Great game for a neutral. Everyone made their contributions. Agree Thorpe was superb and I'd keep him there on Friday alongside either Smallwood or Newall. Rawson was flawless. Liked the look of Toffo and I think he'd blend well with Newall. Camp made one fabulous save but Collins pace let him down for their goal. Ward had a great first half showing a lot more energy and desire to track back. Neither JCH nor Derbs had their best games. Green is an enigma and I personally wouldn't have him in the starting line up. If the chances that fall to him fell to JCH we'd be quids in! Both Bowery and Mcquire as subs added no energy or pace - disappointing. Redfearn looked composed and calm and obviously gave an excellent half time talk. All in all promising but there's a desperate need for a creative midfielder and a quality finisher. Onwards and upwards starting with 3 points on Friday!

All in all a very good game and an excellent second half performance.

First half we sat back and perhaps allowed too much but still it was professional and it was possible to see what Redders was trying to do by sacrificing so much wide space. However, it looked like we were going to keep shape, play the ball on the ground and get thumped 4 nil. Slowly we worked our way in to the game and but for an unfortunate break down on the edge of their area we would have gone in with a nil-nil scoreline.

second half and collins showed his premiership quality and we were then well up for it. Most of the second half I thought we were going to win but then quality side Reading are they started to wrestle the game back and it could have gone either way.

Thorpe was 10x better than Arnie every looked in a similar position and carrying a mirrored frame of our former hero. It certainly leaves it difficult for Halford to get his nose in anywhere.

Rawson I thought was really on it tonight. He just looked very assured too.

Buxton did really well again for me and there were significant contributions all over.

Good!

At half time I was not only thinking we didnt stand a chance but worried Redders had nothing he could do. With SE there was always the chance of something happening such was the persona of the man. Good to see Redders has a persons too but he expressed it in the second half turnaround.

well done.

Only just in so knaked and apologies for anything that doesnt quite make sense and omissions.

enjoyable evening.

up at 6 and back at it.

A couple of further comments. I was critical of Danny Collins early in the season but he has definitely improved. He and Rawson shouldn't have been bypassed by a straight 50 yard through ball for their goal though. No doubt Paul Green does his best and he was OK but if fit Newell is a natural on the left if we are going to play that narrow formation in midfield. I sat in hospitality last night with some neutrals who watch a lot of football and they thought Thorpe looked Premier League class. Finally, is Chris Maguire really Paul Taylor in disguise?

Macquire is Taylor without the pace. However, I wouldn't be surprised if NR uses him against his old club on Friday?

Ref = Bell.