MATCHWATCH : Norwich City (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday 4th October 2022, 8pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


Norwich. One of the three relegated PL clubs from last season and another that has, arguably, been preparing for an assault on the Championship title since being promoted to the PL 16 or so months ago. So this isn’t going to be easy, and most likely not very attractive to watch from a Reading perspective. Add to that the difference in terms of squad flexibility and a run of games over the next 4/5 weeks that basically gives everyone a game every 4-5 days and you can see the difficulties for the smaller clubs in the division (esp. those with injury problems that refuse to naff off).

As is usual in this division for Norwich, after a handful of games readjusting, they are not able to lose games. Current run is 8 league games of which only 22 points have been won so probably Reading coming through this game with no new injuries may well be seen as a successful evening. That said though, Norwich do concede goals with only 4 clean sheets from the 13 games they’ve played in all competitions so far this season - just a shame they score enough to largely make that irrelevant though!

Teemu Pukki is still there and still banging them in (4 in 10 apps) but now he’s been joined by US international Josh Sargent who has notched 6 goals in 11 appearances. Then they have some rather useful midfielders in the shape of the English Aaron Ramsey (on loan from Villa), Onel Hernandez and Todd Cantwell plus a bright prospect in defence by the name of Andrew Omobamidele (an RoI international already too). Still, at least Buendia and Vrancic have gone!

Norwich will be without 5 players due to injury; Jakob Sorensen, Isaac Hayden, Jon Rowe, Sam McCallum and Dimitris Giannoulis. Meanwhile Reading’s injury problems got worse again on Saturday with the revelation that Baba Rahman is now out for 3-4 weeks with hamstring trouble and Andy Yiadom is also a major doubt with ankle and calf problems. This will mean that NGW will retain his left back position and, if AY does miss out, Hutchinson will drop back into defence.

And it’s all on SKY too just like the last time Norwich visited for their 3 points back in December 2020. Just four Reading players remain at the club from that game less than 2 years ago - Moore, Holmes, McIntyre and Ejaria. Interestingly the last three home games have all followed a pattern, Norwich come out of the blocks quickly and score within the first 15 minutes. Reading then equalise before Norwich wrap it all up with a second.

Referee

Darren Bond

Previously

09 Jan 21 > Luton Town 1-0 Reading (FA Cup)
21 Nov 20 > Bournemouth 4-2 Reading
17 Oct 20 > Middlesbrough 0-0 Reading
12 Sep 20 > Derby County 0-2 Reading
11 Jul 20 > Charlton Athletic 0-1 Reading
14 Jan 20 > Blackpool 0-2 Reading (FA Cup)
26 Nov 19 > Reading 0-1 Leeds United
10 Nov 18 > Reading 2-2 Ipswich Town
15 Sep 18 > Preston North End 2-3 Reading
03 Apr 18 > Aston Villa 3-0 Reading
20 Jan 17 > Reading 0-1 Brentford
30 Nov 17 > Reading 3-0 Barnsley
11 Feb 17 > Reading 0-0 Barnsley
13 Aug 16 > Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Reading
14 Mar 15 > Watford 4-1 Reading
30 Aug 14 > Middlesbrough 0-1 Reading

Historically

Norwich are one of those sides that used to be reasonably regular opponents until they found the second division in 1960 and since then, apart from the one season in division 3 in 2009/2010, they've been consistently in the top two divisions, so the two sides went about 35 years or so with no league meetings.

Therefore this game will be the 38th time the sides have played a league game in Reading. The home league record so far reads 18 Reading wins to 12 for Norwich with 65 scored and 48 conceded. On the whole Reading had a better time of these games pre-1960 so will take quite a fight to make it 19 wins.

The current league run against Norwich though is utter cr@p with just 1 point being gained from the last 7 games. In that time Reading have at least scored once in each game to rack up 9 goals. Unfortunately Norwich have scored at least twice in each game to clock 20 goals and, as mentioned above, each of the last 3 home games have finished 2-1 to Norwich.

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)
6. SKY

[Snowflake Royal]

Presumably

..........................Lumley
.......Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre
Hoilett.... Hendrick, Fornah..........NGW
...........................Ince
.................Carroll.. Joao

[Hound]

Presumably

..........................Lumley
.......Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre
Hoilett.... Hendrick, Fornah..........NGW
...........................Ince
.................Carroll.. Joao

Would think so

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Seems likely, Joao and Carroll worked well and will cause issues for Norwich if we can play to their strengths really. Don't think you can change too much (that isn't enforced) from yesterday. Maybe Loum might come into the middle, I want to see him displaying his (very) early season form and get a bit of consistency back in his game.

[Nameless]

Can’t see playing Joao and Carroll again is ideal. We basically played with 2 lone strikers. They really had no interaction and at times just looked on totally different wavelengths. Maybe it needs games but to me it wasn’t a partnership that looked to have the right balance.

[Zip]

Presumably

..........................Lumley
.......Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre
Hoilett.... Hendrick, Fornah..........NGW
...........................Ince
.................Carroll.. Joao

Probably although given the strength of the opposition I would beef up midfield and bring in Loum with just Joao upfront. A point would be fine here.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Can’t see playing Joao and Carroll again is ideal. We basically played with 2 lone strikers. They really had no interaction and at times just looked on totally different wavelengths. Maybe it needs games but to me it wasn’t a partnership that looked to have the right balance.

