The Tilehurst End - Reading FC 1-2 Burton Albion: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2017-12-27T14:41:04+00:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/165737712017-12-27T14:41:04+00:002017-12-27T14:41:04+00:005 Things: Burton Albion (Home) and Bristol City (Away)
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<figcaption>Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Five talking points from Reading’s disappointing Christmas fixtures.</p> <h2 id="qnY7Cn"><strong>Terrible Christmas run continues</strong></h2>
<p id="CGyMW6">As I have said previously, Christmas and New Year is an incredibly important part of the season because of the amount of games that are played in such a short amount of time. In Reading’s last four matches, they have picked up just the solitary point from the disappointing draw against Cardiff and Jaap Stam has suffered three consecutive defeats for the first time as Reading manager. </p>
<p id="c5OqvJ">It goes without saying that the team needs to pick themselves up going into the new year if they are to get anything worthwhile out of the season. Maybe a few fresh faces in January could spark the Royals into life. </p>
<aside id="9M9F5v"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Bristol City 2-0 Reading FC: Full Coverage","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/26/16818730/bristol-city-vs-reading-fc-championship-2017"},{"title":"Reading FC 1-2 Burton Albion: Full Coverage","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/22/16809730/reading-fc-vs-burton-albion-full-coverage"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="1Q0VYt"><strong>Same old story</strong></h2>
<p id="ZTvk8P">Lots and lots of the ball but no end product. Let’s be honest, that statement could sum up far too many Reading games this season as Jaap Stam’s men had 76% of the possession against Burton but could only muster up seven shots in total. As a one-off statistic, that would be quite shocking but by now it is one that Reading fans are used to seeing. </p>
<p id="NOlDI2">The Royals always dominate the ball but they just seem to struggle to do anything with it, with just three players touching the ball more than once in Burton’s penalty area and Sone Aluko not making a single touch in the box. That’s completely unacceptable for a forward.</p>
<h2 id="UdQhu0"><strong>What on earth was that winner?</strong></h2>
<p id="xjmOma">There have been a few examples of some dire defending so far this season but none as bad as that which led to Burton’s winner on Saturday. Joey van den Berg’s botched attempt to control a pass meant Liam Moore was rushed into attempting a clearance which bounced off Tom Naylor and past Vito Mannone who was caught unawares. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lovely gift for Burton. <a href="https://twitter.com/tomnaylor2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tomnaylor2</a> gets fortunate with charging down a kick for <a href="https://twitter.com/burtonalbionfc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@burtonalbionfc</a> against <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReadingFC</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reading?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reading</a><br><br>➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/EFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EFL</a> highlights from 9pm on Spike <a href="https://twitter.com/channel5_tv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@channel5_tv</a>. <a href="https://t.co/QfQnXfea4D">pic.twitter.com/QfQnXfea4D</a></p>— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) <a href="https://twitter.com/Channel5Sport/status/944619135706660864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="3UYbWu">Whilst van den Berg had showed some decent form prior during Reading’s recent run, it seems impossible to shake the feeling that he is always mere moments away from his next mistake and the Dutchman sure lived up to his ‘liability’ tag with his performance against Burton. </p>
<h2 id="VO7LEt"><strong>Returns from injury</strong></h2>
<p id="aO0Fat">One small positive to come out of the games was the return of three players to the matchday squad: Garath McCleary, John Swift and George Evans. McCleary had not played for the Royals since the 1-0 win over Leeds in October and while it is now expected that the 30-year-old will have plenty of spells on the sidelines each season, when playing at his best the winger is as good as any in the league. The 16 minutes he played against Bristol City will be a welcome sight to Royals fans.</p>
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<img alt="Reading v Norwich City - Sky Bet Championship" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mc0dnBDHB0bcC0IQ6l7o-KCre-Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9933155/855965594.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="xGwk8o">John Swift played nearly half an hour after coming off the bench against Burton and he will also be a big addition for Jaap Stam. Before his injury against Bolton last month, Swift had just begun to find some form with two goals against Nottingham Forest and an assist against Derby and Stam is definitely in need of the midfielder picking up where he left off. </p>
<p id="sMdfWj">George Evans had not made a Championship appearance for Reading since August before he played 83 minutes on Boxing Day and, with Liam Kelly unwell and Swift being rested after his return against Burton, the 23-year-old had a significant role to play alongside Dave Edwards in the centre of the park. Evans did pretty well considering it was his first game for three months and is an important option to have going forward.</p>
<h2 id="cvm96h"><strong>Stam Out?</strong></h2>
<p id="kCEMnU">As mentioned earlier, this is the first time in Stam’s managerial reign at Reading that he has lost three games in a row and with the Royals sitting in a lowly 17<sup>th</sup> place, there will be the inevitable questioning of his future. Has his system and style been found out or are the players not doing him justice? </p>
<aside id="arXdj8"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The Stats Case For Backing Jaap Stam","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/26/16819924/stats-case-backing-jaap-stam-reading-fc-royals"}]}'></div></aside><p id="8A6gdK">While it may seem harsh to sack the manager who guided Reading to a surprise third place and play-off final last year just halfway through the season, football is very much an immediate results business and, quite simply, Reading’s immediate results just aren’t good enough. </p>
<p id="PewFJE">However, when given time to build a team, plenty of managers have found great success and Reading have not got anywhere in recent times with their quick managerial turnover. Still, the question remains. Stam in or Stam out?</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/27/16821268/5-things-burton-albion-home-bristol-city-away-reading-fc-efl-championship-royalsMatthew Cooper2017-12-25T12:00:01+00:002017-12-25T12:00:01+00:00Hunty’s Column: Where Is The Christmas Cheer?
