Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Reading: Player Ratings

A decent display from the Royals was enough for a point on the road at Adams Park.

Joel Pereira: 6

Actually not required all that much in terms of shot-stopping, which was perhaps a surprise for a game in which Reading were playing away at the league leaders.

Almost caught out bizarrely in the first half by a bouncing ball that threatened to go over him and into the net, but he just about recovered. Not soon enough to stop me having a mild panic though.

Not at fault for the opener - he needed more help from his defenders - but he pulled off a good save to deny Garath McCleary late on, flinging himself to his left.

Michael Craig: 6

A typically tenacious afternoon on the whole for Craig, but I thought he looked stronger offensively after the break, when he got forwards well in support of Campbell. However, he should have done better for the opener, being beaten to the low cross by Beryly Lubala, meaning the Wycombe Wanderers forward had a golden chance from close range.

Amadou Mbengue: 7

No worries defensively, but he had a bit of a random afternoon with his distribution, getting mixed luck with long passes into the strong wind. Some more composure there perhaps would have been wise, although one such pass fortuitously found its way through to Smith in the build-up to Reading’s equaliser.

Tyler Bindon: 8

Calm, composed and classy at the back. Bindon stood up well to Wycombe’s second-half pressure and pretty much stopped a goal when he impressively got back to snuff out Daniel Udoh’s chance after he’d rounded Pereira. Had one headed chance in the second half that didn’t trouble the Wycombe goal.

Jeriel Dorsett: 5

Didn’t add as much going forwards as Craig did on the other side, and had to do better for the opening goal. Dorsett was caught too central, allowing Jack Grimmer far too much time and space for picking his cross. He was better defensively later in the game, but those lapses get punished.

Ben Elliott: 7

Probably Reading’s best creative player on the day. Elliott was classy with the ball at his feet and moved it forwards well, being involved in some of our better spells in both halves. He just knits things together so well.

Lewis Wing: 6

Tidy in possession but a fairly quiet afternoon for him - not necessarily a bad thing in a tough game defensively. Wing had a couple of attempts from range - a first-half shot that earned a corner and a second-half free-kick that lacked the power to beat the ‘keeper - but couldn’t repeat his heroics from Tuesday night.

Charlie Savage: 6

Hard-working and busy in midfield, but didn’t have too much of an impact going forwards, with his only action of note a long-range shot in the first half that didn’t test the ‘keeper. Withdrawn in the second half for Camara, with Knibbs taking the left-sided central midfield role.

Chem Campbell: 5

Plugged away down the right-hand side but didn’t get a lot of joy throughout the afternoon. One first-half shot from inside the area that earned a corner was about as good as it got for him.

Sam Smith: 5

Led the line fairly well but wasn’t that involved as a goal threat, with Reading unable to create a lot of quality chances for him.

Although Knibbs spared Smith’s blushes by tucking away the rebound for the equaliser, he should have done better with the one-on-one opportunity himself; on another day that’s a big chance squandered.

Harvey Knibbs: 6

A pretty quiet afternoon overall for someone who’s playing out of position and, as he said after the game, is still nursing a minor injury. However, in typical Knibbs fashion he came up with the goods when Reading needed it, showing excellent instinct and composure to seize the loose ball after Smith’s shot was saved, before putting it away.

Subs

Mamadi Camara: 5

Got about 12 minutes of regular time on the pitch, plus five added on, and didn't influence the game. Tidy enough, but he’ll have wanted to have come up with a bigger attacking impact.

Bonus ratings

Noel Hunt: 9

A strong return to the Reading dugout, picking up a point in his first game back in charge when Reading were expected to lose.

I was concerned before the match that Reading would look a bit shell-shocked due to, y’know, everything that’s happened this week, but clearly Hunt energised his players well enough to ensure that didn’t happen. That’s the sign of a class manager - someone who isn’t just limited to being a coach or tactician.

I’ll have to mark him down a point for Reading drawing rather than winning, but that’s as harsh as I’ll be. Good start Noel, more of the same please!

Mikele Leigertwood: 10

A wonderful surprise to see him among Reading’s coaching staff today. I was just delighted he was there: you can never have too many 2011/12 title winners. His presence only added to the great vibes, so hopefully he’ll stick around in Hunt’s setup.

The weather: 3

Cold, wet, horrible, grey, drizzly... just downright nasty weather today due to Storm Darragh. The only saving graces were that it could have been colder (as attendees of the Cambridge United win will confirm) and it wasn’t quite bad enough for the game to be called off. Still, I couldn’t wait to get back indoors after the game.

The sheer amount of time it takes to get away from Adams Park after the game (and yes I’m still annoyed about this, even a few hours after the match): 1

• It takes ages to get out of a cramped away end that apparently only has one small exit
• Adams Park is right at the end of a single-carriage road that’s somehow expected to bear the load of a mass of pedestrians, cars and buses
• AND the roads closer to the centre of town get packed too

Adams Park is far from the worst away ground, but logistically it’s terrible.

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Average (excluding bonus ratings): 6/10

Who was your man of the match against Wycombe Wanderers, excluding Noel Hunt and Mikele Leigertwood? Vote below or through this link.