Here’s how the Reading players rated in today’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to West Brom at The Hawthorns…

Luke Southwood: 8

Really the only Reading player to emerge from a disappointing performance with credit, Southwood was absolutely superb as he did everything possible to give his side a fighting chance. A first half save from Karlan Grant and a second half denial of Callum Robinson were the pick of an excellent bunch.

Tom Holmes: 5

Shifted to right-back to accommodate the return of Liam Moore, Holmes wasn’t nearly as solid as he has been in recent weeks - owed in large part to Reading’s general and structural faults at the back. Made a few crucial clearances but offered little going forward as Reading struggled to build anything of note.

Liam Moore: 4

Returning to th side following a one-game absence, Moore struggled to come to grips with West Brom’s quick direct forwards and very nearly gifted the Baggies a goal in the first half when he was robbed by Jordan Hugill. Perhaps it was due to fitness but not a great indictment of the club captain that he was the defender chosen to be replaced by George Puscas as Reading pushed for a late equaliser.

Reading Chronicle: Moore was back in action for Reading at West Brom. Image by: JasonPIXMoore was back in action for Reading at West Brom. Image by: JasonPIX

Scott Dann: 5

As a whole, the Reading defence struggled the entire afternoon as West Brom ended up firing 25 shots at Southwood’s goal. The system was partly at fault but the individual defenders didn’t cover themselves in glory and Dann, so impressive in recent weeks, was no exception. Suffered a nasty gash on his leg late on so that is something to monitor in the week ahead.

Baba Rahman: 6

One of Reading’s better performers on the day, Rahman was caught out a few times at the back - just as his whole team was - but the Ghanaian was one of few outlets going forward and managed a couple of crucial interceptions.

Josh Laurent: 6

Given a near-impossible task holding down the midfield all on his own with Danny Drinkwater sidelined through a groin issue, Laurent worked as hard as he possibly could have attempting to drive his team forward while also getting back to defend. Some sloppy passes and touches but that’s to be expected when you’re battling on your own against the very decent midfield West Brom employ.

Reading Chronicle: Josh Laurent battles in midfield against West Brom. Image by: JasonPIXJosh Laurent battles in midfield against West Brom. Image by: JasonPIX

Dejan Tetek: 5

Mixed. Forced into a deeper role than perhaps he would have wanted, Tetek struggled to impose himself on the game as he found himself stuck between helping the attack and getting back to aid Laurent. 

Alen Halilovic: 6

If Reading were to ever score at The Hawthorns it looked as if it would come through the Croatian. Numerous delicious passes and touches provided a slight spark to a relatively dull match but as has become too frequent throughout his career, Halilovic’s nice moments failed to lead to much of anything concrete.

Tyrell Ashcroft: 5

The trip to West Brom was a supremely challenging moment for Ashcroft to make just his second Reading first-team start but he certainly gave it his best go. Struggled early on to get into the game and had too many loose touches, but a positive performance overall from the 17-year old in testing conditions.

Tom Dele-Bashiru: 5

Another of Reading’s attackers given a very difficult job, Dele-Bashiru was frequently found totally on his own with the task of pulling out a moment of magic to get his side up the pitch or create a goalscoring chance. Probably should have done better with his opportunity on the stroke of half-time.

Andy Carroll: 5

Fairly anonymous, but in truth, not really his fault. Throughout the match, there were approximately 30 yards between Carroll and the rest of his team as he was left totally isolated up front. Worked hard and battled well against Kyle Bartley but couldn’t make much of an impact.

Junior Hoilett: 5

Returning from an injury suffered on international duty, the Canadian had one nice run shortly after coming on but Reading couldn’t really get him involved.

George Puscas: 6

Never really looked like scoring but caused one or two problems for the West Brom defence with his physicality.