After weeks of every game being the biggest of the season so far it was almost relaxing to go into a match we never had a chance of winning. Leeds were comfortable victors, without really breaking a sweat.
What was a little annoying is that all the goals in the first half were so avoidable. Mo Barrow tracks Luke Ayling's run well before slipping, allowing the Leeds player to easily pull the ball back to the penalty spot for an simple finish. Goal two sees Pablo Hernandez surrounded by at least four Reading players, but still somehow in a few yards of space. His quick turn and shot hits the woodwork, before dribbling along the line and in. A good finish but he shouldn't have been allowed the time. Similarly for the final goal of the game Blackett stands off Hernandez - who had already shown his talent - before a little shift to the right allows the Leeds' player the angle he needs to pick out the far corner.
Strangely I didn't think Reading played badly in the first half. Indeed there were a few passages of play where they actually defended very well. It was a tad frustrating to watch, because it's more about cutting off the passes than pressing, but they were patient and allowed Leeds to make the mistake. It also wasn't all one way traffic, they did have a chance or two - Yiadom shooting from a tight angle (from the left!?) after a nice move being the best.
The second half was a bit of a non-event. In many ways it was similar to the first, with the only change being that Leeds couldn't take the chances that fell to them. Yiadom again popped up with another opportunity - this time a header after a nice ball in from Blackett. Harriott kept up his promising cameo performances, and even 17-year-old Michael Olise (born 2001) looked composed on the ball.
The problems were much the same as other weeks. If there were a natural anchorman there may not have been so much space for Hernandez, or the quick Leeds breaks may have been stifled. Ryan East and Lewis Baker actually had good games in the middle of the park, but they're both naturally looking to get to the other end of the pitch.
With Rotherham and Millwall both winning on Wednesday night there's pressure, again, to pick up a result away at Stoke on Saturday. They themselves aren't picking up wins and, should the teams below them keep picking up results, are in danger of being pulled into a relegation battle. Plus an affiliation to Luton has been passed down to me, and it would be nice to hamper Nathan Jones' plans.
What was a little annoying is that all the goals in the first half were so avoidable. Mo Barrow tracks Luke Ayling's run well before slipping, allowing the Leeds player to easily pull the ball back to the penalty spot for an simple finish. Goal two sees Pablo Hernandez surrounded by at least four Reading players, but still somehow in a few yards of space. His quick turn and shot hits the woodwork, before dribbling along the line and in. A good finish but he shouldn't have been allowed the time. Similarly for the final goal of the game Blackett stands off Hernandez - who had already shown his talent - before a little shift to the right allows the Leeds' player the angle he needs to pick out the far corner.
Strangely I didn't think Reading played badly in the first half. Indeed there were a few passages of play where they actually defended very well. It was a tad frustrating to watch, because it's more about cutting off the passes than pressing, but they were patient and allowed Leeds to make the mistake. It also wasn't all one way traffic, they did have a chance or two - Yiadom shooting from a tight angle (from the left!?) after a nice move being the best.
The second half was a bit of a non-event. In many ways it was similar to the first, with the only change being that Leeds couldn't take the chances that fell to them. Yiadom again popped up with another opportunity - this time a header after a nice ball in from Blackett. Harriott kept up his promising cameo performances, and even 17-year-old Michael Olise (born 2001) looked composed on the ball.
The problems were much the same as other weeks. If there were a natural anchorman there may not have been so much space for Hernandez, or the quick Leeds breaks may have been stifled. Ryan East and Lewis Baker actually had good games in the middle of the park, but they're both naturally looking to get to the other end of the pitch.
With Rotherham and Millwall both winning on Wednesday night there's pressure, again, to pick up a result away at Stoke on Saturday. They themselves aren't picking up wins and, should the teams below them keep picking up results, are in danger of being pulled into a relegation battle. Plus an affiliation to Luton has been passed down to me, and it would be nice to hamper Nathan Jones' plans.
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