Back from the game - Brighton (A)

[Elmer Park]

As pretty much everyone has said this was a game won through fight and commitment plus a bit of luck when needed.

The 4-5-1 system which we started the game with didn't work and we looked better when we switched to our familiar system. Despite winning the game I thought we missed Jem and Ledge although Brighton moved the ball so quickly I think we would have had a difficult evening even had they been available. It shows how good those two players are that we see Mullins, an experienced player who has played all his career at Championship and Premier League level, as a step down from those two.

Brighton were a bit like Swansea from a few years back with attractive football but no cutting edge but must consider themselves unlucky not to have taken something from the game. They did seem to expect a free kick or penalty every time there was any sort of contact from our players though and some of their appeals were ridiculous to my admittedly biased eyes. Watching from the opposite end it looked like their best shout for a penalty was a very short while before the one they got, which having seen it on TV since was pretty soft. Thankfully it was very poorly taken and Feds guessed the right way.

All the team worked incredibly hard and I couldn't pick an individual stand out player. We were again very disciplined and patient with our challenges knowing that Brighton were just waiting for a rash one.

Jimmy seemed to be struggling with his knee again. I'm a bit worried how many more games he is going to get through and wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't make Friday's game. Cywka was slightly disappointing and seemed to struggle to get in the game but he couldn't be faulted for his work rate.

As for Friday it's obviously going to be very tough even if we can patch most of our injured players and I think we are going to be weary after last night's game but this set of players are so determined they are well capable of getting a result . Not sure if Brighton can get anything at West Ham. I fear West Ham might be too physically strong for them

[Croydon Royal]

Not sure I can take another 90 minutes like that, let alone another 4 of them. No idea how we got the 3 points, but as the cliche goes, that's what promotion teams do. Just like Leeds on Friday, Brighton's style typified their manager - very South American in approach, lots of tricky flicks and one-twos and eager to go down at the slightest touch. Their big problem was that their strikers were anything but South American, and Pearce and Gorkks managed to outmuscle and get the better of them for the most part (although at times also relying on an element of luck and skin-of-teeth last ditch tackles).

My ratings:

Federici - 10 - Can't remember ever seeing him save a penalty before. A great stop, and one of many. One particular tip over in the second half was excellent.
Cummings - 9 - Defended superbly. Supported well going forward and showed sensible decision making against a winger desperate to draw the foul at every opportunity.
Harte - 8 - I thought he'd struggle against Brighton's pace but again he stayed strong and made some vital interceptions. His set pieces are so important to us.
Pearce - 8 - Easily the most improved player this season. Looks so dangerous at set pieces too.
Gorkks - 9 - A big reason for Pearce's improvement. Has that wonderful combination of strength, bravery and maturity.
Kebe - 5 - Didn't do much and his clearances (or lack of) put us under unnecessary pressure, but you still sense he can make a goal out of nothing.
McAnuff - 7 - Looking more like a captain as the season unfolds. His ability to keep hold of the ball was vital in last 20 mins last night.
Mullins - 6 - Looked out of sorts, but you'd expect that a little considering Brighton's tricky midfielders and his lack of match practice. Didn't really notice him going forward.
Cywka - 7 - Decent when he got his foot on the ball, but struggled to really grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Hunt - 8 - Started the game on the left wing and struggled, but when he came inside he was an excellent foil for Roberts (again). Won more than his fair share of headers.
Roberts - 8 - It helps so much that we have someone who can retain the ball up top and relieve some pressure. More skilful than he's given credit for, and wound up the home fans no end. Always looks like he's close to a red card, but just reins it in.

Gunnarsson - 100000 - I love this man.
Church - 6 - Some decent touches when he came on and held up the ball well. Never thought I'd write that.

Nice ground where the needs of the fan has been put first (well, apart from the travel). Lots of nice touches like the decent beer and train times displayed after the game, and fans are encouraged to mingle. Friendly home fans and excellent stewards, it's as if they see you as humans rather than animals. Stadium blends in well with the surroundings and has a surprisingly good atmosphere for a new ground. The spare space in the corners and shallow stands look odd though.

All in all, an excellent away trip, 3 points that I never expected and takes a lot of the pressure off Friday.

[HoneyRoastHoax]

I know a lot of people in the North Stand who said that their pen wasn't actually a pen at all. They said they should of had a pen but it wasn't that one. CMS was lazy and was diving, vincenete looked sharp, would of been great to see Jimmy turn it on as I beleive he would of come off the better but alas he went wondering, defensively and attacking poor.

