I'd say Marcus is basically keeping Reading in this one, even this early. Chelsea has almost all possession.
Another good reaction save on Malouda (25')... Then has some trouble on the ensuing corner, punches it, the wrong way but the situation is defused...
Chelsea is totally dominating this game. It's ridiculous. They have all the possession, even within Reading's half. BTW, Ballack header goes in right past Marcus, maybe his positioning was off but I think it was hard to stop. 0-1.
This has nothing to do with YA, but basically the only noticeable player for Reading is Stephen Hunt, who's basically running around the entire field as usual. Effort is good, effectiveness, not so much. Haven't seen much of Convey, but he doesn't have a huge mop on his head.
Agreed, and to make matters worse, Joe Cole has been scorching down Convey's side, forcing long, exhausting defensive runs by Bobby. I would be surprised if Convey goes 90 in this one.
...and also like most of the team, bobby needs to stop playing training ground football and start a) getting stuck in and b) taking some more audacious attacking chances. the whole side is jockeying chelski from end to end and it is still nearly always ending in a chelsea shot.
Convey just got pushed around by Ferreira, but he held his own and won a free kick. (He was playing defense).
I saw the last 20 minutes, and while you wouldn't confuse Chelsea for Reading on a black and white tv, Reading created a lot of half-chances on offense. They really need just that one player up top with a little more class and they'd be a top ten club in the BPL. The one they had proved the soundness of his offseason move by playing the final 5 minutes...he's making quite a bit on a per minute basis. Why doesn't Convey take free kicks anymore? Yeah, Hunt may be more influential in the run of play, but his left footed deliveries are not very good, and a far cry from the quality of ball that Bobby was sending in 2 seasons ago. Could the injury have taken that much out of his dead ball skills?
I'll paraphrase a quick scene I heard on the post-match Reading radio show: the host postulates Hunt is doing really well but that Convey just isn't getting it done at this level. Analyst-guy responds by saying that before he got hurt BC was doing a good job playing a really important role for the team and then picked up a difficult injury. Meanwhile, he says that Hunt and Convey are completely different players and that it's unfair to compare them. Also says that playing in Convey's position (on the wing) is especially tough for a team that's struggling.
Convey had a pretty poor game, he turned the ball over a few times and generally just had a tough time ever beating a defender 1 vs. 1. I do agree that Hunt has no business taking free kicks, almost everyone he took was miserable and his corners were even worse, he could barely clear the first man. Convey should be taking more set-pieces, IMO.
Agreed. He did a whole lot of running without much to show for it. His 1 v. 1 defending was pretty poor, as he was beaten several times I remember.
Very disappointed with Bobby today and Clint yesterday.. Both of them are pushed off the ball very easily. In the Prem, if they don't respect your speed or skill, they'll come in hard and take the ball away- actually they'll do that regardless.. Just look at Lita, small little guy, but knows how to make space for himself.. I'm beginning to admit to myself that Americans, in general, just can't do that- unless they have speed like Bease or LD, or are good in the air like McBride.. JOB was the only 'merican I can remember doing this (consistently creating space and chances), but he was never in the Prem. Reyna- square balls don't count.. Benny- we'll see, but get on the field..
Ahh JOB, he was fun to watch. I too was disappointed with Bobby today, but give him more set pieces & perhaps his confidence begins to return. As for Clint yesterday, I thought he did really well at times with great touches (as usual), but had absolutely no support much of the time, so the commentator just bashes him saying he has no pace. I don't think its fair to generalize all American players without pace or size will fail in the EPL based on what you saw over the last 48 hours. Every player is a different scenario. Fulham and Reading can be a great stories come the end of the season *if* they stop the downward spiralling. And if they do, if will be Americans helping the way - again.
Seeing as set pieces are about easiest thing to replicate on the training ground, I'm guessing that the reason Bobby isn't taking them during games is because he's no longer Reading's best option (scary given Reading's performance with set pieces this season). BC stopped taking corners before he went out injured last season and he hasn't taken it up since.
two different situations here: Bobby was injured and (facing the obvious possibility) may never be what he once was .... JOB had skill but ankles and joints could not survive a long career. Bobby may be in the same boat. If he is not getting it done on the training ground - it could be that he may never be what he was his second season at Reading. Clint is being played up top because Fulham has no one healthy or available .. he really needs to be back in the midfield where he belongs (playing attacking mid) ... he is not a target player and he is getting physically challenged every game ... 4 - 5 - 1 is not a formation to help an attacking mid shine when they are the "1". I look for him to do much better when better striker options are available for Fulham. yes Claudio liked the square ball - but in his prime he was an excellent. player. it will be interesting to see how EJ handles the physical challenges - he had better put his jock on tight and be ready to man up.
Marcus Hahneman had a monster game in the nets for Reading FC. Bobby Convey was absolutely abysmal. Convey was shockingly bad and in my eyes didn't do one positive thing all game other than complete a few routine passes and or deflect a few defended balls out for Chelsea corner kicks. Brutal performance. Joe Cole literally abused poor Bobby and Bobby was manhandled by Ferreira. I honestly think Joe Cole began to take it easy on Convey because you know Joe Cole is a nice guy and he felt sorry for Bobby C. Convey was victomized on the cross for Chelsea's goal. That is all pretty bad but it could have been worse. Chelsea failed to capitalize on several Convey giveaways. If I was the Reading Coach I wouldn't even select Convey for the substitutes bench...