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<figcaption>Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for Google</figcaption>
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<p>Our columnist thinks the Royals need a little more festive joy. </p> <p id="g21J6w">I wasn't at the Burton Albion game, but by all accounts it was one of the worst in a long time. It just is not acceptable on a special occasion to play like that against an average team. Yes, without doubt we can blame the manager's tunnel vision tactics. However, it seems to me that things run deeper than that. </p>
<p id="Z0WT32">The Mad Stad seemed to be lacking in any festive spirit, and the players looked like they were scared of their own shadows. Saturday should have been enjoyable. It was great to see Dave Kitson lead the team out, but it was a shame that he didn't bring his boots!</p>
<p id="gCe4B2">Credit to the club who are doing some really good public relations stuff - the game being a fiver and the new TV show airing before the match were great, but are perhaps being a little overlooked. </p>
<aside id="LmAQmd"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Reading FC 1-2 Burton Albion: Player Ratings","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/23/16814630/reading-fc-1-2-burton-albion-player-ratings-efl-championship"}]}'></div></aside><p id="73pWBy">Meanwhile, criticism of Vito Mannone is pretty harsh - yes, he could have done better for the second goal, but being on the pitch at all after the tragic loss of his mother means we should give him our total respect and admiration. </p>
<p id="zTkbkV">I wasn’t impressed by Liam Moore’s apparent “come and get me plea”, but <em>if</em> he does want to go and has that kind of mindset, he knows where the door is. On the other hand, I did feel sorry for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson though as he hasn’t done much wrong but is still only deemed to be worthy of a 10 minute cameo to try and salvage a result. </p>
<p id="XHL1wE">Our creative players look scared to try anything besides simple passing - although we even stuffed up that. Jaap Stam seems to stick with the same players who are his favourites regardless of how well they are playing! Because of that, the fans are bored and frustrated.</p>
<p id="fwOfrZ">I previously gave Stam until Christmas, and I’m still 50/50 on him staying. He has to realise that he can’t do everything the same way - after all, great managers (and people in general) learn from their mistakes and change accordingly. I don’t know, but maybe his management style is guided by the same arrogance that made him a great player. Either way, the best managers in any job listen and learn from other people.</p>
<aside id="fj7LLK"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The Tilehurst End Advent Calendar: December 24","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/24/16815820/advent-calendar-december-24-reading-fc-royals-shane-long"}]}'></div></aside><p id="n7HESX">Take the defence for example - I can’t understand why we continue to not do the basics right, especially considering the gaffer’s knowledge of the position. </p>
<p id="0e2eyG">All I want for Christmas is the Madejski Stadium to be a happy house again! Please Jaap, let Reading off the restraints and allow them to play the game with a smile on their faces. </p>
<p id="lG4iCu">Let them express themselves, you know it makes sense! </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/25/16816410/hunty-column-christmas-cheer-reading-fc-royals-jaap-stamHuntyroyal2017-12-24T13:53:28+00:002017-12-24T13:53:28+00:00Reading FC 1-2 Burton Albion: Stats Insight
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<figcaption>Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We look at the number and graphics that show what’s wrong with Jaap Stam’s team.</p> <h2 id="OYwWKD">Passing</h2>
<p id="filfMx">Once again the stats showed Reading dominated possession. However, once again they also showed that the possession was not in the right areas.</p>
<p id="MUoT9F">Nothing illustrates this better than the below graphic. This is the heatmap from Reading’s touches yesterday against Burton Albion.</p>
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<p id="8g9AQb">As per usual there is high activity around the halfway line but next to nothing in the opposition half. The stats are damning.</p>
<p id="LIahF3">Just three Reading players touched the ball more than once in Burton’s penalty area. To make it worse, Mo Barrow, Dave Edwards and Yann Kermorgant only did it twice each.</p>
<p id="xQmfZ6">Three other outfield players did not even manage a solitary touch. It is not too surprising that Paul McShane is one. A bit disappointing that Joey van den Berg is the other, but near on unacceptable that Sone Aluko is the third player.</p>
<p id="xyCP59">To be fair to Aluko where he did touch the ball shows he was getting around the pitch, but just could not get into the game in the final third.</p>
