Have to say, despite being 2-0 down, most of our players have looked really good and you feel we will be okay this season. But certainly today has shown our lack of depth.

Jesus. I was late switching on the game and just saw our bench. Lacking depth is an understatement...

Horrendous. 2 shots, 2 goals for Reading. Lenihan having a shocker today and Raya was awful for that first goal. Heads have dropped after that first goal.

Looking at Reading’s squad, they seem strongest in the middle of the park. So it’s going to be a big contest there I feel and I hope Evans and Smallwood are up to the task. Their attacking players and defence look rather weak to me. I can’t look past a win for us, but our record against out of form teams is pretty miserable, so I’m not expecting too much. If we did win, would this be the best start to a season we’ve had in a while? Can’t remember the last time we started the season with 5 games unbeaten (including the League Cup game).

Really good summary. I’ve thought that Mulgrew has looked our weakest player defensively this season, which is saying something, considering he was immense for us last season. Bell and Nyambe were excellent and both players look like they have the whole package to be a success in their position. I really like Williams, but I think he might find it hard to dislodge Bell now with his recent performances. Evans has continued to put in solid performances since the latter end of last season and for me deserves his place in the squad for now. Smallwood improved towards the end of the game, but he definitely looks like the weakest link at the moment. Rothwell has looked like an amazing signing so far. He was running at defenders and making things happen when he came on, but he was tracking back and defending well as well. This is a really exciting team to be watching right now. Long may it continue! On another note, Jackson Irvine is one of my favourite players from the new crop of Australian players. Would have loved to have him in our team, would be a great fit.

I’ve seen a lot of comments about Brereton being inexperienced, but he’s been playing in the Championship on a fairly regular basis with Forest for a season and a half now. The season before last he played against us at just 17. How many players are given regular game time at Championship level at such a young age? While his goal scoring record hasn’t been stellar, his general contributions have earned him rave reviews. I’m confident that he will score his share of goals for us and develop into a star player. I honestly think that Karanka is crazy for considering selling him, but I guess they have gone for broke and signed proven goal scorers to try and get out of this league and don’t have the luxury of helping a young player develop.

As great as he’s been for us, I often find Mulgrew is the one having brain fart moments in defence. That’s probably true of all our defenders though... I like them all as players but they are all a bit error prone, except for Lenihan.

Highly unlikely he will sign for us now and feel really sorry for the guy. Seems like he is going to have trouble getting over that hamstring injury.

Chapman has gone off injured for Boro..

I would drop Smallwood and Samuel for tonight’s game and bring in Armstrong and Davenport in their place. A bit harsh to drop Williams considering he provided an assist for the second goal and (kind of) provided the assist for the first as well. Other than the crap shot in the second half, Evans looked quite good and probably deserves to keep his place for now.

Personally, I’m disappointed we didn’t get Brereton in. He is exactly the sort of player we need to be a replacement for Graham. Strong, fast, great ball control... he will keep improving and has a bright future ahead. Checking Transfermarkt, Brereton and Chapman appear to have the same agent. Would love both players to come on loan with a view to buy in the next few weeks.

I’ve been on here long enough to know that it wouldn’t matter. You’d find a bunch of people still complaining that we only signed 1 when we were promised 3 or 4.

Great summary, agree that Evans looked better than Smallwood. Would like to see what Davenport can do in the next match.

Thought we looked second best throughout the game, especially in the first half (despite scoring 2 goals). Ipswich’s passing and movement was on a different level to us. Edwards is some player for them and a great signing, he will no doubt go on to have a fantastic season. Despite comments on here, I thought Williams was excellent in the first half, but was caught out multiple times by Edwards in the second half. Lenihan is a colossus at the back for us and one of the few players who’s cemented a place in the squad I think. Raya, Nyambe and Mulgrew all looked solid enough defensively throughout the game, but had some moments of uncertainty which are a bit worrying. Our weakest area was in midfield and out wide I thought. Samuel was dreadful and Bennett didn’t offer much either. Evans and Smallwood seemed fairly anonymous in midfield as well. Dack and Graham delivered the goods when it mattered as usual and had good games before being subbed. Not much to say about the subs... Palmer, Nuttall and Conway all offered very little. We definitely need a better front man to come on for Graham. Nuttall isn’t ready for Championship football. Overall, pleased with the result. Point against a decent side away from home. A lot of work ahead for the team and Mowbray though, but at least the drive and desire is there.

Tbf Mowbray has always maintained that the team that won promotion will be given a chance this season. We’ll see if they can raise their game in these first few games. I’m sure we will see the likes of Davenport, Rothwell, Bell, Travis and Palmer introduced into the starting 11 if others can’t hack it. I think we struggled at times last season without Armstrong’s pace and Payne’s creativity, so it will be interesting to see how we go against much better opposition.

I feel like you are ignoring the fact that we’ve already signed Palmer and Rothwell who Mowbray will most likely play out wide. I agree we need 2 more quality signings up front and out wide to have a truly strong team that’s able to compete this season, but not at the expense of team spirit and Mowbray has got it right with his current approach to signings. Signing “two quality strikers” and immediately relegating Graham (one of our key men last season) to third choice before a ball has even been kicked this season would be a disaster.

Personally I think Mowbray has signed versatile players and we have versatility throughout the squad to play both formations well. I don’t really see that as an issue. We had bad games last season playing 3 at the back, but we also had some fantastic games playing it as well. I’m sure Mowbray will play whatever system he feels best suits the game and the players available at the time, and sometimes it will come off and sometimes it won’t. What impressed me about Mowbray last season is he knew when things weren’t working and could change it around to great effect (not always, but more often than not).

Is this game streamable via iFollow? Nice to see that both Nuttall and Wharton continue to feature in pre season. Hopefully they can push on and make the step up.

Yea absolutely ridiculous.

Think the ref had to give it after going to VAR. He thought about it for a while. It would be a real shame if it proves to be the winning goal as it would be a really poor end to a fantastic World Cup.

I agree, 2 quality forward/wingers are imperative in this transfer window. If we fail to sign them I would be worried where the goals would be coming from. I’ve said before I’d be happy with Armstrong/Chapman, but both are unproven at this level really. So I’d love us to make a big statement and sign a proven goal scorer as a marquee signing.

I’d like us to sign Bauer as he seems a good player with a lot of potential, but we are not exactly desperate to sign defensive players at this stage, so I think that’s why Mowbray is being patient with this one. Mulgrew and Lenihan are our first choice pairing in the centre, so any defender who comes in would have to settle for a place on the bench and take his chances when either one of them is injured or in poor form. We have Williams and Nyambe who can play at centre back, especially if we play 3 defenders, plus Downing, Wharton and Platt competing for spots as well.

Interesting that both England and Belgium have played similar formations this tournament and have easily dominated lesser teams, but I feel both teams are being found out against stronger opposition like France and Croatia. Even if England win here, I think they will seriously struggle if they persist with the same system against France, just as Belgium did. Croatia look tired right noe. They have gone to extra time in all of their games now. Surely has to catch up to them at some point. Either way, can’t look past a France World Cup win.

No idea how he’s still starting for France. Surely someone else deserves a chance up front for them. He has been their worst player every game.

Fantastic contest so far. 0-0 but it’s been end to end. Belgium have been really exposed at the back and if they didn’t have world class defenders I wouldn’t be surprised to see them a few goals down by now. France looks the better team. Belgium are struggling to gel in this weird formation and a lot of their moves are breaking down as a result.