MATCHWATCH : Cardiff City (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 6 August 2022, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

First home game of the season time so at the moment everything is all square and full of promise. The club haven’t conceded a single goal at home yet and haven’t dropped a single home point so there’s hope Reading might be at the dawn of a season that sees the club sport a really rather decent record at “fortress” SCL.

Well we can dream as if you don’t have a dream how are you going have a dream come true? And the club certainly need all the help they can get this season.

Cardiff are looking like they might be rather good this time. Over the summer they’ve more or less acquired a whole new set of key additions in what seems to be one big throw of the dice to get promotion. Not only has Andy Rinomhota opted to go “abroad” in search of a team that actually wins games but so have the likes of Callum O’Dowda, Romaine Sawyers, Sheyi Ojo, Cedric Kipre and Villa youngster Jaden Philogene-Bidace. In addition there is talk of the Bluebirds being after two strikers; Spurs youngster Kion Etete for around £500k and also Andy Carroll (what’s the betting he also arrives in time for Saturday).

Last week Cardiff beat one of the promotion favourites in Norwich City in what turned out to be a rather niggly game which saw a lot of referee activity, as a result Cardiff full back, and one time Reading target, Perry Ng will miss the trip to Reading through suspension after receiving two yellow cards. In addition to his loss Cardiff have one injury which will see new signing Ebou Adams miss the game

Reading’s seven signed injured parties are expected to remain injured for this one so no Abbey, Joao, Azeez, Hutchinson, Tetek, Dann or Moore but there still a day or two to go so plenty of time for something to happen while training. However Loum is now part of the squad and will hopefully be able to weave himself into Reading folklore with a sterling standout debut (presuming international clearance has arrived in time). Meanwhile Reading are still seemingly waiting for Naby Sarr to be approved by the FL and given it was reported the deal was done about 10 days ago you have wonder what is going on there.

Finally will Omari Huthinson be signed in time to give some hope to the Reading faithful from the bench?

Referee

Darren “I’m a Premier League official” England

Previously....

13 Aug 2019 > Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Reading (League Cup)
06 Oct 2018 > West Bromwich Albion 4-1 Reading
25 Aug 2018 > Aston Villa 1-1 Reading
13 Jan 2018 > Hull City 0-0 Reading

Historically

Cardiff are one of those fairly regular opponents of Reading with games stretching all the way back to Southern League days. Since joining the FL though there have been 64 league games with this game being the 33rd at home against them. Of the previous 32 games Reading have won 13 and drawn 12 with the remaining 7 games going the way of the Welsh

Reading though have not been having the best of times at home against Cardiff recently as only 2 wins have been mustered from the last 13 games in all competitions, though most of those games finished all square at 1-1.

Finally, Reading are really cr@p at keeping clean sheets in home league fixtures against Cardiff having managed only one in the last 21 attempts.

How to follow the game

1. Get ticket and go
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 a RoyalTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Hound]

Thanks Sutekh

Finding it difficult to be too optimistic for this one with no Sarr or the injured players

Not convinced cardiff will be all that but suspect they might have enough to beat us relatively comfortably - 2-0 my bet

Can’t see us changing the line up from Saturday other than Loum for Fornah if he is fully fit to play

[Snowflake Royal]

Cheers.

Expect to see much the same, but Loum in for Fornah.

Hopefully we can start the game without 7 outfield players trying to huddle round our own penalty area .

[blythspartan]

I am looking forward to the game but have a horrible feeling we’ll get well beaten. I can’t see the lineup being any different to the Blackpool game. I am not convinced Loum or Sarr (if signed) will play. I just hope we don’t get anymore injuries.

[Crowbar6753]

I am looking forward to the game but have a horrible feeling we’ll get well beaten. I can’t see the lineup being any different to the Blackpool game. I am not convinced Loum or Sarr (if signed) will play. I just hope we don’t get anymore injuries.

Would be nice to have Sarr & Loum on the bench would at least give us a bit more depth!! Ince also needs to be brave and utilize some of our younger players on the bench. We have some very good young players and bringing them on with 15-20 minutes to go will only assist in the progression of their careers.
We also have to remember that it's the start of the season and playing the starting eleven for 85 mins every game and not utilizing these younger players may result in further injuries making the situation worse.

