Reading 3-1 Burton Albion: Player Ratings
Sim's ratings from a victory that made it back-to-back wins at the SCL for the Royals.
David Button: 6
Didn’t have an awful lot to do all evening, not really being tested by a poor Burton Albion attack. Equal to the challenge when required, getting down well to stop a low shot into the bottom corner in the first half and doing similar to stop a long-range shot in the second. More involved in build-up in the first half, when the Royals had more of the ball, and looked confident when doing so.
Michael Craig: 6
Another solid shift at right-back from Craig, who had a quiet but effective evening. He wasn’t really tested in the first half when Reading controlled the game, then got 20 minutes after the break before being withdrawn/rested for the pacier Kelvin Abrefa.
Amadou Mbengue: 7
Mbengue really stepped up in the second half with a committed, all-action performance that we’ve come to expect from him. He was typically aggressive and proactive, enjoying getting stuck in, even to the degree at one point that he ended up charging off down the right wing and then swinging a cross in. Really important for Reading repelling Burton for much of the second half.
Tyler Bindon: 6
Solid enough at the back, although not as noticeable as Mbengue.
Andre Garcia: 7
My star man from the first half, Garcia repaid the decision to start him by looking composed, confident and classy in possession. He wasn’t tested all that much defensively before the break, instead getting chances to show his quality with the ball. He had fewer opportunities for that after the break when Burton had more possession, although he did have his moments. Withdrawn soon after the Brewers’ consolation goal.
Ben Elliott: 5
Had some nice touches, but he didn’t get in the game enough for me, particularly in the second half when the flow of the contest went away from Reading and more towards the visitors.
Lewis Wing: 7
Knocked the ball about well in the first half but less influential in the second, although that’s when he got his assist. Wing whipped a vicious cross in late on for Smith to rise highest and meet, glancing an already-powerful delivery past the ‘keeper. Wing could have had a goal or two for himself, putting efforts from Prime Wing Shooting Territory wide in the first half and then over the bar very late on in the second.
Harvey Knibbs: 5
Similar thoughts to Elliott really. Knibbs didn’t have a bad evening, looking more involved in the first half, but didn’t impact it enough after the restart. To be fair, he played the last 25 minutes out of position on the right wing when Ehibhatiomhan was withdrawn, so was always less likely to be at his best.
Chem Campbell: 7
Campbell’s up and running for Reading now with a nicely taken, confidence-boosting first-half brace. Although he was helped by some poor goalkeeping for the first, he was tenacious to win the ball and then classy to slot it last the keeper.
In general play he still seemed a little rusty. On one occasion in the first half for example, he didn't show the pace to capitalise when played through, although he managed to win a corner. Hopefully this run of games and the mental boost of hitting the net twice will be the catalyst for him to really kick on.
Sam Smith: 6
A really well taken goal for Reading’s third of the evening capped off a quiet night for Smith, who worked hard and tracked back well as he always does, but didn’t do too much in the final third. Glanced Wing’s corner goalwards, via the bar, for his third of the campaign.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5
A frustrating evening for a player who showed his quality but also, at times, his poor decision-making. Did well in the buildup to Campbell's opener with a confident run into the area and repeated the trick with a strong run to the byline in the second half, with Reading just unable to force the ball home.
Also guilty of giving the ball away too easily though. Most glaringly, at 1-0, Ehibhatiomhan had a glorious opportunity to play the ball through for the onrushing Smith or Garcia, in behind, but dallied and eventually lost the ball.
I love Ehibhatiomhan's confidence, but sometimes he's too nonchalant in his execution. He'll improve on that with game time though.
Subs
Kelvin Abrefa: 5
Got the last 25 minutes at right-back and had been doing well in helping Reading see the game out, looking positive in possession, but lost his man for the consolation goal. Needs to be more switched-on.
Charlie Savage: 5
Brought on with Abrefa, he didn't have enough impact as the game passed him by.
Harlee Dean and Adrian Akande: N/A
Both came on with a few minutes to go, so not enough time to get ratings.
Average: 5.15/10
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