MATCHWATCH : Watford (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday 8th November 2022, 8pm
Where : Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER
Capacity : 22,200

Here we go then, 2 months later than originally scheduled the trip to Watford is with us only it just got a whole lot harder as it’s now a Tuesday night, live on TV and Watford begins with a wubbleyou and not a bee so therefore this is game 52 in the attempt to try and get a more normal rounded midweek away win record.

Watford are another of the perceived proverbial yo-yo’s, let’s hope it works out rather better than the last trip to a proverbial yo-yo - Rotherham

While Reading FC has much improved over last time this fixture was played in April 2021 the club is still very much work in progress drawn to the very limit because of ffp and injuries and results have been very much up and down. Despite the good start to the season results have been in a bit of a decline recently so expectation for Reading in this game isn’t high, especially when viewed with the history of the fixture and Watford’s superior squad due to the Hornet’s current ability to bounce around the upper Championship and lower Premier League, and I think we’d certainly all take a draw now if it was offered.

The Hornets have started the season thoroughly decently and the comedy management framework that they operate there largely makes them a dangerous proposition in this division and a complete wet paper bag in the division above.

Watford have found their winning ways again (5 wins in 6 if they beat Coventry) and are obviously difficult to beat. Most of the damage inflicted by Watford is caused by the forward players; Vakoun Bayo (arrived for a mere £5m from Gent in the summer), Ismaila Sarr (6 goals), Joao Pedro (4 goals) and Keinan Davis whose 4 goals have come in just 6 (4) appearances and it will take some determination to limit and stifle the threat posed. Tom Cleverley and Ken Selma have also contributed from midfield while the Reading connection now is by way of former loanee Tom Dele-Bashiru and substitute keeper Ben Hamer (another summer signing).

The possible chink in Watford’s armour may be the loss of midfielder Emmanuel Dennis to Forest in mid August as it has been since then that Watford seem to have lost a little something from the side and been a little more “human” however they don’t tend to concede easily and their games so far have all been very close affairs with just one goal deciding matters when taking or conceding the three points.

Injuries for Reading are lessening with the return of Hutchinson expected imminently and Azeez now back and playing for the u21s. That basically means just Sarr, Tetek, Moore and Dann are currently sidelined. Hoping that does not get worse. Watford, meanwhile, have lost the services of Imran Louza, Jeremy Ngakia, Rey Manaj and Tom Cleverly.

Referee

James Linington

Previously

20 Aug 22 > Reading 1-0 Middlesbrough
19 Mar 22 > Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
15 Jan 22 > Middlesbrough 2-1 Reading
09 Apr 21 > Watford 2-0 Reading
06 Mar 21 > Reading 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday
29 Jan 21 > Reading 3-1 Bournemouth
04 Jul 20 > Luton Town 0-5 Reading
28 Jan 20 > Reading 0-1 Bristol City
26 Dec 19 > Reading 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
03 Aug 19 > Reading 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday
08 Dec 18 > Reading 0-2 Sheffield United
03 Nov 18 > Reading 3-2 Bristol City
06 Mar 18 > Reading 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
02 Jan 18 > Reading 0-2 Birmingham City
09 Sep 17 > Reading 0-1 Bristol City
08 Apr 17 > Norwich City 7-1 Reading
24 Sep 16 > Reading 1-0 Huddersfield Town
21 Nov 15 > Reading 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
02 May 15 > Derby County 0-3 Reading
28 Dec 14 > Reading 2-1 Norwich City
21 Nov 14 > Cardiff City 2-1 Reading
12 Aug 14 > Reading 3-1 Newport County (League Cup)
10 Sep 11 > Reading 0-2 Watford
30 Apr 11 > Coventry City 0-0 Reading
22 Jan 11 > Reading 1-1 Hull City
02 May 10 > Reading 4-0 Preston North End
30 Jan 10 > Reading 1-0 Barnsley


Historically

This is another of the "should be but isn't" derbies, while Luton are the recognised derby partners they have only played Watford 86 times while Reading have actually locked horn(ets) with the Hertfordshire residents on 119 occasions in all competitions which I think makes this one of the most played fixtures outside of games between the top PL sides.

Watford is around 40 miles from Reading and the two clubs are sharing their 52nd season together and they are inseparable in league wins with both having managed 40 but Watford currently sneak it overall when including cup games with 48 wins to Reading’s 45.

As with the reverse fixture for Watford, this fixture is a complete graveyard for Reading with Vicarage Road being one of the worst places the club has to go to play league games. Of the the 51 previous visits Reading have just 9 wins to show for their efforts while Watford have won on 32 occasions. In addition Reading have had a tendency to concede goals there like it’s going out out of fashion having let in 95 which is almost 2 a game while Watford’s defence has only been breached on 33 occasions.

Therefore it will take quite something to reverse the general trend of misery that comes with this league fixture so perhaps we can all be relieved that it isn’t revered as a derby game. And on a positive note this fixture is at least not going to be one the club have to endure when things start to get spicier at the end of a season.