Roberts was a rock and has properly got under their skin, Ive been told he apparently stamped on a player, I can't beleive if he did it was intentional. He showed his professionalism last night although should of been taken off at 80 as he was quite obviously knackered. It was a worry with 5 in midfield that they were able to just wonder through us, Mullins and Kebe not closing down quick enough. Hunt didn't really get a sniff at much but did put a shift in.

i thought Cwyka played well, he looked quite good going forward, could of released Roberts for a 1 on 1 at one point but held it for a bit too long. Defensively he wasn't great but it did get very nervy. Harte was brilliant as per, should of been 2 nil when pearce hit the bar off a harte cross. Gorks and Pearce got us out of trouble countless times, one nervy point when the ball fell to kebe to clear and it was cleared about 10 yards to their player. McAnuff solid as per and commanded the team. Was great to see Gunnarsson on at one point he had the option to run down the wing at their back 4, he didn't take it but would of been great to see if he still could!

Fedders won us that game, the penalty was shit to be fair, he respotted it about 3 times. I think the ref was abismal when we had a corner he blew up because they were clearly fouling peace, ref went over to say stop fouling then played on. Surely that a foul then? Credit to Cummings I thought he quietly got on and did his job really well.

Its sign of a good team when you can win games you probably shouldn't of done. Im glad we didn't buy CMS judging on his performance last night. Strange managing from Poyet to take both your strikers off with 20 mins to go but hey hes no McD. I forgot Church, he actually did well, kept the ball, knew what his job was with 5 mins left and did well. At one point he did their right back and could of run into the box but opted to twist and keep the ball, it was the right desicion.

Well done to everyone that stood the whole game even with the stewards telling us to sit. Why there was empty seats at the back I have no idea.

Im loving work this morning considering half of them were at the game!

MOTM Im giving to Cummings, he had to do it all by himself without Jimmys help and at times hinderance. He was strong and quick and played intelligently, not sure anyone else would agree but I thought he did well.

Oh and did anyone see the really old guy (he was about 70-80) snogging the face off a really young girl with brown hair, she was about 20. he didn't even look rich.

[SWLR]

Lovely pre-match pie (steak), but no beer served as 10 mins before kick-off -

Followed up by a chicken pie at half-time.

Pies - 10/10

Getting there 0/10
Getting back 8/10

Match were or-right too

[phil in cornwall]

Lovely pre-match pie (steak), but no beer served as 10 mins before kick-off -

Followed up by a chicken pie at half-time.

Good that you're getting your 5-a-day.

[SWLR]

Lovely pre-match pie (steak), but no beer served as 10 mins before kick-off -

Followed up by a chicken pie at half-time.

Good that you're getting your 5-a-day.

5 pies in one day - now that is a challenge.

[melonhead]

home by eleven

park and ride worked well.

pies excellent

real sausage in the hot dogs

real beer in the concourse

an appearance from brynjar

harte free kick


couldnt have been much better!

[pea]

One thing I'm not sure has been mentioned, I was impressed with how much Cywka got stuck in. Got in Brighton's faces and made some good tackles to break up attacks and got things moving forward quickly but intelligently for us in the limited number of chance he got on the ball. Was a shame we couldn't get it to him more as I thought he looked like he had a lot more in his locker.

[HoneyRoastHoax]

One thing I'm not sure has been mentioned, I was impressed with how much Cywka got stuck in. Got in Brighton's faces and made some good tackles to break up attacks and got things moving forward quickly but intelligently for us in the limited number of chance he got on the ball. Was a shame we couldn't get it to him more as I thought he looked like he had a lot more in his locker.

Agreed

[BR2]

Enjoyed last night-good ground,tense game and the right result.
Couldn't understand why Brian used Hunt wide left when his forte in recent weeks has been the main header of the ball centrally and of course Cwyka has played out wide in previous brief appearances.
Glad also to see Jobi move out wide later in the game as I really dion't feel that he is effective centrally.
Having said that,it worked because we got the right result.
As everybody else has said we just hope that Ledge is back on Friday as I think Saints will offer a lot more going forward.

One downside of last night was being behind the goal-we sit at the Mad Stad between the penalty area and the half-way line so get a really good idea of the whole pitch and what is happening whereas from behind the goal you have no idea of distance and how one of the earlier posters could be adamant that it wasn't a penalty is a nonsense.
Both sides did plenty of shirt-pulling and diving so I think the ref did better than some or most that we have endured all season.

Talking to others it is clear that we all feel that getting Roberts has made all the difference and credit to the player for once again lasting the full 90 minutes.
Vicente was the class act but in Roberts,Gorks and Pearce we have some real steel,something that puts us ahead of teams like West Ham when it comes to tight matches such as this.
How on earth we will manage in the Prem is another matter altogether but for determination and effort we are second to none (apart from Jimmy of course who looks injured and not often a threat since he got his new contract).

[RoyalBlue]

I think the ref was abismal when we had a corner he blew up because they were clearly fouling peace, ref went over to say stop fouling then played on. Surely that a foul then? .

Not if the ball wasn't in play at the time he blew his whistle.

