Joel Pereira: 6
Saved Reading from going a goal down within a minute when he made a strong low block, getting two hands on the ball in a one-on-one chance. Alert again in the final minute of the first half when he sprung up under his bar to deflect a header from a corner away.
Came a long way out to lunge at a late free-kick that his defenders didn’t attack and gave away the corner that led to Bolton’s late equaliser.
Ryan Nyambe: 6
Tried to get up the right touchline a few times in the first half to mixed success, often being made to chase overhit passes.
Showed great strength and attacking drive late in the second half to win the ball from his winger and then drive all the way to the final third before releasing Marriott in the box.
Got back really well when beaten by Cissokho in the first half.
Paudie O’Connor: 6
Switched off to the danger behind when Benn Ward stepped out in the opening minute, leaving Pereira exposed one on one. Made a great intervention in the opening stages to escort Bolton out of the box before sliding in to end the attack. Booked a little harshly in the 27th minute when he tripped a man who liked to go down eagerly.
Provided nine clearances tonight and was missed after he had to be withdrawn. Shielding the ball on the outside of the box, O’Connor was shoved over before taking a boot to the face, and had to be withdrawn.
Benn Ward: 6
Played a role in the early mixup, unable to win the ball when he stepped out of defence. Doesn’t appear to have at all been fussed by the step up from League Two and competes as well as any player on the field.
Good with the ball at his feet in comparison to the other defenders tonight.
Jeriel Dorsett: 6
The only defender who could consistently recover the ball while keeping possession in the first half: winning it three more times than any other defender in that period.
Stood up and was accounted for in the second half when Bolton were aggressive, and was happy to give as good as he took: involved in 3 fouls on the night.
Lewis Wing: 5
Tried to catch the ‘keeper out with a Beckham-esque halfway-line drive early in the game and came close, seeing his bouncing effort pawed out for a corner. Got Reading moving up the field in the buildup for Marriott’s opener with a quick transitioning pass to Savage in the centre circle.
Contributed well enough defensively but was never in a good enough position to get Reading moving forward in the second half, and only connected four passes in Bolton’s half all evening.
Liam Fraser: 6
Sits deeper than Wing when playing alongside him usually but did jump up to help press a few times tonight. Got up the field to get a shot off in the opening 15 minutes, going close with his drive over the bar.
Ultimately could have contributed more on the ball but was decent off it – showed good grit in the closing stages, helping Reading bite back against a very hostile Bolton team with some “extra curriculars” on defenders to remind them of his presence.
Kamari Doyle: 5
Latched onto a ball behind well in the 22nd minute, and was just a little too wide to get his powerful shot on target. Booked for scything down his man after some fancy footwork.
Withdrawn relatively early in the second half after Bolton’s decent start to the period coincided with the game getting chippy – not an environment you want a cautioned forward playing in.
Charlie Savage: 7
Showed some good energy in the early stages, deployed by Leam Richardson as a 10 in this game.
Played a searching early cross shortly before his assist, giving Bolton a warning sign by forcing the Bolton defender into a clearance.
Showed good vision and placement to pick up an assist in his return to the side, drifting into the center circle and looping it in for Marriott to thunder home.
Continued to work hard in the second half, mostly out on the right side after Marriott and Doyle were withdrawn. Got back really well in one instance to slide in and take the ball away from a Bolton winger.
Haydon Roberts: 5
Started at left-wing again for Reading, but couldn’t complete 20 minutes and was withdrawn with injury.
Jack Marriott: 7
Sat slightly to the right of centre, with Savage near him as a second striker at times. Brought Fraser into play well for a shot when he had two men on his back in the box.
Picked up a 16th goal in 22 games with a piece of great running into the right channel and a thumping finish on the half volley. Put free in the box again by Nyambe shortly before the halfway mark, but couldn’t quite wrap his foot around the finish, slicing it wide.
Subs
Paddy Lane: 5
Came on at left-wing for Roberts who needed a first half replacement. Immediately given a chance to cross from the left side that he blazed well over everyone and out of play. Struggled to win the ball back from the opposition consistently but put in a shift to delay wingers.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 6
Spun his way through a pair of challenges well to win Reading a free-kick with Bolton applying pressure. Can be a useful striker to have in situations like tonight where Reading are defending a one-goal lead due to his height. Won all four of his aerial duels tonight.
Will Keane: 4
Returned from the knock that’s kept him out of the past few games but was a little off it, losing possession cheaply on a number of occasions, both in Bolton’s and his own half. Potentially needs another week out, or potentially was sold short by Richardson’s changing gameplan after Marriott had to come off.
Finley Burns: 5
Entered the game with a quarter to go and was mostly solid, but has firmly fallen behind Ward in the pecking order now.
Average: 5.6/10
Who was your MOTM against Bolton? Vote below or through this poll.
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