Stoke v Reading match thread, sponsored by fat lady in white

[Millsy]

My first ever match thread, sorry if it's rubbish, but just had to honour that big boned lady.

Those who are not plastic, ahem, I mean who were there will know what I'm on about.

COME ON READING!!!!!!!!!!

[Arnie_Pie]

If you start the thread, at least put in some stats or something.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

- Reading are unbeaten in their last six league games against Stoke.
- However, the Potters did beat the Royals on penalties in the League Cup in September 2008 following a 2-2 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke City
- The Potters are winless in six games, losing four of those matches.
- The victory against Liverpool on Boxing Day is their only win in their last 10 top-flight games.
- They have conceded 17 goals in their last seven league games, compared to just four in the previous 10 matches.
- Stoke have registered fewer shots on target (75) than any other Premier League side.
- Tony Pulis's side have scored 25% of their goals in the opening 15 minutes, the highest figure in the top flight.

Reading
- The Royals have scored a division-high 41% of their goals in the final 15 minutes of games.
- Reading have won four of their last six league matches and have only lost one of seven since Christmas (W4, D2, L1). They'd previously suffered seven successive defeats.
- The Royals have claimed five points away from home this season - fewer than any other top-flight side.
- Each of Reading's last five Premier League games have seen at least three goals scored.

LAWRO'S PREDICTION: 2-0

"Reading are the comeback kings and on a great run of late. There is more to their recent form than Adam Le Fondre's goals too - they have been very competitive in all of their games, which has given them the chance to make those late recoveries.

"It seems a while since Stoke's last league win, which in fact came against Liverpool on Boxing Day. They need to put that right, but at least they showed signs of being difficult to beat again against Arsenal last week."

HULK HOGANS'S PREDICTION: 2-0

ARNIE PIE'S PREDICTION - 1-2

[RockheadRumple]

Or, better yet, wait until the team is actually announced.

Fo' serious, yo.

[SLAMMED]

Or, better yet, wait until the team is actually announced.

Fo' serious, yo.

Indeed. Poor form 2ww1wc

[RockheadRumple]

Or, better yet, wait until the team is actually announced.

Fo' serious, yo.

Indeed. Poor form 2ww1wc

Only what we've come to expect from him, tbh.
I don't quite get the sponsor, either.

[BenSmith91]

Expect to see an unchanged side, depending on the fitness of the Jamaican boys. I think we can get something today.

[Royal91]

My team would be

============Federici=============

Kelly====Pearce==Mariappa====Harte

=========L,wood==Guthrie=========

=============Hope==============

Kebe==========Pog===========McAnuff

[Royals and Racers]

Blackman starts in place of Mccleary

[RedRum]

@ReadingFC: Today's #readingfc line up: Federci, Kelly, Harte, Mariappa, Pearce, Leigertwood, Akpan, McAnuff (C), Kebe, Blackman, Pogrebnyak

Blackman as striker, attacking midfielder or winger??
Odd change from mcD. In Brian we trust though.

[RFCSPACE]

Get the big men in, fight fire with fire.

[leicsRoyal]

Blackman starts in place of Mccleary

4-4-2 with Blackman in and ALF still on the bench.

[philM]

Subs: Taylor, Shorey, Morrison, Karacan, McCleary, Le Fondre, Hunt

[cmonurz]

Very strange. Assume we are going 4-4-1-1 with McAnuff left and Blackman in the hole.

[cmonurz]

No Guthrie at all?!

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Where is Danny Guthrie?

[Za Vas]

Alfie can't have been pleased with this.

[AirRaidSiren]

No Guthrie??

[Royal91]

McDermott said Blackman can play as a winger, so I fully expect to see him left mid with Jobi through the middle!

[LoyalRoyalFan]

McDermott said Blackman can play as a winger, so I fully expect to see him left mid with Jobi through the middle!

Surely McCleary would be a better option? Where is Hal Robson-Kanu these days?

[RFCSPACE]

Blackman starts in place of Mccleary

4-4-2 with Blackman in and ALF still on the bench.

ALF will get battered by Stoke. Blackman should win some headers and throw some elbows.