MATCHWATCH : Norwich City (a) sponsored by James Harper

[Sutekh]

When :, Wednesday, 10th April 2019, 7.45pm
Where : Carrow Road, Norwich, NR1 1JE
Capacity : 27,220
Away Stand : One side of the South Stand, on one side of the ground.
What might I see in the area : Mustard, Stephen Fry, Canaries, Phil Boyer


And so it’s all as you were for the free hit at Norwich. Expectation is for a right stuffing and there are possibly a few supporters that I’d take a one goal defeat if it was offered.

Norwich are going to win the title, I think that’s fair to say. They are currently the form team of the division having won a mere 11 games of their last 12 attempts. They are currently on a run of 8 wins from 8 and were last beaten at home in the league by Derby on 29 December. So really and truly the worry might be Reading getting a repeat of the result from a couple of years ago....

Plus I don’t think this is the one that’ll improve Reading’s wretched run of 2 wins from 31 away midweek evening league games stretching back to 2014.

But then football is peculiar and maybe, just maybe, a miracle might be looking for somewhere to happen on Wednesday night so why not at Norwich?

Swift is now out for the rest of the season we think (fractured hip) and Oliveira can’t play as he is on loan from Norwich. Norwich themselves will have to make a change to their line up for the first time in 5 games as Buendia received a straight red card for hacking down QPR’s Josh Scowen in their 4-0 trashing of the Londoners earlier today.

Referee

Keith Stroud is back.



Previously

27 Oct 2018 > Swansea City 2-0 Reading
28 Apr 2018 > Reading 0-4 Ipswich Town
02 Dec 2017 > Sunderland 1-3 Reading
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

There have been 71 league games between Norwich and Reading which makes this game the 36th league visit to the Canaries. Of the previous 35, 10 have resulted in wins for Reading while 17 games have gone the way of Delia’s boys. There have only been 2 goalless games in those games so odds are there will be some picking the ball out of the back of the net to be done by at least one keeper - and possibly both as these teams do appear to struggle to keep clean sheets against each other.

How to follow the game

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)
6. On Sky Sports Action

[windermereROYAL]

Put this one to bed , we have zero chance. then move on to the last 5 games.

[Jackson Corner]

They destroyed QPR today. They say the championship anyone can beat anyone, but not this game very easy home win.

[Snowflake Royal]

They've won 8 games in a row. We can sneak something there with a bit of luck. Those sort of runs don't go on for ever.

We had an awakening, whilst they got a walk over today.

[Hound]

The manager there has done a fantastic job. Massive fair play to him

Pretty sure we’ll lose but complacency and being so close to the title may affect them. We’ll need to do something pretty special though

[URZZZZ]

Would bring in a couple of the fringe players for this, need them 100% for next Saturday. Maybe something like this

Martinez

Gunter
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Kelly
Baker

Meite
Ejaria
McCleary

Barrow

Will give Rino another game off, don't want to tire him out as I think his performances were dipping before his injury. Barrow is a better option up front than Loader, maybe Bod up front if he's fit. Gunter should get another start either for Yiadom/Blackett

Please don't quote me OMA and mention anything to do with Kelly because it really isn't funny bringing it up every single time

[windermereROYAL]

Need to make sure our goal difference doesn`t take a right hammering, we are not so far ahead of Rotherham on that.

[morganb]

Baldock started for the u23's and apparently looked sharp so expect him to be involved, he might even start. Wouldn't expect Kelly to start but Gunter might.

[Hound]

Nah at this stage just play strongest team, you never know....

Kelly hasn’t played for months and would be anilhated. Gunter likewise

Baldock will possibly come in for Oliveira, maybe more defensive wingers McCleary or Harriott in as well - otherwise can’t see much change

[Davezk]

We can pull off a shock 1-0 away defeat

[CountryRoyal]

At least it’s not on Tv so the world can’t see us getting massac... oh.

[windermereROYAL]

At least it’s not on Tv so the world can’t see us getting massac... oh.

Luckily Man U vs Barca is on too.

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[Sutekh]

Think we should go for

Hislop
Murty
Wdowczyk
Hicks
Ingimarsson
Shorey
Sonko
Harte
Hurlock
Tait
Forster

[The Enfield Royal71]

Going 8-0 norwich

[Snowflake Royal]

1-2

[Victor Meldrew]

They've won 8 games in a row. We can sneak something there with a bit of luck. Those sort of runs don't go on for ever.

We had an awakening, whilst they got a walk over today.

Preston were showing promotion form and we coped well with them.
I don't buy this "free hit" business-we should be at maximum for every game trying to pick up points anywhere as there are no gimmes for us in the remaining fixtures.
I could see us losing the lot but conversely a surprise win and draw might even be enough to survive.

The idea of resting players with 6 games to play seems crazy for me-what will they be resting for, a longer summer holiday?

[Hound]

Basically agree on the free hit. Every team is beatable, Norwich have been brilliant but have scraped through a few. They might just think it’s job done

Our remaining fixtures suddenly don’t look so hard. Brentford have won 2 away all season and are mid table, Brum will be safe and are average anyway, WBA just lost to Millwall and will be safe in the POs. 3 home games you’d want 4 points at an absolute minimum from

After this game we have massively inconsistent Brizzle (who just drew with a Wigan side with an awful away record), Boro on terrible form away. Again would want 2-3 points. This is our last really tough game where you’d go in with little hope

[Ascotexgunner]

Oh god, fear a drubbing on the scale of two seasons ago if we defend anything like yesterday.

[The Royal Forester]

At least it’s not on Tv so the world can’t see us getting massac... oh.

I think this game was changed from Tuesday evening so it it could be shown on Sky Red Button. It might be worth checking this out, if you really want to see us letting in a few goals.