MATCHWATCH : Barnsley (h) sponsored by hopeless at home

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 29th February 2020, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


Another relegation candidate pops into town in the shape of Barnsley which just what you want after the disgusting shambles of Wigan

Barnsley are doing rather well now as, after a winless run of 1 draw and 5 defeats, by now being on a run of a mere 3 wins from their last 3 games all without conceding a goal so this will require some serious attention as the management make another attempt to get things right.

The ones to watch out for are Conor Chaplin with 10 goals and Cauley Woodrow with 14 so it would seem to be fairly obvious what Reading have to do and where Barnsley’s main threat lies. Trouble is after so many terrible home performances this season it’s a real challenge to see anything other than yet another dreadful struggle on the cards at best.

Referee

Jeremy Simpson

Previously

30 Nov 2019 > Wigan Athletic 1-3 Reading
22 Oct 2019 > Queens Park Rangers 2-2 Reading
23 Feb 2019 > Reading 1-1 Rotherham United
22 Sep 2018 > Reading 3-0 Hull City
21 Apr 2018 > Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Reading
14 Oct 2017 > Leeds United 0-1 Reading
31 Jan 2017 > Birmingham City 0-1 Reading
17 Dec 2016 > Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Reading
09 Sep 2016 > Reading 2-1 Ipswich Town (managed to book 9 players)
16 Apr 2016 > Leeds United 3-2 Reading
09 Jan 2016 > Huddersfield Town 2-2 Reading (FA Cup 3)
20 Oct 2015 > Rotherham United 1-1 Reading

Historically

Recently Barnsley have had an annoying habit of turning up, being dour, and going home with 3 points. In fact they've won on 3 of their last 5 visits.

Overall though this game is their 35th league trip to Reading and they've only won 6 of the previous 34 games in total compared to Reading's 18 victories. Of the 10 league draws in Reading, a whopping 8 of them have finished 0-0

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)

[Stranded]

Away win banker?

They have won 3 on the spin and last 2 away games.

[WoodleyRoyal]

I can think of many more things to do on a Saturday afternoon than go to this.

[URZZZZ]

Big think needed for Bowen. Certain players out there who don't deserve to be close to the XI after this (and the last two months' showing)

Rafael

Yiadom
Morrison
Moore
Richards

Rino
Swift

McCleary
Olise
Timbe

Puscas

Walker Blackett Pele Ejaria Aluko Meite Baldock

[Zip]

Rafael
Yiadom
Morrison
Moore
Richards
Pelé
Rinomhota
Swift
Olise
Meite
Puscas

[Old Man Andrews]

I don't care. I literally couldn't give a single oxf*rd anymore.

[Old Man Andrews]

Why on earth would anyone consider going to this game? I love my club as much as the next person but after this evening they can get oxf*rd.

[WoodleyRoyal]

#boycottBarnsley a social media campaign should be started the players deserve an empty stadium. Everyone should boycott the game.

#boycottBarnsley

[Sutekh]

The one thing I forgot to mention, Reading haven’t won a home game since Boxing Day.

[URZZZZ]

The one thing I forgot to mention, Reading haven’t won a home game since Boxing Day.

What are the stats for midweek games now? Other than Blackburn last season, I cannot recall a single midweek win in the last two years

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[Old Man Andrews]

thanks

Not now JoeyjoejoejnrShabadoo

[Sutekh]

The one thing I forgot to mention, Reading haven’t won a home game since Boxing Day.

What are the stats for midweek games now? Other than Blackburn last season, I cannot recall a single midweek win in the last two years

I make it:

Midweek Tuesday/Wednesday league games only

This season.

WBA (a) - d
Fulham (h) - l
QPR (a) - d
Leeds (h) - l
Barnsley (a) - d
Forest (a) - d
WBA (h) - l
Wigan (h) - l

Last season

Blackburn (a) - d
Norwich (h) - l
QPR (h) - l
Birmingham (a) - l
Leeds (a) - l
Bolton (a) - d
Blackburn (h) - w
Leeds (h) - l
Norwich (a) - d

So that’s

Played 17, Won 1, Drawn 7, Lost 9

Away - p9, w0, d7, l2
Home - p8, W1, d0, l7

[URZZZZ]

The one thing I forgot to mention, Reading haven’t won a home game since Boxing Day.

What are the stats for midweek games now? Other than Blackburn last season, I cannot recall a single midweek win in the last two years

I make it:

Midweek Tuesday/Wednesday league games only

This season.

