MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Sutekh » 08 Jan 2025 08:40



When : Saturday January 11 2025, 3pm
Where : SCL, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Next for whatever remains of the squad come Saturday is the utterly drab cup game against Burnley that no-one expects much more from than the usual cup exit. The club are guaranteed to get £25000 out of this game whatever happens but will really need to dig deep and play above and beyond to stand a chance of being involved in the 4th round draw and getting the £115000 winners prize.

Only things of note for this one really are whether Josh Laurent will be involved for Burnley and how “youthful” will Burnley go. Currently Burnley have not been beaten by anyone, anywhere in any competition since losing 1-0 at Millwall in November, that’s 13 games (or 8 wins and 5 draws) ago, so it would be a fair old shock on the face of things if Reading managed to tumble them out.

There is no replay so there’ll be penalties if it’s all square at the final whistle.

Reading have injuries to Camara (yet again), WiFi, Elliott and Yiadom isn’t ready. Dorsett might possibly be involved and Craig might be able to play some part. Chem Campbell is now back with Wolves while the FL consider allowing him to return.

Referee

Andy Davies

Previously

29 Apr 23 > Reading 1-1 Wigan Athletic
18 Oct 22 > Swansea City 3-2 Reading
23 Nov 21 > Reading 0-1 Sheffield United
16 Oct 21 > Reading 1-0 Barnsley
20 Oct 20 > Reading 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers
07 Mar 20 > Birmingham City 1-3 Reading
08 Feb 20 > Reading 1-1 Hull City
18 Aug 19 > Reading 3-0 Cardiff City
09 Mar 19 > Reading 3-2 Wigan Athletic
26 Dec 18 > Millwall 1-0 Reading
02 Oct 18 > Reading 0-1 Queens Park Rangers
28 Feb 18 > Reading 1-3 Sheffield United
19 Sep 17 > Reading 0-2 Swansea City (LC)
07 Mar 17 > Reading 0-0 Newcastle United
26 Dec 16 > Reading 3-1 Norwich City
29 Oct 16 > Reading 2-0 Nottingham Forest
06 Aug 16 > Reading 1-0 Preston North End
15 Sep 15 > Reading 0-1 Derby County

Historically

Reading have played 4 previous FA cup games against Burnley and won 2 of them while drawing a third, so not too bad and all three of those games have been at home in Reading. The draw was almost exactly 60 years ago in January 1965 when Roy Bentley masterminded 3rd division Reading against then illustrious 1st division opposition. The two wins are both in the 3rd round this century, by 3-2 in 2007 and then 1-0 in 2010.

How to follow the game

  1. Get a ticket and go
  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 RoyalsTV subscription
  5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
Last edited by Sutekh on 08 Jan 2025 08:48, edited 1 time in total.

Hound
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Hound » 08 Jan 2025 08:45

Got to go strong and try to win this imo. Any income or prize money may keep us a player in Jan

Looking at the forecast and the suggestion our undersoil heating doesn’t work - could this one be called off? Hopefully not

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Stranded » 08 Jan 2025 08:45

Whatever happens, this probably won't be a massively exciting or pretty game.

Burnley have so far only managed 31 goals in 26 league games - however they have only conceded NINE!

Worth noting that 9 of their 31 goals came in the opening 2 games of the season, so are on a run of just 22 goals in 24 games.

They have not conceded more than once in any league game - the only time they let in 2 was at Wolves in their League Cup defeat. - so 15 clean sheets to date.

14 of their games have either ended 1-0 (7 times), 0-1 (twice) or 0-0 (5 times)

Exciting stuff.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Forty » 08 Jan 2025 09:02

One of the very best things that's happened this season. Have a work course all weekend, and was resigned to missing Wrexham (h). Then we get into 3rd round. Options include an attractive tie over the weekend - would have to miss that too. An attractive tie on Friday / Monday - could cope with that, or the most boring rubbish dull fixture ever invented (bar Watford home or away) . So missing Burnley but get a bonus home game under the lights!

1-0 (Knibbs) followed the next morning by a bid from Burnley for Bindon.

Royals and Racers
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Royals and Racers » 08 Jan 2025 09:06

Andy Davies !!! I fear a nightmare.
For anyone who might not know- final whistle will be either 90 mins or 120 mins.


Clyde1998
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Clyde1998 » 08 Jan 2025 09:24

Hound Got to go strong and try to win this imo. Any income or prize money may keep us a player in Jan

Looking at the forecast and the suggestion our undersoil heating doesn’t work - could this one be called off? Hopefully not

Absolutely go with the strongest possible team. The financial side is important to us and we could also draw an Arsenal/Tottenham away in the next round to get a good payday.

Hope the pitch isn't frozen. Although wasn't it Burnley we had an FA Cup game postponed due to a faulty drainage system in the mid-2000s?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Hound » 08 Jan 2025 09:44

Our best chance of league success is doing well in the cup. Not resting players for it

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tidus_mi2
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by tidus_mi2 » 08 Jan 2025 10:10

Definitely agree with playing the strongest team available, whole week since the last game, whole week until the next, good experience against a strong Championship side and progression would be a great benefit to our current situation.

Yes there is risk of injury to key players, but that's there for every game, not sure how seriously Burnley will take it since they're up and around the automatics but it's so tight that they might not want to take too many risks.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Royals and Racers » 08 Jan 2025 10:44

As expected Reading buses are just running the F 1 Football bus route on Saturday.


