Royals Seek Revenge Against Brentford

14 February 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Recent Meetings With Brentford

DATE	COMPETITION	OPPOSITION	SCORE	REPORT
27 September 2016	Championship	Brentford (Away)	L: 1-4	Read report...
28 December 2015	Championship	Brentford (HOME)	L: 1-2	Read report...
29 August 2015	Championship	Brentford (Away)	W: 3-1	Read report...
25 April 2015	Championship	Brentford (HOME)	L: 0-2	Read report...
04 October 2014	Championship	Brentford (Away)	L: 1-3	Read report...
20 April 2002	Division Two	Brentford (Away)	D: 1-1	Read report...
27 October 2001	Division Two	Brentford (HOME)	L: 1-2	Read report...
10 February 2001	Division Two	Brentford (Away)	W: 2-1	Read report...
09 September 2000	Division Two	Brentford (HOME)	W: 4-0	Read report...
11 March 2000	Division Two	Brentford (HOME)	W: 1-0	Read report...
02 November 1999	Division Two	Brentford (Away)	D: 1-1	Read report...

Reading will be looking for revenge this evening after their 1-4 defeat at Brentford earlier this season. The Bees visit the Madejski Stadium looking to make it a maximum six out of six points from Reading, with The Royals dropping back from the League's top two after two consecutive draws. Reading will need a victory to show they are serious about promotion this season after recent results saw us drop to 4th in the table and also saw the chasing pack close on the top six.
 
With over two thirds of the season gone, every result is taking on extra importance - and the Brentford visit is the last chance to pick up points at home before taking to the road for difficult away trips to third placed Huddersfield and second placed Brighton. If Reading fail to win tonight then a February picking up just 2 or 3 points could be on the cards - and that would see us hanging onto the top six by a thread. If the result doesn't go our way tonight then many will point to the curse of the manager of the month award after Jaap Stam picked up the honours for January ahead of a difficult February for his side. A victory tonight will ease the nerves, and instead fans will be talking about Reading's run of 6 games undefeated ahead of the Huddersfield game. Fickle things are football fans.
 
Stam is expected to have the same squad that drew 0-0 with Barnsley to choose from tonight with McShane, van den Berg, Rakels, and Quinn still sidelined. Jordon Mutch missed Saturday's game through injury and remains doubtful. Brentford have no new injury worries after their 2-4 defeat at Preston at the weekend.

<h3>Recent Meetings With Brentford</h3>

<table border="0" class="fixtures" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="2" width="100%" style="border:0">
<tr>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF">DATE</td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF">COMPETITION</td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF">OPPOSITION</td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF">SCORE</td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF">REPORT</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixtures">27 September 2016 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Championship</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/270916.html">Brentford (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures">L: 1-4</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/270916.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">28 December 2015 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Championship</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/281215.html">Brentford (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh">L: 1-2</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/281215.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixtures">29 August 2015 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Championship</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/290815.html">Brentford (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures">W: 3-1</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/290815.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">25 April 2015 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Championship</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/250415.html">Brentford (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh">L: 0-2</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/250415.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixtures">04 October 2014 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Championship</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/041014.html">Brentford (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures">L: 1-3</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/041014.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixtures">20 April 2002 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Division Two</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/200402.html">Brentford (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures">D: 1-1</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/200402.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">27 October 2001 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Division Two</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/271001.html">Brentford (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh">L: 1-2</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/271001.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixtures">10 February 2001 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Division Two</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/100201.html">Brentford (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures">W: 2-1</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/100201.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">09 September 2000 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Division Two</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/090900.html">Brentford (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh">W: 4-0</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/090900.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">11 March 2000 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Division Two</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/110300.html">Brentford (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh">W: 1-0</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/110300.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="fixtures">02 November 1999 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Division Two</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/021199.html">Brentford (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures">D: 1-1</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/021199.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>

</table>

Discussion On This Story:

Sutekh

» 13 Feb 2017 11:37

Valentine's night sees Brentford come to town and one hopes that Reading will actually turn up for this one rather than the utter shambles of a team that took to the field at Griffin Park earlier this season.
Brentford are not quite the same team that they were when they first hit the Championship a couple of season ago but are still more than capable of causing damage and are likely to be well organised under the auspices of manager Dean Smith. They currently reside in the battle for mid table obscurity that we thought would probably be Reading's fate this season. They are very stop start in terms of league results having recorded some good wins but these are regularly punctuated by a malaise of draws and defeats (W4 D3 L8 of their last 15 league games). They also have not kept a clean sheet in 2017 - a run of 8 games (so I can guess what that'll probably mean then).
Midfielder Lewis MacLeod will miss the game with a long term injury while Alan Judge is recovering from a broken leg. Left back Rico Henry has recovered from a bad shoulder injury but the game may come to soon for him as her looks to build up match fitness.
Reading will be without McShane, Ilori, Berg, Harriott while Quinn and Rakels are not match fit. The club will be hoping that Jordon Mutch will be available again after picking up a minor knock at Ipswich. My expectation is for the same starting lineup as Saturday with the only change I can see, barring any currently unknown injuries suffered against Barnsley, being the return of Swift at the expense of Kelly. But then Jaap does have a tendency to sling the odd curveball into the mix now and then so feel free to speculate on this point.
Referee
After making a success of the same fixture last season, Hampshire's Keith Stroud will once again be taking control of affairs
Previously
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
Brentford are one of the most common opponents for Reading with this game being the 82nd time the clubs will have met in the league. Of the 40 league games played in Reading to date there have been 22 wins for the hoops compared to just 8 for the stripes. However Brentford have won on their last three league visits (scoring twice in each game) so there is definitely something Reading have fight for to put right. On the upside though Reading have scored at least once in 33 of those 40 league games.

