01 May 2015
By Alex Bower
So, the day has finally arrived. The day that Reading fans have been dreaming of for the last
few months. Similar phrasing was used earlier on in the season in the days leading up to the
FA Cup Semi-Final; a rightfully celebratory occasion. In this case, it is being used to describe
a far more underwhelming event - the last day of the 2014/15 season.
It has certainly been a memorable season. On a positive note, the club made it to their first
FA Cup Semi-Final since 1927. They also came very close to making it to the Final, but no
more on that. There have been more negatives than positives, however, with Reading sitting
dangerously close to the relegation zone and all after hiring their second manager of the
year.
The cull has already begun, with Ryan Edwards the first to be informed of his release, and it
is set to continue over the summer. Many fans are blaming Clarke for Reading's poor
performances towards the end of the season, but the manager will be given the opportunity
to turn things around. Before he is able to start thinking of next season, however, the Royals
face their final test of this season against Derby, as many strive to retain their place in the
squad.
Reading have now failed to win in their last nine Championship games, with their last victory
being their 2-1 defeat of Brighton back in March. When you consider the fact they have only
managed to find the net six times, and failed to score entirely in four of those games, it is
easy to see where the problem lies. Last time out, the Royals were able to find the net, but
it was simply a consolation goal as they lost 2-1 to Rotherham.
Their opponents on Saturday will be looking to extend Reading's run to ten games without a
win. Derby currently find themselves in 7th, and still not guaranteed of a play-off position.
Despite an impressive start to the season, the automatic promotion candidates struggled to
find their form after their defeat to Reading in the FA Cup. Now if Brentford or Wolves win
their final game of the season and Derby lose, one of them will take the final play-off place.
With the arrival of "April Player of the Month" Tom Ince on loan in February clearly giving
the Rams a much needed boost, they will be confident of getting at least a draw against a
poor Reading side.
Derby clearly do not have the same problem as Reading, especially when you look at their
recent goal tally. Despite only managing a draw to Millwall last time out, they netted three
times in the process. Before that, their game against Huddersfield ended 4-4. If these games
show anything, it is that while they are clearly a prolific outfit up-front, their defensive
capabilities are sometimes lacking. The opposition do need to have an attacking force that is
capable of exploiting their weaknesses, however, which is something that many have doubts
about when it comes to Reading. Derby's last home game against Blackpool may be
somewhat representative of what Reading can expect, as the Rams cruised to victory 4-0.
The result from the last time the Royals and the Rams clashed, may give Reading some
hope. Derby faced Reading back in February in the FA Cup Fifth Round, where the Royals
won 2-1 late on. It is important to remember, however, that Derby had Stephen Warnock
sent off in the first-half. When the two sides met earlier on in the Championship, it was not
so positive for the Royals as Derby cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Madejski. Derby have the
greater incentive to replicate their performance in the reverse fixture, and it is difficult to
see the game ending any other way.
"It'd [a victory] be a little ray of sunshine for the players and the supporters. The supporters
are suffering, as are the players but even a win won't mask a disappointing
season." - Reading FC Manager Steve Clarke
If form and incentive not being on Reading's side was not enough, a quick perusal of the
injury list for the away side does not make for positive reading either. The Royals will have
to take on a strong Derby team with their best players potentially out of the mix. Jamie
Mackie, Nathaniel Chalobah and Pavel Pogrebnyak all picked up injuries last time out
against Rotherham and their fitness will be a concern for Clarke. Danny Williams and Hal
Robson-Kanu may be back in contention, however, after sitting out the last fixture.
Derby, meanwhile, have injury concerns over Jake Buxton, George Thorne and Zak
Whitbread. Top scorers Chris Martin (21), Darren Bent (12) and Tom Ince (11) are all
available.
While Reading will be going into this game with the hopes of salvaging something from an
awful run, Derby will make life tough for the Championship strugglers. If there was any time
to prove what they are capable of, however, this would be it.
