Reading -v- Southampton (19.45, SS3)

MrJoeSoap

A game of no little interest to myself, should be a good occasion. Saints new signings will find it tough to gel, and I fully expect Reading to stick a few past us.

That said, I can only be optimistic! Just kicked off. I'll try post some highlights later.

George Burley gave debuts to all three of his new loan signings with Grzegorz Rasiak taking over from Kenwyne Jones up front while Richard chaplow and Jermaine Wright came into midfield. Matthew Oakley was ruled out by an ankle injury and andrew surman dropped to the bench.

Nathan Dyer was recalled on the right in place of Kamil Kosowski who picked up an injury in the 0-0 draw with Derby while Darren Powell was restored to the centre of defence. Danny Higginbotham moved to left-back in place of Jim Brennan.

After resting several key players for the midweek FA Cup tie at Birmingham, champions-elect Reading were at full strength with Steve Coppell having to perm two from three free-scoring strikers. He opted for Doyle and Lita with Kitson the unlucky man to be left on the bench as the runaway Royals aimed to extend their 31-match unbeaten run in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Coney, Lita, Doyle. Subs: Gunnarsson, Hunt, Oster, Kitson, Stack.

Saints: Bialkowski, Ostlund, Lundekvam, Powell, Higginbotham, Dyer, Chaplow, Wright, Potter, Rasiak, Madsen. Subs: Blackstock, Surman, Jones, Baird, Smith.

KdjaCL

Ahh its like having your own reminder set.

Thanks.

kdjac

Kingp35

I notice all three Southampton signings have gone straight into the starting lineup. I expect Reading to win this one fairly easily.

MrJoeSoap

Kingp35 wrote:

I notice all three Southampton signings have gone straight into the starting lineup. I expect Reading to win this one fairly easily.

We had no choice really. Sold 15 players last month alone.

1-0 Lita.

MrJoeSoap

2-0 Doyle.

What a hero.

20 Times 20 Times

Oh my word , im going to start supporting reading , seen as i dont follow english football. he really has a great affect on me love watching him play. feels like it's one of our own if you get me !

MrJoeSoap

http://rapidshare.de/files/12977973/Highlights.wmv.html

First Half highlights.

Rikand

that set of clips sure makes reading look real good!

MrJoeSoap

It ain't just the clips... average sides don't go 32 games unbeaten (in any division). Think they only need two more wins after tonight to guarantee promotion or something mad like that.

What month is it???

KdjaCL

Sucks watching your team get thrashed joe, doesnt it joe?

kdjac

20 Times 20 Times

KdjaC wrote:

Sucks watching your team get thrashed joe, doesnt it joe?

kdjac

HAHAHHA , do i sense some sacasm

MrJoeSoap

Sure does! We've actually been a bit better than I expected though.

Rasiak and Dyer are rubbish, but Chaplow has been great and Potter has been our best player so far. Don't know what to make of Ostlund and Madsen, their attitudes are slightly questionable at the moment. Bialkowski has impressed too, I've high hopes for him (in other words, he'll do well and realise the Conference just isn't for him, so he'll move on! )

MrJoeSoap

How good has Potter been? Every cross has been a peach.

Chucky the tree

reading have been excellent this year, very good group of players. interesting to see how they fair in the premiership. I think they will do well with the strikers they have but i wouldnt be confident of the centre backs being able to cut it.


Glad to see potter is doing well. Still think liverpool will get rid of him in the summer, but hopefully from an irish point view he will find another premiership club.

gimmick

Only comment I can make on this game is that Southampton were woefully poor.

3greenrizla's

gimmick wrote:

Only comment I can make on this game is that Southampton were woefully poor.

that's a bit harsh, we gave "runaway leaders" Reading a good game of it.
http://home.skysports.com/matchreport.asp?fxid=290744&channel=championship&cpid=10

fair enough we are at our lowest point in 30 years (or should that be LOWEst) & the team was playing its first game together. what you seen was the team thats going to win the championship season next year..:)

the futures bright its RED & WHITE

COYR

eirebhoy

Did Potter play on the right or in the centre?

MrJoeSoap

On the right, it was all about the crossing on Friday night. He put in some beautiful crosses, one is on the clip I linked above (hopefully) from which Ostlund hit the angle of the bar and post.

mchurl

I thought Potter had an excellent game. As for the saints playing as poorly as some people are saying, i didnt think we were that bad. We were up against unquesationably the best side in the championship and we acquitted ourselves fairly well for a side boasting so many new players.

MrJoeSoap

Aye, a result would have been nice but 2-0 was realistically all we could have hoped for. Luckily for me I will be at the next game we actually win , Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday week!

Big Nelly

MrJoeSoap wrote:

Aye, a result would have been nice but 2-0 was realistically all we could have hoped for. Luckily for me I will be at the next game we actually win , Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday week!

I dont think so, Wednesday getting a bit of form together in last while and not losing every game. I can see a draw at best for the Saints, the Owls will hammer them!

Kingp35

Big Nelly wrote:

I dont think so, Wednesday getting a bit of form together in last while and not losing every game. I can see a draw at best for the Saints, the Owls will hammer them!

Draw written all over it lads!

MrJoeSoap

Its gonna be a 9 goal thriller with Claus Lundekvam sealing it in the 95th minute to clinch his hat-trick. Don't take the dream away from me lads!

Big Nelly

MrJoeSoap wrote:

Its gonna be a 9 goal thriller with Claus Lundekvam sealing it in the 95th minute to clinch his hat-trick. Don't take the dream away from me lads!

Keep dreaming mate! MacLean is back so expect the hat-trick from him!

mchurl

MrJoeSoap wrote:

Its gonna be a 9 goal thriller with Claus Lundekvam sealing it in the 95th minute to clinch his hat-trick. Don't take the dream away from me lads!

Here's hoping!!!!