Player Ratings: Drinkwater and Dele-Bashiru struggle in Reading FC defeat at Blackpool

Luke Southwood – 4

Given a surprise opportunity after the injury to Karl Hein, Southwood couldn’t recapture his early season form. Came out and got nowhere close to the ball for Blackpool’s first goal before staying rooted to the line for their second. Probably should have done better with both and although there was nothing he could do about the final two goals, the errors overshadowed a few good saves and decent distribution.

Andy Rinomhota – 6

Probably Reading’s best performer on the day, Rinomhota was forced to deputise at right-back with the Royals’ defensive options verging on non-existent. Gave everything and provided constant energy down the right flank. Wasn’t defensively impervious with a few little mistakes but a number of excellent recovery tackles. Worked his socks off as per usual and Reading desperately missed his presence in midfield.

Rinomhota and Southwood applaud the traveling Reading fans. Image by: JasonPIX

Michael Morrison – 5

Not much he could do about the goals but Morrison really seemed to struggle between getting forward as the aggressor and stating back to cover. Missed Holmes’ front-foot approach next to him as huge gaps frequently formed at the heart of the Royals’ defence.

Tom McIntyre – 4

After a couple of really promising performances at left-back following his return from injury, McIntyre struggled at the heart of Reading’s defence on Saturday. Faced with an incredibly tough task against Blackpool’s physical front two, McIntyre was regularly beaten in the air and couldn’t establish himself physically. Improved as the game wore on but the damage was already done.

Andy Yiadom – 5

Needed at left-back against Blackpool, Yiadom wasn’t quite as solid as in recent months as the whole defence imploded late on. Still came up with a terrific assist for Lucas Joao’s goal and as always gave absolutely everything until the final moments. Deservedly one of the first names on the team-sheet regardless of position.

Danny Drinkwater – 5

Not bad with the ball on a really tough pitch, Drinkwater made some good passes and helped progress Reading’s play. But just couldn’t do the defensive job. Admittedly without Josh Laurent or Rinomhota alongside him it was always going to be a tough test but Drinkwater just couldn’t get the job done. Frequently overrun in midfield as Blackpool controlled large parts of the game and exerted their physical dominance on Reading.

Tom Dele-Bashiru – 4

Virtually anonymous. Reading needed Dele-Bashiru to step up in a big way and while it would be harsh to blame him for the defeat considering he was forced to play out of position, it’s safe to say he did not step up in a big way. Didn’t do much on the ball and disappeared far too often when Blackpool had it. A traditional central midfielder would have gotten less than a ‘4’ for the same performance.

Dele-Bashiru in action against Blackpool. Image by: JasonPIX

Tom Ince – 5

A strange player. Almost always looks dangerous when he gets on the ball but that danger almost never leads to any end product. Becoming pretty frustrating. Worked hard but disappeared for large swathes of the second half when Reading were chasing an equaliser.

John Swift – 6

Went all over the pitch trying to make something happen and his eagerness probably cost his side slightly as he dropped too deep at times leaving Joao isolated up front on his own. Fought hard and looked the most likely to create something. Had one very good free-kick tipped over in the second half and another much worse one go straight into the wall.

Junior Hoilett – 5

Started the game really brightly but faded pretty quickly. A few nice deliveries and looked tricky on the ball but as with Ince, not enough actual end-product to go with that perceived danger. Reading needed him to do a bit more when they were chasing the game in the second half.

Lucas Joao – 6

A tough player to rate, in truth. Took his goal really well, his fifth in his last five games, but did very little other than that. Had one excellent pass to Swift in the second half but struggled to get in the game. Not totally his fault as Reading often left him isolated up front on his own forced to fight against multiple Blackpool defenders.

Substitutes

Yakou Meite – 5

Did Paul Ince wait too long to bring Meite on? Almost certainly. In any case he wasn’t on the pitch for long and didn’t see much of the ball.

Ovie Ejaria – 6

Playing alongside Drinkwater in the centre of midfield, Ejaria actually looked quite bright on his return from injury. A number of neat touches and won a few free-kicks in dangerous positions.