MATCHWATCH : Barnsley (a) sponsored by southern softies go north

[Sutekh]

Barnsley have won 5 of their last 7 games and have scored more goals (18) than any other club in the Championship

Former Royals youngster Angus MacDonald (released in 2013) forms part of their central defensive partnership having been signed from Torquay in the summer to replace another former Royals youngster, Alfie Mawson, who went to Swansea (a couple there that seemed to have escaped notice).

Barnsley have injury doubts over Josh Scowen and Adam Armstrong while James Bree and Ryan Williams are still out. One time supposed Reading target Tom Bradshaw stands by to return.

Reading will have no Rakels, no Meite and Berg is unlikely to play although Swift is expected to return to the starting line up.

The last meeting between the sides was the 3-1 embarrassment at the Mad Stad in March 2014 and the last visit up there resulted in a 1-1 draw.

League record up there is P 32 W 10 D 6 L 16 F 49 A 58

Ref is Nottinghamshire's David Coote (17 yellows and 0 reds so far)



David Coote referreed games :

12 Jan 16 > Derby County 1-1 Reading
22 Aug 15 > Reading 0-0 MK Dons
16 Feb 14 > QPR 1-3 Reading
7 Dec 13 > Reading 1-2 Bournemouth
3 Aug 13 > Reading 2-1 Ipswich Town
11 Feb 12 > Reading 2-0 Coventry City

[Sutekh]

Quinn and Obita dropped

XI : Habsi, Gunter, Blackett, McShane, Moore, Evans, Williams, Swift, Beerens, McCleary, Kermorgant

Subs : Jaakkola, Watson, Obita, Quinn, Harriott, Mendes, Kelly

[Ian Royal]

Not sure Evans, Swift and Williams is sturdy enough as a mid-field personally. Good to see Kelly and Watson continue to get first team exposure if not actually games.

[Royal Ginger]

Only real discussion point there is that Blackett is starting over Obita who really looked like he took to having a bit of competition for his spot. I'd like to see how Blackett responds to Obita's marker from Tuesday.

Good healthy competition.

[Sutekh]

And for those that know the opposition

Barnsley XI : Davies, Yiadom, Hourihane, MacDonald, Roberts, White, Hammill, Scowen, Armstrong, Winnall, Kent

Subs : Townsend, Bradshaw, Morsy, Kpekawa, Jackson, Watkins, Janko

[Nuremberg Royal]

Not sure Evans, Swift and Williams is sturdy enough as a mid-field personally. Good to see Kelly and Watson continue to get first team exposure if not actually games.

Agreed. Would like to have seen Quinn instead of Williams but guess he feels he cannot play both Swift and Quinn.

[CountryRoyal]

Don't see the logic in dropping Quinn instead of Williams...

[genome]

Only real discussion point there is that Blackett is starting over Obita who really looked like he took to having a bit of competition for his spot. I'd like to see how Blackett responds to Obita's marker from Tuesday.

Good healthy competition.

Makes sense for me. I think Blackett will probably cope with Barnsley's wingers better than Obita would.

Very pleased to see Swifty start. Baffled that Quinn has been dropped. He was excellent in midweek and Williams had a shocker.

[Sutekh]

End to end but sounding immensely dodgy every time Barnsley come forward. They've already hit the bar.

[tidus_mi2]

Busy game so far and we win a penalty!

[Sutekh]

Penalty. McCleary misses but get the rebound. 1-0

[Rusty royal]

Oeerr

[Ian Royal]

Man, we're winning a lot of pens.

Saved, but scored by McCleary on rebound.

[tidus_mi2]

1-0 McCleary on the rebound! EIEIEIO!

[Libertine]

McCleary! GTFI...

[royalp-we]

Get in there!

Now get another quickly... Barnsley sound useful

[tidus_mi2]

Barnsley fans sound rattled.

[Sutekh]

2-0 a Swift wonder strike apparently

[tidus_mi2]

Swift makes it 2-0, Up the Football League we go!

[marlowuk]

Man, we're winning a lot of pens.

Saved, but scored by McCleary on rebound.

So does that count as a goal from open play at last?