By Shotgun723
August 16 2009

Shola Ameobi was judged as this weekends Man Of The Match by new forum member Shotgun723 in our regular player rater's absence. Read on to see how the rest of the team faired.....

Player Ratings 

Harper - 6 : He was relatively unchallenged the entire game, from what I remember catching a couple of easy ones from a Reading side that would be lucky to average one a game in that form. He looked lost on a few crosses that a better side might have put in, but a clean sheet is a clean sheet so hard to find too much fault.

Enrique - 8 : Put in a dagger of a cross for Shola's first, and it was an indication of the rest of the game, as he and Jonas linked up all day putting enormous pressure on the right side of Reading's defense. He really seems to be coming into his own on his performances at the end of last year and into this season.

S. Taylor - 7 : Much like Harper, the center of the defense had to do little backwards movement all day, but seemed confident in the back with some clearing headers, and only one definite cockup as he botched a ball rolling out for a corner. He did spend an inordinate amount of time coming forward, and although not easily confused with Maradona, he did create some chances by pushing forward.

Coloccini - 7 : Again, like Taylor, not asked too many questions of, but after last year I just appreciate our backside not handing goals over to the opposition. Still spends too much time on ball for my comfort (likely due to his previous time spent at other clubs and on the national team at CDM), but does have some skill to go with it, so it is passable in the Championship.

R. Taylor - 5 : Really looked lost to me for much of the game considering the quality with which the rest of the squad played. Came very close to handling a ball in the first half that would have given Reading a chance to make it 0-1 and could have really changed the course of the game. I am definitely looking forward to seeing Danny Simpson on the pitch Wednesday.

Jonas - 7 : Teamed up with Enrique to worry the Reading back line all day, pushing forward better than usual. It seems like Championship defenders just can't keep up with him, although sometimes he seems unable to keep up with himself as well. Would have received and 8 or 9 from me if he hadn't dumped in his pants 5 yards from the goal after a brilliant through ball from Nolan.

Nolan - 7 : I'm not really sure which real footballer stole Nolan's shirt and ran on the field today, but he looked like a completely different man today. He was a rock in central midfield, making quality, steady passes to all parts of the field with quiet confidence. Although it didn't result in a goal, his ball to Jonas in the first half is the kind I am used to seeing when I tune in to watch an actual Premier League squad play.

Smith - 6 : I waffled on this one, but I had to bump Smudge down a notch due to the fact that he almost got himself booted before the 20 minute mark with some asinine tackling. He calmed down well after that and came through with some of his increasingly common quality slide tackles to shut down a number of Reading attacks. A good man to have at Captain considering the squad we have right now.

Barton - 8 : He may be an ass, but he played just that off today. He ran after every ball close to him, sometimes charging past Shola and Andy to challenge a defender or the keeper. He made some lightning runs down the wing and created a number of opportunities. If he wasn't on a king's wages, I would almost go so far as to say maybe we should hold on to him.

Carroll - 6 : Some might call it harsh, but I just think he looked lost a lot up front. Really seemed to show his age as he looked raw and misguided on some of his runs. I think proof positive is how much Shola shone up front with Andy next to him. He also missed a mark back on Reading's first SOG giving up a free header that, much like R. Taylor's miscue, could have turned it into a very different match.
Shola - 9 : It may not have been pretty, but at least this time it was an ugly hat trick. He looked as Bambi as ever outside of the box, but used his height to his advantage to say the least. The second goal was beautiful, and I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Perfectly executed penalty and well deserved standing ovation as he exited for Xisco. Cheers Shola, it's about damn time.

MOM : Barton for his work overall, but there is no way it can go to anyone but the man to score his first hat trick. So my MOM goes to Shola Ameobi.

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