Comfortable Win Puts Reading Mid-Table

29 November 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading continued their recent good run of results with a convincing three goal win at home to climb into a more comfortable mid table position. Edwards gave the Royals the lead on twenty minutes with a glancing header from a Kelly corner whipped in at the near post which surprised 'keeper Davies with its pace and power. It forced Barnsley to commit more players to attack giving Reading more time and space to add to their lead. Joey van den Berg added a second goal nine minutes later with a thunderous strike from outside the box. Barnsley posed more of a threat in the second half following three half time substitutions but Bodvarsson put the result beyond doubt two minutes from time heading home the rebound from a Popa strike which came back off the bar.
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• Match Report:Reading 3 Barnsley 0

Reading Fail To Score But Earn Point

25 November 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Although Reading only managed to pick up a point at home against an equally ambitious Wednesday side there are signs Reading are moving in the right direction. The Royals second half display was worthy of winning the game lacking only the finish to some promising attacking play. Wednesday did threaten on the break particularly near the end but there were spells when they were simply pinned in their own half by a dominant Reading. Again the team could not be faulted for work rate and Moore, McShane and Van den Berg looked very comfortable at the back against a potent Wednesday strike force. Those fans who for some reason felt the need to boo their team need to reflect on the recent run of games which has seen two wins, two draws and a defeat against runaway league leaders Wolves in a game in which they looked capable of taking at least a point. Read More...

• Match Report: Reading 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Reading Need Win As Wednesday Visit

24 November 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's league games continue to come along like buses after the International break as the Royals attempt to haul themselves away from the Championship relegation zone as Sheffield Wednesday visit the Madejski Stadium this Saturday. After two good wins in the league, the Royals were defeated by Wolves and then only managed to pick up a single point at strugglers Bolton on Tuesday night. The two wins took the pressure off Jaap Stam, but he will be feeling it again unless Reading can collect all the available points against a mid-table Wednesday side that find themselves unbeaten in five matches.

Reading found themselves two goals down at Bolton and looked set to drop all three points before a late recovery. Liam Moore pulled a goal back for Reading with 14 minutes left to play before Bacuna stuck home a penalty seven minutes later to salvage a point. There was nearly time for Reading to throw it away again and Jaakkola, making a rare start in goal for Reading, was forced to make a couple of saves including one from point blank range from former Royals Adam Le Fondre deep in stoppage time. The match was all too familiar with Reading back to dominating possession but the opposition looking more likely to find the back of the net.

Part of Reading's problems, once more, was the lack of a striker on the pitch. Kermorgant was ruled out against Bolton and Bodvarsson was only brought into action on 66 minutes. England youth player Danny Loader was included on the bench but didn't get to see his first league action. Either Kermorgant or Bodvarsson are expected to make a start against Sheffield Wednesday with both players expected to be fit. Joey Van den Berg will be available for selection again.

Last season Reading took the full six points from the Owls with a 2-0 victory on the road and a 2-1 win at the Madejski. In that game, back in December 2016, with Reading struggling to create chances, Roy Beerens scored two goals in the second half with the visitors only getting a late consolation goal. Reading have had some impressive scorelines at home against Sheffield Wednesday in recent years with a 6-0 win in September 2008 followed up by a 5-0 victory in February 5-0. We won't be expecting anything like that this weekend - any kind of win would do.

Recent Meetings With SHEFF WED

• Recent Meetings: Reading -v- Sheffield Wednesday

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Reading Beaten As Wolves Return To Top

18 November 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading paid the price for their inability to take their chances as Wolves returned to the top of the league with an efficient away performance and two well taken goals. The league leaders looked good going forward but Reading certainly created sufficient openings to earn a point. It is the quality of finishing which determines success in football and in that respect Reading's season seems destined to be blighted by coming up short in that department.
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• Reading 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - Report and Fan Opinion

Reading Back In Action As Wolves Visit

17 November 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

After the International break, the Royals return to Championship football this weekend with table toppers Wolverhampton Wanderers visiting the Madejski Stadium. After sixteen games played, Wolves have been beaten just three times, and find themselves two points clear in first place, after a recent run of 5 wins from 6 games. Their only recent league defeat was on the road at QPR at the end of October - a 1-2 defeat with QPR scoring the winner with nine minutes left to play. Wolves immediately followed that up with a 2-0 win at Norwich and a home win over Fulham by the same scoreline to underline their promotion credentials.

Meanwhile, at the same time as Wolves dropped three points, Reading were on a run of just one win from 8 league games, and we would all have been certain that Reading would be facing certain defeat when they came up against Wolves. However, times have changed, the Royals appear to have turned a corner with two excellent victories against decent teams and scoring 7 goals in the process. No one saw such a dramatic turn around and the victories over Nottingham Forest and Derby in our last two games have seen optimism return to Reading fans.

Should Reading continue the same style and determination they demonstrated before the break then they should give high flying Wolves a good game at least. Wolves are obviously firm favourites for the win, but Reading should relish the chance to continue their run and prove they could yet make something of this season. The result will hugely depend on if Reading are able to continue their news fast, postitive style of play.

Reading had a few injury concerns before the break, but should now have players back ready for selection. Tiago Ilori is expected to be available for action after his head injury suffered in a collision with Liam Moore. Moore has kept on playing through all bandaged up, but could be in the side without his distinctive head bandage this weekend. Joey van den Berg will be back in the squad and we may see Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in contention - if Jaap Stam thinks he is a useful option with Reading starting to find the goals and Yann Kermorgant now fully fit and hoping to get more match minutes behind him.

The Royals have a reasonable recent record against Wolves. Although we lost 0-2 away from home last season, we were 2-1 winners at home in March 2017 with Kermorgant and McShane scoring the vital goals. Reading have won 5 out of the last 10 meetings between the sides and Wolves have won just two of those fixtures - both at their place. You have to go back over 12 years to find Wolves last win at Reading - a disappointing afternoon that effectively ended our play-off chances with a game of the season left to play. That match is well back in history and Reading will be hoping to continue their recent league form and their form at the Madejski Stadium against Wolves.

Recent Meetings With Wolves

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