Reading FC 0-2 Leeds United: Player Ratings

Adam Federici - 5

Couldn't do much with Leeds' second, but was beaten too easily for their first when a Luke Murphy drive from range evaded him at the near post. Not tested too much apart from that, with the visitors largely restricted to shots from range.

Stephen Kelly - 4

At 31, Kelly is the most experienced player in the back four and should be a calming influence as a result. That said, he looked shaky throughout on Tuesday, particularly in the second half when Reading started to lose control of the game. His lack of pace going forwards stuck out like a sore thumb, leaving Garath McCleary with minimal support.

Michael Hector - 4

A far cry from the solid outing at the weekend, Hector lacked composure. Even on a bad day like the Leeds game, he'll always have the confidence to take possession and try to distribute it intelligently. But his lack of experience came to the fore, and he lost the ball too often. At fault for Leeds' second when he tried to dribble the ball past a couple of opposition players before being crowded out and leaving the defence exposed to the inevitable attack.

Alex Pearce - 5

Stronger at the back than his junior partner, but could do little to steady the ship in the second half with the game escaping the home side. His lack of mobility was painfully obvious in the run up to Byram's goal, and failed to close down Morison in the initial chance.

Jordan Obita - 5

Seemed to lose his cool when he was on the ball and being closed down, but responded with a cautious approach of 'hoof it up the touchline'. Got forward better than Kelly did on the opposite flank, but failed to create much.

Nathaniel Chalobah - 5

For such a physically imposing, athletic and technically gifted player, I would have expected to have more to write about Nathaniel Chalobah. As, presumably, the tough-tackling midfielder breaking up the play, he needs to get much more stuck in that he did against Leeds. Struggled to impose himself on a game that needed to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck.

Danny Williams - 6

My Man of the Match. Showed the same grit and doggedness as he did against Wolves, but without the edge of quality that gave the team its spark at the weekend. Should have scored in the second half when put through on goal.

Oliver Norwood - 4

Passing looked suspect and couldn't get into the game as he would have liked. Gifted Leeds an opportunity in the first half with an overly clever flick that fooled his own teammates. Set pieces were also much less productive than they have been, with most of his corners being cleared without difficulty.

Garath McCleary - 4

Didn't get involved and wasn't influential as we need him to be. We've come to rely on him in recent weeks to unlock the opposition, but it didn't happen last night. Looked increasingly lost in the second half, drifting across the final third in an attempt to up his game. My worry is that this could a repeat of last season - when a visiting team digs in at the Madejski, McCleary can struggle to have the same effect as when he can counter-attack away from home.

Pavel Pogrebnyak - 6

Showing his dramatic improvement in recent weeks, a poor team performance would usually have meant a poor one from Pogrebnyak. Instead, he was a tireless worker up front against a stubborn Leeds defence. Had some attacking joy in the first half when, on several occasions, his clever footwork took him past a defender and saw him charging at goal from deep.

Nick Blackman - 6

The mirror image of a Robson-Kanu performance. He lacks the skill and technique of the Welsh winger, but Blackman has the confidence to run at a back four and try to make things happen. His inability to create chances is noticeable, but his mindset should be too. Give me a choice between a better winger who won't try anything, and a worse winger who will, and I'll take the latter every day. The former Sheffield United forward showed the kind of arrogance on Tuesday night that every winger needs - Robson-Kanu, take note.

Subs

Jamie Mackie - 6

The name 'Jamie Mackie' is nowadays synonymous with running yourself into the ground in an inhuman display of stamina, so it goes without saying that he did just that. Failed to have much of an impact when brought on for Norwood in the second half - playing alongside McCleary to overload the left side of the Leeds United defence. More creative later on when his switch to the left wing gave him license to cut inside.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni - 4

A harsh mark considering his lack of competitive football recently, but the new signing looked seriously off the pace against Leeds. He struggled to win aerial balls, his touch was poor, and fluffed a great opportunity harmlessly wide.

Simon Cox - 5

Harshly dropped in the first place, I was very surprised to see the academy product only on the bench. Had a good playing relationship with the Pog against Wolves, but had no chance to try to replicate that against Leeds, neither being on the pitch at the same time. That said, 20 minutes should have been ample time to have an effect on the game. Cox was typically industrious, but lacks attacking purpose when others around him aren't playing well.

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.