MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by a League Cup meltdown

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 22nd December 2018, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


As Reading’s wreck of a season continues to crash and burn Middlesbrough roll into town. Odds on defeat expected by almost everyone and therefore a poor start for Mr Gomes or Mr Parkinson or possibly, more likely, more of the same for Mr Marshall

Middlesbrough sit sixth in the table having suffered just 4 defeats all season. They have a goal difference of +8 but what should be the main worry is that they have conceded fewer goals (16) than any other team in the division. On the upside Middlesbrough don’t score very many either being the 19th lowest scorers currently. Even Reading have managed to score more.

Now is the best time to play them though as they have suddenly hit their poorest form of the season with just 2 draws to show for the efforts applied in the last 4 games. Just for once it would be nice for Reading to be able extend that sort of opponent’s playing record rather than let them put it all to right.

Injury wise Reading’s tale of misery continues with now McIntyre rated a doubt due to concussion so we could be seeing Blackett partnering Osho for the big game presuming one or more of Moore, Ilori or McShane are still crocked. Meite, it is hoped, will be available and at least Bod is now back.

Something of a very difficult game ahead. Not really likely to get much harder than this one at home so let’s make sure and help the team as much as possible through some loud positive support right from the off.

Referee

Steve Martin is scheduled for this one



Previously....

14 Apr 2018 > Reading 2-2 Sunderland
27 Feb 2018 > Nottm Forest 1-1 Reading
11 Dec 2017 > Reading 2-2 Cardiff City
23 Sep 2017 > Reading 1-1 Hull City
26 Aug 2017 -> Birmingham City 0-2 Reading
24 Jan 2017 > Reading 1-0 Fulham
15 Oct 2016 > Queen's Park Rangers 1-1 Reading
15 Mar 2016 > Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Reading
23 Jan 2016 > Reading 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
19 Sep 2015 > Bristol City 0-2 Reading
25 Mar 2014 > Reading 1-3 Barnsley

Historically

15 previous seasons so 15 previous visits from the ‘boro. Those 15 games have worked out fairly even so far with 5 Reading wins, 6 draws and 4 wins for Middlesbrough. Let’s hope it isn’t too symmetrical a record after the final whistle.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use an iFollow subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Sutekh]

Middlesbrough's poor run continued on Tuesday when they lost their League Cup QF game 1-0 at home to Burton.

There were 5 changes from the side that started their previous game v QPR with Howson, Shotton, Clayton playing no part at all v Burton while Ayala and Saville were unused subs and Assombalonga played the last 27 minutes of the Burton game.

Other notable names such as Hugill, Downing, Friend and Randolph played in both.

[6ft Kerplunk]

My Middlesbrough supporting colleague has been telling me they've been absolute rubbish for a while and the fans have turned against Pulis. Expect them to tonk us.

[Hopeful]

My Middlesbrough supporting colleague has been telling me they've been absolute rubbish for a while and the fans have turned against Pulis. Expect them to tonk us.

My QPR supporting colleague echoed similar comments.
They are "a bunch of big blokes, relying on the ball being launched forward, via free-kicks and long throw-ins, as opposed to playing football on the deck"

[leon]

My Middlesbrough supporting colleague has been telling me they've been absolute rubbish for a while and the fans have turned against Pulis. Expect them to tonk us.

My QPR supporting colleague echoed similar comments.
They are "a bunch of big blokes, relying on the ball being launched forward, via free-kicks and long throw-ins, as opposed to playing football on the deck"

We’re fcuked then.

[Zip]

We’ve scored more goals than them although they have a very mean defence whereas ours is very generous.Doubtless our back four will be bearing gifts on Saturday.

[Snowflake Royal]

We’ve scored more goals than them although they have a very mean defence whereas ours is very generous.Doubtless our back four will be bearing gifts on Saturday.

Whoever might be in it.

[tmesis]

My Middlesbrough supporting colleague has been telling me they've been absolute rubbish for a while and the fans have turned against Pulis. Expect them to tonk us.

My QPR supporting colleague echoed similar comments.
They are "a bunch of big blokes, relying on the ball being launched forward, via free-kicks and long throw-ins, as opposed to playing football on the deck"

We’re fcuked then.

Mind you, I struggle to think of any opposition tactical style that would fill me with confidence.

[Denver Royal]

My Middlesbrough supporting colleague has been telling me they've been absolute rubbish for a while and the fans have turned against Pulis. Expect them to tonk us.

My QPR supporting colleague echoed similar comments.
They are "a bunch of big blokes, relying on the ball being launched forward, via free-kicks and long throw-ins, as opposed to playing football on the deck"

Not a 'possession' type team then? More goalmouth action? Yay!

[Royals and Racers]

4 changes
In Osho,Richards,Loader and Barrow
Out. Gunter, McIntyre,McLeary and Swift

[From Despair To Where?]

Brave team selection although I do remember us winning at the Riverside with a team of 12 year olds under Adkins.

[Sutekh]

Jaakkola
Yiadom
Blackett
Osho
Richards
Rinomhota
Bacuna
Sims
Barrow
Baldock
Loader

Subs

Mannone
Edwards
Swift
Bodvarsson
O’Shea
McNulty
McCleary

Why doesn’t Bod start?
No Swift after last week’s oerformance?

Probably 5th and 7th choice centre backs

Gunter with mystery injury this week

It’s all just one big joke this season. Unbelievable continuous catalogue of injuries. No manager. Untried/unknown manager with no English league experience being cued up to take over.

[Hound]

Gunter pulled his groin apparently. Was knocking about the fanzone before the match

[Denver Royal]

Gomes (and Murty) are at the game, apparently.

HT, good, battling display so far. Again, we look well up for it. Determined, fighting team spirit. Attacking/entertaining. Fans in full voice, driving team on.
Pullis did homework, Boro pumping many high balls in.
Richards not sure he's good enough defensively at this level (yet).
Loader off the pace, yet to score, not that fast, starting over Bod?
Osho surprise choice at CB, but has done ok, and Blackett again doing well alongside him.
Barrow has given Boro probs.

[PremAddict]

two penalties not given. Through the benefit of iFollow and replay, the first one was a stone-cold penalty.

[CountryRoyal]

Is this the most pathetic match thread we’ve ever had? Even by our standards this is bleak.

[Snowflake Royal]

One goal and one point in three games. Yet another lost second half.

Oh dear oh dear. What small progress we might have made utterly lost.

[bcubed]

Is this the most pathetic match thread we’ve ever had? Even by our standards this is bleak.

Yep
Unsurprisingly apathy is rife

[Hound]

Predicable and inevitable result

Boro were poor. Ref was atrocious, absolutely stunk the place out, falling for every bit of gamesmanship

We tried hard, looked like a plucky lower division side. Poor team selection and subs made too late. Sims, Baldock and Barrow (who played fairly well) far too similar. Loader did ok 2nd half but little in the first. Osho did well, looks a good player.

Poor from Marshall I thought. 2 of Swift, Bod and McCleary should have been on by 60 mins. Should not have started that front 4.

Urgently need that new manager to start

[Snowflake Royal]

Marshall seems to be firmly in a holding pattern without any ideas or attempt to solve problems. Just chuck out some teams and wait out the appointment so he can go back to the Academy. Can't really blame him with this shower.