News and Views
Oliver Norwood Continues To Top Ratings
28 January 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading were disappointing last night as they failed to overcome a Millwall side that played the entire second half with ten men, after a first half red card.
Millwall are on a shocking run of form and are firmly stuck in the bottom three but the Royals failed to really test them despite their numerical advantage. The Royals dominated possession throughout the game, even more so in the second half, but failed to convert posession into chances and couldn't find that vital goal.
We have only managed to score one league goal in our last three fixtures. That single goal came from Pavel Pogrebnyak who has been put firmly in the shop window as he continues to make the starting eleven. However that single goal doesn't feel a good enough return for a player that is unlikely to generate any interest before the transfer window shuts once more.
Reading's recent league form is far from impressive and it's only two decent wins away from home in the FA Cup that makes Steve Clarke's managerial career at Reading look reasonable so far. It remains early days for Clarke at Reading, and he does appear to have had a positive impact since his arrival, both in the overall performances and in giving a quick boost to the feel good factor at the club. But the Reading fans are fickle and the league table doesn't lie. He only has limited time to pick up some good league results before the unrest sets in once again. The statistics aren't too bright for Clarke - but one man continues to shine - and that is Reading midfielder Oliver Norwood.
He had already been singled out as the player who has made the most tackles in the Championship so far this season, and he followed it up with another impressive statistical all round performance at Millwall. He made eight tackles during the game - three more than the next closest player and four more than Reading's next best Danny Williams. Norwood made more key passes than anyone else on the pitch and was more involved than any other player with 108 touches of the ball compared to second placed Michael Hector who had 79 touches. Only Jordan Obita put in more crosses than Norwood.
Norwood is also leading the table in the Hob Nob Anyone? Man of the Match voting for the 2014/2015 season. The table summaries votes placed after each match. Norwood has collected 14% of all votes placed, and has already been awarded man of the match eight times so far this season. Nick Blackman and Simon Cox are in second place with 9.5% of the vote and 3 man of the match awards each. Last season's winner Danny Guthrie is in 14th place so far this season.
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