Newcastle United 4 vs 1 Reading - 17/08/16

[Hjl]

Match Stats

Possession was Reading 58% Newcastle 42%
Total shots were Reading 13 Newcastle 11
Shots on target were Reading 3 Newcastle 7
Corners were Reading 9 Newcastle 2

Interesting, I'm pretty sure in the two we lost we dominated possession. Wonder what that suggests

[Colback's Orange Tufts]

I can't help but feel Anita is going to play no matter what. Hopefully not on the wing (Rafa doesn't trust Aarons yet).
Maybe we go for Ritchie left, Janmaat right wing and either Anita or Gamez at right back?

Well I was half right. I'm encouraged by this scoreline, not because it was wholly convincing but because we managed to muddle through. Did that alot in our last promotion season, will need it again.
And fringe players like Gouffran coming in to do a job.

[toonboy984]

Match Stats

Possession was Reading 58% Newcastle 42%
Total shots were Reading 13 Newcastle 11
Shots on target were Reading 3 Newcastle 7
Corners were Reading 9 Newcastle 2

Interesting, I'm pretty sure in the two we lost we dominated possession. Wonder what that suggests

If we can tighten up defensively, I think opposition having a bit more of the ball may actually work in our favour. I think we'll really struggle when teams sit in with 10 men behind the ball. Reading were a lot more positive on the ball than Fulham and Huddersfield but in turn in meant that defensively they weren't as solid and at times we were able to exploit some space. It does all depend on how we defend though.

[TBC]

1) Inspired by your first point I was curious to look up his pass % through 3 matches: 68%, which is up 17% from Elliot last season; although I know that's a small sample size, and lower opposition - but still, good sign.

2) As for Perez, I think he's always had a problem with that, his intensity wavering and his ability to consistently get on the ball and stay involved in matches. I was hoping lower opposition might open things up for him, but it seems the problem's persisted so far.

3) Sounds about right.

I can't take credit for the Sels spot, the bloke next to us at the match pointed it out. It's not even just finding his man it's actually ball to feet, excellent technique to get it up and down.

With regards to Perez I've always said he looks like more of an impact player, someone to come on and change the game, and I've seen nothing still to suggest otherwise.

[LONDONTOON]

In Vietnam but just checked the score, so good to have been off the mark and battered a team.

Have to get promoted this season, no excuses

[gotcoffee]

Just out of interest, anyone who was there or has seen the full match .. his penalty cock-up aside, how did Clark look in general? poor or good cover should we hit the usual injury patch?

[krully]

Perez lacks a good first touch i feel would like to see the formation switched up from the 4-4-1-1 and get him dropped

[TJR]

Just out of interest, anyone who was there or has seen the full match .. his penalty cock-up aside, how did Clark look in general? poor or good cover should we hit the usual injury patch?

He did ok. Looked a bit nervy at first but no more so than Lascelles or Hanley have this season. Comfortable enough on the ball and communicated well, like Lacelles and Hanley you can see his leadership qualities.

I haven't seen the highlights yet but from the stands it certainly looked like it was never a penalty, he got the ball. That said our pen didn't look like it should have been a pen. Then there was a stonewaller on Gayle off the ball but that wasn't given. The ref was awful, especially first half, crowd thankfully got on his back and he succumbed to our pressure second half.

[Speedo]

The Gayle incident should have been an indirect free-kick, not a pen - it was an off the ball incident.