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A few Sunday morning post-match thoughts (ok more than a few) #readingfc
1) Delighted to see TMac put in a good performance at CB. I had a few reservations pre-match on reshuffling the entire defence to keep him in the side but chuffed for him. Not to downplay his pass but the simple fact he is left footed is big bonus. https://twitter.com/JordanCottle/status/1345371088453312512?s=20
Just as no other ST at the club would've turned the ball into a goal, no other (permanent) CB would've been able to play that ball that way. Being lefty gives us nice balance back there. Sometimes a little erratic with his Defending he was solid througout
He also took on a much greater responsibility (assist aside) of starting attacks. I praised Holmes' passing midweek but this was different. Moore/Morro v predictable (+negative) with passing. Holmes technically v good but a bit safe. TMac was very agressive in choice of pass
Higher risk, lower % passes to try and get ball into dangerous areas. In behind as we saw for goal, driven into the Richards higher up wing, into Ovie/Swift with a man close. There will be days where less come off or cost goals but yday it was needed and provided variety
2) Very interesting to see Swift being asked to play a v different role than start of season. Derby etc he was tasked with prodimently running beyond ST to create space for other midfield options. Yday he rotated in the CDM spot with JL/Rino running in behind from deeper.
I think it is a role that suits him and we already saw passes from deep, both in behind and into feet, that were not being played by JL or Rino. The running in behind from deep did not always come off but it does lead nicely onto my next point...
4) Reading need more variety in attack. This has been the case all season. Transitions and set pieces have been the main source of goals this yr and a reliance on individual brilliance. We have some lovely attacking players but most of them want to do the same thing
Ovie, Olise, Aluko, Joao and now Swift all want the ball the feet more often than not. They all want to play in the same areas on the pitch and they all rotate to play in that space. Rotation is great if there is a purpose to it, if not it gets stodgy and disjointed.
The runners from deep are not a cure-all but they do add variety. Any runner pulling defenders away from that central attacking area creates more space (which we saw for Joao's 2nd). I think it also aided Morro by giving him an out ball if he dwelled on the ball too long.
Same vein of thought 5) Reading need a winger. You can also add Meite + Esteves to players that want the ball central rather than attack wide. Holmes is steady but not an attthreat so Reading really have no one to hold the width with Yiadom out.
Aluko did Ok yday + had a few chances in 1st half.He was less involved but more far more influential in the 2nd half by holding his width. By not get involved in the rotations central stretched the pitch and gave more helped de-clutter that central area. An unselfish good job
But not his natural game. The addition of a direct winger that his happy to hold wide, wait for a switch and then attack a FB would compliment the players we have and add needed variety to how we attack. Add Meite back from injury and we suddenly have alot more ways to hurt Oppo
6) Campbell has a great leap. That is not absolving Holmes of guilt. He should have dealt with it, especially as a natural CB. (Esteves would've been slaughtered on here for that mistake). That said Campbell has a hell of spring for his size +Holmes wasn't the only one caught out
