Team for Middlesbrough (h)

[Sutekh]

Vydra, Ferdinand and Quinn + plus long termer Samuel all out injured (supposedly)

I reckon there won't be too much change from the team fielded at Burnley although having Sa available again makes it interesting...

Bond
Gunter
Hector
McShane
Obita
Norwood
Williams
HRK
McLeary
Sa
Blackman

Subs

Al-Habsi
Cooper
John
Piazon
Tshibola
Taylor
Hurtado

[MoorgateRoyal]

The back 5 should be unchanged, injuries etc. permitting.

And I think we should bring Tshibola back into midfield alongside Norwood and Williams, as this gives us a good base in the middle. Boro will be difficult to play against and I think Tshibola is well suited to the role.

The attacking three could be any of Sa, Blackman, Hal, Piazon or McCleary without too much fuss.

[RoyalRuss86]

I think we should try and play 12 players and see if the referee notices, that should just about secure the win in my opinion.

[St. Brynjar]

I'd prefer 4-3-3 over 4-2-3-1 for this.

------------------------------------Bond-------------------------------------

Gunter-----------Hector----------------McShane------------Taylor

-------------Tshibola---------Norwood-----------Williams----------

---------McCleary------------Blackman------------Piazon----------

Subs: Al Habsi, Obita, Cooper, Alex, Sa, John, HRK

[Ian Royal]

Bond
Gunts Hec McShane Obits
SPig Ollie Tish
Blackers Sa HRK

Harsh on McCleary and Piazon mebbes.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Yeh, pretty much agree with you there Ian x

Maybz G-Funk for HRK.

[DaddyKuhl]

Does Downing play left or right for Boro and do they play with 2 in the middle or 3?

[RichTea94]

Bond
Gunter - Hector - McShane - Obita

Tshibola - Norwood - Williams

Blackman - Sa - John


I would like to see John start, he's looked lively and could bring something different. But I expect HRK to start.

[DaddyKuhl]

Does Downing play left or right for Boro and do they play with 2 in the middle or 3?

Ok answered this myself. Boro play 3 in the middle, 2 wingers with Downing as one of the 3 behind the striker. Therefore I would go -
Bond
Gunts, McShane, Hector, Obeats,
Norwood, Tish, Williams
McCleary,Blackman,HRK (or Sa)

They tend to play Adomah on the left so think GMac should play to give some protection to Gunter

[Slater1993]

--------------------------BOND------------------------
GUNTER----HECTOR----MCSHANE----OBITA
------------NORWOOD----TSHIBOLA------------
MCCLEARY--------BLACKMAN--------PIAZON
----------------------------SA---------------------------

[SCIAG]

I'd prefer 4-3-3 over 4-2-3-1 for this.

------------------------------------Bond-------------------------------------

Gunter-----------Hector----------------McShane------------Taylor

-------------Tshibola---------Norwood-----------Williams----------

---------McCleary------------Blackman------------Piazon----------

Subs: Al Habsi, Obita, Cooper, Alex, Sa, John, HRK

Yeah, I don't think changing formation is a good idea, so I'm surprised people are suggesting 4-2-3-1. 4-3-3 is working really well, let's stick to it.

However, I'd select a rather different XI:
Bond; Gunter, Hector, McShane, Obita; Norwood, Tshibola, Williams; Blackman, Sa, McCleary
Subs: Al Habsi, Cooper, Taylor, Alex, Piazon, John, HRK

Harsh on Hurtado. I suspect he's one of our most talented wingers but there are too many in good form at present.
Tempted to stick Liburd on the bench, but see above.

[mambo3]

Vydra, Ferdinand and Quinn + plus long termer Samuel all out injured (supposedly)

I reckon there won't be too much change from the team fielded at Burnley although having Sa available again makes it interesting...

Bond
Gunter
Hector
McShane
Obita
Norwood
Williams
HRK
McLeary
Sa
Blackman

Subs

Al-Habsi
Cooper
John
Piazon
Tshibola
Taylor
Hurtado

Hear Samuel is in training - back with 1st Team after internationals.

[RustyRoyal]

Same as Saturday other but swap HRK for SA.

[Oilroyal]

I still think Vydra could feature regardless of what's being reported in the press. I just have a feeling that Clarke is keeping one step ahead of Karanka and his preparation.

[CountryRoyal]

I still think Vydra could feature regardless of what's being reported in the press. I just have a feeling that Clarke is keeping one step ahead of Karanka and his preparation.

Agree with this. Wouldn't surprise me if he starts.

[genome]

Bond, Gunter, McShane, Hector, Obita, Norwood, Williams, Piazon, McCleary, Blackman, Sa.

[NewCorkSeth]

------------------Bond------------------
Gunter--Hector--McShane--Obita
Williams---Tshibola---Norwood
---McCleary----Sa----Blackman---

Al-Benchi
Taylor
Cooper
Fernandez
John
Piazon
Hurtado

[Slater1993]

I'd prefer 4-3-3 over 4-2-3-1 for this.

------------------------------------Bond-------------------------------------

Gunter-----------Hector----------------McShane------------Taylor

-------------Tshibola---------Norwood-----------Williams----------

---------McCleary------------Blackman------------Piazon----------

Subs: Al Habsi, Obita, Cooper, Alex, Sa, John, HRK

Yeah, I don't think changing formation is a good idea, so I'm surprised people are suggesting 4-2-3-1. 4-3-3 is working really well, let's stick to it.

However, I'd select a rather different XI:
Bond; Gunter, Hector, McShane, Obita; Norwood, Tshibola, Williams; Blackman, Sa, McCleary
Subs: Al Habsi, Cooper, Taylor, Alex, Piazon, John, HRK

Harsh on Hurtado. I suspect he's one of our most talented wingers but there are too many in good form at present.
Tempted to stick Liburd on the bench, but see above.

Since when have Reading been playing 4-3-3? whenever Quinn has played it has been on the left.... like so.
-----------------------BOND----------------------
GUNTER--MCSHANE--HECTOR--OBITA
----------NORWOOD----TSHIBOLA---------
BLACKMAN--------VYDRA---------QUINN
--------------------------SA------------------------

[RustyRoyal]

I'd prefer 4-3-3 over 4-2-3-1 for this.

------------------------------------Bond-------------------------------------

Gunter-----------Hector----------------McShane------------Taylor

-------------Tshibola---------Norwood-----------Williams----------

---------McCleary------------Blackman------------Piazon----------

Subs: Al Habsi, Obita, Cooper, Alex, Sa, John, HRK

Yeah, I don't think changing formation is a good idea, so I'm surprised people are suggesting 4-2-3-1. 4-3-3 is working really well, let's stick to it.

However, I'd select a rather different XI:
Bond; Gunter, Hector, McShane, Obita; Norwood, Tshibola, Williams; Blackman, Sa, McCleary
Subs: Al Habsi, Cooper, Taylor, Alex, Piazon, John, HRK

Harsh on Hurtado. I suspect he's one of our most talented wingers but there are too many in good form at present.
Tempted to stick Liburd on the bench, but see above.

Since when have Reading been playing 4-3-3? whenever Quinn has played it has been on the left.... like so.
-----------------------BOND----------------------
GUNTER--MCSHANE--HECTOR--OBITA
----------NORWOOD----TSHIBOLA---------
BLACKMAN--------VYDRA---------QUINN
--------------------------SA------------------------

Did you watch Ipswich? Derby before the sending off? We have definitely been playing a 4-3-3 with Quinn on the left side of a midfield three.

[Slater1993]

I did, I also went to Bristol City and Burnley. who was on the right then? because norwood and tshibola were both central