Reading 1-2 Blackburn Rovers: Player Ratings

Rafael: 6

Could have easily been a 5 but I’m writing this before I’ve seen a replay of the second. What bumps him to a 6 is a couple of late stops to keep it at 2-1. Overall his distribution was so-so while you can’t fault him for a well-taken opener.

Andy Yiadom: 6

I can only grade a player based on where I THINK he was supposed to be playing and, based on where Yiadom was stood for most of the game, I’m guessing he was told to focus on attack first and defence second. With that proviso, I thought Yiadom just about took my Reading MOTM as most of our good moments seemed to come down the right.

However, if he was told to focus on defending, then who knows where he was for the Blackburn second. He also served up the tragically comic moment of the game where he got tangled in his own feet and failed to deliver a cross, with the ball bobbling out for a goal kick, leaving Lucas Joao, George Puscas and Yakou Meite stood disbelievingly in the box, united in their mutual disgust.

Jordan Obita: 6

It was great to see him back in the team but, like with Yiadom, it’s tricky to fully grade him fairly. Along the same lines as Andy, I’ll give him a 6 because when going forward he did look a threat. This wasn’t Fulham play-off vintage Obita but he provided one lovely teasing cross to suggest he could flourish in this system - that’s if the system itself flourishes.

Michael Morrison: 5

To use a phrase often uttered by Westy on The Tilehurst End, ploddy.

Morrison looked a bit off the pace and it’s clear to see he’s more Alex Pearce than Liam Moore or Michael Hector. When asked to do the simple things Morrison did fine but anything else, not so good. Still, I’ve seen a lot worse.

Picked up a late injury which you hope isn’t serious as overall I think he’s been a good signing.

Liam Moore: 5

He’ll have nightmares about how he was utterly left for dust for Blackburn’s second and it’s not the first time he’s been left in that position this season. Like Morrison he did the simple things fine, but as the captain of the side he didn’t get the game by the scruff and any words he may have said didn’t get any noticeable reaction from the side.

Tom McIntyre: 5

I’m yet to see the replay but I’m told reliably he played everyone onside for the second, which bumps him down a point. He looks a tidy player, but left one-on-one with right wingers it’s clear to see why he’s not a full-back. Will only get better with experience and, like Morrison, just a bit of an off day - not a horror show.

Pele: 4

Becoming a bit of a George Evans here. The play seemed to utterly bypass the bloke and he struggled to get into the game at all. WhoScored shows he had 86% passing success rate but only 50 passes in total, so he was hardly the engine room of the side. I’m yet to see why he’ll succeed anymore here than at an underwhelming spell at Nottingham Forest - and Andy Rinomhota must be a very frustrated reigning player of the season.

John Swift: 6

Probably a 4 in the first half but improved a fair amount in the second. I’m not Swift’s biggest fan and I don’t think you can get away with Ovie Ejaria and John Swift in the same midfield. With that said, he scored a well-taken goal and almost had one minutes earlier, hitting the post. Yet his first half was littered with misplaced passes and an underwhelming approach to 50/50s.

Ovie Ejaria: 6

I’m a huge fan of this bloke and when he gets on the ball he’s brilliant to watch. The question is whether he’s being let down with insufficient service or is he not getting stuck in enough? Right now I’m leaning on the former due to the aforementioned imbalance with Swift.

George Puscas: 5

Is Puscas the next Matej Vydra/Orlando Sa, or will he do a Dave Kitson and sensationally burst into one of our key players? Having missed the Cardiff City game I’m yet to see the bloke have a good game at the Madejski Stadium.

He had a decent half chance in the first half which he blazed over and was largely isolated during the second. He does run about a bit, notably making a sprinting run back to win the ball back after giving it away, yet he’s not making much of an impact for a club-record buy.

Lucas Joao: 5

Again, slowly showing why he failed to hold down a regular spot at Sheffield Wednesday. A pretty ineffective and anonymous display.

Subs

Yakou Meite: 5

Ran about a bit but his only notable moment was hitting the seats about 25 rows up in the Eamonn Dolan stand when in a good position around the edge of the box.

Tyler Blackett: 6

Came on for the injured Morrison and did OK. Not much to say but it’s nice to have him back and given that his previous best performances have come in a back three, you wonder if he’ll replace McIntyre long-term.

Lucas Boye: N/A

Had a 10-minute cameo and made two passes, both of which were successful at least.

Average: 5.38/10

That’s how we graded the players, but who’s your man of the match? Vote below or, if the poll isn’t showing up on your device, find it by going through this link.