MATCHWATCH : Shrewsbury Town (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday February 11 2024, 8pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Tuesday sees the proverbial banana skin in town for the next attempt to close in on a play off place.

Shrewsbury are indeed a bit of a banana skin struggling in the bottom 4 but fresh off the back of a 2-1 win at Saturday’s opponents, Rotherham, so Reading will need to be sure they’re carefully looking where they’re treading.

Shrewsbury’s form has been gradually improving since Gareth Ainsworth took over in December. They have not conceded 2 goals in any game since 2024 and are currently on a run of 2 wins from 2 or 3 wins from 5 so are quite capable of ruining Reading’s evening if Noel doesn’t get the approach and set up right.

Strikers George Lloyd and John Marquis provide the goal threat with 13 between them so far and looks like all their forwards have been profitable for the club with all but the most recently signed chipping in with something so far. We should be well used to Gareth’s teams though so expect a fight to the end and plenty of nuisance on the night.

Only Elliott and Dorsett appear to remain of the injured so, unless Pereira’s shoulder flares up or Mbengue has a reaction it should be a fairly strong team that Noel will have available.

Referee

Abigail Byrne

Previously

Diddly squat

Historically

The first game against Shrewsbury was played at Elm Park on Wednesday 22 August 1951 and saw Reading win 6-2, since then there have been another 26 games in the league in Reading so this is the 28th season shared with Shropshire's finest.

Current record at home is 14 Reading wins to 7 Shrewsbury wins with 50 scored and 36 conceded, games are usually fairly lively but they are certainly an opposition that need to be taken seriously and given due respect. Last season this one was a home embarrassment with Reading conceding 3 in the first half and losing 3-2.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Read button/Now
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use a RoyalTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[tidus_mi2]

Please don't lose 3-2 again.

[Hound]

Did Dean go off injured Saturday? Feels harsh to drop him but have to bring Mbengue back to CB if fit

Akande maybe on the bench? Played an hour in u21

JP
Craig Mbengu Bindon Abrefa
Wing
Savage Knibbs
Campbell Wareham Kelvin E

Button Kanu Garcia Camara Bodin Akande Dean

Starting to shape up ok

[Royals and Racers]

Did Dean go off injured Saturday? Feels harsh to drop him but have to bring Mbengue back to CB if fit

Akande maybe on the bench? Played an hour in u21

JP
Craig Mbengu Bindon Abrefa
Wing
Savage Knibbs
Campbell Wareham Kelvin E

Button Kanu Garcia Camara Bodin Akande Dean

Starting to shape up ok

No way will Dean be involved- Holzman on the bench i reckon.
I hope Kelvin does start but Noel seems to like going with Camara.

[Snowflake Royal]

Did Dean go off injured Saturday? Feels harsh to drop him but have to bring Mbengue back to CB if fit

Akande maybe on the bench? Played an hour in u21

JP
Craig Mbengu Bindon Abrefa
Wing
Savage Knibbs
Campbell Wareham Kelvin E

Button Kanu Garcia Camara Bodin Akande Dean

Starting to shape up ok

No way will Dean be involved- Holzman on the bench i reckon.
I hope Kelvin does start but Noel seems to like going with Camara.

Kelvin hasn't really seemed to make an impact since his return, or much of this season tbh. 2 goals and 1 assist in 17 appearances is a bit of a let down for someone with his quality.

[Hound]

Did Dean go off injured Saturday? Feels harsh to drop him but have to bring Mbengue back to CB if fit

Akande maybe on the bench? Played an hour in u21

JP
Craig Mbengu Bindon Abrefa
Wing
Savage Knibbs
Campbell Wareham Kelvin E

Button Kanu Garcia Camara Bodin Akande Dean

Starting to shape up ok

No way will Dean be involved- Holzman on the bench i reckon.
I hope Kelvin does start but Noel seems to like going with Camara.

Kelvin hasn't really seemed to make an impact since his return, or much of this season tbh. 2 goals and 1 assist in 17 appearances is a bit of a let down for someone with his quality.

