MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Friday 15 April, 3pm
Where : Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU
Capacity : 32,702


After the utter shambles of yet another second half “giveaway” comes a trip to Bramall Lane which should aid Reading’s determination to ensure that the relegation battle goes to the final day immeasurably.

Yes it’s Sheffield United away and Reading have not beaten Sheffield United in the league anywhere since November 2008 which is now a run of 10 league games. And it’s worse as Reading have managed just the 1 point from the 30 that have been available and that arrived 7 games ago so, it’s now 6 successive league defeats against the Blades.

Of course Sheffield are doing rather well on top of it all being sat 6th in the division though their current form is average with 12 points raked in from the last 27 by way of 3 wins and 3 draws. The big problem for Reading though, as usual, is going to be scoring as the Blades have only conceded 2 goals at home in the last 12 games played and haven’t conceded more than 1 at home since 19 October.

Former loanee Billy Sharp is the problem, yes he may now be 36 but he unfortunately hasn’t become Billy Blunt and has bagged 14 of Sheffield’s 53 league goals. If he is shut out then midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is proving rather useful both in terms of provider, as well as scorer being second to Mr Sharp on 9. Then there’s ex Reading star Oliver Norwood to watch so it’s going to be a very difficult afternoon for the Reading squad indeed.

At Sheffield United, Jayden Bogle, Chris Basham and Charlie Goode are all definitely out with injury plus the Blades’ have doubts over the aforementioned Billy Sharp as well as Rhian Brewster, David McGoldrick and Jack O’Connell.

After the Cardiff cr@p Reading’s injury problems continue to get worse again with TDB and Tom McIntyre both doubts and Swift now out for 2 weeks (so that’s 8 injuries in total with Araruna, Rinomhota, Meite, Tetek and Halilovic making up the numbers currently - plus Dann had disappeared on Saturday so he might be a ninth injury). Therefore I would expect the midfield for this one will start as Laurent, Drinkwater, Ejaria, Ince and Hoilett as that’s all Reading have left by way of experienced midfield options.

Referee

Gavin Ward

Previously

08 Jan 2022 > Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 Reading (FA Cup)
02 Nov 2021 > Millwall 1-0 Reading
02 Mar 2021 > Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
05 Dec 2020 > Reading 2-0 Nottingham Forest
03 Oct 2020 > Reading 1-0 Watford
04 Feb 2020 > Cardiff City 3-3 Reading (FA Cup)
22 Apr 2019 > Reading 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
12 Mar 2018 > Reading 0-3 Leeds United
01 Sep 2018 > Reading 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
25 Aug 2015 > Portsmouth 1-2 Reading (League Cup)
20 Dec 2014 > Reading 0-1 Watford
25 Oct 2014 > Reading 3-0 Blackpool
17 Apr 2012 > Reading 1-0 Nottingham Forest
01 Feb 2011 > Cardiff City 2-2 Reading
16 Mar 2010 > Reading 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
11 Aug 2009 > Reading 5-1 Burton Albion (League Cup)

Historically

Another club where league visits were unknown until the late 1970s. Since then Reading have made 20 trips to the Lane and not done too badly to date by recording 5 victories to 9 defeats though recent form both there and in Reading is pretty much as bad as it can get.

There’s nothing but a solitary point to show from the last four visits and overall Reading have scored 19 goals in those 20 league visits compared to 29 from the Blades.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
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 a RoyalTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Hound]

That injury list is looking stupidly long again…what is it with this season?

We’ve a chance of course - decent performances recently except the second half on Saturday

Sheff utd certainly not a ‘great’ side though obviously be a tough game

Also been a bit of a season for breaking these long poor runs against sides (Brum at home, Swansea) so you never know

Fancy us for a point

[Snowflake Royal]

Very not great to have all of Swift, Rino, TDB and Tetek out at the same time. That's not far off 'a', if not necessarily 'the' first choice midfield.

Also fancy us to be capable of picking up something. And the long run of shit doesn’t deter me. Those always have to end some time. Tough game though.

Despite his woeful last showing and not being selected to get on the pitch against Cardiff looks like Ejaria will be getting another chance and presumably now to audition for Swift's role for next season.

If McIntyre is out that at least makes an easy decision of how to fit in Rahman. Would be harsh to have dropped any of he Holmes and Morrison after recent games.... probably would have hedged Holmes if I had to, although he's probably been the best of the three, but is slightly out of position on the left side of the centre.

Regardless of performance, anything from. This is probably a bonus. So won't be getting upset if it's an L.

[Zip]

Sharp is almost certain to miss this game along with Brewster and McGoldrick.
So they will start with McBurnie up top.
A point would be very useful here.
Please no more injuries.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Saw them on Sky V Bournemouth at the weekend.

Were very physical helped even more by a ref that let stuff go early on and they seemed to be looking to wind up both Billing and Lerma who both have form for retaliating.

Wasn't overly impressed by them if I'm honest, Sharp likely out until after Easter and McBurnie seems to have gone backwards career wise and looks no more than an average champ hard working clogger.

Most of their attacks came down their left which would be better for us and a point is realistic if we set up right.

[Royals and Racers]

Great news- SKY have added this match to the red button service. Presumably Royals TV will also now offer it for £10( multi camera)

[Stranded]

Saw them on Sky V Bournemouth at the weekend.

Were very physical helped even more by a ref that let stuff go early on and they seemed to be looking to wind up both Billing and Lerma who both have form for retaliating.

