Young Reading Side Overcome Millwall In Extra Time

Excellent performance from the young lads, 4 great goals. 26 shots on goal 8 on target. All the players looked comfortable on the ball.

Just reading elsewhere that someone thought this a boring game.
I really enjoyed it. There were plenty of very good performances, a few moments of brilliance,

some moves that were a joy to watch.
Bacuna is classy and should soon establish himself as a starter in midfield. Apart from one moment, he worked hard, tackled back, won loads of ball, was always available, keen to receive the ball and showed lots of vision with almost always the most sensible pass, He fed Popa often (Popa had a great game apart from his finishing). The goal was excellent. Picked up the ball deep in midfield, ghosted through two opponents, carried it to the edge of the box and wellies a great shot into the back of the net. This is a very good player. 8
Popa ran his socks off, was a great outlet. Had he not missed all those chances he'd've got 8.5 from me, but 7.5
Clement showed some fabulous ball skills when he came on as sub. He is going to be an awesome player in a few years, 8
The kid up front worked very hard, but didn't look like he'd ever score. I was so chuffed for him when he finally got a goal. 6
Rinomhota was solid throughout and can step into the first 11 without worries, when needed. 7
The three centre backs did OK throughout up against some big strikers, but we still manage to give away chances after dominating. 6.5s
Gunter was a mixed bag, sometimes OK-to-good, sometimes a bit casual, but overall he was probably a 6.5
Keeper was decent throughout, so I'd go 7
McCleary looked rusty and, I thought, a bit heavy
Millwall looked like a League 1 outfit, but when they went Route 1 it almost came off.
Barrow, Bacuna, Clement show some real class and lovely touches. We still lack "steel" though. At our best we look like we could open up any defence. I expect us to put 5-6 past some team this season

Just reading elsewhere that someone thought this a boring game.
I really enjoyed it. There were plenty of very good performances, a few moments of brilliance,

some moves that were a joy to watch.
Bacuna is classy and should soon establish himself as a starter in midfield. Apart from one moment, he worked hard, tackled back, won loads of ball, was always available, keen to receive the ball and showed lots of vision with almost always the most sensible pass, He fed Popa often (Popa had a great game apart from his finishing). The goal was excellent. Picked up the ball deep in midfield, ghosted through two opponents, carried it to the edge of the box and wellies a great shot into the back of the net. This is a very good player. 8
Popa ran his socks off, was a great outlet. Had he not missed all those chances he'd've got 8.5 from me, but 7.5
Clement showed some fabulous ball skills when he came on as sub. He is going to be an awesome player in a few years, 8
The kid up front worked very hard, but didn't look like he'd ever score. I was so chuffed for him when he finally got a goal. 6
Rinomhota was solid throughout and can step into the first 11 without worries, when needed. 7
Quin was industrious throughout. I think we look better when he plays.
The three centre backs did OK throughout up against some big strikers, but we still manage to give away chances after dominating. 6.5s
Gunter was a mixed bag, sometimes OK-to-good, sometimes a bit casual, but overall he was probably a 6.5
Keeper was decent throughout, so I'd go 7
McCleary looked rusty and, I thought, a bit heavy
Millwall looked like a League 1 outfit, but when they went Route 1 it almost came off.
Barrow, Bacuna, Clement show some real class and lovely touches. We still lack "steel" though. At our best we look like we could open up any defence. I expect us to put 5-6 past some team this season

You have to be kidding me. no doubt it was boring on the radio..

Excellent performance from the young lads, 4 great goals..

The last one so good it didn't even register on sky sports, google or the BBC :shock:

Excellent performance from the young lads, 4 great goals..

The last one so good it didn't even register on sky sports, google or the BBC :shock:

I included Millwalls goal which was very good too.

Someone said it was a horrible deflection so I ruled that one out.

I could swear we made four substitutions this evening.... Have I missed the change in the law?

I hope I haven't just landed Jaap in the sh*ts.
Barrow, Clement, Loader and Blackett all came off the bench tonight didn't they?
Since when were four substitutions allowed?

One more allowed in extra time.
They made four too.

I think you are allowed an extra sub in extra time.

Apart from the fact that we cheated by bringing on four substitutes. I thought we played very well.
I just feel we need to be able to penetrate more. I think we need to put more balls in the box and have bodies charging in trying to get on the end of things.
Anyway, I'm not going to interfere with Stam's work. I will let him get on with it and I will support him. Something good is brewing at Madejski Stadium. I hope Stam can bring in the players he wants.

We'll be fine once we sign Dildo

We'll be fine once we sign Dildo

Does he play for Cruzeiro?

haha. :D :D :D

Apparently asking to go out on loan, so we won't see if that holds up over a sustained period just yet.
Would be a shame in my mind but if he goes somewhere and plays week in/week out until January then could be good for us during the 2nd half of the season.

