Reading 2-2 Blackpool: Player Ratings

Sam Walker: 5

Doesn’t inspire an awful lot of confidence between the sticks and should have done better with the first goal. I would have liked to see Luke Southwood given an opportunity ahead of him.

Teddy Howe: 5

Looked relatively comfortable for most of the game, linking up well with Garath McCleary down the right hand side. However he nearly cost Reading the game with a clumsy foul in the penalty box and is lucky that Armand Gnanduillet was even more of an idiot to panenka his spot-kick.

Matt Miazga: 5

Given the captain’s armband, but didn’t really show many qualities you want from a leader - especially alongside three other defenders aged 21 or under. His passing out of defence was poor too.

Andre Burley: 4

It pains me to be harsh on an academy player making his debut, but it’s clear that Burley is still some way off first team football - at Championship level anyway. To be fair, Gnanduillet gave him an incredibly hard time and the youngster may well be having nightmares about the Frenchman for the next few days.

Omar Richards: 6

Lively down the left hand side, proving a threat going forwards and forcing a good save from Mark Howard towards the end of the game too. Carried out his defensive duties relatively well, but was unsurprisingly beaten in the air in the build up to Blackpool’s opener.

Garath McCleary: 5

Heavily involved on the right wing, but struggled to make much out of his time on the ball. Has far less pace than he thinks he does, which led to some poor decision making at times. Made a couple of nice passes though, including the assist for Loader’s goal.

Andy Rinomhota: 5

The sort of game where you wanted Rinomhota to dictate the play in the middle of the park, but he struggled to have an impact at all. Perhaps should have won a penalty in the second half, but largely disappointing.

Michael Olise: 5

Much like Rinomhota, Olise was non-existent at times. Needs to learn that it’s ok to do the basics rather than trying something spectacular with the ball all the time. That said, he did set up Baldock’s goal with a wonderful through ball.

Jordan Obita: 6

Given a rare opportunity to play further forward and showed that there is potentially scope for him to play there more regularly with Richards or Tyler Blackett behind him. One of the team’s better attacking threats with a couple of good crosses and shots, but seemed to tire towards the end.

Lucas Boye: 5

Some nice touches, but largely ineffectual besides a strong and skilful run forward after winning possession back himself. Decision making needs improving.

Sam Baldock: 7

Led the line admirably, making a number of good runs and linking up well with the midfield. Took his goal really well too, and it was a slight surprise to see him substituted soon after. One of the few players in the side that staked a claim to play more regularly.

Substitutes

Danny Loader: 6

Didn’t have a huge impact after coming on, but his goal proved crucial in the tie. It was a clever goal too, as he neatly flicked McCleary’s pass past Howard.

Sone Aluko: 5

Hasn’t played a game since July, and it showed. Largely ineffectual except for a shot straight at the goalkeeper. Will be interesting to see if he has a future at the club.

Ramarni Medford-Smith: N/A

Became the club’s 55th academy graduate when he came on with six minutes to play, but this wasn’t long enough to earn him a rating.

Average: 5.31/10

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