Matchwatch : yeovil (h) in the couldnt give a flying one cup

[Sutekh]

If anyone cares there are 10 minutes left and currently losing 1-0 at home to yeovil

Moore, watson, cooper, mcintyre, richards, kelly, gravenberch, rinhomota, novakovich, samuel, frost started the game

Yeovil scored after about 50 minutes

Kelly off of injured in second half

Barrett on for kelly
Keown on for samuel
Smith on for richards

For the record Reading have already qualified for the next stage so the score is largely irrelevant. A loss just means Reading will finish 2nd to Yeovil and therefore will be away in the next round - so that'll be the plan to avoid the expense of staging the next game ...

[Sutekh]

Goal. Reading 0-2 Yeovil

1 minute left.

[Sutekh]

3 minutes added on.

Summary is Reading limited Yeovil to 2 set pieces and had the rest of the game without creating too much although yeovils keeper had a good game

[Sutekh]

Final score 0-2

[Saaaaaaaammmmmm]

Those screaming for Samuel to be given a chance will be delighted to know that he started tonight and was promptly subbed on 60 mins

Kelly picking up an injury in what is ultimately a meaningless game (even by Checkatrade standards) is a shame

[Saaaaaaaammmmmm]

At least @ReadingFC were actually live tweeting this one, albeit most likely the work experience kid #conciliation

[Sutekh]

Those screaming for Samuel to be given a chance will be delighted to know that he started tonight and was promptly subbed on 60 mins

Kelly picking up an injury in what is ultimately a meaningless game (even by Checkatrade standards) is a shame

According to Lee Heron, Samuel was only expected to complete an hour of the game as he has been unwell over the last few days.

[genome]

Stam out

[SCIAG]

Probably the worst I've seen a Reading team play this season. We weren't dreadful but the forwards got very little of the ball.

I would have liked to see Kelly and Barrett on at the same time, they were clearly our best players, but it wasn't to be. Watson and McIntyre had good games but otherwise it was underwhelming. There was a lack of flair or creativity. Omar Richards is a good player but doesn't look like a midfielder, and Novakovich is not a winger. Yeovil's goalkeeper was excellent but we should have done more.

[OLLIE KEARNS]

Thought I'd pop along to take a look at some of the stars of the future but was somewhat underwhelmed unfortunately.

The Positives
- Kelly was excellent and looks like he could really make a push for the first team sooner rather than later.
- Watson impressed again. Very comfortable with the ball.

The Potentials
- Barrett has something about him. A similar impact to his first team debut in that he was direct and looked to make things happen.
- Smith only got 10 minutes but also looks like he has something about him. Sharp mind and a bit of pace gave us a threat in behind late on.

The Concerns
- Cooper doesn't suit this style of play. Very cumbersome in moving the ball. At the same time he was dominant in the air and a threat from set pieces. Will have a decent career but not sure it will be here.
- Samuel doesn't look suited to it either. Really didn't offer a great deal.

The Fun Factor
- Gravenberch looks like a poor mans Bikey. It might be fun to see him in a first team game. He is actually pretty decent with the ball and distribution was good.

The Weak Bits
- The two wide midfielders were never positive in their play, always choosing the safe option rather looking to create.
- The wingers rarely threatened in behind.

Lots of possession but rarely looked threatening. Undone by the only two real chances Yeovil had.

[Stranded]

So the kids will be away to one of:

Wimbledon
Swindon
Coventry
Soton Academy
Norwich Academy
Southend
Millwall

Draw at 10.30

[SCIAG]

Southampton U21s - the worst possible draw.

[Maneki Neko]

People moan about this cup, but I see alot of British yoof players getting competetive football against good players. Whats not to like?


Also-its a shame that Cooper has lost so much confidence and fitness. Hes a great young player who just needs to cut out the mistakes.

Kelly, Watson and barrett both look decent. Look forward to them coming through

[muirinho]

People moan about this cup, but I see alot of British yoof players getting competetive football against good players. Whats not to like?

Think it's pretty useful for the academy sides. But it's not good for the other sides, who have their trophy sort of stolen from them. It's trying to sneak in "B" teams in the league by the backdoor.

Although maybe not... Half of the U21 sides have already gone out I think? And a number have been drawn together next round. So a maximum of 5 can progress. Wonder will the boycotts stop if all the academy sides get eliminated in the early stages.

Kelly, Watson and barrett both look decent. Look forward to them coming through

Watson - I wonder if he at least partially suffers from Stam's reluctance to substitute, and wanting players to be fit for the full 90? The times I've seen him he's been very good up to 70/75 minutes and then deteriorates. Hopefully the strength and stamina will improve this year.

[handbags_harris]

Thought I'd pop along to take a look at some of the stars of the future but was somewhat underwhelmed unfortunately.

The Positives
- Kelly was excellent and looks like he could really make a push for the first team sooner rather than later.
- Watson impressed again. Very comfortable with the ball.

The Potentials
- Barrett has something about him. A similar impact to his first team debut in that he was direct and looked to make things happen.
- Smith only got 10 minutes but also looks like he has something about him. Sharp mind and a bit of pace gave us a threat in behind late on.

The Concerns
- Cooper doesn't suit this style of play. Very cumbersome in moving the ball. At the same time he was dominant in the air and a threat from set pieces. Will have a decent career but not sure it will be here.
- Samuel doesn't look suited to it either. Really didn't offer a great deal.

The Fun Factor
- Gravenberch looks like a poor mans Bikey. It might be fun to see him in a first team game. He is actually pretty decent with the ball and distribution was good.

The Weak Bits
- The two wide midfielders were never positive in their play, always choosing the safe option rather looking to create.
- The wingers rarely threatened in behind.

Lots of possession but rarely looked threatening. Undone by the only two real chances Yeovil had.

Pretty much how I saw it Ollie. Second half in particular down the left the amount of times McIntyre fronted up his full back when isolated then didn't have the confidence to try to get the yard and cross was chronically stifling. Always cut back and passed back.

[Billy The Fish]

Attendance: 739

The archetypal game of two halves really, you couldn't see us losing it at half-time. And I'm in agreement with most of the player ratings given above.

Here's mine:

Moore - can't remember him doing anything but pick the ball out of the net but not at fault for the goals
Cooper - Lacking confidence, always looked under pressure on the ball
Samuel - I can see why he's not the answer to our first team striker issues
Gravenberch - An imposing presence but got frustrated, better when he moved up into midfield
Watson - Good
Kelly - Good until injured by a challenge that should have earned a booking for their no 19
Rinomhota, Richards , Novakovich, Smith - OK, but nothing special
McIntyre, Frost, Barrett - The pick of the kids
Keown - Looked out of his depth when he came on in defence

A shame we couldn't finish top of the group, I actually quite enjoyed the chance to see some of the fringe players. Perhaps I'll make the trip down the M3...