Royals Score From Corner - And Collect Point

23 January 2016
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading secured a point against Sheffield Wednesday at home, after trailing for most of the match, thanks to a Jake Cooper goal from a corner. Oliver Norwood supplied the delivery from the right on 74 minutes and Cooper headed home to make it 1-1 and complete a very rare conversion of a corner. It was the least Reading deserved after being much the better team in the second half. However, Reading had another poor start to thank for failing to pick up the full three points.

McDermott opted to start with new signing George Evans in midfield, but the new look starting eleven looked disjointed from the start. The visitors could have moved ahead but hit the base of the post with an early shot. On ten minutes they were in the lead when the ball from cut back from the right, and the defence failed to close Hooper down allowing him to score. Vydra looked set to pull Reading level not long after when he was taken down in the area despite running away from goal. It was a bad penalty to concede but Vydra failed to follow up on his Tuesday night hat-trick and instead saw his spot kick come back out from the post.

Piazon was replaced by second new signing Kermorgant after the break and Reading started to gain control of the match. We improved further when John replaced Evans just after the hour mark, eventually leading to the goal. Reading might have gone on to win the match with superior possession and some decent football but Wednesday held on for the draw.

Reading secured a point against Sheffield Wednesday at home, after trailing for most of the match, thanks to a Jake Cooper goal from a corner. Oliver Norwood supplied the delivery from the right on 74 minutes and Cooper headed home to make it 1-1 and complete a very rare conversion of a corner. It was the least Reading deserved after being much the better team in the second half. However, Reading had another poor start to thank for failing to pick up the full three points.
<Br/><br/>
McDermott opted to start with new signing George Evans in midfield, but the new look starting eleven looked disjointed from the start. The visitors could have moved ahead but hit the base of the post with an early shot. On ten minutes they were in the lead when the ball from cut back from the right, and the defence failed to close Hooper down allowing him to score. Vydra looked set to pull Reading level not long after when he was taken down in the area despite running away from goal. It was a bad penalty to concede but Vydra failed to follow up on his Tuesday night hat-trick and instead saw his spot kick come back out from the post.
<br/><br/>
Piazon was replaced by second new signing Kermorgant after the break and Reading started to gain control of the match. We improved further when John replaced Evans just after the hour mark, eventually leading to the goal. Reading might have gone on to win the match with superior possession and some decent football but Wednesday held on for the draw.

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.royals.org/matchreport/230116/Reading_1_Sheff_Wed_1"><strong>MATCH REPORT:</strong> Reading 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1</a></li></ul>

Discussion On This Story:

  Ian Royal

» 23 Jan 2016 18:11

Well not the best but a decent point.
Game of two halves really. Wednesday started well brayed on by their loud fans. We started like we were intimidated. We couldn't cope with their high press. But they decided to settle fot 1-0 and tine waste from at least as early as the half hour mark. Dirty, cynical, cheating Northern barstewards.
Al-Habsi 7 didn't do much wrong. When he doesn't drop a howler he inspires confidence.

Gunter 6 great block 2nd half but every time he receives the ball his first reaction is cautious control. He always dithers and has to play negative. Same with throws.

Obita 6 not lost the silly fouls drom his game but ok.

Ferdinand 7 too casual with his passing firat half

Cooper 7 scored but too casual first half and gave them the ball for their goal.

Norwood 6 off the boil first half and way too deep

Evans 6 looked to have class but played too deep, there was a point when he and Norwood were in CB positions with Cooper and Ferdie at fullback

Williams 5/8 first half anonymous, utterlywasted and useless out wide. In the middle everything we'd missed driving us forward and taking players out the game

HRK 6/7 played well when he switched to the right, otherwise ok

Vydra 7 missed the pen but caused loads of problems, got no protection from being fouled endlessly

Piazon 5 anonymous
John 7 tries to do too much

Kermorgant 6 looked lively! But i think it was him who missed what looked an easy free header to win it
still good signs there, lost McCleary at the wrong time though. Should have won, not bad considering we looked hopelessly outclassed in the first 20.

  Maneki Neko

» 23 Jan 2016 18:14

OK in the end. Could have won.

Wish brian would start picking the right team and system for the first half instead of waiting for the 2nd

  John Madejski's Wallet

» 23 Jan 2016 18:21

Least he's getting it right it the second half.
That's 45min better then the previous 2 managers

  Pepe the Horseman

» 23 Jan 2016 18:22

Thought Wednesday were the best team we've played for the first 15, and could've given us a real spanking if they hadn't sat back after they scored.
Vydra did brilliantly to win the pen, shame he then fluffed his lines again.
Gunts and Hal both very good, particularly in the second half.
Williams was good once he moved back into CM.
Yann looked decent, his header looked like an absolute sitter though.
Evans was pretty poor, but I'm sure he'll get better.

  Kitsondinho

» 23 Jan 2016 18:26

Pleased with a point. Played well after we went behind....Wednesday were so negative and came for a point. I was really surprised by that because the few times they hit us on the break, they looked an excellent team. Overall, we could have nicked all 3 points with an excellent 2nd half display BUT we have to stop giving teams a goal start. As an aside I thought Obita defended really well today and was much better at not diving in and getting beaten.

