BFTG - Brum

[Kitsondinho]

Yeah people really need to get over the fact that they don't think he was necessary ( FWIW I'm one of them)

His kicking isn't great and he's prone to flap at the odd cross but he makes vital stops and he's a big target on One-On-Ones.

He looked like a rabbit in the headlights at Ashton Gate but he's been perfectly decent since then.

He has let in 8 in 5, was at fault for their goal with yet another flap, he can’t kick it out for Oxf**rd and was lucky that he didn’t cost us two points! He made some really decent saves but the other areas of his game will cost us points before the end of the season. If Southwood or Rafael let that goal in, they get slaughtered. Just because we’re picking up form doesn’t mean we should make him out to be the second coming of Shaka! He is a work in progress, who really shouldn’t be here.

1000% agreed. His distribution is the worst I have seen from a Reading keeper and he was badly at fault for their goal. He did make some decent saves but no way is he an upgrade in Southwood.

Exactly. I’m not saying for a second that Southwood is amazing and will go on to play 300 PL games etc…But Hein is no real upgrade on him. Such a pointless deal, especially as Southwood is one of the few who will still be here in June!!

[Pepe the Horseman]

Yeah people really need to get over the fact that they don't think he was necessary ( FWIW I'm one of them)

His kicking isn't great and he's prone to flap at the odd cross but he makes vital stops and he's a big target on One-On-Ones.

He looked like a rabbit in the headlights at Ashton Gate but he's been perfectly decent since then.

He has let in 8 in 5, was at fault for their goal with yet another flap, he can’t kick it out for Oxf**rd and was lucky that he didn’t cost us two points! He made some really decent saves but the other areas of his game will cost us points before the end of the season. If Southwood or Rafael let that goal in, they get slaughtered. Just because we’re picking up form doesn’t mean we should make him out to be the second coming of Shaka! He is a work in progress, who really shouldn’t be here.

1000% agreed. His distribution is the worst I have seen from a Reading keeper and he was badly at fault for their goal. He did make some decent saves but no way is he an upgrade in Southwood.

+1 and the saves he did make he parried straight into the danger area. Has been very lucky so far, but he's like a ticking time bomb.

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Delighted with the win obviously, but I hope that oxf*rd at the front of Y25 is delighted with himself after that display just before their goal - idiot.

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah people really need to get over the fact that they don't think he was necessary ( FWIW I'm one of them)

His kicking isn't great and he's prone to flap at the odd cross but he makes vital stops and he's a big target on One-On-Ones.

He looked like a rabbit in the headlights at Ashton Gate but he's been perfectly decent since then.

He has let in 8 in 5, was at fault for their goal with yet another flap, he can’t kick it out for Oxf**rd and was lucky that he didn’t cost us two points! He made some really decent saves but the other areas of his game will cost us points before the end of the season. If Southwood or Rafael let that goal in, they get slaughtered. Just because we’re picking up form doesn’t mean we should make him out to be the second coming of Shaka! He is a work in progress, who really shouldn’t be here.

1000% agreed. His distribution is the worst I have seen from a Reading keeper and he was badly at fault for their goal. He did make some decent saves but no way is he an upgrade in Southwood.

Agree. He's ok, but Southwood is better, ours and here next season.

He shouldn't be starting.

[Hound]

Massive three points obviously

Definitely showed a bit more aggression throughout which was good to see

Wingers a lot further back and more of a 4-4-1-1 than the 4-2-3-1 and it felt more solid. There seemed to be less space on the flanks and we weren’t so open but Brum’s wingers were pretty decent and still managed to get some good crosses in

Thought Birmingham were pretty handy. One of the better sides, we did well to hold on until we scored. Better than a lot of sides we’ve lost to at home recently

I think Ince will aim to keep us as defensively solid as possible, rely on Swift and Joao to do their thing and break with the pace of Hoilett, Ince and Meite. It’s probably the right idea imo, at least for the moment and as long as Swift and Joao stay fit

Hein made some good saves, felt he lost his concentration on the goal, possibly due to the 2 ball nonsense

So not the best performance, but considering the injuries and the pressure, it’s a massive result

Can’t think of the last time I’ve seen is win at home midweek when I’ve been there. I’ve a horrid feeling it was tbe 2-1 win over Villa back in Stam season 2, which is absolute madness

[Silver Fox]

3 points is all that matters to me

But fvck that prick throwing the ball back on after the restart leading to their goal, an absolute helmet up there with the belmont who threw the flare on the pitch v Kidderminster

[Sanguine]

Thought we were very lucky to win. However a win is a win and it’s nice for the luck to go our way.
Swift clearly MoTM for me.

