MATCHWATCH : Charlton Athletic (h) sponsored by Dave Shipperley

[Hendo]

Careful everyone, the Charlton fans are reading our comments and have taken a few of the negative ones to dissect

FYI for the Addicks looking in, yes I made the comment about Bolton being 3rd after 5 games, they even beat us, it was more stating that it's too early to judge the league table, after all eventual champions Norwich had a terrible start.

I won't deny we're probably getting a touch over-excited and that probably explains some of the arrogance but hopefully it will be a good game and I have time for Charlton, usually do great ticket prices as well.

It is probably that snitch WoodleyRoyal working undercover.

Never understood why people would sign up on another teams forum. Its sad enough signing up on your own teams one.

You don't have to sign up to read this bit.

[Snowball]

How do Charlton line-up formation wise?

They've played a 4-1-2-1-2 (4-4-2 diamond) formation in recent weeks. Taylor is a top striker and they've recently signed Hemed which isn't a bad signing

Team is obvious apart from Miazga/McIntyre. Bench will be interesting though. Bench against Huddersfield was Virginia, McIntyre, Adam, Rino, Barrett, Loader and Puscas. If Obita and Meite come in, wonder who will drop out

I think the first 13 is straightforward (Miazga/McIntyre) (Puscas/Boye)
and Barrett and Rhino deserve two of the three first bench spots after
the two unlucky ones from (Miazga/McIntyre) (Puscas/Boye)

After Plymouth, Barrett surely deserves a spot, as does Meite and
Boye opened up Plymouth and will get better. Rhino is gaining better form.

Always loved Obita, but LWB is Richards' spot to lose now. Also, the medics
will have to decide if Jordan is safe for 85 minutes Championship action.

Fit and solid he is great cover, but an early injury to Richards? Could Obita
then step up, do as well, and, crucially, compete hard for almost a full 90?

Manager and Medical staff need to put common-sense ahead of emotion
and take it slowly

Most likely drop would be Adam, and Loader unless there are trying to get him to sign a long contract

[Westwood52]

Considering not one of last nights starters,will start on Saturday,we now have a really strong squad.

With five to six strikers,any number of CBs and FBs

Three really good CMs plus Adams (Whats his problem ?)

Only really goalie and wingers are we weak,but we don’t play wingers anyway .

I now really look forward to our Saturdays.Rather than with a sense of dread.

Once we weather their opening storm,we could really batter Charlton,big time.

[Hound]

Rafael is weak?

[Stranded]

Charlton have been pretty lethal at taking chances so far this season - for example, they had 3 shots on target in their 3-1 win over Stoke and only 1 against Brentford in their 1-0 win but at the same time they are letting a lot of chances at the other end which given our current form in front of goal (8 goals in last 4 games) suggests we should get the chances to get a couple at least.

Will be a tough game but think we have enough about us to win this and our defensive shape looks strong at the mo - think a 2-0 to us this weekend.

[John Smith]

Never understood why people would sign up on another teams forum. Its sad enough signing up on your own teams one.

What's your excuse then?

[Singing Defective]

They have some good points on their forum tbh:

"Reading has got the dirtiest KFC I've ever seen, that dirty that I walked straight past "

"It had the same greasy hand marks and tomato sauce splatters over the windows for the whole 2 weeks I worked there."

"I've always stood by the old adage to judge a football in by it's local KFC, and the one in Reading is oxf*rd shit"

TBF agreed, at least on the day my son and I visited the one below Northern Way / next to A33 out of desperation prior to a U23 game, the place could have done with some detergent. Or demolition, probably quicker.

[Westwood52]

Rafael is weak?

Sorry should have made it clearer,he is the only one,the back up is weak.

[The Cube]

They have some good points on their forum tbh:
"Reading has got the dirtiest KFC I've ever seen, that dirty that I walked straight past "
"It had the same greasy hand marks and tomato sauce splatters over the windows for the whole 2 weeks I worked there."

If you remember, the town centre KFC was closed down a while back. It is open again now. I believe they said that they had located the problems, which were caused by some dirty South Londoner who had only been with them 2 weeks. Because they dismissed him, and made him take his pet tomato-sauce-guzzling rats and cockroaches with him, they expected the place to become hygienic again - just as long as no other dirty Londoners were allowed through the door.

