Pre season tour

[morganb]

He looks small and as others were commenting around me yesterday, in the pre match huggle fest he was noticeably shorter than some of the players. We must have big players.

Looking at the available heights on the web page he was the tallest player on the pitch for us in the 1st half by about 3 to 4 cms.

Like I said, I would question them stats.

Either way, presence wise, he genuinely looked like a fish out of water and "school boy". He needs to improve and fast, otherwise, I can see our fan base destroy the poor lad. I hope he is amazing, because if Sam Walker is plan B then we need to be thinking up a plan c and fast.

It must be the way that teenage keepers stand as both Virginia and Boyce-Clarke look small when stood in the goal but the stats say otherwise. Perhaps they look 'slight' rather than 'short' but there seems to be agreement that they don't fill the goal.

I imagine yesterday's game could be the biggest crowd Virginia has played in front of and Chelsea are a top side so perhaps he was a little awestruck?

So long as the crowd get behind him, rather than on his back then I am sure he will be fine.

[Hendo]

Looking at the available heights on the web page he was the tallest player on the pitch for us in the 1st half by about 3 to 4 cms.

Like I said, I would question them stats.

Either way, presence wise, he genuinely looked like a fish out of water and "school boy". He needs to improve and fast, otherwise, I can see our fan base destroy the poor lad. I hope he is amazing, because if Sam Walker is plan B then we need to be thinking up a plan c and fast.

It must be the way that teenage keepers stand as both Virginia and Boyce-Clarke look small when stood in the goal but the stats say otherwise. Perhaps they look 'slight' rather than 'short' but there seems to be agreement that they don't fill the goal.

I imagine yesterday's game could be the biggest crowd Virginia has played in front of and Chelsea are a top side so perhaps he was a little awestruck?

So long as the crowd get behind him, rather than on his back then I am sure he will be fine.

This is Reading fans we are talking about here...

[Nameless]

I imagine yesterday's game could be the biggest crowd Virginia has played in front of and Chelsea are a top side so perhaps he was a little awestruck?

.

Was he awestruck by Peterborough as well ?

[Hound]

wouldn't massively blame him for that second goal yesterday - took a deflection and was always moving away from him. He looks to me on the extended highlights as a bit 'jumpy' - he is always moving about, which i think prevents him dominating an area around him. Reckon he'll make some fabulous saves mixed with quite a bit of flappery

Walker's efforts on the 3rd and 4th were laughably awful - that pass the 4th was horrific. Shame as he has had a good preseason

one other small thing that hasn't been mentioned much - there's something about that Loader pass for the first goal which I love. Such a clean, fast, accurate hit - beautiful technique.

[RoyalBlue]

I'd question them stats or there is a big dip in that goal!!

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/teams/first ... -virginia/

Other sources have him at 1.92m or 6ft 3"

He looks small and as others were commenting around me yesterday, in the pre match huggle fest he was noticeably shorter than some of the players. We must have big players.

Yep ,'looking small' is different from being short. At nineteen he is likely to look less solid (not as much a big unit) than most older keepers. I suspect people are also under-rating his levels of self-confidence. Keepers lacking in confidence don't tend to last long and he has got to a pretty high level at a young age. I haven't seen him play live yet but does he communicate well, and constantly, to his team mates to the point of seeming bossy. That's a key requirement in any keeper.

IMO it's great to see keepers adopt the Schmeichel Senior approach - even when a goal conceded looks to have been down to them, they still give their team mates a bollocking (fair point, why did they let the ball get near the goal!).

[Zammo]

What was the official crowd ? Difficult to tell who was Chelski before the game, but as soon as it started they all got out their camera phones lol.
So plastic that they couldn't either find their seat (which is clearly printed on the ticket ) or actually stay seated for more than 5 minutes. Up, down, up, down, f**k off.

Roll on the empty terraces this Saturday.

Enjoyed watching the youngsters though. UUURRRZZ.

[Lower West]

19,463 apparantly.

Those were the ones who got in. Suspect some gave up...........

[Bigtimmeh]

Yes I agree. Where I was sitting we were having a similar discussion about how short he looked. Hard to doubt the stats but maybe it's a matter of posture and presence. The man needs to be in control of that box! Very worrying the gks were there only real negative for me yesterday..

[Denver Royal]

Yes I agree. Where I was sitting we were having a similar discussion about how short he looked. Hard to doubt the stats but maybe it's a matter of posture and presence. Very worrying the gks were there only real negative for me yesterday.The man needs to be in control of that box! .

Martinez controlled the box and came off his line a lot. Didn't expect this kid to be his equal, but think we're going to miss it all the same.

[Bigtimmeh]

Yes I agree. Where I was sitting we were having a similar discussion about how short he looked. Hard to doubt the stats but maybe it's a matter of posture and presence. Very worrying the gks were there only real negative for me yesterday.The man needs to be in control of that box! .

Martinez controlled the box and came off his line a lot. Didn't expect this kid to be his equal, but think we're going to miss it all the same.

Yes..I agree I hope the back four can adapt to not having that presence. Martinez had an impressive highlights reel he put on YouTube after just half a season...I think there is an argument to be had for recalling mannone (if it's possible..).

[Snowflake Royal]

Clearly he gets a spot on the bench instead of Richards.
We still have cover right across the back 4. Having been the starter for the first X1 throughout preseason it would be a kick in the teeth for McIntyre to not be at least on the bench. I’d have him there ahead of Morrison.

