MATCHWATCH : Newcastle United (h) sponsored by damage limitation

[Sutekh]

The rapidly becoming steamroller of Newcastle United roll into town next for quite probably what will turn out to be an evening of desperation for Reading as they try to keep the goal count down.

Of course the club will raise their game and turn on something a little bit better than that which was manifested for the Wolves game but it's going to have to be quite some performance from the team to keep Newcastle out.

At this point I would urge all Reading supporters to treat it it like a cup game and get 100% behind the team from the kick off. However, given the increasing reports that the club stewards seem to be under instruction to do everything that they can to kill any sort of proper supporter behaviour, even that may not be possible. Perhaps we should all arrive with rumblestix, vuvuzelas and have a happy clappy attitude as we sing Sweet Caroline throughout.

As regards team news, Reading will still be without the same players who missed the Wolves game but Saturday's surprise exclusion Garath McCleary is expected to return after being rested to allow the niggles he has been suffering with so far this year to recuperate a little.

Newcastle have a vast array of talent available which sadly includes the return of Dwight Gayle from injury. Rafa though will no doubt confuse everyone with another rotated team selection so who knows who will actually play for them.

Referee

Trying to keep on top of things will be Hampshire's Andy Davies



Previous

26 Dec 2016 > Reading 3-1 Norwich City
29 Oct 2016 > Reading 2-0 Nottingham Forest
06 Aug 2016 > Reading 1-0 Preston North End
15 Sep 2015 > Reading 0-1 Derby County

Historically

Unsurprisingly there are not many league games that have been played between the two clubs. All ten league games have been played since 2006 and this game will therefore be the fifth to be played in Reading. Of the previous four Reading have recorded two wins to Newcastle's one. The one defeat happening the last time the two clubs played at Championship level when Newcastle fairly easily marauded back the the Premier League - sound familar?

Of the ten games Reading have only ever kept one clean sheet, however Newcastle have never managed a clean sheet in deepest Berkshire - in any competition. Best game?

[genome]

Newcastle United (h) sponsored by damage limitation

what will turn out to be an evening of desperation for Reading as they try to keep the goal count down.

[Royal_jimmy]

I would be amazed if Newcastle win 3 away games on the spin to promotion opposition. Yet stranger things have happened.

I was at the away fixture and thought the score massively flattened them and thought we should have scored a couple more.

This is definitely the hardest home game we've had this season but I think we will find a lot more space to pass the ball than against other teams who sit back behind the ball. Newcastle I think will come at us after being full of confidence.

With how strong we are at home, we should be aiming to take a point from this game

[windermereROYAL]

I would be amazed if Newcastle win 3 away games on the spin to promotion opposition. Yet stranger things have happened.

I was at the away fixture and thought the score massively flattened them and thought we should have scored a couple more.

This is definitely the hardest home game we've had this season but I think we will find a lot more space to pass the ball than against other teams who sit back behind the ball. Newcastle I think will come at us after being full of confidence.

With how strong we are at home, we should be aiming to take a point from this game

Newcastle had 24% possession against Huddersfield last night. they just let them have the ball and hit them on the break.

[Half Biscuit]

I would be amazed if Newcastle win 3 away games on the spin to promotion opposition. Yet stranger things have happened.

Yes - like us beating West Ham, Brighton, and Southampton in successive away games in 2012... (OK, they weren't strictly on the spin, and Brighton were just outside the playoffs - but to us at the time they were all rivals.)
Strong teams win games like that.

Beating Newcastle in the Prem was great, but the best home game I can remember against them was a 3-3 cup match in the late 80's. If we can get that kind of atmosphere going, we might be in with a shout.
Probably be just rumblesticks though.

[Richard]

I would be amazed if Newcastle win 3 away games on the spin to promotion opposition. Yet stranger things have happened.

Yes - like us beating West Ham, Brighton, and Southampton in successive away games in 2012... (OK, they weren't strictly on the spin, and Brighton were just outside the playoffs - but to us at the time they were all rivals.)
Strong teams win games like that.

