MATCHWATCH : Cardiff City (h) sponsored by Jason Bowen

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 25 January 2020, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

It’s FA Cup time again and another chance to see the fringe first teamers and best of the Academy that Reading have take on what most likely will be something fairly equivalent from the capital of the principality.

Cardiff have won 2 of their last 10 games, both away, at Carlisle in a 3rd round replay and at Sheffield Wednesday just after Christmas so they are not in the best of form. However their cup form is identical to Reading with both clubs having drawn a home cup tie with lower league opposition before winning the subsequent replays.

Not sure how well supported this will be. It’s a dreary all Championship game with not very much glamour (if at all) and media interest will be as low as you can get. Both managers are very likely to field very weakened teams so you’re unlikely to see their collection of former Reading players in Connolly, Morrison and Bacuna take to the field. Prices are good though and the prospect of seeing some decent youngsters looking beyond their years will draw interest from many.

This is also the first part of a double header with the vastly more important league game to follow next week. A draw of course means 3 games against the Bluebirds in the next 4 matches and therefore 2 visits to the land of song inside of 5 days.

Referee

Newbie Marc Edwards takes charge of this one. It’s his first season on the league list and Reading and Cardiff are the highest positioned clubs of which he has so far had the pleasure

Previously....

n/a

Historically

This is the 7th cup game game against the Welshmen and so far it’s about as all square as you can get with 2 wins each to go with 2 draws each. Only one of those games has been in Reading though.

SF 1927 - lost 3-0 (n)
R2 1934 - won 2-1 (a)
R4 1998 - drew 1-1 (a)
R4R 1998 - drew 1-1 (h) won on penalties
R3 2009 - lost 2-0 (a)
R4 2015 - won 2-1 (a)



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. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use an iFollow subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[Old Man Andrews]

You can never trust someone called "Mark" who spells their name with a C instead of a K. Never.

[NewCorkSeth]

You can never trust someone called "Mark" who spells their name with a C instead of a K. Never.

Likewise with "Marcus" never trust those with a K.

[Singing Defective]

You can never trust someone called "Mark" who spells their name with a C instead of a K. Never.

Likewise with "Marcus" never trust those with a K.

Especially three times in a row...

Disagree this will be dreary. Our U23s against their U23 should be a right unpredictable craic. Erm, with two c’s, obviously.

[URZZZZ]

Rafael

Gunter
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Olise
Pele
Rino
Obita

Baldock
Puscas

Give a few like Swift and Ejaria a rest but try and keep as many of the first team as possible

Walker Yiadom/Richards Morrison Adam McCleary Boye Loader

[Zip]

Rafael

Gunter
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Olise
Pele
Rino
Obita

Baldock
Puscas

Give a few like Swift and Ejaria a rest but try and keep as many of the first team as possible

Walker Yiadom/Richards Morrison Adam McCleary Boye Loader

Would agree with much of this but would play McIntyre instead of Moore.

[URZZZZ]

Rafael

Gunter
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Olise
Pele
Rino
Obita

Baldock
Puscas

Give a few like Swift and Ejaria a rest but try and keep as many of the first team as possible

Walker Yiadom/Richards Morrison Adam McCleary Boye Loader

Would agree with much of this but would play McIntyre instead of Moore.

Forgot about McIntyre. Agreed

Was toying with Richards instead of Blackett too, I thought Richards was poor in the first tie, didn’t watch the second tie so wasn’t sure

[URZZZZ]

Rafael

Gunter
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Olise
Pele
Rino
Obita

Baldock
Puscas

Give a few like Swift and Ejaria a rest but try and keep as many of the first team as possible

Walker Yiadom/Richards Morrison Adam McCleary Boye Loader

Maybe not, Aluko confirmed to be starting on Saturday. Would guess McCleary has a knock then

[muirinho]

Rafael

Gunter
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Olise
Pele
Rino
Obita

Baldock
Puscas

Give a few like Swift and Ejaria a rest but try and keep as many of the first team as possible

Walker Yiadom/Richards Morrison Adam McCleary Boye Loader

Maybe not, Aluko confirmed to be starting on Saturday. Would guess McCleary has a knock then

No, Bowen gave Olise the nod ahead of him, rather than him being injured. So I reckon McCleary will be playing Saturday and Olise will be squad/starter on Tuesday

[URZZZZ]

Rafael

Gunter
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Olise
Pele
Rino
Obita

Baldock
Puscas

Give a few like Swift and Ejaria a rest but try and keep as many of the first team as possible

Walker Yiadom/Richards Morrison Adam McCleary Boye Loader

Maybe not, Aluko confirmed to be starting on Saturday. Would guess McCleary has a knock then

No, Bowen gave Olise the nod ahead of him, rather than him being injured. So I reckon McCleary will be playing Saturday and Olise will be squad/starter on Tuesday

Fair enough. Just thought it was a bit odd McCleary wasn’t in the squad with Meite being out and with Aluko starting on Saturday

