Pretty well as expected up to the Man Utd game; a draw in that game was a bonus, as was beating West Ham away. Its great to have the "experts" already eating their words about us and for opposition supporters to have sat up and taken notice of us!
What are your expectations for this season? Have they changed from day one?
I thought we would survive relatively easily; maybe 14th or 15th. Right now, I still think that, though maybe a finish slightly higher is a real possibility - IF we can stay clear of too many injuries.
Who do you think is your most important player(s)?
Murty - many Reading fans last season were questioning whether he was good enough for the premiership; his leadership of the team, both on and off the field, have kept the incredible spirit and tightness of last season's record breaking squad going into this season, and, after 7 games, i don't think there is a Reading fan who now questions his ability at this level.
Your worst player(s)?
Worst is an ugly word; I think John Halls is one player who, when he has played, hasn't performed as well as we would have hoped he would.
What sort of line-up will be put out against us?
Steve Coppell knows where his priorities lie; the Carling Cup is an unwelcome distraction to him and he will use the Cup game to rest key members of the first team, and give match practice to our reserves to sharpen them up in case they are needed to step in for injuries and/or suspensions. Very few of the team we put out in the Cup game will start against yopu in the League match.
Which Liverpool player will you fear the most?
I doubt if Stevie G will play in the Cup game, but he is an obvious threat to any team he is playing against! In the cup game the pace of Gonzales could be difficult to cope with.
This is the first meeting between Liverpool and Reading, how excited are you about taking us on for the first time?
More than when we played Wigan, thats for sure!
To be honest, there IS a degree of excitement (more so for the League game) in playing Liverpool (as there was when we played man Utd, and will be when we play Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs) but don't make the mistake that either the players or the fans will be star-struck by playing at such a historic venue, and against a team with as much history as liverpool; there is a steel rod of professionalism that runs through Reading FC - don't expect us to lie down for either game (especially the League game).
How many Reading fans can we expect to make the trip up North?
For the Cup game less than 1000; for the League game we will sell out our allocation.
Do you have any favourite/best chant(s) and perhaps any that require an explanation?
Nope - usually pretty unoriginal though the URZ's roar may make you wonder what is being said!
Has anyone been to Anfield before? If so, what were your thoughts?
Going for the first time - current stadium #76 or 77!
And finally, care to predict the score?
Cup game - 3-0 Liverpool
League game - heart says 1-1, head says 2-1 Liverpool
