Watching the match back again, we tried this same move unsuccessfully on three previous occasions in the second half. One was going to come off much like the LND at Bristol this term albeit with a different play and a few other games I fail to recollect last season at the end.
Some late thoughts and additions to the match thread…. I think Pritchard was an unsung hero on Wednesday night. He’s not exactly a target man but made a nuisance of himself up front and buzzed about. Gave us focal point to play off. It’s really pleasing to see Dan Neil has added a physical edge to his game. He was much better out of possession, hassled/harried and stayed switched on.
We used to say, no ones fast when they are limping. It shows you how far down the skill ladder we were Marcus
I wasn’t slow!! Just wasn’t quick enough to play an attacking role. And I was a proper dirty bastard too!! Soft as **** everywhere except when I. Was playing footy
Brilliant that. We would be raving about that first goal, if it wasn't overshadowed by the second, and would be raving about the second if it wasn't overshadowed by the third. All three are things of beauty....I don't think I've seen 3 goals as good scored in the same game. The first two, Reading are on the attack, but what is noticeable is that the ball isn't just cleared upfield, it's passed, under control, from defence. No hoof it up the field just to clear the danger. That third goal though, wow....it gets better everytime I see it....it's just perfection. I convinced we have goal of the season wrapped up, and it's still September!!
I had a pint with a Newcastle fan on Saturday. First thing he said was that goal against Rotherham was absolute class. Funnily enough he hadnt seen the first two so I showed him and he just said you dont see goals that good in one game. One thing that stands out a bit, now I have had chance to calm down, is Dan Neil's run for the second is quality, he knows he is creating space for Roberts hence the dummy. It is his pace as well that struck me as I have thought it is the one thing he might be lacking. He is no slouch though looking at that.
Another thing that deserves a bit credit for the second goal, was Pritchards lay off back to Embleton. A small thing I know, but Pritch had his back to goal when the ball was played into him by Embleton, who had continued his run past their midfielder. If Pritchard had turned or held onto the ball, the momentum would have been lost. By giving it straight back, Embleton was already on the move, and could see what was in front of him. Superb goal really.
Pritchard was excellent in that forward position. I would not have imagined him there but he played superbly well.
