MATCHWATCH : Bolton Wanderers (a) sponsored by the need not ot lose

[Snowflake Royal]

It's not quite Must Not Lose. But it's very close. As you say, we remain only 2 points off safety with a loss,but it would hammer morale and is exactly the sort of game we ought to win if we hope to stay up.

I don't think that pressure or the likely conditions favour a victory, but both sides are so shit anything is possible.

We're getting close to the point where we can actually rate Gomes' performance tentatively, so it's pretty key for him. Lose this, for example, and he could take Clement's crown as the statistically worst starting manager in RFC history straight away. Because it's hard to see where any points would come from, though of course at least some would come.

[Brain Traysers]

Its a weird one to say with so many games left, but not losing means its still in our hands (game vs Rotherham still to come), while losing means we need help from others wrt Bolton.

We are quite lucky its looking like another year where there are too many bad teams to all be relegated

[Mid Sussex Royal]

It's not quite Must Not Lose. But it's very close. As you say, we remain only 2 points off safety with a loss,but it would hammer morale and is exactly the sort of game we ought to win if we hope to stay up.

I don't think that pressure or the likely conditions favour a victory, but both sides are so shit anything is possible.

We're getting close to the point where we can actually rate Gomes' performance tentatively, so it's pretty key for him. Lose this, for example, and he could take Clement's crown as the statistically worst starting manager in RFC history straight away. Because it's hard to see where any points would come from, though of course at least some would come.

Wrong, whatever happens tonight - we lost 6 out of first 7 under Tommy Burns.

[Hound]

Still 17 games to go - no such thing as must not lose at This stage - plenty of twists and turns to come

However, things would have been looking very dicey had Rotherham and Wigan won on Saturday. The fact they didn’t means a defeat whilst damaging, won’t be the disaster it would have been

[Snowflake Royal]

It's not quite Must Not Lose. But it's very close. As you say, we remain only 2 points off safety with a loss,but it would hammer morale and is exactly the sort of game we ought to win if we hope to stay up.

I don't think that pressure or the likely conditions favour a victory, but both sides are so shit anything is possible.

We're getting close to the point where we can actually rate Gomes' performance tentatively, so it's pretty key for him. Lose this, for example, and he could take Clement's crown as the statistically worst starting manager in RFC history straight away. Because it's hard to see where any points would come from, though of course at least some would come.

Wrong, whatever happens tonight - we lost 6 out of first 7 under Tommy Burns.

You've misunderstood. Clement's crown (as awarded by Ranty xenophobia strap) is based on more games. Hence why I said could not would and hard to see where we'd pick up more points

[tmesis]

The result tonight most definitely won't settle anything, but what it will do is give some indication of how far (or not) we've come under Gomes.

A good win would make me confident of staying up. Another defeat caused by us just looking brittle and wilting under pressure, would put a big question mark against our ability to stay up - not because of the points situation, but because it would show we still lack character, and have the same failings that got us into this mess.

[Royals and Racers]

Gunter will be the hero !!!

[Sutekh]

Tonight’s XI

Martinez
Gunter
Yiadom
Miazga
Moore
Rinomhota
Bacuna
Barrow
Swift
Aluko
Oliveira

[Snowflake Royal]

Interesting side. Harsh on Ejaria and Aluko back where he's consistently terrible.

Gunter in over Blackett or Richards... ok I guess.

Jaakkola MIA

Did we really sign Ejaria and Baker to bench warm?

[Lower West]

Aluko back........

Vibes aren't good for tonight.

Ejaria isn't fully fit possibly and Richards isn't fit.

[Old Man Andrews]

Aluko back........

Vibes aren't good for tonight.

Ejaria isn't fully fit possibly and Richards isn't fit.

Aluko who has played well for Gomes and was our man of the match against Derby despite playing only half the game?

[Hound]

Sounds like Aluko has deserved another shot. Hopefully a lot narrower than wide out on the wing

Would hope Gunter is LB

No Bod is a bit of an eye opener - should be there on the bench imo

[Old Man Andrews]

Sounds like Aluko has deserved another shot. Hopefully a lot narrower than wide out on the wing

Would hope Gunter is LB

No Bod is a bit of an eye opener - should be there on the bench imo

Can only think it's an injury, nonsensical to not have him there otherwise.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Tonight’s XI

Martinez
Gunter
Yiadom
Miazga
Moore
Rinomhota
Bacuna
Barrow
Swift
Aluko
Oliveira

that is a line up more than capable of beating Bolton.

No Bod? Not even on the bench?

[Snowball]

Saw this on the BBC site

Six of the seven goals conceded by Reading in the Championship under
Jose Manuel Gomes have been scored in the first half,
and none later than the 48th minute.

[Brain Traysers]

Decent enough team.

Pace on the wings against a slower, physical team, and a goalscorer up front. Two solid CBs and two genuine full backs, even if one is out of position- Gunter at LB please.

As others said above - that bunch of players >>>> Bolton's players. Unfortunately that doesn't guarantee anything.

When was the last time we fielded three full debutants in the same game?

[WoodleyRoyal]

Interesting side. Harsh on Ejaria and Aluko back where he's consistently terrible.

Gunter in over Blackett or Richards... ok I guess.

Jaakkola MIA

Did we really sign Ejaria and Baker to bench warm?

No but they are a physical side and ejaria and baker are not suited to this sort of game bacuna and rino are the correct choice for a game like this

[andrew1957]

I can only think Bod is injured or that would be a harsh exclusion from the squad.

Pretty good team to be fair. Hope they can do the job.

[AthleticoSpizz]

I can only think Bod is injured or that would be a harsh exclusion from the squad.

Pretty good team to be fair. Hope they can do the job.

likewise....unless there are other things going on right now.

[Brain Traysers]

I can only think Bod is injured or that would be a harsh exclusion from the squad.

Pretty good team to be fair. Hope they can do the job.

Otherwise its a hell of a vote of confidence in Loader given Oliveira is starting his first game of the season.