Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on April 07, 2026, 10:00:34 am
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The next fixture up in a season that has seen us play in little periods right from the start of the season where we have played well for a few games and then hit the skids for a period, the skids periods always seeming longer and harder to get out of.
Reading, the team I expect supporters with a few years behind them supporting the club would be one of the last teams we would want to be playing when there is a lot depending on the result. After yesterdays abysmal display when nobody on the field of play and in the management team supporting the side came out with any glory attached to themselves, as we looked more like a struggling Sunday league side going through a bad patch.
Of course the injuries to our central defenders was a catastrophic event that completely wrecked any plans we had for the game something I have never seen before to be honest and would no doubt have caused most teams big problems in any game.
Reading themselves after a poor start to the season have pushed on and sit in eighth place vying with a couple of other clubs to finish in a
playoff position after a few years of financial problems which hopefully are now resolved.
Yesterday they succumbed to Lincoln at home who have been fantastic all season and gained promotion, congratulations to them a club that have quite a few coaches in their academy who used to coach here, so very pleased for them.
Just what our line up will be for this game is anybody's guess with injury, loss of form and let's face it. some just not good enough at the moment making it difficult to take a guess, and if Byrne and Pearson are not fit a complete disaster, after they have been the corner stone of our last improvement in form, and Bailey and Molyneux looking tired and jaded since their reputations as our main threat has attracted special treatment including some sly shoeing and group attention in games, the rest looking impotent in front of goal and job done.
So at both ends of the team we look to have major problems as we come up against two good sides looking for just the few points we need to get over the line and time to think in the closed season.
Reading the last team I would pick to play on past history, and we certainly owe them one if we can stop them getting in the play offs some compensation for ending Jones's career here with a terrible foul shoving him into the goal post.
What do you think? can we lift ourselves off the floor again? what would you do? Lot's to discuss, lot's of frustration to vent, please have your say,
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If neither Pearson or Byrne are fit it will be Grehan and McGrath at the back, cant imagine he will put Bailey back there after yesterday.
I'm confident we will get the 3 points we need, just not so much against Reading, who we haven't beaten at home since 1982 (That 7-5 game) and only once away since then. They seem to be the biggest bogey team of the lot, 45 meetings over the years of which we have won 5, reading have won 30.
As other will no doubt say all runs will come to an end eventually
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I just don’t see us getting a result we look disjointed a real lack of urgency in our attack play
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We look like a National league side at the moment, no insult to any Club in that league, by the way, with not one player coming out of the Exeter game with any credit.
However, statistically, you wonder why we didn’t make more of a game of it - more possession, more shots, etc. Well, the reason is simple, we are just so toothless up top. No threat at all. The few shots/headers we had were fairly easily dealt with by a side desperately seeking a win. Trouble is, that side should have been us but we fell well short in every department.
I fear the worst, but hope for a miracle!
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If we are without our two centre backs, it will be Bailey and McGrath I think and we could sorely do with Billy coming back - if only to provide some experience and leadership... I don't expect us to win this one and I think GM will pack the midfield and hope to reduce Reading to limited opportunities..
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Big Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is a handful up top for Reading.
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Just imagine Grehan and McGrath as our back two the mind boggles.
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Big Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is a handful up top for Reading.
Handful for the club shop as well.
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Danny Schofield returns as their assistant.
Hopefully they try and play out from the back on that pitch! We really do need to get our fundamentals right for this one!
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Big Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is a handful up top for Reading.
Handful for the club shop as well.
I'd be inclined to go for just 'Kelvin' on my shirt
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The historic record is absolutely abysmal so you wouldn’t hold out hope for anything come Saturday.
If you were looking for microscopic crumbs, their recent away record in the league isn’t amazing. Last 3 have seen a loss, draw and win at struggling Burton 2-1 thanks to 89th minute winner.
Would be astounded if we even register an attempt on Saturday, let alone get anything from the game. Probably one to rest up some of the lads so they are fit come Northampton and Peterborough.
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Big Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is a handful up top for Reading.
Must admit he’s one I’ve filtered into other clubs as a potential signing. He’s decent.
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For anybody that likes a bet a cannot see us getting a thing out of this then you can get 14/5 on a reading win.
We are 5/6 favourites.
Dont know how they have come to those odds
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Sounds like Pearson will be available
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TLT
Senior Sterry
McGrath Pearson
Gotts
Bailey Clifton
Hakib Luke
Lee
That's how I'd set up. I know Hakeeb hasn't set the world on fire but he's a legit goal threat that in turn will help give space for Like.
