Clement Ponders Team For Bolton Match

By Hob Nob Anyone?

The Royals will be hoping to build on their League Cup victory over Birmingham during the week and follow it up with a first League win as Bolton Wanderers visit the Madejski Stadium this weekend. Last season Reading and Bolton were battling it out at the bottom of the table to avoid relegation. Reading have carried on where they left off and two defeats see them officially in bottom place in the Championship, meanwhile Bolton have got off to a good start with four points already on the board. Bolton were beaten at Leeds in the League Cup, 1-2, but fielded a dramatically different team in that game. They will see this as an opportunity to continue their good start.

Reading did make changes against Birmingham on Tuesday but still put out a strong side that wasn't far away from first choice. The victory, with goals from Meite and Swift, was a big confidence boost but may have come at a price with a number of players taking minor knocks. Barrow left the pitch in the first half with an apparent hamstring problem and could well be out of action, or at least rested, against Bolton. Meite and Bacuna should be fit for selection but also had minor injuries during the match.

Liam Moore made his return to action and will be hoping he did enough to warrant a start in the centre of defence in the League. Ilori and McShane will also be in with a good should depending on Clement's choice of formation for a game we want to set out to win. Up front Bodvarsson could be back in the team, but Clement could opt to give Baldock and McNulty another go together.

From the Discussion

SC SCIAG 17 Aug 2018 · 2:27pm

With all six of our senior wingers struggling with injuries or fitness, who would you pick to play Bolton and how would you line up? Popa is available but lacking fitness, Bacuna is struggling but should play, and Edwards and Obita are also out. There are also selection dilemmas in defence, midfield, and attack. I'd be inclined to push Bacuna and Richards up to play on the wings with Yiadom and Blackett at full back. For me: Mannone; Yiadom, Ilori, Moore, Blackett; Bacuna, Meyler, Swift, Richards; McNulty, Bodvarsson Subs: Walker, McShane, O'Shea, Kelly, Popa, Clement, Baldock Could be a case for playing Clement on the left maybe?… More →
NA Nameless 17 Aug 2018 · 3:09pm

Why not three at the back with Yiadom and Richards as wingbacks ? Mannone Ilori. McShame Moore Yiadom. Myler. Kelly. Richards Swift Baldock. McNulty
HO Hound 17 Aug 2018 · 3:35pm

I'd be very similar to this. I'm assuming one of Meite or Barrow would be fit, so would go: Mannone; Yiadom, Ilori, Moore, Blackett; Bacuna, Meyler, Swift, Meite/Barrow, Baldock, Bodvarsson Would be happy to swap in McNulty for either of the other two forwards though, complete toss up between the 3 which 2 start. Agree would like to see Bacuna and Meyler in midfield with Swift in front of them. Thought there was a lot of good stuff from Swift on Tuesday, and Bacuna add more athleticism and strength to the midfield than Kelly. Would really hope those 3 would dominate the middle.
WE Westwood52 17 Aug 2018 · 3:50pm

McNulty or Baldock ? Was going to make this a separate topic; but in the circumstances, team for Saturday is the right one to raise this question. Are they too similar ? I must admit I was more impressed with Baldock on Tuesday night rather than McNulty; but it was only during the highlights after;that I realised McNulty had put in a peach of a pass for the 1st goal. I was also suprised that Baldock played up front and McNulty behind him-but presumably Clement has spotted something in McNulty ;rather than him just being a pure goal poacher. As to Saturday;this is an absolute must win game, and Parky being Parky he will try to… More →
WE Westwood52 17 Aug 2018 · 3:51pm

McNulty or Baldock ? Was going to make this a separate topic; but in the circumstances, team for Saturday is the right one to raise this question. Are they too similar ? I must admit I was more impressed with Baldock on Tuesday night rather than McNulty; but it was only during the highlights after;that I realised McNulty had put in a peach of a pass for the 1st goal. I was also suprised that Baldock played up front and McNulty behind him-but presumably Clement has spotted something in McNulty ;rather than him just being a pure goal poacher. As to Saturday;this is an absolute must win game, and Parky being Parky he will try to… More →
3P 3points 17 Aug 2018 · 5:00pm

I doubt Bolton have anyone as good as Modric and Rakatic in midfield to constantly switch play to exploit our full backs though. If no wingers are fit but Bacuna is, then I’d be inclined to play him as our wide right option. Did a decent job as a full back / wing back and used to play further forward for Villa at times. Also, I thought Rinomhota used to play more as a wide player but seems to be playing more centrally these days. Haven’t seen enough of the U23s to know though
NA Nameless 17 Aug 2018 · 5:43pm

I think Rimonhota has filled in at full back a bit but he’s a central midfielder and couldn’t see him playing on the wing. A real wild card choice would be to through Josh Barrett in, but he’d probably last about 20 minutes and we’d probably be better off wheeling McLeary out in a chair. Sad that this could have been a big opportunity for Barrett but he’s probably not even on the long list for selection.
LW Lower West 17 Aug 2018 · 5:43pm

My thoughts too. Though O'Shea ahead of McShane. Going to a be physical battle from set pieces.
HO Hound 17 Aug 2018 · 5:57pm

Purely from the small bits I’ve read of Bolton this year they’ll be looking for set pieces Be another reason to give Bod the nod. If you could put out Moore, Ilori, Blackett, Meyler, Bod, Meite and maybe Bacuna should really be able to handle corners etc. Thought we looked a little short against Derby Not seen enough of Walker yet, but thought he looked handy. Certainly would have Mannone on a final warning after his Derby screw up
SN Snowball 18 Aug 2018 · 10:54am

I would love a back three of Ilori, OShea and Moore
3P 3points 18 Aug 2018 · 12:28pm

Not sure it’s a Kelly type game

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