Barnsley - back from the game

[susieroyal]

Firstly, oh my word, what an sloppy opening 20-25 minutes. Misplaced passes, crosses straight into the stand, etc etc.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed the game after that and was actually really quite impressed. Judging by some of the stuff written on here I was expecting the worst and was pleasantly suprised.

Particular mention to Hunt, who despite being offside a few too many times, I thought was excellent.
Also very very impressed with Gylfi - +1 about his through ball being worth price of ticket alone.

Rasiak - obvious target man at set pieces - good news!

[Wimb]

Cracking day out, and great to see not only goals but chances too.

First fifteen minutes or so we were pretty terrible though, defence looked a mess and the midfield seemed afraid to put a foot it.

But after that we took control and you could see the confidence in the side grow as the game wore on. Truth be told it should have been 5 or 6 but I suppose you can't be greedy

[old woman]

Was indeed a good day, Bryn seemed to settle the young folk. thought Jem,Siggy and Noel had good games.
Bit perturbed at the end to have to walk past the protests and by the news that Davey has gone!!!!
Kebe both frustrates and delights but he seemed to put in the effort in the second half.

[handbags_harris]

Pretty much been summed up already, the first 15-20 minutes we were very sloppy and looked a distinct 2nd best. The Barnsley goal was a simple near post free header from a corner, and very poor defensively.

For the next ten minutes they had us on the rack, but a great run straight through the heart of the Barnsley midfield by the excellent Karacan seemed to kick us into gear and we were by far the better team after that. The equaliser was from a corner only half cleared and given to the up until then almost anonymous Kebe who took on his man 10 yards to the right of goal, got to the byeline and drilled low back and across goal, instant control and fired into the back of the net. Kebe assist, Pearce the scorer.

From then on it was all Reading, and the move leading up to Karacan's one-on-one was supreme, The Sig's ball through one that any Premier League midfielder would have been proud of. In the 2nd half the penalty looked pretty clear cut to me although it was up the other end. It looked like Kebe got there first and was cleaned out by the keeper, the linesman gave it. Great penalty by Hunt who showed just why my penalty-taking pessimism was totally misplaced. Top corner jobby, no keeper in the world would have saved it. The 3rd once again involved the now excellent Kebe a very good cross with a deft Hunt header. We could have had a 4th, The Sig having a low close range shot saved very well by Steele, and Pearce heading over when well placed and totally free.

Kebe the matchwinner to be honest, but he doesn't get my MOTM as prior to the first assist he went from sublime to ridiculous as ever (that totally free shanked cross was unforgivable). That (somewhat dubious) honour goes to Jem Karacan who showed why he should play further forward in the midfield with some great interplay and intelligent runs to give the Barnsley midfield and back line a real problem. Deserved a goal but lost his composure at the last minute in the first half.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Was indeed a good day, Bryn seemed to settle the young folk. thought Jem,Siggy and Noel had good games.
Bit perturbed at the end to have to walk past the protests and by the news that Davey has gone!!!!
Kebe both frustrates and delights but he seemed to put in the effort in the second half.

Yep, spare a thought for Davey.

Cannot see a new manager making a difference to Barnsley.

(oh, and please do not praise Bryn on here...it's not the done thing, and Royalee may be watching )

[Royalee]

I've actually been impressed with him in a bigger midfield where he sits in front of the defence - it may extend his shelf life as he doesn't have to run about or expose his age, he is just able to use the good parts of his game like his tackling, anticipation and reading of the game - he also doesn't give the ball away much. So overall, fair play to him, you won't see me grumbling with him at the moment because his experience is helping the team whilst he's also playing well which is the main thing.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Tonight, I cellotape my glove to you

[Dirk Gently]

All in all a lot more direct than recent games - we passed it really well, and for a reason this time. Whereas in previous games we were passing it around because we didn't know what to do with it, today we passed it around for a reason, to make space and engineer openings. Federici was also kicking a lot more quickly than previously.

As mentioned, Karacan was superb - some of the diagonal balls he played through the defence for Kebe and others to run onto were absolutely sublime - the sort that if Matejovsky played people would be saying "that's why he's the best passer in the team."

Mills is showing some fitness and looking much better - and definite signs of an understanding with Pearce starting to form.

