Reading 0-3 Wigan Athletic: Player Ratings

Rafael: 6

The only player to come out of the game with an ounce of credit. Beaten by Kieffer Moore’s clever flick for the first goal, could do nothing Jamal Lowe’s thumping second and was deserted by his defence for the third. Made some good saves to prevent Reading getting truly hammered.

Andy Yiadom: 4

Got forward well, but failed to produce anything meaningful in the final third. Defensively non-existent.

Liam Moore: 4

Needed to be tighter to his namesake Kieffer for the first goal, and inexcusably gave up as he watched Michael Jacobs score the third. On a night when the whole team went missing, the captain failed to galvanise his troops.

Michael Morrison: 4

Strong in the air as usual, but it’s what Morrison did with the ball at his feet that frustrated the entire home crowd. Hoofed it up field again and again with no success, although can you really blame him when there were no options to pass to in front of him?

Omar Richards: 3

Seemed to go into his shell as Reading crumbled. Failed to be an attacking threat down the left hand side, and much like Moore, was only at walking pace as Jacobs closed in on goal to complete the scoring.

Felipe Araruna: 3

Clearly needs time to adapt to the Championship. Was too lightweight on occasions, and god knows what Bowen was doing by playing him on the right wing. At least he tried.

Pele: 2

Looked unusually clueless in the middle of the park. Against a Wigan side who don’t offer much attacking threat, he was always going to be ineffective playing as simply a defensive shield.

John Swift: 3

Playing him in a midfield two leaves Reading completely vulnerable. I actually thought he was better defensively than offensively, but maybe that’s because he was again pushed back to a holding role when he should have been deployed higher up the pitch.

Ovie Ejaria: 2

Not a left winger. Far too slow on the attack and dispossessed incredibly easily.

Yakou Meite: 2

Genuinely can’t remember him doing anything. Turns out he touched the ball just 20 times in 90 minutes.

Sam Baldock: 4

One of the few players that actually looked like he cared. Chased and battled for every ball, but ultimately he became increasingly isolated. Should have scored in the second half but shot straight at David Marshall from close range.

Substitutes

Charlie Adam: 4

For every good cross from Adam there was a wayward Hollywood pass that he didn’t need to make. Makes a foul every time he can’t be bothered.

Michael Olise: 4

Added a bit of attacking impetus when he came on, and had Reading’s first decent attempt at goal, but was still largely ineffective.

Average: 3.46/10

There’s no Man of the Match poll for this one, because, well, the only person we could even remotely contemplate giving it to was Rafael. I’m sure he’s pleased.