News and Views
Preview - Back To League Action As Birmingham Visit
22 April 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?
After Reading's heroic FA Cup performance on Saturday, it is back to business for
the Royals come Wednesday evening. With a FA Cup final place no longer up for
grabs, and the target of mathematical safety achieved, Reading are free to enjoy
their football and will be hoping to carry their performance in the cup into their last
few games of the season. Their opposition in the first of these is mid-table side
Birmingham, who they face at the Madejski.
The result the last time the two sides met is one that Reading fans, as well as Nigel
Adkins, will not like to remember. In what turned out to be Adkins final game in
charge, the Royals were outplayed by their opposition, crashing to a 6-1 defeat at St.
Andrew's. A first-half Demarai Gray hat-trick helped the Blues well on their way to
victory, with a Glenn Murray goal the only thing keeping Reading from total
humiliation.
The last match for the Blues ended in defeat, as the game finished with a narrow 1-0
victory for Watford. It is one of a few poor results for the side, who have won four of
their last ten matches, drawing three and losing three. A 2-1 home victory against
Wolves earlier this month, however, will be a particular highlight for them. Away from
home, Birmingham have failed to win in their last nine games in all competitions.
Reading will be the more disappointed of the two sides with their recent form in the
Championship. Despite their outstanding FA Cup performance showing exactly what
fans knew they were capable of, it is a level of performance that has often been
missing in their league fixtures. The Royals have only won one of their last ten
games, drawing four and losing five. Reading's last victory at home to Brighton was
also their only home win in their last seven Championship matches at the Madejski.
Reading boss Steve Clarke is expected to make some changes for Wednesday's
game following the extra-time defeat. Nathan Ake and Kwesi Appiah will probably
return to the lineup after being cup-tied. The likes of Oliver Norwood, Jem Karacan
and Simon Cox may also be in contention for a starting position after playing a
limited role against Arsenal.
One player that fans will be keen to see is goalkeeper Adam Federici. Following his
gutsy performance in the cup, and his unlucky extra-time error, fans are keen to
show their support for the Australian. The "Player of the Season" candidate has kept
his side out of the bottom three with his consistent performances and many want to
show their appreciation. The #FlagsForFeds Twitter campaign has taken off, with
fans expected to bring Australian flags in support of the Reading goalkeeper.
Birmingham may make some changes themselves, with a full squad available for
manager Gary Rowett. Diego Fabbrini and Lloyd Dyer are both available after being
ineligible to face parent club Watford. Nikola Zigic is also back after missing the last
three games through injury. Top goalscorers Clayton Donaldson (15) and David
Cotterill (9) are also expected to start.
With Millwall losing 2-0 to Blackburn on Tuesday night, Reading are already safe this
season. The Royals will be hoping that they can finish the season off well, however,
especially with a summer of change expected at the club.
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