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TLT
Senior Sterry
McGrath Pearson
Gotts
Bailey Clifton
Hakib Luke
Lee
That's how I'd set up. I know Hakeeb hasn't set the world on fire but he's a legit goal threat that in turn will help give space for Like.
A 221221 is a bit narrow haha
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TLT
Senior Sterry
McGrath Pearson
Gotts
Bailey Clifton
Hakib Luke
Lee
That's how I'd set up. I know Hakeeb hasn't set the world on fire but he's a legit goal threat that in turn will help give space for Like.
A 221221 is a bit narrow haha
Lot of depth though, as long as you look at it straight on.
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Last win v Reading 1984.
All runs come to an end.
Need 3 points and then we are all relieved and happy.
No players need resting, they’ve just had nearly 2 weeks prior to Mansfield.
The players have to respond and the Black Bank on cheaper tickets will make some noise.
Great ingredients for a cracker!
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From being a nipper in the 60s to now, I have seen Rovers beat Reading the grand total of once, that being the 7-5 in 1982. How much I/we would love that to change this Saturday.
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Get as much money as you can on Reading scoring 3+ goals
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TLT
Senior Sterry
McGrath Pearson
Gotts
Bailey Clifton
Hakib Luke
Lee
That's how I'd set up. I know Hakeeb hasn't set the world on fire but he's a legit goal threat that in turn will help give space for Like.
A 221221 is a bit narrow haha
Haha... Tactical genius though. That or I thought it would be easy to read.
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For anybody that likes a bet a cannot see us getting a thing out of this then you can get 14/5 on a reading win.
We are 5/6 favourites.
Dont know how they have come to those odds
Had a bit of that....
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I’m almost certain we played Reading on the Tuesday or the Tuesday week before we played away at Everton in 85, it because we wanted Ian Snodin ( the best player I’ve seen in a Rovers shirt ) to serve a suspension and not miss the cup match
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I must be one of the lucky ones. I saw us win there 1-0, mid 70's, with a goal from Les Chappell who had previously scored bundles for them, and 4-1 early 80's with a hat trick from Alan Brown. There were a few hammerings in between, and not much joy since.
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I was at Elm Park for our 1-0 win too. Behind one of the goals on what my memory says was a high bank.
Les Chapell played for them for aeons before joining the Rovers. The only two goals I remember him scoring in a Rovers shirt was that one and a tantalisingly slow dribble into the wrong net at White Hart Lane.
BobG
Later: apparently he scored 10 in 58 matches.
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We are currently on a winless run against Reading home and away of 13 games dating back to 8 September 1984, consisting of 11 defeats and 2 draws. We have only ever beaten them 4 times in the league in our entire history and needed to score 5 goals and 4 goals to secure 2 of those wins.
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As I said in another thread a week or two back, now is the time for us the fans to really get behind the team in what is turning back into a relegation scrap after our last 2 games. Reading are favourites of course, but as my mate reminds me, every game is different and maybe just maybe, we can upset the odds and win. I know it works both ways, but let's give the lads some encouragement and give some positive energy.
We will stay up!
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Remember their keeper Steve Death always seemed to have a blinder against us
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Rovers and Reading have met on 45 occasions in all competitions and Rovers have won five of them. Of the others Reading have won 30 and there have been ten draws including our 1-1 draw at Reading earlier this season.
Home (2 wins- both Football League):
10th October 1970. Rovers 2 Reading 0. (John Regan & John Haselden).
25th September 1982. Rovers 7 Reading 5. (Colin Douglas, Ian Snodin (3), Billy Russell, Tommy Graham, Glynn Snodin).
Away (3 wins, 1 FA Cup, 2 FL)
7th January 1950- FA Cup Round 3. Reading 2 Rovers 3 (Paul Todd (2), Peter Doherty).
6th March 1976. Reading 0 Rovers 1 (Les Chappell).
8th September 1984. Reading 1 Rovers 4 (Alan Brown (3), Glynn Snodin).
PS. Even if you don't regularly buy a match programme, do purchase one on Saturday. There is a detailed description of the 7-5, including a future Rovers manager enjoying a bittersweet afternoon at Belle Vue.
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Kerry Dixon
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Kerry Dixon
Or Ian Snodin.
