MATCHWATCH : West Bromwich Albion (a) sponsored by Paxo, probably

[Sutekh]

When :, Saturday, 6th October, 3pm
Where : The Hawthorns, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4LF
Capacity : 26,850
Away Stand : One side of the Smethwick End
What might I see in the area : Chips

It’s nearing Christmas now and so the turkeys are onward to early pacesetters West Brom for their pre Xmas inspection

Fresh out of the cage after their magnificent showing on Tuesday all will be gobbling up the opportunity to put things right in the West Midlands against a fully fit squad that was in the PL last season and have only just added free agent Bakary Sako to their ranks after his release from Palace in the summer.

Reading’s persistent run of injuries injury problems, dating back to the summer of 2017, continue to bedevil them with now Bodvarsson added to the list alongside Baldock (Edwards, Obita and Popa are the others). McCleary, Meyler, McShane and Harriott could all be available but are obviously not match fit to varying degrees so really can only be considered for places on the bench. On top of that Meite will also be serving a 1 game ban for 5 bookings so presumably even McNulty can get a start when he’s the only striker left (not holding my breath on that one though).

Expectation for this one is about as low as it gets especially as QPR were done 7-1 there and Robson-Kanu is bound to score. On the upside Reading’s skilful avoidance of playing any football this week should see them fresh and raring to go when it all resumes after the next international break.

Referee

It’s Darren England, already back in charge after his previous go when Reading travelled to Villa and still looking to play a part in a decisive result.



Previously

25 Aug 2018 > Aston Villa 1-1 Reading
13 Jan 2018 > Hull City 0-0 Reading

Historically

This will be the 16th visit to The Hawthorns for a league game and it’s a right tale of miserable woe with a catalogue of defeat after defeat stretching all the way back to the 1920s.

Reading have managed to produce an incredible 12 defeats from their 15 previous league visits with the only sojourn being a couple of successive wins back in the mid 1980s - of all times.

How to follow the game, if you’re really are still bothered about it all

1. Get a ticket and travel
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)
   

[Old Man Andrews]

It would just be typical of us to go up there and get something, highly unlikely though.

Reckon we see McNulty start and get isolated on his own.

[Hound]

Going to be very tough this one. Ilori, Ezatolohi and Moore will have to play out of their skins I reckon

Didn't realise Meite was suspended. Sadly that might mean another run out for the appalling Aluko.

[Old Man Andrews]

Going to be very tough this one. Ilori, Ezatolohi and Moore will have to play out of their skins I reckon

Didn't realise Meite was suspended. Sadly that might mean another run out for the appalling Aluko.

No way he can play Aluko surely? It would be suicide.

[Hound]

Could see Loader get some minutes which would be nice

[stealthpapes]

NOT THE FACE

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Potentially no Bod, Baldock or Meite. Would like to think that Mcnulty and Loader get some minutes.

Knowing Reading, will probably be Barrow will be a lone striker with Aluko pinging crosses to the linesman or floating a looping ball into the 6 yard box for him to challenge for.

[NewCorkSeth]

----------------Walker
Yiadom---Ilori---Moore---Gunter
---------------Ezatolahi
-------Bacuna---------Swift
Sims----------------------------Barrow
---------------McNulty

Mannone
Blackett
O'Shea
Rinomhota
Kelly
McCleary
Loader

Best we have if Bodvarson and Baldock are out.

[Hound]

----------------Walker
Yiadom---Ilori---Moore---Gunter
---------------Ezatolahi
-------Bacuna---------Swift
Sims----------------------------Barrow
---------------McNulty

Mannone
Blackett
O'Shea
Rinomhota
Kelly
McCleary
Loader

Best we have if Bodvarson and Baldock are out.

yeah that.

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[Coppells Lost Coat]

----------------Walker
Yiadom---Ilori---Moore---Gunter
---------------Ezatolahi
-------Bacuna---------Swift
Sims----------------------------Barrow
---------------McNulty

Mannone
Blackett
O'Shea
Rinomhota
Kelly
McCleary
Loader

Best we have if Bodvarson and Baldock are out.

It almost has to be this line up, unless we have more injuries or quick recoveries. But Gunter will be on the right.

[CountryRoyal]

This should be sponsored by Gylfi’s extra time FA cup winner.

[NewCorkSeth]

----------------Walker
Yiadom---Ilori---Moore---Gunter
---------------Ezatolahi
-------Bacuna---------Swift
Sims----------------------------Barrow
---------------McNulty

Mannone
Blackett
O'Shea
Rinomhota
Kelly
McCleary
Loader

Best we have if Bodvarson and Baldock are out.

It almost has to be this line up, unless we have more injuries or quick recoveries. But Gunter will be on the right.

Oh for sure. But it's not what I think the line up will be, it's what I want it to be.

[windermereROYAL]

With McCleary and Harriott nearing full fitness there must be a case to replace both Aluko and Barrow, the latter has under performed badly this season.

[NewCorkSeth]

With McCleary and Harriott nearing full fitness there must be a case to replace both Aluko and Barrow, the latter has under performed badly this season.

Is he though? Is he?

Barrow still leads us for key passes per game and by my guesstimations he is a close second in second assists.

He's been below par for sure but badly? No. Hes been let down by his teammates failures more than he has let down his teammates.

Besides:
"If no better player exists, we must persist"

[Coppells Lost Coat]

With McCleary and Harriott nearing full fitness there must be a case to replace both Aluko and Barrow, the latter has under performed badly this season.

Is he though? Is he?

Barrow still leads us for key passes per game and by my guesstimations he is a close second in second assists.

He's been below par for sure but badly? No. Hes been let down by his teammates failures more than he has let down his teammates.

Besides:
"If no better player exists, we must persist"

Last night highlighted that all his pace and ability to beat a player counts for absolutely nothing unless you do something with the ball.
When you know a player isn't going to pass the ball it makes it very easy to defend.

[Kulshaw72RFC]

4-0 loss, Clement on a knifes edge.

[NewCorkSeth]

With McCleary and Harriott nearing full fitness there must be a case to replace both Aluko and Barrow, the latter has under performed badly this season.

Is he though? Is he?

Barrow still leads us for key passes per game and by my guesstimations he is a close second in second assists.

He's been below par for sure but badly? No. Hes been let down by his teammates failures more than he has let down his teammates.

Besides:
"If no better player exists, we must persist"

Last night highlighted that all his pace and ability to beat a player counts for absolutely nothing unless you do something with the ball.
When you know a player isn't going to pass the ball it makes it very easy to defend.

You mean like his pass to Yiadom who assisted Bodvarsons goal against Hull? You know the one where his run into the box started the whole thing?

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Is he though? Is he?

Barrow still leads us for key passes per game and by my guesstimations he is a close second in second assists.

He's been below par for sure but badly? No. Hes been let down by his teammates failures more than he has let down his teammates.

Besides:
"If no better player exists, we must persist"

Last night highlighted that all his pace and ability to beat a player counts for absolutely nothing unless you do something with the ball.
When you know a player isn't going to pass the ball it makes it very easy to defend.

You mean like his pass to Yiadom who assisted Bodvarsons goal against Hull? You know the one where his run into the box started the whole thing?

Didn't realise we played Hull last night

[Hound]

he did assist Meite's effort against the post tbf. Good run as well