Gunnarsson showed why he should be the defensive midfielder - he brings the calming experience we've been missing, and frees up Karacan where's better going forward - very Sidwell-esque today.

All in all a good day - and full marks to BR for the "mopping brow" gesture at the end... that will endear him to a lot of people.

Coming out- "demo" by about 200 under-16 chavs (Burberry everywhere!) - chanting for the manager out. Seems it worked. I was discussing with a Barnsley mate before the game and we both said "Be careful what you wish for ...." Now they have it and it won't do them any good, I bet!

[TFF]

The Sig's ball through one that any Premier League midfielder would have been proud of. In the 2nd half the penalty looked pretty clear cut to me although it was up the other end. It looked like Kebe got there first and was cleaned out by the keeper, the linesman gave it. Great penalty by Hunt who showed just why my penalty-taking pessimism was totally misplaced. Top corner jobby, no keeper in the world would have saved it. The 3rd once again involved the now excellent Kebe a very good cross with a deft Hunt header. We could have had a 4th, The Sig having a low close range shot saved very well by Steele, and Pearce heading over when well placed and totally free.

Where's Shades got to?

[Ian Royal]

All in all a lot more direct than recent games - we passed it really well, and for a reason this time. Whereas in previous games we were passing it around because we didn't know what to do with it, today we passed it around for a reason, to make space and engineer openings. Federici was also kicking a lot more quickly than previously.

As mentioned, Karacan was superb - some of the diagonal balls he played through the defence for Kebe and others to run onto were absolutely sublime - the sort that if Matejovsky played people would be saying "that's why he's the best passer in the team."

Mills is showing some fitness and looking much better - and definite signs of an understanding with Pearce starting to form.

Gunnarsson showed why he should be the defensive midfielder - he brings the calming experience we've been missing, and frees up Karacan where's better going forward - very Sidwell-esque today.

All in all a good day - and full marks to BR for the "mopping brow" gesture at the end... that will endear him to a lot of people.

Coming out- "demo" by about 200 under-16 chavs (Burberry everywhere!) - chanting for the manager out. Seems it worked. I was discussing with a Barnsley mate before the game and we both said "Be careful what you wish for ...." Now they have it and it won't do them any good, I bet!

Do you think we have anyone other than Gunnar who can play the defensive role to free up Karacan for further forward?

Tabb? Cisse?

I just can't see Gunnar being able to play enough this season. Or is this an area for us to strengthen in as a priority?

EDIT: Just seen the highlights. Looked a soft penalty to me. Obviously only seen it once, but looked like keeper had the ball in his hands as he went across Kebe taking him out.

[yappy]

Just seen the goals also, what a pass from Bryn for the penalty!

[Barry the bird boggler]

Firstly, oh my word, what an sloppy opening 20-25 minutes. Misplaced passes, crosses straight into the stand, etc etc.!

Brendan Rodgers said -

I thought we started really brightly, like we always do

Tim Dellor said -

The first 20-25 minutes Reading were awful, as bad as they ever have been

[RG30]

Enjoyable day out, top darts on the drinking in Sheffield > drinking in Barnsley option pre game.

Started poorly, bit of a poor goal to give away as Gray wasn't really challenged. But got back into it with an excellent finish from Pearce after a bit of a penalty area scramble. We were lucky not to go 2-1 down when Federici's misguided kick bounced straight off the Barnsley player and just went wide. I absolute loved the passing move with Karacan's missed chance, if anyone can find it on Reading World then it's worth the look.

2nd half, Kebe seemed really fired up and won us the penalty. Whether it was or not I'm not 100% sure but the linesman nearest to the incident gave it and had the better view. Excellent finish by Noel Hunt. 3rd goal, nice cross from Kebe and Hunt finished well.

Good points included Jem's all round performance, shame he didn't finish but aside from that he played really well. Sigurdsson was excellent again and his delivery of a corner probably surpasses anything that any other players have done in recent years. Mills got better as the game wore on and I think BR assesment he was still some way match fitness short appeared true, after his nightmare of a debut at Swansea. Kebe was unplayble during the early 2nd half and I suppose you got take his performances as they can be inconsistent, when he produces the goods he does them as good as anyone but when he's bad, he can be really bad. I still feel he's an easy target for the majority of fans though, no other player takes as much flak as he does when they make a mistake.

