Vital Viewpoint - Owls vs Reading

Our man on the spot, robtheowl, provides his player ratings in trying times for Wednesday.

Grant - 7/10

Not at fault for any of the goals. His kicking was poor though, too high, which gives defenders time to adjust their body position. Made one great save from a Rasiak shot to the bottom left hand corner.

Buxton - 7/10

The best defender, won headers and looked comfortable when under pressure, gave 100% and tried his best.

Beevers - 6/10

Made some excellent last ditch tackles when players were clean through but defensive headers were terrible. None of the defenders can head the ball with power, they always loop up into the air which is easy for the opposition to deal with.

Hinds - 6/10

Very similar performance to Beevers, gave his all but just not got the ability. Again heading shocking and let the Reading strikers out-muscle him. However, some good tackles and clearances.

Spurr - 5/10

A shadow of the player he was last season. Posistioning was diabolical and both goals came from McAnuff easily getting past him. To be fair he put in some great crosses, like the disallowed goal, and gave 100%. Looked genuinely dissapointed when the 2nd goal went in, which I admired.

Esajas - 5/10

A lot of people around me were criticising Esajas but he really cannot make an impact if nobody gives him the ball. He was in acres of space time and time again. Only player who looked dangerous when he got the ball.

Potter - 3/10

Awful against West Brom, awful again today. Far too casual and lazy. In the 1st half he showed one fantastic bit of skill and he thought that was his work done. Gave the ball away stupidly, and should have been replaced by Soares.

O'Connor - 5/10

Plenty of effort and determination but just not good enough. The midfield was very unorganised and he was the main culprit. Out of posistion and caught in possession often.

Gray - 4/10

Just has not got the pace or skill anymore. Always played the ball back into danger and lost the ball a lot. At least he did try to get the ball down and play it, but was too weak.

Tudgay - 5/10

In the 1st half he was always running and tracking back, but when they scored his head just dropped and never posed any threat. Had one free header which he blazed over the bar.

Varney - 6/10

He needs the ball to his feet not to his head. When the ball was played to his feet he took a player on and won a corner. Cannot fault him at all with the service he was getting. Was incredibly unlucky when he swivelled brilliantly only for his volley to be denied by the post.

SUBS:

Johnson - 5/10

Looked lively and troubled the Reading defence in parts, some nice footwork, and nearly scored. He posed more of a threat than almost any one else.

Clarke - 5/10

Brought on when we were 2-0 down and could not make an impact. He did have a goal disallowed for handball.

Feeney - 4/10

Again brought on too late. Little time to do anything.

Brian Laws - 1/10

Tactically inept, afraid to play with two wingers and way too indecisive with substitiutions. Why Soares did not come on for Potter I do not know. Every week he brings the subs on too late. What happened to the good passing football? We resorted to pathetic long ball. It needs freshening up, but how?

Thanks to robtheowl. It must have been difficult to be rational and give fair ratings in that atmosphere.

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