MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Sutekh » 11 Jul 2020 16:42



When : Tuesday 14th July 2020, 6pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


Reading now put their cr@pfest of home form (1 win in 12) up for investigation from Colin's new Middlesbrough outfit. As with previous home form expectation is low as we all know it's likely to be a slow tempo plod in which the opposition gradually start to look better or, if not, at least look like the ones more likely score.

But at least it doesn't really matter, unlike previous seasons which has seen Reading right in it right down to the wire, and with ony one home game left before we get another month or so off we can all relax and be apathetic about it (though that won't stop the usual vented spleens if it turns out as poor as some of the home performances suffered this season).

Middlesbrough themselves have had a very poor season which saw Jonathan Woodgate pick up the spanish archer just a few weeks ago and be replaced by Mr Warnock. Their form has largely been pretty awful veering through a couple of long streaks avoiding victories to a couple of brief spells where they've collected the wins that have just kept them above the line. Since taking over Mr Warnock has seen his charges win 2 and lose 3 but from Reading's perspective the important fact is that 'boro have won 3 of their last 4 away games (at Millwall, Stoke and Charlton) so in any respect this one won’t be easy, even if Reading had half decent home form.

Britt Assombalonga (8), Ashley Fletcher (10) and Lewis Wing (7) are leading the Mddlesbrough scoring charts and it appears Fletcher and Assombalonga have been generally restored as twin strikers following Rudy Gestede's short run as the sole striker. There is some talk around that Reading have an interest in Lewis Wing but given the financial situation at the club that's all its ever likely to amount to.

Andy Yiadom could probably play if the club were desperate enough for him to do so, Lucas Joao is expected to be fit enough to play some part but, equally, why risk him breaking down again before the end of the season and facing longer out?

Here's hoping for that terrific home performance that finally breaks the mould and sets the club on the way to a fortress of a home ground next season.

Referee

Mr Andrew Woolmer

Previously....

15 Feb 20 > Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Reading
09 Nov 19 > Reading 3-0 Luton Town
01 Oct 19 > Reading 1-4 Fulham
19 Jan 19 > Derby County 2-0 Reading
18 Oct 16 > Reading 1-2 Aston Villa
27 Aug 16 > Cardiff City 0-1 Reading
23 Aug 14 > Nottingham Forest 4-0 Reading
08 Apr 14 > Bournemouth 3-1 Reading
29 Oct 11 > Crystal Palace 0-0 Reading
12 Apr 11 > Scunthorpe United 0-2 Reading
15 Apr 10 > Reading 3-0 Coventry City
16 Sep 08 > Reading 6-0 Sheffield Wednesday
17 Sep 05 > Reading 1-0 Crewe Alexandra

Historically

16 previous seasons so 16 previous visits from the ‘boro. Those 16 games have worked out very symmetrically so far with 5 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats. However in the last 180 minutes of football played against Middlesbrough at the Mad Stad, Reading have failed to score and conceded 3, therefore collecting 0 points in the process.

How to follow the game

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

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Zip
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Zip » 11 Jul 2020 16:44

Awaits OMA’s latest glowing reference for the match official

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tidus_mi2
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by tidus_mi2 » 11 Jul 2020 16:46

Oh please can we not let Colin out of relegation trouble.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Simmops » 11 Jul 2020 17:09

Andy Woolmer? Andy bellend more like!

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Snowflake Royal » 11 Jul 2020 17:43

Got to be unchanged unless Joao, Yiadom or Ejaria return from injury.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by windermereROYAL » 11 Jul 2020 18:50

Been around for a while that ref, first did us nearly 15 years ago.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by SCIAG » 11 Jul 2020 19:05

Would have quite liked to see a couple more young players get a runout if Woodgate was still in charge.

No easing up on Colin though. Three points please. Maybe have Nevers on the bench although he won’t be match fit.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Mid Sussex Royal » 11 Jul 2020 19:19

SCIAG Would have quite liked to see a couple more young players get a runout if Woodgate was still in charge.

No easing up on Colin though. Three points please. Maybe have Nevers on the bench although he won’t be match fit.


Agree - I'd trade a win on Tues with 2 defeats to end....they will stay up though because of Wigan

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tidus_mi2
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by tidus_mi2 » 11 Jul 2020 19:22

Mid Sussex Royal
SCIAG Would have quite liked to see a couple more young players get a runout if Woodgate was still in charge.

