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This Could Be the Start of Something Good - Notes for Reading
Thursday, 8th Sep 2016 11:30 by HarryFromBath

HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Friday evening’s game at the Madejski Stadium by delving into their forums.

“So the general consensus on here now is that we are no longer a shambles and we aren’t getting relegated. I thought that might happen”, “We have had a tough set of opening matches and should be handily placed if we can maintain our decent home record over the next few games.”

“Early days, have patience. It’s still coming together.” Reading headed into the international break in good spirits last Saturday week with a solid 1-0 victory at Cardiff, a result which followed a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton. Poor earlier losses at Wolves and Newcastle had left some Royals worried.

“Two weeks to be happy”, “I will sleep a happy man after a perfect away performance”, “We really needed an away win and it’s perfect timing before the international break”, “This was always going to be a season of transition, but it looks promising and could be the start of something good.”

“We are a new team learning a new system and we will only get better”, “I always saw this season under Jaap Stam as a development year. He needs to put in place his philosophy and get all of his players singing off the same hymn sheet. If we finish anywhere above mid-table, I would be happy.”

Jaap Stam

“I am enjoying the work Stam is doing with the team. Our tactics are causing teams problems and quite a few will trip up against us”, “You have to give a manager time, but that is doubly the case with a novice manager like Stam. He will learn on the job and make some mistakes and false starts.”

“Jaap Stam is doing alright so far.” The 44-year-old replaced Brian McDermott as Reading manager in June. Royals understand the need to give the former Dutch international time to teach his squad his preferred playing style while simultaneously integrating this summer’s 11 new arrivals.

“The Cardiff win will take the pressure off Stam. It will give him a bit more time to get his message across with the more recent signings and spend time together on the training pitch”, “I’m sure the players, the club and most fans are feeling and seeing the benefits of what he is trying to achieve.”

“We have a manager who is looking to implement a strategy based on ball retention with a squad of players who have barely met”, “The important thing is to have players who are comfortable on the ball and who can pass. Stam seems to have chosen well with the new signings in that respect.”

Work in Progress

“It’s pleasing to see that we have a style of play at last and with competition for places. The future looks a lot brighter”, “The front five are intentionally pushing high up the pitch to create space. That is why Stam is looking for technically good defenders who will be comfortable when on the ball.”

Al HabsiGunterMooreMcShaneBlackettWilliamsVan Den BergEvansBeerensKermogantMcCleary

“We are a work in progress, with plenty to build on with the right patience and persistence.” Royals were very happy with a starting XI at Cardiff (above) which may well begin Friday’s game. Stam has regularly started games using a 4-3-3 formation built around his possession-based playing style.

“The team is starting to learn when to keep the ball and possession but also when clearing your lines is needed, which is encouraging”, “There isn’t the same amount of backwards passing but there is plenty of sideways passing when nothing else is on. Keeping hold of the ball seems paramount.”

“I want to see possession with purpose.” Some fans have voiced frustration with this patient style of football, but even Milton Keynes manager Karl Robinson criticised Reading fans for booing their own side after their recent EFL Cup tie as he could appreciate what Stam was trying to achieve.

“The passing system is fine and I can see how Stam is trying to get us to play, but it needs a lot more off-the-ball movement and a higher tempo to make it work. When that happens we look decent, but when the movement dries up we become very nervy with lots of passing across the defence.”

The arrival of centre-back Liam Moore from Leicester to partner Paul McShane has been welcomed. Royals see the pair as providing a solid foundation, while Moore’s arrival has allowed Stam to move the tenacious but often risky Joey van den Berg out of the back four and into a holding midfield role.

“We just need an impressive striker from somewhere.” There is widespread agreement that the side is light up front, with Yann Kermorgant their only striker with proven experience at this level. The club looked at Asamoah Gyan as a loan option but the ex-Sunderland man failed a medical.

The team’s fitness has also been flagged as a concern. “I’m not sure how much our recent struggles are down to players coming to terms with Stam’s new playing style or not being fit enough due to a lack of match practice”, “Fitness seems to be an issue with the squad. I have rarely seen a team so out on its feet.”

Cardiff 0 — 1 Reading

“What a horrible gritty Championship match”, “We kept them away from our penalty area and stole a winner when they lapsed in the final minute”, “We kept to the plan. It may have been boring as hell at times but we got the result”, “We had decent possession with literally nothing happening.”

