Reading 0-1 Blackpool: Player Ratings

Haydon Roberts: 5

I will continue to remind Reading fans (and Richardson) that, in Roberts’ first interview, he suggested his best position was centre-back. Richardson has of course deployed him mostly in the wide left space high up the field.

Today Roberts was occasionally on the wide left, and occasionally in the left half space, switching back and forth with Paddy Lane in the channels.

Delivered a few decent set plays today, but couldn’t create much of note.

Lewis Wing: 6

Took a pair of hard challenges from the Seasiders early in the game today, but got up and continued to ask for the ball, tracking back well as well.

Tried to drive the ball towards the goal and took the most shots for Reading but couldn’t find a great connection – did use the threat of his shot to find passes to the edge of the box occasionally. Created the final chance of the game by teeing it up for Osho to hit just over the bar.

Liam Fraser: 4

While this was likely down to coaching issues not providing clear instructions, Fraser caused his team several issues today by refusing the show for the ball. Took less than 50% of the touches of Wing, and less than 30% of the touches Lane took, despite Reading crying out for some help in the middle third today.

Would often make one touch or pass on the ball and then relocate himself into an unhelpful position, hiding in the cover shadow of another player.

Paddy Lane: 5

Bless Paddy Lane. He absolutely ran his socks off today, but he just can’t win a challenge to save his life. Footballers don’t need to be bulky, but they do need to be able to take contact and protect the ball. Lane just can’t do it and won’t have a long career in League One unless he can develop that skill.

Whipped a decent shot across the front of the goal in the first half and really does seem to have decent ideas on the ball but doesn’t have the strength to execute them. Continued to run hard to try to get onto the ball.

Daniel Kyerewaa: 5

Better in the first half than the second but faded very fast and couldn’t really get back into it

Waited all game to get a chance to run at his defender, and then when he got it late in the game, he didn’t take it, instead turning around and passing it backwards.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 4

Poor for much of the game today, working his way into the box early and winning a corner but not doing a whole lot after that.

Spurned his best chance to create something for Reading today, choosing to hold onto the ball in the second half while running into a corner, rather than feeding Kyerewaa with an early ball into the box.

Subs

Matt Ritchie: 5

Went out to left wing and played in front of Lane for most of his appearance.

Sent Rowett’s head into the stratosphere by head-locking the Blackpool full-back and laughing it off. Sent in a decent ball for the attackers to get onto, and tried one long shot of his own, but put it over the net in the pounding rain.

Finley Burns: 5

Made his final appearance of his loan spell for Reading, playing out the final 20 minutes. Offered less going forward than Nymabe and was so-so defensively.

Emmanuel Osho: N/A

Bright on the ball – tried to cut in from his right-wing-back spot after replacing Abrefa. Very happy to make his way into the centre of the field, and ended up getting the final Reading shot of the season, curling it just over.

Luke Howard: N/A

Hustled around in the midfield and was certainly more of a presence than Fraser had been for much of the game. Tried a nifty half turn just before the box but couldn’t get it under control to shoot.

Average: 5.15/10

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