MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (h) sponsored by Dylan Kerr

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 1st December, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


After a good performance away at high flying Leeds and a point procured at a struggling Wigan Reading are scheduled to take on the armoured might of Lance Corporal Rowett and his Stoke City boys.

Stoke’s 10 season stay in the Premier League ended last season and now they find themselves adjusting to a new level and have had a few rude awakenings already. However despite the slow start they appear to be gathering a little momentum which is unsurprising given the perceived quality of their squad.

But that momentum is slow. True they are unbeaten in 5 but 4 of those games have been drawn now (pending their home game with Derby tonight). Their away from has settled down to being pretty good though with 3 draws and 2 wins in their last 5 including a win at Carrow Road and point at Sheffield United so, as you’d expect, Reading need to produce their A game for this one a not the disgrace that crawled into view against Ipswich.

Stoke appear to have a full strength squad to select from prior to their Derby game. Reading will be missing Obita, Eza, Bod, Baldock & McShane. Barrow should be better again though Meite is still not quite 100% with his ankle problem but has still been playing. No-one appeared to pick up any knocks against Leeds so unless the training ground “gift” strikes again there should be no additions to the aforementioned list.

Referee

At least OMA will be happy as David Coote is back



Previously

30 Mar 2018 > Reading 1-0 Queen's Park Rangers
10 Feb 2017 > Middlesbrough 2-1 Reading
25 Nov 2017 > Reading 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
21 Oct 2017 > Sheffield United 2-1 Reading
05 Nov 2016 > Wigan Athletic 0-3 Reading
17 Sep 2016 > Barnsley 1-2 Reading
12 Jan 2016 > Derby County 1-1 Reading
22 Aug 2015 > Reading 0-0 MK Dons
16 Feb 2014 > Queen's Park Rangers 1-3 Reading
07 Dec 2013 > Reading 1-2 AFC Bournemouth
03 Aug 2013 > Reading 2-1 Ipswich Town
11 Feb 2012 > Reading 2-0 Coventry City

Historically

This will be the 23rd league visit by Stoke City to Reading. Of the previous 22 games Reading have won 10 and lost 4 and are currently unbeaten in the last 13 (8 wins, 5 draws) and only failed to score in one of them so historically there is some hope for Reading - but of course it’s just another game that can go either way.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use an iFollow subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Old Man Andrews]

THE DREAM HAS COME TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTE

[NewCorkSeth]

THE DREAM HAS COME TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTE

I genuinely very happy for you.

[NewCorkSeth]

-------------Jaakkola
Yiadom--Ilori--Moore--Blackett
----Rinonhota--Bacuna
Sims-------McCleary-------Barrow
--------------Loader

Walker
Gunter
O'Shea
Kelly
Swift
Meite
McNulty

Tough to pick a starting line up really. Just think Meite need a rest.

[Hound]

-------------Jaakkola
Yiadom--Ilori--Moore--Blackett
----Rinonhota--Bacuna
Sims-------McCleary-------Barrow
--------------Loader

Walker
Gunter
O'Shea
Kelly
Swift
Meite
McNulty

Tough to pick a starting line up really. Just think Meite need a rest.

Would go something like that. Would just hope Meite recovers, and then partner him with Loader and put McCleary wide for Sims

[Old Man Andrews]

Think Clement will go

Jaakkola

Yiadom
Moore
Ilori
Blackett

Rinhomota
Bacuna
Kelly

Barrow
Meite
McCleary

[NewCorkSeth]

-------------Jaakkola
Yiadom--Ilori--Moore--Blackett
----Rinonhota--Bacuna
Sims-------McCleary-------Barrow
--------------Loader

Walker
Gunter
O'Shea
Kelly
Swift
Meite
McNulty

Tough to pick a starting line up really. Just think Meite need a rest.

Would go something like that. Would just hope Meite recovers, and then partner him with Loader and put McCleary wide for Sims

I hope so too. It's amazing that we are without 3 definite starters in Ezatolahi, Baldock and Bodvarson.

Just those 3 would change the fabric of our team a huge amount. Yesterday with Ezatolahi in for Kelly, Baldock in for Swift and Bodvarson in for Loader would have been much improved.

I think, if all fit, a line up of:

------------------Jaakkola
Yiadom----Ilori---Moore----Blackett
Rinomhota--Ezatolahi--Bacuna
Bodvarson---Meite----Baldock

Will make a big difference to performances. Shame things probably won't pan out that way.