“We dictated the pace of the game and nicked a winner.” Yann Kermorgant grabbed a last-minute winner for the visitors with a well-struck half-volley. “It was dire to watch because we shored up the midfield and controlled the tempo, but instead of being beaten away from home we won 1-0.”

“Reading gave Cardiff no opportunity to get going. The game plan really silenced them”, “As an away performance that was pretty decent. We controlled the pace of the game and didn’t let Cardiff get up a head of steam or create too many chances”, “I would take that every match away from home.”

Reading 2 — 2 Milton Keynes (4 - 2 on penalties) (EFL Cup)

“Well that was tiring. The fitness levels were pure comedy”, “It was like a Walking Dead episode by the end”, “It was possibly the best value for money ever, 135 minutes of football including added time and with a winning penalty shoot-out thrown in to boot for the princely sum of £7, bargain!”

“It was a strange game and any criticism is unwarranted. We started with a very raw new side, many not having played before”, “The new style of football broke down because the midfielders were not dropping back to link up, so the defence had no option but to play sideways for long periods.”

“And penalties it is…” Jordan Obita’s decisive spotkick ensued that Reading progressed after what was a tiring victory. The visitors took the lead from a Dean Bowditch penalty on 34 minutes before Callum Harriott levelled with a fine long-range strike on 68to take the tie into extra time.

“Harriott ‘s on fire again.” The former Charlton man fired the Royals ahead with a well-placed shot with six minutes of extra time to play before Milton Keynes took the tie to penalties when Kabongo Tshimanga had the alertness to fire home a loose ball in the box with just two minutes remaining.

JaakkolaWatsonCooperMooreObitaGravenberchKellyQuinnHarriottRakelsMendes

“It was a patchwork side that was collectively short of match practice.” Royals were forgiving of a side (above) consisting of many younger fringe players and with little experience of playing together. “I enjoyed the fact that our five penalty takers consisted of the only players that could still walk.”


Reading 2 — 2 Brighton

“In a nutshell, after a shaky first 15 minutes, it was a superb performance that deserved all three points”, “That was a great result against a team now unbeaten in 18 games and who had also not conceded all season”, “It was a terrific game with us better than Brighton for most of it.”

“A decent result through it should have been a win.” Many Royals feel that this was the game which kick-started their season. John Swift fired the hosts into a second-minute lead with a freekick before Joey van den Berg headed a corner into his own net to level for the Seagulls six minutes later.

“Brighton are there for the taking. We should have added to our lead.” Fans’ half-time optimism was dented directly after the restart when Anthony Knockaert fired home a low drive, but Paul McShane headed home a Garath McCleary just before the hour mark to give the Royals a fully deserved point.

Al HabsiGunterVan Den BergMcShaneObitaSwiftWilliamsEvansBeerensKermogantMcCleary

“John Swift is key in the style we play.” The summer arrival from Chelsea anchored midfield in the starting XI (above) and was praised for his energy and eye for a pass. Despite scoring an own goal and picking up two yellow cards Van den Berg was also lauded by many fans for his wider display.

“We had great intensity in the second half. Many teams will buckle but Brighton had enough nous and composure on the ball”, “Lapses of concentration let us down”, “It was very satisfying to see us get something out of one of our toughest games this season”, “A good game, I enjoyed it.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Ali Al-Habsi is the worst nightmare for a defence. He has no command of his penalty area and sticks to making spectacular saves on his goal line.” The 34-year-old former Wigan keeper “is rooted to his line”, “He doesn’t inspire me with confidence, flapping at crosses as usual which nearly costs us.”

“Importantly for the way we play, Al Habsi looks pretty comfortable with the ball at his feet”, “His shot stopping and closing down one-on-one are good but he’s always at risk of a couple of ricks”, “A sound, confident defence is essential to building a side that can go places and he is not that keeper.”

“I feel more confident with Anssi Jaakkola in goal.” Many would like to see the 29-year-old one-time Kilmarnock man between the posts. “He can match Al Habsi’s shot-stopping but he’s better in the air and he’s assured and confident”, “He looks solid and is a presence, making good saves when tested.”

