Jaap Stam’s Clockwork Machine is Ticking Again - Notes for Reading Friday, 15th Dec 2017 10:45 by HarryFromBath HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Portman Road by delving into their forums. “Nice to see the team finally clicking”, “We look a good solid side. We are miles better than we were two months ago and should look to beat anyone in the division based on our Cardiff display”, “It seems a long way from Stam losing his job and that run of poor performance a few weeks back.” “The ‘project’ continues.” The Royals arrive at Portman Road five places and five points behind Town but with their tails up as they are on a run which has seen them lose only to table-topping Wolves in the last eight games. Late October saw them just two points and two places above the bottom three. “The biggest difference in our change of form has been having our best players fit and ready”, “We are heading in the right direction after a terrible start, and Stam is rewarding the patience shown in him”, “I would take 25 entertaining matches to build a decent momentum to take into next season.” “We have come a long way since the start of the season. We are hurting teams now and our passing from the back is calm and more assured”, “We are not good enough to challenge for anything other than mid-table”, “This is a long-term project and piece by piece it’s coming together. Keep the faith.” Jaap Stam“Stam has finally got his own act together”, “We are progressing in the right direction. All we need is patience from the knee-jerk ‘Stam out’ idiots and I am confident it will come good in due course”, “He has learned to be more pragmatic, he is still an inexperienced manager learning his trade.” The 45-year-old former Manchester United centre-back became manager at the Madejski Stadium in June 2016 having previously been assistant coach at Ajax in his native Netherlands. Reading finished in the top six last season but have found the going a great deal tougher so far in this campaign. “I support Stam and his patient possession style”, “He has now started picking a team based on their ability and not his egotistical opinion of the opposition. Funnily enough the team is getting results. With his stubbornness and arrogance removed, I can see the team delivering some decent results.” Royals have felt that his lack of experience contributed to this season’s poor start. They highlighted his habit of worrying too much about the opposition with his selections and delaying substitutions with his side struggling. This current good run has seen the same XI start in the last four games. “Please Jaap, don’t tinker”, “Stam has kept the same starting line-up and picked up a decent run of points by simply playing football. He’s now learning his craft. As a young, inexperienced manager he’s finally looking good value. It’s time to back him, even if we were poor for the first 17 games.” The Dutch Possession-Based Game“We are trying things and it’s beginning to click”, “Stam is closer to getting his tactics right. We start as a 4-3-3 and Joey van den Berg drops into the backline as the full-backs push on. Sone Aluko has been marked out of every single game he has played so far but this makes room for Modou Barrow.” MannoneBacunaMcShaneMooreGunterVan Den BergEdwardsKellyAlukoBarrowKermogant
“Unchanged again!” Stam has kept faith with the same team (above) in the past four games. He has stuck with the same 4-3-3 shape which worked successfully last season. There is an emphasis on controlling the tempo of play through playing a patient passing possession-based brand of football. Royals have repeatedly noted how the team have added more direct play in this recent good run. “We are mixing short passing and more direct balls into the channels. We can be more direct in attack with our good movement up front, but also retain the ball and get it out of defence.” “We have a settled, balanced side and just need to tighten up the defence.” Vito Mannone is seen as a safer keeper than predecessor Ali Al-Habsi but the back four is a worry. Leandro Bacuna is a useful attacking right-back but Chris Gunter primarily is more defensive on his less-favoured left side. Liam Moore has been a solid performer in the heart of defence but Paul McShane’s lack of pace is a huge concern. “We are such a poorly organised defensive side. As soon as the going gets tough, we fold at the back”, “We ship goals easily and can’t be relied on to keep a clean sheet on most occasions.” “Joey van den Berg and David Edwards should be a pairing in all our away games to stop other sides playing.” The defensive balance of central midfield is a strength, but Liam Kelly is a less creative and threatening option than the currently injured John Swift to link play centrally with the front three. “Consistency in team selection has helped, but the wide men appear to be playing further forward”, “Yann Kermorgant plays up top while Modou Barrow and Sone Aluko bust a gut to catch up with the knockdowns”, “The lack of a striker is less of an issue now Barrow and Aluko are more effective.” Wingers Barrow and Aluko are seen as greater goal scoring threats than strikers Kermorgant and Jón Daði Böðvarsson. The two frontmen have led the line