[Barry the bird boggler]

I felt the performance was not up to the usual standard but given the apparent adjustment to the team formation and the fact some key players were missing, thanks to that certain northern team we had to play last Friday, it was probably to be expected.

Can't fault the players for effort and determination and the game turned into a typical smash and grab raid although we can be thankful Brighton did not have their shooting boots on yesterday.

Support was generaly noisy and greeted Bryn with what, I'm sure, was the loudest cheer of the game. However there did appear to be a few people in the crowd who spent the entire 90 minutes slagging Kebe off for not getting involved, or dribbling the length of the pitch and scoring, rather than supporting the entire team - yes I know he's frustrating but then I didn't think Mullins, Cywka or McAnuff were particularly noticeable either.

Here's hoping Leigertwood will soon be back and that we have no new injury worries ahead of Friday when we play the Ricky Lambert XI - here's hoping we can get something out of that.

Oh and Ian Harte, Harte, Harte, Ian Harte, Harte, Harte

[HoneyRoastHoax]

I think the ref was abismal when we had a corner he blew up because they were clearly fouling peace, ref went over to say stop fouling then played on. Surely that a foul then? .

Not if the ball wasn't in play at the time he blew his whistle.

You can still give a card though shirley

[bloody Volvo driver]

Few observations from last night

- decent ground, but getting to (in particular) and from needs "honing"
- Changed my mind late on about mode of transport from train to car. Reading some of the comments on NSC about the chaos on the trains last night, very glad I did
- Never been especially keen on BHA fans, but those I met last night decent honest bunch, barring the foul mouthed cow int he bus queue after getting excited by 2 youngish girls moving up a little bit in the queue to be with their parents, you would have thought they'd stabbed a puppy or something the fuss she was making.
- Brighton Bay Packers - anyone else notice on at least 2 occasions (including the run up to them hitting the bar) Brighton used "blockers" to clear a path for the bloke running with the ball. Not sure if that is clever play or not.
- First time we haven't played 4-4-2 in some while and with a forward playing wide and a wide man playing "in the gap", didn't really work. In fairness to McD, re-arranged things quite quickly when he realsied it wasn't working.
- Jimmy is not fit
- Ian's set peices are ablosutely lethal
- Pearcey needs to be a little cutier with his handiwork when up for corners / free kicks, must have had 4-5 free kicks awarded against him for clambering over his opponent.
- At the end, players celebrated more than just a customary 3 points, with our injuries / Brighton's home record, saw it as a huge step to our ultimate goal.

All in all a very satisfying night

[RoyalBlue]

I think the ref was abismal when we had a corner he blew up because they were clearly fouling peace, ref went over to say stop fouling then played on. Surely that a foul then? .

Not if the ball wasn't in play at the time he blew his whistle.

You can still give a card though shirley

Yes, you can, if you deem it to be worthy of a caution.

[pea]

- Brighton Bay Packers - anyone else notice on at least 2 occasions (including the run up to them hitting the bar) Brighton used "blockers" to clear a path for the bloke running with the ball. Not sure if that is clever play or not.

I was clever play because they got away with it. Took Cywka out of the equation second half to give Vicente his clean run on goal where he somehow managed to hit the crossbar when it looked easier to score from where I was standing.

Loved Alfie (or was it Hunt?) running on the pitch as soon as the ref blew and facing the away end and pumping his fist in the air!

[Upper West Ginger]

It wasn't particularly pretty, and I hope not to have to endure many more games like that one, but it was effective.
To lose Leigertwood, Tabb, and Karacan to injuries sustained against West Ham and Leeds really has ripped the middle out of our team, and our midfield played as if they had never met one another before (which is close to the truth given it included Mullins and Cywka). Good wing play is often cited as being the hallmark of the Reading way of playing, but Brighton were much better at it than us last night. Having Jobi in the centre of midfield is not ideal - we miss him on the wing. On the opposite side, Kebe was well below par. He must be carrying an injury of some sort. Most of the time he was doing an impression of a mobile clothes horse.
The back 4 got into trouble on a number of occasions - much worse than usual, probably because the midfielders were busy laying down welcome mats and inviting the opposition to stride through.
MOTM without doubt Federici. He rescued us several times, and is the only player deserving a mark above 7. He was miles better than the Brighton keeper, whose kicking abilities were laughable.
They say it is the mark of a good team that they can pull out a win even when not playing well. If that's true, Reading are a good team.

Next stop Southampton.

[arthurfondrelli]

Best big screens in the Championship imo

[brighton_royal]

+1 on the Federici MOTM award.

Scrappy football from us. Brighton played some good quick passing football with poor finishing thankfully. I think we mugged them a bit tbh.

Nice ground, good sound from the triple tiered stand when they could be bothered to make a noise.

Cheerleaders were quite fit. But my favourite was the fat one.

ratings?

Fat one 8/10. The others 7.5.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Best big screens in the Championship imo

Worst transportation links though.