MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 13th August 2022, 3pm
Where : New York Stadium, New York Way, Rotherham, S60 1AH
Capacity : 12,021

Next up, for whatever’s left by way of senior professional players at Reading, is a long old drive up to Rotherham to try and avoid prolonging the current 100% away record. Since Reading last claimed some points away from home (at Bramall Lane in April) the club have played 3 more games on the road and lost the lot without presenting any trouble to the goals for column. In fact the goals v Cardiff were the first Reading had scored anywhere in the league since the aforementioned trip to Sheffield.

Rotherham are, as they always seem to be, back for their biennial foray into second division football. They are amongst most pundit’s “three for the drop” and as most pundits also have Reading in that same three this season you can argue this is going to be seen as a proverbial “6 pointer” by many even though it’s only the third game of the season.

Thanks to the cr@p state of Coventry’s pitch, this game is only going to be Rotherham’s second league game of the season, so it’s difficult to know what really lies in wait for Reading other than the stereotypical assumption of a team that is fairly limited but full of fight. The Millers’ first game was a hard fought draw with Swansea City so their is some decent nous about them and current manager Paul Warne has taken them down, up, down and up again since being appointed manager some 5 years ago.

Midfielder Dan Barlaser and forward Chiedozie Ogbene are the immediate names to watch while Conor Washington is possibly the most recognised name on their books. However the experienced Lee Peltier was added to the ranks in the summer as well as Cohen Bramall (from Lincoln) and Cameron Humphrys-Grant (Waregem). In addition they’ve also added two loans in Scott High (Huddersfield) and Grant Hall (Middlesbrough).

Meite, Moore, Dann, Joao are definitely all out of the game for Reading while Ejaria and Hutchinson are doubtful so team selection should be pretty simple given the remaining number of fit senior professionals. However the club will have Mamadou Loum N’Diaye available for some proper football after his debut in the “can’t really be bothered cup”

Referee

Steve Martin

Previously

04 Dec 2021 > Reading 1-1 Hull City
18 Sep 2021 > Fulham 1-2 Reading
13 Mar 2021 > Nottingham Forest 1-1 Reading
22 Jul 2020 > Reading 1-4 Swansea City
07 July 2020 > Reading 0-0 Huddersfield Town
05 Oct 2019 > Bristol City 1-0 Reading
13 Apr 2019 > Reading 2-1 Brentford
13 Feb 2019 > Reading 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
22 Dec 2018 > Reading 0-1 Middlesbrough
14 Apr 2018 > Reading 2-2 Sunderland
27 Feb 2018 > Nottm Forest 1-1 Reading
11 Dec 2017 > Reading 2-2 Cardiff City
23 Sep 2017 > Reading 1-1 Hull City
26 Aug 2017 > Birmingham City 0-2 Reading
24 Jan 2017 > Reading 1-0 Fulham
15 Oct 2016 > Queen's Park Rangers 1-1 Reading
15 Mar 2016 > Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Reading
23 Jan 2016 > Reading 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
19 Sep 2015 > Bristol City 0-2 Reading
25 Mar 2014 > Reading 1-3 Barnsley

Historically

This will be the 25th league game with Rotherham in Rotherham. Of the previous trips Reading have won 6 and lost 9 with 9 drawn. There has only been 1 goalless draw to date so expectation is there should be some form of net rippling happening on Saturday afternoon.

Since Rotherham moved a little bit down the road from Millmoor to their nice new shiny plastic arena Reading have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 but always managed to score. Think that particular record might be a bit of a challenge to maintain given the more recent trips away from home.

How to follow the game

1. Ticket yourself up and make the long trek to the game (or shorter trek if you live up north)
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 a RoyalTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Snowflake Royal]

Assume something like

.......................Lumley
.......Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre
Hoilett., Loum, Hendrick, ....NGW
.......Ince, ...................., Ejaria
.......................Long

Bouzanis, Leavy, Fornah, Abrefa, Camara, Ehib, Clarke

[Zip]

Assume something like

.......................Lumley
.......Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre
Hoilett., Loum, Hendrick, ....NGW
.......Ince, ...................., Ejaria
.......................Long

Bouzanis, Leavy, Fornah, Abrefa, Camara, Ehib, Clarke

Ejaria is out. Ince saying the prognosis does not look good. So Fornah likely to start. We should be hard to beat!

[Jackson Corner]

Another loss. 2-0

[Snowflake Royal]

Assume something like

.......................Lumley
.......Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre
Abrefa., Loum, Hendrick, ....NGW
.......Ince, ...................., Hoilett
.......................Long

Bouzanis, Leavy, Fornah, Clarke, Camara, Ehib, Clarke

Ejaria is out. Ince saying the prognosis does not look good. So Fornah likely to start. We should be hard to beat!

Fine.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Could be a real scrap this game based on what you'd typically expect from Rotherham and what we've shown in our 2 games so far where we are always looking to compete. 1-1 for me.

[paultheroyal]

0-2 win and sitting 3rd in the league come 4:55pm

[Stranded]

Assume something like

.......................Lumley
.......Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre
Hoilett., Loum, Hendrick, ....NGW
.......Ince, ...................., Ejaria
.......................Long

Bouzanis, Leavy, Fornah, Abrefa, Camara, Ehib, Clarke

Ejaria is out. Ince saying the prognosis does not look good. So Fornah likely to start. We should be hard to beat!

