Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 Reading FC: Player Ratings

Ali Al-Habsi: 7

Pulled off some very good saves to keep Reading from going behind earlier than they did, including a smart save from Maynard in the first half. Can't be blamed for the goal, which should have been dealt with better by the defence.

Chris Gunter: 5

Comfortable enough at the back under the little pressure he received from the home side, but didn't get forward enough for me. Offered little in the way of overlapping runs for McCleary - it's simple stuff and we know he's capable of it.

Anton Ferdinand: 7

Solid and dependable - a typical Anton Ferdinand performance. Kept on top of Maynard throughout the 90, and his passing was assured. Also, uncharacteristically of Ferdinand, he managed to shake off an injury in the second half to continue playing. Reading desperately need to keep him fit.

Jake Cooper: 6

Not bad, but shakier than Ferdinand. The real point of concern for me was his distribution, which was very disappointing. Mishit a number of short passes, and occasionally lofted aimless long balls straight down the pitch. In my opinion he's being judged a bit too kindly, mostly due to how fed up a number of fans have become with Michael Hector. Still plenty of room for improvement from Cooper.

Andrew Taylor: 5

Very similar to Chris Gunter - not troubled at the back, but got forward even less so than the Welshman. Dependable enough option, but he doesn't add enough to the attack to warrant being signed permanently.

Danny Williams: 5

His performance lacked the typical combative energy that's so endearing about him when he's at his best. In games like this, Reading need Williams to seize control in the middle and impose himself. He didn't do that.

Oliver Norwood: 6

Good, but not great. Kept things moving well enough in the middle of the park and pinged the odd long ball around, but not as influential as he often is.

Garath McCleary: 6

For me, McCleary was one of the brighter sparks on the day. Looked lively down the right, and enthusiastically attacked his left back - giving Reading their best chance of an opening - particularly in the second half.

Lucas Piazon: 5

Started the game well, but faded after not very long. Wasn't brushed off the ball as easily as he usually is, but didn't dictate the play at all. No major contribution bar a very well hit shot from just outside the box in the first half.

Hal Robson-Kanu: 5

Another forgettable performance from the Welshman. Didn't add anything to Reading's attack - like Piazon, he looked lively in the opening stages before fading. Partnered Matej Vydra up front for a while, but again struggled to impose himself on the game.

Matej Vydra: 6

I'd hate to be Matej Vydra right now. The man responsible for scoring goals (he's done that terrifically at this level in recent years) does not get any service. It's so frustrating that someone as talented as Vydra is in the side but we can't get any of his potential out of him. His off the ball play was, again, very commendable - working hard when Reading were on the defensive, and making clever runs when going forwards. A great example of that was his lively burst down the middle for what should have been an MK Dons red card.

Substitutes

Ola John: 6

Lively but ineffective. No impact in the final third.

Simon Cox: 6

Hard to tell he was there, but he was barely on long enough to make an impact. I'd have been very amused if he'd scored.

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