Unfortunately for McIntyre, Gomes has to do what’s best for the team. Having two CB’s on the bench is pointless really, so whilst he’s a better player than Richards, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesnt make the 18. Of course Blackett may be out anyway in which case Richards would probably start with both CB’s being on the bench anyway

Will be interesting to see who partners Moore though. There’s a case for all three of them really. Morrison’s goal yesterday may have put him as favourite right now

Not a chance Miazga isn't starting. Wouldn't shock me if there isn't something in the loan agreement specifying he has to start when fit.

He looked a bit leggy to me, so I think he won't start the season, but will soon be brought in.

[Snowflake Royal]

wouldn't massively blame him for that second goal yesterday - took a deflection and was always moving away from him. He looks to me on the extended highlights as a bit 'jumpy' - he is always moving about, which i think prevents him dominating an area around him. Reckon he'll make some fabulous saves mixed with quite a bit of flappery

Walker's efforts on the 3rd and 4th were laughably awful - that pass the 4th was horrific. Shame as he has had a good preseason

one other small thing that hasn't been mentioned much - there's something about that Loader pass for the first goal which I love. Such a clean, fast, accurate hit - beautiful technique.

The Yiadom - Loader - Meite - Yiadom - Loader - Barrett interchange was beautiful.

[Bigtimmeh]

Unfortunately for McIntyre, Gomes has to do what’s best for the team. Having two CB’s on the bench is pointless really, so whilst he’s a better player than Richards, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesnt make the 18. Of course Blackett may be out anyway in which case Richards would probably start with both CB’s being on the bench anyway

Will be interesting to see who partners Moore though. There’s a case for all three of them really. Morrison’s goal yesterday may have put him as favourite right now

Not a chance Miazga isn't starting. Wouldn't shock me if there isn't something in the loan agreement specifying he has to start when fit.

He looked a bit leggy to me, so I think he won't start the season, but will soon be brought in.

He played three matches for the USA in the gold cup this summer..maybe he hasn't had much rest?

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Any opinion on Adam's set pieces? We've been awful at them (especially corners) since Ian Harte died. I saw Meite win a couple of headers from well-delivered corners on the highlights, but couldn't see who took them.

Also - could one of Morrison, Miazga or McIntyre play a holding midfield role?

[Hound]

Swift took a number of the corners and free kicks on the highlights. Looked pretty good but don’t know if he delivered a load of rubbish ones as well

I think we’ll need to be - and will be - a lot better at attacking set pieces this year

[paultheroyal]

Any opinion on Adam's set pieces? We've been awful at them (especially corners) since Ian Harte died. I saw Meite win a couple of headers from well-delivered corners on the highlights, but couldn't see who took them.

Also - could one of Morrison, Miazga or McIntyre play a holding midfield role?

Believe it was Adam's delivery on the corner for Morrisson's goal. The ball played in was undefendible. More of the same please.

[Sutekh]

wouldn't massively blame him for that second goal yesterday - took a deflection and was always moving away from him. He looks to me on the extended highlights as a bit 'jumpy' - he is always moving about, which i think prevents him dominating an area around him. Reckon he'll make some fabulous saves mixed with quite a bit of flappery

Walker's efforts on the 3rd and 4th were laughably awful - that pass the 4th was horrific. Shame as he has had a good preseason

one other small thing that hasn't been mentioned much - there's something about that Loader pass for the first goal which I love. Such a clean, fast, accurate hit - beautiful technique.

Goalkeeper is going to be the weakest point for Reading, overall I think we’d all want a more experienced keeper to have been brought in.

Walker did himself no favours yesterday in gifting 2 goals to Chelsea and Virginia has talent but is inexperienced and will have to go through a learning curve this season. Let’s hope he learns very quickly as he is Gomes’ riskiest decision yet.

[Tilehurstsouthbank]

What was the official crowd ? Difficult to tell who was Chelski before the game, but as soon as it started they all got out their camera phones lol.
So plastic that they couldn't either find their seat (which is clearly printed on the ticket ) or actually stay seated for more than 5 minutes. Up, down, up, down, f**k off.

Roll on the empty terraces this Saturday.

Enjoyed watching the youngsters though. UUURRRZZ.

Oh mate it was painful. Five minutes before halftime this young couple that looked straight of the set of Love Island sat in front of us. First thing they did? Held there tickets up level with the pitch and Instagrammed a picture.

[Tilehurstsouthbank]

Any opinion on Adam's set pieces? We've been awful at them (especially corners) *since Ian Harte died. I saw Meite win a couple of headers from well-delivered corners on the highlights, but couldn't see who took them.

Also - could one of Morrison, Miazga or McIntyre play a holding midfield role?

*I'm sorry, what?

[morganb]

Any opinion on Adam's set pieces? We've been awful at them (especially corners) since Ian Harte died. I saw Meite win a couple of headers from well-delivered corners on the highlights, but couldn't see who took them.

Also - could one of Morrison, Miazga or McIntyre play a holding midfield role?

Believe it was Adam's delivery on the corner for Morrisson's goal. The ball played in was undefendible. More of the same please.

It was - I said to my son, as Adam jogged across to take the corner, that apparently he is very good at set pieces. Next minute the ball is on Morrison's forehead then in the back of the net!