When : Saturday 16 February, 3pm
Where : Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU
Capacity : 32,702
Away Stand : Behind the goal in the Redbrik Estate Agency Stand (usually the upper tier)
What might I see in the area : steel (but no sapphire)
And the Sheffield saga comes to an end for another season with part two following hard on the heels of last week’s goalless pleasure in the blue half of the city of Sheffield
This has to be seen as a “bonus ball”. No one expects Reading to get anything whatsoever so the pressure is right off and all heaped on the Blades as they will look to continue their great from this season that has seen them become genuine promotion contenders.
United have won 7 of their last 12 in the league and are unbeaten at home in the league since losing to WBA in mid December. They have scored in all but one of those games. They have shown grit, fight and determination but also can be subject to a little bit of panic from time to time like in the 3-3 draw with Villa a week or two ago.
The Blades have a doubt over Jack O’Connell’s fitness and Chris Basham is suspended. Reading’s injury concerns really are Rinomhota and perhaps Eza who theoretically should be available again if his comment 3 or 4 weeks ago was correct – although he’s not going to be match fit but perhaps a place on the bench might be possible, though if that happens one of the other loanees will have to miss out entirely
So this will definitely need a performance akin to the Forest and 2nd half v Blackburn to get anything out of it. Last thing we all need is another Blackburn first half performance otherwise it’ll all be over after half an hour. For the record Rotherham are at home to Sheffield Wednesday with a 1pm kick off scheduled so by the time Reading kick off it’ll probably already be determined where Reading will finish the day in the table.
Referee
Back for the third time this season is Robert Jones
Previously
26 Dec 18 > Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Reading
03 Aug 18 > Reading 1-2 Derby County
13 Mar 18 > Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 Reading
30 Jan 18 > Burton Albion 1-3 Reading
Historically
Another club where league visits were unknown until the late 1970s. Since then Reading have made 19 trips to the Lane and not done too badly to date by recording 5 victories to 8 defeats. Nothing but a solitary point to show from the last three visits though. Reading have scored 19 league goals in the 19 visits compared to 27 from the Blades.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the game
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use an iFollow subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