[The Enfield Royal71]

Never understood why people would sign up on another teams forum. Its sad enough signing up on your own teams one.

What's your excuse then?

Eh.

[karbota]

When : Sunday 18 August, 12, noon
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
First time visit? : https://www.footballgroundmap.com/groun ... um/reading


The new hope that is Reading FC faces its next challenge in the shape of Lee Bowyer's current high flyers, Charlton Athletic.

Charlton have had their troubles in recent years but all that seems to have quietly been swept under the carpet by their fans as they are going through a period of resurgence having now returned to the Championship after a short spell down below.

The Addicks have had a bright start and are yet to taste a league defeat after wins over Brentford, Stoke, Blackburn and draws with Forest and Barnsley so they are going to be reasonably confident they have what it takes to survive at this level at the very least if not cause a few surprises along the way so this game is not going to be any easier for Reading than any other game in the division. They also have scored at least once in every league game but have only kept one clean sheet.

Charlton have a lively forward line with Lyle Taylor catching the eye of many clubs, Tomer Hemed just getting up to match speed and there are a couple of really bright clever little midfielders in Conor Gallagher (loan from Chelsea) and Jonny Williams who seems to be a particular key to the way they play.

Reading have a doubt over Miazga with a likely hamstring injury, Blackett is not expected to be involved until after the international break. However Obita could get a place on the bench after his return at Plymouth.

And so will endeth an action packed August before the prime ridiculousness that will be September which sees just 3 league games (visits to 'boro and Swansea sandwiching a quick hello from Blackburn) in 4 weeks on the schedule.

Referee

A newbie for this one though an experienced ref down under. The first foreign referee appointed to the league list, Jarred Gillet, is very experienced in the Australian A-League. He is over in this country to study at Liverpool John Moores university and has been able to continue his refereeing by being accepted into select group 2. He has also refereed on the international stage, including several world cup qualifiers. He is also well used to multicultural games having refereed in the Japanese J-League, Indian Super League, Saudi Professional League and Chinese Super League. Not that it matters for this game but he was also one of the world's first VAR referees.

Historically

This season will be 20th league season shared with Charlton which means this game will be the 20th time Charlton Athletic have wafted over to Reading for a league game.

The previous 19 games played between the two team in Reading have resulted in 10 home wins to 3 away wins so it would appear Reading have good edge over their London rivals in this one. The last three games have all ended 1-0 (2 wins to Reading and 1 to Charlton).

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)

Sunday !8th August??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[Snowflake Royal]

Is it home? If it's home then fair warning, we'll be shit because I'm going.

[NewCorkSeth]

Is it home? If it's home then fair warning, we'll be shit because I'm going.

Why would you do that to us?

[Snowflake Royal]

Is it home? If it's home then fair warning, we'll be shit because I'm going.

Why would you do that to us?

Misery loves company and hope springs eternal.

[NewCorkSeth]

Is it home? If it's home then fair warning, we'll be shit because I'm going.

Why would you do that to us?

Misery loves company and hope springs eternal.

At least now I have my new escapegoat for the season. Thank you.

[Snowflake Royal]

Why would you do that to us?

Misery loves company and hope springs eternal.

At least now I have my new escapegoat for the season. Thank you.

Maaaaaa

[Sutekh]

Sunday !8th August??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Not any more, that’ll teach me to try and short cut things!

[The Enfield Royal71]

Is it home? If it's home then fair warning, we'll be shit because I'm going.

I thought you have a season ticket and go to every game?

[Snowflake Royal]

Is it home? If it's home then fair warning, we'll be shit because I'm going.

I thought you have a season ticket and go to every game?

That's why I'm going if it's home.

Although I've never said I go to every game.

[The Enfield Royal71]

Is it home? If it's home then fair warning, we'll be shit because I'm going.

I thought you have a season ticket and go to every game?

That's why I'm going if it's home.

Although I've never said I go to every game.

Oh I thought you did from the way you analyse things.