Yep, agree on every point. A win, second in a row, but this was no real 'new manager bounce', except as OMA mentions above, Drinkwater's much improved performance. First half in particular we were as poor as we have been recently.

But at this stage it's about results - if we play like that every week but get enough points to finish 21st, then it is job done for Ince.

[Sanguine]

Can’t think of the last time I’ve seen is win at home midweek when I’ve been there. I’ve a horrid feeling it was tbe 2-1 win over Villa back in Stam season 2, which is absolute madness

That's our first home league win of any description since mid-October, which I admit had passed me by.

Peterborough (September) our only other home midweek win this season.

[RG30]

And prior to last night I heard we'd lost something like 20 of our last 28 midweek matches

[Vicky Pollard]

He has let in 8 in 5, was at fault for their goal with yet another flap, he can’t kick it out for Oxf**rd and was lucky that he didn’t cost us two points! He made some really decent saves but the other areas of his game will cost us points before the end of the season. If Southwood or Rafael let that goal in, they get slaughtered. Just because we’re picking up form doesn’t mean we should make him out to be the second coming of Shaka! He is a work in progress, who really shouldn’t be here.

1000% agreed. His distribution is the worst I have seen from a Reading keeper and he was badly at fault for their goal. He did make some decent saves but no way is he an upgrade in Southwood.

Agree. He's ok, but Southwood is better, ours and here next season.

He shouldn't be starting.

In agreement on Hein - he's done OK, some decent saves, but just don't see the need for the change whatsoever. Southwood has waited patiently for his chance and was asked to come in during a very difficult time - you can't blame him for our shambolic defensive unit. Don't get it at all.

[Sanguine]

I expect the deal with Arsenal on signing Hein is that he would play. I'd agree that Southwood is all round more accomplished, but for Reading was likely a case of wanting another keeper in at short notice and so having to agree this setup. Perhaps.

[Snowflake Royal]

I expect the deal with Arsenal on signing Hein is that he would play. I'd agree that Southwood is all round more accomplished, but for Reading was likely a case of wanting another keeper in at short notice and so having to agree this setup. Perhaps.

I don't buy these 'must play' agreements that are often touted. You can’t have another team dictating your starting line up to you. You'd be stupid to accept such a deal

Every young player loan the club sending him out want him to play. Loads don't or lose their place.

You'd also have to be the worst run club in the country to agree to a 'must play' loan deal for a 19 year old keeper with no senior experience.

And he didn’t play the first game he was here.

[Nameless]

I expect the deal with Arsenal on signing Hein is that he would play. I'd agree that Southwood is all round more accomplished, but for Reading was likely a case of wanting another keeper in at short notice and so having to agree this setup. Perhaps.

He didn’t play in the first game after we signed him though....

[Ascotexgunner]

He has let in 8 in 5, was at fault for their goal with yet another flap, he can’t kick it out for Oxf**rd and was lucky that he didn’t cost us two points! He made some really decent saves but the other areas of his game will cost us points before the end of the season. If Southwood or Rafael let that goal in, they get slaughtered. Just because we’re picking up form doesn’t mean we should make him out to be the second coming of Shaka! He is a work in progress, who really shouldn’t be here.

1000% agreed. His distribution is the worst I have seen from a Reading keeper and he was badly at fault for their goal. He did make some decent saves but no way is he an upgrade in Southwood.

+1 and the saves he did make he parried straight into the danger area. Has been very lucky so far, but he's like a ticking time bomb.

I have no idea how he gets ahead of Southwood. I get nervous everytime a ball crosses in the box. His shot stopping is good but it's where the ball goes after. As for his kicking...dear oh dear. I can kick better than that...with either foot....and I'm serious. I hope Ince sees sense next game.
On the big plus side going back to man marking at the back. What a relief. Dealt with everything. Morrison and Holmes looked so much more comfortable. You just wonder that if Paunovic wasn't so stubborn he would still be in a job and we would be a bit higher in the table.

