Play-Off Second Leg: Huge Night Ahead

By Hob Nob Anyone?

They don't come much bigger than this. Reading face Fulham at the Madejski Stadium this evening in the second leg of the play-off semi-final, with the prize being a trip to Wembley for a shot at promotion to the Premier League. Both Fulham and Reading will fancy their chances of securing the win for a huge day out, in a fixture that has to be settled tonight. The Royals did all that was asked of them on Saturday evening, leaving Craven Cottage with a 1-1 draw to bring the tie back to the Madejski Stadium, and get home advantage, on level terms. It feels like we are half way there and on track to finish the job, but Fulham won't be too disappointed with the draw in the first leg and have their excellent away form this season to call on.

Things couldn't have looked better for the Royals on Saturday when the excellent Jordan Obita put Reading ahead on 53 mintues with a fantastic low effort from the left that found the back of the net off the far post. With an hour gone Reading had looked comfortable and we dared dream of bringing a win back home. However, Fulham equalised from Cairney with 65 minutes on the clock. Paul McShane was given a straight red on 80 minutes for a late challenge with his foot way off the ground, but Reading held firm despite playing with ten men. The great result was overshadowed by Jordan Obita staying on the floor after the referee's final whistle with what looked like could be a serious injury to his ankle.

Paul McShane will definitely be missing through suspension and Obtia remains a doubt after that late injury. Ilori came off the bench after McShane's sending off on Saturday and will now most likely start in McShane's place. Stam will have to shuffle around his defence, but we will all be hoping Obita has recovered after such an important role on Saturday. Gareth McCleary was an unused substitute on Saturday after coming back from injury but seems almost certain to play a part tonight.

Reading finished the season with the best home record in the entire Championship after winning 16 of our 23 home fixtures during the regular season. That impressive set of wins of course included a 1-0 victory over Fulham. Fulham's away record was only bettered by Champions Newcastle United. Impressive as it may be, the statistics still point to a Reading victory. However, the bookmakers still disagree, and it is Fulham listed as favourites to complete the win over Reading and go on to Wembley.

The tie is so finely balanced that anything could happen - and probably will. It should be quite some night at the Madejski Stadium. Away goals don't count in the play-offs so if the game is drawn, whatever the scoreline, the game will go to extra-time and potentially penalties. You wouldn't bet against the game going the distance. It's a game you really wouldn't want to miss, which makes it amazing that Reading have been unable to sell out the fixture. Tickets are still available to buy on-line and by telephone for both the Upper West and the South Stand.

From the Discussion

SU Sutekh 14 May 2017 · 10:12am

Well it's in the hands of Reading Football Club still and that's all you could ask for. As ever though with Reading if it's going to be done, it's going to have to be done the hard way with no Paul McShane and quite possibly no Jordan Obita and if there's one team you really didn't want to have half your defence ripped out for it's Fulham. So Jaap now has to perm another defensive line. He has options but if Obita is gone as well it is very much make do and mend. As I see it the logical step is to play Ilori instead of McShane and move Blackett over to left back. The question then is do Reading play 5 at the back or play 4 and… More →
TF Top Flight 14 May 2017 · 10:21am

You can count me in. I will be extremely loud on Tuesday night and will be calling for every decision even if it clearly should go in Fulhams favour. Any Reading player that goes down in the box I will be calling for a penalty whether it's a penalty or not. The time to be Mr Nice Guy and kind and generous to the opposition is over. The prize is worth £290 million. I did not eat the sausage at the Cottage and I am not going on Tuesday night to be making friends. COME ON YOU ROYALS! This is win at all costs.
TC The Cap 14 May 2017 · 10:34am

Are you confident that Tennai could handle the pressures of such a big occasion? So looking forward to this game and, as you say, we all need to play our part. Well, as I've said elsewhere, I'm normally in Y25 and now fate has placed me in the South Stand for this one. I'll certainly be looking to get the picnic brigade going. And going. And going........ :wink:
GH glass half full 14 May 2017 · 10:36am

All together: "You call us 'tinpot', we DON'T CARE!" :lol:
TF Top Flight 14 May 2017 · 10:37am

I think Tennai could handle it. He is a classy player. He's got all the attributes. We have a good squad. Stam is confident in the squad. And so am I.
BO bobby1413 14 May 2017 · 10:52am

No one likes us No one likes us We are tin pot Really tinpot We are the Reading from the South
RJ Royal_jimmy 14 May 2017 · 11:27am

Obita probably won't be fit for Tuesday. I can see Tiago coming in for McShane with Blackett playing left back. I can see Evans and Van den Berg playing behind Swift, Williams and Kelly with Kermorgant up front. I can't see McCleary being risked albeit just off the bench
TM tidus_mi2 14 May 2017 · 12:51pm

I would imagine Kelly will have recovered from his illness so will be back Tuesday, I think he could well be key to a victory.
GF Gunny Fishcake 14 May 2017 · 5:45pm

I've a strong feeling this will go to penalties after a draw .....then we'll see who has bottle !
CO CountryRoyal 14 May 2017 · 6:39pm

Can we do a Van Gaal 2014 World Cup and bring Jaakola on at the end of extra time? :lol:
CO CountryRoyal 14 May 2017 · 6:41pm

And it's suuuper tinpot SUPER TINPOT FC We're by far the most irrelevant team The world has ever seen! Also bobby did you go to Walkabout in the end? Was it dece?
BO bobby1413 14 May 2017 · 6:52pm

I did and yes it was superb. Better than expected. Downstairs was jam packed with RFC fans with loud chanting throughout. When we scored beer was thrown everywhere. People on tables. Some (male unfortunately) with their shirts off. I tried to get My GF to do that but she looked at me as if to say "you're a pathetic idiot, why am I with you?" Edit: sorry just remembered she did say that.

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