MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Sutekh » 01 May 2019 10:39



When : Sunday, 5th May, 12.30pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

And so the sun descends on another season that was probably forgotten by all as soon as Rotherham lost last weekend.

Another season has passed and another chance to achieve even lower mid-table security was spurned long before the first trick or treaters called on you to slip Reading FC STs through your letter box if you didn’t massage their internal workings with cheap cardboard chocolate and various super Enumerated candy.

Birmingham arrive in a false position. They should be in 14th place on 60 points but some financial/administrative shenanigans was judged foul by the FL and so they find themselves in 17th place with a mere 51 points. Currently Brum are unbeaten in 6 (4 draws, 2 wins) but then they lost all 5 of their league games before that so that means it’s actually 2 wins in 11 - one against Rotherham and the other against Yorkshire Coca Cola.

So Birmingham are nothing special really but then “nothing special really” has spent a lot of the last 2 years rumbling into Reading and collecting nicely gift wrapped points all lovely and clean as they’re never used in Berkshire. Prime case being New Year’s Day 2018 when then bottom of the table Birmingham with only 3 points on the road at that time strolled in half asleep, failed to offer very much but it was still better than the fetid offering served up by their hosts (seem to recall an awful lot of home fans walking out with as much as 20 minutes left as it was that awful).

But now meet the new Reading, seemingly on the rise with new continental management that – at the moment – appears to have got the whole club and town positive and totally behind what they are trying to do. They have already achieved what looked to be the impossible by keeping the club in the division and results and performances are slowly much more convincing and there’s even been some entertainment from the hoops in recent months.

How much of that can be taken forward over the summer into the new season remains to be seen given the likely departure of all the loans that have done so very well and yet more squad upheaval that will be necessitated in order to try and get every penny available for summer bargains, in both the permanent and loan markets, to bolster the bright but inexperienced youth starting to find its way more fluidly into the first team.

Teams news says Birmingham's Kieftenbeld (knee), Dean (hernia) and Morrison (ankle) are definitely out of the game. While Connor Mahoney (hamstring) and Garry Monk (wanted by WBA) are slight doubts but should make it. For Reading I would expect a little bit of experimentation with the likes of Eza, Barrett and Olise possibly getting a look in in but JG will want the season to finish on a high so would not expect full scale changes.

There should be the standard player’s lap of honour after the game for those that missed the lap of honour after the Wigan game and the PotS award will be made (probably to Andy Yiadom with Andy Rinomhota and Yakou Meite making up the numbers).

Referee

It’s Mr Stroud again, back in less than a month. Note he also took charge of Reading’s last home game last season, a repeat of which does not bear thinking about.

Previously

10 Apr 2019 > Norwich City 2-2 Reading
27 Oct 2018 > Swansea City 2-0 Reading
28 Apr 2018 > Reading 0-4 Ipswich Town
02 Dec 2017 > Sunderland 1-3 Reading
04 Nov 2017 > Derby County 2-4 Reading
01 Apr 2017 > Reading 1-0 Leeds United
14 Feb 2017 > Reading 3-2 Brentford
19 Nov 2016 > Reading 3-0 Burton Albion
28 Dec 2015 > Reading 1-2 Brentford
07 Nov 2015 > Cardiff City 2-0 Reading
03 Oct 2015 > Reading 2-0 Middlesbrough
14 Apr 2015 > Reading 0-1 Bournemouth
29 Mar 2014 > Reading 1-1 Huddersfield Town
11 Jan 2014 > Watford 0-1 Reading
13 Aug 2011 > Leicester City 0-2 Reading
03 Apr 2010 > Ipswich Town 2-1 Reading
06 Feb 2010 > Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Reading
29 Dec 2007 > Tottenham Hotspur 6-4 Reading
22 Sep 2007 > Reading 2-1 Wigan Athletic
25 Feb 2006 > Reading 2-1 Preston North End
23 Aug 2005 > Reading 3-1 Swansea City (League Cup)

Historically

No meetings before 1986 in any competition

It took 8 games to record the first home win

In 16 previous home league games Reading have managed just 4 wins compared to 6 from Birmingham

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)

But at least (for now anyway)


Hound
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Hound » 01 May 2019 10:42

and thanks again Sutekh for these nice Matchwatch posts all season.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by URZZZZ » 01 May 2019 10:48

Another season done and dusted. At least this time at the end of the game we won't be watching the opponents celebrate promotion, unlike the last two

Martinez

Yiadom
Moore
Miazga
Richards

Rino
Baker

Harriott
Olise
Loader

Barrow

Walker Gunter O'Shea Barrett McCleary Baldock Bodvarsson

Personally think O'Shea should get a run out at the end if he's fit. You can say we don't owe him anything but he's had a decent 20 year career and I personally think he deserves a little run out. Would also like to see Bod get a little run out as well

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Old Man Andrews » 01 May 2019 10:49

Bloody hell! Not Keith Stroud!!!! Ugh!

