BFTG - Sheffield

[Zip]

It really is something for a team without a manager to totally destroy Gomes tactically.

Is it? Really? I'm not going to use the old cliché about Gomes being tactically naive because I don't believe that to be true. It's far worse than that, he's tactically unaware. Seems like a really nice fella but i fear that this season could be just as bad as the last. He's had half a season and a full pre-season including two transfer windows to improve us and there's precious little sign of it happening.

So he didn’t improve us last season? Seriously? We are one game in. New signings to come in yet. Let’s see where are at the end of September and let’s not forget he has been given a zero transfer budget to date.

[RoyalBlue]

Keeper was shite unfortunately.
Loader needs a rocket up his arse.
Barrett was slightly better.
We'll need to go to three at the back if Yiadom is expected to play RW.

How the f*ck was Virginia shite? An absolutely ridiculous comment. If you feel the need to have a scapegoat then have a look at some of the experienced pros like Captain Moore who has a really bad game by his standards and gifted them a goal. Then there was Yiadom who was good going forwards but seems to have given up on defensive duties. Meite who didn’t do basics right like crossing hard and low - instead stroking the ball across allowing defenders to clear easily.

[Jack Celliers]

It was OK. Moore's mistake was a bit of a surprise, but we came back with a nice equaliser, then gave away another soft goal.

I thought we would get an equaliser, but then Adam came on, and that was it really. It must have been soul-destroying for the rest of the team who had been so careful with the ball - Swift especially - to see him come on and spray hollywood balls into touch.

That was Ok? What?

As for your Adam comment....he played at least two absolutely beautiful balls to barrow that cut out their right side and put him into space.

Soul destroying for Swift? Don’t make me laugh.

It was OK. 3-1 seemed fair by the end, but if we had been given a penalty, or made slightly wiser substitutions it might have been different.

Adam was shit and it must have been just as horrible for him as a former international and premiership player. That bit where he clumsily got in the way of a Wednesday player and left him on the floor without a foul being given made me think of Buster Bloodvessel. Good players have made worse debuts than that, but there has been nothing so ominously sinister since we first saw Drenthe.

[leon]

It was OK. Moore's mistake was a bit of a surprise, but we came back with a nice equaliser, then gave away another soft goal.

I thought we would get an equaliser, but then Adam came on, and that was it really. It must have been soul-destroying for the rest of the team who had been so careful with the ball - Swift especially - to see him come on and spray hollywood balls into touch.

That was Ok? What?

As for your Adam comment....he played at least two absolutely beautiful balls to barrow that cut out their right side and put him into space.

Soul destroying for Swift? Don’t make me laugh.

It was OK. 3-1 seemed fair by the end, but if we had been given a penalty, or made slightly wiser substitutions it might have been different.

Adam was shit and it must have been just as horrible for him as a former international and premiership player. That bit where he clumsily got in the way of a Wednesday player and left him on the floor without a foul being given made me think of Buster Bloodvessel. Good players have made worse debuts than that, but there has been nothing so ominously sinister since we first saw Drenthe.

Sorry Jack but that’s horseshit.

Losing 3-1 to that team is not OK.

He came on when we were struggling at home against a fairly mediocre side having created very little and spent most of the game passing the ball in our own half aimlessly. He tried to change things.

That he was one of our better players (name anyone who was better / don’t say Swift he was, as always ineffectual) speaks volumes.

[Muskrat]

It really is something for a team without a manager to totally destroy Gomes tactically.

Is it? Really? I'm not going to use the old cliché about Gomes being tactically naive because I don't believe that to be true. It's far worse than that, he's tactically unaware. Seems like a really nice fella but i fear that this season could be just as bad as the last. He's had half a season and a full pre-season including two transfer windows to improve us and there's precious little sign of it happening.

So he didn’t improve us last season? Seriously? We are one game in. New signings to come in yet. Let’s see where are at the end of September and let’s not forget he has been given a zero transfer budget to date.

No I don't believe he did improve us to any significant degree last season. We were 21st when he took over and finished 20th, so only the most marginal of improvements and I think Clement would have done at least as well. As for this season it goes without saying that it's far too early to judge and here's hoping at the end of September we're up around mid table and, importantly, can also see some tangible footballing style and ethos developing.