How to follow the game

1. Ticket
2. Sky
3. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use an iFollow subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[URZZZZ]

Do think we need a change in formation, become too stale recently. From the sounds of it, Hutchinson may be back for the bench. Would go with:

Lumley

Yiadom
Holmes
McIntyre
Rahman

Loum

Ince
Hendrick
Fornah
Ejaria

Long

Bouzanis, Mbengue, NGW, Hutchinson, Meite, Joao, Carroll

Can see Joao starting after a decent cameo last night but really think we need more energy from the front. Would have Hoilett out until the break, big fan but been really poor recently. Would just opt for Rahman to deal with Sarr, think he’ll have too much for NGW (flashbacks of Gibson there last time!)

[Royal_jimmy]

It'll be a miracle if we get anything out of this game. I hope Ince makes a few changes for the same and Hutch can play

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Sarr destroyed us in the first 15 mins last time there, and we had a better defence

[Hound]

Watford have just lost at home to Cov. This is no free hit against a great side

They seem very inconsistent but we surely can’t go with the mentality that we’ll be trying to defend for our lives and sneak a 1-0

Urrzz team looks handy but I’d be surprised if Meite doesn’t start and Long does. Joao had a reasonable 30m so think he may get the nod if Meite drops out

[Snowflake Royal]

Bah, URZZZ team includes Rahman so no thanks.

Whoscored thinks Watford struggle to defend the flanks, but are good at attacking down them and play one up top. So if we play the normal back 5 it's likely they'll pin our wingbacks, and leave our CBs marking one player while they overrun our midfield and force us deep leaving no outlet.

So

.....................Lumley
Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre, NGW
......Hendrick, Loum, Fornah
Meite.............Joao................nce

[Loafer]

Ince OUT if we lose? Question's are starting to need to asked

[Hound]

Ince OUT if we lose? Question's are starting to need to asked

Only on why you are still continuing to post

[Jackson Corner]

Vicaridge rd is 100 years old this year. I reckon we must have played on that pitch more times than any other team apart from Watford of course. Just nine wins since 1920 and I have been to two of those. Another mid week defeat. At least it’s a short drive home.

[Loafer]

Ince OUT if we lose? Question's are starting to need to asked

Only on why you are still continuing to post

Afraid of debate and having difficult conversations?

We've been on a downward slide. Another loss would take us further away. Then if we lose again before Xmas what do you propose? Stick with losing do you like being a laser?

[windermereROYAL]

Ince OUT if we lose? Question's are starting to need to asked

Fucking hell you are a tiresome prick, how many user names have you had now this we had the privilege of your company on here?

PInce isn`t going anywhere.

[Loafer]

Ince OUT if we lose? Question's are starting to need to asked

Fucking hell you are a tiresome prick, how many user names have you had now this we had the privilege of your company on here?

PInce isn`t going anywhere.

Abusive for no reason to me? Classy. Typical treatment I get on here.

[Snowflake Royal]

So oxf*rd off

[Loafer]

So oxf*rd off

Keep being abusive for no reason, its on record you are abusive and derogatory about mental health and disabilities, you small snipey pathetic little boy.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

My team for this would be:

Lumley
Yiadom Holmes TMac
Hoilett Loum Fornah NGW
Ince
Joao Meite

Subs: Bouzanis, Hutchinson, Rahman, Hendrick, Ejaria, Long, Carroll.

I think both Fornah and NGW need to come back into the team and Joao could use a start after a decent cameo on Friday night and he will always be a threat.

[Felt91]

1x spare ticket for £20
Can be collected from Woodley or meet at the ground

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Vicaridge rd is 100 years old this year. I reckon we must have played on that pitch more times than any other team apart from Watford of course. Just nine wins since 1920 and I have been to two of those. Another mid week defeat. At least it’s a short drive home.

Never seen us win there, can remember a good 2-2 under McGhee (season he left) when Simon Osborn scored a long ranger, ground was being redeveloped at the time and we were down the side somewhere

[URZZZZ]

Bah, URZZZ team includes Rahman so no thanks.

Whoscored thinks Watford struggle to defend the flanks, but are good at attacking down them and play one up top. So if we play the normal back 5 it's likely they'll pin our wingbacks, and leave our CBs marking one player while they overrun our midfield and force us deep leaving no outlet.

So

.....................Lumley
Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre, NGW
......Hendrick, Loum, Fornah
Meite.............Joao................nce

In fairness, I was one of the first to suggest Rahman wasn’t a particularly great signing and nothing he’s done this season has suggested otherwise. Worst defensive record in the EFL last season, very little impetus going forward, not sure what he’d done to warrant such a strong reputation (aside from being an actual LB!) But based on this game, think he’ll be better equipped to deal with Sarr, who is one of the best players in the league. It’s evident Ince doesn’t need much of an excuse to drop the less experienced players out of the side

Fornah is another strange one. Thought he’d joined as a CDM but plays most of his games in the “Ejaria” role, towards the left of midfield. He’ll be at danger at dropping from the squad with everyone fit so if he does get a start on Tuesday (perhaps warranted although I sense a bit of revisionism in general here) he’ll need a good performance

[Millsy]

Not sure why we're playing any attackers in this game.

IIRC at Watford we are entitled to free goals I think because we represent the Royal County.

[DarOv]

The best option in this game, in my opinion, is to play 5-4-1. Stay in defense and try to counterattack. It is unlikely to see strong attacking football in this game.