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Fair point I went with the bittersweet comment
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If Pearson is fit I would definitely go Pearson and Bailey as starters in central defence.
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After the horror show at Exeter I wouldn’t put Bailey anywhere near defence
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Remember their keeper Steve Death always seemed to have a blinder against us
The extraordinary story of Steve Death, once the shortest goalkeeper in the Football League – at just 5ft 7in. He was good enough to keep Peter Shilton out of the England Schoolboys side, yet spent his career in Divisions Three and Four and became a lower-league legend.
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Lived and taught in Reading for 30 years, and have had to put up with some right ribbing over the years. The few years they had in the Prem have given their fan base an over inflated opinion of what they are. I think they are pretty much at their level at the monent. Would love to walk into the INSET day on Monday with my Rovers shirt on after a win. Will make up for all the long journeys to watch us not perform at home this season. After the Mansfield and Exeter performances I just can't see it happening. The pitch will be a factor again, so looking forward to 90+ minutes of hoofball and head tennis. Would take a draw now.
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Not good news for Saturday
Pearson and Byrne may not make it but if one of them will it’s likely to be only Pearson as as a severe dead leg. Byrne has an hamstring issue like what Hanlan had so probs won’t make this week.
McGrath has tonsillitis and has had it all week and declared himself okay to play against Exeter but it explains why McCann didn’t put him on initially but he hasn’t been in or trained all week.
Likely to either be Bailey/grehan or Bailey/Pearson if he’s back.
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Not good news for Saturday
Pearson and Byrne may not make it but if one of them will it’s likely to be only Pearson as as a severe dead leg. Byrne has an hamstring issue like what Hanlan had so probs won’t make this week.
McGrath has tonsillitis and has had it all week and declared himself okay to play against Exeter but it explains why McCann didn’t put him on initially but he hasn’t been in or trained all week.
Likely to either be Bailey/grehan or Bailey/Pearson if he’s back.
Think Grehan is injured too, senior at cb with maxwell at lb?
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Graham has ‘trained well’ all week, according to GM. Byrne hamstring not too serious?
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Graham has ‘trained well’ all week, according to GM. Byrne hamstring not too serious?
I’m not sure if that’s good news on Grehan or not lol
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Not good news for Saturday
Pearson and Byrne may not make it but if one of them will it’s likely to be only Pearson as as a severe dead leg. Byrne has an hamstring issue like what Hanlan had so probs won’t make this week.
McGrath has tonsillitis and has had it all week and declared himself okay to play against Exeter but it explains why McCann didn’t put him on initially but he hasn’t been in or trained all week.
Likely to either be Bailey/grehan or Bailey/Pearson if he’s back.
Think Grehan is injured too, senior at cb with maxwell at lb?
Not good news for Saturday
Pearson and Byrne may not make it but if one of them will it’s likely to be only Pearson as as a severe dead leg. Byrne has an hamstring issue like what Hanlan had so probs won’t make this week.
McGrath has tonsillitis and has had it all week and declared himself okay to play against Exeter but it explains why McCann didn’t put him on initially but he hasn’t been in or trained all week.
Likely to either be Bailey/grehan or Bailey/Pearson if he’s back.
Think Grehan is injured too, senior at cb with maxwell at lb?
I thought that also. Admittedly it as in League Two but Senior had some impressive performances previously as centre back in a back four. Would be minded to start with him. McCann likes a left footed centre half.
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Remember their keeper Steve Death always seemed to have a blinder against us
The extraordinary story of Steve Death, once the shortest goalkeeper in the Football League – at just 5ft 7in. He was good enough to keep Peter Shilton out of the England Schoolboys side, yet spent his career in Divisions Three and Four and became a lower-league legend.
Yes he did though I remember him as Steven D'eath .
Better still how about the keeper that played for both Teams but who I remember better as a keeper for them than for us
World & British Football in 1970/80 | English professional footballer and goalkeeper with Chesterfield football club, John Turner pictured standing on a railway track in front of the crook... | Facebook https://share.google/mxsDvMYUuDRnYhex7
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For anybody that likes a bet a cannot see us getting a thing out of this then you can get 14/5 on a reading win.
We are 5/6 favourites.
Dont know how they have come to those odds
Reading still at long odds (12/5) to win.
The bookies must know something.
