clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Reading FC: Player Ratings

You've read our match report, now check out Bucks Royal's player ratings from the debacle at the City Ground.

Harry Trump/Getty Images

Ali Al-Habsi: 5

Can't be said to have been at fault for Forest's second or third goals, but very much at fault for the equaliser. O'Grady's shot should have been a pretty routine save, with it being directed straight at the Omani, but it was somehow fumbled so that it trickled just over the line. Jonathan Bond will fancy his chances of a recall against QPR.

Chris Gunter: 5

Not that busy in truth, but guilty of giving the ball away on various occasions with an aimless long ball punted down the park.

Paul McShane: 5

Not his usual organised self - failed to cut out the cross for O'Grady's equaliser, and couldn't shut out Oliveira for Forest's third. Went off with an injury late in the game.

Michael Hector: 5

Turned by O'Grady too easily in the build-up to Forest's third goal, allowing the Forest man to put the cross in for Nelson Oliveira.

Andrew Taylor: 5

Had a quiet defensive game like Gunter, and also suffered from shortcomings going forwards. Not much of an attacking impact in the first half and, when he did get get up the pitch in the second, his crossing left a lot to be desired.

Nick Blackman: 5

Usually in games like this, you can rely on Blackman to provide a spark in the final third that gives Reading an outside chance of snatching a goal. However, even he seemed to lack that on Saturday, with a subdued performance that only saw a few shots from range that didn't worry De Vries.

Oliver Norwood: 5

Weak in the tackle and not influential enough in possession. Set pieces were again very poor, capped off with a terrible corner that allowed Forest to break for their second goal. Very unlucky not to score with a sweetly struck free kick in the first half.

Danny Williams: 5

Didn't stamp his authority on the game like he often does, and the defence suffered from a lack of protection.

Lucas Piazon: 4

Lazy and anonymous. Apparently he reacted badly when substituted in the second half, but to be quite honest it was hard enough noticing him on the pitch in the first place. Not being in his favoured attacking central role certainly doesn't help, but you still can't forgive the lack of effort.

Orlando Sa: 5

No impact on the game, and was withdrawn in the second half.

Matej Vydra: 6

Probably the only forward on the day that can justifiably say that they did their job properly. Pounced on a loose ball intelligently and slotted the ball away for Reading's goal. Clever footwork also saw Jack Hobbs pick up two yellow cards.

Substitutes

Ola John: 6

Brought on just after the hour mark, the Dutchman was one of Reading's brightest players on the day. Didn't always have an end product, but his positive running gave the Royals a threat down the left. His confidence and competence were in almost complete opposition to the performances of everyone else. My man of the match.

Paolo Hurtado: 5

Little impact, and his passing went astray on a couple of occasions.

Rowan Liburd: N/A

Introduced for the injured Paul McShane, but too late to make an impact. Should be happy that Clarke has promoted him to the first team squad after some impressive performances for the under 21s.

Who was YOUR man of the match? Vote in our poll at the bottom of the page, and leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Season's Ratings (click for a larger version):