with their “brilliant hold-up play” and linked play with both wide men who use their pace to cut in from the flanks or break forward from deep. Reading 2 — 2 Cardiff“Well, that sucked at the end. As good as we were in the first half, we went into ourselves in the second and just let Cardiff push us back”, “We fully deserved the 2-0 half-time lead and had chances to kill Cardiff off up to 70 minutes. It was only in the last 20 that Cardiff put us under the cosh.” “We messed this right up.” Reading secured a two-goal cushion on Monday night with a Callum Patterson own goal on 16 minutes and Modou Barrow’s strike four minutes before the interval. The mood was buoyed further when the visitors’ manager was sent off midway through the second half. “Neil Warnock’s off, I suppose it is pantomime season.” Joe Bennett volleyed a goal for the Bluebirds on 83 minutes and substitute Lee Tomlin levelled for the visitors in stoppage time. Royals could see the tide starting to turn in the final quarter of the game. “We really did throw two points away.” “Cardiff were better in the second half. We were outclassed and didn’t take our chances. Cardiff dug in and did. That is our season summed up”, “It’s frustrating but what happened wasn’t a surprise”, “We began to run out of steam and ended up playing deeper and deeper with 20 minutes to go.” There were positives despite the two late goals. “Our passing game under pressure was fantastic in the first half against Cardiff. It was top quality”, “Cardiff’s high pressing allowed us to get the ball forward more quickly. Our wingers had space to burst forward”, “Well at least it wasn’t boring.” Sunderland 1 — 3 Reading“Lovely stuff”, “A great win and a top performance, now for the five-hour journey back”, “The first half was pretty even in terms of chances but we played the better football. The balance swung in our favour when McManaman was sent off”, “You could definitely see the win coming after the break.” The turning point in this game came at the end of an evenly-contested first half when Sunderland’s Callum McManaman picked up a second caution for “a hand of God”. Reading goals from Edwards on 53 and Barrow on 68 and 71 were followed by Lewis Grabban’s penalty on 76 for the hosts. “Sunderland were a pretty poor but a tidy side”, “It didn’t sound like we were brilliant”, “We were totally in control in the second half. Sunderland stood off us inside our own half which allowed us the time and space to build from the back. It was a bizarre thing to do and played into our hands.” Reading 3 — 0 Barnsley“An important win for us, it was kind of boring despite the scoreline. We had three shots and three goals. There was little goalmouth action”, “After we scored the second we lowered the tempo and it was a lot slower, more patient build-up play”, “I was disappointed with how Barnsley just sat back.” Edwards headed the hosts into the lead on 20 minutes and Van den Berg drove home a second nine minutes later to but Reading comfortably in control of a rescheduled game which was played on the same night as our win at Derby. Böðvarsson headed a third to confirm victory on 88 minutes. “I don’t know what to think of that game. I was generally bored and we should have been punished for out sloppiness in the second half, but we won 3-0 and I can’t really fault any of the players”, “It has a reserve or friendly feel. You know it’s bad when you hear the players talking to each other.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“Vito Mannone is rarely troubled and is very calm with the ball at his feet.” Many Royals believe that the 29-year-old ex-Sunderland keeper is a better suited than predecessor Al-Habsi for Stam’s style of playing out from the back. “He looks very comfortable even under pressure, a very decent signing.”  Vito Mannone clashes with Derby County's Chris Martin“Mannone is commanding and composed, and does what is needed when called upon. He gets us out of trouble dealing with dodgy back passes”, “His saves and movement are great, he has been something on an unsung hero”, “He isn’t afraid to kick it long and accurately to set up an attack.” “Leandro Bacuna is everywhere, at right-back, drifting into midfield and spending time on the wing when he can. He’s one of our better players on the ball, he has an end product and can defend.” The 26-year-old August addition from Aston Villa “is a positive attacking full-back and it’s paying off”. “Bacuna’s energy continues to impress”, “He has a worrying tendency to switch off or get frustrated momentarily during otherwise decent displays”, “He’s a dangerous player who keeps his head under pressure and picks a pass very well. The sooner we get his energy in central midfield, the better.” “Chris Gunter had a poor game against Cardiff. He got around the back of their defence a couple of times but his final ball was always poor.” The 28-year-old former Forest right-back has switched to the left side of defence in recent games. “He’s a consistent player who can play to a decent level.”  