Reading

[leedsmad]

Would most people be pleased with a draw and think of it as a decent result away from home ?
I would for sure , and if we sneaked a win that would be an unbelievable result as long as we back it up against Burnley.
Am I asking to much ?

[HarryofOz]

A draw at Reading would be a good result unless we lead by two or more goals at some point in the game, in which case it'd two points dropped.

[becchio bear]

I expect a win and nothing less

[Emsley]

On current form reading are beatable.

[1964white]

Any point away from home is a good point !

McDermott will be really up for this one, hopefully another win on the cards

[becchio bear]

I'm currently watching the Reading v Brighton game, inspecting our opposition for Wednesday

[1964white]

I'm currently watching the Reading v Brighton game, inspecting our opposition for Wednesday

Good game ??

[becchio bear]

Good game ??

It's only 9 minutes in so hard to say. I'll let you know later.

[paddy parrott]

I`d be happy at moment with a point we`re up against a very decent side with that word again pops up Pace and a hard to beat at home record.

[USA LEE]

I see a draw 0-0.

[Clyde1998]

Hello,

I'm a Reading fan in 100% peace - an admin from Royals Rendezvous. Here's some information on our team ahead of the game on Saturday.

Reading Team
Reading started with a confused formation against Brighton on Sunday. We lined up with a 4-5-1 formation, with Drenthe and Le Fondre ( ) on the wings. Following Pogrebnyak's sending off - Le Fondre headed into the middle and Daniel Williams moved on to the left side of the midfield.

For much of the early part of the season (and pre-season), Reading were playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a free-flowing passing game - this seems to have been lost throughout the season, so far.

Reading have kept the same back five this season, baring injury to Bridge - which has seen Cummings (1 game) and Kelly (0.5 game) play at left back.

The central midfield pairing has also stayed the same since day one - as Jem Karacan and Danny Guthrie have held the position down.

The third central midfielder has moved between being an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder. Players who have played as the "third midfielder" are: Robson-Kanu (AM; Ipswich/Blackpool), McAnuff (AM; Bolton), Blackman (AM/ST; Watford/Yeovil), Williams (DM; Brighton).

The wingers have seen slightly less changes - as Royston Drenthe has started every game for Reading this season. The other wingers have been - McCleary (Ipswich/Bolton/Blackpool/Yeovil), McAnuff (Watford), Le Fondre (Brighton )

Upfront, Reading started the season with Le Fondre, before Blackman came in against Bolton. Le Fondre returned for the Watford game, before being replaced by Blackman again against Blackpool. Le Fondre came back against Yeovil - and Pogrebnyak "played" against Brighton.

Expected Team
McCarthy
Gunter, Morrison (c), Pearce, Bridge
Karacan, Guthrie
Drenthe, Blackman, Robson-Kanu
Le Fondre

Expected Subs: Federici (GK), Kelly (RB/LB), Gorkss (CB), Williams (CM), McAnuff (RM/LM), McCleary (RM/LM), Ugwu/Samuel (ST)

Expected not to feature: Leigertwood (CM; doubtful), Roberts (ST; On TV duty - probably)

Travelling to Reading?
Royals Rendezvous has a guide for away fans travelling to the Madejski Stadium - http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9220871/1

Reading's Key Players
Alex McCarthy was in great form at the end of last season. He got injured in November, keeping him out until he featured in a game against Liverpool - where he kept a clean sheet, making 10 saves in the game. He also made 10 saves in a 2-2 draw at Swansea in October. The 23-year old deserved his England call up at the end of the season. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... oFKDS4Mm3s)

Adam Le Fondre has been Reading's top goalscorer in the last two seasons. He managed eight off the bench last season - a Premier League record. He scored vital goals against West Brom, Newcastle (double) and Chelsea (double) to earn the Premier League player of the month award for January. He also scored against Ipswich, Watford and Yeovil this season. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... XAAqWi1rFw)

And Finally...
Any questions about Reading feel free to ask

Royals Rendezvous Match Thread: http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9957553/1/

[woodfordwhites]

thanks for that.just what i needed to know.good luck

[joelufc20]

How highly do you rate Brian McDermott at the madjeski

[Norm]

Clyde1998 on Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:23 pm

Hello,

I'm a Reading fan in 100% peace - an admin from Royals Rendezvous. Here's some information on our team ahead of the game on Saturday.

Hello Clyde,
I'm just a nobody (not Admin or Mod or anything) but you made a nice gesture and I appreciate it.
Thanks,
N

[becchio bear]

Hello Clyde,
I'm just a nobody (not Admin or Mod or anything) but you made a nice gesture and I appreciate it.
Thanks,
N

Awww Norm you're not a nobody, more a phleb like the rest of us mere mortals

[Dr.Leeds]

Cheers Clyde. Nothing personal but I hope you don't enjoy the game one bit.

[Clyde1998]

How highly do you rate Brian McDermott at the madjeski

Brain will always be welcome back at Reading - after being at the club, in various roles, for nearly thirteen years.

I feel that he could do great things for Leeds - given the time.

A brief history as Reading manager
He was not originally my first choice for Reading manager, when he was appointed as caretaker (after Brendan Rodgers was sacked), but with a win against Liverpool - and progress in the Championship, he quickly became first choice.

He saved us from relegation in his first season (2009-10) - and managed to take us to within 45 minutes of an FA Cup Semi-Final in the process. We would eventually finish eighth.

In his first transfer window - he showed that he could bring in Championship (and sometimes higher) quality players on the cheap. Andy Griffin and Ian Harte were brought in to improve the side. We did lose top-score Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.5m) in the transfer window as well. McDermott somehow guided us to the play-off final that season - despite losing Gylfi.

For the second season in a row, we sold our top goalscorer (this time Shane Long - £6.5m), as well as our captain (Matt Mills - £5m). McDermott brought in Kaspars Gorkss and Adam Le Fondre as the replacements. We were sitting in a play-off space, when new owner Anton Zingarevich came into the club. He bought Jason Roberts into the team - and Reading stormed the second half of the season and took the title. However, the arrival of Anton turned out to be his downfall.

Reading brought in Championship quality players for the new Premier League season - despite now being owned by a "billionaire owner" and having the Premier League money. Reading were in the relegation zone by January.

January saw a few new players come into the club - from Europa League players to League One players. Reading would go on the best run in Europe, at the time, in January - climbing out of the relegation zone and looking towards a mid-table finish. Following this run - "big bids" were made for Tom Ince and Gylfi Sigurdsson - the latter reported to be over £12m.

Reading would collapse after January - and McDermott seemed to have run out of ideas. By his final game - Reading looked doomed for the drop.

However, his sacking came as a surprise to me - as I felt that no manager could have kept us up and McDermott would be the man to take Reading back up.

[Clyde1998]

Hello Clyde,
I'm just a nobody (not Admin or Mod or anything) but you made a nice gesture and I appreciate it.
Thanks,
N

Thanks - and thanks to everyone who has replied to the post

[Clyde1998]

Cheers Clyde. Nothing personal but I hope you don't enjoy the game one bit.

If our last game was anything to go by - then I doubt I'll enjoy the game

[Norm]

becchio bear wrote:

Awww Norm you're not a nobody, more a phleb like the rest of us mere mortals

That's as good as it gets innit?

You're only saying that 'cos I liked Becchio.