Let's talk about the Reading game

[PDX_Rover]

Senior - what a player he is.

[steve@dcfd]

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.

[Blue Green Algae]

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.

[GazLaz]

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.

[richtherover]

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.

[mushRTID]

Much better from our lads today but Jesus I thought they were dreadful.
I thought Danny Schofield was their assistant, didn’t see him.

[Chris Black come back]

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.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

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.

[Petche]

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.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

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.

[Lesonthewest]

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.

[CJK]

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.

[Barmby Rover]

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!"

[monkeytennis]

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.

[Ian Nimmo]

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.

[jmt23]

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.

[Barmby Rover]

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!

[Ian Nimmo]

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.

[jmt23]

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.

[Chris Black come back]

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.

[Barmby Rover]

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.

[Reg of the Rovers]

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!