Reading FC 1-2 Burton Albion: Player Ratings

Vito Mannone: 4

Ultimately I’m not to judge whether Mannone was alright to play today after the events of the last week, but he looked very nervy in goal all afternoon. Wasn’t confident on the ball and caught out too easily by Burton’s freak second goal.

Leandro Bacuna: 5

Was Reading’s biggest threat in the first half as he continually bombed down the right flank, but a lack of options in the middle meant his crosses usually went straight out for a throw on the other side.

Paul McShane: 5

Like the rest of the defence, McShane was nervy on the ball, and thus didn’t inspire confidence like a captain should. Burton may have scored twice but didn’t trouble the Irishman that much.

Liam Moore: 5

Again, wasn’t as confident as normal and his clearance did lead to the winning goal. Showed the first signs of itchy feet post-match, and I for one wouldn’t blame him he moved to the Premier League in January.

Chris Gunter: 5

I know some people don’t like Gunter on the left, but I think he is just as good - which still isn’t that spectacular. He put in a couple of decent crosses, one of which led to Reading’s equaliser, but his slightly lax pass to van den Berg did to lead to the winning goal.

Joey van den Berg: 3

It must be said that Joey has improved in recent weeks, but he showed today that he remains a liability at times. Lost the ball too often in the middle of the park and was the main culprit for Burton’s winner as he failed to control a simple pass, forcing Moore into a rushed clearance that cannoned of Naylor into the back of the net.

Dave Edwards: 6

I thought it was an utterly baffling decision to substitute Edwards on the hour mark as he was the one player in the middle of the park who looked like he could actually make something happen with a couple of surging runs.

Liam Kelly: 5

Did a relatively good job defensively and looked like he might create something on a couple of occasions, but struggled physically at times and was a little anonymous. Controlled Gunter’s arching cross well before setting up Barrow’s goal.

Sone Aluko: 2

Was he even playing?

Mo Barrow: 5

Was the player that looked most like scoring for Reading with a couple of decent opportunities either side of half time, whilst he also had a penalty appeal waved away. Did get the equaliser, albeit via a deflection.

Yann Kermorgant: 3

This was the fourth game in a row that Kermorgant has played the full 90, and he really hasn’t got a case to make it five. Stam will probably stick with him regardless, whilst the lack of service isn’t his fault, but the Frenchman made very little attempt to even create his own chances or look for the ball.

Substitutes

John Swift: 4

Difficult to be too harsh on Swift as he was playing his first game in over a month following an injury, but he certainly isn’t up to speed yet based on that 30 minute showing.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson: N/A

Probably the most frustrated man in the squad right now. Should have come on earlier than the 81st minute, in fact he probably should have started. Sure, he’s not the best striker, but he can’t do a worse job than the struggling Kermorgant.

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