Important win pre international break, and considering the level of opposition we've faced, 5 points is an alright return. With Ingimarsson to return, lets hope we can push on from here.

[Royal Lady]

So, did we play the same style we've been playing since beginning of season, or did we send some long balls forward without passing from side to side or side to back or whatever first? Any ideas why Marek and Harper weren't on the bench? Are they REALLY not as good as what we had playing out there yesterday? Delighted that we won, just wondering if we used new tactics. Also, have we played that starting 11 previously and if so, in what game? Or did Rasiak start - I know nothing about the game yesterday except for the score and scorers, so would be interested in the answers. Ta.

[Archies Volley II]

So, did we play the same style we've been playing since beginning of season, or did we send some long balls forward without passing from side to side or side to back or whatever first? Any ideas why Marek and Harper weren't on the bench? Are they REALLY not as good as what we had playing out there yesterday? Delighted that we won, just wondering if we used new tactics. Also, have we played that starting 11 previously and if so, in what game? Or did Rasiak start - I know nothing about the game yesterday except for the score and scorers, so would be interested in the answers. Ta.

Rasiak did not start - came on for Kanu with about 15 left.

Have not played that 11 - Hunt and Kebe have not both been fit to start together before yesterday.

[The Quiet Man]

So, did we play the same style we've been playing since beginning of season, or did we send some long balls forward without passing from side to side or side to back or whatever first? Any ideas why Marek and Harper weren't on the bench? Are they REALLY not as good as what we had playing out there yesterday? Delighted that we won, just wondering if we used new tactics. Also, have we played that starting 11 previously and if so, in what game? Or did Rasiak start - I know nothing about the game yesterday except for the score and scorers, so would be interested in the answers. Ta.

RL I would say that BR now knows that the new RFC isn't going to be built in a day and there was a distinct championship feel to yesterday - lots of hoof from the centre halves, Rosenior morphing into Murty with the channel balls down the wing. First half there was lots of early balls out wide to Kebe and HRK - second half our midfield won nearly every second ball coming off their centre halves. The obvious difference is that we now have three bodies in centre midfield and therefore there is slightly more time to pick a pass and there is also Sigurdsson who can really pick a pass. We played fast, direct, accurate passing football at times were physical where required and looked every inch a championship side, passing for passing sake had gone except for some time wasting with 5 minutes to go. Rasiak came on as sub looked OK but obviously fairly quite. Antonio looked alot better than the Barnsley game (where he seemed a little nervous) and looks like he has a role in the squad

Harper and Marek are last years men - Harper hasn't got the heart for RFC any more and needs a fresh challenge and Marek is the new Darren Caskey, fine if you want to build your side around him but he is not consistent enough for that so I expect he will be shipped out.

[Dirk Gently]

So, did we play the same style we've been playing since beginning of season, or did we send some long balls forward without passing from side to side or side to back or whatever first? Any ideas why Marek and Harper weren't on the bench? Are they REALLY not as good as what we had playing out there yesterday? Delighted that we won, just wondering if we used new tactics. Also, have we played that starting 11 previously and if so, in what game? Or did Rasiak start - I know nothing about the game yesterday except for the score and scorers, so would be interested in the answers. Ta.

No, much more direct, looking to get the ball forward quicker. Also lots of quick kicking from Federici. As someone said above, almost a realisation from BR that the "pure, passing" style won't cut it in the CCC, and he needs to compromise a bit.

Barnsley did make it very easy for us by defending a very high line, so we could pass it behind them and beat them with pace - that's something that is a left-over from the SC years. This was almost a composite "SC/RB" style.

Forgot to mention that Sigurdsson's corners are amongst the best I've ever seen from an RFC player.

[Murts-is-Lej]

Forgot to mention that Sigurdsson's corners are amongst the best I've ever seen from an RFC player.

In fact I'd even go so far as to say they were as good as SHunt's used to be...

[Dirk Gently]

Forgot to mention that Sigurdsson's corners are amongst the best I've ever seen from an RFC player.

In fact I'd even go so far as to say they were as good as SHunt's used to be...

Far better, IMHO.

[Dirk Gently]

Oh, and there was a half-time cossbar challenge with a Barnsley kid and a kid from the Reading crowd.

We even won that!