Joel Pereira: 6
Didn’t have a lot to do in the first half, with Rotherham United’s only shot on target coming with their goal. He had a tricky assignment with the shot, deflected off Abrefa after Pereira had already begun
going down to make the save.
Alert in the 55th minute to rush out and stop Reading conceding from a poor backpass. Did the same thing again a minute later in a much more scary moment, having to win a tackle outside of the box.
Kelvin Abrefa: 5
Couldn’t get close enough to his man for the first Rotherham goal, sliding in just a step too late and deflecting it around Pereira.
Positioned really high throughout the first half, more often interacting with the midfielders or wingers and getting involved in attacks. Earned a corner with a good run right after the Millers’ opener. Withdrawn for Yiadom with 20 minutes to go when Reading needed a lift.
Paudie O’Connor: 7
Made a good start to the game, physically dealing with Jordan Hugill when Rotherham opted to go long. Popped up at the back post from a set-play early on, and perhaps could have taken a shot, but opted to pop it back across goal.
Stepped all the way up the field in one of Reading’s periods of possession, even managing a shimmy around a defender. Again arrived at the back post for some second-half headers, and racked up the joint-second-highest number of touches in the box in the game: showing just how much of an asset he is in both penalty boxes.
Derrick Williams: 6
Tends to see less of the physical action than O’Connor on the other side (who appears to seek it out). Very comfortable on the ball throughout, rarely looking sloppy on the ball.
Got a little shaky defensively at the end, caught out twice by pace and almost allowing Yearwood then Martha in behind, but was let off both times.
Jeriel Dorsett: 6
Slotted into the left side of the back three when in possession – he was a little less creative as a result but solid enough on the ball.
Saw his assignment change in the second half, with Rotherham switching to the physical Yearwood and Reading needing more one-on-one defending. Still, Dorsett mostly coped well in his time on the pitch in the second half, even earning the winger a yellow in a physical battle.
Lewis Wing: 7
Got on the ball a lot in Reading’s possession-heavy first game plan. Looped a really good ball over the top for Ehibhatiomhan to latch onto early on, digging it out while under pressure.
Wing definitely benefits from the new system in possession, with willing runners, plus easy options available. He can hit an early long ball but also has time to pick passes into the box from the opponent’s half. Got comfortable passing early, delivering it to the final third 10 times.
Found numerous passes into the box or just outside that deserved much better end product and looks likely to continue enjoying his new role against weaker defences.
Charlie Savage: 7
Came close to scoring in the first half when a cross fell to him, slamming the volley into the near post, but seeing it blocked.
A little sloppy in possession at times in the opening 50 minutes, misplacing one pass in particular early in the second half almost allowing Rotherham in behind – improved hugely in the second though.
Dropped some nice set pieces onto O’Connor’s head, helping Reading create panic in the box. Had an absolutely fantastic long-range strike in the 70th minute, smashing it from 40 yards out and forcing the ‘keeper into a good save.
Scored his best goal yet in a Reading shirt minutes later, crashing a half volley into the top corner from outside of the box with his “weaker” right foot. Got back really well when Williams was beaten on the wing shortly after the equaliser, blocking a cross harmlessly to Pereira.
Kamari Doyle: 5
Caught a step behind for Rotherham’s opening goal, allowing the passing sequence to begin. Not able to get into the game as much as he may have liked when Reading had a lot of the ball in the first half, with Rotherham showing very solid defensive organisation: especially centrally.
Began getting involved again in a second half when Rotherham had mostly stopped playing football. Whipped a great cross onto O’Mahony’s foot in second-half injury time.
Matt Ritchie: 5
Started the game brightly, winning a free-kick down his wing. Struggled to cope with the poor refereeing performance, and got frustrated, lashing out a few times after he’d already received a first-half booking.
Got a good shot off in the box just before the hour mark, taking a Wing pass in the half space, turning, and shooting just a bit too centrally.
Withdrawn for Garcia shortly after with Leam probably keeping an eye on his booking.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5
Delivered a first half in which he got into good positions but couldn’t finish.
Came the closest of any player to scoring in the opening stages, running onto a ball over the top from Wing. He took it around the ‘keeper but just missed the far post. Struggled a little for a period after that, with a few loose touches ending a few promising looking Reading attacks.
Saw the ball bounce up in front of him just yards from the goal in a goalmouth scramble, and swung a leg at it but couldn’t keep the ball down.
Moved out to the left side when O’Mahony joined the game, and was happy to run at his full-back. Found space on the edge of the box in the 85th minute and whipped in a shot with his right, just not quite finding a corner.
Since Leam Richardson has come in, he’s become a lot more reliable physically, and got involved in 17 duels today, and a calmer head when finishing would have seen this become a very professional performance.
Randell Williams: 5
Possessed of a decent long throw, and was asked to travel across the pitch a few times to deliver the ball into the box.
Made some good runs at his full-back in the first half, and potentially could have made more, crossing it a little early at times. Likes to cross low and hard rather than high. Withdrawn on the hour mark for O’Mahony, with Ehibhatiomhan making more of those runs at the full-back – but still made an encouraging first start.
A mop of majestic hair fell out of his bun at one point – looks well looked after.
Subs
Mark O’Mahony: 5
Did his duties as a striker in harassing the ‘keeper and keeping the game moving when Rotherham were trying to kill the clock. Made an instinctive stab at the ball in the air in second-half injury time, looping the ball just over the net.
Andre Garcia: 5
Joined the fray nominally in the right-wing position, replacing Ritchie, but was able to drift inside with Abrefa out wide. Made one driving dribble through the middle but was then moved to left-back when Camara came on.
Gave away a foul in the Rotherham box, getting in an odd wrestling match with the keeper.
Mamadi Camara: 5
Gave the best example of some Sunday league “win it back!” attitude with a sliding change to take the ball back late in the game.
Andy Yiadom: 5
Calm enough on the ball but couldn’t create much going forward. Took a booking late on when his winger got around him, stopping a run in behind.
Average: 5.6/10
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