“I am delighted Chris Gunter did well for Wales at Euro 2016.” The 27-year-old former Forest and Spurs right-back “has been less negative this season”, “He doesn’t push on and is not particularly dangerous in attack”, “He’s a decent experienced pro but not a barnstorming match-winner.”

“Gunter is not a model for a young full-back, fitness over ability, timidity over assertiveness, caution over determination and niceness over winning”, “Average going forward and average defending, you don’t usually get out of this division with average players”, “He usually settles for the safe option.”

“In Stam’s press conference after the Cardiff, he seemed to suggest that Jordan Obita’s role may not be a left-back but further forward.” The 22-year-old youth product “is very one-footed and looks far better with team-mates near him. He should offer a better attacking option as a converted winger”.

“The weakest link against Brighton was Obita. Knockaert exposed his lack of pace”, “Something’s not right, he does not suit this new system”, “He constantly gets himself into trouble and mouths off or pulls people down”, “He’s turning from a good attacking full-back into a younger version of Gunter.”

“Tyler Blackett looked solid enough on his debut.” The 22-year-old new arrival from Manchester United “is more solid defensively than Obita. He offers strength and an aerial presence too”, “He looked decent at Cardiff. He has pace, is solid defensively and seems fairly composed on the ball.”

“Blackett didn’t offer much of an attacking outlet but it was his first game so we need to give him a chance”, “He appeared a good yard off match pace at Cardiff which was not very surprising”, “He’s technically good and seems fairly composed on the ball”. “He firmed up the left side of the defence.”

“We dominate Milton Keynes and then there’s a Jake Cooper screw-up”, “A liability.” The 21-year-old youth product was blamed for the “woefully under-hit back pass which could have seen the keeper sent off”, “I could see exactly what was going to happen before it did. It was a shocker.”

“Seeing Paul McShane take four touches and spend 30 seconds before passing square or back is more painful than a hernia.” The 30-year-old former Hull centre-back “looks awful with the ball at his feet”, “He was beaten for pace for Brighton’s goal but made up for it with a decent equaliser.”

Leeds' Alex Mowatt v Paul McShane

“McShane knows exactly what to change to make the Royals a good side again. He’s a proper leader and the team needs to listen to what he says”, “He looks outstanding when the team is working hard together”, “A very capable defender but has struggled without a decent and consistent partner.”

Liam Moore

“Moore is an excellent signing and you wouldn’t have thought that he was making his debut for the team.” The 23-year-old new arrival from Leicester “looks like a top centre-back for this league. He reads the game well and has plenty of pace”, “Moore has such a natural composure and authority.”

“The arrival of Moore is much needed”, “He’s quick, strong and reads the game well. He could be a perfect partner for McShane”, “I could hear him taking throughout the Milton Keynes game and he looked comfortable on the ball, playing it out from the back. He looks solid and has genuine pace.”

Central Midfielders

“Stephen Quinn runs around a lot and covers for players out of position well but he lacks any real talent.” The 30-year-old former Hull and Sheffield United man “improved our effectiveness against Milton Keynes in the middle”, “He ran around and moved the ball well but nothing outstanding.”

“Quinn is as tireless as ever but lacks a bit of final quality”, “He gives the ball away too often”, “He has tenacity and spirit but has no flair”, “He kept things ticking over nicely in midfield when he came on at Cardiff”, “He was one of the few who looked like he actually cared at the end of last season.”

“George Evans not demanding the ball upset our rhythm against Milton Keynes. There were long spells of passing along the backline and not going anywhere largely due to him not dropping into pockets or dropping deeper to receive the ball. He seemed to stand and watch it most of the time.”

“Evans did not help McShane against Brighton as he did not give him an outlet.” The 21-year-old ex-Manchester City youth player “is a ball player who can spread the play and dictate the game. He looks to be learning and has a bright future”, “No heights of performance but he is neat and tidy.”

“I really like Joey van den Berg. A tough defensive midfielder is exactly what we need.” The 30-year-old summer arrival from Heerenveen “looked like he was genuinely going to kill someone at Cardiff”, “He did well showing for the ball from our defenders to let us to keep up our passing momentum.”