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<p id="7C9U4s">It is the touches and passes from Reading’s centre back and central midfielders that show where the game went wrong. The heatmap above shows Liam Kelly sitting on top of McShane, and van den Berg doing the same to Liam Moore.</p>
<p id="dukiG8">Their passing was unambitious and never asked questions of the opposition. Paul McShane had a 95% passing success rate in the first half, but didn’t make a single pass in Burton’s half.</p>
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<p id="9DiNNR">Perhaps most worryingly Kelly’s passes from the opening half are almost as bad. Not a single pass in the final third and going by the location of the passes, not doing much that McShane couldn’t do the same himself. This from a player who was supposed to be our playmaker yesterday.</p>
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<p id="6ReCdt">The below graphics show it was the same with Moore (top) and van den Berg. All Kelly and van den Berg were doing in the first half was stepping on McShane’s and Moore’s toes. When they did get on the ball they mostly did the same sideways passing as their centre back colleagues.</p>
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<p id="lXEkTQ">This duplication of players taking the easy option made Burton’s life easy. It is not just passing, which Reading players seem to naturally go sideways at best, backwards at worst.</p>
<p id="lEQ74H">As we’ve seen the midfielders and attackers will quite often go deep to get possession. The problem is that the others players, Dave Edwards aside, don’t use that as an opportunity to get forwards. It was infuriating to see Stam take Edwards off, when the Welshman had been the only midfielder looking to get forward.</p>
<p id="ymO7Hm">At one point yesterday I stopped watching the ball and instead looked at the players in front of the player in possession. To a man they were either standing still or walking.</p>
<p id="wAa4lP">Even worse they were all occupying the exact areas you would expect. No one seemed willing to take the initiative and force Burton to decide between marking areas or players.</p>
<p id="eZqxIB">Aluko or Barrow could have doubled up on one side so Reading overloaded, potentially offering space for other team mates. If they dropped deep then the full back and midfielders could have made more forward runs. Little moves like that force the opposition to decide whether to track the man or mark the area.</p>
<p id="vqKMMj">Another great problem is that Reading are too predictable in possession. There is nothing wrong with wanting to play a passing possession based game. However, you need to vary it at times and you have to play it in right areas.</p>
<p id="wMlEVz">As we have seen too many times, Reading pass the ball too often and too much in the wrong areas. Sometimes football has to be about territory and not just possession.</p>
<p id="4Cf0LI">Why not push players close to Kermorgant and play it long looking for flick ons or the second ball? The Frenchman is good in the area and holding the ball up. These are qualities that are being under utilised, especially when you consider that Edwards has made a career of late runs resulting in goals.</p>
<p id="qCjqxy">The predictable, boring nature of Reading’s play is affecting attendances, making life easy for the opposition and on the evidence of yesterday is making players’ lives joyless. Jaap Stam’s style of football may be a world away from Tony Pulis, but if the man from Newport can be sacked for boring his fans and players, you can bet that the man from Kampen could suffer the same fate.</p>
<h2 id="aO6Eio">Pressing</h2>
<p id="vCVNZk">When analysing Reading’s many faults it is only natural that the focus is on the passing and (lack of) movement. The often comical defending also never goes too long without rearing its ugly head.</p>
<p id="W8jm9T">However, there is another important part that has been overlooked and is crucial if you want to play a possession based game. Namely, defending and pressing from the front.</p>
<p id="9eOmXZ">Think of the great footballing teams and it is their hardwork off the ball that is often the most impressive trait. The current Manchester City team are a joy to behold and their high pressing is the cornerstone of their success.</p>
<p id="AgkRSf">It was the same with the Holland team of the 1970s and, possibly the greatest team of all time, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. Now comparing any Championship teams with those greats is a bit unfair.</p>
<p id="bEt04x">However, hardwork and trying to play the game in the opposition half are hardly revolutionary or difficult tactics. We have already seen that too much of Reading’s possession takes place in their own half.</p>
<p id="bnsdkU">It makes life easy for the opposition and one of the main reasons is that Reading’s defensive game in the opposition half is not good enough. Below is an image of the number of tackles Reading attempted yesterday. Not one in the final third.</p>
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<p id="PATE5J">It’s not much better when it comes to the number of blocks. Just two in Burton’s half.</p>
