MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

[Old Man Andrews]

Think Gunter may be a better option at LB with his aerial capability, especially with Rotherham's Hoof tactics.

Sorry but this is hilarious. Chris Gunter being brave enough to win an aerial battle

Much much better than Richards... considering Gunter has also played CB before...

I am rarely agreed with here but I think I might get a lot of support by saying that Chris Gunter is the last possible player I would want in my defence if the opposition were playing long balls.

[Snowflake Royal]

Someone earlier said about putting U23 Ryan east in there, I know he made the bench for the United game but just been on YouTube to see if I can see him but not too much on there- anyone whose been to U23 game -what´s he like? is he good enough to step in?

Really good left foot and useless right foot. Decent player but he`s quite small- about the same height as Kelly. He has also recently added goals to his game. He does the simple things well . if needed tomorrow i reckon he wouldn`t let us down.

Thanks RandR, it might be the game to bring him in then, It´s ok to be small as long as hes strong as its going to be tough in the midfield on saturdayl, nice to know weve got another option though

From the little I've seen I'd describe him as busy, tidy, energetic and small. Keeps it simple.

Combines very well with Holsgrove.

I like to think he wouldn't be overawed and would take the opportunity to really play up and get stuck in to pay back the trust.

Probably not ready to play regularly, but worth giving a shot to see if he can improve on Swift or Baker in midfield short term - one who is only a No 10 and one who is desperately mediocre and soft.

[Sutekh]

Blackett also expected to be fit, least he’s back in training anyway, so at there are defensive options available.

Therefore perhaps midfield shouldn’t be as big a problem as we think as I would have thought it isn’t too much of a change to stick a central defender in as a DM (esp. someone like Blackett who has mobility, a bit of pace, physical presence and should have pretty good cover behind him in case of any mistakes made).

[Ranty McRantface]

At least one of Frost, East, Barrett or Loader will be on the bench tomorrow as they didn't play for the U23s.

Frost was recalled from his loan at Havant a few days ago and was training with the first team along with Barrett and East. Gomes did say in his interview he had some of the U23s training and one or two might make the squad.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Err, so we haven't actually beaten any of the bottom three this season :/ I don't feel nervous, more like dread.

[PieEater]

This is such a massive game but as we know this team is powderpuff soft and just won't turn up. They may be better players individually but Rotherham have more of a team ethic and work rate to overcome their limited ability.

On top of the injuries, our complete lack of a defensive midfield, I think the best we can hope for is that they fail to score and we grind out a 0-0 dullfest. If they decide to come at our defence then I can see them scoring and us failing to respond.

I think we'd have a better chance playing Leeds.

[Victor Meldrew]

Blackett also expected to be fit, least he’s back in training anyway, so at there are defensive options available.

Therefore perhaps midfield shouldn’t be as big a problem as we think as I would have thought it isn’t too much of a change to stick a central defender in as a DM (esp. someone like Blackett who has mobility, a bit of pace, physical presence and should have pretty good cover behind him in case of any mistakes made).

If only some of you guys had played in central midfield you would know that Blackett is just not an option.

To play centrally you must have awareness of what is going on around you and be able to move left or right quickly.
Blackett IMHO is the sort of player who has to be facing the play so in a back 4, a back 3 or left-back are ideally where he would play.

Even if you want to call the central position "defensive midfielder" the player has to be able to move readily right or left and can you seriously see him moving comfortably across to the right hand side when needed and taking the man with his right foot?
The last thing we want v Rotherham is to be giving away set pieces in our half.

At a push he might play left midfield but we have seen dire consequencies of players not playing in their natural positions and today surely is not a day for experimentation.

[Barney]

This is MASSIVE today. Come on Reading. Turn up. Show passion and commitment like never before. Fight for everything.
Bust a gut. 100% effort....nothing less....absolute bare minimum...100% commitment.

Almost 50 years following this lot. I'm just asking for TOTAL AND UTTER pride, commitment, effort and passion.

COME ON !!

[cp]

Agree... I can forgive quite a lot, even losing (not today please), if it is obvious that they have given everything they had.

