Reading Drop Two More Points

20 March 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?

As the season progresses points are harder to come by, and when they needed three today, Reading had to settle for one. Bournemouth need only to win their game in hand and the Royals will slip out of the top six for only the second time this season. Certainly there was a greater sense of urgency about Reading's performance this afternoon and although they put Rangers under pressure at times, they fell behind on the stroke of half time. Miete scored his third goal in as many games to level the scores early in the second half and Reading looked a good bet to go on and win the game but Rangers rallied, and in the end Reading were the team hanging on for a point. Read More...

• Match Report: Reading 1 QPR 1

Royals Stumble Again In Promotion Race

17 March 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading continue to stumble towards the finishing line in this season's promotion race and once again came unstuck against a well organised, aggressive and physically strong side. With Lee Bowyer installed as their new manager this week, City had a very different look about them from the team that had been in free fall with only one win in their previous nine games. Bowyer as a player was not averse to 'putting a foot in' so unsurprisingly brought in the old guard including the old war horse Lucas Jutkiewicz. Jutkiewicz wasted no time in making his presence felt clattering in to Joao after sixteen seconds for the first free kick of the game, and then after four minutes climbed all over Moore to head in Bela's cross to give City the lead.
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• Match Report: Birmingham City 2 Reading 1

Reading Miss Opportunity To Extend Winning Run

13 March 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Yakou marked his welcome return from a long, injury enforced, absence with a late equaliser to earn Reading a point in game they really should have won. Reading dominated possession, created the best chances, hit the post and conceded a soft own goal. In short, it was a wasted opportunity for the Royals to strengthen their claim for a place in the play-offs, and a frustrating afternoon for their fans. Reading controlled the game for long periods but were not sharp enough to convert their dominance of possession into goals.
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• Match Report: Nottingham Forest 1 Reading 1

Revival Continues With Comfortable Win

06 March 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?

The return of George Puscas, and the resulting change of formation, helped to continue the revival of Reading's flagging promotion campaign. Puscas pounced on a loose pass on the halfway line and his pace took him away from the Wednesday defence and into the penalty area where he was brought down by Borner. In view of recent failures from the spot, everyone, including Lucas if he was honest, was relieved to see Michael Olise step up a tuck away the penalty to give Reading the lead. It was a big decision for manager Veljko Paunovic to take to take Joao off penalty taking duties, but that decision, combined with the inclusion of Puscas, took pressure off the out of form striker paid dividends in the second half when Joao ended his recent goal drought with a superbly composed finish and effectively kill off hope of Wednesday snatching a point with a late goal. Andy Yiadom put the icing on the cake with a measured finish late in the game. It was a good day for the Royals.
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• Match Report: Reading 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Narrow Win As Reading Hold Fifth

03 March 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?

George Puscas celebrated his return to the starting eleven with a crucial goal to earn another valuable three points for Reading, but it was a far from convincing show from the Royals. Rovers' dominance of the game however was as much to do with Reading's inability to retain possession as it was about the quality of Blackburn's passing. There was little evidence of Reading's creative flair this evening, it was their defensive organisation, work rate and discipline that prevented Rovers from taking anything from the game. If Rovers had been sharper in and around the Reading penalty area it might have been a very different story. Read More...

• Match Report: Reading 1 Blackburn Rovers 0

Out Of Form Blackburn Visit

02 March 2021
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading face Blackburn Rovers tonight at the Madejski Stadium looking to pick up some form after Saturday's important win at Rotherham. After such a good start to the season our form is more mid-table than promotion, and we need another three points to retain a secure position in the top six. After being top six all season it would be difficult to take dropping out of the play-off positions as the season hits the final straight. A Reading win would keep the very slim chance of automatic promotion alive too.

However, poor Reading's form has been Blackburn's is certainly worse. Their February saw a losing run of five straight defeats finally come to an end at home against Coventry City on Saturday - but they were still only able to pick up a single point. That run of form has seem fall down the table and the play-offs are now a huge 12 points away from them now. That poor run, Reading's position in the table, and home advantage does make Reading firm favourites for the full three points. The try latest coral sign-up offer if you think it might be a safe bet.

The Royals may have Yakou Meite back on the bench after he resumed full training, and manager Veljko Paunovic may be tempted to change the starting eleven up front with Joao looking out of sorts recently. It could be a change for Puscas to make a rare start. Defender Lewis Gibson is also expected to be available for selection. Andy Rinomhota is expected to miss the game with a hamstring injury picked up late on during Reading's win at Rotherham.

Reading were 4-2 winners at Blackburn earlier this season when we were top of the Championship - goals from Meite, Olise, Laurent and Joao completing a comfortable victory. Last season we lost twice to Rovers, but otherwise our recent form has been good. Tonight's game is being screen live on Sky TV with an 8pm kick-off.

Recent Meetings With BLACKBURN