“Now that we have Moore, Van den Berg will be a regular fixture in midfield”, “The enforcer in the middle to give us some toughness”, “I can’t believe he didn’t get booked at Cardiff but nothing got past him”, “He controlled the midfield, made us look solid and gave Cardiff no time on the ball.”

John Swift

“There’s a very good player in Swift.” The 21-year-old ex-Chelsea man played on loan at Brentford last year. “He’s an extremely intelligent footballer and a clear upgrade on what we have had in the last few seasons. Enjoy him while we have him as he won’t be here for long. Bigger things await.”

John Swift for Chelsea

“Swift is very clever with quick feet. He has good close control and often gets past players by guile and then plays a pass. He works hard and is a willing outlet, but his name is a misnomer and he is not pacey. His decision-making can also be erratic”, “He’s easily our best bit of business this summer.”

Danny Williams

“I have loved Williams but he’s now our weak link. He needs to sort himself out and get a purpose as I’m not sure of his role with Evans and Swift in the side.” The 27-year-old ex-Hoffenheim man “is a bit of a mixed bag, giving the ball away too often but dangerous when he builds a head of steam”.

“Can Williams actually tackle?”, “For all his energy and bluster, he seldom wins a 50:50”, “He isn’t the quickest to get back and cover. For all his strengths, they are countered by his weaknesses”, “He is the most willing to take the ball from defence to attack”, “Williams is the driving force in midfield.”

Wide Midfielders

“What a strike”, “We have a new hero”, “Callum Harriott is playing himself into the first team with two goals from open play.” The 22-year-old summer arrival from Charlton was praised for “wanting to take responsibility and make something happen” against Milton Keynes. “He can run all night.”

“Harriott looks a player, quick and can beat a guy and he linked well with his full-back when on the right-hand side”, “He could come good as a super sub, plenty of energy and drive as well as a decent shot”, “He does lacks a football brain, far too often failing to spot easy passes or slowing play down.”

“Roy Beerens looks good, has got a trick and goes past people with pace.” The 28-year-old summer arrival from Hertha Berlin “looks a real handful, a lot of skills and trickery to evade challenges and he gets into good positions”, “Capable on both flanks and fairly conservative but a winger nonetheless.”

“Beerens is right-footed but good with both feet, very quick, skilful and an eye for goal”, “He showed flashes of brilliance in fits and starts but he missed a sitter at Cardiff”, “We can see the quality he has”, “We seem to be drawn to Dutch wide players with one token international appearance.”

Garath McCleary

“McCleary looks somewhat back to his best. Hopefully he will stay fit.” The 29-year-old ex-Forest man “looked particularly dangerous against Brighton. He tired late on but was back to his best”, “He is getting back to the McCleary of 2014. If he does, he could be a massive player for us this season.”

“McCleary was defensively at fault for some of the goals we conceded late last season but he offered us our best attacking threat. You have to take the good with the bad”, “We are a different team with him fit and interested. A rejuvenated McCleary will give defenders something to worry about.”

Strikers

“We have a 34-year-old who has only scored more than 12 in a Championship season once in the past decade, an untried youngster, a currently injured Latvian who demonstrably isn’t good enough and a young French striker who looks out of his depth and unfit.”

For many Royals, this lack of fire power is their Achilles heel. “Last year we had Matej Vydra, Orlando Sa, Nick Blackman and Hal Robson-Kanu, all four of whom I would say are better than our current options”, Our current strike-force got a combined total of six Championship goals last season.”

“Joseph Mendes is an absolute carthorse.” The 25-year-old arrival from Le Havre “is not the answer to any of our problems”, “Every time a cross comes along the six-yard box he is nowhere to be found usually plodding around the edge of the box, seriously dreadful”, “He can’t play up top by himself.”

“Static”, “We need quality from Mendes and we get nothing like quality”, “He offers no movement along the backline and we are crying out for a striker to attack the front post from a cross”, “He has shown some nice touches but doesn’t seem to be lethal in front of goal”, “Lazy and useless, get rid.”

Yann Kermorgant

“I don’t think Kermorgant is up to the job as a lone striker but he’s a better option than anyone else we have”, “I was happy he got the goal at Cardiff and really hope he pushes on now. We know he can be decent at this level”, “The wingers are doing their job but he isn’t quite good enough.”