[strap]

Anyone else have a bad feeling about today's game? I had two dreams last night about this game. Both resulted in home wins of 1-0 and 3-2 - but we were the away team?!?? Clearly a very confused soul here!!

[Royal_jimmy]

It would be very Reading-escue to bottle it and lose today

[Winston Biscuit]

Often have to drag myself along reluctantly to the mongbowl but I am bang up for this today. Looking forward to this game more than I have any other for ages.

[Sutekh]

At least one of Frost, East, Barrett or Loader will be on the bench tomorrow as they didn't play for the U23s.

Frost was recalled from his loan at Havant a few days ago and was training with the first team along with Barrett and East. Gomes did say in his interview he had some of the U23s training and one or two might make the squad.

Not necessarily, U23s have an important game on Monday night so would suggest that’s the most likely reason they were missing.

[Sutekh]

Today’s teams



Reading: Martínez, Yiadom, Moore (c), Miazga, Blackett, Swift, Ejaria, Baker, McCleary, Méïté, Oliveira.
Subs: Walker, Gunter, O'Shea, McShane, Harriott, Barrow, Loader.

Rotherham United: Rodak, Mattock, Ajayi, Ihiekwe, Jones, Vaulks (c), Towell, Robertson, Taylor, Smith, Forde.
Subs: Price, Vyner, Wood, Crooks, Yates, Newell, Williams.

Swift, Ejaria, Baker in midfield. 4-3-3. Same problem as last week then.

[Royal_jimmy]

Nice attacking looking line up today. Hopefully our players will perform

[Snowflake Royal]

Today’s teams



Reading: Martínez, Yiadom, Moore (c), Miazga, Blackett, Swift, Ejaria, Baker, McCleary, Méïté, Oliveira.
Subs: Walker, Gunter, O'Shea, McShane, Harriott, Barrow, Loader.

Rotherham United: Rodak, Mattock, Ajayi, Ihiekwe, Jones, Vaulks (c), Towell, Robertson, Taylor, Smith, Forde.
Subs: Price, Vyner, Wood, Crooks, Yates, Newell, Williams.

Swift, Ejaria, Baker in midfield. 4-3-3. Same problem as last week then.

So much for any young midfielders getting a chance.

Fairly happy with the back five and front three.

[Royal_jimmy]

Today’s teams



Reading: Martínez, Yiadom, Moore (c), Miazga, Blackett, Swift, Ejaria, Baker, McCleary, Méïté, Oliveira.
Subs: Walker, Gunter, O'Shea, McShane, Harriott, Barrow, Loader.

Rotherham United: Rodak, Mattock, Ajayi, Ihiekwe, Jones, Vaulks (c), Towell, Robertson, Taylor, Smith, Forde.
Subs: Price, Vyner, Wood, Crooks, Yates, Newell, Williams.

Swift, Ejaria, Baker in midfield. 4-3-3. Same problem as last week then.

So much for any young midfielders getting a chance.

Fairly happy with the back five and front three.

In a game like today we need experience. Gomes recognises that and it's why McShane and O'Shea are on the bench.

[Snowflake Royal]

Today’s teams



Reading: Martínez, Yiadom, Moore (c), Miazga, Blackett, Swift, Ejaria, Baker, McCleary, Méïté, Oliveira.
Subs: Walker, Gunter, O'Shea, McShane, Harriott, Barrow, Loader.

Rotherham United: Rodak, Mattock, Ajayi, Ihiekwe, Jones, Vaulks (c), Towell, Robertson, Taylor, Smith, Forde.
Subs: Price, Vyner, Wood, Crooks, Yates, Newell, Williams.

Swift, Ejaria, Baker in midfield. 4-3-3. Same problem as last week then.

So much for any young midfielders getting a chance.

Fairly happy with the back five and front three.

In a game like today we need experience. Gomes recognises that and it's why McShane and O'Shea are on the bench.

Yeah, neither of them are midfielders or playing. And tbh, both of them should be retired or playing at a lower level.

[Ascotexgunner]

My concern is Rotherham seem to have goals in them....we don't....they have a better team ethic.....I'm worried. Just hope the loaners can turn it around.

[Snowflake Royal]

Rotherham's kit looks proper shite.

But they've done their homework
Pressing hard and high.