WSL 20/21 | United v Reading | 12:30 Sun 7th Feb

[jojojo]

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Live on BBC red button and on FAPlayer in most countries.

Everything about this says it will be a tough match (physically as well as in competition terms) and a tight match. We are a tougher team these days though and this season we've shown that we can drag a winning goal out of somewhere in a close game.

Tobin Heath is going to be out for a while.
Alessia Russo and Lucy Staniforth are getting closer to fitness now.
Lauren James is injured again and Casey says they're going to be cautious about how quickly she can come back.

We've still got the players to beat Reading though, despite the injured attackers. We've got an in form Leah Galton and Ella Toone.

Christen Press looked sharp as well. I'm assuming that she hasn't gone to the US yet. It looks like the UK based players are joining the SheBelieves squad on the 13th. We play City on 12th, so I'm guessing that match was scheduled for the Friday night to help the international players.

City play Arsenal after our match this Sunday. It's going to be a big week in terms of sorting out those top places. Step one though, is we need these three points against Reading.

 

[jojojo]

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Thorisdottir makes her debut, presumably playing at fullback.

Bench looking a little thinner than it did, due to an accumulation of injuries. Carrie Jones and Tara Bourne from the U21 team have joined the squad. Martha Harris is back in the squad after bruising her ribs.

 

[Ubik]

Gaaaah great move, so close.

 

[jojojo]

Lively start. Reading looking like they'd scored, only for the ball to float wide. Ella Toone hits the inside of the post and it rebounds out again. Galton with an unlikely miss.

Still goalless but hard to see how.

 

[jojojo]

Tobin clutching a hot water bottle in the stands. Someone find her one of the big coats, or a blanket or something.

 

[jojojo]

HT 0-0

As expected, a tight, tough match. Plenty of attacking intent on both sides though, even if it been a bit scrappy in terms of implementation. The only surprise is that it's goalless.

 

[Ubik]

Making some bizarre decisions in the final third this game.

 

[jojojo]

Groenen on for Ladd. Casey wants the three points.

 

[Ubik]

That's an unreal save.

 

[Lightbringer]

Starting to watch the game now, come on United!

 

[Ubik]

And again. Hope this isn't turning into one of those games.

 

[Lightbringer]

Why is the Reading goalkeeper wearing half inserted earplugs in an empty stadium?

 

[Ubik]

Gah, taking lesson from the men in defending that.

 

[jojojo]

Ouch. Reading go one up after another setpiece and goalmouth scramble.

 

[RORY65]

two bad goals from set pieces.

 

[jojojo]

Bloody hell 0-2

Similar shoddy defending in the 6 yard box from a setpiece.

 

[Robin]

Not playing at all well , look a bit lethargic

 

[DomesticTadpole]

This is turning into an awful weekend.

 

[Ubik]

What a terrible five minutes, two great chances saved and two bad goals lost.

Just need to keep at them.

 

[Rolandofgilead]

Please get Leah Galton off the pitch before I lose my composure.

 

[jojojo]

This is reminding me of our LC matches where we never seemed to quite get going.

 

[jojojo]

Reading - one win in their last 10 matches. Ouch.

 

[Ubik]

Is this ref a moron?

 

[thedano]

Very poor performance, Press just looks lost. Galton missed a lot of chances but was at least trying. Really need Russo back so we have a target up front.

 

[Robin]

Worst performance in the league for a long time, Reading deserved it , thank God for the U23’s not ruining the whole weekend, and even they tried to

 

[Ubik]

Unfortunately Heath being out really beginning to bite, Press for whatever reason just isn't close to that level so far. Galton's been great to pick up the slack previously but her worst game of the season today. Title was always a big ask but huge fight to make that top 3 now.

 

[Dudu]

I bloody hate playing Reading. Bogey team strikes again.

I swear we're always dropping points to them.

 

[RORY65]

Really poor performance overall. The defence was bad, even apart from conceding at set plays having 2 centre backs who struggle with pace is not good, the midfield never looks right without a fully fit Groenen while the front 3 got very little service (Toone wanting to shoot every time she gets the ball and not even looking for the forwards, who were open quite a lot in the first half, is an issue for this team when she doesn't chip in with a goal).

