Reading 3-2 Blackpool: Player Ratings
Grades from a final-day win over the Tangerines.
Joel Pereira: 6
Couldn’t do much about Blackpool’s opening goal, watching the close-range shot go off the post and in. Made an excellent save just before half-time, bravely getting down in front of the Blackpool player who was allowed to progress to the six-yard box. Celebrated in his customary way.
Came a long way out of his goal several times to collect deliveries into the box and made some calm saves from the tame efforts Blackpool managed in the second half.
Conceded an extremely bizarre goal in injury time, playing the ball directly to the Blackpool player closing him down, who promptly smacked it into the net.
Clinton Mola: 6
Deserved a start in the final game of the season to acknowledge his progress this season. Got a nice cross off into the box when driving forward into a wide space at one point, and drifted inside at other times.
Generally very good in possession, helpful to how Reading progress the ball down the field, and retain pressure in attack. Shakier in defence, but often has to start defensive work while returning from an attacking position.
Amadou Mbengue: 6
Played one long grasscutter in particular across the ground, through the press, and out to Knibbs to get Reading going. Has really added passing range to his game in his recent run in the team, and this was one example.
Made some nice challenges to cut out Blackpool’s attacks when they were able to get up to speed. Also blocked balls into the box well if Mola was returning from an in possession position.
Tyler Bindon: 6
Helped Reading limit Blackpool to a pretty dry first hour on the attack, despite the early goal. Played the ball forward well when he had it, but often had to ceded responsibility to a very deep Lewis Wing.
Timed a challenge perfectly and slid in well to cut out a dangerous Blackpool attack early in the second half. Generally pretty unbothered defensively again in the second half.
Withdrawn late on for Holmes.
Jeriel Dorsett: 6
Rose to meet a corner early in the second half, but could only put it just over the net. Used his body to challenge well in the air several times, and eliminate the danger from Blackpool’s crosses into the box.
Used his strength well a few times, notably in the final 10 minutes when he shepherded the ball out of play with a Blackpool player all over his back.
Femi Azeez: 8
Reading’s best performer in the opening 20 minutes as Reading took a little bit of time to get into the game. Worked his way inside to take several nice shots, and ran onto Elliott’s through balls to win corners a few time
Was on the opposite wing when he put in the assist for Smith’s headed goal at the end of the first half, beautifully presenting the ball to Smith with his right foot.
Got the goal he’s wanted for weeks in the second half when he received the ball unmarked towards the back post and powered it low and hard past the 'keeper.
Lewis Wing: 6
Had a few tricky moments in the first half with fouls, and slipped on his attempted clearance in the buildup for Blackpool’s opening goal.
Drifted extremely far back in buildup, and was often deeper on the field than Tyler Bindon when Reading built from the back.
Ben Elliott: 7
Several times got Reading running towards the Blackpool goal by playing in either Knibbs or Azeez. Alert in the second line of the press alongside Knibbs and in front of Wing.
Starting to more and more often show some good defensive anticipation to step forward and win the ball.
All of that compliments the one-touch passing game in which he really excels. Elliott is constantly scanning his surroundings when near the ball and seems to play some first-time passes in his mind before the ball arrives.
Strode through midfield with the ball at his feet a few times when he couldn’t see the pass.
Harvey Knibbs: 7
Wriggled free of his marker and met Azeez’s dangerous cross at the far post, but couldn’t direct the ball on target, slicing it up and over.
When Knibbs plays alongside Elliott, he’s often being deployed a little deeper in the press. This allows Knibbs to get involved in more situations he does well in, (challenges/duels etc) but it does mean he’s a little further back if the counter-attack is sprung.
Played Camara into the box when he received the ball in space in Blackpool’s half, and followed up to collect Camara’s return ball and smash it into the top corner to cap off a fine goalscoring season for Knibbs.
Continued to hustle and scrap late in the game, late in the season, even after Reading were 3-1 up.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 6
Had some bright moments in the first half. Interplayed nicely with Azeez in a move that saw Ehibhatiomhan lay in Azeez in the box. Drove inside from the left side of the box and tried to get room for a shot but couldn’t quite wriggle free and saw his shot blocked.
Better defensively today, and won the vast majority of his 50/50s. That’s important as he’ll need to be a trickier defender to pass next season to keep his spot in the team.
Occasionally wasteful when asked to distribute, in one instance in the 65th minute wasting two opportunities to cross into the box with poor deliveries. Withdrawn minutes after.
Sam Smith: 7
Took his sighter in the 24th minute. Helped Reading to win the ball on the halfway line and then met Elliott's ball forward to double back.
After starting his goalscoring run this season relying on his left foot, Smith has begun scoring with his head more in recent months, but his first-half goal today is the pick of the bunch.
Meeting Azeez’s lofted ball into the box, Smith dove forward to meet the ball early and direct it into the side netting. This description can’t do it justice: you’ll just have to seek out the highlights.
Subs
Mamadi Camara: 6
Made a first appearance for Reading since starting then being withdrawn after 29 minutes against Fleetwood Town in October.
Had an assist in minutes when he received the ball in the box and calmly played in Harvey Knibbs to smash the ball home. Wasn’t able to get on the ball much afterwards, save for helping Wareham get the ball out of Reading’s half late on.
Looks a little though he could do with some time in the weight room in the summer, but has skill and provided himself with a great platform to build on.
Tom Holmes: 6
Entered the field for his final Reading appearance to a well deserved round of applause. Aptly took the captain’s armband from Wing as he did. Spent much of his opening two minutes in Blackpool’s box and eventually helped Reading with a header back across the box.
Helped Reading clear the ball a few times in the late head tennis as Blackpool (weakly) attempted to shell the box.
Charlie Savage: 6
Allowed Wing to spend the closing stages of the game further forward and played a few nice balls forward. Played a nice quick free-kick through to Smith to earn Wareham a chance he should have scored.
Jayden Wareham: N/A
Produced his most involved minute all season in injury time, first managing to get out of defence with the ball at his feet, before getting free in the box… and blasting Smith’s cross up and over.
Kelvin Abrefa: N/A
Got on late and didn’t see much of the ball.
Average: 6.35/10
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