[percy_freeman]

and you can add Sheff Wed to the growing list of normally noisy fans who were completely silent today despite the win.
What planet wee you on?

[RoyalBlue]

Is it? Really? I'm not going to use the old cliché about Gomes being tactically naive because I don't believe that to be true. It's far worse than that, he's tactically unaware. Seems like a really nice fella but i fear that this season could be just as bad as the last. He's had half a season and a full pre-season including two transfer windows to improve us and there's precious little sign of it happening.

So he didn’t improve us last season? Seriously? We are one game in. New signings to come in yet. Let’s see where are at the end of September and let’s not forget he has been given a zero transfer budget to date.

No I don't believe he did improve us to any significant degree last season. We were 21st when he took over and finished 20th, so only the most marginal of improvements and I think Clement would have done at least as well. As for this season it goes without saying that it's far too early to judge and here's hoping at the end of September we're up around mid table and, importantly, can also see some tangible footballing style and ethos developing.

Clueless Clement would've done just as well?!!!

[Zip]

Is it? Really? I'm not going to use the old cliché about Gomes being tactically naive because I don't believe that to be true. It's far worse than that, he's tactically unaware. Seems like a really nice fella but i fear that this season could be just as bad as the last. He's had half a season and a full pre-season including two transfer windows to improve us and there's precious little sign of it happening.

So he didn’t improve us last season? Seriously? We are one game in. New signings to come in yet. Let’s see where are at the end of September and let’s not forget he has been given a zero transfer budget to date.

No I don't believe he did improve us to any significant degree last season. We were 21st when he took over and finished 20th, so only the most marginal of improvements and I think Clement would have done at least as well. As for this season it goes without saying that it's far too early to judge and here's hoping at the end of September we're up around mid table and, importantly, can also see some tangible footballing style and ethos developing.

He may not have improved us by much in a positional sense but our points per games ratio showed a considerable improvement under Gomes compared with Clement. Unlike Clement he did this with a negative net transfer spend too.

[RoyalBlue]

Keeper was shite unfortunately.
Loader needs a rocket up his arse.
Barrett was slightly better.
We'll need to go to three at the back if Yiadom is expected to play RW.

I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion the keeper was shite. There is nothing Virginia could have done with the goals and he saved what he could.

Could have saved the 1st goal.

2nd goal appeared straight at him.
Looked like he was down slowly for the 3rd goal, and not his fault but he's too short to save anything heading towards the corners.

On what basis do you say he could have saved the 1st goal? Might as well throw that out at any keeper. Second goal straight at him? Might have been close to him but from close range and with great power. Only a lucky reflex save would've kept that out.

Too short to save anything heading towards corners - the biggest bollocks of the three claims you make. A) He is 6 foot 3 so by no means short. That sort of height (and indeed a lot shorter) does not prevent a good keeper diving to the extreme of their goal. Indeed, being 'shorter' can be an advantage for ground shots.

[RoyalBlue]

Keeper was shite unfortunately.
Loader needs a rocket up his arse.
Barrett was slightly better.
We'll need to go to three at the back if Yiadom is expected to play RW.

I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion the keeper was shite. There is nothing Virginia could have done with the goals and he saved what he could.

Though he flapped at the second and I knew where the third was going several seconds before it went there, so he should have been able to get there, even to the corner.

'Flapped at the second' ? Yes, a powerful header from close range that would've left most, if not all, keepers flapping and would only have been kept out by a lucky reflex save. And someone else, criticises him and says he would've saved it had he not moved!!

As for you, Mystic Meg, knowing where the third was going several seconds before it went there........

There seem to be an awful lot of 'goalkeeping experts' on this board - makes me wonder why I had to look hard to find decent, properly qualified, specialist goalkeeping coaches for my kids. Biggest problem they, and most young keepers encounter is outfield managers who think they know about goalkeeping and can coach keepers when actually they know pretty much diddly squat about that specialist position and consequently are appalling coaches.

[Notts Royal]

Sounds like once again it’s the case of square pegs in round holes.

