Obita

[RaySmith]

I haven't seen someone deal with Fredricks as well as he did before - a big plus if he isn't playing.

[copthornemike]

Obita was fast enough for Frederickswhen he stood 5 yards from Fredericks before received the ball and prevented him going outside and driving to the bye line and then towards the penalty area.

In the earlier 5-0 match the 5-0 Fred consistently skinned him from a standing start when Obita tried to tight mark him - resulting in a yellow card folowing a series of fouls by Obita.

Persoanally I thought it showed Stam and his coaches intelligence in drilling their defence for the match - and would not be surprised to see Reading repeat their tactics as long as the match remains tight or until near the end if they are not ahead.

If their left back (I suspect Obita will not be fully fit in time) gets an early yellow card that may well prove decisive in freeing Fred to run riot I hope.

As for Betts I thought rather than hoofing his kicks towards Martin kicking towards the corners for our quicker forwards to chase might be a better tactic and make them think twice about pressing so far upfield.   

[westcliff white]

Obita was fast enough for Frederickswhen he stood 5 yards from Fredericks before received the ball and prevented him going outside and driving to the bye line and then towards the penalty area.

In the earlier 5-0 match the 5-0 Fred consistently skinned him from a standing start when Obita tried to tight mark him - resulting in a yellow card folowing a series of fouls by Obita.

Persoanally I thought it showed Stam and his coaches intelligence in drilling their defence for the match - and would not be surprised to see Reading repeat their tactics as long as the match remains tight or until near the end if they are not ahead.

If their left back (I suspect Obita will not be fully fit in time) gets an early yellow card that may well prove decisive in freeing Fred to run riot I hope.

As for Betts I thought rather than hoofing his kicks towards Martin kicking towards the corners for our quicker forwards to chase might be a better tactic and make them think twice about pressing so far upfield.   

Agree, Thats the point re Obita he played well didnt get tight to Freds and allow him to go outside, very good play and nullyfied freds, hence him having one of his poorest games htis season, Reading did their homework well. The learnt from the 5-0 and executed their plan very well.

[JoelH5]

I haven't seen someone deal with Fredricks as well as he did before - a big plus if he isn't playing.

Thing is, if he does play, you can 100% guarantee he wouldn't be playing if it wasn't the playoffs.

If they want to rush him back in so be it. He wont be 100% fit and could actually turn out to be the weak link. Would you want to be chasing Ryan all night? Let alone with a weak ankle!

A nice hard challenge to give them some of their own medicine at the start should do the trick.

[Southcoastffc]

In a way I hope he does play tonight.  If he 'just' turned an ankle it won't be that easy for him in a foot race with Ryan F.

[JoelH5]

Our real positive is that Reading have to play the same way. That's the best chance they have of keeping us quiet. With that in mind, we pretty much know what they will do so will have been able to plan for it.