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<p id="dO8D5P">Not surprisingly that meant the number of times Reading won the ball was very poor. According to WhoScored, they did it just six times; Bacuna thrice, Moore twice and van den Berg once.</p>
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<p id="aVCAaV">The not surprising result is that Burton (blue) only lost the ball three times in their half in the whole game and only one was near their penalty area.</p>
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<p id="NDf5XF">The stats show that around a third of Burton’s total passes (212) were long balls. So they were trying to avoid making mistakes and playing for territory rather than possession.</p>
<p id="uAUzf2">Even taking that into consideration, the lack of blocks, interceptions and tackles in their half is damning. Is there any wonder that Reading have to start so many moves from inside their own half, when they seemingly make so little effort to win the ball quickly when they lose it.</p>
<p id="LGWTr1">To offer a comparison here are the stats from Manchester City’s win over Bournemouth, a game also notable for the complete dominance of possession by the home team (79%-21% compared to Reading’s 76%-24%). Just 19% of the game at the Etihad Stadium took place in City’s third (compared to 29% in Reading’s third at the Madejski Stadium).</p>
<p id="CvewqJ">In the opposition half City made 10 tackles (Reading four), six interceptions (Reading one) and caused the opposition to lose the ball seven times (Reading three). The value of City’s high pressing was shown in their first goal when they forced a mistake, which led to Sergio Agüero scoring.</p>
<p id="qUyfgV">It may be unfair to compare an out of form and under confident Reading to one of the greatest teams the Premier League has seen. However, it is hard to think of times in the Jaap Stam era when goals have come about from forcing the opposition to make mistakes.</p>
<p id="enWi6H">Whether it’s a lack of hardwork, poor coaching or tactics, Reading need to up their pressing game if they are to make Stam’s style of football work. You cannot separate attacking, defending, passing and pressing. If you do, you give the opposition an easy life.</p>
<p id="iMBf2W">It’s all well wanting to play a passing game where you dominate possession, but you have to do it in the right areas. The best time to rest is when you have the ball and control the game.</p>
<p id="tiUnfF">Reading do that. The problem is that they also allow the opposition to do it as well, which you cannot if you really want to control the game and force the opposition into uncomfortable situations. You are more likely to score from the opposition giving the ball away than starting moves from your centre backs with everyone in front of them.</p>
<p id="tjQAGU">With players like Aluko and Barrow, Reading have the pace to play a counter attacking game. They just need to start creating the opportunities to use them.</p>
<p id="CPnbMm"><em>All stats are taken from Squawka and WhoScored.</em></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/24/16815732/reading-fc-1-2-burton-albion-stats-insightWilliamOwain2017-12-24T11:31:03+00:002017-12-24T11:31:03+00:00Jaap Stam On Reading’s Dismal Burton Defeat
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<img alt="Ipswich Town v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dgn1HMjxeYNf4hqsupgI3JYa0G0=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58099553/893857918.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The gaffer’s take on a pretty dire afternoon for the Royals. </p> <p id="8zXzE4">Out of the 500 games at the Madejski, Saturday’s game was probably the most disappointing and frustrating. It’s not what the sell-out crowd expected at all. Burton set up well, and deserved their 2-1 win. </p>
<p id="tFYMiu">The visitors took the lead in the first half, before Mo Barrow equalised in the second half, but Burton took all three points back to Staffordshire after a laughable winner with awful defending - something we have heard before!</p>
<p id="AH8q8L">So, our final game of 2017 ended in huge disappointment, and for the first time, I really felt like Jaap Stam was angry with our performance, he told the <a href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk">Official Club website</a>:</p>
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<p id="dNKiSr">“We’ve seen how Burton play, we’ve shown it to the squad and we’ve spoken about not conceding that first goal... and then it happens from a throw in, we weren’t marking tight enough, their player gets in front of Liam Kelly and scores. And we have to chase the game to get back into it.</p>
<p id="7Zjoxq">“They made it difficult to play through them, but if a team is playing in a certain way, you need to play against it with a quality of pass, the first touches need to be good, the choices on the ball need to be good.</p>
<p id="9SHozy">“But too many players weren’t at the level we can expect from them today. That can happen. But it makes it very frustrating.”</p>