Beating Newcastle in the Prem was great, but the best home game I can remember against them was a 3-3 cup match in the late 80's. If we can get that kind of atmosphere going, we might be in with a shout.
Probably be just rumblesticks though.

January 1990. Mark McGhee scored twice, Kevin Dillon was substitute for Newcastle

[Hound]

Think they'll just be too good and confident for us unfortunately. Close game but going for 1-0 to them

[CountryRoyal]

I would be amazed if Newcastle win 3 away games on the spin to promotion opposition. Yet stranger things have happened.

I would have agreed before the Brighton game, but having dealt with those two and now have to face us, id say in this context it would be stranger if they didn't win 3 away games on the spin.

As the away team should still get pretty decent odds on the Judas bet, i know I'm lumping on.

[Saaaaaaaammmmmm]

Thought Newcastle were a bit rubbish against Huddersfield, shouldn't have had a penalty for their first goal and then the second was contentious, if not then they've been handed one by Danny Ward. Oh and the third goal was just

So having seen that and also them winning a game at Brighton which they really shouldn't (nothing suggested they would equalise until Diame's fluke and Brighton should've put them away anyway)... I'm not sure they're that great. I mean they're top of the league but it's not like they've swatted aside their nearest rivals and are going to steamroller us as well. You'd make them favourites with Gayle back, but if our players are seriously going to step up and get us promoted this season this is the kind of statement game you need to win. Our mediocre form recently might be enough to keep us in the playoffs but it'll see us well beaten if we come up against Huddersfield, Leeds or god forbid Brighton over two legs or at Wembley. Time for our lot to prove they can be big game players starting with what should be a good atmosphere Tuesday

[Sutekh]

Thought Newcastle were a bit rubbish against Huddersfield, shouldn't have had a penalty for their first goal and then the second was contentious, if not then they've been handed one by Danny Ward. Oh and the third goal was just

So having seen that and also them winning a game at Brighton which they really shouldn't (nothing suggested they would equalise until Diame's fluke and Brighton should've put them away anyway)... I'm not sure they're that great. I mean they're top of the league but it's not like they've swatted aside their nearest rivals and are going to steamroller us as well. You'd make them favourites with Gayle back, but if our players are seriously going to step up and get us promoted this season this is the kind of statement game you need to win. Our mediocre form recently might be enough to keep us in the playoffs but it'll see us well beaten if we come up against Huddersfield, Leeds or god forbid Brighton over two legs or at Wembley. Time for our lot to prove they can be big game players starting with what should be a good atmosphere Tuesday

^ this. I would dearly hope Stam gets our players believing and pumped up for the game so they treat it like a cup tie and rise to the occasion and produce a performance of much higher quality (e.g. the first 30 minutes at Derby) and not do what they did for their last big game at ManU when they just didn't bother turning up at all.

[tidus_mi2]

Just spoke with my Geordie colleague who is in the away end tomorrow, says he know loads of Newcastle fans who have got tickets in the home end, so hopefully we win just to keep them quiet.

Must be close to a full attendance if the Newcastle fans are plugging the gaps in the home end.

[Sutekh]

Just spoke with my Geordie colleague who is in the away end tomorrow, says he know loads of Newcastle fans who have got tickets in the home end, so hopefully we win just to keep them quiet.

Must be close to a full attendance if the Newcastle fans are plugging the gaps in the home end.

Believe so, think a 23k+ crowd is anticipated by the club.

[CountryRoyal]

Just spoke with my Geordie colleague who is in the away end tomorrow, says he know loads of Newcastle fans who have got tickets in the home end, so hopefully we win just to keep them quiet.

Must be close to a full attendance if the Newcastle fans are plugging the gaps in the home end.

Believe so, think a 23k+ crowd is anticipated by the club.

Very few seats showing as available on the site and can't imagine too many STH would miss this one.

