After not making a save against Luton Town, Pereira picked up four in the first half alone tonight.
Made a fantastic save in the 20th minute, throwing himself in the air to block a goalbound effort from a corner. Followed that with a strong dive down to his right side to bail Long Kelvin out.
Scooped up a mucky shot through legs and mud in the 35th minute, showing the difficulty of the surface. Struggled with that surface when he had to play the ball at times, catching his foot in the ground at one point and losing it in his third.
Made two outstanding saves either side of the Mansfield opener. Sprung up into the air midway through the first half, tipping over a strong effort from the half space. Produced almost the same save against a ball that knuckled horribly in the air moments after the goal.
With his hands, exceptional tonight, but created some of Reading’s problems with his kicking – often delivering the ball scuffed and low.
A very muted performance from the right-wing-back today, unable to influence the game much. Hugged the right touchline for much of his appearance but saw much less of the ball in comparison to the players on the left. Not able to offer much of an attacking threat. Withdrawn for Yiadom late on as Reading chased the game.
Went crunching into a tackle in the 19th minute to stop his man going around him when the first touch beat his step up. Smartly followed that up with much better tracking of his man, clearing a ball out that was crossed low into the middle of the box.
Managed to kick the ball onto the new roof and out of the stadium moments later. Big for him.
Looped a lovely cross into the box in the dying seconds, finding Ward’s head. One of Reading’s better defenders on the night.
Covered well late in the first half when Reading were almost caught out after the second phase attack from a free-kick – sliding across the field to clear it out of play and allow his team to get back.
Struggled with the surface and with Mansfield’s press, losing possession a few times in bad spots.
Saw himself shaken off the ball in his box and then caught out by a quick throw in the opening minutes of the game. Found himself stuck deep in his own half a few times as Mansfield found a period of momentum later in the first half. Saw mixed success with getting it out, conceding a corner at one point when pressured.
Jinked his way through the Mansfield defence in the 52nd minute, showing a fine set of feet before dragging his low shot wide.
Picked up Reading’s final chance of the game, heading the ball goalward to force a good save under the bar.
Broke down the left wing really well in the opening minute and should have had an assist when he whipped it in, with both Doyle and Long Kelvin available. Earned Reading a free-kick late in the first half that led to a big chance after a period of dominance from Mansfield.
Finished the half by earning Reading a corner with a smart low cross that was deflected behind. Started the second half again lively, good with the ball at his feet and finding space with his pace.
Got loose on the edge of the box on the hour mark, but couldn’t quite find the bottom corner, dragging it across the net.
Did well to get through a melee and get his head on a dangerous-looking cross into the box, seeing it out for a corner. Not Wing’s best day by any stretch of the imagination though, and ran into Savage with his only chance to shoot.
Lost the ball in his own half for the buildup to the Mansfield goal. Put the final corner of the game into the first man.
Since Fraser has come into the team, the idea has been clear from average positions: Fraser sits a little deeper than Wing. Fraser Occasionally seemed to get ahead of his midfield partner tonight though, particularly when Reading wanted to cross into the box. That seemed to pull Fraser out of position often though, leading to confusion about when he should be supporting centrally.
Withdrawn in the 65th minute without having made a significant impact.
Set Randell Williams down the left side for his early cross into the box with a looping pass over the full-back. Had a chance with the goal gaping in the 15th minute when Doyle set him up, but couldn’t make a solid contact with his right foot.
Snuck a nice pass through for Randell Williams to begin a dangerous attack for Reading early in the second half. Got in Wing’s way when the captain had a chance to shoot in the same move.
Did well to charge down a shot from a second ball in the 64th minute, stopping the low drive. Not so lucky on the next one, seeing it ricochet off him into the net. Struggled to make his physical presence known as Mansfield took control of the game in the second half.
Could have scored in the opening minute after the break down the left – scooping up the ball that Kelvin couldn’t corral in the middle of the box. Doyle’s effort did potentially hit a hand (he certainly thought so), but it admittedly looked easier to score with the goal wide in front of him..
Involved in everything Reading did on the ball in the early stages. Had a chance to dribble with lots of green grass in front of him, but couldn’t hold the ball in the 11th minute.
Should have been rewarded with an assist in the 15th minute when he began an attack and then found Charlie Savage in front of the net when the ball came back to him.
Did his physical duties in the 33rd minute, winning Reading a free-kick to end a Mansfield attack when he nipped in ahead of an attacker.
Set up Randell Williams for a shot on 60 minutes, nipping into midfield to receive it and punching a seam to the winger. Withdrawn shortly after.
Started the game unable to corral Williams’ cross into the box, despite drifting into a huge pocket of space.
Lost the ball deep in his own half to immediately allow Mansfield a shot, not quite being strong enough on the ball.
In the game in the second half and wins a few more aerial duels than he used to, but did very little else.
On the field for 25 minutes but unable to make an impact on or off the ball.
Lost the ball poorly in the last 15 minutes, wandering across the field before passing it to a Mansfield player in the space he’d vacated.
Able to make an appearance after briefly returning for Reading against Bolton. Retained the ball a little better than Kelvin and looks a stronger presence in challenges.
Came in late as Reading chased the game. Has some real pace and happily runs into some tight spots – got deep into Mansfield’s box in the 85th minute but couldn’t get a shot away.
Came in late but couldn’t get forward enough with the ball. Made a late foul to give Mansfield a free-kick in his half.
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