MATCHWATCH : Bournemouth (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday 15 March 2022, 7.45pm
Where : Dean Court, Kings Park, Bournemouth, BH7 7AF
Capacity : 11,364

Reading’s inexorable drip to the third division continues on Tuesday with a visit to Dean Court. Bournemouth are 2nd with loads of games in hand so therefore the Cherries are one of the better sides in the division which is unsurprising given the amount of money and quality of player in their squad - a very long way from the days of Vince Bartram, Adrian Pennock and Sean O’Driscoll.

Form for the Cherries is a bit patchy (for them) at the moment with 5 wins and 3 defeats from the last 9 in the league, including a draw at home to Peterborough, but I’m sure Reading won’t let that bother them too much.

Problems abound in this one, Dominic Solanke has 20 goals from 34 starts, Jefferson Lerma is real pain to play against, Philip Billing is rather useful and Jaidon Anthony looks a fairly decent forward when he gets going so quite what the rather pacey Reading back line will make of things is something that will have to be seen to be believed.

Bournemouth don’t appear to be particularly bothered by injuries at the moment though I believe Billing may be suspended so that’s something for which to be thankful.

Meanwhile injuries for Reading haven’t really improved. While Laurent and Dann are back and Meite got a start last time out, both Holmes and Swift had totally disappeared so definitely a case of what one hand gives the other takes away.

Reading’s away league record for midweek games now stands at 4 wins from 48 and though Bournemouth begins with B the run of 0 wins and 0 points from the last 4 league visits to Dean Court doesn’t exactly lift the spirits. The game is also going to be a red button affair so all the masochists out there can maintain their fix from the comfort of their own home.

Referee

Lee Doughty

Previously....

28 Aug 21 > Huddersfield Town 4-0 Reading
25 Nov 20 > Millwall 1-1 Reading

Historically

Bournemouth are Reading’s most frequent league opponent with 107 previous meetings so this is the Royals’ 54th trip into Dorset for a fixture which usually ends badly.

No points whatsoever have been managed from any of the last 4 games played in Dorset and Reading have conceded 10 in the last 3 visits to the coast.

Overall Reading have managed 11 wins at Dean Court while Bournemouth have 27 victories which leaves 15 occasions where the points have been shared.

Worst defeats at Bournemouth have been by 3 goals (4-1 on 3 occasions and 3-0 twice). Best victories have been by 3-0 on two occasions (the last being back in February 1985).

Finally history says that if Bournemouth score two or more then, unsurprisingly, Reading won’t win

How to follow the game

1. Red button
2. Ticket up and go
3. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use a RoyalTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[windermereROYAL]

Billing is suspended, but another heavy defeat incoming.

[Snowflake Royal]

....................Nyland
Tetek, Thomas, McIntyre, Yiadom
..........Rinomhota, Laurent
Ince...............Ejaria............Hoilett
........................Joao

Subs: Southwood, Morrison, Abrefa, Barker, Meite, Clarke, Dann

Southwood doesn't need to be scapegoated more by the clowns infront of him, and certainly doesn't need to concede another boatload as a result.

Sign Thomas and get him in the side, he has to be faster than the rest.

Get McIntyre out of LB where his lack of pace can't be exposed as easily.

If Tetek isn't fit, bring Morrison in for him and push Tommy Mac into midfield, with Rino at RB.

Meite must come on for at minimum 20 minutes.
Barker should come on for at least 10.
Bring on Clarke when the game is clearly lost, he needs experience for next season.

Leave 2 up for defensive set pieces. Hold a defensive line and keep the midfield OUT of it, unless they're covering a defender who is absent. They need to be holding a line INFRONT of defence. Don't give every single 'muff player 8 yards of space to play in like we did against Forest.

[South Coast Royal]

Not looking forward to Tuesday night, or rather, Wednesday morning, after yet another defeat.

A couple of crumbs of comfort:
Giant, and set-piece concern, Billing is suspended
Bournemouth really aren't playing very well.

It appears that having started the season using pace down the flanks and playing high intensity football they have discovered Stamball.
The natives are restless and, despite being in 2nd place, booing at half-time and full-time has become common.

I actually think that they are in a great position to claim 2nd place because the likes of QPR and Blackburn have started to get nosebleeds for being in such lofty positions and they do have games in hand over the rest.
Also their squad size means that injuries and suspensions don't have too big an impact although Solanke has no real replacement with the recently-signed Kieffer Moore crocked.

BTW Nyland was shipped out by them not long after conceding 6 to Norwich in the Carabao Cup.

[South Coast Royal]

BTW if we wear our normal away kit isn't that Ukraine (ish)?

ON the basis that ALL Russians are currently considered bad and evil maybe a few banners by our fans pointing out the Russian (albeit supposedly now a UK national) ownership of Bournemouth which has meant many roubles (laundered?) spent on their team?

