Reading 1-1 Shrewsbury Town: Player Ratings
Wareham gets his fourth goal of the season, but too many Royals aren’t at the races against Shrewsbury.
Joel Pereira: 7
Stopped Reading from going behind early with a pair of saves from a penalty. Was partially responsible for causing the chaos from which the penalty stemmed with his loose push out, but reacted well to get down on the first effort before bravely diving on the second.
Already had excellent figures in terms of preventing goals this season, and will have done them yet another boost with the double effort from the spot.
Made another incredible double save shortly after. Wasn’t to know the effort was ruled out for offside when he made it. Couldn’t do much about the thundered-home equaliser.
Came out to make some really important claims from set-plays in the second half in particular, with Shrewsbury’s tall team giving Reading defensive issues at set plays.
Michael Craig: 6
Worked hard with quality to help Reading create chances in the first half, and came out as one of Reading’s busiest performers on the day. Large amounts of build-up and chance creation went through Craig today for better or worse, and he was the Reading player with the second-highest number of touches.
Unfortunately wasted a huge chance for Reading to get a shot off with the score at 1-1 in the 70th minute. Was bowled into a counter-attack by Pereira after a set play, but dawdled on the ball before eventually misplacing his pass to Bodin.
Amadou Mbengue: 5
Really got his legs going as the game went on, and probably looked his fittest since coming back. Sprung out of defence to get a counter-attack going quicker several times at the start of the second half. Struggled a little defensively in the air with Shrewsbury’s considerable aerial threat.
Soundly beaten in the air for the build-up to the equaliser, allowing it to keep coming towards Bindon, who also made a mistake.
Looked the most likely to get Reading moving down the field with urgency in the final 15 minutes, but couldn’t find a pass once in good positions.
Tyler Bindon: 5
Did well in the first half to clean up a ball played back at him with vice when he had a player crawling all over his back as the last man.
Tried to clear the knock on for Shrewsbury’s opening goal but headed it straight to an onrushing attacker. Admittedly tried his best to clear up his mistake with a flying attempted block after hustling back, but couldn’t quite stop the shot.
Not his best game tonight, and was forced to have a lot of possession he couldn’t do much with, but didn’t make any other notable mistakes.
Andre Garcia: 5
A mixed bag of defending in the opening half hour. Was turned inside out once but also showed that he’s improved in one-on-one scenarios at other times.
On the ball, Garcia comes much further central than Craig on the other side, and helps Reading to maintain compactness in their formation when they’re playing on their right side high in the opposition half.
There was no real noted moment for Garcia on the ball tonight, with his fancy footwork often employed to help Reading recycle and look for chances elsewhere. Withdrawn for Abrefa in the second half.
Lewis Wing: 5
Came close to sliding the pass of the season along the central ground in the Shrewsbury half, almost connecting with Campbell.
Really strong in the tackle today, able to mop up some of Reading’s loose possession in Shrewsbury’s third. Couldn’t quite find space to shoot despite Reading having 60% of possession, and actually ceded a lot of his usual touches to Savage today.
Charlie Savage: 5
A danger when the ball falls to him on the edge of the box, winning a corner with one deflected effort even after his marker made a good defensive effort.
Thrived when the game got scrappy at times on the rough pitch, making one such great play just after the 60th minute to win the ball in midfield and get Craig moving forward.
Saw a good amount of the ball, and had some opportunities to deliver into the box, but couldn’t find enough curve to give Reading’s players a chance. Had the final delivery of the day from a free kick but put it into the keeper’s hands.
Harvey Knibbs: 4
Looked a little off it at times tonight, with his concentration and energy level feeling a little off. The worst example of this was his running into Wareham when the striker was attempting to shoot: Knibbs seemingly unaware of where his teammate was.
On the energy side, Knibbs was involved in just 7 challenges all night, a far cry from the 20+ he often gets himself involved in, and half the number of Wareham today.
Without his tackling ability, Knibbs was very limited today.
Chem Campbell: 5
Good in short play early on, but almost made a huge mistake to put Reading behind, giving away Shrewsbury’s penalty by grabbing a free man’s arm and “hauling” (note quotation marks) him down.
Very tidy at switching the ball from foot to foot quickly to wrongfoot a defender and compensated for the lack of challenges coming from Knibbs well by winning the ball back seven times and earning two fouls.
Jayden Wareham: 6
To arrive in the right place at the right time is a skill: Raheem Sterling proved that for England countless times. So indeed, while it can look easy, by arriving in the perfect spot at the perfect time for his goal, Wareham showed the skill necessary to give himself the yard of space he needed to drive the ball home unopposed.
Had a chance to score a second on the line right after Shrewsbury’s equaliser, but saw his effort blocked by both the Shrewsbury player, and Knibbs running directly into Wareham.
Withdrawn for Bodin midway through the second half after another decent performance.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 6
Looked really dangerous in the first half, and Shrewsbury doubled up on him to limit his impact in the second half.
Created Wareham’s goal really well, showing great precision and power. Got to the byline after taking down a cross and turning his man inside out, before giving Wareham the easiest of finishes to ram home.
Came close to creating another shot for Reading when he scythed inside off Camara’s cultured flick, but couldn’t quite find a target once reaching the box.
Could have had his own penalty late and continued that conversation with the officiating team after being subbed.
Subs
Billy Bodin: 4
Looked like he might get an opportunity to shoo shortly after coming on when he raced forward with Craig, but couldn’t find a tempting enough run into space for his full-back.
Hasn’t yet shown what he was brought in for, but Reading didn’t create much behind him.
Mamadi Camara: 5
Not strong enough on the ball at times, getting knocked over and losing the ball tamely shortly after coming on. Followed that up with a sumptuous touch around the corner to Kelvin though: showing exactly what he can offer.
Won a free kick for Reading to get them their final chance of the game.
Kelvin Abrefa: 6
Shields the ball incredibly well. Looks like he’s spent some of his recovery time away from football in the weight room, and used his improved strength to hold off pressers and win free kicks. Happy to get involved in a challenge.
Agile and smart enough to win balls on the far side of the pitch when needed late in the game, but like many other Reading players, overhit his passes when looking to be more creative.
Average: 5.35/10
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