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Player Ratings – Blackpool (H)

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Vital Reading looks at the players’ individual performances from the 3-0 victory over Blackpool on Saturday.

Vital Reading looks at the players’ individual performances from the 3-0 victory over Blackpool on Saturday. Goals from Glenn Murray, Nick Blackman and an own goal from Peter Clarke sealed a first win in eight for the Royals.

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Adam Federici – 6 – A fairly routine game for Feders, who did not have a lot to do, but did it all comfortably. Distribution was also good.

Chris Gunter – 6 – A much improved defensive performance from the right-back, who I thought would be struggled by Delfouneso`s pace. He also got forward well, but his crossing really does let him down.

Alex Pearce – 7 – A solid game from Pearcey, who did not put a foot wrong all game. He won the majority of his aerial battles against a strong forward and tried nothing extravagant with his passing from the back.

Michael Hector – 6 – Big Hec did his defensive duties well, but was still naïve with his passing and distribution from the back. There was the occasion blind, cross field pass which came to nothing, which is a shame, as he is normally a good passer of the ball.

Jordan Obita – 7 – Considering the night he had against Bournemouth, he showed great character to come back and put in a solid shift. He got forward well too, delivering the perfect cross for Murray`s goal.

Oliver Norwood – 6 – While his form seems to have dipped since his good start, he still did a good job keeping the ball moving in midfield. Blackpool were very compact when defending so we couldn`t really exploit his long-range passing.

Hope Akpan – 6 – We look much more solid with Hope in midfield next to Norwood, merely for his physical presence. His passing was kept short and simple, but he does get beaten to easily on the dribble, which is surprisingly considering his size.

Jamie Mackie – 7 – Man of the Match – Best game in a Reading shirt so far. His work rate is top notch, but finally showed signs of some quality on the right-wing. He may have been up against a make-shift left-back, but he was definitely our biggest threat in the game.

Simon Cox – 6 – There was not as much link-up between him and Murray in this game, but he still put in a decent shift. He can become anonymous in the number ten role though if Akpan and Norwood don`t feed the passes into him.

Hal Robson-Kanu – 5 – I`m waiting for Hal to leave his mark and make that left-wing spot his own, but he doesn`t impose himself on games enough. Even when he drifts inside, he doesn`t see enough of the ball. Maybe he needs a stint on the right-wing again.

Glenn Murray – 7 – Good to see him back in the side and on the scoresheet. He did well to readjust his body for the header and his all-round game was good – it`s just a shame he didn`t have many other sights of goal.

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Jake Taylor – 7 – Adkins said post-match that he added energy and he hit the nail on the head with that. With Blackpool tiring, he stretched them well by using the wings well.

Pavel Pogrebnyak – 5 – Pog didn`t really see much of the ball, but doesn`t look very motivated at the moment anyway.

Nick Blackman – 7 – I have said before I think he has been treated harshly by being on the bench, but he would have proved a point to the gaffer with this cameo appearance, winning and scoring a penalty late on.

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