Well it's in the hands of Reading Football Club still and that's all you could ask for.
As ever though with Reading if it's going to be done, it's going to have to be done the hard way with no Paul McShane and quite possibly no Jordan Obita and if there's one team you really didn't want to have half your defence ripped out for it's Fulham.
So Jaap now has to perm another defensive line. He has options but if Obita is gone as well it is very much make do and mend. As I see it the logical step is to play Ilori instead of McShane and move Blackett over to left back. The question then is do Reading play 5 at the back or play 4 and perhaps double up on defensive midfielders. Another option is to totally alter the formation by moving Gunter over to left back and asking Tennai Watson to step in at right back. Lastly there's always the option of Reece Oxford for what would be the biggest game of his career so far.
The other question is whether Liam Kelly will be over his illness in time. In a way I'm glad he missed the game as if he is fit he'll be fresher and that can only be good given his style of play and having someone getting involved and stirring things up is just what the cub will need.
I'm also expecting McCleary to be thrown at Fulham in the hope that he can give an hour or so to occupy the Fulham defence and, if he plays on the left, he could help keep Fredericks nailed down and therefore stop too much getting at what would be a weakened left side without Obita.
The biggest factor though has to be the supporters. There really needs to be effort from ALL stands CONTINUALLY throughout the game and none of the pathetic library quality atmosphere that has been about throughout most of the season. Fans need to be noisy and right behind every move of the players, they need to make sure Fulham do not feel welcome during the game and be on the back of the referee for every decision.
As to the game, well it's a quite simple case of having to beat Fulham on the night. There will be 90 minutes to do it in, and then another 30 minutes if it's still level. Heaven help us if it goes to penalties though as given the dreadful performance from the spot of both clubs this season any penalty shoot out may well still be running by the time the proposed play off final comes round (so if you happen to read this Mr Stam, make sure there is some penalty practice in training).
Referee
Referee does not appear to have been appointed yet but I believe it is likely to be one of Andre Marriner, Robert Madley or Graham Scott.
Historically
Reading at home to Fulham in the league has seen a 50% success rate for Reading while Fulham have a 30% win rate (20 games played). It all gets rather depressing though looking at the cup games played between the clubs in Reading which has seen 5 games previously (2 in the FA Cup and 3 in the League Cup) and Reading are still waiting to record a win.
URZ
Sorry to hear she wasn't a sport though, new wench is in order!