Match Day PNE v Reading

[SF_]

Far from a classic.

Reading aren't amazing at the moment and have only won 2 of their last 7, while we salvaged a very late point at Derby and got outplayed at Fulham. Wouldn't be surprised if this was a score draw although we have been good at home lately, winning our last three.

Only change I would make would be Horgan back in for Robinson, although Gallagher in a midfield two doesn't fill me with confidence, he adds quality no doubt but Browne offers more protection.

Maxwell
Clarke, Huntington, Boyle, Cunningham
Horgan, Pearson, Gallagher, McGeady
Barkhuizen, Hugill
​

Hilarious how cheap that 11 were, about £500k by my reckoning; (Cunningham (nominal, sub-£100k?), Pearson, £300k(?), Barkhuizen (Compensation, sub-£100k), Hugill (£25k)...

 

[mossypne]

RIP Reading. Barkhuizen just ruined you in 1 counter attack.

 

[TomPNE94]

Barkhuizen is unreal. Horgan totally robbed that goal from him

 

[Madejski]

Our inability to defend when one of McShane or Moore is out is incredible. I'd love to see our defensive stats with them together and when one of them is out..

Only one way this game is heading, as the second goal proved, we're pretty poor when we're behind as teams can counter us.

 

[LeylandWhite]

Barkhuizen is fucking rapid.

 

[TomPNE94]

https://twitter.com/talkreading/status/840587646862786561 - 1st goal

https://twitter.com/talkreading/status/840589720451198976 - 2nd goal

 

[PrestonCha]

Sick at footy sometimes us, aren't we.

 

[SF_]

Reading are a decent side but we were very, very good today, they couldn't handle us once we got going.

First 15 minutes they got in behind us a few times and looked threatening, Maxwell made a great save just before our opening goal which was against the run of play, but the game turned after that. Barkhuizen looks class, can't believe he's been slumming it in League Two, calm finishing, direct, rapid, good touch. Reminds me a bit of Nugent, the finish for his first goal was class.

Very impressed by Andy Boyle, looks like an upgrade on Bailey Wright already, calm, steady and comfortable on the ball.

 

[LeylandWhite]

Yeah very impressed with Boyle aswell, looks like we've found another good un for fuck all.

We was class today, things are definetly looking good and if we don't manage it this season I'd fancy us to make the play offs next season.

 

[TomPNE94]

Lads I've vommed everywhere. North end class

 

[PrestonCha]

Lads I've vommed everywhere. North end class

 

[TomPNE94]

ffs

 

[The Southbank]

I don't really get to many games nowadays, so I can't add my tuppence worth, but we sound fucking shit at the moment.

Tyler Blackett plays like somebody who has won a competition to play for us, what on earth is he doing for the first goal?

 

[mossypne]

3-0 win with 37% possession. Very much reminded me of Swindon. All this fancy passing possession stuff with no bite.

 

[The Southbank]

3-0 win with 37% possession. Very much reminded me of Swindon. All this fancy passing possession stuff with no bite.

Can't stand it myself. The majority of the goals we've conceded this season have resulted from us fannying about with it at the back.

Apart from McCleary we've got little going forward either.

 

[TomPNE94]

Jordan Mutch is as wide as a house too. Big fucker

 

[BCFC David]

Lads I've vommed everywhere. North end class

You dick!

 

[Madejski]

3-0 win with 37% possession. Very much reminded me of Swindon. All this fancy passing possession stuff with no bite.

When it works, it does look impressive, but it is not happening very often. I do not think it helps that we need incisive good final third play, but we have one of the worst selection of strikers in the league..

The thought process being that the opposition cannot score when we have the ball unless our defence makes a mistake. Problem is they do make mistakes, constantly. Plus the inability to defend from our own attacking corner kicks - 3 conceded on the counter in 4 games..

Cannot complain too much as this style of play is doing far better than our attempted styles over the past few years. I just fear though that we won't have the money to bring in the players we need for this style. Players comfortable with the ball, good at passing, whilst also being good at their role (finishing, shot-stopping, defending) are likely good enough to be in the Prem. I am not sure we can go 100% down this route in the Championship.

 

[TomPNE94]

When it works, it does look impressive, but it is not happening very often. I do not think it helps that we need incisive good final third play, but we have one of the worst selection of strikers in the league..

The thought process being that the opposition cannot score when we have the ball unless our defence makes a mistake. Problem is they do make mistakes, constantly. Plus the inability to defend from our own attacking corner kicks - 3 conceded on the counter in 4 games..

Cannot complain too much as this style of play is doing far better than our attempted styles over the past few years. I just fear though that we won't have the money to bring in the players we need for this style. Players comfortable with the ball, good at passing, whilst also being good at their role (finishing, shot-stopping, defending) are likely good enough to be in the Prem. I am not sure we can go 100% down this route in the Championship.

Why did Beerens not start? Looked decent when he came on

 

[SF_]

Did Barkhuizen pull something before he went off, or was it cramp?

 

[LeylandWhite]

Cramp apparently.

 

[Madejski]

Why did Beerens not start? Looked decent when he came on

Beerens is alright, and does start most of the time (31 league starts). He's not the fastest winger but does have a nice bit of skill and decent passing.

I imagine (and hope) that yesterdays game will be the last of the Lewis Grabban experiment. No idea why he starts on the wing when we have two experienced wingers sat on the bench.

 

[TomPNE94]

Grabban was excellent first half I thought, kept finding loads of space in the middle of the park somehow. Faded massively though

 

[SF_]

The pace on Barkhuizen for our second goal on Saturday, it's a shame Downy Duff took it off his toes.