MATCHWATCH : Northampton Town (a)

[bloody Volvo driver]

Our 2-0 win shows what you get with championship strikers & keeper as opposed to L1 ones.. Northampton’s 2 best chances (1 on 1 just before half time and free head on 85) were very similar to our 2 goals.

Marriott and Keane score / JP saves whereas their Cobblers counterparts didn’t. I think one of the biggest elements of our win was that little bit of extra quality when and where it mattered.

[Snowflake Royal]

Just looking at Marriott's record... he never seems to start that many games anywhere he's been, despite an excellent scoring rate, which seems a bit odd. To the point that, as far as I can tell, he's now just one league goal off the most league goals he's scored in a season.

The most league starts he's had in a seasons seems to be 25.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Our 2-0 win shows what you get with championship strikers & keeper as opposed to L1 ones.. Northampton’s 2 best chances (1 on 1 just before half time and free head on 85) were very similar to our 2 goals.

Marriott and Keane score / JP saves whereas their Cobblers counterparts didn’t. I think one of the biggest elements of our win was that little bit of extra quality when and where it mattered.

Makes you think how good we really could be at the same time too. If we had a gameplan that allowed us to control possession a bit more, get Wing into more dangerous areas, get good crosses into the box etc., we'd be absolutely dominant at this level. But instead we're pretty turgid and rely upon the moments our quality can deliver, which means we're mid table.

We have more quality than Lincoln and Bradford and if we got the same level of team cohesion and consistency we'd be bossing the league. Still early days for a lot of players and the coaching staff. Hopefully next season.

[Hound]

Just looking at Marriott's record... he never seems to start that many games anywhere he's been, despite an excellent scoring rate, which seems a bit odd. To the point that, as far as I can tell, he's now just one league goal off the most league goals he's scored in a season.

Even when he’s not scored that many in a season his goals per minutes ratio is good

It doesn’t surprise me that much tbh and without wanting to bring on all the ‘Hound hates Marriott’ nonsense again, it’s because a) he doesn’t contribute much else and b) that kind of striker/poacher has gone out of fashion in the more modern game when most teams will have a big strong 9 who can hold the ball up, or someone very quick who will stretch the defence

I can’t think of many times in the last few years I’ve seen an opposition set up with a a 5ft 7 forward leading the line

We’ve almost gone back to a big man/little man set up with Keane which ultimately could work pretty well

[Sutekh]

Just looking at Marriott's record... he never seems to start that many games anywhere he's been, despite an excellent scoring rate, which seems a bit odd. To the point that, as far as I can tell, he's now just one league goal off the most league goals he's scored in a season.

Even when he’s not scored that many in a season his goals per minutes ratio is good

It doesn’t surprise me that much tbh and without wanting to bring on all the ‘Hound hates Marriott’ nonsense again, it’s because a) he doesn’t contribute much else and b) that kind of striker/poacher has gone out of fashion in the more modern game when most teams will have a big strong 9 who can hold the ball up, or someone very quick who will stretch the defence

I can’t think of many times in the last few years I’ve seen an opposition set up with a a 5ft 7 forward leading the line

We’ve almost gone back to a big man/little man set up with Keane which ultimately could work pretty well

Archie & Quinny pt2

[rabidbee]

A Bracknell accent!?

When I first started getting the train up to Reading in the 90s, everyone sounded like right yokels.

[Snowflake Royal]

A Bracknell accent!?

When I first started getting the train up to Reading in the 90s, everyone sounded like right yokels.

Since I've left, I get that now when I return.

[Snowflake Royal]

Just looking at Marriott's record... he never seems to start that many games anywhere he's been, despite an excellent scoring rate, which seems a bit odd. To the point that, as far as I can tell, he's now just one league goal off the most league goals he's scored in a season.

Even when he’s not scored that many in a season his goals per minutes ratio is good

It doesn’t surprise me that much tbh and without wanting to bring on all the ‘Hound hates Marriott’ nonsense again, it’s because a) he doesn’t contribute much else and b) that kind of striker/poacher has gone out of fashion in the more modern game when most teams will have a big strong 9 who can hold the ball up, or someone very quick who will stretch the defence

I can’t think of many times in the last few years I’ve seen an opposition set up with a a 5ft 7 forward leading the line

We’ve almost gone back to a big man/little man set up with Keane which ultimately could work pretty well

I really don't like our current shape. It's like it's trying to be 4-4-2 without actually doing it, and far too much of the game you have Keane and Doyle not really in any defined position contributing anything.

To be honest, I think Marriott gets more involved and contributes more than Keane does.

Maybe I'll look at some stats at some point... 2 games is probably a bit early for that.

[South Coast Royal]

A Bracknell accent!?

When I first started getting the train up to Reading in the 90s, everyone sounded like right yokels.

Since I've left, I get that now when I return.

Same happened when we moved to Dorset.
I hardly notice it now but I do notice the Readin' accent when I come up.