Not that I (we) am envious or bitter that we had the only Russian with no money.

[Snowflake Royal]

Why would we think all Russians are evil?

[URZZZZ]

....................Nyland
Tetek, Thomas, McIntyre, Yiadom
..........Rinomhota, Laurent
Ince...............Ejaria............Hoilett
........................Joao

Subs: Southwood, Morrison, Abrefa, Barker, Meite, Clarke, Dann

Southwood doesn't need to be scapegoated more by the clowns infront of him, and certainly doesn't need to concede another boatload as a result.

Sign Thomas and get him in the side, he has to be faster than the rest.

Get McIntyre out of LB where his lack of pace can't be exposed as easily.

If Tetek isn't fit, bring Morrison in for him and push Tommy Mac into midfield, with Rino at RB.

Meite must come on for at minimum 20 minutes.
Barker should come on for at least 10.
Bring on Clarke when the game is clearly lost, he needs experience for next season.

Leave 2 up for defensive set pieces. Hold a defensive line and keep the midfield OUT of it, unless they're covering a defender who is absent. They need to be holding a line INFRONT of defence. Don't give every single 'muff player 8 yards of space to play in like we did against Forest.

Rino is as poor at RB as McIntyre is at LB IMO and means we weaken Yiadom as well as losing perhaps our best midfielder so assuming Tetek doesn’t make the game, looks like we’re either stuck with McIntyre there again

Hard to fathom just how bad the strategy has been once again. On the knowledge that Yiadom and Rahman were both likely to be away at the AFCON, it amazes me the lack of alternatives we’ve created there. Same with ST, we knew we were left with one senior striker for three months (a role that we knew he couldn’t play particularly well) and yet didn’t sign anyone there until November. Instead we stockpile in midfielders/inside forwards. Tetek, Rinomhota, Drinkwater, Laurent, Dele Bashiru, Swift, Ejaria, Ince, Halilovic, Azeez, Meite, Barker and Hoilett

On Clarke, Ince’s comments were pretty damning yesterday so I doubt we’ll see him this season. When asked why Meite played 90 minutes he said he was “left with no choice” with Joao out - which is just nonsense really

[Snowflake Royal]

....................Nyland
Tetek, Thomas, McIntyre, Yiadom
..........Rinomhota, Laurent
Ince...............Ejaria............Hoilett
........................Joao

Subs: Southwood, Morrison, Abrefa, Barker, Meite, Clarke, Dann

Southwood doesn't need to be scapegoated more by the clowns infront of him, and certainly doesn't need to concede another boatload as a result.

Sign Thomas and get him in the side, he has to be faster than the rest.

Get McIntyre out of LB where his lack of pace can't be exposed as easily.

If Tetek isn't fit, bring Morrison in for him and push Tommy Mac into midfield, with Rino at RB.

Meite must come on for at minimum 20 minutes.
Barker should come on for at least 10.
Bring on Clarke when the game is clearly lost, he needs experience for next season.

Leave 2 up for defensive set pieces. Hold a defensive line and keep the midfield OUT of it, unless they're covering a defender who is absent. They need to be holding a line INFRONT of defence. Don't give every single 'muff player 8 yards of space to play in like we did against Forest.

Rino is as poor at RB as McIntyre is at LB IMO and means we weaken Yiadom as well as losing perhaps our best midfielder so assuming Tetek doesn’t make the game, looks like we’re either stuck with McIntyre there again

Hard to fathom just how bad the strategy has been once again. On the knowledge that Yiadom and Rahman were both likely to be away at the AFCON, it amazes me the lack of alternatives we’ve created there. Same with ST, we knew we were left with one senior striker for three months (a role that we knew he couldn’t play particularly well) and yet didn’t sign anyone there until November. Instead we stockpile in midfielders/inside forwards. Tetek, Rinomhota, Drinkwater, Laurent, Dele Bashiru, Swift, Ejaria, Ince, Halilovic, Azeez, Meite, Barker and Hoilett

On Clarke, Ince’s comments were pretty damning yesterday so I doubt we’ll see him this season. When asked why Meite played 90 minutes he said he was “left with no choice” with Joao out - which is just nonsense really

Especially with the game completely gone.

Clarke has scored a brace at this level. Yeah he's not ready. But like that stopped us with Abrefa, Ashcroft, Hein, Stickland or Bristow etc. And who cares at 2-0 down with 15 minutes to go.

Think Rino is better at RB than McIntyre LB if the opposition have any pace.

[NathStPaul]

I really wish we were safe from relegation, would give us the chance though sack off all of the inept, weak and workshy tosspots who played yesterday. The club is completely and utterly fcuked.