Yes that’s fair, and also fair to point out that Camara looks to have done a bit better last few games

Just think if we can get Kelvin fit and firing again then he’s more useful, and only way to do that is to get him game time

[Snowflake Royal]

No way will Dean be involved- Holzman on the bench i reckon.
I hope Kelvin does start but Noel seems to like going with Camara.

Kelvin hasn't really seemed to make an impact since his return, or much of this season tbh. 2 goals and 1 assist in 17 appearances is a bit of a let down for someone with his quality.

Yes that’s fair, and also fair to point out that Camara looks to have done a bit better last few games

Just think if we can get Kelvin fit and firing again then he’s more useful, and only way to do that is to get him game time

Fair.

If we stopped hoofing and played through the middle to feet, I'd say give him a go up top, but there's no point just punting balls tp his head / chest for big brutes to go through him.

[blythspartan]

They ripped Rotherham apart on Saturday playing beautiful tika taka football, so I fear a defeat. Supposedly, the best team Rotherham have played all season.

[Hendo]

They ripped Rotherham apart on Saturday playing beautiful tika taka football, so I fear a defeat. Supposedly, the best team Rotherham have played all season.

Beat them 2-1 with the following stats.

Possession: Shrews 30% v Rotherham 70%
Shots: 4 v 8
SOT: 3 v 2
Passes 204 v 459
Pass accuracy: 42% v 71%

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but that doesn't sound like a team who ripped the opposition apart playing beautiful football.

[Snowflake Royal]

They ripped Rotherham apart on Saturday playing beautiful tika taka football, so I fear a defeat. Supposedly, the best team Rotherham have played all season.

We tend to do much better against the pretty passing teams

[Mid Sussex Royal]

They ripped Rotherham apart on Saturday playing beautiful tika taka football, so I fear a defeat. Supposedly, the best team Rotherham have played all season.

Beat them 2-1 with the following stats.

Possession: Shrews 30% v Rotherham 70%
Shots: 4 v 8
SOT: 3 v 2
Passes 204 v 459
Pass accuracy: 42% v 71%

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but that doesn't sound like a team who ripped the opposition apart playing beautiful football.

For any side to have only 30% possession and only 200 passes against a Steve Evans side suggests a very limited attempt to play any passing football. I suspect they sat back in a low block and will try that tomorrow. Need to score early.

[Mr Angry]

A win is really important tonight; I would take 1-0 right now, deflected off Knibbs' backside!

[stealthpapes]

Possession: Shrews 30% v Rotherham 70%
Shots: 4 v 8
SOT: 3 v 2
Passes 204 v 459
Pass accuracy: 42% v 71%

Christ, that paints a mental picture and a half.

[Sutekh]

A win is really important tonight; I would take 1-0 right now, deflected off Knibbs' backside!

Tonight?

[Mr Angry]

A win is really important tonight; I would take 1-0 right now, deflected off Knibbs' backside!

Tonight?

Yeah...tonight.

[JedMaxwell]

I am going to stick my neck out and say we'll win this one 3-0.

There is no rhyme or reason for that, I just have a feeling deep in my guts. My predicted scorers will be (in no particular order) Bindon, Knibbs, Kelvin E.

[Stranded]

Score first and early and this will likely be a comfortable win.

If we contrive to let them score first, it will be a very long, very frustrating night where a draw would probably end up being a good result.

3-1 I would say mainly as we don't seem to enjoy winning to nil that often.

[stealthpapes]

Score first and early and this will likely be a comfortable win.

If we contrive to let them score first, it will be a very long, very frustrating night where a draw would probably end up being a good result.

3-1 I would say mainly as we don't seem to enjoy winning to nil that often.

I think many of our games are decided by that opening quarter. If we're on the backfoot, or concede, the other team organises and we get nowhere.

[PieEater]

Going with a Shrewsbury fan so I expect us to inevitably slip up on the banana skin.

[Sutekh]