 

[Ubik]

2 of the next 3 games are City and Arsenal away as well.

 

[Lightbringer]

This was painful, but due to happen. With the injuries we have we might struggle. Also I feel our position in the table does not reflect or true squad quality, we have probably outperformed ourselfes and that will be tough to keep up for the whole season. Still wasteful to lose on these setpieces. Press may be in decline as well, I am pretty sure we will need to replace her and Tobin for next season, Tobin is aging as well, they are not the future. If Galton had managed to not hit the keeper at the start of the 2nd half I am sure I would be singing a different tune though.

 

[kundalini]

A few moments of quality from us, Christen Press' backheel in the move that led to Kirsty Hanson finding Ella Toone, whose shot hit the inside of the post, a super strike from Ona Batlle only for the Reading keeper to produce a brilliant save, lovely skill from Katie Zelem but her shot from an angle was saved easily and a great cross from her that Leah Galton headed straight at the keeper.

Difficult conditions combined with Reading's aggressive press meant it was a challenge to build moves. Leah Galton had the chance to score from Kirsty Hanson's cross but her shot was too close to the keeper. Ultimately too many crosses that either went out of play or were slightly too deep for our attackers, poor shots from just outside the area and through-balls that had too much pace. The substitutes, if anything, were worse than the starters they replaced.

Not sure what Ona Batlle was attempting to do defending the near post at the corner from which they scored. Looked like she deliberately ducked rather than head the ball clear, though perhaps the flick on confused her. A stupid foul soon after from Ella Toone near the edge of our area led to the free-kick. Jess Sigsworth didn't seem to be in harmony with the rest of the team defending that free-kick, resulting in a free header for Reading's 2nd goal. Jess probably needs to check the rule book before the next free-kick near the edge of our opponents area.

Our reaction to going behind was very poor. It was only in the last 10 mins that Leah Galton put them under pressure on the left; we needed a lot more quality from her today. Christen Press barely involved after the first 30 mins.

I thought Maria Thorisdottir looked good most of the time.

Now Brighton have beaten Chelsea, despite a shot count of 3 to 30 and having 24% possession. All the goals coming from corners, the winner appearing to go in direct from the corner. So we're still 3 points behind. City's win over Arsenal has helped us in the race for top 3 but made it more difficult to get top 2.

 

[jojojo]

A few moments of quality from us, Christen Press' backheel in the move that led to Kirsty Hanson finding Ella Toone, whose shot hit the inside of the post, a super strike from Ona Batlle only for the Reading keeper to produce a brilliant save, lovely skill from Katie Zelem but her shot from an angle was saved easily and a great cross from her that Leah Galton headed straight at the keeper.

Difficult conditions combined with Reading's aggressive press meant it was a challenge to build moves. Leah Galton had the chance to score from Kirsty Hanson's cross but her shot was too close to the keeper. Ultimately too many crosses that either went out of play or were slightly too deep for our attackers, poor shots from just outside the area and through-balls that had too much pace. The substitutes, if anything, were worse than the starters they replaced.

Not sure what Ona Batlle was attempting to do defending the near post at the corner from which they scored. Looked like she deliberately ducked rather than head the ball clear, though perhaps the flick on confused her. A stupid foul soon after from Ella Toone near the edge of our area led to the free-kick. Jess Sigsworth didn't seem to be in harmony with the rest of the team defending that free-kick, resulting in a free header for Reading's 2nd goal. Jess probably needs to check the rule book before the next free-kick near the edge of our opponents area.

Our reaction to going behind was very poor. It was only in the last 10 mins that Leah Galton put them under pressure on the left; we needed a lot more quality from her today. Christen Press barely involved after the first 30 mins.

I thought Maria Thorisdottir looked good most of the time.

Now Brighton have beaten Chelsea, despite a shot count of 3 to 30 and having 24% possession. All the goals coming from corners, the winner appearing to go in direct from the corner. So we're still 3 points behind. City's win over Arsenal has helped us in the race for top 3 but made it more difficult to get top 2.

Nice write-up. Disappointing how flat our attack looked today. I really felt as if Christen Press was starting to find her feet last week, but it was a bit back to square one again today. The setpiece defending was painful, but it's been iffy all season really, and we've been fortunate not to give away more goals.