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<p><br/>
So, the day has finally arrived. The day that Reading fans have been dreaming of for the last
few months. Similar phrasing was used earlier on in the season in the days leading up to the
FA Cup Semi-Final; a rightfully celebratory occasion. In this case, it is being used to describe
a far more underwhelming event - the last day of the 2014/15 season.
<br/><br/>
It has certainly been a memorable season. On a positive note, the club made it to their first
FA Cup Semi-Final since 1927. They also came very close to making it to the Final, but no
more on that. There have been more negatives than positives, however, with Reading sitting
dangerously close to the relegation zone and all after hiring their second manager of the
year.
<br/><br/>
The cull has already begun, with Ryan Edwards the first to be informed of his release, and it
is set to continue over the summer. Many fans are blaming Clarke for Reading's poor
performances towards the end of the season, but the manager will be given the opportunity
to turn things around. Before he is able to start thinking of next season, however, the Royals
face their final test of this season against Derby, as many strive to retain their place in the
squad.<br/><br/>
Reading have now failed to win in their last nine Championship games, with their last victory
being their 2-1 defeat of Brighton back in March. When you consider the fact they have only
managed to find the net six times, and failed to score entirely in four of those games, it is
easy to see where the problem lies. Last time out, the Royals were able to find the net, but
it was simply a consolation goal as they lost 2-1 to Rotherham.
<br/><br/>
Their opponents on Saturday will be looking to extend Reading's run to ten games without a
win. Derby currently find themselves in 7th, and still not guaranteed of a play-off position.
Despite an impressive start to the season, the automatic promotion candidates struggled to
find their form after their defeat to Reading in the FA Cup. Now if Brentford or Wolves win
their final game of the season and Derby lose, one of them will take the final play-off place.
With the arrival of "April Player of the Month" Tom Ince on loan in February clearly giving
the Rams a much needed boost, they will be confident of getting at least a draw against a
poor Reading side.
<br/><br/>
Derby clearly do not have the same problem as Reading, especially when you look at their
recent goal tally. Despite only managing a draw to Millwall last time out, they netted three
times in the process. Before that, their game against Huddersfield ended 4-4. If these games
show anything, it is that while they are clearly a prolific outfit up-front, their defensive
capabilities are sometimes lacking. The opposition do need to have an attacking force that is
capable of exploiting their weaknesses, however, which is something that many have doubts
about when it comes to Reading. Derby's last home game against Blackpool may be
somewhat representative of what Reading can expect, as the Rams cruised to victory 4-0.
<br/><br/>
The result from the last time the Royals and the Rams clashed, may give Reading some
hope. Derby faced Reading back in February in the FA Cup Fifth Round, where the Royals
won 2-1 late on. It is important to remember, however, that Derby had Stephen Warnock
sent off in the first-half. When the two sides met earlier on in the Championship, it was not
so positive for the Royals as Derby cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Madejski. Derby have the
greater incentive to replicate their performance in the reverse fixture, and it is difficult to
see the game ending any other way.
<br/><br/>
<em>"It'd [a victory] be a little ray of sunshine for the players and the supporters. The supporters
are suffering, as are the players but even a win won't mask a disappointing
season."</em> - Reading FC Manager Steve Clarke
<br/><br/>
If form and incentive not being on Reading's side was not enough, a quick perusal of the
injury list for the away side does not make for positive reading either. The Royals will have
to take on a strong Derby team with their best players potentially out of the mix. Jamie
Mackie, Nathaniel Chalobah and Pavel Pogrebnyak all picked up injuries last time out
against Rotherham and their fitness will be a concern for Clarke. Danny Williams and Hal
Robson-Kanu may be back in contention, however, after sitting out the last fixture.
Derby, meanwhile, have injury concerns over Jake Buxton, George Thorne and Zak
Whitbread. Top scorers Chris Martin (21), Darren Bent (12) and Tom Ince (11) are all
available.
<br/><br/>
While Reading will be going into this game with the hopes of salvaging something from an
awful run, Derby will make life tough for the Championship strugglers. If there was any time
to prove what they are capable of, however, this would be it.
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