MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

157 posts
User avatar
Sutekh
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 18386
Joined: 12 Feb 2014 14:05
Location: Undiscovered pyramid somewhere in Egypt

MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Sutekh » 20 Sep 2021 17:14



When : Saturday 25 September 2021, 12.30pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


After the surprise at Craven Cottage comes a very different challenge in the shape of a visit from one of Reading’s bogey teams in a game that will not help the cause due to a) the “Colin” factor plus the fact that b) for some god only knows obscure reason Sky have decided that it needs to be shown to anyone with one of their sports subscriptions.

As was the case with the last visit from this lot, they are not on a particularly good run having managed only 9 points from 2 wins and 3 draws from the 8 league games played to date. However that is better than the 4 points from 6 games that they found themselves on the last time they showed up and they still ran out comfortable winners so there is every reason for Reading to make sure they are on their mettle and every reason to try and and break the awful run of games against Middlesbrough that has seen just 1 point taken from the last 9 attempts.

Former Reading youth player (0 appearances in 2 seasons when he was about 17 and Reading were last in the PL) Uche Ikpeazu is now one of the main strikers at ‘boro having signed from Wycombe in the summer. As is usual in these situations Reading will need to ensure he is kept quiet but not let that distract them from “looking after” the likes of Jonny Howson, Dael Fry and on loan Cameroon international James Siliki in a fairly lively midfield at the north eastern club.

Middlesbrough’s Paddy McNair is expected to return after injury but full back Anfernee Djiksteel is like to miss out after a hamstring problem suffered in ‘boro’s home defeat to Blackpool last weekend. Meanwhile Reading’s injury hell grew again last weekend with Tom Holmes joining Rafael, Moore, Meite, Joao, Rinomhota, Araruna, McIntyre, Azeez (not to mention Dann, Dann the not fit yet defender man) as the club continued to maintain their average of losing a player to injury in every game that they play. That said Rafael and Rinomhota maybe fit enough to be considered for this game.

Referee

From the Premier League list I give you Peter “first Reading game for exactly 2 years” Bankes

Previously....

25 Sep 2019 > Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Reading (League Cup)
21 Aug 2019 > West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Reading
16 Mar 2019 > Stoke City 0-0 Reading
16 Dec 2017 > Ipswich Town 2-0 Reading
25 Feb 2017 > Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 Reading
21 Jan 2017 > Derby County 3-2 Reading
30 Jan 2016 > Reading 4-0 Walsall (FA Cup)
20 Dec 2015 > Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
08 Aug 2015 > Birmingham City 2-1 Reading

Historically

18 previous seasons, all bar 3 since 1987, so 18 previous visits from the ‘boro. Those 18 games haven’t worked out too well so far with 5 wins, 6 draws and 7 defeats. The last 360 minutes of football played against Middlesbrough at the Mad Stad has been particularly grotty with Reading managing to score just once while conceding 7 and collecting precisely 0 points in the process.

So all in all not really a game to look forward to.

How to follow the game

  1. Get a ticket and travel
  2. Sky TV
  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 RoyalsTV subscription
  6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

User avatar
NathStPaul
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10528
Joined: 19 Feb 2019 14:21

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by NathStPaul » 21 Sep 2021 08:47

You can take it to the Bankes that this referee is a corrupt official.

Millsy
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10022
Joined: 16 Jul 2004 18:36
Location: Running from The Left

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Millsy » 21 Sep 2021 08:51

Is it on royals TV if it's on sky?

User avatar
NathStPaul
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10528
Joined: 19 Feb 2019 14:21

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by NathStPaul » 21 Sep 2021 08:52

Millsy Is it on royals TV if it's on sky?

You're on Royals TV.

Stranded
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 19587
Joined: 14 Apr 2004 12:42
Location: Propping up the bar in the Nags

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Stranded » 21 Sep 2021 08:54

Given our recent record against them any result has to be a good one. Fully expecting a dull and disappointing 2-0 defeat, as seems to be standard.

If we somehow pick up a win, then good things may be round the corner.


Stranded
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 19587
Joined: 14 Apr 2004 12:42
Location: Propping up the bar in the Nags

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Stranded » 21 Sep 2021 08:54

Millsy Is it on royals TV if it's on sky?


Nope.

User avatar
NathStPaul
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10528
Joined: 19 Feb 2019 14:21

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by NathStPaul » 21 Sep 2021 08:55

Stranded Given our recent record against them any result has to be a good one. Fully expecting a dull and disappointing 2-0 defeat, as seems to be standard.

If we somehow pick up a win, then good things may be round the corner.

Think this one has draw written all over it. Reckon both teams might take that if you were to offer it to them now.

Stranded
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 19587
Joined: 14 Apr 2004 12:42
Location: Propping up the bar in the Nags

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Stranded » 21 Sep 2021 08:59

NathStPaul
Stranded Given our recent record against them any result has to be a good one. Fully expecting a dull and disappointing 2-0 defeat, as seems to be standard.