CountryRoyal

» 13 Feb 2017 12:03

Gonna go for another lacklustre 0-0.

Hound

» 13 Feb 2017 12:16

I thought Brentford were the best time I've seen this season when we lost 4-1 there. But then they must be where they are in the table for a reason.

genome

» 13 Feb 2017 12:18

Bad feeling about this one... our recent record against Brentford is ruddy awful and they were excellent at Griffin Park (csb - I've been to two away games this season, Brentford 4-1 and Fulham 5-0 :lol: )
2-1 Brentford and belmonts abound on the Team board.

bcubed

» 13 Feb 2017 12:59

I tend to agree with you but at least it should be a bit warmer

John Smith

» 13 Feb 2017 17:12

Yes I agree. Well they've lost Hogan but they've still got Sawyers and a few other useful lads.
I'm going to go with us to nick it 2-1 after going a goal down, and a Brentford red card to turn the tide

Royal_jimmy

» 13 Feb 2017 17:23

I have a bad feeling about this one
1-0 defeat

Emeraldroyal

» 13 Feb 2017 17:38

Tough one to call.
We're at home so need to dictate the pace of the game to them.

This hasn't happened of late and we've ended up chasing games and nicking draws or the usual mass possession with little penetration.
If the likes of Kelly / Gmac / swift pull the strings and express themselves a bit, we'll win. If they don't then oxf*rd knows what will happen.
I'll go 2-1 Reading. Kelly and Gmac and yet another backheel involved at some point 8)
Happy Valentines :oops:

Gunny Fishcake

» 13 Feb 2017 18:21

Big bogey side , so 2-0 win for us , late goals

Ian Royal

» 13 Feb 2017 18:26

Given our injury problems and Stam's, ahem, slightly unorthodox recent selection choices. I can only see a loss here.
1-3

Grabban

The Cube

» 13 Feb 2017 20:26

Forecast is for fog. Probably after the game, though.

Lower West

» 13 Feb 2017 21:22

Don't think some of the selections are out of choice. More necessity.

Ian Royal

» 13 Feb 2017 21:34

Don't think some of the selections are out of choice. More necessity.

Grabban in midfield with Swift on the bench.

Gunter at centre back with Oxford on the bench.

McCleary / Williams / Beerens at RWB with Watson available.
There's certainly been some odd choices with other more conventional options available. It's a little too crowbar in perceived best players rather than picking the best team to fit the shape and accepting that means some of your best players sit it out where you've got depth.
Obviously he's doing a grand job and still picking up points so minor gripes... but I wonder if it could be better with some slightly different choices.

The Cap

» 13 Feb 2017 21:37

Anyway, here we go again. Not too far away with the Barnsley prediction and, thankfully, the post saved us. The 'Fud are in town and I'll go 3-1 to us. Important game this one and fully expect the team to respond accordingly.

Lower West

» 13 Feb 2017 22:34

Swift is being game managed to last the season. Certainly appears to struggle to maintain a full effective 90 minutes.
Without Oxford on the bench there's no defensive cover. Likewise Watson isn't a wing back (yet).

Ian Royal

» 14 Feb 2017 07:26

Nonsense.

paultheroyal

» 14 Feb 2017 07:56

We turn up tonight with better attacking instinct.
Comfortable 3:0 win - att 16556

Hound

» 14 Feb 2017 08:47

Looking at Brentford's recent form, and the table I'm going to go with a RFC win, 3-1. Yann, McCleary and Moore

NewCorkSeth

» 14 Feb 2017 12:00

Kuhl_Runnings

» 14 Feb 2017 13:22

3-2 to Reading, no clue why, just a hunch. Beerens brace and Kermorgant.

genome

» 14 Feb 2017 13:26

Hoping for:
Al Habsi; Gunter, Moore, Blackett, Obita; Evans, Mutch, Kelly; McCleary, Beerens, Grabban.

Kuhl_Runnings

» 14 Feb 2017 15:25

maffff

» 14 Feb 2017 16:01

Same for me, except swap Beerens out for Meite.
OR, at least give Meite 30+ mins off the bench.

Ian Royal

» 14 Feb 2017 17:49

+1
+lots

genome

» 14 Feb 2017 18:24

We all know it won't be that.

Sutekh

» 14 Feb 2017 19:00

Genome got the starting XI almost right, just Beerens and Evans not starting.
Reading
Habsi, Gunter, Obita, Moore, Blackett, Kelly, Williams, Swift, Mutch, McCleary, Grabban
Subs : Jaakkola, Evans, Meite, Oxford, Popa, Kermorgant, Beerens
Brentford
Bentley, Colin, Bjellend, Dean, Yennaris, McEachran, Woods, Vibe, Jota, Canos, Field
Subs : Bonham, Jozefzoon, Egan, Kerschbaumer, Sawyers, Clarke, Barbet

Royal Ginger

» 14 Feb 2017 19:17

Bitch colleague f****d up forcing me to stay late and miss the train for the game. Utterly raging that I'm not there tonight. This had better be a dull nil niller.

CountryRoyal

» 14 Feb 2017 19:37

Where is everyone? Seems awfully quiet walking up to the ground.

Royal Ginger

» 14 Feb 2017 19:53

Early doors other fixtures are going fairly spectacularly our way.

Sutekh

» 14 Feb 2017 19:55

Williams at right wing back
Don't understand Oxford not playing if that is the tactic

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