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<p id="02keuJ">Mo Barrow scored the equaliser and we all thought that our dismal performance would be forgotten as we would push on to get the winner, but that wasn’t to be after a catalogue of mistakes meant Burton scored a laughable winner. Stam added:</p>
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<p id="PrL9vm">“We got that goal and after that you think it’s going to pick up and we might go on to win it. And then we conceded another cheap goal.</p>
<p id="Gprdp2">“We weren’t accurate with our passes at the back, made the wrong choices and it bobbles in. We gave the goal away ourselves.</p>
<p id="NCq5KP">“The players always make the choices out on the pitch. We can only hand them a plan, a strategy. When they get out on the pitch, the players need to do it.</p>
<p id="fgsAA6">“When we have so much possession, you are looking for your players to get into certain areas, where they can get that ball and go forward as quick as they can. The players have to make that decision, where to run to get that ball and then what to do with it.</p>
<p id="jBpyXf">“When you’re out there as a manager, you need to trust your players. The majority of the game it goes well, but sometimes it goes wrong.</p>
<p id="iJRI0z">“When they get out on the pitch, it is up to them to take the game into their control, execute the plan and try to win the game.</p>
<p id="Ehz0yi">“But today the players are frustrated that what they were trying to do did not go well.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="y30NOf">With a lot of Reading fans wanting to see a change in management, now is not the right time, with the January window just around the corner, but Stam has to turn things around as fans turn increasing frustrated, he told <a href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stam-boos-fans-after-burton-14078035">GetReading</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="n3IM5B">“It can always happen that fans are booing. Now that the stadium is finally a sell-out, there’s even more fans to boo.</p>
<p id="p7LJ4w">“One thing lead to another but that’s probably how it goes and how it needs to be - but I don’t know.</p>
<p id="vIAYDO">“We just need to deal with our own things and think about what we can do and what we need to do to improve and to at least not concede those goals like that and score goal ourselves.</p>
<p id="ilrdPF">“We are always looking for certain players with a certain ability but to be honest, I don’t know if we can do a lot in the transfer market in January.</p>
<p id="jeWYpc">“There’s always a possibility of a couple of players who have been doing well leaving who are under the attention of certain clubs but we don;t want to lose players.</p>
<p id="b4AaaM">“I don’t want to lose players or sell players to be honest.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="ZkYe68">Next up for the Royals are in-form Bristol City on Boxing Day at Ashton Gate. </p>
<p id="Ijmyrw">Merry Christmas to all Royals fans. </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/24/16815676/jaap-stam-on-reading-fc-dismal-burton-defeat-royals-brewerssophierfc102017-12-23T20:33:16+00:002017-12-23T20:33:16+00:00Reading 1-2 Burton Albion: Player Ratings
<figure>
<img alt="Reading v Cardiff City - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LLDNLVZsQLQS7LKe8kBnUObRDkk=/0x0:4788x3192/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58096463/890502112.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Did anyone emerge with any pride in tact after an embarrassing showing against Burton?</p> <h2 id="dQnKAg">Vito Mannone: 4</h2>
<p id="C7vIxi">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. </p>
<h2 id="svboTQ">Leandro Bacuna: 5</h2>
<p id="OVX8ch">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. </p>
<h2 id="Ed7Mta">Paul McShane: 5</h2>
<p id="bsT0r1">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. </p>
<h2 id="61VAd3">Liam Moore: 5</h2>
<p id="4i3YLw">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. </p>
<h2 id="4ADky8">Chris Gunter: 5</h2>
<p id="CbOdFo">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.</p>
<h3 id="kGVx6l">Joey van den Berg: 3</h3>
<p id="TZWp11">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. </p>
<h2 id="t9CoMQ">Dave Edwards: 6</h2>
<p id="eSSjbu">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. </p>
<h2 id="XQ84q3">Liam Kelly: 5</h2>
<p id="kqhOOM">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.</p>
<h2 id="EauWst">Sone Aluko: 2</h2>
<p id="j9CXk2">Was he even playing?</p>
<h2 id="428MVm">Mo Barrow: 5</h2>
<p id="TQMCZp">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. </p>
<h2 id="IAX9zH">Yann Kermorgant: 3</h2>
<p id="AoFFoE">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. </p>
<p id="Nexvkf"><strong>Substitutes</strong></p>
<h2 id="ymhnd1">John Swift: 4</h2>
<p id="0lsxbG">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.</p>
<h2 id="6RvAAY">Jon Dadi Bodvarsson: N/A</h2>
<p id="hf1zw9">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. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="oqwHjT">