If we somehow pick up a win, then good things may be round the corner.

Think this one has draw written all over it. Reckon both teams might take that if you were to offer it to them now.


We should be looking at 4 points from the next 2 I think, so would ideally get the win out of the way on Saturday but Boro will want to make up for the home defeat v Blackpool - so yeah would take the draw. Would love 5-7pts from next week, if we can get through this window between breaks undefeated, that will hold us in good stead for the next one.

Hound
Hob Nob Legend
Posts: 24934
Joined: 27 Sep 2016 22:16
Location: Simpleton

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Hound » 21 Sep 2021 09:33

draw would be ok. Extend the unbeaten run to 4.

I'd be bit disappointed with anything other than a win though. Boro not a great side and we should be full of confidence, with hopefully a few back from injury


Millsy
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10022
Joined: 16 Jul 2004 18:36
Location: Running from The Left

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Millsy » 21 Sep 2021 09:40

Stranded
Millsy Is it on royals TV if it's on sky?


Nope.


Thanks

Sutekh fyi... , thanks as ever for a great service!

User avatar
paultheroyal
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 12757
Joined: 04 Mar 2005 12:59
Location: Hob Nob Reality TV Champ 2010/2011

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by paultheroyal » 21 Sep 2021 12:19

Son's got a match Saturday morning so will be a mad dash to make this one.

Great time to be playing them whilst we have some impetuous. This result can set the tone for the rest of the season.

User avatar
Snowflake Royal
Hob Nob Legend
Posts: 39402
Joined: 20 Jun 2017 17:51

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Snowflake Royal » 21 Sep 2021 12:41

Millsy Is it on royals TV if it's on sky?

Don’t think so

User avatar
Sutekh
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 18386
Joined: 12 Feb 2014 14:05
Location: Undiscovered pyramid somewhere in Egypt

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Sutekh » 21 Sep 2021 13:31

NathStPaul
Millsy Is it on royals TV if it's on sky?

You're on Royals TV.


Audio only I believe


Mr Optimist
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 2132
Joined: 15 Dec 2004 13:31
Location: Colwyn Bay Royals - Membership no.000001,

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Mr Optimist » 21 Sep 2021 13:51

I only hope that by mid-afternoon I am listening to a gracious post-match interview from the fair and balanced (sack of chips on each shoulder) Mr Warnock, who is lamenting the performance of the referee and linesmen… “I don’t know how he has missed it if I am being honest”, “I thought we had complete control of the game up until that point”, “I’m not going to criticise the lads because they have given their all, but to not come away with 3 points due to incompetency like that, we’ll, I’m not going to say any more or I will get myself in to trouble, but…..”

windermereROYAL
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 7999
Joined: 19 Feb 2008 11:18

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by windermereROYAL » 21 Sep 2021 15:42

These are the games we need to win with the impending points deduction.

Hound
Hob Nob Legend
Posts: 24934
Joined: 27 Sep 2016 22:16
Location: Simpleton

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Hound » 21 Sep 2021 15:46

well we just need to win an extra 2-3 games than we would otherwise, regardless of who they are against

one thing though, bloody good job we've had a decent couple of weeks or else things would look very unpleasant

Millsy
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10022
Joined: 16 Jul 2004 18:36
Location: Running from The Left

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Millsy » 21 Sep 2021 16:26

Mr Optimist I only hope that by mid-afternoon I am listening to a gracious post-match interview from the fair and balanced (sack of chips on each shoulder) Mr Warnock, who is lamenting the performance of the referee and linesmen… “I don’t know how he has missed it if I am being honest”, “I thought we had complete control of the game up until that point”, “I’m not going to criticise the lads because they have given their all, but to not come away with 3 points due to incompetency like that, we’ll, I’m not going to say any more or I will get myself in to trouble, but…..”


We gotta win just to wind up the Colin

User avatar
NathStPaul
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10528
Joined: 19 Feb 2019 14:21

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by NathStPaul » 21 Sep 2021 16:31

The Warnock hate is weird and quite childish tbh. He is a great character and a great Football League manager. The game will be far poorer when he retires.

User avatar
Silver Fox
Hob Nob Legend
Posts: 25702
Joined: 15 Apr 2004 10:02
Location: From the Andes to the indies in my undies

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by Silver Fox » 21 Sep 2021 16:32

The bloke's a sociopath

User avatar
NathStPaul
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 10528
Joined: 19 Feb 2019 14:21

Re: MATCHWATCH : Middlesbrough (h)

by NathStPaul » 21 Sep 2021 16:35

He is but he's box office, managers like him are going out of the game being replaced with dull, bland P.E teachers who are a personality vacuum.

157 posts

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: ankeny, Royal Ginger and 377 guests

It is currently 28 Mar 2024 22:45