STATS: Leigertwood’s tackles for Reading vs Taarabt’s dribbles for QPR
Reading v QPR, 13:30
– Despite a second-half goal from Gareth McCleary, Reading were left clinging to their hopes for Premiership football next season after a 2-1 defeat away to Norwich.
– Adam Le Fondre’s ability to score goals at vital times could be the key to Reading’s hopes of remaining in the top flight, the ‘super-sub’ chipping in with 10 goals this season. His success has come off the back of a solid work rate and knack of being able to get his shots off in and around the box, given that he’s managed a shot on goal once every 35.6 minutes he’s been on the pitch, a squad-high.
– The defensive efforts of Mikele Leigertwood have stood out particularly this season, despite Reading’s struggles at the back. Aside from Matthew Lowton and James McClean, Leigertwood has the best tackle success rate of any player in the Premier League to have made more than 100 attempted challenges, with 66.4% ending in his favour according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Adrian Mariappa is another who has made something of a name for himself despite Reading’s turbulent season, the Englishman having made the the 5th highest number of defensive contributions of any player in the league this season with 306 according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– QPR’s status as a Premier League side next year was left in tatters after a 0-2 defeat at home to Stoke left them with an almost impossible mountain to climb between now and the end of the season.
– With QPR’s Premier League survival now in more danger than ever, the club may be hard pushed to retain some of their prized assets come the summer. Adel Taarabt is one who has caught the eye in particular, the Moroccan’s quick feet contributing to his 46 dribbles this season, a figure placing him 3rd on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Captain Clint Hill can certainly not be faulted for a lack of effort or quality in QPR’s long battle this season, the defender acquiring some admirable defensive statistics. He’s averaged a defensive contribution once every 7.9 minutes this season, a best from players with more than 200 to their name.
– Stephane Mbia will be desperate to see his tackling statistics improve somewhat before the end of the season. Despite being QPR’s most enthusiastic defender, with 110 attempted challenges to his name, Mbia unfortunately also has the third lowest tackle success rate in the league for players with 100 or more tackles to their name (44.5%).