Joel Pereira: 6
Solid today to pick up an impressive fifth clean sheet of the season already. Didn’t actually have to make a diving save though, instead stopping four shots that all landed within a yard of the centre of the goal.
Prowled his box well though, and smartly saw a few deep crosses out as the game went on. Iced a few late chances for Plymouth with claims in the air.
Udoka Godwin-Malife: 6
Solid without being spectacular today, with a lot of the defending for Reading in the game going down the other side. Hooked clear a dangerous
back-and-forth in the box early in the second.
Good going forward – repeatedly beat the opposite winger for pace, leading to Reading having a man running free in between the lines.
Paudie O’Connor: 7
He’s really starting to shine in his second season as the most important defender in Reading’s back line. Always happy to take on the opposition and steps out to the ball aggressively, especially in the air.
Involved in a physical battle with Plymouth Argyle’s centre-forward Bim Pepple, and took an elbow to the chops as a reward. Handled the forward well in the first half, having the measure of him in the air.
Showed good leadership as Reading found a period of attack late in the game, asking for more talking from his teammates.
Josh Knight: 6
Made a crucial sliding block in the first half to stop a Plymouth player from wiggling free just yards in front of Pereira. Played mostly as the cover to O’Connor’s more aggressive role in the back line, and performed admirably in his league debut, not causing Reading any problems.
Will want to improve his work with the ball at his feet in the future but away from home to a good team, this was a more than reasonable performance.
Managed 85 minutes as well, which could be crucial as Reading look to mitigate the effect of not having Benn Ward available.
Jeriel Dorsett: 7
One of his best performances in a while. Started out at left-back before finishing the day at centre-back when Haydon Roberts came on.
Forced a save out of the ‘keeper with a header from an early set-piece. Alert to a dangerous situation to nip in and smash away a cross destined for the back of the net in the 66th.
Booked late on for taking down a Plymouth player as he entered the final third.
Lewis Wing: 7
Outside of one iffy moment, the captain had a good day today, contributing defensively and going forward. Almost lost the ball in his box during build-up right after the break but saved himself with a tidy chop away from the danger.
Clearly desperately wants to score now, and is shooting more frequently. Curled the ball off the back post when he was found at the top of the box by Daniel Kyerewaa – inches away from a first goal of the season.
Andy Rinomhota: 6
Got stuck in brilliantly today, both on the ball and off it. Was up to his escape artist tricks at times in the midfield and won a pair of free-kicks with strong shoulders.
He’s never intimidated by physical play and was booked in the second half for getting a little… overexcited… when dealing with a Plymouth counter-attack. Gives Reading crucial speed in midfield when the game begins to open up.
Kyreece Lisbie: 5
By no means had a bad game today, but was just a little bit less clinical than he’d like at key moments.
Made a fantastic blindside run from the wide space to receive the ball one-on-one with the ‘keeper. Took it around him to leave the net gaping but then uncharacteristically stabbed it well wide with his left foot. If only the chance had come on his right foot.
Broke onto a late counter-attack and took the ball all the way to the edge of the box, but chose the wrong pass looking for Wing at the top of the box.
Expect him to bounce back quickly. Lisbie’s pass count today was eight.
Josh Stokes: 5
Grafted really hard today, and covered every blade of grass, getting well into double figures for duels initiated, with a solid win rate.
A little profligate on the ball but he’s in the team to add creativity to Reading’s attack so you want him taking chances. Played some good passes into the channel for Lisbie to chase.
Randell Williams: 5
Deserved the start today after a decent performance against Barnsley but couldn’t quite find space to threaten much in the game. Saw his one shot on target saved midway through the first half.
Just a touch behind defensively, giving away three fouls in the match. Withdrawn in the 63rd minute for Kyerewaa.
Jamie Reid: 5
Not quite able to get going in the game today, struggling in the air against Plymouth’s lanky attackers. Given the job of disrupting the ‘keeper after Reading sensed his unease with balls under the crossbar, but couldn’t connect with any of Reading’s set-piece deliveries.
Had his best moment late in his performance when he ran through a bad touch to cause a panic in the Plymouth defence. Unfortunately couldn’t force the ball through the last defender when he wasn’t fast enough to cleanly outrun him.
Withdrawn shortly after or the return of Jack Marriott.
Subs
Daniel Kyerewaa: 6
Found himself some space on the edge of the box shortly after hius introduction and used it well, dribbling diagonally at goal before finding Wing on the edge of the box. Shortly after, he made a nice direct run at the full-back.
Snatched at a dropping ball in the box late in the game, not able to get a good contact for his shot.
Jack Marriott: 6
Showed why we’ve missed him, with his sense for space finding him several shots with minutes of entering the fray. Unfortunately his first shots fell on his left foot. Found his third shot with a Di Canio-esque scissor kick that was deflected out for a corner.
A promising return that was only missing a cherry on top.
Haydon Roberts: N/A
Came on in the 85th minute for Josh Knight, and got his head to a ball into the box, helping Reading see things out from his usual left-back position.
Jacob Brown: N/A
Came on in the 85th minute as Reading looked for a winner. Met a late free-kick at the back post, but couldn’t keep his headed shot down.
Average: 5.92/10
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