Plymouth Next After Win On Penalties

By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading needed penalities to overcome League One Wycombe Wanderers last night in the League Cup first round. The Royals were 1-1 at full time, despite fielding a strong side, after a goalless first half, before winning 4-2 on penalties thanks to Rafael's heroics in goal. George Puscas played his first full ninety minutes after his big money signing last week from Inter Milan and scored Reading's equaliser in the second half after Wycombe had taken the lead. Reading gave starts to a group of new signings with Rafael, Adam, Pele, Ejaria, and Boye all starting alongside Puscas.

Puscas, Baldock, and Swift were all on target in the penalty shoot-out with well taken efforts before Danny Loader stepped up to seal it with an equally quality spot-kick. The players surrounded Rafael after Loader scored after the Reading goalkeeper saved two penalties and nearly saved a third in an impressive Reading debut.

The Royals will travel to League Two Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the competition.

From the Discussion

SN Snowball 14 Aug 2019 · 1:04am

FIRST HALF First half I thought we were very dominant, should have scored a couple, at least. Played a LOT of long ball (Joao would have had a field day) but I thought Puskas held it up well, fought for everything, ran his heart out. I think he will get a lot of goals but ATM he seems to be trying a bit too hard. I don't mind strikers missing (esp if they get a goal) and he was a constant threat. WhenI watched Boye on You Tube he was almost always left wing. First half he seemed to be swapping a lot with Puskas at centre forward. He's reasonably quick and has a good dribble. I think he will settle and get a reasonable amount of…
GS grey_squirrel 14 Aug 2019 · 6:26am

How much better does the kit look with the traditional white shorts and socks? Why oh why can they not revert to this permanently?
RC Royality creeps In 14 Aug 2019 · 6:33am

Nice report Strange formation with three centre backs and Richards and Rhino playing on the flanks. I thought Ejaria looked good, especially for the first 30, however he faded, probably down to match fitness. Raphael also did well, not sure he could do much for their goal. Morrison looked solid Pele was disappointing. Adams hit and miss Swift added some much needed impetus and we looked a lot better when he came on. Not sure what happened with Boye. He came on for the second half and was substituted before the match re commenced. :shock: All in all there was a lot of sloppy play, giving the ball away far to easily, which is a…
RO Royalcop 14 Aug 2019 · 6:45am

That’s a very good write up. It was a frustrating game in many ways, we controlled the first half but couldn’t find a finish then a sloppy goal to concede after HT but couldn’t fault the reaction to it and some nerveless penalties. All the new signings looked decent, Puscas will definitely be a crowd favourite with his all-action style and chasing back but he looked one-paced and his finishing was disappointing given his pedigree. Boyé is elegant on the ball with quick feet, shame he had to go off early. I thought Pelé was excellent, kept the ball moving, disruptive and likes a tackle. Rafael was solid and reassuring. Morrison was…
SR Snowflake Royal 14 Aug 2019 · 6:50am

Thanks. Bit worried that Gomes seems to have abandoned what he was doing last season and is playing all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes, leaving the players confused. Why play Rino at RWB if we have Yiadom, Gunter, Howe and Watson at the club. It's madness.
RO Royalcop 14 Aug 2019 · 7:23am

I don’t think there’s any harm trying things in a game like that, thought Rino did well at RWB. Was less impressed with Richards on the other side who was lightweight and gave the ball away cheaply too many times.
IY If you still hate Futcher 14 Aug 2019 · 7:32am

Raphael also did well, not sure he could do much for their goal. Totally agree, but if it had be Virginia in goal some would be saying he should've got a hand to it (ie Sheff Weds 2nd goal) Pele was disappointing. but... I thought Pelé was excellent Interesting the different views on the same performance - I agree with Royalcop, Pele did exactly what you want from the holding midfielder, broke up their play and was combative in the centre but not too ambitious with the ball, just giving it to someone else to use. The one thing I didn't like was his attemtped back heel in the 2nd half when he could easily have headed it. Not sure…
SN Snowball 14 Aug 2019 · 8:21am

Thanks. ?? Why play Rino at RWB if we have Yiadom, Gunter, Howe and Watson at the club. It's madness. Because Yiadom might need a rest.. Because Gunter is .surplus to requirements and not match fit. Because Rhino at RWB might be better than either Howe or Watson and it allows for Rhino to go central if Adam or Pele are pulled

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