Player ratings
Begovic- 7.5 would have been higher but partially to fault for a very avoidable first goal. Redeemed himself in second half though with one very good game winning stop.
Stacey- 7.5 constant threat down the right, really is like carbon copy 2015 Franno. Didn’t do a lot wrong defensively either.
Kelly- first half 4, second half 8, so a harsh average of 6. Game changing moment with his quality cross for the first goal. Looks a real threat going forward at left back. First half looked shaky and like a mistake waiting to happen.
Rico- 2 I really rate the guy but he was God awful today. Offered nothing going forward, just seemed to constantly hoof the ball down the channel and hope for the best. His ‘defending’ for the second goal was embarrassing.
Cook- first half-3 second half-7 so an average of 5. Again, attempt at ‘defending’ for the first goal was a joke, for a seasoned defender in a team with aspirations to go up he can quite simply not be making such schoolboy errors. Looked solid enough in the second half though.
Mepham- 8 thought he was very solid, and perhaps more importantly very proactive in pushing higher up the pitch and moving the ball quickly to up our tempo.
Lerma- first half 4 second half 8, so average 6. All over the place defensively in the first half, very erratic. Second half he was great, more intelligent with his decision making, when to press and when to hold. And used the ball very well.
L Cook- 9 average first half and terrible defending for the goals but on this occasion I’m going to ignore because he was so so good in the second. His second half performance was the complete midfield performance, virtual perfection. Best half from a CM since Arter vs Everton.
Stanislas- 7 actually thought that even in the first half he did okay. Good creativity and fluid movement. Doesn’t offer much defensively in a midfield three but it’s just not his game.
Danjuma- 8 a constant threat, great goal and never stopped going at his opponent. One gripe is that he gets needlessly caught offside too often purely due to laziness.
Brooks-8 good game, constant probing and great assist. Best player in this league when fully fit. Get promoted, sell him for 50m, and build the training ground. Simples.
Solanke- 9 such an underrated player, if he can add goals more consistently then he could be unplayable at this level. Held the ball up brilliantly against tough opponents, picked up pockets of space so intelligently, linked play superbly, and finished his chances today. Reading couldn’t cope with him.