<p id="UVH26h"><em><strong>If you can, try and pick a Reading man of the match from today...</strong></em></p>
<p id="SqmlFW">If the poll doesn’t show, <a href="https://goo.gl/E6vVCq">just click here</a>. </p>
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https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/23/16814630/reading-fc-1-2-burton-albion-player-ratings-efl-championshipOlly_Allen2017-12-23T19:33:31+00:002017-12-23T19:33:31+00:00Reading 1-2 Burton Albion: Nightmare Before Christmas
<figure>
<img alt="Health Fears grow As Leeds Rubbish Piles Up Due To Ongoing Bin Strike" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gG8q7_Hh7b_SOU5eD_hRG4Uuqyk=/0x75:3000x2075/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58096043/91989248.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Olly pulls no punches as the Royals underwhelm in disappointing defeat. </p> <p id="H5hofN">Off the pitch, Reading got pretty much everything right in terms of celebrating the club’s 500th game at the Madejski Stadium. £5 tickets in all areas of the stadium, various food and drink offers for £5, a countdown of the best games in RG2 and interviews with some of the best players to have graced the hallowed turf - the marketing team (as usual) got it spot on. It was all set up for a great afternoon of football on the pitch. </p>
<p id="ua90sP">Obviously as we all know, that was not the case. It wasn’t even close to being the case. </p>
<p id="FpoYvd">What a near-packed out home crowd witnessed this afternoon can only be described as a complete and utter horror show from start to finish. There wasn’t a good moment to speak of. </p>
<h2 id="XH7X3A">First Half</h2>
<p id="iWnHtJ">The first half was a thoroughly sloppy and frustrating affair, with both teams seemingly trying to see who could put in the most underwhelming performance. There were misplaced passes aplenty, whilst goal-kicks from Vito Mannone and Stephen Bywater mostly ended up in the stands rather than with a teammate. </p>
<p id="3OEzS9">Each side found the most joy down the flanks, with Leandro Bacuna and Lucas Akins providing a relative threat down their respective right wings, yet with limited options in the middle neither could fashion a real opening. </p>
<p id="PTyKPi">It was from the right hand side that the game’s opening goal came five minutes before half-time. Akins is certainly no Rory Delap, but his throw-in somehow made its way into the box due to some lacklustre home defending, and Tom Flanagan evaded Liam Kelly to poke the ball past Vito Mannone. It was Flanagan’s first goal in over five years. FIVE YEARS. </p>
<h2 id="Yxllna">Second Half</h2>
<p id="wRmOSK">One might have hoped that going a goal down would have given Reading the kick up the backside they desperately needed, but alas, Jaap Stam’s side returned after the break just as dreadful and uninspiring. In fact, it was Burton who looked the most threatening, with Akins again proving a danger as his cross found Lloyd Dyer who failed to convert his header, whilst Will Miller scuffed a great opportunity from just outside the area. </p>
<p id="OklSaX">An undeserved equaliser arrived for Reading in the 76th minute, as Kelly’s deflected cross found Mo Barrow who’s deflected shot bobbled across the line. It was barely worth celebrating. </p>
<p id="1hLnQa">Indeed, it really wasn’t worth celebrating as the Royals found themselves trailing once again just five minutes later. Joey van den Berg showed that he remains very much a liability by failing to control a simple pass, and just as we thought Liam Moore would be on hand to spare the Dutchman’s blushes with a hoofed clearance, everything went pear-shaped. Moore did look to smash the ball away, but it cannoned off Tom Naylor in the direction of the goal, and with Mannone caught off guard, trickled into the back of the net. It was easier to simply laugh. Or just get your phone out and start shining the torch because, well, it was that bad. </p>
<h2 id="CMnqk1">Post-Match Thoughts</h2>
<p id="8nGWRJ">Burton had been comfortably beaten 5-1 and 3-0 on their previous two visits to Berkshire, and many fans were hopeful of the same as kick-off approached. With the Brewers having the worst goal difference in the Championship and having won just twice in their last 14 games, there was certainly reason to be optimistic. But in the end those statistics made what was an embarassing performance regardless, even worse. </p>
<p id="DjmbEm">Reading were lucky that it was ‘only’ Burton they were playing. Whilst the Staffordshire side deserved the three points, it wasn’t because they played well. They were very bad, and will surely continue to struggle this season, but the Royals were even worse. Against a side at the top of the table, it could easily have been a five or six nil defeat. </p>
<p id="l6uvxK">Every single player looked devoid of confidence, unsure as to where to play the pass and nervous every time they received the ball. To suggest that they don’t care is perhaps harsh as there was some passion on show through the form of outward frustration, but they are fragile. </p>