[Millsy]

Hein's positioning perhaps a bit off for their goal but nowhere near actual howlers that Southwood has made however much some of us are desperate to find. His distribution is shocking but his saves are game changing. I know we all like Southwood, he's our boy and yes his distribution and saves are good. And we also are a bit bemused that we got what looks like not a major upgrade (if any). But the fact is he is solid enough.
If/when he does lose us points from major cockups obviously we'll go back to Southwood. Until then accept it and move on. The success or failure of this season has nothing to do with the keeper choice.

Ideally we'll get a solid experienced keeper for next season anyway.

[Orion1871]

Hein's positioning perhaps a bit off for their goal but nowhere near actual howlers that Southwood has made. His distribution is shocking but his saves are game changing. I know we all like Southwood, he's our boy and yes his distribution and saves are good. And we also are a bit bemused that we got what looks like not a major upgrade (if any). But the fact is he is solid enough.
If/when he does lose us points from major cockups obviously we'll go back to Southwood. Until then accept it and move on. The success or failure of this season has nothing to do with the keeper choice.

Ideally we'll get a solid experienced keeper for next season anyway.

Yep. Southwood might be "ours" and "here next season" but he sadly isn't quite good enough. New first choice keeper is needed for next season. Until then Hein will have to do.

[Sanguine]

I expect the deal with Arsenal on signing Hein is that he would play. I'd agree that Southwood is all round more accomplished, but for Reading was likely a case of wanting another keeper in at short notice and so having to agree this setup. Perhaps.

He didn’t play in the first game after we signed him though....

It's of course always up to the loaning club if they then pick that player - Rhys Williams of Liverpool was loaned to Swansea and then recalled after the Swans didn't play him.

Only supposing, possible that there is no such deal with Hein, just seems odd to me that Southwood is on the bench given his generally good level through the season. I'm assuming there isn't much faith yet in Andresson.

[Hound]

Defending corners was certainly so much better with Ince being the outlet. He got the ball a couple of times from clearances, won a free kick and remember him forcing the defender back to his own keeper once as well

I honestly have no idea what Pauno was playing at with the previous tactic. Just inviting crosses in

Certainly more man marking going on as well - think a couple were still zonally marking - a mix of both is imo the best approach

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Thought Brum were a 2 man side. Taylor and Hernandez were best players on the pitch in my eyes. Constant thorn in our side. Take them out of the team and Brum were fairly crap plus they were lucky to keep 11 on the pitch.

I thought Readings shape was much more suited to how we are playing tbh. We were set up like a team fighting for points at the bottom of the table. More logical positioning and more methodical on the build up, a few reminisces of VPs training - Drinkwater and Holmes playing some very horrid passes to keep possession rather than hoofing clear. I dont think anyone had a terrible game but i think a few player faded quite badly before they got 1 back and then we woke up.
I had flashbacks of Derby...2 0 up and coasting then suddenly completely fall apart. So glad we held firm and woke up.
Was alarmed that Ince said that the 17 players is all he has got. That back 4 is the only defenders available now and he cant train properly.

[Stranded]

I expect the deal with Arsenal on signing Hein is that he would play. I'd agree that Southwood is all round more accomplished, but for Reading was likely a case of wanting another keeper in at short notice and so having to agree this setup. Perhaps.

Rumour is Arsenal wanted him to play 10 games minimum.

My main thoughts on Hein is that, we wanted another keeper who was more likely to be ready that our younger ones - and Hein has played internationally so isn't a total novice, so we took the deal. As Ince alluded to last night, we have very little options defensively at the moment and we are lucky to have McIntyre back to be able to replace Rahman - so given the defence were leaking like a sieve and you want to change something, the only position we could look to make a change was in goal. So we got Hein, knowing he'd have to play, which we felt was fine as the defence had to be changed.

Still leaking goals so not sure it really mattered but can see the logic, even if I don't fully agree with it.

Overall though last night, we rode our luck. 3 weeks ago, we are 2 down at HT. Lots of nearlies going forwards - final pass not quite hitting the mark and as mentioned elsewhere Drinkwater looked a different player.

Pretty sure we scored with our only 2 shots on target, though could be wrong on that. Lots of work to do but there were signs that we could pull away from the bottom 3 and even go past Hull or Cardiff.

Need to keep the momentum going at Blackpool, which will be tough as they have won 3 of the last 4 home games.

The home defeat to them started the slide, so would be great if an away win can help us save the season.