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Rovers even money which I was surprised at
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Reading fans not terribly confident. Just looked on their fan site "With LR's tactics, they might as well put carboard cut outs in defence, We still wouldn't worry them"
Maybe we have more of a chance than I thought!
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Grehan starts today alongside Pearson. Looks like:
TLT
Sterry
Grehan
Pearson
Senior
Gotts
Bailey
Clifton
Molyneux
Lee
Adelakun
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No Hanlan, injured?
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On bench.
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Very strange Grehan starting after so much faith was put in McGarth he no looks way down the pecking order. For me I’d rather play Bailey back there than either of those two who I think are both weak links
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Very strange Grehan starting after so much faith was put in McGarth he no looks way down the pecking order. For me I’d rather play Bailey back there than either of those two who I think are both weak links
Hasn’t McGrath been ill recently?
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Grehan not been near a squad in how long and goes into the starting line up with McGrath on the bench again.
?
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Best keeper we have is on the bench and no striker,
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Very strange Grehan starting after so much faith was put in McGarth he no looks way down the pecking order. For me I’d rather play Bailey back there than either of those two who I think are both weak links
Hasn’t McGrath been I’ll recently?
Tonsillitis.
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Blackpool lead already.
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Peterborough equalised.
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We are currently on a winless run against Reading home and away of 13 games dating back to 8 September 1984, consisting of 11 defeats and 2 draws. We have only ever beaten them 4 times in the league in our entire history and needed to score 5 goals and 4 goals to secure 2 of those wins.
What a win. 42 years since we last beat them. Fantastic performance and result. Get that in the history books!
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TFFT
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TFFT
x2
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Pearson and Grehan solid as a rock. The fact Pearson was out of the team for an extended period this season is mystifying.
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Although Senior AGAIN was my MOTM, Grehan was really good and won almost every header against someone a foot taller than him. Sublime pass to set up Jack for the eventual goal.
Have to say, I thought Mansfield were the worst to visit the ground, but take a bow Reading. They were poor.
Forgot to add - Clifton is getting better and better with the ball, clever passing and bits of skill coming out. He could be a strong player if he carries on like this.
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Senior - what a player he is.
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Very strange Grehan starting after so much faith was put in McGarth he no looks way down the pecking order. For me I’d rather play Bailey back there than either of those two who I think are both weak links
Two reasons McGrath has not trained this week tonsillitis and secondly Pearson plays better on the left so and until getting injured last week as been part of defence with Byrne the best of the season.
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Amazing how we all see the game differently. For me, Clifton is hugely limiting in this team. Given where he plays his output is so minimal.
Pearson today gave a perfect demonstration of his strengths and limitations. Supreme in the air, robust in the challenge and absolutely dreadful with the ball at his feet.
Agree on Senior though. My man of the match.
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The difference today was that the teams we have played recently have generally pressed man for man, today Reading looked to defend in a more old school block.
They also looked to play out but had four defenders who were awful on the ball.
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Can't believe we've finally beaten one of our major bogey teams. Considering they are pushing for the play offs I thought they were terrible. We could have scored 2 or 3 and never really looked under pressure. We are a patched up side but in a poor game we must surely now be safe?
If we do survive there will surely be a long list of both incoming and outgoings for next season. Massive clear out and very strong incoming needed. Someone needs to seriously look at the recruiting team which has been abysmal lately. It's painfully obvious where are weaknesses are, ie, a strong midfield and an effective strike force. We don't need pacy forwards from the US league who can't hack it but a complete rebuild from back to front. Great result today boys but we must kick on. A last day decider against Peterborough will not be good for my nerves.
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Much better from our lads today but Jesus I thought they were dreadful.
I thought Danny Schofield was their assistant, didn’t see him.
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Much better from our lads today but Jesus I thought they were dreadful.
I thought Danny Schofield was their assistant, didn’t see him.
He was in stand.
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Yes, Reading were dreadful and that allowed us to stay on top for most of the game and in truth, it should have been more comfortable.
Just an observation today was Jack Seniors tussle with Readings winger, who he managed to keep quiet and made sure the lad knew he'd been dominated. Did anyone else see the stares he was giving him throughout the game and then gave him what for at full time? I wish more of our players had that devil in them, rarely seen since my favourite left back in Gareth Roberts.
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I think a lot of teams in this league have been poor. Maybe half a dozen stand out, not much at all in the rest!
It's a poor league.
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The big difference at this level is the better players are more clinical and you get punished for mistakes much more. Get us a top striker and we would be right up there, it's that simple.