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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Snowflake Royal » 08 Jan 2025 11:00

I'd definitely rotate, but keep it fairly strong.

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RG30
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by RG30 » 08 Jan 2025 11:06

Will the game even go ahead? Undersoil heating hasn't been turned on for months.

Clyde1998
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Clyde1998 » 08 Jan 2025 11:26

Snowflake Royal I'd definitely rotate, but keep it fairly strong.

I'm not really sure how we can do that with the squad depth we have.

Looking at the side that started at Charlton,
Charlton starting XI Pereira
Mbengue - Bindon - Dean - Kanu
Knibbs - Wing - Savage
Abrefa - Smith - Garcia
I think the only real changes that could be made without significantly weakening the team would be someone like Camara coming back from an absence (which could allow Abrefa to drop to right-back) or potentially playing Rushesha in central-midfield; Ahmed at right-back or Button in goal.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Hound » 08 Jan 2025 11:28

Snowflake Royal I'd definitely rotate, but keep it fairly strong.


Why out of interest? More so than usual?

If someone is carrying an injury or desperate for a break then fair enough. Otherwise don’t see any reason to


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Hound » 08 Jan 2025 11:30

Clyde1998
Snowflake Royal I'd definitely rotate, but keep it fairly strong.

I'm not really sure how we can do that with the squad depth we have.

Looking at the side that started at Charlton,
Charlton starting XI Pereira
Mbengue - Bindon - Dean - Kanu
Knibbs - Wing - Savage
Abrefa - Smith - Garcia
I think the only real changes that could be made without significantly weakening the team would be someone like Camara coming back from an absence (which could allow Abrefa to drop to right-back) or potentially playing Rushesha in central-midfield; Ahmed at right-back or Button in goal.


Depends on injuries - if Dorsett or Kelvin E are back then I’d bring straight back in.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Mid Sussex Royal » 08 Jan 2025 11:36

I think Burnley will make wholesale changes, they have a key league game against Sunderland next Friday then Leeds the following week.

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Snowflake Royal » 08 Jan 2025 12:24

Hound
Snowflake Royal I'd definitely rotate, but keep it fairly strong.


Why out of interest? More so than usual?

If someone is carrying an injury or desperate for a break then fair enough. Otherwise don’t see any reason to

Protection, plus best opportunity to give those on the edge minutes they may need for jumping in. And I think we'll lose regardless.

It is easier said than done though.

..................Button
Abrefa, Dean, Bindon*, Kanu
...................Wing
......Rushesha^....Savage
Wareham......................Knibbs
...................Smith

*if he gets injured he may stay!
^or whoever is next in the midfield pecking order.

Also a test of how players cope vs Champ side.

With the latest on Craig, it looks like he certainly won't be playing. Really want to see him more in midfield. :cry:

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by stealthpapes » 08 Jan 2025 16:27



Don't really care about the game. Gonna watch it anyway.

traff
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by traff » 08 Jan 2025 16:35

stealthpapes

Don't really care about the game. Gonna watch it anyway.


I am happy to watch most football matches at any level but I cannot remember feeling so apathetic about a Reading game in 45 years.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Vision » 08 Jan 2025 23:42

Snowflake Royal
Hound
Snowflake Royal I'd definitely rotate, but keep it fairly strong.


Why out of interest? More so than usual?

If someone is carrying an injury or desperate for a break then fair enough. Otherwise don’t see any reason to

Protection, plus best opportunity to give those on the edge minutes they may need for jumping in. And I think we'll lose regardless.

It is easier said than done though.

..................Button
Abrefa, Dean, Bindon*, Kanu
...................Wing
......Rushesha^....Savage
Wareham......................Knibbs
...................Smith

*if he gets injured he may stay!
^or whoever is next in the midfield pecking order.

Also a test of how players cope vs Champ side.

With the latest on Craig, it looks like he certainly won't be playing. Really want to see him more in midfield. :cry:


Nothing against the guy as I think he gets a rougher ride than he deserves but at this stage I don’t see the point of playing Button. Either stick with Pereira or give an Academy keeper a go.

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Burnley (h)

by Snowflake Royal » 09 Jan 2025 08:32

Vision
Snowflake Royal
Hound
Why out of interest? More so than usual?

If someone is carrying an injury or desperate for a break then fair enough. Otherwise don’t see any reason to

Protection, plus best opportunity to give those on the edge minutes they may need for jumping in. And I think we'll lose regardless.

It is easier said than done though.

..................Button
Abrefa, Dean, Bindon*, Kanu
...................Wing
......Rushesha^....Savage
Wareham......................Knibbs
...................Smith

*if he gets injured he may stay!
^or whoever is next in the midfield pecking order.

Also a test of how players cope vs Champ side.

With the latest on Craig, it looks like he certainly won't be playing. Really want to see him more in midfield. :cry:


Nothing against the guy as I think he gets a rougher ride than he deserves but at this stage I don’t see the point of playing Button. Either stick with Pereira or give an Academy keeper a go.

It's a fair point, that he's surely not here next summer. And that sending off in the last cup game was moronic.

But Norcott isn't close to ready needing a growth spurt, and CBC has been pretty shit and disappeared, presumably injured.

It's almost a given a keeper will be rotated in cup games, and in the disaster that is Pereira getting injured I think our back up needs as many minutes as possible to keep him fresh should the need arise.

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