Stoke v Reading match thread, sponsored by fat lady in white

[cmonurz]

McDermott said Blackman can play as a winger, so I fully expect to see him left mid with Jobi through the middle!

Totally bizarre if that's the case given McCleary has been in good form.

[RedRum]

@ReadingFC: Brian has said that Nick Blackman is comfortable on the wing or behind the striker - we will keep you posted on how we line up #readingfc

[Royal91]

McDermott said Blackman can play as a winger, so I fully expect to see him left mid with Jobi through the middle!

Surely McCleary would be a better option? Where is Hal Robson-Kanu these days?

I guess McCleary is starting on the bench because of the Mexico trip.

[paultheroyal]

McDermott said Blackman can play as a winger, so I fully expect to see him left mid with Jobi through the middle!

Surely McCleary would be a better option? Where is Hal Robson-Kanu these days?

Looking for a loan deal in the championship hopefully.

[Royal91]

Annoyed Guthrie isn't even on the bench because he would keep things ticking over against Stoke!

[LoyalRoyalFan]

McDermott said Blackman can play as a winger, so I fully expect to see him left mid with Jobi through the middle!

Surely McCleary would be a better option? Where is Hal Robson-Kanu these days?

Looking for a loan deal in the championship hopefully.

Thought he was playing well.

[TBM]

McDermott said Blackman can play as a winger, so I fully expect to see him left mid with Jobi through the middle!

Surely McCleary would be a better option? Where is Hal Robson-Kanu these days?

I guess McCleary is starting on the bench because of the Mexico trip.

The same one Marriappa and McAnuff were involved in?

[RedRum]

IMO I think we will go 4-4-2. Remember this is Stoke not Swansea - the most physical team in the league. Looks like we have gone for a more physical presence up front. Alf didn't exactly light up the game when he started for us against Stoke at home.

[RoyalTank]

I don't understand why Guthrie has been dropped, I thought he was just finding his form...

But hey what do I know, in McDermott we trust.

[blueroyals]

Strange. Guthrie, HRK, McCleary and ALF must be wondering what the fcuk is going on.

[Royal91]

CB's do less running and McAnuff is not allowed to be dropped!

[Mr.T10]

Strange. Nothing against Blackman but surprised by his addition.

I can only assume McCleary is not 100% after international duty to not gain a start. I am really hoping we are still using 4-5-1 system not 4-4-2 with Blackman and Pog upfront, pretty much undoing all the good we have done.

Guthrie must be injured as well.

[paultheroyal]

On paper a smart move by McDermott! Reading fans scratching their heads so god knows what Pulis is thinking. Strong looking bench too!

[Millsy]

Or, better yet, wait until the team is actually announced.

Fo' serious, yo.

Indeed. Poor form 2ww1wc

Only what we've come to expect from him, tbh.
I don't quite get the sponsor, either.

F*** off newbie springs to mind.

[Ian Royal]

Looks like a bid to have more threat upfront without compromising our solidity in a 5 man midfield. Surprised Guthrie isn't even on the bench, but we did alright without him last time out and Akpan offers more physicality and goal threat.

[Albert Spangler]

Where is Danny Guthrie?

Off being ineffective somewhere else.

[philM]

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has also made just one change in an effort to secure a first Premier League win of 2013, bringing in Michael Kightly for Geoff Cameron.

Steven N'Zonzi and Glenn Whelan continue in midfield while Charlie Adam, Cameron Jerome and Michael Owen have to settle for a place on the bench.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shotton, Huth, Shawcross, Whelan, Kightly, Etherington, N'Zonzi, Walters, Crouch

[Millsy]

Ok, now I'm suuuuure you all know this as you were all there and are not plastic...

But one of the funniest late laughs of the Southbank, or those of us who started chants at least, was when we played Stoke and they had a fan who happened to be a large lady wearing white. We sung some not very nice things at her. Then her fat other half took his top off, exposed his beer belly, and went mental at us. So then we started on him. Apart from I think Neville Roach (?) scoring a winner (?) and us sending them down (?) I can't really remember that match as several thousand Southbank kids, including me were transfixed on this poor couple.

Out of order, yes. Embarrassing for us in hindsight, yes. Am I ashamed, yes. Have I grown up? I hope so. But undoubtedly one of the funniest moments for us kids on the Southbank.

If Stoke beat us, I hope she and her poor guy a there to see it as I don't think we're their favourite team.

Apologies again for the terrible match thread, but this large lady brave enough to wear all white has to be honoured.

[Royal Ginger]

From Mr Guthrie on twitter: I'm not in the squad today because my wife is heavily pregnant and suffering from spd good luck to the boys

[Za Vas]

Where is Danny Guthrie?

Off being ineffective somewhere else.

You were spot on