Not sure he'll go with Loum, Hendrick and Fornah. The big hope is Sarr gets registered, he slots in, allowing Yiadom to go RWB and Hoilett shifts forward. If not, then throw in a forward from the Academy, Camara or someone else.

Only other option would be shifting Hendrick forward.

[Sutekh]

Assume something like

.......................Lumley
.......Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre
Hoilett., Loum, Hendrick, ....NGW
.......Ince, ...................., Ejaria
.......................Long

Bouzanis, Leavy, Fornah, Abrefa, Camara, Ehib, Clarke

Ejaria is out. Ince saying the prognosis does not look good. So Fornah likely to start. We should be hard to beat!

Not sure he'll go with Loum, Hendrick and Fornah. The big hope is Sarr gets registered, he slots in, allowing Yiadom to go RWB and Hoilett shifts forward. If not, then throw in a forward from the Academy, Camara or someone else.

Only other option would be shifting Hendrick forward.

Sarr won't be match fit even if he is confirmed this week so expect an hour at best or on the bench if he does play,

By the way, what's happened to Melvin-Lambert, is he another injury?

[Zip]

Ejaria is out. Ince saying the prognosis does not look good. So Fornah likely to start. We should be hard to beat!

Not sure he'll go with Loum, Hendrick and Fornah. The big hope is Sarr gets registered, he slots in, allowing Yiadom to go RWB and Hoilett shifts forward. If not, then throw in a forward from the Academy, Camara or someone else.

Only other option would be shifting Hendrick forward.

Sarr won't be match fit even if he is confirmed this week so expect an hour at best or on the bench if he does play,

By the way, what's happened to Melvin-Lambert, is he another injury?

He was in the under 21 side. Seems down the pecking order

[URZZZZ]

Really like Hoilett in the WB role, nice to have a player who can provide goals/assists from that position for a change. Would be reluctant to move him forward into Ejaria’s spot to push Yiadom forward (who’s a better RCB than RWB IMO) but I guess we’re not exactly blessed for options

Win here would put us in a great situation before two home games, just need to make sure we stand up physically to them and stop conceding these early goals (three in three in the first 10 minutes now)

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Another loss. 2-0

We won at the weekend m8

[Snowflake Royal]

Assume something like

.......................Lumley
.......Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre
Hoilett., Loum, Hendrick, ....NGW
.......Ince, ...................., Ejaria
.......................Long

Bouzanis, Leavy, Fornah, Abrefa, Camara, Ehib, Clarke

Ejaria is out. Ince saying the prognosis does not look good. So Fornah likely to start. We should be hard to beat!

Not sure he'll go with Loum, Hendrick and Fornah. The big hope is Sarr gets registered, he slots in, allowing Yiadom to go RWB and Hoilett shifts forward. If not, then throw in a forward from the Academy, Camara or someone else.

Only other option would be shifting Hendrick forward.

Abrefa could also free up Hoilett.

[Snowflake Royal]

Really like Hoilett in the WB role, nice to have a player who can provide goals/assists from that position for a change. Would be reluctant to move him forward into Ejaria’s spot to push Yiadom forward (who’s a better RCB than RWB IMO) but I guess we’re not exactly blessed for options

Win here would put us in a great situation before two home games, just need to make sure we stand up physically to them and stop conceding these early goals (three in three in the first 10 minutes now)

I think Yiadom's a better RWB than RB tbh

He loves getting forward and he's good at it, except the crossing bit.

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Twitter rumours of Hutchinson as an early return and Sarr could be signed off in time. Both would be very useful bench options.

[Hendo]

Twitter rumours of Hutchinson as an early return and Sarr could be signed off in time. Both would be very useful bench options.

Seeing as he has been training with us for a little while now, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sarr go straight into the XI if all gets done in time.

[Stranded]

Twitter rumours of Hutchinson as an early return and Sarr could be signed off in time. Both would be very useful bench options.

JLow reporting as such, so imagine he has been given some info - would imagine if it happens, then only one would go in to the starting XI - likely Sarr - with Hutchinson on the bench in case needed given he can cover 2 positions.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Really like Hoilett in the WB role, nice to have a player who can provide goals/assists from that position for a change. Would be reluctant to move him forward into Ejaria’s spot to push Yiadom forward (who’s a better RCB than RWB IMO) but I guess we’re not exactly blessed for options

Win here would put us in a great situation before two home games, just need to make sure we stand up physically to them and stop conceding these early goals (three in three in the first 10 minutes now)

I think Yiadom's a better RWB than RB tbh

He loves getting forward and he's good at it, except the crossing bit.

Yeah Yiadom does like getting forward so think he would be suited to a wing back role well. Hoilett has done well at wing back but I think he'd be more comfortably in a more natural position, once or twice at Blackpool it looked like he may get caught out at times.

[Sutekh]

Twitter rumours of Hutchinson as an early return and Sarr could be signed off in time. Both would be very useful bench options.

Seeing as he has been training with us for a little while now, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sarr go straight into the XI if all gets done in time.

And Sarr's height (6'6") would be very useful at both ends of the pitch.

[Hound]

With Joao, Sarr, Loum, Holmes, Fornah, Meite, TMc plus Ehib and Clarke knocking about - we should be a real threat from set pieces and crosses

Likes of Long, Yiadom, NGW, Ejaria are also either pretty tall or good in the air