[Snowflake Royal]

I really hope Rinomhota gets the good reception he deserves.

[Stranded]

I really hope Rinomhota gets the good reception he deserves.

He'll get the usual applause before the game and then likely booed during it, as is standard.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Thanks, two nil defeat I’d suspect

[Dirk Gently]

One of the most telling things from this match will be the attendance.

We'll see just how many people share the optimism of some for an ok-ish season, after the last few years.

[Millsy]

The sort of game I like.

Expected to lose, but an underdog emerging team full of hopeful players with a point to prove.

Bring it on!

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Its all about how Cardiff play, Blackpool got a early goal and then sat back n picked us off for 80 minutes. Add in they started time wasting on the 60th minute. I cant see Cardiff sitting back, they got a point to prove and want to push for promotion. Concede another early goal and I can see it being 4/5 nil while we chase.
We have had another week together, Ince must now have seen his starting 11 for an entire week and got a workable game plan. Still early on the season to write this bunch off. I am looking forward to it.

[Stranded]

So if the rumour that Meite and Yiadom are the two new injuries is true, we are probably looking at a side that looks like:

Lumley

Holmes (c)
Clarke
McIntyre

Hoilett
Hendrick
Fornah
Guinness-Walker

Ince
Ejaria

Clarke

Doesn't fill you with confidence.

[SCIAG]

Isn’t John Clarke a left back? Would be a big deal to give him his professional debut out of position. Is he ahead of Dorsett?

[Stranded]

Isn’t John Clarke a left back? Would be a big deal to give him his professional debut out of position. Is he ahead of Dorsett?

Left sided and I think he is given he was on the bench at the weekend and Ince plans for Dorsett to head out on loan.

[Zip]

So if the rumour that Meite and Yiadom are the two new injuries is true, we are probably looking at a side that looks like:

Lumley

Holmes (c)
Clarke
McIntyre

Hoilett
Hendrick
Fornah
Guinness-Walker

Ince
Ejaria

Clarke

Doesn't fill you with confidence.

Puscas has to be involved. I know we are trying to sell him but unacceptable for the club not to involve him.
He was playing international football six weeks ago and has been backing training for the past two weeks. He must be fit and if he isn’t why not?

As you say that’s a threadbare starting line up with next to nothing on the bench.

[morganb]

Puscas has to be involved. I know we are trying to sell him but unacceptable for the club not to involve him.
He was playing international football six weeks ago and has been backing training for the past two weeks. He must be fit and if he isn’t why not?

Puscas has to be involved simply for the psychological advantage of our George playing at home against Cardiff in August. Remember what happened last time...

[Zip]

Puscas has to be involved. I know we are trying to sell him but unacceptable for the club not to involve him.
He was playing international football six weeks ago and has been backing training for the past two weeks. He must be fit and if he isn’t why not?

Puscas has to be involved simply for the psychological advantage of our George playing at home against Cardiff in August. Remember what happened last time...

Indeed

[Stranded]

So if the rumour that Meite and Yiadom are the two new injuries is true, we are probably looking at a side that looks like:

Lumley

Holmes (c)
Clarke
McIntyre

Hoilett
Hendrick
Fornah
Guinness-Walker

Ince
Ejaria

Clarke

Doesn't fill you with confidence.

Puscas has to be involved. I know we are trying to sell him but unacceptable for the club not to involve him.
He was playing international football six weeks ago and has been backing training for the past two weeks. He must be fit and if he isn’t why not?

As you say that’s a threadbare starting line up with next to nothing on the bench.

I had literally forgotten about Puscas.

[Hound]

Think you’d have to start Long if no Meite

He must be good for an hour surely. Then can change up with using a false 9 type - ie Ince up top after that depending on game state

Ehib is ahead of Clarke from the look of things. He may get the nod otherwise

[Nameless]

One of the most telling things from this match will be the attendance.

We'll see just how many people share the optimism of some for an ok-ish season, after the last few years.

But early August attendances always tend to be lowishfor some odd reason.
As I understand it season ticket sales have been pretty good.