Had planned not to go last night but managed to get home earlier and got tickets. Decided to sit in Y25 as usual (that's where ST is) but near the front, so was about 7-8 rows from the pitch. Really enjoyed being sat close, get a whole different perspective of the players when they're so close.
I have to say I i think Popa is great, he basically runs around non stop. He also ripped their right back to bits over and over, plus created several great chances.
I also got a different view of Gunter. I really can not understand why people are overly critical of him, I mean those who stupidly suggest he's one of our worst players. He really isn't. I think he's a loyal and respected international who has some faults but really is decent. He got forward a fair bit and worked in well with Popa.
Jaakkola looked very shakey. I remember he tried to punch the ball and completely missed, I think that was around the 88th minute? Also not comfortable with the whole passing at the back.
Ilori - not sure I really think he's that good. Looks lightweight and also gave the ball away a few times
Quinn - but gutted to hear that he may be loaned out as I think he could add something. He seemed good to me.
Clement I'm still not sure about
Bacuna looks good
Barrow looks great
Brilliant goal from Evans
McCleary - forgot he was on the pitch tbh
Impressed with Andresson - he made a couple of mistakes but I really liked the look of him

I'm not surprised after having knee and hernia ops over the summer. Needs game time

No-one cheated, clubs are allowed to make a fourth substitution in periods of extra time from this season

No-one cheated, clubs are allowed to make a fourth substitution in periods of extra time from this season

Just because other clubs are cheating Sutekh doesn't mean we have to as well. Disappointed in Jaap Stam for this

Really pleased we got through actually
Is a great competition in terms of allowing some of the fringe players to get game time and see the likes of Rinomhota get a few starts etc
Stam managing McCleary well I think - in the meantime Popa seems to be doing a decent job covering
Jaap shouldn't let Quinn go out on loan. With Swift injured we haven't that much depth in CM. esp with Joey being injured for every other game

Have to really object / disagree with Bobby on several things.

1. Thought Jakkola was very comfortable with the ball at his feet, never saw him in any difficulties but he was helped by the fact that the players in front played very intelligently. Only criticism was that a couple of times he had the chance to release the ball quickly to Popa or Barrow and he didn't

2. Illori is a classy player. Ideal for our style as he can play. He had a couple of feisty forwards to contend with and he stood up well, even when Morison was consistently playing the man rather than the ball.

3. Clement will be a star. Works hard, wins tackles, distributes well, plays anywhere. Probably our best signing this window based on home performances.

You have to be kidding me. no doubt it was boring on the radio..

I saw someone on twitter thanking Reading buses for putting an earlier bus on back to town as they said it was boring. The Gillingham game was desperately boring in the previous round except for Kelly's cracker.

On the pitch:

Echo the sentiments of others re. Popa and Bacuna: they were the standout players for me with clear quality. Gunter looked decent enough on the left.
Off the pitch:

Millwall fan in the home end celebrating a goal...and no one doing anything about it

Surely this is a good thing?

Really enjoyed that.
Jaakola - fine
Rimonhota - incredible industry to win a few balls he had no right to. A few questions over his passing and positioning.

Ilori - fine

Evans - good goal, best game from him all season. Very important for getting the ball up the pitch.

Axel - he's come on leaps and bounds in the last year. Really tenacious and suited Ilori well, although concentration went a bit at the end. Better than Cooper.

Gunter - not his usual self but that's understandable, on the wrong side of the pitch with another right footer. Did well enough without impressing.
Bacuna - very impressive, just ghosted past players and struck the ball well. Stuck in two minds for their goal.

Quinn - useful
McCleary - easing himself back into it.

Popa - good game except for his shooting

Smith - clearly not good enough but took his goal well and did a decent job of teeing up others.
Clement - looks really good. Let's find him a position.

Barrow - much livelier than McCleary.

Blackett - fine

Loader - good experience for him

You have to be kidding me. no doubt it was boring on the radio..

I saw someone on twitter thanking Reading buses for putting an earlier bus on back to town as they said it was boring. The Gillingham game was desperately boring in the previous round except for Kelly's cracker.

Neither game was boring though.

Agree with this, however Gunter was at fault for not closing down their player for the goal, he stood off him when and gave him too much space for the shot. It was a good goal from them also though.

There are some fcking morons around if you genuinely believe that was boring. I thought it was one of the better games, Reading dominated, actually scored a few goals and were pressing Millwall throughout and it was only in the 2nd half that they really got more into the game (their goal in the 1st half accepted).
Really enjoyed it, people need to think back 2-3 seasons to really appreciate what boring was. Remember we had about 2-3 games in quick succession of 0 (ZERO) shots. Of just nothingness, pure silence and just sat there watching drivel.

Surely this is a good thing?

Indeed it is. If the Millwall fan didn't deliberately wind up the home fans then just let it go. I have to confess that I would not openly celebrate if I was in the opposition end, learning to sit on your hands and do a stifled "Yes!" when score is pretty much essential if you are going to sit 'wrong'.