[URZZZZ]

Personally, I'd be really disappointed to see Barrow walk back into the 11, all the hard work from the majority last night will be undermined by bringing in someone who clearly doesn't play for the team

Changes should really be kept to a minimal, back 5 and midfield three did enough to keep their place. Obviously Swift out for McCleary and then McNulty in for Meite if Meite is not 100% because he didn't really do a thing yesterday and we can't really afford to carry a player (especially when Swift was playing equally as useless)

[Snowflake Royal]

-------------Jaakkola
Yiadom--Ilori--Moore--Blackett
----Rinonhota--Bacuna
Sims-------McCleary-------Barrow
--------------Loader

Walker
Gunter
O'Shea
Kelly
Swift
Meite
McNulty

Tough to pick a starting line up really. Just think Meite need a rest.

....................Jaakkola
..Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Blackett
....Rinomhota...Kelly...Bacuna
....McCleary....McNulty....Barrow

Agree Meite needs a rest, but I think Loader does too after his first start. Team is really hard to pick with Barrow recently sick, Bod and Baldock out and Meite carrying a knock. Sims if Barrow isn't ready.

I suspect O'Shea will make a return and Meite will start though.


If all fit (like that will ever happen)
..................Jaakkola
Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Obita
Rinomhota..Ezatolahi..Bacuna
Meite....Bodvarsson....Baldock

Walker, Blackett, Kelly, Barrow, McCleary, Swift, Gunter

[NewCorkSeth]

-------------Jaakkola
Yiadom--Ilori--Moore--Blackett
----Rinonhota--Bacuna
Sims-------McCleary-------Barrow
--------------Loader

Walker
Gunter
O'Shea
Kelly
Swift
Meite
McNulty

Tough to pick a starting line up really. Just think Meite need a rest.

....................Jaakkola
..Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Blackett
....Rinomhota...Kelly...Bacuna
....McCleary....McNulty....Barrow

Agree Meite needs a rest, but I think Loader does too after his first start. Team is really hard to pick with Barrow recently sick, Bod and Baldock out and Meite carrying a knock. Sims if Barrow isn't ready.

I suspect O'Shea will make a return and Meite will start though.

Back 3? Ilori didn't put a foot wrong for me. Hope he retains his place but O'Shea does seem to be able to keep morale high on the pitch.

[Snowflake Royal]

-------------Jaakkola
Yiadom--Ilori--Moore--Blackett
----Rinonhota--Bacuna
Sims-------McCleary-------Barrow
--------------Loader

Walker
Gunter
O'Shea
Kelly
Swift
Meite
McNulty

Tough to pick a starting line up really. Just think Meite need a rest.

....................Jaakkola
..Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Blackett
....Rinomhota...Kelly...Bacuna
....McCleary....McNulty....Barrow

Agree Meite needs a rest, but I think Loader does too after his first start. Team is really hard to pick with Barrow recently sick, Bod and Baldock out and Meite carrying a knock. Sims if Barrow isn't ready.

I suspect O'Shea will make a return and Meite will start though.

Back 3? Ilori didn't put a foot wrong for me. Hope he retains his place but O'Shea does seem to be able to keep morale high on the pitch.

No, I think Clement wants the experience of O'Shea but didn't think he could play three games in a week.

[NewCorkSeth]

....................Jaakkola
..Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Blackett
....Rinomhota...Kelly...Bacuna
....McCleary....McNulty....Barrow

Agree Meite needs a rest, but I think Loader does too after his first start. Team is really hard to pick with Barrow recently sick, Bod and Baldock out and Meite carrying a knock. Sims if Barrow isn't ready.

I suspect O'Shea will make a return and Meite will start though.

Back 3? Ilori didn't put a foot wrong for me. Hope he retains his place but O'Shea does seem to be able to keep morale high on the pitch.

No, I think Clement wants the experience of O'Shea but didn't think he could play three games in a week.

He's not wrong to want it. Shame we have to ascribe a better player to get it.

[NewCorkSeth]

If all fit (like that will ever happen)
..................Jaakkola
Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Obita
Rinomhota..Ezatolahi..Bacuna
Meite....Bodvarsson....Baldock

Walker, Blackett, Kelly, Barrow, McCleary, Swift, Gunter

Same team as me (mostly) but I forgot about Obita. Put Obita in mine.

I went for Bod as the Wide Forward on the right as he has shown superb hold up ability on the flanks.

When we write a team out like that, on paper, we look fairly quality. We even have decent bench options for formation changes.

I wish football was played on paper...