Chelsea losing makes it harder to take really. A win by us would have thrown the title race wide open again.

Friday night against City is going to be tough. With our injuries we're just that bit flat right now. Maybe we'll have Alessia Russo available after the international break - she could be crucial to our top three chase.

 

[croadyman]

Nice write-up. Disappointing how flat our attack looked today. I really felt as if Christen Press was starting to find her feet last week, but it was a bit back to square one again today. The setpiece defending was painful, but it's been iffy all season really, and we've been fortunate not to give away more goals.

Chelsea losing makes it harder to take really. A win by us would have thrown the title race wide open again.

Friday night against City is going to be tough. With our injuries we're just that bit flat right now. Maybe we'll have Alessia Russo available after the international break - she could be crucial to our top three chase.

Yeah typical that the day Chelsea lose for the first time in 33 games than we taste defeat at home for the first time this season, certainly not been a very good weekend for either of our teams but a great one for our neighbours ones sadly

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

My prediction was a 1-0 win considering we have few injured players and our performances aren't so good anymore in the last matches but to lose this match is of course shocking

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

A few moments of quality from us, Christen Press' backheel in the move that led to Kirsty Hanson finding Ella Toone, whose shot hit the inside of the post, a super strike from Ona Batlle only for the Reading keeper to produce a brilliant save, lovely skill from Katie Zelem but her shot from an angle was saved easily and a great cross from her that Leah Galton headed straight at the keeper.

Difficult conditions combined with Reading's aggressive press meant it was a challenge to build moves. Leah Galton had the chance to score from Kirsty Hanson's cross but her shot was too close to the keeper. Ultimately too many crosses that either went out of play or were slightly too deep for our attackers, poor shots from just outside the area and through-balls that had too much pace. The substitutes, if anything, were worse than the starters they replaced.

Not sure what Ona Batlle was attempting to do defending the near post at the corner from which they scored. Looked like she deliberately ducked rather than head the ball clear, though perhaps the flick on confused her. A stupid foul soon after from Ella Toone near the edge of our area led to the free-kick. Jess Sigsworth didn't seem to be in harmony with the rest of the team defending that free-kick, resulting in a free header for Reading's 2nd goal. Jess probably needs to check the rule book before the next free-kick near the edge of our opponents area.

Our reaction to going behind was very poor. It was only in the last 10 mins that Leah Galton put them under pressure on the left; we needed a lot more quality from her today. Christen Press barely involved after the first 30 mins.

I thought Maria Thorisdottir looked good most of the time.

Now Brighton have beaten Chelsea, despite a shot count of 3 to 30 and having 24% possession. All the goals coming from corners, the winner appearing to go in direct from the corner. So we're still 3 points behind. City's win over Arsenal has helped us in the race for top 3 but made it more difficult to get top 2.

Nice write-up. Disappointing how flat our attack looked today. I really felt as if Christen Press was starting to find her feet last week, but it was a bit back to square one again today. The setpiece defending was painful, but it's been iffy all season really, and we've been fortunate not to give away more goals.

Chelsea losing makes it harder to take really. A win by us would have thrown the title race wide open again.

Friday night against City is going to be tough. With our injuries we're just that bit flat right now. Maybe we'll have Alessia Russo available after the international break - she could be crucial to our top three chase.

Yeah typical that the day Chelsea lose for the first time in 33 games than we taste defeat at home for the first time this season, certainly not been a very good weekend for either of our teams but a great one for our neighbours ones sadly

The Chelsea defeat against Brighton & Hove was probably a good result for us because another defeat for them against Arsenal on Thursday is now unlikely.......i mean our target must be to go in the Champions League and not to think about the title.........i would agree to a defeat for us against Manchester City if we beat Arsenal.

 

[croadyman]

The Chelsea defeat against Brighton & Hove was probably a good result for us because another defeat for them against Arsenal on Thursday is now unlikely.......i mean our target must be to go in the Champions League and not to think about the title.........i would agree to a defeat for us against Manchester City if we beat Arsenal.

Yeah feel like beating Arsenal to third is a realistic target for us

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Yeah feel like beating Arsenal to third is a realistic target for us

It would be a massive achievement to finish the season above Arsenal and pretty special to be involved in the new format for the Champions League.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]