MATCHWATCH : Sunderland (a) sponsored by Charlie Hurley

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 2nd December, 3pm
Where : Stadium of Light, Sunderland, SR5 1SU
Capacity : 48,707
Away Stand : Behind the goal in the upper tier of the North Stand
What might I see in the area : Depression

Really not looking forward to this one. Longest away trip of the season to face a struggling team with a new manager in charge for his first home game so everyone’s bound to rock up as if it’s the opening day of the season and all that has gone before never happened.

Then, on top of that, Sunderland have not won a home game of any description since beating Watford 1-0 back on 16th December 2016 and given Reading’s season so far, and the tendency to collapse without trace whenever they play opponents on this type of run, things probably could not be more difficult.

It is therefore critical Reading get in the faces of Sunderland from the off and not allow them to build any momentum. It is vital Reading keep possession and frustrate the opposition and fans as much as possible so any good will from the terraces starts to evaporate. All in all not easy, everyone will have to be up for this so let’s hope Stam has some sort of plan that catches everyone out as Chris Coleman knows a good deal about Reading having being a regular visitor to watch Edwards and Gunter (so something else for the Gunter scapegoaters to blame him for no doubt).

Sunderland have doubts over Lamine Kone, Josh Maja, Jonny Williams and Duncan Watmore. I don’t believe there’s any new injury worries for Reading and Liam Moore can breathe easily for a while as being booked now won’t mean an automatic suspension. Therefore Stam is likely to have the option of playing the same starting XI for an incredible 3rd game in a row

Referee

So enraptured was he with Reading’s performance at Derby last month, Hampshire’s Keith Stroud has jumped at the chance to make the journey and renew his acquaintance with the club for the fourth time this year.



Previously with Mr Stroud

04 Nov 2017 > Derby County 2-4 Reading
01 Apr 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

Sunderland are another of these teams that Reading have barely seen anything of down the years. The first time they played each other was in a 1-1 draw at Roker Park in the FA Cup in 1973. A season which saw Sunderland win the competition.

First league game was in the 2nd Division in 1986 when Reading drew 1-1 at Roker Park (Paul Canoville ). In total there have been a whopping 8 seasons shared by the clubs, of which Sunderland have had the best return by winning on 4 occasions to Reading’s 2 successes.

For the record Reading never lost a game at Roker Park (1 win and 3 draws incl. the FA Cup game) but have only won once at the Stadium of Light (1 win and 4 defeats).

Reading have also never kept a clean sheet at the Stadium of Light and have only kept Sunderland down to 1 goal on 1 occasion at that venue.

Opposition Preview

http://www.sunderlandmad.com/t18766-sun ... -v-reading

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel all the way up north
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)

[Hound]

Be interesting this one. Horrible journey and prob last thing we could have done with after the busy schedule. Still at least its not a Tuesday night

Reckon Sunderland may well go for it from the off, biggish crowd etc. Strikes me we could well hit them hard on the counter as we did Derby. As usual, depends on who scores first.

Be happy to play the same starting 11, though wouldn't be upset to see Jon Dadi in for Yann and Clement in for Kelly. Would also be a shout to play Richards and move Bacuna into midfield, but prob should keep the same back 4/5 after two clean sheets

[If you still hate Futcher]

How to follow the game

* Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad

Is that to get the coach to SOL?

[Sutekh]

How to follow the game

* Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad

Is that to get the coach to SOL?

Good spot. I've corrected it now. But you could still do that if you wanted the coach.

[windermereROYAL]

Could be a uncomfortable afternoon, new manager, new methods, he already stated they have a week to make plans against our Dutch style.
Bound to be a boisterous 30.000 plus crowd, it they get their 1st win home win in nearly a year we are likely to see a lap of honour.

[CountryRoyal]

You know Grabban is nailed on to get at least one.

[Snowball]

You know Grabban is nailed on to get at least one.

Doubt it. Apparently, according to one bookie he was 5-1 to score for READING last night.

[Snowball]

You know Grabban is nailed on to get at least one.

but yes

[genome]

This has unnerving parallels to the time Villa, freshly relegated from the Premier League, came to the Madejski without an away win in absolutely ages.

Nailed on home win.

[Marino13]

lets hope the stewards are nicer this time!
worst overzealous stewards i've ever encountered at a football match.
the best - nottingham forest.

[The Cap]

And let's hope it doesn't lash down with rain during the morning, resulting in one of their own coming in the pub at 1 o'clock to announce that the game's been called off Remember it well.

[Silver Fox]

Poor run for the Mackems
Even worse home run
New manager in
Lewis Grabban scoring goals

When they ignore our semi-decent form the usual suspects' posts pretty much write themselves for this one eh?

[Hound]

Looks thankfully like it won’t quite be as miserably freezing cold there as it has been last couple of days at least

In relative terms of course. I’m sure it’s always pretty cold in sunderland

[genome]

Poor run for the Mackems
Even worse home run
New manager in
Lewis Grabban scoring goals

When they ignore our semi-decent form the usual suspects' posts pretty much write themselves for this one eh?

It probably will happen. The annoying thing is, those very same usual suspects will be on here moaning about it until they are blue in the face, even though that was what they predicted would happen

[Sutekh]

Poor run for the Mackems
Even worse home run
New manager in
Lewis Grabban scoring goals

When they ignore our semi-decent form the usual suspects' posts pretty much write themselves for this one eh?

It probably will happen. The annoying thing is, those very same usual suspects will be on here moaning about it until they are blue in the face, even though that was what they predicted would happen

Would depend on the manner really. If it's really good show from the players on the day and they lose then possibly not, but if it's another load of utter cr@p like that which surfaced in the first half v Bolton or at Sheffield United or at home to Middlesbrough or etc. then it's justified however you called it beforehand.

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[genome]

Poor run for the Mackems
Even worse home run
New manager in
Lewis Grabban scoring goals

When they ignore our semi-decent form the usual suspects' posts pretty much write themselves for this one eh?

It probably will happen. The annoying thing is, those very same usual suspects will be on here moaning about it until they are blue in the face, even though that was what they predicted would happen

Would depend on the manner really. If it's really good show from the players on the day and they lose then possibly not, but if it's another load of utter cr@p like that which surfaced in the first half v Bolton or at Sheffield United or at home to Middlesbrough or etc. then it's justified however you called it beforehand.

That never happens though. There are always moaners with every loss in the league, no matter how well we play.

[Marino13]

Poor run for the Mackems
Even worse home run
New manager in
Lewis Grabban scoring goals

PARKLIFE

[Snowball]

https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/201 ... ton-albion


Looking at this, Burton missed plenty of chances, but is it my imagination
or do a few of the Sunderland players look less than fully fit?

[Royals and Racers]

Unchanged again !!!!!