Wasn't overly impressed by them if I'm honest, Sharp likely out until after Easter and McBurnie seems to have gone backwards career wise and looks no more than an average champ hard working clogger.

Most of their attacks came down their left which would be better for us and a point is realistic if we set up right.

Lump on McBurnie to score the winner then. He loves playing us. Has 4 goals against us in the 2 league games he's had against us, scoring a brace in each.

He hasn't scored this season, which given his record makes me think that will definitely change on Friday. The only 2 strikers they had available (Jebbison the other) have managed 0 goals and just 2 assists between them in 33 appearances.

Will be hard to get a goal here though, as they are on a run of 4 clean sheets out of 5. Clearly playing the keep it very tight and try and nick one approach due to their lack of forward options. Sadly, we are likely to cough one up, so need to find a way to nick one.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I can't see anything but a Sheff United win, we haven't tended to do too well against them home or away in recent years either. Possibly an opportunity to break that cycle though on Friday and I didn't expect us to get anything against Bournemouth either.

I know this obviously doesn't happen, but would rather us throw our eggs in the basket against Swansea at home as that seems the more likely place where will get something, despite their good form.

[Zip]

I can't see anything but a Sheff United win, we haven't tended to do too well against them home or away in recent years either. Possibly an opportunity to break that cycle though on Friday and I didn't expect us to get anything against Bournemouth either.

I know this obviously doesn't happen, but would rather us throw our eggs in the basket against Swansea at home as that seems the more likely place where will get something, despite their good form.

I think there will be less pressure on the players to go there and get something. Sheff Utd have been pretty average recently. Not scoring many but not conceding either. Think we have a shout at a point,

[Mr Optimist]

I can't see anything but a Sheff United win, we haven't tended to do too well against them home or away in recent years either. Possibly an opportunity to break that cycle though on Friday and I didn't expect us to get anything against Bournemouth either.

I know this obviously doesn't happen, but would rather us throw our eggs in the basket against Swansea at home as that seems the more likely place where will get something, despite their good form.

I think there will be less pressure on the players to go there and get something. Sheff Utd have been pretty average recently. Not scoring many but not conceding either. Think we have a shout at a point,

I’m normally hopelessly optimistic as my user name suggests, but I can’t see us getting anything but a 3-0 beating up on Friday afternoon from a not very happy hunting ground. I will instead be pinning my hopes on Swansea and Fulham wins and a Blackburn draw which is much more realistic, and a bit like Saturday we all carry on circling the chairs waiting for the music to stop but with only 4 games to go!

[Zip]

I can't see anything but a Sheff United win, we haven't tended to do too well against them home or away in recent years either. Possibly an opportunity to break that cycle though on Friday and I didn't expect us to get anything against Bournemouth either.

I know this obviously doesn't happen, but would rather us throw our eggs in the basket against Swansea at home as that seems the more likely place where will get something, despite their good form.

I think there will be less pressure on the players to go there and get something. Sheff Utd have been pretty average recently. Not scoring many but not conceding either. Think we have a shout at a point,

I’m normally hopelessly optimistic as my user name suggests, but I can’t see us getting anything but a 3-0 beating up on Friday afternoon from a not very happy hunting ground. I will instead be pinning my hopes on Swansea and Fulham wins and a Blackburn draw which is much more realistic, and a bit like Saturday we all carry on circling the chairs waiting for the music to stop but with only 4 games to go!

Mr Pessimist

[Mr Optimist]

I think there will be less pressure on the players to go there and get something. Sheff Utd have been pretty average recently. Not scoring many but not conceding either. Think we have a shout at a point,

I’m normally hopelessly optimistic as my user name suggests, but I can’t see us getting anything but a 3-0 beating up on Friday afternoon from a not very happy hunting ground. I will instead be pinning my hopes on Swansea and Fulham wins and a Blackburn draw which is much more realistic, and a bit like Saturday we all carry on circling the chairs waiting for the music to stop but with only 4 games to go!

Mr Pessimist

I’m optimistic about the other results, but after more than 40 years of watching Reading the optimism doesn’t stretch to fantasyland levels

[Zip]

I’m normally hopelessly optimistic as my user name suggests, but I can’t see us getting anything but a 3-0 beating up on Friday afternoon from a not very happy hunting ground. I will instead be pinning my hopes on Swansea and Fulham wins and a Blackburn draw which is much more realistic, and a bit like Saturday we all carry on circling the chairs waiting for the music to stop but with only 4 games to go!

Mr Pessimist

I’m optimistic about the other results, but after more than 40 years of watching Reading the optimism doesn’t stretch to fantasyland levels

[tidus_mi2]

They haven't lost at home since October...

So easy away win.

[NathStPaul]

Sort of game where we should get dicked but will probably end up winning 0-1.

[Millsy]

Another winnable game.

As is every game with this squad. We're not a relegation side - come on Reading!

[windermereROYAL]

We're not a relegation side - come on Reading!

I think the league table tells us otherwise.

[Silver Fox]

Is 21st a relegation place now?

[NathStPaul]

Another winnable game.

As is every game with this squad. We're not a relegation side - come on Reading!

You are correct, which is why we aren't in the relegation zone. We are slightly better than being totally shit, congrats to us.

[Weymouth Royal]

They haven't lost at home since October

Another winnable game

I'm expecting nothing less than a loss. This weekend is all about Derby and Barnsley getting beat.