  Pepe the Horseman

» 23 Jan 2016 18:26

I liked the look of their right back.

  John Madejski's Wallet

» 23 Jan 2016 18:27

Enjoyed that last 30 min to be fair. Once John came on and Williams went into the middle we looked good for a goal or two.
I am a massive critic of HRK, but he was very, very good on the right. He can play there again. Kermogant looks decent and will hopefully partner Vydra well. Speaking of Vydra, he put in a right shift today but not much came off.
Obita got forward well, but I think we looked weaker defensively without Taylor there.
Evans seems ok, but I don't get why we signed him. With Quinn and Tishbola to come back, he's unnecessary and far too much like Norwood. We looked really weak with him and. Norwood together in the middle as they were both playing far too deep
Still, came away fairly upbeat

  PieEater

» 23 Jan 2016 18:27

We really should have won that.
Debut for Evans that was a 4 or 5 out of 10. We had to accommodate him by playing Williams wide and that _really_ screwed us. It really wasn't worth it, for all the hype he did nothing of note expect shoot wide a couple of times when the least you'd hope for is a shot in target. I'd much rather have Quinn playing.
Same for Kermogant, as the song says "what can I say. you've been totally shit from the start" and he did nothing to dispel that, missed a header (badly) and pretty well did nothing else.
I really wonder what McD thinks we play, there's no apparent system. Having said that it was good to see Obita back.

  Pepe the Horseman

» 23 Jan 2016 18:29


Disagree on Kermie. Looked strong. Good in the air (apart from the sitter!), and some nice touches. We were much better with him on the pitch.

  John Madejski's Wallet

» 23 Jan 2016 18:31


Disagree on Kermie. Looked strong. Good in the air (apart from the sitter!), and some nice touches. We were much better with him on the pitch.
^^ 'greed
He was looking to put Vydra through when he could too. Liked the look of him

  Ian Royal

» 23 Jan 2016 18:31

On the pen, I've got to say weds showed a masterclass in how to put off a striker.
Defender who gave it away stayed down pretending injury to make Vydra wait.
Another player gets in Vydra's ear, doubtless psyching him out
Keeper takes his time drying his hands just when Vydra thought it was go time to sap the moment from him.
Ref failed to stamp his authority on them all game.

  Basingstoke Royal

» 23 Jan 2016 18:32

Who was that new number 9 for Reading?

  genome

» 23 Jan 2016 18:33

Fully expected us to lose but we should have won.
Good: Williams, HRK, Gunter

  Pepe the Horseman

» 23 Jan 2016 18:36

Lol @ the humpty dumpty chants.

  Moonfish

» 23 Jan 2016 18:41

A game of two halves if there ever was one...
4-2-3-1 first half just didn't work, there were no options from the forward three, and we resorted to playing it amongst our holding players/defence on the half-way line, making it all too easy for Wednesday
Second half with a change of shape, and Kermit the Frog upfront, we looked far more balanced and started to work our way back into the game. The introduction of Ola John, with Williams going back into the centre and HRK moving to the right wing, improved the balance even more, and sure enough within 10minutes we had the ball in the back of the net.... from a corner!!!! :shock:
Overall a fair result, and encouraging that we've worked our way back into another game in true McDermott 'never give up' style.

  Lower West

» 23 Jan 2016 18:51



Because the guy has huge potential. Today was his Championship debut so all things considered did ok. Only 21 as well. Can play centre back as well as midfield.

  genome

» 23 Jan 2016 18:53

Did anyone else spot the Sheff Wed coach going onto the pitch when they had a corner and doing the goalie's hair?

  P!ssed Off

» 23 Jan 2016 18:55



Can't really mark down Evans for Williams playing on the wing.

And anyway, it wasn't necessary to play Williams there to accommodate Evans. Seeing the line-up on the way to the game I was pretty pleased at the prospect of us lining up in a 4-3-3.

If you want to play 3 CMs then you play a formation with 3 CMs... It's not particularly complicated.

  genome

» 23 Jan 2016 18:56

Re: Evans, will have to patient with him while he gets up to speed. He was perhaps nervous and was definitely off the pace at times but perhaps you have more time on the ball in League One than you do in the Championship.
Disappointed with Kermorgant fluffing that chance at the end.

  Nameless

» 23 Jan 2016 19:01



Because the guy has huge potential. Today was his Championship debut so all things considered did ok. Only 21 as well. Can play centre back as well as midfield.

All things considered we can't afford to carry a passenger in midfield, which he was today. You can't say that performance was ok, because it was poor.

But, I do agree that just because he was nervous/ unsure of his role/ off his game we shouldn't in any way write him off. I think next time he plays he will be much more comfortable, and hopefully we'll play a formation that doesn't expose him as much.

Quite happy to give him a run of games to find his feet, he comes with a good pedigree.

