Reading FC 1-0 Rotherham United: Player Ratings

Ali Al-Habsi: 7

Not troubled much by Rotherham, but dependable when called on. He would have got the standard 6/10 for his performance, but an excellent save in the first half kept the score level when it looked like Rotherham would take the lead.

Chris Gunter: 6

Kept his flank quiet of any danger although, as can be said for the rest of the defence, he wasn't put under too much pressure. Got forward a few times, but needed to bomb forward with more purpose for a higher mark.

Paul McShane: 6

As reliable as ever - quiet, solid game at the heart of the defence. Now undeniably part of the core of this team, and will be part of it for the long run.

Jake Cooper: 6

Much the same as Paul McShane, and is growing in confidence with every game he plays for Reading. That said, a heavy challenge in the first half looked like it could have been given as a penalty, but luckily Cooper got away with it.

Jordan Obita: 5

Not troubled any more than Gunter, but didn't get forward enough for me. Rarely overlapped either John or McCleary, and wasn't effective at getting the ball into the box. His attacking spark of a few seasons ago appears to have largely gone.

Oliver Norwood: 5

Set pieces were poor again, and he wasn't influential in the centre of midfield. Long balls weren't as accurate as we're used to, and didn't get forward in support of Kermorgant.

Michael Hector: 6

A very tidy game from Big Hec, who protected the back four well. Footwork and distribution was very good, keeping the play moving. Arguably didn't look quite as good when playing in a central two with Quinn, when he would have been expected to get forward more himself. Was this really a game to play a holding midfielder? Probably not.

Stephen Quinn: 5

Very industrious and hard-working as we'd expect, but little attacking contribution. Creativity summed up by a tame header and a wild shot from range.

Hal Robson-Kanu: 7

Tenacious when off the ball and inventive when on it, although he didn't have too many chances to run at the Rotherham defence in the final third. When he did, he created Reading's best openings - a volley from Kermorgant and a header from the same man in the first and second halves respectively. Got the important goal with a sweetly-struck shot into the bottom corner.

Yann Kermorgant: 5

Worked hard but to no avail - Kermorgant needed a strike partner, or at the very least a midfielder to make attacking runs that supported him directly. Should have opened the scoring with a volley from inside the area in the first half, and spurned a header in the second.

Ola John: 6

Lively like Robson-Kanu, but didn't create any chances, save a shot from range in the first half that went wide. That said, his constant desire to run with the ball and attack the Rotherham defence gave Reading a threat down both wings.

Substitutes

Deniss Rakels: 6

Arguably changed the game as soon as he came on - getting in behind the Rotherham defence in the move that led to Robson-Kanu's strike. Worked hard up front alongside Kermorgant, but couldn't build on his initial success.

Garath McCleary: 5

Anonymous in his unfavoured role on the left wing, and not much better on the right when he switched sides with Hal Robson-Kanu.

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