Reckon this will be a really exciting one, no idea why can just see goals.

Martinez

Yiadom
Miazga
Moore
Gunter

Rinomhota
Baker
Ejaria

Barrow
Loader
Harriott

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PistolPete
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by PistolPete » 01 May 2019 10:51

These previews really are excellent - thank you


Hound
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Hound » 01 May 2019 10:55

Be an interesting one this, in terms of who Gomes picks. Will give a bit of an indicator to next season. Will the likes of Harriott and Ezatolohi get a game?

Expect we might see a few suited players waving their goodbyes as well - ie McShane.

Don't think I can make the game which is a shame (ridiculous kick off time) but sure it should be a good one

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Hendo » 01 May 2019 11:01

Yorkshire Coca-Cola :lol: :lol:

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Theroyalbox » 01 May 2019 11:31

Think this year I will be staying for the lap of honour, to say goodbye to some loanees who really have been excellent.

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Old Man Andrews » 01 May 2019 11:53

Chain them to the West stand if you can so they can't leave.


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bcubed
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by bcubed » 01 May 2019 23:41

Old Man Andrews Chain them to the West stand if you can so they can't leave.

Could always glue them instead. Gluing people to things seems to be quite trendy at the moment.

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tidus_mi2
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by tidus_mi2 » 02 May 2019 00:19

We've lost the last couple times we played Birmingham on the final day, maybe we can get a better result this time.

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CountryRoyal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by CountryRoyal » 02 May 2019 00:21

Theroyalbox Think this year I will be staying for the lap of honour, to say goodbye to some loanees who really have been excellent.


I think it says a lot that my 5 favourite players in the last few years have only been here a few months and aren't even ours. :lol:

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by NewCorkSeth » 02 May 2019 08:43

Hound and thanks again Sutekh for these nice Matchwatch posts all season.

+1. Thanks a lot.


Nameless
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Nameless » 02 May 2019 09:11

With the U23 side having important games on Friday and Monday you wonder if that will influence selection.
Would McIntyre, Barrett, Olise and even Loader be sent with the U23s to help win promotion and a trophy rather than mostly bench warming for the first team ?

Hound
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Hound » 02 May 2019 09:18

its an interesting one. Being in the top div in U23 would be a big deal. Big pressure games might be better experience than a relatively meaningless game against Brum.

However sure Barrett, Loader and co would be very keen to get more minutes in the first 11. Would like to see Barrett start tbh

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Stranded » 02 May 2019 10:20

Nameless With the U23 side having important games on Friday and Monday you wonder if that will influence selection.
Would McIntyre, Barrett, Olise and even Loader be sent with the U23s to help win promotion and a trophy rather than mostly bench warming for the first team ?


Think all we depend on how the club feel that being in PL1 will aid the development of the next wave of players - is there that big a gap between the two divisions at that level?

The Monday game should only include players without professional contracts shouldn't it so likely to be U18 players more than U23?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Royal & Ancient » 02 May 2019 11:54

Piece in The Mail today that only half pay paid to players. Is this a fact or a “ Mailism”?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Basildon » 02 May 2019 11:59

Royal & Ancient Piece in The Mail today that only half pay paid to players. Is this a fact or a “ Mailism”?

Looks to be correct, although seems they have now been paid. Something to do with it being a bank holiday in Hong Kong so the owners couldn't get their money.

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Hendo
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Hendo » 02 May 2019 11:59

Royal & Ancient Piece in The Mail today that only half pay paid to players. Is this a fact or a “ Mailism”?


http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=185658&start=160

Non-story.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Timbuk 3

by Basildon » 02 May 2019 12:00

NewCorkSeth
Hound and thanks again Sutekh for these nice Matchwatch posts all season.

+1. Thanks a lot.

+1 Thanks Sutekh

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