Subs a weakness for Pauno
THERE has been a lot to praise Veljko Paunović for this season. He has taken a Reading teamwho have spent almost all of the last three years in the bottom half of the Championship and transformed them into promotion contenders, creating a fantastic team spirit and a genuine likeability about the squad.
But I will, just for this one column, pick apart what seems to be one of hisweaknesses as a manager. Substitutions.
The Serbian either does not deploy them well, or is reluctant to use them at all.
Let’s startwith the first point. I can’t think of many truly game-changing substitutions Paunović has made this season. Perhaps the introduction of eventual matchwinnerMichael Olise away at Queens Park Rangers, but aside from that, very fewplayers have come on and made a genuine difference to theway a game has turned out.
As a reverse of that, it’s hard not to mention Tom Holmes being substituted off forAndy Yiadom against Millwall last weekend and the Lions scoring their two goals soon after.
While I don’t subscribe to the viewthat the switch cost Reading the game, it did seem a slightly strange move to disrupt the backline and not to take off an attacking player to help the Royals see out the game.
The fact that he has not had much success with substitutions perhaps leads the Serbian to think hewon’t use them as much, or as early.
He does not seem to trust many of the players on the bench to come on and make an impact, and in that sensewe come full circle.
With due respect to players like Sam Baldock and Sone Aluko, whowork hard enough, they’re not game-changing playerswho enthuse supporters or inspire their teammates.
It comes back to the regular discussion around Reading’s small squad size, which has been good for creating a tight-knit group, but not so goodwhen you’re looking for adequate backups in certain positions.
Even if Reading have a comfortable lead in a game, substitutions should be made to give key players a rest.
Everyone knows howdemanding the fixture schedule is, and if you can afford to limit fatigue in certain matches then you should.
Paunović eventually did do this on Tuesday night – taking off Lucas João, Ovie Ejaria and Michael Olise from the 86th minute onwards – but he arguably could have done this awhile earlier.
I’m sure Paunović is still learning as a manager, but if he can become slightlymore adventurouswith his substitutions, then Readingwill be in a better position to finish games strongly.