Chris Gunter“Gunter is actually a good left-back. He’s more positive and makes good crosses, but he wanders out of position a bit too much”, “He still has moments of criminal negativity and lacks creativity”, “He has been one of our best players in this good run with regular seven out of 10 performances.” “Tyler Blackett can look good to the opposition because he constantly takes fancy touches and looks quite skilful for a defender. It’s harder to notice his consistently poor attention span or his decision making.” The 23-year-old ex-Manchester United man “is so much better attacking than defending”. “Tiago Ilori is good on the ball and gets a lot of attacks started with quick accurate balls to the full-backs.” The 24-year-old one-time Sporting Lisbon centre-half “is a classy player who looks like he has a mistake in him”, “He looks very pretty on the ball but does none of the basics of defending well.” “Paul McShane looks properly on the wane.” The 31-year-old former Hull City defender “is surely nearing the end with his error-strewn displays”, “He makes so many rushed clearances when we’re under pressure”, “He is definitely on a downward trajectory. He is solid enough but for how long can that remain?”  Leeds' Alex Mowatt v Paul McShane“McShane takes too many unnecessary risks to win the ball and often ends up on the wrong side of attackers to simple balls over the top”, “He struggles against athletic strikers, and was outmuscled, outpaced and out-thought by Cameron Jerome”, “He looks half as good as he did 12 months ago.” Liam Moore“I love you Moore!” The 24-year-old former Fox “is just so consistent it’s ridiculous and I think we all forget how young he is”, “A solid defender who wins everything in the air, he tries to bring it out of defence but he needs options”, “He is easily one of the top 10 centre-backs in this division.”  Tom Lawrence v Liam Moore“Moore has been a great defender in a poor defence at times”, “He makes some cracking challenges at times and I wonder if this is because his positioning isn’t always the best”, “Much as I rate him, he does turn back when he should be looking for a winger or driving forward himself”, “Mr Reliable.” Central Midfielders“Pelle Clement is not the finished article and I don’t think we have bought him for this season. The 21-year-old summer signing from Ajax “looks like he will be some player in a few years”, “He has looked decent in odd moments but is generally ineffective”, “A tidy player but a bit powderpuff.” “Clement has been used in short cameos and has looked lively and desperate to win”, “He could be good but is way off the pace in this team. His best position seems to be more central and advanced in midfield”, “One for the future, He runs around a lot and is lightning fast he but lacks composure.” “Joey van den Berg was immense against Cardiff producing numerous perfectly executed and critical challenges.” The 31-year-old ex-SC Heerenveen holding midfielder “has been crucial for us recently with a fantastic range of passing and some crucial ball-winning moments. He just keeps on going”. “Joey throws himself into everything defensively, he’s either immense or a liability”, “He allows Bacuna to get forward on the right and this makes us look a real threat”, “He’s a combination of a battling hard man and a player with vision and finesse. Having this run of games has helped him.” “Liam Kelly seems timid in the final third and doesn’t have the courage of his convictions to go and try things.” The 21-year-old youth product “is a fine passer but isn’t looking forward as much as he could”, “He lacks grit and may not be tough tackling, but defensively he’s more solid than Barrow.” “It’s a shame Kelly can’t quite get his feet on to second balls. A bit more aggression from him and we could have a field day”, “He’s slow on the ball and takes more touches and seconds than the other central players, but he can play good crosses and passes to release our dangerous wide players.” David Edwards“I never notice Edwards much. He’s quiet but his solid performances make us so much better.” The 31-year-old August arrival from Wolves “is the kind of experienced head who is a leader, exactly what we lacked last year”, “He brings more to the team than people realise and links play so well.”  Wolves' David Edwards“Edwards wins headers and puts in tiny fouls to break the opposition rhythm. He’s also a big reason why we suddenly look dangerous from set pieces”, “His career has been established around arriving in the box late to finish off moves”, “He is everywhere and can pop up out wide to set up goals.” Wide Midfielders and Wingers“Roy Beerens was a midget striker making the wrong runs.” The 29-year-old former Hertha Berlin man struggled when played up front recently in the absence through injury of both leading strikers. “His runs were comical, always closing space and channels instead of pulling defenders with him.” “I can see why Stam keeps faith with Beerens. He’s capable of moments of brilliance”, “He battles his way through many challenges and his perseverance wins him the ball”, “He’s painfully lightweight and shouldn’t play in fast, physical matches”, “A soft player whose passing can be all over the place.” “I feel gutted for Adrian Popa. He always puts in a shift in whatever level he plays.” The 29-year-old January signing from Steaua Bucharest “is a handy substitute. He’s capable of producing some magic