[Kuhl_Runnings]

Thought Newcastle were a bit rubbish against Huddersfield, shouldn't have had a penalty for their first goal and then the second was contentious, if not then they've been handed one by Danny Ward. Oh and the third goal was just

So having seen that and also them winning a game at Brighton which they really shouldn't (nothing suggested they would equalise until Diame's fluke and Brighton should've put them away anyway)... I'm not sure they're that great. I mean they're top of the league but it's not like they've swatted aside their nearest rivals and are going to steamroller us as well. You'd make them favourites with Gayle back, but if our players are seriously going to step up and get us promoted this season this is the kind of statement game you need to win. Our mediocre form recently might be enough to keep us in the playoffs but it'll see us well beaten if we come up against Huddersfield, Leeds or god forbid Brighton over two legs or at Wembley. Time for our lot to prove they can be big game players starting with what should be a good atmosphere Tuesday

^ this. I would dearly hope Stam gets our players believing and pumped up for the game so they treat it like a cup tie and rise to the occasion and produce a performance of much higher quality (e.g. the first 30 minutes at Derby) and not do what they did for their last big game at ManU when they just didn't bother turning up at all.

+2, the atmosphere better be class for this (I'm expecting it to be). This game has been on my mind all day so I'm hoping for something to celebrate

[Sutekh]

Thought Newcastle were a bit rubbish against Huddersfield, shouldn't have had a penalty for their first goal and then the second was contentious, if not then they've been handed one by Danny Ward. Oh and the third goal was just

So having seen that and also them winning a game at Brighton which they really shouldn't (nothing suggested they would equalise until Diame's fluke and Brighton should've put them away anyway)... I'm not sure they're that great. I mean they're top of the league but it's not like they've swatted aside their nearest rivals and are going to steamroller us as well. You'd make them favourites with Gayle back, but if our players are seriously going to step up and get us promoted this season this is the kind of statement game you need to win. Our mediocre form recently might be enough to keep us in the playoffs but it'll see us well beaten if we come up against Huddersfield, Leeds or god forbid Brighton over two legs or at Wembley. Time for our lot to prove they can be big game players starting with what should be a good atmosphere Tuesday

^ this. I would dearly hope Stam gets our players believing and pumped up for the game so they treat it like a cup tie and rise to the occasion and produce a performance of much higher quality (e.g. the first 30 minutes at Derby) and not do what they did for their last big game at ManU when they just didn't bother turning up at all.

+2, the atmosphere better be class for this (I'm expecting it to be). This game has been on my mind all day so I'm hoping for something to celebrate

Wonder how many geordies will be ejected from the home ends by stewards tonight - also wonder if Mick Gooding will get through security.

[Royal Ginger]

Big crowd, 4,000 geordies plus a whole load of day trippers. Quiet one end loud the other.

Would bite your hand off for a draw.

[Sutekh]

Reading XI: Habsi, Gunter, McShane, Blackett, Moore, Mutch, Berg, Kelly, Grabban, McCleary, Kermorgant

Subs : Jaakkola, Williams, Swift, Obita, Evans, Beerens, Popa

[Hound]

Hmm, interesting. Stam likes to make a few changes doesn't he?

I'm not mad about Kelly and Mutch coming back in - still let's see

[Emeraldroyal]

Just spoke with my Geordie colleague who is in the away end tomorrow, says he know loads of Newcastle fans who have got tickets in the home end, so hopefully we win just to keep them quiet.

Must be close to a full attendance if the Newcastle fans are plugging the gaps in the home end.

Believe so, think a 23k+ crowd is anticipated by the club.

Very few seats showing as available on the site and can't imagine too many STH would miss this one.

I am...I'm stuck in bloody Basildon...don't ask.

Come on boys. Make us proud

[seahawk10]

Reading XI: Habsi, Gunter, McShane, Blackett, Moore, Mutch, Berg, Kelly, Grabban, McCleary, Kermorgant

Subs : Jaakkola, Williams, Swift, Obita, Evans, Beerens, Popa

That is a strong bench. Should give Stam the weapons needed to chase the game if we fall behind.