MATCHWATCH : Derby County (a) sponsored by first half away goal search

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 4th November, 3pm
Where : Pride Park Stadium, Derby, DE24 8XL
Capacity : 33,597
Away Stand : In a corner between the East and South stands
What might I see in the area : Former Reading players

Well after a win at last and at home and against Derby’s arch rivals in this division, things could be said to be on the up. However as we all know 1 win doesn’t really change anything and another pathetic showing leading to 0 points will have everyone putting Tuesday down as the same freak result as Leeds was being put down to.

Derby are on a roll. 4 straight league victories and are unbeaten in their last 7 league games. They are obviously something quite impressive at the moment following 2-1 successive wins at both Leeds and Norwich so won’t be thinking Reading will pose too much of a problem.

Only two of Derby's ex-Reading contingent are available (Nick Blackman is on loan to Maccabi Tel Aviv) though it is likely that only Vydra will play some part while Pearce continues to be a stand in for Keogh or Shackell if they’re unfit/suspended.

Johnny Russell and Ikechi Anya both missed the last game Derby played while Reading’s injury list is still rather long. The latest to be added were Liam Kelly (hip) and Joey van den Berg (head) so are probably further doubts for the management.

Logic says DO NOT change a winning team but I think we all know Stam well enough to expect there’ll be yet more tinkering though I do expect Kermorgant would continue on the bench as he continues to seek match fitness and build up to a probable start v Wolves after yet another tedious international break.

Anyone out there who wouldn’t grab a point now if it was offered from this one?

Referee

Reading and Derby will have the pleasure of meeting Hampshire’s Keith Stroud for this one



1Apr 2017 > Reading 1-0 Leeds United
14 Feb 2017 > Reading 3-2 Brentford
19 Nov 2016 > Reading 3-0 Burton Albion
28 Dec 2015 > Reading 1-2 Brentford
07 Nov 2015 > Cardiff City 2-0 Reading
03 Oct 2015 > Reading 2-0 Middlesbrough
14 Apr 2015 > Reading 0-1 Bournemouth
29 Mar 2014 > Reading 1-1 Huddersfield Town
11 Jan 2014 > Watford 0-1 Reading
13 Aug 2011 > Leicester City 0-2 Reading
03 Apr 2010 > Ipswich Town 2-1 Reading
06 Feb 2010 > Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Reading
29 Dec 2007 > Tottenham Hotspur 6-4 Reading
22 Sep 2007 > Reading 2-1 Wigan Athletic
25 Feb 2006 > Reading 2-1 Preston North End
23 Aug 2005 > Reading 3-1 Swansea City (League Cup)

Historically

Reading have largely had the upper hand in games against Derby registering almost twice as many wins (22) in all competitions. In the league this game will be the 37th time the two sides have met with all games having been played since 1984 (so, on average, it's been roughly one game a year since then). The return from the 18 previous league trips to Derby is 8 wins, 3 draws and 7 defeats so it is a happier place to hunt for points than most other league grounds.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
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 an iFollow subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[genome]

Will be tough to get a result considering our away form and Derby's general form right now.

Stam earned some brownie points for me on Tuesday with the tactics and team selection, so he's earned some time as a result. I won't be too disheartened with a loss as long as we don't disgrace ourselves. A draw would be a good result.

[Hound]

Draw would be fantastic, but expect we'll lose

Derby are a good side with a good manager, on a decent run of form. We need to play a bit like we did second half - concede possession and try to hit them using Barrow and Aluko's pace, with Swift breaking from midfield.

Unfortunately we still look likely to concede at least 1 per game

[Silver Fox]

Well after a win at last and at home and against Derby’s arch rivals in this division, things could be said to be on the up. However as we all know 1 win doesn’t really change anything and another pathetic showing leading to 0 points will have everyone putting Tuesday down as the same freak result as Leeds was being put down to.

Everyone?

[John Smith]

We are Derby's bogey team, remember. They like to play an expansive pressing game - I can see us nicking this.

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[Tilehurstsouthbank]

thanks

Man of few words Joey..

[genome]

We are Derby's bogey team, remember.

Used to be, not quite so much now. Our record since 2014...

P9 W2 D3 L4

[John Smith]

We are Derby's bogey team, remember.

Used to be, not quite so much now. Our record since 2014...

P9 W2 D3 L4

I don't care, genome. We will win on Saturday.

[genome]

Safe to say the Rams are confident... https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/27553-v-readi ... edictions/

[Hound]

Safe to say the Rams are confident... https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/27553-v-readi ... edictions/

like the labelling of Reading as 'Waitrose'

We have a cracking reputation don't we - Boring, plastic, middle class etc. Feels like we have our own little niche

[tidus_mi2]

Safe to say the Rams are confident... https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/27553-v-readi ... edictions/

The Forest lot were pretty confident too.

[Snowflake Royal]

I actually fancy a decent result. Derby's great run can't last forever, they'll have cause to expect a comfortable win, are likely to take the game to us and not defend doggedly in numbers.

I think 1-1 is very realistic and a tight 0-1 / 1-2 is far from an outlandish prediction.

Hmm, teamsheet could be key. Feck it 2-1 ding. Barrow & Kermie

[NewCorkSeth]

The manager at Derby might change but you can always count on them to oxf*rd it all up at some point.
Unfortunately I dont see them dropping off this early.
I think they will win so all I'm hoping for is a positive attacking performance from us. I want to see us creating chances and hopefully finishing 1 or 2.
I want to see the exact same line up with perhaps a cameo from Kelly rather than Clement and another early introduction of Kermie.
I suspect Derby will be cautios after scouting our previous match. They should know we are much better than we have been and should (if clever) park the bus and hit us on the counter if they want 3 points.

[windermereROYAL]

Safe to say the Rams are confident... https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/27553-v-readi ... edictions/

They are very confident, but who or what is FRGS?

[genome]

Safe to say the Rams are confident... https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/27553-v-readi ... edictions/

They are very confident, but who or what is FRGS?

According to google, it's "Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society". Presumably they get inducted if they get man of the match?

[Gav]

Safe to say the Rams are confident... https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/27553-v-readi ... edictions/

They are very confident, but who or what is FRGS?

I have deduced it to mean First Rams Goal Scorer.

[tidus_mi2]

The only logical change to make from the Forest game would be Kermorgant for Smith, otherwise it should stay completely the same.

[Hound]

I’d keep Yann as sub until after the break tbh

[Berxwedan Zinar]

When I looked at the fixture list at the start of the season, nothing brought home the reality of our defeat in the playoff final as seeing that we were scheduled to play Derby County.