[Hound]

Disappointed if Aluko starts tbh, unless he has been showing something in training

Would start a few more of the fringe players I think. Something like

Walker

Howe
Blackett
Miazga
McIntyre

McCleary
Adam
Rino
Olise
Richards

Puscas

Rafael, Baldock, Swift, Ejaria, Burley, Gunter, Loader

[Old Man Andrews]

Rafael

Gunter
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Olise
Pele
Rino
Obita

Baldock
Puscas

Give a few like Swift and Ejaria a rest but try and keep as many of the first team as possible

Walker Yiadom/Richards Morrison Adam McCleary Boye Loader

Yep good team. Can't see it being that strong in reality but it's certainly what I would pick.

[Zip]

Disappointed if Aluko starts tbh, unless he has been showing something in training

Would start a few more of the fringe players I think. Something like

Walker

Howe
Blackett
Miazga
McIntyre

McCleary
Adam
Rino
Olise
Richards

Puscas

Rafael, Baldock, Swift, Ejaria, Burley, Gunter, Loader

I doubt Olise will start on Saturday as he has probably done enough to be involved next Tuesday. It’s a shame the fixtures have panned out as they have as it means we are likely to be playing a reserve team in a match where we have a great chance of reaching the last 16.

[Stranded]

Disappointed if Aluko starts tbh, unless he has been showing something in training

Would start a few more of the fringe players I think. Something like

Walker

Howe
Blackett
Miazga
McIntyre

McCleary
Adam
Rino
Olise
Richards

Puscas

Rafael, Baldock, Swift, Ejaria, Burley, Gunter, Loader

I'll be surprised if anyone likely to be involved on Tuesday night starts on Saturday esp. with the short gap to the Cardiff league game too.

Think Burley will get another start and Richards will play again if fit at the back. Would expect same back 5 as the Blackpool replay win.

McCleary is a definite but the other wing is a question mark, think it may be Aluko - Olise will be involved on Tuesday esp if Meite is still on compassionate leave, which is likely.

Team for me will be:

Walker

Howe
Miazga
Burley
Richards

McLeary
Rinomhota
East
Aluko

Boye
Loader

Bench: Boniah-Clarke, Baldock, Puscas, Blackett, Medford-Smith, Adam, A.N. Other academy graduate who will get 5 mins if we are 2-0up

Loader maybe in a number 10 role so 4-4-1-1.

East has been on the bench in the last 2 cup games and with Olise not involved think he may get a start.

[Snowflake Royal]

Disappointed if Aluko starts tbh, unless he has been showing something in training

Would start a few more of the fringe players I think. Something like

Walker

Howe
Blackett
Miazga
McIntyre

McCleary
Adam
Rino
Olise
Richards

Puscas

Rafael, Baldock, Swift, Ejaria, Burley, Gunter, Loader

Still very firmly in camp Aluko can't oxf*rd off quick enough.

McCleary and Olise are light years ahead of him and I'd rather play Frost too.

[Old Man Andrews]

Disappointed if Aluko starts tbh, unless he has been showing something in training

Would start a few more of the fringe players I think. Something like

Walker

Howe
Blackett
Miazga
McIntyre

McCleary
Adam
Rino
Olise
Richards

Puscas

Rafael, Baldock, Swift, Ejaria, Burley, Gunter, Loader

I'll be surprised if anyone likely to be involved on Tuesday night starts on Saturday esp. with the short gap to the Cardiff league game too.

Think Burley will get another start and Richards will play again if fit at the back. Would expect same back 5 as the Blackpool replay win.

McCleary is a definite but the other wing is a question mark, think it may be Aluko - Olise will be involved on Tuesday esp if Meite is still on compassionate leave, which is likely.

Team for me will be:

Walker

Howe
Miazga
Burley
Richards

McLeary
Rinomhota
East
Aluko

Boye
Loader

Bench: Boniah-Clarke, Baldock, Puscas, Blackett, Medford-Smith, Adam, A.N. Other academy graduate who will get 5 mins if we are 2-0up

Loader maybe in a number 10 role so 4-4-1-1.

East has been on the bench in the last 2 cup games and with Olise not involved think he may get a start.

Imagine including Aluko in a starting line up.

[Stranded]

I know but I am struggling to think of who will go out wide or fill that gap who isn't going to be involved against Bristol - pretty much left me with Aluko.

[Old Man Andrews]

I know but I am struggling to think of who will go out wide or fill that gap who isn't going to be involved against Bristol - pretty much left me with Aluko.

Think I would rather have any youth team player there, could even put Loader out on the left I guess and play Puscas up top. It is the sort of game Puscas needs right now imo.

[Hound]

ah forgot about Boye. Easy to do

Yeah Boye in for Olise maybe in my team.

I think Blackett could manage another game at LB, but if not Richards in there and I assume Aluko will fill that other gap from the sound of it