How disappointing - My thoughts on the Reading game

Cabaye's free-kick was immense!

Reading's whole defence were ok. We got behind the full-backs a couple of times, and they worked hard to double up on Santon to stop him cutting in on his right. The midfield were smartly placed to stop follow up chances and their CBs were pretty solid in truth!

 

Didn't think he did too badly myself.

 

Cisse looked world class last season, what the furk has happened to him.
I have never been a huge fan of Shola

 

[video]http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-all-goals-2-1-Reading-beat-Newcastle-in-EPL/tabid/317/articleID/283719/Default.aspx[/video]


didn't realise that their first goal was a handball

 

Dunno... Probably not down to one reason...

He hasn't had too many chances, because our midfield has produced f-all. Today, however, he had 3 Ba would have finished, all in the first half. It's perhaps mostly down to confidence and a bit of luck. If I knew the answer, I'd be a coach!

 

If there's a guy in a green hat standing up shouting "what the f ref?" while a girl next to him looks on embarrassed, that was me pointing out that it was a clear handball... Did Ba score his handball vs them in the away fixture? Anyway yeah... Lots of us appealed. Same first half when Federici took the ball out of play and the ref played on.

He did give Willo an easy time. Defo should have been off.

 

Stream I was watching saw it was from the first replay

 

I was in the Leazes end, opposite end to that

 

From Gallowgate it seemed obvious. Astounded the ref didn't give it, even though it was a scramble. I think he was poorly positioned, which is crap refereeing in itself really. Looked like he just supermanned the ball in!

 

which is more than could be said about the assistant (lol) who failed to notice that the Reading player had two hand around Jonas
and pulled him back in the last minute of normal time
when he was only 10 feet away with no obstructions in front of him

always laugh when I have to mention assistant, because it's quite clear that they don't assist

 

Really we should have put the game to bed, then there would have been no space for a comeback. 1-0 was not enough, but clearly Pardew thought it was!

 

Half a second worth of composure and he'd have bagged a hat-trick today. Problem is his confidence is low and he snatched at the chances. The header was ok but if he'd been aware of Federici's position he'd have put it over him. the volley was a good hit, but straight at the keeper. However, he had so much time with that last one but just turned and swung a leg without looking. Should have been an equaliser. Last season, that could have been 3 for him.

 

Know what / who to look out for now, a man in a green hat. I'll post a pic after the next home game.

 

I'll make sure I'm at my sexy best



Or take a different coloured hat...

 

Another strange and ignorant reference to Anitas height here. Of course we wouldnt want Xavi, Iniesta or Messi, all just a massive one inch taller.

 

Ratings -

Krul - 6.5 - Couldn't really do much about the goals. .

Debuchy - 6 - Worrying how easy he has been to skin but it'll take time to adapt and never easy walking into this kind of situ.

Colo - 6.5 - Good for most of the game, but should have blocked the 2nd.

Willo - 7 - I thought did ok. The ball in for the first should have been cleared and went with his wrong foot but should never have been dealing with it.

Santon - 4 - Shocking. Yet another goal from his side being caught out of position. Needs dropped in the short term. Pardew and Colo need to help him though, he's young.

Anita - 6.5 - Did ok. Only sub I disagreed with.

Marv - 7 - Played well first half. Was he actually on the pitch in the 2nd? I have no problem with the sub as he wasn't involved at all. Was an 8 first half and a 6 2nd so I've split the difference to be fair.

Jonas 6 - Neither nowt nor something.

Cabaye - 7 - Some great passing and good goal. Shame he has picked up an injury as we need his guile badly.

Shola - 6 - Average but did ok first half in terms of holding the ball. Just offers no goal threat at all though.

Cisse - 6 - Getting the chances but a combination of poor finishing and not getting a bit of luck is breaking him mentally in games.

Perch - 5 - Poor. He was sent on to do what Marveaux didn't 2nd half, get involved. He was equally anonymous.

Bigi - 5 - Poor but hardly his fault.

Ober - 6 - Continues to look lively but end product still eludes brie heed.

 

You should sack Pardew and hire Adkins, did us the world of good.

 

Another strange and ignorant outlook on the way we play football.

 

As of course we play in a way that couldnt fit in tiny players such as Xavi Iniesta or Messi? The height of a player is completely irrelevant to his ability regardless of your opinion of Anita.

 

When did I say that was reflective of his ability? I've said on here for months and months it's hard on almost our entire midfield playing route-one because they're so short they can't win headers, and that my girlfriend's constantly pointing out how small he is, because he's the shortest

Comparing him with Iniesta, Xavi and Messi, regardless of how far you missed the point, is a joke though. And yeah, they would struggle in this system too. No doubt about it for me.