<p id="GH6JeT">The big question is what impact Jaap Stam had this on abomination. As the Dutchman himself said after the game, he only tells the team what to do and it’s up to them to carry it out on the pitch, but perhaps that’s the problem. Perhaps he’s not telling them the right things. His possession-based system may have worked last season when it was new to the second tier, but it’s been too easily counteracted this year. Getting wins against struggling sides such as Sunderland and Barnsley is all well and good, but ultimately it hides the fact that we’re getting found out too easily against any team with an ounce of quality. Today shows that we’ve now even got to the point where sides lacking quality can thwart it. </p>
<p id="zM6BpV">There’s no point having patience. We’re now exactly halfway through the campaign and find ourselves in 14th, having reached the play-off final last season and spent more than ever before in the transfer window. We know what we’re getting with Jaap Stam now. Boring, timid football that the players clearly feel unsure about. It’s not worth paying £1 to watch, let alone £5. </p>
<p id="Q6qQhF">Maybe I’m over exaggerating. Maybe I’ll feel differently tomorrow. But right now, I can’t see a future for Reading Football Club under Jaap Stam. No one is exempt from blame for the horror show today, but it’s a lot easier to replace one man than it is to replace 18. </p>
<p id="oH0O5k">Merry Christmas everyone. </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/23/16814474/reading-fc-1-2-burton-albion-match-report-nightmare-before-christmas-efl-championshipOlly_Allen2017-12-23T10:29:01+00:002017-12-23T10:29:01+00:00The Tilehurst End Prediction League 17/18: Matchday 23
<figure>
<img alt="Derby County v Burton Albion - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EvZeeb8Sb_5OjMQmrSbRoVV3t4g=/8x0:4928x3280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58090573/884442526.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Do you think Reading can celebrate their 500th Madejski Stadium game with a win?</p> <p id="igibfk">Despite letting a two goal lead slip against Cardiff, most people were relatively confident Reading would get <em>something</em> from their trip to Portman Road last weekend. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, and the Royals were beaten 2-0 by Ipswich. Just two people predicted defeat, with no correct scoreline guesses or first goalscorer (Callum Connolly) guesses. The updated leaderboard is below. </p>
<p id="qC6RF6">This weekend sees Reading play their 500th competitive game at the Madejski Stadium, with strugglers Burton Albion the visitors. <strong>All you have to do is guess the score of the game and say who you think will score the first goal in the comments below. </strong>A correct score earns two points, a correct result earns one point as does a correct first goalscorer.</p>
<p id="KjSDuI">To get the ball rolling, I’m going for a 1-0 win, with Mo Barrow being the first goalscorer.</p>
<p id="gHlptN">Good luck!</p>
<h4 id="M66oit">The current leaderboard:</h4>
<h2 id="6Xtojq">16 points</h2>
<p id="vsaTLx">ShiplakeAl</p>
<h2 id="OjGPmI">13 points</h2>
<p id="1OSTwA">EthanRFC_</p>
<h3 id="bB2yhr">12 points</h3>
<p id="urJm2c">JackRonan<br>Fylde coast royal</p>
<h3 id="oAEKXF">11 points</h3>
<p id="UUGgI9">Olly</p>
<h3 id="wDriHs">9 points</h3>
<p id="aGdoTa">Risk_Taker</p>
<h3 id="BvJhYl">8 points</h3>
<p id="9FLYKf">Glorygerbil</p>
<h3 id="syUxmj">7 points</h3>
<p id="CFMnIo">1.fcl<br>Will Jones<br>Illinois_royal</p>
<h3 id="CoUVB2">6 points</h3>
<p id="J0yyFU">Bacuzzi's Boys<br>KildareRoyal<br>RiskAverse<br>Brum Royal<br>MickeyTaker<br>The inspector</p>
<h2 id="bJu23Z">5 points</h2>
<p id="AHoT9Z">Osborns scoop<br>Pete1964</p>
<h3 id="oyzrsK">4 points</h3>
<p id="BB3NjL">TheRoyalViking</p>
<h2 id="0BnVm0">3 points</h2>
<p id="ic9pMd">CharlieRFC<br>James - ReadingAwayDays<br>Blaa1980</p>
<h2 id="R8XBAT">2 points</h2>
<p id="7QfU0x">The RFC Vlogger<br>Jake RFC<br>Luke Rogers<br>Christian Taylor<br>Robjs54</p>
<h2 id="rg3FeH">1 point</h2>
<p id="3CmO4u">X210<br>Will Symons<br>Jamie Westcar<br>Football Fan<br>Billal Benassar<br>Ben Hayward<br>Ram Pandariram<br>Harry Crawford<br>ITZ HAZZ<br>Sky Bet Championship<br>Rich Gallagher</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/23/16812860/prediction-league-17-18-matchday-23-reading-fc-vs-burton-albion-efl-championshipOlly_Allen2017-12-23T09:00:01+00:002017-12-23T09:00:01+00:00Reading FC vs Burton Albion: Match Preview
<figure>
<img alt="Ipswich Town v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nd4ASZljQZ9TN0YCQcIP--l5CZI=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58089377/893902996.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Harry previews Saturday’s game against the Brewers, the 500th match at the Madejski Stadium. </p> <h3 id="1Sf6vu"><strong>Madejski Stadium, 3pm KO</strong></h3>
