MATCHWATCH : Burton Albion (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday January 28 2025, 7.45pm
Where : Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton upon Trent, DE13 0BH
Capacity 6,912

A trip next to bottom 4 challenging Burton Albion for a possible proverbial hiding to nothing.

The Staffordshire outfit are in the bottom 4, 6 points adrift of safety. Their form is poor with just 2 wins in their last 10 league games but the issue with that is that the Brewers are on a run of 2 wins (v Wigan and v Rotherham) from their last 2 games so things are picking up for them.

And no wonder things picking up in Burton, as they may well do for many sides this time of year, because they can actually strengthen in something called a transfer window. Seems clubs can use a period or two over the course of a year to try and improve the playing standard of their squads by bringing in players they actually want. Unfortunately it’s only allowed for clubs that don’t have incompetents running them though . Anyway Burton have signed Bod, a week or so ago from Wrexham, and he’s scored thrice in 2 games to lift every one, so it’s quite clear who needs to be marked out of the game for starters. After that there’s Danilo Orsi and Billy Bodin (good proper lower division footie player name there) to keep quiet otherwise Reading will be walking into prime embarrassment territory.

Dorsett has returned to his usual home on the injury list and could be out for anything up to 3 months (perhaps someone will buy him for next season), Abrefa is missing in action somewhere and Yiadom probably still won’t be considered ready so perm any other 11 from the Orient disappointment.

Referee

Will Finnie

Previously

10 Aug 24 > Birmingham City 1-1 Reading
09 Apr 24 > Bristol Rovers 0-2 Reading
09 Jan 24 > Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Reading (Associate Members Cup)
26 Aug 23 > Exeter City 2-1 Reading

History

This is fourth trip to the Pirelli and so far Reading have won twice and only lost once but that defeat was last year’s pathetic showing.

How to follow the game

1. Ticket yourself, be brave and travel
2. Sky Red button/NOW app
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 a RoyalTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Gunny Fishcake]

After yesterday's dismal performance I'd happily settle for a dour 0-0 just to get a point.

[Snowflake Royal]

Midweek away game against relegation threatened team beginning with B who have just had a couple of wins. Couldn’t get much more nailed on as an RFC away win, at least as far as confidence in RFC away wins can ever be good these last 5 /6 years.

Relegation zone teams quite often pick up a couple of wins here or there to give themselves a chance, but theyre relegation zone because they can't sustain it and breakdown as the pressure mounts the closer they get to safety. Then go on another poor run. We've seen it ourselves countless times.

Biggest threat seems to be Burton are apparently one of the dirtier sides, and we all know we struggle against organised physical teams. Thankfully, Burton's position suggests they aren't very organised. On top of that we've already beaten them comfortably once.

..................Pereira
Abrefa*, Dean, Bindon, Kanu
....................Craig
.............Wing, Knibbs
Campbell .................Ehibhatiomhan
....................Smith

Please. Craig has been increasingly poor at RB since before his injury, and Wing is getting worse at DM. Too many Hollywood balls making us too direct. It just keeps coming back.

Harsh on Savage, but him and Knibbs don't work great together as they're always off racing all over the pitch meaning there's no one holding shape.

Campbell needs to get his head right, because he made loads of mistakes against Orient. And we desperately need an actual attacking threat on the left. And give them the ball, it was rather pointless bringing on Kelv and then mostly ignoring him.

*Rushesha

[Royals and Racers]

No overnight hotel for the team before the game- leaving 9.15am tomorrow morning.

[Brogue]

No overnight hotel for the team before the game- leaving 9.15am tomorrow morning.

wtf it’s only 2 and half hours away.

[stealthpapes]

You ever been to the East Midlands. Will feel like a lifetime.

[Snowflake Royal]

They should have left 30 years ago to arrive on Burton time

[stealthpapes]

Off to see Showaddywaddy after the game.

[Sutekh]

Off to see Showaddywaddy after the game.

Didn’t one of them play for Luton at some point?

[Silver Fox]

Yep, drummer Romeo Challenger (great name) I'm sure there used to be an urban myth that he was Dion Dublin's dad

[stealthpapes]

Yep, drummer Romeo Challenger (great name) I'm sure there used to be an urban myth that he was Dion Dublin's dad

BUT WHICH DRUMMER?

His actual son (Ben) won some athletics medals.

Ironically, one of the other members of Showaddywaddy was the dad of a professional footballer, maybe its where the Luton thing comes from.

[stealthpapes]

That's my Showaddywaddy knowledge done.

Midweek game, team beginning with B tho'.

Come on, can't be as shite as the last two games.

[rabidbee]

Come on, can't be as shite as the last two games.

Well that's jinxed it.

[Mr Angry]

In the context of our season, an away draw against an in-form team battling relegation would be a good result.

However, given the last couple of performances/results, I would suggest that for - at the very least - morale purposes, this needs to be a Reading win.

2-1 Reading.

[stealthpapes]

Come on, can't be as shite as the last two games.

Well that's jinxed it.

[Snowflake Royal]

Paging snowball to provide an essay of poorly conceived and inaccurate stats to show us all how Burton are absolutely nailed on to win,in reverse jinxo fashion.

[Hound]

Would be happy with Ian’s team above

Just read Wellens’ comments about our wingers not tracking back? Is this a thing? Not happy if so and would be giving Chem and whoever playing left a kick up the backside and ensure this happens.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Would be happy with Ian’s team above

Just read Wellens’ comments about our wingers not tracking back? Is this a thing? Not happy if so and would be giving Chem and whoever playing left a kick up the backside and ensure this happens.

Yes - particularly given our full back options and lack of pace at the back.

[Snowflake Royal]

Would be happy with Ian’s team above

Just read Wellens’ comments about our wingers not tracking back? Is this a thing? Not happy if so and would be giving Chem and whoever playing left a kick up the backside and ensure this happens.

100% a thing.

The person usually supporting a full back is Knibbs or Savage... the central midfielders. Leaving a bloody huge gap in the middle when they do.

It's not new to Hunt either. Same under Selles.

[Sutekh]