Reading up next, they play a system we've come unstuck against several times at home this season with 5 across the back line and 3 central midfielders playing compact. They play a low block and look to play long balls to the likes of Lucas Joao and Andy Carroll. This article does a good job at breaking down their tactics and why they've had some sucesss this season so far, for those interested:

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/analy ... is-tactics

Looks like we could be without both Cullen and Cork (!) so will we see Bastien start in the 'Cork role'? Vitinho has played a lot lately and tired the other night, could Roberts come back in for this one? I think the same 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 system from the game with Norwich will be used again.

Muric
Roberts
THB
Beyer
Maatsen
JBG
Bastien
Brownhill
Zaroury
Tella
Jay

Muric
Vitinho THB Beyer Maatsen
Brownhill Bastien (If Cullen out)
Benson Tella Zaroury
Jay

Team doesnt change for me yet since norwich unless injuries

Read Ince’s comments about the game this morning. Very complimentary, toughest test of the season and conceding possession to us up front.

Didn’t know they are payed 5-3-2/low block. That will make it very, very tough for us - not really what we’ve done well against.

Will need to improve on the quality of the final ball from the Norwich game whatever formation we play, hopefully Cullen back in and maybe Bastien for Cork.

Dirty bugger Carroll could be the biggest problem.

Carwin261 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:17 am

Dirty bugger Carroll could be the biggest problem.

Carroll will be a challenge in the air and the other lad is a decent finisher from what I’ve seen. Hoping we can get a few goals. Movement & final ball will be the key.

4midable wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:55 am

Team doesnt change for me yet since norwich unless injuries

It has to change as Cork is suspended for 5 bookings

I wouldn't want to make wholesale changes. Bastien in for Cork, assuming Cullen is out. Benson vs JBG the only main decision.

I wonder if we’ll see 3 centre halves again at some point tomorrow.

Carwin261 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:17 am

Dirty bugger Carroll could be the biggest problem.

Long could handle him.

There away record is woeful hopefully we get the job done

ksrclaret wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:40 am

I wonder if we’ll see 3 centre halves again at some point tomorrow.

I'd be very very surprised if we started with 3 from the off. Maybe in the final minutes again depending on the score.

jen1066 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:52 am

I'd be very very surprised if we started with 3 from the off. Maybe in the final minutes again depending on the score.

Yeah me too, we should set up to attack as an early goal would be the best thing for us, but if we get ourselves a goal in front we might want to consider it again late on given the height they have in their side.

Good to have many options.

We should tire the big lump out by passing around the back.

Or cometh the hour Kevin Long.

Carwin261 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:17 am

Dirty bugger Carroll could be the biggest problem.

This.

Upto Muric to command his box and not let him bully us.

Isn’t Carroll’s normal tactic against us to get sent off?

I hope VK ignores the head to head record, it makes grim reading. The number of home defeats in games we would almost always expect to win is alarming. Ironically we won the two in 2008/9 when Reading were probably favourites against us.

claretbob wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:03 am

I hope VK ignores the head to head record, it makes grim reading. The number of home defeats in games we would almost always expect to win is alarming. Ironically we won the two in 2008/9 when Reading were probably favourites against us.

He seems a pretty clever fella, so I think he'll ignore it. Many of our new signings have probably never heard of Reading prior to joining, other than when they were at school doing English lit.

Same team for me except for Bastien in for the suspended Cork. Depending on how the game is going, I'd like to see more of the Turkish lad (won't attempt to spell his name without looking) - he looked promising on Tuesday night.

All about getting the goals when we are on top for 25 mins like against Norwich, take the chances and it doesnt matter about Andy Carroll or the last 10 mins
Same team for me, with cullen/Bastien for Cork

I reckon 8 of our starting line up are pretty much undroppable.
Muric, TBH, Cork, Cullen, Zaroury, Brownhill, Tella and JayRod.

With Cork and Cullen both missing Bastien is the first name that comes to mind but he isn't as defensive a player as Cullen, could VK play Vitinho in there instead? Whether Maatsen, Bastien or Roberts play would seem to depend on where VK wants to play Vitinho.

Bastien has played relatively few minutes all season, if you take his goals per minute so far this season and calculate how many he would get if he played every minute for the rest of the season he'd score 20! Obviously that's not going to happen but he's either been incredibly lucky or he poses more of a goal threat than everyone else in the team with the exception of Tella and Jay.

Maatsen has 4 assists from the 12 games he's featured in, he could well end up with more than any other player in the squad. With 4 days to recover and no traveling I can't see any reason to rest any of the players so I'd definitely hope that he's in the starting XI. He certainly carries more or a threat than Roberts so you'd think Vitinho would be better covering on the right than the left if he does play at full back.

At the back, ignoring the Coventry game where they played 45 minutes each, I'd go for Beyer, two clean sheets in his last two games whereas you need to go back to the Millwall game at the end of august to find the last clean sheet where Taylor played CB for 90 minutes. Hopefully this is evidence that Beyer is getting to grips with VKs system and he'll only get better.