Meite one wing, Barrow the other, Olise in No.10, Nova up top to me. All players playing in their positions. Loader & Barrett then to come off the bench

But that’s just from a fan speaking who doesn’t get to many games. Just prefer to see players in their positions rather than this Fluid-crap

[bobbybottler]

I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion the keeper was shite. There is nothing Virginia could have done with the goals and he saved what he could.

Though he flapped at the second and I knew where the third was going several seconds before it went there, so he should have been able to get there, even to the corner.

'Flapped at the second' ? Yes, a powerful header from close range that would've left most, if not all, keepers flapping and would only have been kept out by a lucky reflex save. And someone else, criticises him and says he would've saved it had he not moved!!

As for you, Mystic Meg, knowing where the third was going several seconds before it went there........

RB - Ian has a magic radio, as we should all know by now

[Denver Royal]

Moore escapes a lot of criticism I see. I though he was more captain birdseye that captain of Reading.
Martinez would have got that.
Loader, out of position but still not a championship player in my opinion.
Yiadom I can forgive, we know how good he is.
Rinomohta was a terrible disappointment, hopefully he can get over today, again we know how good he is.

Well, Yiadom and Rino, this being a game thread, we’re evaluating them on this game, not what they can

[morganb]

Everyone will see different things depending on where they were sat but there were 14 Reading players out on the pitch today and the two that everyone appears to be focusing on are Virginia (a strange signing admittedly though the criticism on here is a bit harsh) and Adam (pleasantly surprised at how he performed - better than I expected).

How come Loader is exempt from criticism for just floating around a bit on the periphery? Feel he will be in the first team until he signs a new contract. Or Barrow who put in a typical Barrow performance - running fast with little end product (thought the ref hated him)? Meite's performance was so typical too. Where's the slating of Swift that we normally get - is that because he actually had a good game?

Why is nobody really laying into Gomes and saying he should have brought Nova on earlier? And how the interchanging front line doesn't really work.

Then there is Omar Richards who has hardly been mentioned - not sure if this is good or bad? Miazga was solid, Moore has played better. Rino disappointing. Yiadom looked totally knackered (not surprising) just before their third went in but he still attempted to chase back. Barrett started well but gradually faded and was subbed at the right time.

[Denver Royal]

Moore escapes a lot of criticism I see. I thought he was more captain birdseye that captain of Reading.
Keeper seemed slow again getting down for the third, noticed the same against Chelsea. Martinez would have got that.
Loader still not a championship player in my opinion.
Yiadom I can forgive, we know what he can do.
Rinomohta was a terrible disappointment, hopefully he can get over today, again we know how good he is.3

Interesting comments.
I suggested we look at selling Moore and try and sign Martinez (or other loanees).
Yiadom/Rino, this being a game thread, we’re evaluating them based on that, and why we lost, not what they are capable of.
As such, I’m waaay more disappointed in those two today, than I am the newbies.
Both are ‘player of season, 1st name on teamsheet’ types.
(They both also have weaknesses in their game, but won’t go there today).

[URZZZZ]

So he didn’t improve us last season? Seriously? We are one game in. New signings to come in yet. Let’s see where are at the end of September and let’s not forget he has been given a zero transfer budget to date.

No I don't believe he did improve us to any significant degree last season. We were 21st when he took over and finished 20th, so only the most marginal of improvements and I think Clement would have done at least as well. As for this season it goes without saying that it's far too early to judge and here's hoping at the end of September we're up around mid table and, importantly, can also see some tangible footballing style and ethos developing.

Clueless Clement would've done just as well?!!!

You mean clueless Clement who kept us up the season before and Swansea (in the Premier League) up the season before that. You talking about that Clement, right?

[URZZZZ]

That was Ok? What?

As for your Adam comment....he played at least two absolutely beautiful balls to barrow that cut out their right side and put him into space.

Soul destroying for Swift? Don’t make me laugh.

It was OK. 3-1 seemed fair by the end, but if we had been given a penalty, or made slightly wiser substitutions it might have been different.

Adam was shit and it must have been just as horrible for him as a former international and premiership player. That bit where he clumsily got in the way of a Wednesday player and left him on the floor without a foul being given made me think of Buster Bloodvessel. Good players have made worse debuts than that, but there has been nothing so ominously sinister since we first saw Drenthe.