To be fair, I don't think it's a partnership that is designed to link well together, more to have a target to aim at and to occupy 3/4 players by themselves, which they can quite comfortably do as a pair, then we play off them with the rest of the team where we can get space in the wide areas, open the pitch up for Hoilett and NGW to swing some crosses in for them or, if that space gets closed off, open up some space for someone like Ince centrally who will always present a threat 25 yards, or closer, to goal.

[CountryRoyal]

The problem is 9/10 of the long aerial balls were launched to Joao instead of Carroll.

[Snowflake Royal]

Presumably

..........................Lumley
.......Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre
Hoilett.... Hendrick, Fornah..........NGW
...........................Ince
.................Carroll.. Joao

Probably although given the strength of the opposition I would beef up midfield and bring in Loum with just Joao upfront. A point would be fine here.

Loum has been quite poor since returning from injury imo. Looks slow and a little lost, taking risks and making errors.

Otherwise I could certainly see an extra midfielder. We are unlikey to have much ball and will need to play on the counter, but both Joao and Carroll will give more outlets.

[Snowflake Royal]

The problem is 9/10 of the long aerial balls were launched to Joao instead of Carroll.

We definitely need to get those right. Joao's need to be chest high max. He wants to control or turn, not win headers. That's not his strength.

While Carroll can and will win the flcik ons for Joao to pick up as they gain understanding.

[Orion1871]

The problem is 9/10 of the long aerial balls were launched to Joao instead of Carroll.

We definitely need to get those right. Joao's need to be chest high max. He wants to control or turn, not win headers. That's not his strength.

While Carroll can and will win the flcik ons for Joao to pick up as they gain understanding.

A shame as the last time he went for a header was against Stoke and we won a penalty from it, which he converted.

Perhaps he should consider making heading part of his game.

[Ascotexgunner]

Presumably

..........................Lumley
.......Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre
Hoilett.... Hendrick, Fornah..........NGW
...........................Ince
.................Carroll.. Joao

Like that a lot. Carroll was a real handful yesterday. Could worry Norwich a bit. Would like to squeeze Loume in the midfield....but they all deserve a start. Keep hoping João can find his form again.

[Norfolk Royal]

Bit of local knowledge here. Although Norwich are on a spectacular run in terms of results, their fans are not happy with their performances.

They’ve been somewhat fortunate to come away with wins in several recent games.

They are weak at left back where the first choice Giannoulis is injured and been replaced by Byrom. He is The weak link defensively and if I were Ince I would be tempted to put Meite up against him and pressure him into mistakes. That would mean dropping Carroll or Joao of course but might be worth the risk. If it doesn’t work change it.

Their other weakness is giving the ball away in midfield when under pressure.
Maclean is particularly prone to this and should be targetted.

The game tomorrow will hinge on who wins the midfield battle. For Reading it is imperative that the supply line to Teemu Pukki is cut to a minimum.

Pukki is one of the best players I’ve seen in making deceptive runs across the defence and if we allow the Norwich midfield to pick him out we will be cut to pieces.

That is where the game will be won and lost. Stop the supply to Pukki and you cut Norwich’s goal threat exponentially.

I don’t see Joao getting much change out of Hanley, particularly in the air. Would be tempted to start with Carroll up front then bring Joao on later. Risky I know as Joao is due a good game.

We won’t want to give too many free kicks away in range as their new signing Nunes is very good at that. He’s no Buendia though and again can be got at.

This looks a good match up to me.

[Zip]

Good stuff Norrers. I’m a bit worried about how we will cope defensively so it’s important we win the midfield battle. Would like just the one upfront and an extra midfielder.

[Millsy]

If Pukki plays we're fooked.

[Snowflake Royal]

The problem is 9/10 of the long aerial balls were launched to Joao instead of Carroll.

We definitely need to get those right. Joao's need to be chest high max. He wants to control or turn, not win headers. That's not his strength.

While Carroll can and will win the flcik ons for Joao to pick up as they gain understanding.

A shame as the last time he went for a header was against Stoke and we won a penalty from it, which he converted.

Perhaps he should consider making heading part of his game.

Perhaps he's not being asked to. And most of the time he's receiving the ball up to him, there's no one to head it to.

[Hound]

If we can stay in the game then I always fancy us from set pieces

Key is not to give away silly goals early on. Would happily take 0-0 at ht

[Mr Angry]

If we can stay in the game then I always fancy us from set pieces

Key is not to give away silly goals early on. Would happily take 0-0 at ht

I would happily take 0-0 at ft!

[Nameless]

WAy too much respect for Norwich on here.
25% of the season gone and they are just 2 points ahead of us and we’ve won the same number of games.
We have every chance of getting a result.

[Snowflake Royal]

If we can stay in the game then I always fancy us from set pieces

Key is not to give away silly goals early on. Would happily take 0-0 at ht

Oh yeah, keep it even and we're in with a shout. Set piece or break.

We just let ourselves be dominated so much and be under so much pressure, with Nowich's available strikeforce, I'm expecting another Sheff Utd.