Fully rested I reckon VK ought to be opting for Bastien from the start with JBG coming on when he's run his full back ragged for over an hour.

Interesting one this with Cork being suspended

I suppose a lot depends on Cullen’s fitness

If Cullen is fit I’d be tempted to play:

——————-Muric
Vitinho-THB-Beyer*-Maatsen
JBG-Brownhill-Cullen-Zaroury
———————-—-Jay
——————Tella

If Cullen is out then I’d probably play:

—————-Muric
Vitinho-THB-Beyer*-Maatsen
———Bastien-Brownhill
Tella———-JBG——Zaroury
———————Jay

* Chaz if Beyer has a tweak (as seen against Norwich)

Reading are 8th having lost 7 half their games. scoring 19 goals (average) and mostly beaten lesser sides. We are top and have now played half the teams in the top 10/12. We've dominated in all but one game (West Brom) and clearly have the best players.

I think it's now realistic for us to be expecting to win against teams like Reading.

I also suspect he may go with:

—————-Muric
Vitinho-THB-Beyer*-Maatsen
———Bastien-Brownhill
JBG——Tella——Zaroury
——————Jay

But we are in 1:1 territory

Possible plan B if we need a change.

————-Muric
Vitinho-THB-Beyer*-Maatsen
———Bastien-Brownhill
Tella——Zaroury
Dervişoğlu — —Jay

The biggest problem we'll have without Cork unless we sacrifice Brownhill entirely is that we won't be able to screen Carroll by having someone competing in the air in front of the back four.

There are two more left field replacement options that could address this. One is Lowton - he played in midfield in his youth (and possibly in a cup tie last season) passes it well and is good in the air.

The other is Egan Riley who I'm sure came with the suggestion he could play a defensive midfield role.

But either would probably be more comfortable alongside Cullen as a natural passer. If he doesn't make it you have to assume it'll be Bastien and Brownhill and a different sort of central 2.

The biggest problem we'll have without Cork unless we sacrifice Brownhill entirely is that we won't be able to screen Carroll by having someone competing in the air in front of the back four.

There are two more left field replacement options that could address this. One is Lowton - he played in midfield in his youth (and possibly in a cup tie last season) passes it well and is good in the air.

The other is Egan Riley who I'm sure came with the suggestion he could play a defensive midfield role.

But either would probably be more comfortable alongside Cullen as a natural passer. If he doesn't make it you have to assume it'll be Bastien and Brownhill and a different sort of central 2.

Benson would start for me with how deep they are likely to play

Muric
Vitinhio / Roberts (nothing in it imo)
Matsen
THB
Beyer

Bastien
Brownhill

Benson
Zahouray
Tella

Jay

If Cullen is fit then he probably has to start instead of Bastien

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:23 pm

The biggest problem we'll have without Cork unless we sacrifice Brownhill entirely is that we won't be able to screen Carroll by having someone competing in the air in front of the back four.

There are two more left field replacement options that could address this. One is Lowton - he played in midfield in his youth (and possibly in a cup tie last season) passes it well and is good in the air.

The other is Egan Riley who I'm sure came with the suggestion he could play a defensive midfield role.

But either would probably be more comfortable alongside Cullen as a natural passer. If he doesn't make it you have to assume it'll be Bastien and Brownhill and a different sort of central 2.

We've mostly been done by pace down the wings and individual errors. If they cede possession and play a low block we could be in the 60:40 possession territory and I'm not sure how far up the pitch Caroll will get...!

He'll win headers against anyone but I can't see them having the kind of possession where he can become dangerous so I'm half of the mind of a Plan B (above approach). The only caveat to that is no Cork or Cullen.

Sheffield United, Rotherham, Sunderland and Swansea all scored 3 or 4 against them. I think the biggest danger is we become clogged in midfield and they snatch one from an individual error rather than anything Andy Carroll does. Reading are 8th but they aren't beating the better sides.

A test for VK games like this - we should be going for all 3 points...! Progress is turning the 1.1 draws against teams like this into wins.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:24 pm

The biggest problem we'll have without Cork unless we sacrifice Brownhill entirely is that we won't be able to screen Carroll by having someone competing in the air in front of the back four.

There are two more left field replacement options that could address this. One is Lowton - he played in midfield in his youth (and possibly in a cup tie last season) passes it well and is good in the air.

The other is Egan Riley who I'm sure came with the suggestion he could play a defensive midfield role.

But either would probably be more comfortable alongside Cullen as a natural passer. If he doesn't make it you have to assume it'll be Bastien and Brownhill and a different sort of central 2.

We could play Beyer there and bring Taylor back in, Carroll may start on the bench anyway.

Could Beyer be injured ? He went down and signaled to be dubbed in last game. Not seeing Cullen starting. BK said he was day to day but wasn’t sure about tomorrow. Cork suspended.

