Player Ratings: Bolton Wanderers 5-2 Reading

David Button: 4

Brought back into the lineup after Coniah Boyce-Clarke made a mistake and conceded one last week, Button went on to concede five today.

Not all were his fault, especially given two came from penalties, but he still conceded five on just over 3xGOT, and he still struggles with making saves that require good positioning and a long dive.

Did make some good reaction saves as he’s also been known to do, and was far more comfortable in buildup play than Boyce-Clarke was last week. Was also alert in guarding his box, sliding into one challenge on the outside of his box, and coming out when he needed to.

Weak going to his right, and overcompensates with his technique because of it. This caused him trouble with the second penalty, when he took a step to his right to close the distance and watched the penalty sail just past him on the left.

Make no mistake, while the result wasn’t his fault necessarily, the Button we saw from last season was here in all his forms, and Selles has a really tough decision for the Huddersfield game.

Michael Craig: 5

One of Reading’s better performers at times and linked up really well with Campbell and Elliott in the second half spells when Reading generated a good amount of xG.

Struggling a little with the aerial aspects of playing in a back four though, and while his ground duel stats are usually in the positive, the same can’t be said for his aerial duels.

Inverted extremely often, with his heatmap showing him in the opposition half in the left half space at times and delivered the most balls into the final third of any of Reading’s defenders.

Amadou Mbengue: 4

Had a tough first half today up against the big Adeboyejo and the feisty Charles. Brought down his man for the penalty with some unnecessary arm wrestling, getting his arms caught up with the striker’s high, and giving the referee an easy decision to make. In truth, Charles had wriggled just outside of Mbengue meaning allowing him through could have resulted in a goal, but giving away a penalty all but ensured it.

Played out very wide on the right during buildup with Reading actually having a lot of possession and Craig moving inside and did play eight balls into the final third, but wasn’t as effective as usual when dribbling or delivering the ball long.

Very unlucky not to pick up a goal during Reading’s second-half push. Got up well at the back post and headed into the ground and across the goal, but his effort just lacked the power it needed to beat a good save from the keeper.

Tyler Bindon: 4

Joined his centre-back partner in giving up a penalty at a really bad time in the game, shortly after Reading had scored their first and were pushing before the half time break. Probably the softer of the two penalties, Bindon may feel aggrieved, but he had been struggling with Adeboyejo during the first half.

Improved in the second, and was less wasteful and more careful on the ball than his defensive partners. Bindon lost possession just twice more than Dorsett despite playing 50 more minutes, and half as much as either Craig or Mbengue.

Muted in buildup though, with Wing often coming back to fill in. It’s possible that dropping Wing so deep may be limiting the best skills of both Wing and Bindon in the team.

Jeriel Dorsett: 4

An up and down performance that was cut short at just 39 minutes. Good off the ball but really shaky on it. Had to be all action with a lot of Bolton’s attacks coming down his side (again: teams seem to be targeting that side right now).

Won the side two good free kicks as he tried to carry the ball out of defence, but was very sloppy with his passes, completing only 50%, and giving the ball away five times.

Unfortunately went off with an injury in the first half and looked distraught, potentially meaning we could be without him for a while.

Lewis Wing: 5

Today’s captain tried to rally his troops with leadership by example, being a part of nearly everything that happened today, good and bad. Created five chances and sent in three shots of his own. Did unfortunately give away the free kick for the opening goal though, and was booked for his troubles.

Delivered some reasonable set pieces, finding Reading players for a few decent chances, including both Mbengue and Smith at the back post at different times. That said, he did also put a free kick high and wide, and a few corners or wide set pieces into Bolton’s tall backline.

Was the most involved and creative of any of Reading’s midfielders today, but made a few costly individual errors marking him down a point.

Ben Elliott: 6

Creative throughout, but occasionally wasteful, blazing the ball over the top on more than one occasion, but is clearly feeling confident enough to take shots which is encouraging.

Scored an absolute peach of a goal, chesting down a cross at a tricky height from Abrefa, and neatly jabbing it in off the post. Won four free-kicks too, with his darts towards the box now consistently causing panic in opposition defences.

Couldn’t quite get into the box enough later in the game though, and came up short in trying to force an unlikely comeback in the second half.

Harvey Knibbs: 6

Absolutely everywhere in the press today, just as we expect him to be. Got himself involved in 20 duels, far more than any other Reading player, and won 14 of them. Active all over the field and sprung a few Reading attacks that led to shots with a well timed challenge.

Good in the short passing game too, just couldn’t quite find a line breaking pass or room for a shot, but really is the engine that drives Reading’s midfield, with their press looking much more productive with Knibbs in the team..

Chem Campbell: 5

Had two decent chances for Reading in the first half today, first being the man to shoot after a good ball won on the press by Knibbs, and then later shimmying his way around the box before not putting enough power on his low shot to beat the keeper.

Tough to shake the feeling that he should have a goal by now, but given he’s replacing Femi Azeez, a little patience may be needed as it was with the previous occupant of the role.

Faded a little in the second after perhaps being Reading’s best attacker in the first half but was outshone by Kelvin in the second and perhaps lucky to stay on the field when Ruben removed Ehibhatiomhan instead. Showed his versatility and usefulness to the team though by going out onto the the left and can be trusted to compete physically.

Sam Smith: 5

Really out of the game in the first half, marshalled well by Bolton’s backline. Came close to reaching one low cross towards the end of the first half but was stopped at the last by an excellent tackle.

Did well to win his penalty though, soft though it may have been, it was no softer than the one given against Bindon, and Smith gave the eager referee another decision to make.

Put the spot kick away with aplomb, giving Reading a slim foothold in the second half.

Had an opportunity to score from a Wing delivery to the back post but couldn’t guide it away from the goalkeeper. Two goals in six for Smith keeps the ratio reasonable, and he did look a little better with Knibbs back, but Reading could do with Smith kicking on this year.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5

Quiet in the first half, but came to life in the period of the second half where Reading had most of their good play, creating a pair of chances.

Here’s a needle to thread: Kelvin was a willing runner today and got himself involved in the most challenges of any of the forwards, but his performance in that regard was still up and down.

The issue as I perceive it is that Kelvin seems a little weak in the challenge, and needs to improve the use of his considerable frame in this regard. He’s blessed with size and uses it for reach, so needs to use it for ball retention and defence as well.

Subs

Kelvin Abrefa: 6

Abrefa’s introduction for the injured Dorsett changed the game today, with Reading finding a goal from his assist shortly after his introduction and generally looking a lot more balanced and fluid. Outperformed Dorsett’s pass accuracy by over 30%, showing how much he stabilized the left side of the field.

Drove forward fantastically from the wide spaces to pick up that assist, but also did a surprisingly good job inverting into midfield, with Abrefa and Craig at times finding themselves on opposite sides of each other despite starting as full backs.

Adrian Akande: 5

Came on late, picked up the ball in the box from his teammates with some good positioning and run timing, but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to strike quick enough. Doesn’t look intimidated by the level but couldn’t quite find a golden moment today