Reading v Southampton: Player Ratings

Adam Federici: 5

Not the best game for a returning Federici who looked a little bit indecisive for the goal and generally didn't look comfortable against a Southampton team full of movement.

Chris Gunter: 5

Gunter looked short of confidence on his return to the side and it was his poor throw in that finally eased the pressure on Southampton during Reading's best period in the game. I'm a fan of his potential but he needs to start showing it over these final few games of the campaign.

Adrian Mariappa: 4

Poor on the ball and one of his worst games of the season. His indecision twice nearly cost Reading a goal and while he had the odd good interception, he'll want to put this one behind him.

Sean Morrison: 5

Like Mariappa, Morrison was caught a couple of times but mostly after the game had been decided as a contest. Before that point he'd looked pretty solid but should have scored with a header early on. It seems as if Alex Pearce's Reading career is over so it makes sense to give Morrison the chance to settle into the 'Adkins style'.

Stephen Kelly: 4

Didn't adapt well to the left-back postiion, being caught out of position more than once and looked very uncomfortable when forced onto his left. Nicky Shorey and Ian Harte have both been poor recently but the decision to bin both of them off for a right-footed, right-back sent out strong signals that neither will be here next season.

Jobi McAnuff: 6

Jobi has come in for plenty of stick this season but I hope even his worst critics can respect the work rate that's been put in by our captain this season. McAnuff was up and down the left-wing all day today and while his impact going forward was minimal, he did his very best to protect the shaky looking Kelly behind him. On other days I might have given him a five, but I'll nudge him up for sheer guts.

Jem Karacan: 5

How often do I have to say this.... Jem worked hard but did nothing with the ball. He seems incapable of playing a pass and it's that deficiency that'll probably stop him from becoming a Premier League regular. I'd love to be proved wrong but he really hasn't made significant strides forward in the past three years.

Hope Akpan: 5

Couple of good tackles from the former Everton youth teamer, who offered a bit more than Leigertwood has recently. Otherwise he struggled to make much of an impact but he's still one for the future and one of the few good signings we've made since promotion. Hoping his injury isn't too severe as I'd like to see him given as many starts as possible.

Danny Guthrie: 6

Thought this was up there with the best Guthrie's performed in a Reading shirt but when that's a 6/10 it says it all really. He tried his best to spray the ball around but faded as the game wore on.

Hal Robson-Kanu: 6

Started well and made some good runs into the box but another who faded in the second half. He should have had a penalty in the first half but Luke Shaw had him well contained.

Adam LeFondre: 5

Hard working but ineffective and isolated up front on his own. Of all the people you'd have wanted a golden chance to fall to it was Alfie but he fluffed his lines and when you create as little as we do, you just can't waste chances like that.

SUBS:

Leigertwood: 5

Bit better than last week but was a passenger in a game that got away from Reading in a hurry.

McCleary: 5

Didn't have much of a chance to touch it.

Hunt: 5

Full of heart but no quality.