For all the nice football we play in the middle of the pitch...we look so shaky every time we have to defend in any form. No excuses.

I think this is the way I would have gone. Dolan for Evans with Elliott playing in the middle.

Apparently Rothwell was Covid clear to play today, had a bad back so missed out. Hopefully nothing serious and he’s okay for Saturday.

I’d doubt Mowbray would drop Lenihan, but on performances alone he needs to give Ayala and Williams a run together. No positives to take from tonight, apart from maybe Arma keeping his run going.

Both Reading full backs look very good.

Gallagher isn’t suited to our quick tempo at all, he cannot keep hold of the ball.

Great worked goal, top cross from JRC and great finish from Arma.

Wow, was it a 4 year deal? Jesus, who’s his agent? Makes no sense given he was signed as a reserve and isn’t even proven.

Nail on the head, I think that was midweek evening game too. Certainly a lot stronger.

Douglas has looked out of position on a few occasions defensively. More promising going forward. Lenihan seems to be lunging in for every challenge, like he’s always a few seconds behind. 1st 25 mins were dire, probably worst of the season or at least up there with the Forest game.

Cannot believe Evans has got a starting place here. Regardless of Johnson’s fitness he shouldn’t be next in line.

Yes the table is specific to individual games. e.g. i think one model i saw had us drawing with Bournemouth, beating Watford and Cardiff and losing to Forest. The 2nd sentence would be relating to the goal difference and xG actually has us 1 goal fewer than we've scored through the 7 games so far. So we can be top of overall xG table which takes into account game by game and also xG goals scored.

It's not a definite science by any measure, but allows you to see where positions may be false and gives you a guide to under/over performance vs luck essentially. For example a poster here assuming Reading were the bookies favourites, probably from just purely looking at the league table. Bookmakers and pro's would incorporate it into their pricing, especially for outright modelling, if we remain as dominant as we have been in the last few matches over the next week or two expect us to be one of the favourites for the league. It's not solely based on the quality of chances, it also takes into account the location of the chance and the type of chance e.g. penalty, 1 on 1, header etc. Different companies have different models though and some may not take this into account in lower leagues. It's obviously not the be all and end all, but it offers a bit of perspective on what is currently a small sample size (6 games) EDIT: what Joe said ?

You can try on the Sky Sports app (although i think that has to be Sky subscribers too). Otherwise it's free on the Sky Bet app if you happen to have an account with them. EDIT: noticed plenty of others have suggested this too now.

Rovers sitting top of the xG table, with Reading mid-table. It's unsustainable for them to continue as they are (1 shot on target at home vs Wycombe). I'm expecting us to dominate possession and with Holtby playing I think we will create the chances to win this comfortably

Couldn’t care less if Brereton doesn’t score all season if he continues with these assists. He’ll prob be a 5-10 a season guy but that’s fine in the role he now plays and as a non-setpiece taker. He was brilliant again today, as was Elliott and I think this will continue to be our starting front 3 for the time being.

Fantastic from Brereton again today. The thing about today that I’m happiest about is the fact Tony saw the players who needed replacing and did so. Glad it’s been rewarded with a win and long may it continue.

Glad Armstrong slotted the penalty, missing 2 in 2 might have had a dent in his confidence a bit. Hopefully we kill it off quickly in the 2nd half.

No complaints with that team what so ever. I’d rather have seen Buckley than Johnson in this kind of game but can’t complain. The main thing Tony had to do was replace Bell and Evans with Douglas and Trybull and he’s done that.

No Holtby? Or is he not available and I’ve missed it? He’s been our best player this season.

Buckley was poor against Forest, however Johnson has been no better in the last few games. He also played alongside Evans and Johnson, I’d expect more for him with Holtby in the centre too. Assuming Ayala is injured... Kaminski JRC Lenihan Williams Douglas Holtby Trybull Buckley Elliott Armstrong Brereton

Did he also put the ball through for the yellow card that could/should have been red? I think it was, and it was also a lovely weighted pass. Both were from more central areas though, not convinced he’s an out and out wide man (first time I’ve watched him mind you).

Rothwell still out for Saturday. Eugh

The Cardiff and Forest games were far more frustrating. We really need to bounce back in a game we expect to win on Saturday. Rothwell, Trybull and Douglas in for Evans, Johnson and Bell. Williams in for Ayala if he’s injured.

Is Rothwell clear for Saturday? If so I’d like to see him and Trybull alongside Holtby.