Here's how the Royals rated after their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United at the SCL Stadium. 

Luke Southwood: 6/10
One of few Reading players who can emerge from Tuesday’s defeat with credit, the keeper made a smart save to deny Jayden Bogle early in the second half but couldn’t do much about his winner moments later.

Andy Yiadom: 6/10
Playing at right back as opposed to higher up the pitch, Yiadom was unable to reproduce his attacking exploits from Saturday but kept things quiet enough on the right flank as Sheffield United targeted the left side.

Liam Moore: 5/10
A rough start complete with a pair of late tackles turned into an adequate display but as captain, Moore will surely feel frustrated that his team lacked energy and never really looked like getting back into the game. 

Baba Rahman: 4/10
While the visitors appeared to target Rahman’s side, he held his own until completely falling asleep, allowing Bogle to ghost in and score the all-important winner.

Danny Drinkwater: 5/10
Kept things ticking along with his short-range passing but Reading struggled to assert themselves throughout the match and if they didn’t lose the midfield battle, they also certainly didn’t win it.

Josh Laurent: 5/10
A few trademark lung-busting runs threatened to spark a frustratingly quiet night for Velijko Paunovic’s side, but ultimately too many loose touches and sideways passes summed up the team’s performance.

Ovie Ejaria: 5/10
Playing in a deeper role, Ejaria had a few nice touches as always but struggled to truly make his mark on a night where Reading needed him at his best.

Tom Dele-Bashiru: 4/10
Pushed further forward with Ejaria dropping back, Dele-Bashiru finished with just 13 touches, the least of all of Reading’s starting XI (and less than substitute Andy Carroll).

John Swift: 6/10
Looking a class above at times in a game that never got going, Swift sprayed the ball around confidently in the first half but faded in the second as his side chased an equaliser.

George Puscas: 5/10
Hard work without really looking like scoring. It’s becoming customary for the striker. Had a couple of half-chances but didn’t go particularly close with any of them.

Andy Carroll: 6/10
A handful as expected and tried to weave a bit of magic with a rasping 35-yard strike that forced Wes Fodderingham into a decent save, but poor service limited his impact.

Alen Halilovic: N/A
A boost to see the talented attacking midfielder back in action but he didn’t have enough time to make anything happen.

Tom Holmes: N/A
Thrown on with moments to spare to add an extra aerial threat, Holmes will feel hard done by not to have started after his impressive performance at the weekend against Nottingham Forest.