[Snowflake Royal]

If all fit (like that will ever happen)
..................Jaakkola
Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Obita
Rinomhota..Ezatolahi..Bacuna
Meite....Bodvarsson....Baldock

Walker, Blackett, Kelly, Barrow, McCleary, Swift, Gunter

Same team as me (mostly) but I forgot about Obita. Put Obita in mine.

I went for Bod as the Wide Forward on the right as he has shown superb hold up ability on the flanks.

When we write a team out like that, on paper, we look fairly quality. We even have decent bench options for formation changes.

I wish football was played on paper...

I wish half our best players weren't injured most the time.

[Hound]

If all fit (like that will ever happen)
..................Jaakkola
Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Obita
Rinomhota..Ezatolahi..Bacuna
Meite....Bodvarsson....Baldock

Walker, Blackett, Kelly, Barrow, McCleary, Swift, Gunter

Same team as me (mostly) but I forgot about Obita. Put Obita in mine.

I went for Bod as the Wide Forward on the right as he has shown superb hold up ability on the flanks.

When we write a team out like that, on paper, we look fairly quality. We even have decent bench options for formation changes.

I wish football was played on paper...

Looks good doesn't it? Loader would be on the bench and for me GMac RW instead of Meite.

Good young side, lots of academy grads. Could even be a reality in Jan, but no doubts won't turn out that way

Said on the BFTG thread, seem to be getting a bit of an identity back. A young, pacy side like that showing lots of energy would get the crowd back on side. If (and it is a big If) we get going second half of this season, I could see us becoming a force over the next couple of years

[NewCorkSeth]

If all fit (like that will ever happen)
..................Jaakkola
Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Obita
Rinomhota..Ezatolahi..Bacuna
Meite....Bodvarsson....Baldock

Walker, Blackett, Kelly, Barrow, McCleary, Swift, Gunter

Same team as me (mostly) but I forgot about Obita. Put Obita in mine.

I went for Bod as the Wide Forward on the right as he has shown superb hold up ability on the flanks.

When we write a team out like that, on paper, we look fairly quality. We even have decent bench options for formation changes.

I wish football was played on paper...

Looks good doesn't it? Loader would be on the bench and for me GMac RW instead of Meite.

Good young side, lots of academy grads. Could even be a reality in Jan, but no doubts won't turn out that way

Said on the BFTG thread, seem to be getting a bit of an identity back. A young, pacy side like that showing lots of energy would get the crowd back on side. If (and it is a big If) we get going second half of this season, I could see us becoming a force over the next couple of years

That is an identity I would take in a heartbeat. My reasoning for a 4-3-3 with Bod and Baldock as the wide forwards was that we have seen them both play very well in similar positions.

Having a right flank with Bod and Meite to aim at from goal kicks would force the opposition to adjust to our positioning.

It would also have out top 3 goalscorers on the pitch in forward positions.

On the evidence of last game our defensive frailties would be hugely assisted by having Rinomhota and Bacuna as the wider of the midfield 3. Both are quick, athletic and well capable of putting a foot it or winning an aerial and Ezatolahi has been immense at cleaning up and recycling possession. The stability in midfield would give us a great platform to build from.

In fact, other than the joy of seeing Loader play, my biggest takeaway from last night's game was the partnership Rinomhota and Yiadom so quickly built. Yiadom really can move forward well and Rinomhota is well capable of falling back when needed. That could be vital.

A subs bench with options like Swift, McCleary, Barrow, Kelly and Loader on it would give us a lot of room to tweak tactics during the game. I'm excited for the first time in ages and it's all thanks to 2 academy players.

[Snowflake Royal]

There was one moment last night that typified Rinomhota's quality.

He's a young player, very inexperienced in professional senior football, playing in arguably one of the most demanding positions mentally and physically.

And yet, when Yiadom broke forward in the second half and lost the ball when he should have passed inside, Rinomhota has seen the mistake, seen the weakness and had already run back ten yards to cover the LB position where Leeds' winger was in space before I could even finish thinking "uh-oh".

[Coppells Lost Coat]

All depends who has the mystery illness this weekend.
If Meite is fit, I would keep the same team as Leeds but put GMac on instead of Swift. And maybe Blackett edges Gunter out of the team??
..................Jaakkola
Yiadom...Ilori..Moore...Gunter / Blackett
Rinomhota..Kelly..Bacuna
.................................GMac
...........Loader.........................
...................Meite...............

If Meite is not fit, McNulty is going to have to show us he is up to the challenge.

[windermereROYAL]

Next 3 home games, Stoke, Sheffield utd and Middlesbrough....ouch.

[Kulshaw72RFC]

Does anybody want to meet up for a drink before the game? I don't want to go on my own anymore.