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Been waiting 40 odd years to see us beat these again! Seriously massive well done to Grant & the players, under pressure today against a play off seeking bogey team, we produced a real togetherness & gutsy performance that deserved all 3 points. Gotts was absolutely outstanding I thought, but every player & supporter should be feeling proud tonight. For sure every single player took on Grant's critical comments following the Easter games, & showed us again they can get results in this league. Feeling very chuffed & proud tonight.
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I feared the worst when they brought Will Keane and Matt Ritchie on at half time. I thought the size across the front would undo us but they never really utilised it. Ritchie looks a shadow of the player he was.
Their wage bill must be massive and they were bloody awful.
Thought Grehan did quite well considering his long layoff and being thrust into it today. Gotts brilliant again. Moly has put another shift in and yes the miss is extremely disappointing, but if he's been jeered off, even by a small minority, thats more disappointing than anything.
I've defended Hanlon's contribution of late, but he simply has to score that chance.
Another really poor side we've played today. Hopefully McCann is beginning to see what it takes to be top 8 in this division.
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Reading looked poor because Rovers made them be that way, our front two pressed their back 4 all match, the midfield fought for every ball and we looked for a positive move whenever we won the ball immediately. To quote Mr. Punch "That's the way to do it!"
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Yes, Reading were dreadful and that allowed us to stay on top for most of the game and in truth, it should have been more comfortable.
Just an observation today was Jack Seniors tussle with Readings winger, who he managed to keep quiet and made sure the lad knew he'd been dominated. Did anyone else see the stares he was giving him throughout the game and then gave him what for at full time? I wish more of our players had that devil in them, rarely seen since my favourite left back in Gareth Roberts.
Yep we saw that and loved it. Even after the whistle it looked like he was telling him to jog on, brilliant. Love his passion.
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Reading looked poor because Rovers made them be that way, our front two pressed their back 4 all match, the midfield fought for every ball and we looked for a positive move whenever we won the ball immediately. To quote Mr. Punch "That's the way to do it!"
For me there was clearly a change in tactics and what many of us have been calling for for sometime now.
From the off the intention was to kick the ball as opposed to playing out from the back.
We didn’t sit back from the opposition giving them acres of space and time to pass the ball around, but instead as soon as they got the ball, we were onto them making quick challenges.
We won so many balls, and a real good work rate from our players, only negative being our lack of quality in finishing the excellent chances that were created.
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That’s been a tactic for a while, in part due to the pitch condition, but also it was clear the defence had been told to go back to the bare basics, just get rid.
For all the technical quality in this league, it is a very basic approach that has helped stabilise us, since Christmas.
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The biggest change for the good yesterday was putting Lee and Haks up front and getting rid of Hanlan, defenders were challenged early, the midfield had players to aim for who could control the ball and put us on the front foot. Continue that for the last four games and we might end up in the top 10!
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That’s been a tactic for a while, in part due to the pitch condition, but also it was clear the defence had been told to go back to the bare basics, just get rid.
For all the technical quality in this league, it is a very basic approach that has helped stabilise us, since Christmas.
I has not been the tactic for a while, they were still playing out from the back in recent home games.
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It has, I noticed the change the game after the Bolton home game, where their manager complained. We have hardly played out from the back at all since, and is the reason Pearson has improved, he’s not being asked to do stuff he can’t - head or kick it as far as you can. Grehan was doing the same yesterday.
It ain’t pretty, but it has stopped a lot of the goals against.
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Probably also Gotts being deployed in his best position and able to take ball off defenders much deeper. They don’t need to think about finding a pass. Just give it to him, usually a few yards away from them. Even for his half season contribution I would have him as player of the season. Been faultless in ever single game he has played there since Christmas. Top top player.
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Probably also Gotts being deployed in his best position and able to take ball off defenders much deeper. They don’t need to think about finding a pass. Just give it to him, usually a few yards away from them. Even for his half season contribution I would have him as player of the season. Been faultless in ever single game he has played there since Christmas. Top top player.
Definitely the most improved player of the season, he is a tremendous worker.
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Gotts, run close by Senior, for player of the (half) season. Bailey in third. All have been great. Byrne and Pearson also been great since starting.
Also quick mention for Timmy. Come back in when Clark was injured and made the starting place his own - been steady and composed - the fact no one has mentioned him in a month or so is definitely a good sign!