<p id="gZiSUi">Just as things were seemingly looking up in Berkshire, Reading stumbled to a disappointing 2-0 away loss at Portman Road, with early goals from Callum Connolly and Joe Garner sealing a first defeat in six for The Royals. The result said more about the visitors than it did Mick McCarthy’s men, with Jaap Stam’s side enjoying a lot of possession in dangerous areas, but never quite able to create any clear-cut chances. Stam will be viewing this as a must-win game as The Royals look to close a 10-point gap between themselves and the top six.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ipswich Town v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yQhdPeXA5evQeHiXO6uDN-2jdyE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9919449/893884192.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<h2 id="UYGnJE"><strong>Reading</strong></h2>
<h3 id="I9jApV"><strong>Form (all comps): DWWDL</strong></h3>
<p id="guT2TP">A torrid performance from Tyler Blackett against Ipswich could see him dropped from the starting XI, with Chris Gunter potentially shifting to left-back and Leandro Bacuna dropping into the back line, although Omar Richards will also be pushing for a start. </p>
<p id="jYULOT">The Royals have a host of players on the brink of returns. John Swift’s anticipated return to first-team action is apparently imminent, although a start here looks unlikely, whilst George Evans and Joseph Mendes are expected to be back in contention some time in January.</p>
<aside id="9WT7FN"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The Tilehurst End Podcast Extra With The Wokingham Paper - December 21","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/21/16805656/the-tilehurst-end-podcast-extra-with-the-wokingham-paper-december-21-reading-fc-news-jaap-stam"}]}'></div></aside><p id="WChiB5">Garath McCleary and Callum Harriott are also edging closer to a return, but remain sidelined for this clash, whilst Jordan Obita continues to miss out following a cruciate ligament injury he picked up late on against Hull City earlier in the season.</p>
<p id="QNOxTz">Stam’s big decision heading into this clash surrounds whether or not to start Jon Dadi Bodvarsson ahead of Yann Kermorgant, who has struggled to replicate last season’s performances after recovering from a hip injury obtained in pre-season.</p>
<h2 id="RCZAy7"><strong>Burton Albion </strong></h2>
<h3 id="8SEU6W"><strong>Form (all comps): DLLLW</strong></h3>
<p id="sPKyPl">Nigel Clough has a large squad at his disposal for The Brewers’ third ever trip to the Madejski Stadium, with attacking duo Joe Mason and Liam Boyce the only injury concerns. The latter is yet to make a competitive appearance for Burton since becoming the club’s record transfer in the summer.</p>
<p id="7jLOKM">Following an impressive performance against Bolton last weekend, Clough will likely name an unchanged starting XI, with Lucas Akins, Will Miller and goalscorer Lloyd Dyer sitting in behind Marvin Sordell up top.</p>
<aside id="8kZMP4"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"TTE Advent Calendar: The Full Collection","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/30/16721572/tte-advent-calendar-the-full-collection"}]}'></div></aside><p id="tHgcxJ"><strong>What do the stats say?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="niTauW">Reading have scored three or more goals in all three of their previous encounters with Burton Albion.</li>
<li id="EgO0BA">Burton have the second worst attacking and defensive records in the league, having scored just 14 and conceded 40 this season.</li>
<li id="eIvNOW">Yann Kermorgant’s last Championship goal came against Burton (excluding play-offs) – he’ll be looking to open his account for the season here.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="9sXuFJ"><strong>What about the history?</strong></h2>
<h3 id="ZJRu6h"><strong>Head to Head</strong></h3>
<p id="8GInqS"><strong>Reading: </strong>3</p>
<p id="D0JoLt"><strong>Draw: </strong>0</p>
<p id="cY9nlJ"><strong>Burton Albion: </strong>0</p>
<p id="VFMEld"><strong>How can I follow the game?</strong></p>
<p id="qc0RjV">There will be audio coverage of the game on BBC Berkshire at 104.4FM, but not online. Overseas fans can follow the game on iFollow. </p>
<aside id="7QFysm"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"499 Not Out: Madejski Stadium Games In Numbers","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/19/16795986/499-not-out-madejski-stadium-games-in-numbers-reading-fc-statistics"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="dUYnUg"><strong>Prediction</strong></h3>
<p id="dcbRZR">Burton were being written off as relegation certainties prior to last weekend’s win, but will have to be taken seriously by The Royals to avoid an upset here. A lack of attacking firepower has proven a real stumbling block for The Brewers, but with Kermorgant still finding his feet and Sone Aluko yet to hit a rich vein of goalscoring form, Reading also have their attacking shortcomings. </p>
<p id="LzS5DG">That said, Burton have struggled on their travels this season and have never beaten Reading in a competitive game. I can’t see that changing here. <strong>3-0.</strong></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/12/23/16812186/reading-fc-vs-burton-albion-match-preview-royals-brewersHarrySmithRFC