News and Views

New Signings Set To Face Ipswich Town

03 February 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Jaap Stam has much more options this Saturday as Reading travel to Ipswich Town looking to build on a run of three straight league victories. Stam saw four players arrive just before the transfer deadline with little outward transfer activity. Adrian Popa, Jordan Mutch, Reece Oxford and Lewis Grabban all agreed to contracts with Reading - the last of those three on loan until the end of the season with Popa signing a permanent deal. Those four new signings are all now eligible to play and are all match fit and ready for action, giving Stam choice in all departments.

All four will be hoping for some involvement even if only in the form of a place on the bench. It will be very interesting to see how they fit into what is currently a very successful side - and who will be sacrificed to make way. With Joey van den Berg and Paul McShane injured, Reece Oxford will be expected to make an immediate start. Ipswich secured the loan signing of Dominic Samuel from Reading on transfer deadline day - but he will not be able to play against his own club. Ipswich will have midfielder Emyr Huws in their line-up after he arrived from Cardiff City on loan.

Ipswich have made a poor start to 2017, after a disappointing first half of the season. After only managing to draw at home to Lincoln City they were then beaten 1-0 in the replay to make an embarassing exit in the FA Cup. That cup defeat has been followed by a 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town, a 1-1 draw at Preston, and a 3-0 home defeat to Derby County.

Ipswich are 17th in the Championship table and are closer to the bottom three than they are the play-off positions. Meanwhile both Newcastle and Brighton dropped points in the week and Reading suddenly find themselves just five points off the very top of the table. Reading are a huge 20 points above Ipswich in the table, which shows just how unexpectedly good this season has turned out so far.

Earlier this season Reading were 2-1 winners over Ipswich Town at the Madejski Stadium, with all three goals coming from the penalty spot and Danny Williams scoring the winning penalty in the 90th minute. The Royals have won 9 out of their least 11 fixtures with Ipswich Town:

Recent Meetings With Ipswich Town

DATE COMPETITION OPPOSITION SCORE REPORT
09 September 2016 Championship Ipswich (HOME) W: 2-1 Read report...
02 February 2016 Championship Ipswich (Away) L: 1-2 Read report...
11 September 2015 Championship Ipswich (HOME) W: 5-1 Read report...
21 February 2015 Championship Ipswich (Away) W: 1-0 Read report...
16 August 2014 Championship Ipswich (HOME) W: 1-0 Read report...
25 January 2014 Championship Ipswich (Away) L: 0-2 Read report...
03 August 2013 Championship Ipswich (HOME) W: 2-1 Read report...
31 December 2011 Championship Ipswich (HOME) W: 1-0 Read report...
26 November 2011 Championship Ipswich (Away) W: 3-2 Read report...
08 March 2011 Championship Ipswich (Away) W: 3-1 Read report...
28 September 2010 Championship Ipswich (HOME) W: 1-0 Read report...
03 April 2010 Championship Ipswich (Away) L: 1-2 Read report...
07 November 2009 Championship Ipswich (HOME) D: 1-1 Read report...
14 March 2009 Championship Ipswich (HOME) L: 0-1 Read report...
13 September 2008 Championship Ipswich (Away) L: 0-2 Read report...
22 November 2005 Championship Ipswich (Away) W: 3-0 Read report...
16 October 2005 Championship Ipswich (HOME) W: 2-0 Read report...
22 January 2005 Championship Ipswich (HOME) D: 1-1 Read report...
28 September 2004 Championship Ipswich (Away) D: 1-1 Read report...
10 January 2004 Division 1 Ipswich (HOME) D: 1-1 Read report...
09 August 2003 Division 1 Ipswich (Away) D: 1-1 Read report...
18 March 2003 Division 1 Ipswich (Away) L: 1-3 Read report...
19 October 2002 Division 1 Ipswich (HOME) W: 3-1 Read report...

 

Discussion On This Story:

 Sutekh

» 03 Feb 2017 13:15




Off the the east to face the might of Ipswich Town next. True the Suffolk side aren't at their best this season and are struggling as Mick McCarthy instigates a process of rebuilding but it will still be a stern test and how many times have Reading failed to get results at clubs who are in a bit of a dip in recent seasons?

On the team news front Ipswich are hoping midfielder Tom Lawrence will shake off an ankle injury that he picked up against Derby while Luke Hyam, Teddy Bishop and Johnny Williams are all definitely out. New loan signing Dominic Samuel will have to wait for his debut not being eligible after Tuesday's move but Steven Taylor and Toumani Diagouraga are both eligible.

Meanwhile Reading are hoping that both Kermorgant and McShane will be fit enough. Obviously still out are Quinn, Ilori, Berg and Harriott and though Rakels played some part of the U21s game on Monday an appearance at Portman Road will be asking too much.

As to team selection, well I think it really is a case of your guess being as good as anyone's. All four signings made in the last week could debut but equally we could see hide nor hair of them so other than the 4 or 5 certainties (Habsi, Gunter, Moore, Williams etc.) anything could happen. Personally I'd like to see a line up of Habsi, Gunter, Moore L, McShane, Obita, Kelly, Evans, Beerens, McCleary, Kermorgant and Grabban but I should imagine it'll be closer to the side that took to the field up at Birmingham on Tuesday

Referee

Making the long awkward journey down from Count Durham to take care of proceedings is Geoff Eltringham



Previously

13 Dec 2016 > Leeds United 2-0 Reading
02 Apr 2016 > Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Reading
12 Dec 2015 > Preston North End 1-0 Reading
07 Apr 2015 > Blackpool 1-1 Reading
23 Nov 2013 > Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Reading
14 Feb 2012 > Derby County 0-1 Reading

Historically

While Reading have had a little of the upper hand over Ipswich in recent years it seems to be a case of things evening out as Ipswich were well in command before then. The two sides were fairly regularly competitors with each other just after the war and that continued until Ipswich vanished from lower division membership in 1957 (and they're yet to return there). Since the mid 90s Ipswich have been one of the most regular opponents for Reading.