Doubt if VK will risk Cullen

Aro
Vitinho
Maatsen
Breyer
THB
Bastien
Brownhill
Benson
Tella
Zourary
Jay

BPF
Roberts
Long - to combat Carroll if he gets too much for our CH’s aerially
Taylor
JBG
Egan-Riley
Halil

Egan Riley looks an interesting prospect. He played for 5 mins against Swansea, made 11 passes with a 100% pass completion and seemed to pop up everywhere in that very short cameo. Surprising he lost his place on the bench after that. Another reason why the Crawley game when he surely gets a start should be an intriguing watch.
The next two games at home will be great pointers going forward. Winning rather than drawing these kind of games is likely to be the difference between top 2 and top 6. The workload being demanded of these players is crazy they will certainly deserve a few weeks on the beach during the Wc break if we can continue the winning form until after the Derby.

Muric
Roberts THB Beyer Maatsen
Brownhill Bastien
JBG Zaroury
Tella JRod

Although I think Zaroury, Tella and Brownhill could do with a rest before next Saturday. So I'm expecting some "rotation" of sorts for Reading or Rotherham

Aro

Vitinho Beyer THB Maatsen

Brownhill Bastien

JBG Tella Zaroury

J-Rod

Picks itself for me. Taylor instead of Beyer if he doesn’t make it.

I think the lions share of Benson’s best work has come from the bench so far this season. I’d be more excited about him coming on to replace JBG against a tiring defence than vice-Versa.

Could be an issue missing Cork's height at the back in deadball situations - hes one of the tallest in the team now.

Flying Without Ings wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:36 am

Same team for me except for Bastien in for the suspended Cork. Depending on how the game is going, I'd like to see more of the Turkish lad (won't attempt to spell his name without looking) - he looked promising on Tuesday night.

Agree with this. He looked sharp.

BigGaz wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 4:29 pm

Aro

Vitinho Beyer THB Maatsen

Brownhill Bastien

JBG Tella Zaroury

J-Rod

Picks itself for me. Taylor instead of Beyer if he doesn’t make it.

I like this unless Cullen is fit, then he replaces Bastien.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:42 am

Muric
Vitinho THB Beyer Maatsen
Brownhill Bastien (If Cullen out)
Benson Tella Zaroury
Jay

Same for me although I expect JBG will get the nod over Benson which is fair enough as he's a bit more solid if maybe not quite as exciting

Muric
Vitinho
Maatsen
THB
Taylor if Beyer is out
Brownhill
Bastien if Cullen is out
Benson
Tella
Zaroury
Jay

Too much being made of Carrol.

VK's focus will be on us getting a hatful of goals. If that bone headed loon happens to rag an odd one at the other end then so be it.

He's more likely to end up bringing them down to 10 men with his gormless yobbery.


I'd like to see Darko given an early run out, and Viti maybe a wee bit further up the pitch.

Tom Ince has turned up for a couple of games and takes a decent free kick But Reading without Swifty are struggling at times
Back 4 vulnerable to pace and they threw away a two goal lead at Swansea
We scored first and they will buckle
Let Carroll bully us and we may have a problem
Another chance for 6 points with back to back home fixtures that we must take full advantage of
We need a cushion of the points before we visit Bramhall Lane.

fatboy47 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 29, 2022 4:02 am

I'd like to see Darko given an early run out, and Viti maybe a wee bit further up the pitch.

Churlinov is not in full training yet

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 29, 2022 7:29 am

Churlinov is not in full training yet

My bad... Meant Dervisoglu

I certainly wouldn't be surprised if Dervisoglu started today instead of JBG, with Tella playing wide right and Jay in the hole. Adds height to the team and particularly if Cullen misses out we might benefit from allowing Jay to get on the ball more. His quick feet might also help in unlocking a defence playing a low block. It's certainly an interesting possibility, there were promising signs in his midweek cameo.

Carroll will take of himself as usual - elbow and red card after 20 minutes

I'd be very surprised if Dervisoglu started. He's played a total of 11 minutes over 2 games (one site says 19 minutes). He's likely to play more minutes as a sub first before being thrown on from the start.

And we should be taking the game to Reading - not worrying about adding a few more inches in height. They will be more worried about our play on the ground than us worrying about height.

That might be right, but we've 3 games this week and a very quick turnaround after Rotherham do it'd be a surprise if Jay started all 3. If Barnes is now out of favour that means Dervişoğlu leading the line against Rotherham most likely, in which case giving him a start alongside Jay first makes some sense. He's not just a kid Dervişoğlu, he's a bit more experienced than that although you are right that Kompany is cautious with new introductions.

As for the height point - its not the be all and end all, but it helps to be equipped to deal with the height of opposition teams. That's something Kompany himself has identified as a factor in selection.

Carroll on the bench after all that

claretandy wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 29, 2022 2:05 pm

Carroll on the bench after all that

He has been for most of their games (especially recently)

Found it a bit strange some posters were more focused on neutralising that donkey (that doesn’t even start) than playing our natural game!