[Hound]

Just looking at Marriott's record... he never seems to start that many games anywhere he's been, despite an excellent scoring rate, which seems a bit odd. To the point that, as far as I can tell, he's now just one league goal off the most league goals he's scored in a season.

Even when he’s not scored that many in a season his goals per minutes ratio is good

It doesn’t surprise me that much tbh and without wanting to bring on all the ‘Hound hates Marriott’ nonsense again, it’s because a) he doesn’t contribute much else and b) that kind of striker/poacher has gone out of fashion in the more modern game when most teams will have a big strong 9 who can hold the ball up, or someone very quick who will stretch the defence

I can’t think of many times in the last few years I’ve seen an opposition set up with a a 5ft 7 forward leading the line

We’ve almost gone back to a big man/little man set up with Keane which ultimately could work pretty well

I really don't like our current shape. It's like it's trying to be 4-4-2 without actually doing it, and far too much of the game you have Keane and Doyle not really in any defined position contributing anything.

To be honest, I think Marriott gets more involved and contributes more than Keane does.

Maybe I'll look at some stats at some point... 2 games is probably a bit early for that.

Dunno how you want to define it really but on touches/passes you’d have

Exeter:
Keane 28/14
Marriott 12/9

Northampton
Keane 32/25
Marriott 25/8

But I was encouraged to see Marriott getting in 5 shots against Northampton which is a lot higher than he has been and suggests something improved. Because you want Marriott taking lots of shots obvs. But yeah too few games to tell

[RoyalBlue]

Absolutely detest that stupid cr@ppy drivel national radio programme that slam dunks itself across all the BBC local radio stations and wrecks the local post/pre match coverage as it doesn’t take into account different kick off time that clubs might have.

yup, it’s sh1t, meanwhile talking BBC and football

BBC Berks aligns with rest of the BBC footballing fraternity by having a woman commentator giving her ‘expert opinion’ on the mens game, but why can’t Charlie Estcourt pronounce the letter ‘t’ in any of her words?

Sports punditry has never been gender specific - some of the great Athletics commentators and pundits have been men commentating on women's events...

Having an established international player with over 50 Caps, who was born in the town and played for the club before moving abroad to play in the US, in arguably, one of the elite women's football leagues as a pundit doesn't sound unqualified...

Cancelling her based on her gender or accent would be pretty extreme...

People have put up with Adie Williams for years...

Spot on. She's not the only ex Reading Women player and Royals fan to be working as a professional commentator in men's football either.

[Snowflake Royal]

Even when he’s not scored that many in a season his goals per minutes ratio is good

It doesn’t surprise me that much tbh and without wanting to bring on all the ‘Hound hates Marriott’ nonsense again, it’s because a) he doesn’t contribute much else and b) that kind of striker/poacher has gone out of fashion in the more modern game when most teams will have a big strong 9 who can hold the ball up, or someone very quick who will stretch the defence

I can’t think of many times in the last few years I’ve seen an opposition set up with a a 5ft 7 forward leading the line

We’ve almost gone back to a big man/little man set up with Keane which ultimately could work pretty well

I really don't like our current shape. It's like it's trying to be 4-4-2 without actually doing it, and far too much of the game you have Keane and Doyle not really in any defined position contributing anything.

To be honest, I think Marriott gets more involved and contributes more than Keane does.

Maybe I'll look at some stats at some point... 2 games is probably a bit early for that.

Dunno how you want to define it really but on touches/passes you’d have

Exeter:
Keane 28/14
Marriott 12/9

Northampton
Keane 32/25
Marriott 25/8

But I was encouraged to see Marriott getting in 5 shots against Northampton which is a lot higher than he has been and suggests something improved. Because you want Marriott taking lots of shots obvs. But yeah too few games to tell

Give it another a couple and I'll do a pre-Keane and post Keane ...

Touches, passes, pass success, key passes, shots, interceptions, tackles, arials... something liek that

[Hound]

I really don't like our current shape. It's like it's trying to be 4-4-2 without actually doing it, and far too much of the game you have Keane and Doyle not really in any defined position contributing anything.

To be honest, I think Marriott gets more involved and contributes more than Keane does.

Maybe I'll look at some stats at some point... 2 games is probably a bit early for that.

Dunno how you want to define it really but on touches/passes you’d have

Exeter:
Keane 28/14
Marriott 12/9

Northampton
Keane 32/25
Marriott 25/8

But I was encouraged to see Marriott getting in 5 shots against Northampton which is a lot higher than he has been and suggests something improved. Because you want Marriott taking lots of shots obvs. But yeah too few games to tell

Give it another a couple and I'll do a pre-Keane and post Keane ...

Touches, passes, pass success, key passes, shots, interceptions, tackles, arials... something liek that

Look forward to it

[Snowflake Royal]

Dunno how you want to define it really but on touches/passes you’d have

Exeter:
Keane 28/14
Marriott 12/9

Northampton
Keane 32/25
Marriott 25/8

But I was encouraged to see Marriott getting in 5 shots against Northampton which is a lot higher than he has been and suggests something improved. Because you want Marriott taking lots of shots obvs. But yeah too few games to tell

Give it another a couple and I'll do a pre-Keane and post Keane ...

