MATCHWATCH : Lincoln City (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday April 6 2024, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

After the flat, disappointing and pointless waste of a second half at Bolton comes a visit from the surprising current form side in the division, so quite possibly not the best antidote to have after the mess that was Easter Monday.

Lincoln arrive in town on the back of 6 points over Easter and a 15 games unbeaten run (comprising 10 wins and 5 draws)! Their last defeat anywhere was 2-0 at Blackpool on New Year's Day so this is going to be a real challenge to Reading's recent on field struggles at home. To add to the difficulty of the task is the fact that Lincoln have only conceded 2 goals in the last 810 minutes of football they've played and they have started a tendency to go several games without conceding after they do let one in - the bad news is that they conceded on Monday....

Part of the difficulty it seems is the fact that Lincoln have goals right across their team with no real "hot shots". Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Joe Taylor are the main strikeforce with 16 goals between them while midfielder Daniel Mandroiu is possibly the most dangerous option they have as he seems to be involved in a lot of their most promising moments.

Reading should be at full strength though there maybe minor doubts over WiFi and Dorsett after their substitutions at Bolton. Would hope Yiadom would come in at RB and that maybe Holmes would return as Mbengue seems to be a bit out of form currently.

The other L1 games on Saturday:

Blackpool v Cambridge United
Bristol Rovers v Bolton Wanderers
Burton Albion v Oxford United
Charlton Athletic v Barnsley
Exeter City v Stevenage
Leyton Orient v Cheltenham Town
Northampton Town v Carlisle United
Portsmouth v Shrewsbury Town
Wigan Athletic v Port Vale

Peterborough, Wycombe, Derby and Fleetwood are without league games due to Peterborough playing Wycombe in the Assciate Members Cup Final at Wembley on Sunday.

Referee

Alex Chilowicz

Previously

Nothing

Historically

This will be the 13th home game against the Imps and the record at home to Lincoln isn't much to write home about with 4 Reading wins compared to 3 Lincoln wins so there will need to be real effort and determination, and more than a little managerial nous to get some return on Saturday.

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 a RoyalTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Snowflake Royal]

Despite the heavy loss, I really don't think there's much to change for this.

Yids should definitely come back in, whether for Mola or Dorsett is largely to taste though. I think Craig should probably come in too as its against a form team, but again him or Savage is largely to taste.

Otherwise, for me, that's it.

I think Kelvin E is still the best left wing option.

[Hendo]

Despite the heavy loss, I really don't think there's much to change for this.

Yids should definitely come back in, whether for Mola or Dorsett is largely to taste though. I think Craig should probably come in too as its against a form team, but again him or Savage is largely to taste.

Otherwise, for me, that's it.

I think Kelvin E is still the best left wing option.

Wouldn't be against bringing in Mukairu to start on the left.

Would also bring Yiadom in for Mola.

Happy with either Savage or Craig.

[Snowflake Royal]

Despite the heavy loss, I really don't think there's much to change for this.

Yids should definitely come back in, whether for Mola or Dorsett is largely to taste though. I think Craig should probably come in too as its against a form team, but again him or Savage is largely to taste.

Otherwise, for me, that's it.

I think Kelvin E is still the best left wing option.

Wouldn't be against bringing in Mukairu to start on the left.

Would also bring Yiadom in for Mola.

Happy with either Savage or Craig.

All fair. I just think Mukairu is a headless chicken who makes stupid decisions. But he does add more pace and can get up and down better than Ehib.

[Hendo]

Despite the heavy loss, I really don't think there's much to change for this.

Yids should definitely come back in, whether for Mola or Dorsett is largely to taste though. I think Craig should probably come in too as its against a form team, but again him or Savage is largely to taste.

Otherwise, for me, that's it.

I think Kelvin E is still the best left wing option.

Wouldn't be against bringing in Mukairu to start on the left.

Would also bring Yiadom in for Mola.

Happy with either Savage or Craig.

All fair. I just think Mukairu is a headless chicken who makes stupid decisions. But he does add more pace and can get up and down better than Ehib.