WBA (a) - d
Fulham (h) - l
QPR (a) - d
Leeds (h) - l
Barnsley (a) - d
Forest (a) - d
WBA (h) - l
Wigan (h) - l

Last season

Blackburn (a) - d
Norwich (h) - l
QPR (h) - l
Birmingham (a) - l
Leeds (a) - l
Bolton (a) - d
Blackburn (h) - w
Leeds (h) - l
Norwich (a) - d

So that’s

Played 17, Won 1, Drawn 7, Lost 9

Away - p9, w0, d7, l2
Home - p8, W1, d0, l7

Cheers

That is horrendous

IIRC they weren't much better in 17/18 either, remember the two away games at Villa and Wolves where we were thumped 3-0 and barely had a shot on target in either, then of course, others such as Bolton, Birmingham and Sheff United (H) that season

[Old Man Andrews]

The one thing I forgot to mention, Reading haven’t won a home game since Boxing Day.

What are the stats for midweek games now? Other than Blackburn last season, I cannot recall a single midweek win in the last two years

I make it:

Midweek Tuesday/Wednesday league games only

This season.

WBA (a) - d
Fulham (h) - l
QPR (a) - d
Leeds (h) - l
Barnsley (a) - d
Forest (a) - d
WBA (h) - l
Wigan (h) - l

Last season

Blackburn (a) - d
Norwich (h) - l
QPR (h) - l
Birmingham (a) - l
Leeds (a) - l
Bolton (a) - d
Blackburn (h) - w
Leeds (h) - l
Norwich (a) - d

So that’s

Played 17, Won 1, Drawn 7, Lost 9

Away - p9, w0, d7, l2
Home - p8, W1, d0, l7

You're not brightening my mood.

[Hound]

The one thing I forgot to mention, Reading haven’t won a home game since Boxing Day.

What are the stats for midweek games now? Other than Blackburn last season, I cannot recall a single midweek win in the last two years

I make it:

Midweek Tuesday/Wednesday league games only

This season.

WBA (a) - d
Fulham (h) - l
QPR (a) - d
Leeds (h) - l
Barnsley (a) - d
Forest (a) - d
WBA (h) - l
Wigan (h) - l

Last season

Blackburn (a) - d
Norwich (h) - l
QPR (h) - l
Birmingham (a) - l
Leeds (a) - l
Bolton (a) - d
Blackburn (h) - w
Leeds (h) - l
Norwich (a) - d

So that’s

Played 17, Won 1, Drawn 7, Lost 9

Away - p9, w0, d7, l2
Home - p8, W1, d0, l7

They’re pretty incredible stats

7 away draws out of 9 is interesting but that home form is unbelievable. No wonder the crowds are so low

[Hound]

Bowen has to make changes for this. I’m really starting to dislike the Moore/Morrison pairing and surprised more people haven’t mentioned it. Cannot keep a clean sheet and constantly out battled. Would be much happier with Miazga

However prob can’t change it due to injury

Rino has to come back in. Olise must start. Ejaria should be dropped. I wouldn’t play Meite either. Blackett for Richards. I’d consider McCleary as well but not sure what state of mind he is in

[WestYorksRoyal]

Barnsley are in good form. But I actually expect a reaction from the players on Saturday; 2-0 home win.

[Stranded]

What are the stats for midweek games now? Other than Blackburn last season, I cannot recall a single midweek win in the last two years

I make it:

Midweek Tuesday/Wednesday league games only

This season.

WBA (a) - d
Fulham (h) - l
QPR (a) - d
Leeds (h) - l
Barnsley (a) - d
Forest (a) - d
WBA (h) - l
Wigan (h) - l

Last season

Blackburn (a) - d
Norwich (h) - l
QPR (h) - l
Birmingham (a) - l
Leeds (a) - l
Bolton (a) - d
Blackburn (h) - w
Leeds (h) - l
Norwich (a) - d

So that’s

Played 17, Won 1, Drawn 7, Lost 9

Away - p9, w0, d7, l2
Home - p8, W1, d0, l7

They’re pretty incredible stats

7 away draws out of 9 is interesting but that home form is unbelievable. No wonder the crowds are so low

We've lost 28 of the last 63 home games. 44.5% of games at home since the play-off final have been lost. Only the most committed would continue to turn up.

[Zip]

Bowen has to make changes for this. I’m really starting to dislike the Moore/Morrison pairing and surprised more people haven’t mentioned it. Cannot keep a clean sheet and constantly out battled. Would be much happier with Miazga

However prob can’t change it due to injury

Rino has to come back in. Olise must start. Ejaria should be dropped. I wouldn’t play Meite either. Blackett for Richards. I’d consider McCleary as well but not sure what state of mind he is in

Right now the only realistic options we have at centre back would be to play Blackett there or bring in Osho.