Sorry Jack but that’s horseshit.

Losing 3-1 to that team is not OK.

He came on when we were struggling at home against a fairly mediocre side having created very little and spent most of the game passing the ball in our own half aimlessly. He tried to change things.

That he was one of our better players (name anyone who was better / don’t say Swift he was, as always ineffectual) speaks volumes.

Sorry but you're deluded if you think Adam was better than Swift. Swift was by far our best player and that's coming from someone who doesn't really rate him (funny how Swift has had very little credit for his pass to Yiadom for the handball shot btw). Richards and Virginia aside, the other 8 starters ranged from shocking to poor

[BR0B0T]

I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion the keeper was shite. There is nothing Virginia could have done with the goals and he saved what he could.

Though he flapped at the second and I knew where the third was going several seconds before it went there, so he should have been able to get there, even to the corner.

'Flapped at the second' ? Yes, a powerful header from close range that would've left most, if not all, keepers flapping and would only have been kept out by a lucky reflex save. And someone else, criticises him and says he would've saved it had he not moved!!

As for you, Mystic Meg, knowing where the third was going several seconds before it went there........

'greed! A real rocket of a header!

...and as for mystic- megging the third Ian, I'm guessing you saw it from the televised angle, where you get to see the striker's body movement. IIRC the defender blocks this from the keeper so he can't react fast enough.

[Chameleon]

It was OK. Moore's mistake was a bit of a surprise, but we came back with a nice equaliser, then gave away another soft goal.

I thought we would get an equaliser, but then Adam came on, and that was it really. It must have been soul-destroying for the rest of the team who had been so careful with the ball - Swift especially - to see him come on and spray hollywood balls into touch.

That was Ok? What?

As for your Adam comment....he played at least two absolutely beautiful balls to barrow that cut out their right side and put him into space.

Soul destroying for Swift? Don’t make me laugh.

It was OK. 3-1 seemed fair by the end, but if we had been given a penalty, or made slightly wiser substitutions it might have been different.

Adam was shit and it must have been just as horrible for him as a former international and premiership player. That bit where he clumsily got in the way of a Wednesday player and left him on the floor without a foul being given made me think of Buster Bloodvessel. Good players have made worse debuts than that, but there has been nothing so ominously sinister since we first saw Drenthe.

Now that is some nonsense, it was some very astute defending given that if he got beaten it was a 2 on 1 against the keeper, with a potential easy cross in for the goal. Letting the ball go between his legs(?) and making the opposition striker run into him while unorthodox was a clever bit of defending, just like in basketball, you can't give away a contact foul if you're not moving. The fact that he was the fastest one to run back and be the last defender was far more concerning.

As for his overall performance he was really good until they went down to 10, at which point he kept on lobbing up dubious long balls down the middle, but Miazga, Virginia and others all started doing the same, which made it look like some sort of mental tactic.

[leon]

It was OK. 3-1 seemed fair by the end, but if we had been given a penalty, or made slightly wiser substitutions it might have been different.

Adam was shit and it must have been just as horrible for him as a former international and premiership player. That bit where he clumsily got in the way of a Wednesday player and left him on the floor without a foul being given made me think of Buster Bloodvessel. Good players have made worse debuts than that, but there has been nothing so ominously sinister since we first saw Drenthe.

Sorry Jack but that’s horseshit.

Losing 3-1 to that team is not OK.

He came on when we were struggling at home against a fairly mediocre side having created very little and spent most of the game passing the ball in our own half aimlessly. He tried to change things.

That he was one of our better players (name anyone who was better / don’t say Swift he was, as always ineffectual) speaks volumes.

Sorry but you're deluded if you think Adam was better than Swift. Swift was by far our best player and that's coming from someone who doesn't really rate him (funny how Swift has had very little credit for his pass to Yiadom for the handball shot btw). Richards and Virginia aside, the other 8 starters ranged from shocking to poor

What did Swift actually do? Ok he played one ball to Yiadom. And? He didn’t affect the midfield at all, we we were overrun and we didn’t create anything from the midfield.

Adam played some actual passes to players that meant we were in an attacking position.

What did Swift actually do?