Could sum up at least half the squad if you break it down like that

Yes, think his pace will help out Dorsett and keep Lincoln honest going forward as well.

[Clyde1998]

Wouldn't be against bringing in Mukairu to start on the left.

Would also bring Yiadom in for Mola.

Happy with either Savage or Craig.

All fair. I just think Mukairu is a headless chicken who makes stupid decisions. But he does add more pace and can get up and down better than Ehib.

Could sum up at least half the squad if you break it down like that

Yes, think his pace will help out Dorsett and keep Lincoln honest going forward as well.

I also think he's more effective over longer periods than either Elliott or Ehib on the wing. He seems to need to grow into games - whilst the other two seem to be effective when thrown on with 20-30 minutes to go against a tired defence.

That said, once we're definitely safe, I don't think we should be using Mukairu (or anyone who's not going to be here next season): start planning and giving minutes to those who we will have next season. Ideally, I like to see Camara come in if he's fit enough.

[Snowflake Royal]

Wouldn't be against bringing in Mukairu to start on the left.

Would also bring Yiadom in for Mola.

Happy with either Savage or Craig.

All fair. I just think Mukairu is a headless chicken who makes stupid decisions. But he does add more pace and can get up and down better than Ehib.

Could sum up at least half the squad if you break it down like that

Yes, think his pace will help out Dorsett and keep Lincoln honest going forward as well.

I was using the squad as the baseline comparison.

Him, Yids, Mbengue, Mola, Azeez. All proper doofus moments at times.

Bindon & Craig, sound as a pound in the thinking and composure department.

[Crowbar6753]

Despite the heavy loss, I really don't think there's much to change for this.

Yids should definitely come back in, whether for Mola or Dorsett is largely to taste though. I think Craig should probably come in too as its against a form team, but again him or Savage is largely to taste.

Otherwise, for me, that's it.

I think Kelvin E is still the best left wing option.

Wouldn't be against bringing in Mukairu to start on the left.

Would also bring Yiadom in for Mola.

Happy with either Savage or Craig.

All fair. I just think Mukairu is a headless chicken who makes stupid decisions. But he does add more pace and can get up and down better than Ehib.

Mukairu also scored that late goal at Bolton so that might boost his confidence.

[NathStPaul]

Fear a heavy defeat in this one.

[Sutekh]

Fear a heavy defeat in this one.

Well that makes a change

[Hound]

Mukairo, Craig and Yids in for Dorsett, Kelv and Savage for me

Definitely prefer Kelvin off the bench atm - he’s a great player to bring on around the hour mark

[windermereROYAL]

Fear a heavy defeat in this one.

Have you ever tried not being a total dick just for one day?

[NathStPaul]

Fear a heavy defeat in this one.

Have you ever tried not being a total dick just for one day?

Lincoln are in great form, a heavy defeat is possible.

[windermereROYAL]

Fear a heavy defeat in this one.

Have you ever tried not being a total dick just for one day?

Lincoln are in great form, a heavy defeat is possible.

So is every game in your opinion.

[NathStPaul]

Have you ever tried not being a total dick just for one day?

Lincoln are in great form, a heavy defeat is possible.

So is every game in your opinion.

A heavy defeat is technically possible in any game of football, yes. Thanks for confirming.

[jd82]

Why are defeats heavy, but wins big?

[NathStPaul]

It's a good question. I quite like the term "heavy win" tbh.

[Royal_jimmy]

Fear a heavy defeat in this one.

There's nothing to fear despite their unbeaten record. I think we'll get at least a draw. We're one of the best sides in the league at home and at Sincil Bank they really couldn't handle our press. They're due a loss as well.

[Mr Angry]

I genuinely fancy us in this game; I am going 3-1 Reading.

[Sutekh]

Late injuries to Sam Smith, Lewis Wing and Harvey Knibbs will mean 3 new squad additions for this one, the FL have already approved but Darragh Anthony has said he'll definiely sue this time as it'll be gaining an unfair sporting advantage.