Reading 0-0 Barnsley: Player Ratings

This game should take up all of 30 seconds on the end of season DVD highlights but here's a look back on the individual performances from our 0-0 draw with Barnsley.

Ali Al-Habsi: 6

Steady effort from our goalkeeper who didn't have an awful lot to do thanks to some wayward shooting from Barnsley. Possibly could have been a bit more decisive with his distribution but overall a decent afternoon.

Jordan Obita: 6

His understanding and partnership with Roy Beerens really didn't click and it led to some promising openings really slowing down. With that being said, Obita got up and down the line well and did put in a couple of teasing balls. Earned himself a booking for a cynical foul but a challenge that needed to be made.

Liam Moore: 6

Again, not an awful lot to write home about, but after a miserable January it's encouraging to see Liam put in an error free performance at home.

Tyler Blackett: 8

I don't hand out 8's very often but Blackett was immense this weekend. He was classy on the ball, made some strong tackles and his positioning was superb. It was exactly the type of performance that you'd expect from someone who featured semi-regularly for Manchester United and I only hope this sort of form continues.

Chris Gunter: 6

Just about every Gunter performance you've ever seen. So-so crossing, plenty of work rate, average passing and a couple of nice runs into the box that didn't really lead to much. Nice to see him earn a clean sheet on his 200th appearance, a landmark I certainly didn't see him making after being dropped behind Shaun Cummings and Stephen Kelly less than six months after signing.

George Evans: 6

Kept things ticking along in front of the back four pretty well, with a decent 86% passing completion, second best on the Reading side of things, while his six tackles were level with Blackett for the most on the team.

Danny Williams: 5

Some will say that I'm bias against Williams, especially in a week where I've suggested he shouldn't be offered a new deal. Well, if you think that then it's cool but Danny's display on Saturday was a perfect example of why Reading shouldn't be afraid to gamble and go for a replacement. He wasn't bad at anything but he had license to try and change the game and he just couldn't deliver on that front, either creatively or offensively. He didn't take the game by the scruff of the neck and as an established, experienced International midfielder he should be trying to do that, especially at home.

Liam Kelly: 5

This time last year Liam Kelly was at Bath City, a fact we should keep in mind, not just now but for a while to come yet. Yesterday just wasn't his day and Barnsley did a great job at shutting him down and not letting him get into a rhythm. At Bristol City, the City midfield and defence gave him time and space, something they'd regret in a hurry. Barnsley on the other hand had clearly done their homework and were on Kelly in a hearbeat, leading to a 64% pass completion and little time to be the creative force we know he can be. His subbing at half-time may have been slightly harsh but on this occasion it was understandable.

Roy Beerens: 5

As great as he was a player, Jaap Stam is still learning how to be a Championship Manager and his decision to persist with Beerens until stoppage time is a sign of how conservative and risk averse our boss can be. His fellow Dutchman offered precious little quality, which coupled with his general lacklustre workrate didn't help matters when Reading needed to grind themelves out a win. When he was on the ball he was OK but this was a conservative and 'safe' option that backfired on the Reading manager.

Garath McCleary: 6

Huffed and puffed but this was more the McCleary from the start of 2016 than the one who ended it in real style. Garath had some nice little linkups with Gunter but overall struggled to make himself a real threat and his substitution late on was a gamble worth taking.

Yann Kermorgant: 6

Like Gunter you could have predicted this type of performance with a 90% certainty. Did his best to lead the line but didn't get enough support from Beerens, McCleary or the midfield. Had seven efforts on goal but too few tested the Barnsley keeper.

SUBSTITUTES

Lewis Grabban: 6

Deployed in a deep role which clearly isn't his strong suit. Presumably the idea was that he'd make runs from deep and create a nuisance but this didn't seem the best use of his talents and again Stam's cautious nature was on clear display, when the game seemed to be crying out for Yann to have a direct strike partner.

Adrian Popa: N/A

Not on long enough to be rated and didn't do much with his first few minutes in English football. One awful cross into the Eamonn Dolan Stand was the only real stand out moment.

Yakou Meite: N/A

Couldn't grab a goal on his birthday but at least he got an appearance bonus to go buy himself something nice.