The 34-year-old ex-Bournemouth man “had a good game at Cardiff but I would prefer someone with real pace to give an alternative outlet”, “It was a good finish, but he didn’t contribute a lot else”, “If football was a standing still game, he could be a star. It isn’t and we need more from a frontman.”

“Kermorgant should have walked. He was frustrated and I saw that one coming a mile off.” Many Royals felt he was lucky to avoid a red card against Brighton. “His ugly challenge on Liam Rosenior has no place in the game”, “A two-footed lunge, a revenge tackle with no attempt to play the ball.”

Royals’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“I’m looking forward to Friday night football”, “That Ipswich game seems a long, long time ago”, “It’s a good thing that a season isn't based on one game or I would have based last season on our 5-1 win over Ipswich”, “That game was probably the best I've seen us play since the best Coppell days.”

When raking through the ashes at the end of last season, most Royals looked back last year’s win in this corresponding game as something of a freak result. They are optimistic heading into Friday’s game with over 70 per cent predicting a home with and most going for a two-goal victory margin.

Their pessimists are worried about long distance travel from the international break. “We don't perform after a break. I reckon we'll lose this one. Reading 0-2 Ipswich”, “I can't see it happening, Ipswich are terrible away from home, they have recorded two away wins this calendar year.”

“You would expect it to be tight, 1-0 or 1-1. Given that we are undefeated at the Madejski, I'll go for a tight 1-0. Kermorgant the scorer, getting a little form together”, “Confidence on the up, majority of posters predict handsome win... nailed-on defeat. 0-1.”

“Mick McCarthy’s a good manager, not an exotic or exciting name but he can get good results and outcomes for the team he is managing with limited resources. A perfect fit for a club like Reading or Ipswich”, “He's doing a pretty decent job with very average players over there, a good manager.”

“McCarthy led them to a 14th, then ninth, sixth and seventh finish respectively in his almost four seasons in charge, joining in late November the first season and he hasn't paid over £1 million for anyone, only recently spending the most at three-quarters of that.”

Royals also recalled our response to their parading the Simod Cup in 1988. “At home the first game after the Simod Cup, Ipswich fans were very generous with their applause. Bearing in mind this was a club that had won major trophies would have been easy for them to take the proverbial. Respect.”

Websites

The busiest Royals’ message board is the polite and knowledgeable Hob Nob Anyone.

Some interesting blogs can also be found on The Tilehurst End website, including http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/9/7/12756872/reading-fc-jaap-stam-tacti interesting tactical analysis of the Royals’ set-piece defending.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



Steve_M added 11:47 - Sep 8
The start of something good? It won't be that good, they'll still be based in Reading in a crappy plastic stadium a bus ride from any decent pubs.

Probably a good time to play them though, still very much getting to grips with Stam as a manager, although given our record their...
3

BlueInBerks added 12:19 - Sep 8
Travelling to New Jersey USA today, anyone know if tomorrow's game is being televised & venue in NJ?
0

ericclacton added 12:34 - Sep 8
Hello Harry, enjoyed reading about Reading, whilst reading about Reading I remembered I have two library books to return. I noticed Norwood has gone, is there any truth he was raised by a family of beavers?
Getting back to the fixture, the big question is can Stap Yam, I mean Stan Yap,I've got it, Jaap Stam make it in our league I guess only time will tell.
Good notes Harry and I am going for a score draw.
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Lathers added 13:06 - Sep 8
Yes shocking little Lego stadium, ball ache to get the bus up to the ground and we usually get nothing. If we defend properly (unlike last season) I can see us getting 3 points with a 2-0 win.
2

LankHenners added 13:14 - Sep 8
Thanks Harry!

"He's doing a pretty decent job with very average players" - he and we are better than that but to be fair to them, we've always looked average at best when we've faced each other.

We're due a win there surely? If it wasn't for our pretty abysmal record there, I'd be confident of a win. Looking forward to seeing what Lawrence and Best can offer us if they play, and hopefully we can take advantage of their adjusting to a new style by really getting at them and playing with the sort of tempo we now we can when we really get it going.
3

SheptonMalletBlue added 16:05 - Sep 8
What's this, a Mick McCarthy love in?!!!!
1

jas0999 added 17:41 - Sep 8
Very winnable. Three points a must.
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JCBLUE added 20:11 - Sep 8
Harry
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