to either score of help create a goal. He’s a tremendous threat when he works his way in to shoot.” “Popa always looks like he will lead to something happening. He has the confidence and self-belief to try things out”, “I was more excited by his five minutes against Cardiff than 85 minutes of everybody else”, “He’s clearly a good lad. His effort cannot be faulted and he’s more than a half-decent player.” “Sone Aluko is clearly a skilful player but we need more from him.” The 28-year-old August signing from Fulham “looks lost in this system at times. He needs to be running forward in the final third to maximise his strength but too often he’s in possession in his own half where he looks very shaky.” “Aluko is often not in the positions where he can be threatening”, “He isn’t quite right”, “He does frustrate me because he looks a great player but lacks the confidence to drive forward with the ball. He constantly goes backwards and doesn’t affect the game. He is the polar opposite to Barrow.” Modou Barrow“Barrow makes us tick going forward.” The 25-year-old ex-Swansea man “has electric pace and some outrageous bits of skill at times”, “He’s frighteningly good on the counter and looks dangerous and exciting when played properly”, “He’s our most dangerous and most dynamic player by a distance.”  Modou Barrow“Barrow causes teams no end of problems”, “It’s no coincidence that our form picked up when he returned to the side after his knee injury. He’s a step up in class for us with his skill on the ball”, “He was exhausted after 70 minutes against Cardiff. Why, oh why did it take Stam ages to take him off?” Strikers“Jón Daði Böðvarsson is strong, quickish, good at hold-up play and very hard working.” The 25-year-old was signed from Wolves in July, having been a Town loan target. “He’s decent in the air, is able to hold it up and is surprisingly quick”, “He creates space for Aluko and Barrow to attack and occupies centre-halves.”  Bodvarsson for former club Wolves“I have been surprised by Daði’s turn of pace to nip in ahead of defenders. He gets stuck in and looks imperious, a man on a mission”, “He seems to be exactly how Wolves fans described him, a hard worker who isn’t a brilliant finisher”, “He’s a hard-working striker who can’t stay consistently fit.” Yann Kermorgant“Have we seen the best of Kermorgant? He totally lacks pace.” The 36-year-old former Bournemouth, Charlton and Leicester man “has been off the pace lately. He’s important when defending set pieces and he holds the ball up well. He isn’t the sort to panic into losing the ball”, “He’s not up to speed.”  Yann Kermorgant - Bournemouth“A suggestion to Stam. Get another target man in the new year and play Yann at centre-back. He is our best defender and could play out his contract there”, “His front post defending from set pieces is exceptional”, “His movement pulls defenders out of shape, creating space for our wingers to attack.” “While Kermorgant is clearly getting back to match sharpness, some of his lay-offs and flicks are still brilliant”, “He has been pretty quiet and is still in recovery from his groin injury, but he only hit form in the second half of last season so I’m hopeful. He is our best option against physical defences.” Royals’ Views on ITFC and the Game“It seems to be the same old story for Ipswich this season. A good start to the campaign followed by a dip in form. Their fans could be forgiven by not expecting a lot as they have only seen one top-six finish during Mick McCarthy's reign.” “I’m guessing Ipswich are a worse version of Cardiff, but with home advantage this time.” Reading prediction leagues are split evenly between a score draw or an away win, with a minority predicting that Town will trip the visitors up. A 1-1 draw or 2-1 away win are the most popular score forecasts. “Ipswich haven't lost at home since the end of October so I would be hard pressed to go for an away win. However, taking away the finale of the Cardiff game, Reading have been looking good lately, so I will go for a draw with both teams cancelling one another out.” “Ipswich are a side that generally sits mired in mid-table obscurity season after season as the pendulum of fate swings upward and downward over them. It seems that Mick McCarthy has at last managed to catch an upward swing and has them ploughing in the desired direction at last.” “Ipswich have had a strange first half of the season. They won their first five in a row, then lost eight out of the next 11 games and have been pretty much even-steven since then with three wins, two draws and two defeats. I’m finding it hard to call this one to be honest.” “They are a pretty useful team that are dangerous and a good bet for a play-off challenge. Expecting an in-your-face high tempo game with Ipswich being particularly useful on the counter-attack and therefore this game is not going to be anything better that difficult at best.” WebsitesThe busiest Royals’ message-board is the friendly and well-informed Hob Nob Anyone? while interesting blogs can also be found at Royals Rendezvous.
Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
   Blogs 295 bloggersIpswich Town Polls[ Vote here ] |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