No easing up on Colin though. Three points please. Maybe have Nevers on the bench although he won’t be match fit.


Agree - I'd trade a win on Tues with 2 defeats to end....they will stay up though because of Wigan

I wouldn't be so sure, Wigan would only be 5pts behind Boro right now if the points deduction were in effect, on their form they could do that.


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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Snowflake Royal » 11 Jul 2020 19:29

Be nice to finish the season on an unbeaten run. Especially if we can give some more Academy lads a run out.

Would like to see CBC get on the bench, maybe with Walker given we can pick nine.

A run out for Nevers if possible, still want to see East get a few more minutes.

But Colin's lot aren't the game for that.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Royality creeps In » 11 Jul 2020 19:51

Went to the away game which we somehow managed to lose despite being the better team.
Let’s hope we can finish them off this time.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Hound » 11 Jul 2020 20:58

Yep with the majority - normally I’d say mix it around, give some minutes to the fringe players, try out some new ideas etc

But not against Colin and no doubts he’ll be at his absolute worst

Still reckon we’ll probably lose: the home form is a real worry

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Snowball » 12 Jul 2020 06:08

I'm predicting 2-1 ATM

but, personally, I'd be happy with another clean sheet
and to finish the season without letting in more goals

0-0
0-0
0-0

might be boring, but the promise of a rock-solid defence...


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by sandman » 12 Jul 2020 08:56

I think we will need to score at least two as Assombalonga is guaranteed one of his customary goals against us.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by SouthDownsRoyal » 12 Jul 2020 10:06

Snowball I'm predicting 2-1 ATM

but, personally, I'd be happy with another clean sheet
and to finish the season without letting in more goals

0-0
0-0
0-0

might be boring, but the promise of a rock-solid defence...


Would you be happy with 0-0 m9?

Snowball
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by Snowball » 12 Jul 2020 10:39

SouthDownsRoyal
Snowball I'm predicting 2-1 ATM

but, personally, I'd be happy with another clean sheet
and to finish the season without letting in more goals

0-0
0-0
0-0

might be boring, but the promise of a rock-solid defence...


Would you be happy with 0-0 m9?


I wouldn’t be happy with a SINGLE 0-0 but I would love to finish the season with three more clean sheets, yes, even if we failed to score

Of course I’d like to finish with three 4-0 wins, win the lottery and have a threesome.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by sandman » 12 Jul 2020 10:50

Snowball
SouthDownsRoyal
Snowball I'm predicting 2-1 ATM

but, personally, I'd be happy with another clean sheet
and to finish the season without letting in more goals

0-0
0-0
0-0

might be boring, but the promise of a rock-solid defence...


Would you be happy with 0-0 m9?


I wouldn’t be happy with a SINGLE 0-0 but I would love to finish the season with three more clean sheets, yes, even if we failed to score

Of course I’d like to finish with three 4-0 wins, win the lottery and have a threesome.


What's the statistical probability of that and which end of Mrs Long would you be?

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SouthDownsRoyal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by SouthDownsRoyal » 12 Jul 2020 11:47

Snowball
SouthDownsRoyal
Snowball I'm predicting 2-1 ATM

but, personally, I'd be happy with another clean sheet
and to finish the season without letting in more goals

0-0
0-0
0-0

might be boring, but the promise of a rock-solid defence...


Would you be happy with 0-0 m9?


I wouldn’t be happy with a SINGLE 0-0 but I would love to finish the season with three more clean sheets, yes, even if we failed to score

Of course I’d like to finish with three 4-0 wins, win the lottery and have a threesome.


Blimey, you don’t want for much do you.

Amazing how you have advanced from being happy with clean sheets

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tidus_mi2
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by tidus_mi2 » 12 Jul 2020 12:01

We've been shit for so long that it's nice to mathematically be able to make the play-offs with 3 games left, albeit incredibly unrealistic.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h) sponsored by Chris Rea

by NewCorkSeth » 12 Jul 2020 12:06

Snowflake Royal Got to be unchanged unless Joao, Yiadom or Ejaria return from injury.

This but also keen to see how many defenders we can play.

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