This game will be the 56th league meeting and therefore the 28th time we've travelled up to Portman Road. Our record there, possibly as you'd expect, leans heavily toward Ipswich wins with them having record 15 to Reading's miserly 8. Draws are uncommon generally with only 4 at Portman Road and none of the last 17 games have finished all square - so, having mentioned that, the chance of such an outcome has now been increased!

 Davezk

» 03 Feb 2017 13:43

Yeah I agree the price is a rip off. We should beat them if we play as we have in the past few games.

 Norfolk Royal

» 03 Feb 2017 15:32

IN before the merge.

 Kuhl_Runnings

» 03 Feb 2017 15:46



 Z175

» 03 Feb 2017 18:10



:D :D :D

 genome

» 03 Feb 2017 18:40

IN! for



 Royals and Racers

» 04 Feb 2017 13:53

Starting XI vs Ipswich: Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Obita, Moore, Blackett, Swift, Williams, Kelly, Mutch, McCleary, Kermorgant.

Subs vs Ipswich: Jaakkola, Evans, Beerens, Meite, Popa, Oxford, Grabban.

 Pepe the Horseman

» 04 Feb 2017 14:00

Jaap's done it again. Would never have had Mutch down as starting.

 Sutekh

» 04 Feb 2017 14:02

Reading XI : Habsi, Gunter, Moore, Blackett, Obita, Mutch, Kelly, Williams, McCleary, Swift, Kermorgant

Subs : Jaakkola, Popa, Oxford, Grabban, Evans, Beerens, Meite

Ipswich XI : Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers, Taylor, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Diagouraga, Huws, Lawrence, McGoldrick

Subs : Gerken, Spence, Ward, Bishop, Moore, Sears, Pitman

 Humanistic

» 04 Feb 2017 14:06

Seems a bit harsh on Evans to be dropped for Mutch, but I guess Jaap knows best...

 NewCorkSeth

» 04 Feb 2017 14:13

4 CMs? How do they all fit do you think?

 Lower West

» 04 Feb 2017 14:32



Williams right wing back.

Kelly \Mutch centre midfield.

Swift playing ahead and given the freedom to float.

 NewCorkSeth

» 04 Feb 2017 14:34



Williams right wing back.

Kelly \Mutch centre midfield.

Swift playing ahead and given the freedom to float.
Then where is Gunter playing?

 strap

» 04 Feb 2017 14:37



Williams right wing back.

Kelly \Mutch centre midfield.

Swift playing ahead and given the freedom to float.
Then where is Gunter playing?

LFB. Looks like 4-4-2 with DW at RFB.

Unless CG is third CH.

Yep, could well be DW RWB JO LWB, with CG, LM and TB 3 CHs.

 Victor Meldrew

» 04 Feb 2017 14:38

I wonder if he is going with a back 4 with possibly 4 in midfield and 2 up front or 5 in midfield with both Kelly and McCleary roaming.

 Royal Ginger

» 04 Feb 2017 14:45


Mutch looks happy to be there...

 NewCorkSeth

» 04 Feb 2017 14:50


Then where is Gunter playing?

LFB. Looks like 4-4-2 with DW at RFB.

Unless CG is third CH.

Yep, could well be DW RWB JO LWB, with CG, LM and TB 3 CHs.
I just dont see why we would play a CM at RB, a RB at LB and a LB at LW when we have fit players in all those positions?

 strap

» 04 Feb 2017 14:51



LFB. Looks like 4-4-2 with DW at RFB.

Unless CG is third CH.

Yep, could well be DW RWB JO LWB, with CG, LM and TB 3 CHs.
I just dont see why we would play a CM at RB, a RB at LB and a LB at LW when we have fit players in all those positions?

Agree, but then Stam hasn't been wrong too much so far!

 NewCorkSeth

» 04 Feb 2017 14:52


I just dont see why we would play a CM at RB, a RB at LB and a LB at LW when we have fit players in all those positions?

Agree, but then Stam hasn't been wrong too much so far!
True!

 Sutekh

» 04 Feb 2017 15:11

Having trouble stringing one pass together so far. Haven't caused any problems at all for Ipswich.

 leon

» 04 Feb 2017 15:19

It's not going to be one of those performances....

 tidus_mi2

» 04 Feb 2017 15:20

Not a great start but still 0-0, as is every other game in the Championship apparently.

 Sutekh

» 04 Feb 2017 15:22

All very very scrappy with Reading struggling to put any pressure on Ipswich at all. What there has been is a few minor worrying moments defensively as Ipswich try to make something going forward.

Ipswich already have had to make a substitution with Skuse being replace by Ward.

 Royal Ginger

» 04 Feb 2017 15:27


From the way you are reviewing the action I assume you are there. How is Mutch looking?

 Royal Ginger

» 04 Feb 2017 15:28

Cooper has scored for Milwall. Well done him.

 tidus_mi2

» 04 Feb 2017 15:36


Good to hear, a bit of confidence will do him the world of good.

 tidus_mi2

» 04 Feb 2017 15:37

Sigh....1-0 Ipswich.

 bloody Volvo driver

» 04 Feb 2017 15:38

Bugger

 NewCorkSeth

» 04 Feb 2017 15:40

Anyone at the game able to comment on formation and shape? Stats dont shine in our favour currently.

 3points

» 04 Feb 2017 15:42

Not there, but looks like the same back 5 as against Birmingham

Evans must feel pretty pissed off - had a good game against Birmingham. Hardly heard Mutch in the commentary


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