After a good performance, on what turned out to be a miserable final day, Vital Reading looks at the players’ individual performances from the draw with Burnley.
After a good performance, on what turned out to be a miserable final day, Vital Reading looks at the players’ individual performances from the exciting 2-2 draw with Burnley.
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Alex McCarthy – 7 – Could not do much about either goal and made some good saves in the game, especially right at the end of the first half. His kicking seemed better too, but still not perfect. I`d happily take £5-7million for him in the summer if it means we need to balance the books, as long as Feders is still here.
Chris Gunter – 7 – Wasn`t really troubled throughout the game as Arfield was constantly cutting inside and bringing Jones into the game, while Mee didn`t venture forward much. Good defensive showing from the Welshman though, as well as offering his hand going forward too.
Alex Pearce – 6 – Unfortunately he didn`t clear his lines well enough for Arfield`s goal and wasn`t tight enough to Ings for his goal, although the midfield were doing them no favours by allowing a lot of space between them and the defence. Apart from the goals, mostly solid.
Sean Morrison – 6 – Improved performance on his previous showings, but distribution from the back was still shaky. It`s a shame that Morro didn`t rediscover his form before his injury in November, but hopefully with a pre-season under his belt, he can regain it for the next campaign.
Jordan Obita – 7 – Closely tied with Ledge for MotM, but proved once again why he was a deserved winner of player of the season. Kept Kightly quiet for the most part and looked a threat going forward. Obita has also been called up for the England under 20s, so best of luck to him in the summer.
Garath McCleary – 7 – Conjured up one of the best goals that the Madejski will ever see, with a sublime volley from twenty yards. Looked a constant threat throughout and while on some occasions his decision-making is not the best, when it is not going right, he looks our only threat for a goal.
Mikele Leigertwood – 7 – I for one thought Ledge did not have a massive future following his injury, but if we would have had him fit for the whole season, what a player he could have been. He looked much fitter, made tackles all over the field and showed good composure on the ball – could he have one more season in him?
Hope Akpan – 6 – You are probably not likely to see a midfield masterclass from Akpan, but he does the simple stuff well enough. His passing seemed more crisp in this one, but still doesn`t play at a high enough tempo, but does any of our team? Booked early on, which probably didn`t help him making challenges.
Jobi McAnuff – 7 – Good game from Jobi, who did superbly well for the first goal, proving he still may have the legs. First half he was very effective against one of, or if not the best right back in the league in Trippier. He didn`t see much of the ball in the second, but did his defensive duties throughout the game.
Adam le Fondre – 5 – It just didn`t work for Alfie today unfortunately and Adkins revealed after he was carrying a hamstring problem, which probably didn`t help matters. He ran the channels well, but that`s not where you want a one-touch goal scorer. The same hamstring problem ended his game early too.
Pavel Pogrebnyak – 6 – Good battling throughout from Pog, but struggled to link with ALF in this one. Very unlucky not to score in the second half, after it was cleared off the line. I`d like to think Pog will be at the club next year, but being our highest earner and having financial worries, I do unfortunately have my doubts.
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Jake Taylor – 7 – This lad was one positive from a miserable day. He operated on the right side of a midfield diamond and his energy and passion was to clear to see. The youngster didn`t do anything spectacular, but kept it simple and proved that he could play a part in Adkins` plans for next season.
Hal Robson-Kanu – 6 – I`m afraid HRK has done nothing more to convince me that is a player that can play centrally. I was pleased to see there was a willingness to run at players, but with Burnley playing a lot deeper in the second half, it was hard for him to have an influence.
