments I think he has something about him. But there are oft times too when you wonder if he reads the game at all, allowing defenders to get in front of him too easily. I would have given him a 5 today. a 5 wow he will be pleased, so much better than a 4.
Admin Ian M Posted September 10, 2017 Admin Posted September 10, 2017 15 minutes ago, pillred said: not so complimentary on their fan site, hob nobs, called us crap sour grapes methinks. As usual with forums it will depend who you read. From the same forum I read the following: "First a note on Bristol. I thought tactically they were excellent. They played the high press v. well and totally disrupted our game. If they could pass or shoot we'd have been in danger of a drubbing due to the many stupid mistakes we made." "Bristol did well tactically," "Pretty much the perfect away performance from Brizzle today. Harried and harassed us all game long and put pressure on us high up the pitch" "Overall we didn't play at all badly but agree Bristol were well organised even if their attack looked less threatening than ours" "Brizzle (were) getting in our faces and completely disrupting our game" As you say a few also said we were crap but we didn't play them off the park, we went away defended well and despite Reading having 20% more possession than us and double our shots, we sneaked a late goal in a stereotypical good away performance. I'm not surprised our reviews are mixed on their site.
SStandUp Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 Second half was a super away performance. You're right, Reading had chances, but they're the home team and you have to expect that. In terms of Frankie Fielding, he's in the form of his life! Another top class performance. Even the save in first half where he was diving low but managed to keep hold of ball were impressive. I see a lot said about his kicking; there's no doubt he's not the best distributor in football, however, I think he's massively improved. He hits the wide ball well and looks more comfortable with ball at his feet. Yesterday wasn't a bad kicking performance, he tried to play one early which went straight through to their keeper, but apart from that it was solid enough! Plenty of encouraging signs overall. Up the City x
EstoniaTallinnRed Posted September 10, 2017 Posted September 10, 2017 22 hours ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said: Would someone please explain 'high press' to me? Thanks. It's when the Radio Bristol commentators sit in the second tier of the Lansdown!
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