Touches, passes, pass success, key passes, shots, interceptions, tackles, arials... something liek that

Look forward to it

Don’t hold your breath, I can barely remember my own name these days.

[John Smith]

It tells me something completely different, what a bunch of juvenile dickheads we have following us on the road now.
When did booing your team ever achieve anything?
They don`t play badly on purpose.

I think it reflected how bad we were. I agree on booing- I don't do it, but it shows the sentiment of the the fans. Also chants of 'backwards and sideways everywhere we go'. Richardson will claim that we were patiently waiting for an opening, but all that patient waiting got us nowhere and they could have had 2 goals in the first half. We've got to try and play with some more urgency.

For me, it reflects how thick and entitled they are, because we weren’t really bad. A bit slow and ponderous after a decent start, but that's it.

I was in dismay at the "sideways and backwards" chants, I think it's quite clear they were coming from people who have simply never played the game. It wasn't a great first half performance but you can't go into an away game at lower league opposition expecting everything to go your way, it just doesn't work like that.

[Snowflake Royal]

I think it reflected how bad we were. I agree on booing- I don't do it, but it shows the sentiment of the the fans. Also chants of 'backwards and sideways everywhere we go'. Richardson will claim that we were patiently waiting for an opening, but all that patient waiting got us nowhere and they could have had 2 goals in the first half. We've got to try and play with some more urgency.

For me, it reflects how thick and entitled they are, because we weren’t really bad. A bit slow and ponderous after a decent start, but that's it.

I was in dismay at the "sideways and backwards" chants, I think it's quite clear they were coming from people who have simply never played the game. It wasn't a great first half performance but you can't go into an away game at lower league opposition expecting everything to go your way, it just doesn't work like that.

You don’t need to have played the game. I've never played to any standard whatsoever and I can figure it out.

It baffles me how clueless some fans are. Had a conversation with a fanatical Leeds fan on Friday who thought I'd fouled him because I put myself between him and the ball to shield it and he kicked me having wound up for a huge shot. He was saying you have to touch the ball to be in control/possession of it... how can you watch any amount of football and not see players shielding the ball out for throw ins/goalkicks/corners without freekicks given.

[Mr Angry]

For me, it reflects how thick and entitled they are, because we weren’t really bad. A bit slow and ponderous after a decent start, but that's it.

I was in dismay at the "sideways and backwards" chants, I think it's quite clear they were coming from people who have simply never played the game. It wasn't a great first half performance but you can't go into an away game at lower league opposition expecting everything to go your way, it just doesn't work like that.

You don’t need to have played the game. I've never played to any standard whatsoever and I can figure it out.

It baffles me how clueless some fans are. Had a conversation with a fanatical Leeds fan on Friday who thought I'd fouled him because I put myself between him and the ball to shield it and he kicked me having wound up for a huge shot. He was saying you have to touch the ball to be in control/possession of it... how can you watch any amount of football and not see players shielding the ball out for throw ins/goalkicks/corners without freekicks given.

I used to hate that; I was once running onto a through ball that the keeper had misjudged and it went past him - he then basically stepped in front of me without any attempt to play the ball, (which by now was some 5 yards past him) and the ref refused to give an obstruction indirect free kick! Still pi$$es me off 40 years later!!!!!

Back to the game and the bigger picture; the signings this January appear (so far at least) to have been pretty astute, and Keane is already forming a decent looking partnership with Marriott. With el Gato making some amazing match winning saves, and Wing conducting the midfield, IF (big if) but IF we can get some positive consistency we can make the play offs, as I think we have some top quality in this team now.

[Snowflake Royal]

I was in dismay at the "sideways and backwards" chants, I think it's quite clear they were coming from people who have simply never played the game. It wasn't a great first half performance but you can't go into an away game at lower league opposition expecting everything to go your way, it just doesn't work like that.

You don’t need to have played the game. I've never played to any standard whatsoever and I can figure it out.

It baffles me how clueless some fans are. Had a conversation with a fanatical Leeds fan on Friday who thought I'd fouled him because I put myself between him and the ball to shield it and he kicked me having wound up for a huge shot. He was saying you have to touch the ball to be in control/possession of it... how can you watch any amount of football and not see players shielding the ball out for throw ins/goalkicks/corners without freekicks given.

I used to hate that; I was once running onto a through ball that the keeper had misjudged and it went past him - he then basically stepped in front of me without any attempt to play the ball, (which by now was some 5 yards past him) and the ref refused to give an obstruction indirect free kick! Still pi$$es me off 40 years later!!!!!

You've got to actually be in possession of it, ie within touching distance, for it to not be obstruction imo.

I'm necessarily the biggest fan of it, but at least I know about it.