Reading sit 4th in the league on 48 points and are the next lock for Thomas Frank to unpick in the latest top of the table clash.
Before we go on, do listen to our preview podcast where David Anderson was brought up to speed on Reading by James Earnshaw.
The guys discussed a number of interesting points ahead of the game including Reading switching from their much used 3-5-2 system, largely dependent on wingbacks to get the ball forwards, to the opposing 4-2-3-1 shape now synonymous with Paunovic’s team.
We’ve seen more than enough of the current Reading system over the last few years especially when played with two conservative defensive midfielders deep behind the ball shuffling from side to side forming an impenetrable shield to goal.
Formations don’t really exist, though, do they? Well not really.
Players make formations by fulfilling various roles depending on which team possesses the ball and where players are positioned relative to their teammates. Each player brings their own individual qualities to wherever they find themselves on the pitch at any given the time. Josh Dasilva, for instance, is going to bring a vastly different skill set to the table as the deepest midfielder when compared to, let’s say, Ben Watson.
When we talk about 4-2-3-1 being “samey and repetitive” it’s the way players approach roles or carry out the managers intentions where we find the subtleties.
In a broad sense, the system allows Reading’s front 4 players to quickly move in and out of attacking and defensive modes. Out of possession, Lucas Joao as the central forward can work backwards and forwards joined on the front lateral line by the wide midfielders to form a three man block. He can also be left alone in the first line as those wider midfielders and a central attacking midfielder can drop their position back to create a midfield 5.
What’s important is to remain effective as a team in attack and not fall into the trap of attacking 4, defensive 6, with the two pivot midfielders acting as auxiliary central defenders.
Bridging the gap that can appear in the central areas is one of the system's main challenges and it often involves the three players operating behind the striker picking the right moments to move from close proximity to the front line to back into the midfield line. A blend has to be met so that an opponent doesn't find it too easy to circulate the ball along the back line and around or through the front block.
Above we’ve stopped the clip on Reading trying to recover after early confusion in who should be pressing who without Joao up front. Rinomhota has broken forward to pressure Jensen, Baldock is caught being the furthest to the right of the front line and can’t be sure of where he should be. Jensen easily pops a ball off to Mad Bech to his left. Canos, seeing a huge central space appear from the decision by Reading’s defensive midfielder to charge into the forward line, drops in to pick up an easy ball form Mads Bech.
As we look back above, Rico Henry is soon to be the most advanced player on the nearside wing with nearly half a pitch of space in front of him.
Reading’s right wing is non-existent from a defensive aspect here with too many players bunched over to the left. When the front attacking 4 and the defensive 6 are tight, compact and spread well there’s a good deal of defensive structure and complimentary attacking flexibility breaking from that structure. When the front 4 get caught ahead of the ball bunched to one wing in an attacking phase it can all fall down.
Going back to the previous game, early disorganisation from Reading and the resulting early goals saw Brentford race into a 3 goal lead putting the contest out of reach. Mbeumo regularly drifted inside from the right flank unopposed or with minimal pressure.
Josh Dasilva and Mbeumo got 2v1 on their left back too easily and Mbeumo’s 2nd goal showed how difficult Moore and Morrison found coping with his movement inside.
Laurent and Rinomhota are circled above and arrows indicate the movements of player and ball.
As the move develops and Mbeumo gets on the ball on the edge of the box, Liam Moore is desperate to recover more a central position. When looking back he may regret not holding his position. The strides he makes are irrecoverable in his attempts to shrink as tightly as possible with his fellow defender. Studying Mbeumo he should know the player is strong on his left side. Taking a touch here, Mbeumo naturally wants to turn towards goal on his left foot. Moore moving so dramatically in the direction he does plays into the attackers hands.
Mbeumo is able to comfortably move the ball out of his feet and strike at goal with a clean view.
Baldock and Meite started the previous fixture and switching the two out for Lucas Joao and John Swift makes Wednesday’s match a very different prospect.
As the central player behind the striker Swift has greater experience at bridging the gap we’ve mentioned above. Knowing when to move forward to join Joao in attacking phases or pull himself closer to his deeper midfielders the team benefits from his awareness at playing both bolding and advanced midfielder roles throughout his career.
Coming off the back of a crazy 4-1 win away to Boro, Thomas Frank will be confident his attackers can create enough chances to provide a platform to win the game.
Reading are far less fearful from crossing and set-pieces than the recent run of fixtures Raya has had to endure. Crossing is a broad term and not all crosses are created equal, yet packaging them all up, Reading are crossing the least in the division. This doesn’t mean Reading don’t cross at all but if we see wide players tossing the ball into the box at an unusual rate it will be a clear sign of somebody watching the recent games and altering the teams approach to benefit from an edge previous team have tried to exploit.
Finally playing this second rearranged fixture, Reading pose a top of the table threat built on a system that prevents good shots at goal. Bournemouth will tell you that their attack isn’t too shoddy either.