After a rather scrappy, yet pleasing win against Birmingham on Saturday, Vital Reading takes a look at the players’ individual performances from the 2-1 victory.
After a rather scrappy, yet pleasing win against Birmingham on Saturday, Vital Reading takes a look at the players’ individual performances from the 2-1 victory at St. Andrews.
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Alex McCarthy – 8 – The young keeper has received some minor criticism in recent weeks, but was back to his very best today. Made two superb saves to deny Macheda and Zigic headers in the second half. Unlucky to not save the penalty.
Chris Gunter – 8 – The Welshman was our biggest attacking threat in the second half, providing the assist for McAnuff’s goal. Ibe caused him some problems in the second half, but on the whole, was very comfortable.
Alex Pearce – 7 – A good game from Pearce, who dealt with most of what was thrown at him, with Birmingham taking a direct approach in the first half. Zigic provided a different challenge for him, but he dealt with his 6’8 fame very well.
Kaspars Gorkss – 6 – Solid game from the defender, whose only mistake was the foul for the penalty. Apart from this, he dealt with Macheda reasonably well. Won the majority of his headers and wasn’t caught in behind at all.
Jordan Obita – 7 – The young left-back struggled with Ward last week, but dealt better with a good winger in Burke in this one. Solid defensively, making good decisions and offering his hand going forward too. Unlucky not to score.
Hope Apkan – 7 – Good game from Akpan, who made a crucial pass into Gunter for the winner. Hassled the Birmingham midfield very well, but still liable to a slack pass which can put in trouble. Overall he was solid though.
Danny Guthrie – 7 – I really dread to think where we would be without him sometimes. His composure in midfield and ability to keep the team ticking is priceless. Will be a massive miss in the next two games due to suspension.
Hal Robson-Kanu – 6 – Good work rate from HRK, but it seemed he was wasted through the middle and would have been better suited out wide. He didn’t really get in support of Alfie too much either, unsurprisingly the both were subbed.
Royston Drenthe – 7 – Was used wide right in the first half and despite being wasteful on occasions, he did very well for the first goal. His work rate was very good and is only going to get fitter and better in the final furlong of the season.
Jobi McAnuff – 8 – VR MotM – You could tell how much this meant to Jobi, after nearly two years without a goal. Work rate again was top notch and took both goals very well. As Adkins has said, hopefully this is a turning point in his goalscoring form.
Adam le Fondre – 5 – I do feel sorry for Alfie in that he cannot play up front on his own, simple as. He was bullied out of the game by the Blues defenders and only had one sight of goal, where you could argue he could have done better.
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Pavel Pogrebnyak – 7 – The Big Russian changed the game for us when he came on, proving what we have missed over the past few games. Held the ball up very well, but I’m still in shock at how he missed the open goal near the end.
Garath McCleary – 6 – He didn’t have the same impact that Pog did, but still gave us a spark that we were lacking prior to him coming on. I expect him to return to the starting line-up against Barnsley on Tuesday night.
Nick Blackman – N/A – Did he touch the ball?