[Hound]

Bournemouth are certainly beatable and we have had a couple of surprise away wins and good performances this season

But we just seem to be in a right state at the moment. For all the chat about stockpiling etc above we have plenty of players in their correct positions except LB (and that will prob be 1 week away). They just need to play better

Ince says the right things but it isn’t translating. Unless they have been very unwell no reason swift and Holmes aren’t back

Nyland
Yiadom Dann Morrison McIntyre
Ince rino swift Laurent Ejaria
Joao

Southwood, Holmes, hoilett, Meite, barker,Clarke, Halilovic

[blythspartan]

Am really fearful of another hammering. I remember the days when we’d get battered but you’d at least see a reaction in the next game. I’d start with Barker as I am fed up with the lack of end product from the other wide players.

[Zip]

We need to be set up as defensively as possible to try and stop conceding so many goals. The way we are heading we will concede 100 League goals this season which is shameful.
Try and get a point if we can.
Fully expect Barnsley and possibly Derby to be closer to us by the end of Tuesday evening.

[Hound]

We need to be set up as defensively as possible to try and stop conceding so many goals. The way we are heading we will concede 100 League goals this season which is shameful.
Try and get a point if we can.
Fully expect Barnsley and possibly Derby to be closer to us by the end of Tuesday evening.

Problem is if we play too defensively then we’ll have little outlet and just concede anyway. Would rather see us try to score a couple and limit the opposition to the standard 2 which we’ll inevitably concede

[Snowflake Royal]

We need to be set up as defensively as possible to try and stop conceding so many goals. The way we are heading we will concede 100 League goals this season which is shameful.
Try and get a point if we can.
Fully expect Barnsley and possibly Derby to be closer to us by the end of Tuesday evening.

Problem is if we play too defensively then we’ll have little outlet and just concede anyway. Would rather see us try to score a couple and limit the opposition to the standard 2 which we’ll inevitably concede

Yep.

We played more defensively against Forest. No AM. It's like putting 10 outfielders in the box for corners just makes it worse.

Much rather go hell for leather and try to outscore them.

[karbota]

....................Nyland
Tetek, Thomas, McIntyre, Yiadom
..........Rinomhota, Laurent
Ince...............Ejaria............Hoilett
........................Joao

Subs: Southwood, Morrison, Abrefa, Barker, Meite, Clarke, Dann

Southwood doesn't need to be scapegoated more by the clowns infront of him, and certainly doesn't need to concede another boatload as a result.

Sign Thomas and get him in the side, he has to be faster than the rest.

Get McIntyre out of LB where his lack of pace can't be exposed as easily.

If Tetek isn't fit, bring Morrison in for him and push Tommy Mac into midfield, with Rino at RB.

Meite must come on for at minimum 20 minutes.
Barker should come on for at least 10.
Bring on Clarke when the game is clearly lost, he needs experience for next season.

Leave 2 up for defensive set pieces. Hold a defensive line and keep the midfield OUT of it, unless they're covering a defender who is absent. They need to be holding a line INFRONT of defence. Don't give every single 'muff player 8 yards of space to play in like we did against Forest.

.Ejaria NO THANK YOU!

[South Coast Royal]

We need to be set up as defensively as possible to try and stop conceding so many goals. The way we are heading we will concede 100 League goals this season which is shameful.
Try and get a point if we can.
Fully expect Barnsley and possibly Derby to be closer to us by the end of Tuesday evening.

Problem is if we play too defensively then we’ll have little outlet and just concede anyway. Would rather see us try to score a couple and limit the opposition to the standard 2 which we’ll inevitably concede

Yep.

We played more defensively against Forest. No AM. It's like putting 10 outfielders in the box for corners just makes it worse.

Much rather go hell for leather and try to outscore them.

Why not?
If we have a strength it is in attack and we just don't have the discipline to close up shop.

Surprisingly little posting in this thread-have posters followed the example of the team and just given up?

[Mr Optimist]

Not given up SCR, but having Bournemouth fans on their site taking the mickey out of our attendances makes it feel like we are the hopelessly drunk bloke who can hardly stand up wanting to take on anyone who dares to notice his existence.

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than putting a spanner in their works, but if that is beyond us at the moment then equally, them not going up and us staying up, will make my summer, small wins and all that.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

No Parker on the touchline for Bournemouth tomorrow due to his ban might be interesting.

[Stranded]

BTW Nyland was shipped out by them not long after conceding 6 to Norwich in the Carabao Cup.

Given he played in their 3-1 Cup win over Yeovil in January and that 6-0 was in August, "not long after" is stretching it.

He was only ever signed as a #2 there really.

[Hendo]

Would be typical Reading to go and get something there tonight after some shambolic performances. Not that I think we will, I just won't be that surprised should we end up with a scrappy 1-0 win.