  Gunny Fishcake

» 23 Jan 2016 19:04

Good last 20 minutes and new bloke should have scored in the last minute with a header my Mum could have scored with to grab a famous victory. Overall though poor and McDonut imho has done absolutely nothing the raise the tempo or spirit of the side . The so called new manager impact has been non existent . As one who's not the biggest fan of HRK I thought he had a good game and Gunters certain goal scoring tackle to stop them going 2-0 up was tremendous.Still a good point, wth mid table looking a more than likely finish this season good cup run again would be nice

  Gunny Fishcake

» 23 Jan 2016 19:06



Agree really made us all laugh

  PieEater

» 23 Jan 2016 19:14

You look like my thumb

You look like my thumb

Brian McDermott

You look like my thumb
:lol:

  Armadillo Roadkill

» 23 Jan 2016 19:14

Really strong performances from Robson-Kanu, Williams and Gunter. Norwood was pretty poor. Piazon ineffectual. It was a horrible goal to concede - too many players standing around waiting for someone else to take charge.
Brian at least had the sense to undo the starting formation that he got totally wrong. And I mean that in a good way - before he used to seem reluctant to makes changes.
The other real positive was the courage shown. Even though they weren't playing well and were a goal down to a decent (if unspectacular) side, they really ramped it up, and ended playing well enough to just about win on points.
Decent entertainment - and if you'd offered me a point and a goal direct from a corner at the start of the game I'd have taken it.

  Westwood52

» 23 Jan 2016 19:18

That was exciting-yes I know I lead a sad life !

I was really worried 1st 20 minutes as they played us off the park-and looked the best team we have had here all season(or last).

Then they put up shop & we dominated the rest of the game & should have/could have won.
Al Habsi : 6 Nothing to do.
Gunter : 6 Normal service.

Obita : 8 I thought he was back to his best-particularly in the 1st half-lost a bit when OLa came on.

Anton : 6 In trouble a couple of times-but got himself out of it.

Cooper: 7 Dodgy 1st half -kept on giving the ball away with poor passes-but made it up , because of the goal.
Ollie: 6 Sheff Weds covered his passing options -so he repeatedly had to pass it square & then gave away possession when he became over ambitious.

Evans : 6 Solid -but is such a similar player to Ollie.

Hal: 6 Good 2nd half

Williams : 7 His first touch repeatedly lets him down-but he tries all day long & really does provide a lot of drive.

Piazon : 3 He now looks surplus to requirements, with Evans arrival.

Vydra: 5 I missed Tuesday night & I was hoping he would really come alive today-but with the pen miss-same old, same old.
John: 6 What do you say about him-nobody knows what he is going to do.

Kermit 7: A real centre forward at last-but a bad miss.
Lastly the Ref-I know I hate them -but occasionally you get a good one. Sadly he was as bad-if not worse than anything we have had this season.

He did nothing about Wednesdays time wasting (3 minutes extra time ?) although he kept on threatening to do so.

Surely the League can come up with better than this ?

He should have done something about the gamesmanship on the penalty by the Goalie-let Vydra take it again ?

But there isn't a Ref on the planet who does anything about this .

  genome

» 23 Jan 2016 19:20

Shout out to the guy in full kit in Y26.

  Ian Royal

» 23 Jan 2016 19:25

Funny old game isnt it. I thought it was clear we were playing 2 banks of 4 all game.
Where Piazon was supposed to fit in I'm not sure, just off Vydra maybe.

  sandman

» 23 Jan 2016 19:58



:lol:
What I like about it is how original it is. Next they'll be drawing faces on their thumbs and tweeting pictures of them.
Hilarious stuff.
:roll:

  royalp-we

» 23 Jan 2016 20:09

The way Wednesday started, I thought we were on course for a real lesson.
As it was, on another day yet again, we deserved more from the game.

  Snowball

» 23 Jan 2016 20:12

I think BMc wanted to play Evans because he can't play next week in the cup.
I also wonder if he expects to lose Norwood and/or Williams.
Evans can play CB, so maybe he can also play disciplined DM in front of the back four?
Evans looked very nervous early on, but to some extent it looked like he hadn't had his position made totally clear. But I thought the problem with the side was more to do with yet another team being faster and more aggressive in midfield.
Not so long ago sides backed off and we had time to play. This much more in-yer-face pressing is relatively new and it looks to me like we haven't yet come to terms with it.
HRK was sold on the left, great when he moved to the right. Frankly, this season he's getting close to his best.
Thought Obita had an excellent game, much better than Taylor, and I can't remember Gunter ever playing better than he did today. Saved a goal for sure.
Vydra won two yellow cards and a penalty (which shows how useful he is and how hard he is to stop). Shame he missed the penalty, but hitting the post is so close to going in. i.e.: he didn't blaze ten feet over or wide.
The common view seems to be that we didn't do so well first half because of "imbalance". I disagree. iMO it was because Wednesday were very up for it and were in our faces (and also that Evans was a rabbit-in-the-headlights for the first 20 minutes)
We really should have nicked it with the free header for Kermie
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