It’s always tricky knowing for sure at this early stage of the season how good a side really is. Was that big win a sign of things to come? Or was the previous blip more our true level?
And today’s question was whether Reading could convincingly build on Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Mansfield Town at the SCL. Could we really keep up that level against Blackpool, a team sitting third in the table before kick-off?
Reading answered that question in the affirmative, and emphatically so. If the performance
in midweek was a very encouraging but sometimes shaky one, this was more convincing all round. The two scorelines would suggest the former display was better, but I agree with Ben’s view that the showing against Blackpool was more complete.
First and foremost, Reading were once again quality going forwards, this time peppering the visitors’ net with 19 efforts. That included eight ‘big chances’, while the Royals’ shots were collectively worth an xG of 3.5 – both stats coming via FotMob – which shows we weren’t just racking up low-value pot-shots.
All of our goals were well worked from a tactical perspective too, which will be particularly pleasing for the manager. Yet again, Reading twice found the net thanks to a winger sending in a low cross – proof, if it were still needed, that the Royals now have a clear and fruitful plan of attack.
Down the other end, Joel Pereira faced a total of… one shot on target. Even though that one happened to go in, the overall trend was clear: Reading did an excellent job of shutting out the opposition, who had a lot of the ball but not much in the way of penetration.
Just as pleasing was the response to Blackpool’s goal. The deficit being halved late on, in front of the away fans, naturally prompted anxiety among Reading fans and players alike, but those on the pitch rose to the challenge.
Just as in the more tumultuous periods of the Mansfield game, Reading showed growth from previous occasions (last season and the Luton Town match) by keeping their heads and refusing to be shaken. Instead, we were the ones to strike next, countering to decisive effect and killing the game in injury time.
So, to recap, that’s…
- A good attacking performance
- A good defensive performance
- Great character, when it was needed most
Such a complete showing doesn’t come about just by getting good individuals on the pitch. Leam Richardson is doing a really nice job putting together a well rounded, mature side and he most certainly deserves credit for the job he’s doing.
For the second time this week I’m coming away from a Reading game feeling that, without any doubt or reservation, I’ve had a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this side.
Richardson made one change to Wednesday’s side, with Jeriel Dorsett dropping out entirely due to a hamstring injury and Haydon Roberts taking his place. There were no alterations to an already very attacking bench.
Reading (4-2-3-1): Pereira; Godwin-Malife, O’Connor, Ward, Roberts; Wing, Rinomhota; Lisbie, Earthy, Lane; Marriott
Subs: Stevens, Masterson, Savage, Williams, Kyerewaa, Brown, Reid
Unlike on Wednesday night, Reading started the first half well before dropping off a bit. After a couple of sights of goal for Jack Marriott early on, when the ball nearly dropped for him well enough in the Blackpool area, the man behind him in the 10 role opened the scoring after 12 minutes.
It was kicked off by excellent work from Andy Rinomhota, who was a real stand-out before the interval, both in and out of possession. He played the ball down the right to Kyreece Lisbie – another star today – with the young winger calmly picking out George Earthy with a low cross. The playmaker had an easy job of tucking it home at close range for 1-0.
Reading had opportunities to extend their lead before the break. A great bit of team play led to Marriott forcing a strong save out of the ‘keeper just a few minutes after the Royals went ahead. Rinomhota was again at the heart of the action, this time triggering a move down the left through Paddy Lane, whose smart low cross picked out Marriott in the area.
That was the closest Reading came in the first half to making it 2-0. However, at other points, Earthy met a Lisbie cross with his head (but couldn’t get over the ball and cleared the bar with his finish), while he, Lewis Wing (x2) and Marriott had efforts from range of varying quality.
In the way of reply, the most convincing moment Blackpool managed was a header wide of the post shortly before the break. Pereira may as well have brought his deckchair.
Half time: 1-0
If there were any nerves about a second-half collapse due to Reading only taking one chance in the first, they were briefly expanded when Marriott of all people missed a glorious opportunity shortly after the restart. A sloppy pass from a Blackpool defender gave the ball straight to him and, uncharacteristically, his rushed effort was lobbed wide of the post.
He was heavily involved in the move that did yield a second, however. Earthy played a cute pass into Marriott on the edge of the area, Marriott forced a save and Lisbie was on hand to bundle home on the follow-up for 2-0.
Extra comfort for Reading on the scoreline, and a beautiful moment also for Lisbie, whose delight at opening his Royals account shone through in his celebration. He’s been excellent so far this season, deservedly winning our August player of the month award, but turning goalscorer rather than assist-provider for the first time clearly meant the world for him. He’ll go far, that’s for certain.
Reading looked bright and at ease with themselves for the next 20 minutes or so, with Haydon Roberts and Marriott having shots blocked. However, midway through the half, Richardson looked to freshen up his forward department by making the same double change he went to first on Wednesday: Earthy and Marriott replaced in the number 10 and striker roles by Randell Williams and Jacob Brown respectively.
Though there was no immediate, massive drop-off, it did feel more and more as if Reading had lost a fair amount of their threat when Earthy and Marriott went off. Williams and Brown are hard-workers, but – for a time – didn’t have the same impact as their predecessors. Richardson made another change in the 75th minute, swapping off Lisbie (who was given a well earned standing ovation) for Daniel Kyerewaa.
The game appeared to be drifting along nicely from our perspective, but with 10 left on the clock, Blackpool halved the deficit. In a rare example of the visitors really cutting us open, a low cross from Tom Bloxham from the right found Leighton Clarkson in way too much space on the edge of the area, and he made no mistake. 2-1.
That left Reading squarely in ‘game management’ mode. Accordingly Richardson made two more changes with five minutes to go, swapping Charlie Savage and Jamie Reid (debut) on for Rinomhota and Lane. That freshened up the midfield and prompted a reshuffle higher up: Brown to the 10 role, Williams to the left wing and Reid up top, with Kyerewaa remaining on the right wing.
It’s a sign of good game management when you don’t have much of consequence to write about to cover the closing moments. Not from a defensive perspective, anyway – Blackpool managed just one shot (an off-target header) while the game was at 2-1.
Down the other end, the Royals almost made it 3-1 when Reid burst in on goal and played in Wing for a tap-in, only for the linesman’s flag to be (correctly) raised. In real time you wondered why Reid hadn’t gone for goal himself, but the replay suggests he was off balance enough to make squaring the ball (in principle) a good idea.
Reading restored their two-goal advantage before long anyway. In the third minute of injury time, Williams skipped away down the left wing and swung in a cross that landed at the feet of Kyerewaa at the back post. Unselfishly he set up Brown, who had the simplest job to convert from close range for 3-1.
Full time: 3-1
Pretty much a perfect week then, with Reading winning 5-0 and 3-1, rising to eighth in the process. At the very least, that eases any pressure which may have been building before the league wins started coming in, but the next stage is getting a league away win on the board.
The Royals will have an opportunity to do that next time out, a trip to Cambridge United on September 12. The Us have enjoyed a bright return to the third tier so far, sitting sixth as things stand, but on today’s evidence, Reading are up for the task.
