When : Tuesday, 14th February 2023, 8pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Just what you need after 6 games with no victories, the proverbial banana skin and unlike most seasons Rotherham, though struggling, aren’t looking like nailed on certs for relegation so this is clearly going need more than the run of the mill turning up especially when Rahman gets game after game after game.
This one should be a home banker in theory as Rotherham’s form is 1 win in 11 games in all competitions, a run that includes them being stuffed 4-1 by Ipswich in the FA Cup. Oddly, though, their one win arrived one month ago (14th January) when they mullered Blackburn Rovers 4-0 so they have some ability if you let them get the upper hand (note also that their last away win (which was also their last win anywhere) was by 1-0 at Sheffield United). Rotherham have also drawn their last three games including two successive 0-0 draws at Blackpool and at home to Sheffield United.
As we all know this is just the sort of opponent form that Reading excel in being total turd against. Then there’s the fact the Rotherham signed supposed Reading target Jordan Hugill in January and he is still looking for his first goal for the Millers (so another one of those records you don’t really want Reading to have to defend against). In addition Tariq Fosu-Henry is on loan there from Stoke so will need to keep on top of him again.
The Millers have George Long, Sean Morrison, Tom Eaves, Ben Wright and Bailey Wright sidelined through injury while Reading will have doubts over Tom Holmes and Lucas Joao (knee injury, currently in Portugal for, presumably specialist, treatment), however Ejaria and Moore maybe considered for the game.
This is the first of 3 games in a row against struggling teams (Rotherham, Cardiff and Blackpool) where collecting 7+ points is a realistic target and, if achieved, would pretty much kill off any possibility of the drop, however Ince’s overly negative team selections and highly dodgy substitutions will sadly make all games a level playing field and even winning one of them a real challenge. Really need to drop the awful Rahman (even though Loum’s suspension already solves the “which loanee gets left out conundrum”) and play the better NGW who needs game time/experience and provides a much more positive attacking threat. Also be positive and please start Azeez. Finally, Mr Ince Snr, please stop putting Dann on, seems every time he comes on disaster shortly follows.
Referee
John Busby
Previously
22 Oct 22 > Reading 2-0 Bristol City
19 Feb 22 > Preston North End 2-3 Reading
03 Jan 22 > Reading 2-2 Derby County
29 Sep 21 > Derby County 1-0 Reading
Historically
Reading have a good home record against Rotherham. In the 23 previous league games Rotherham have only won once (3-0 in May 1977) which leaves 15 victories for Reading and 7 draws.
Rotherham have managed just 2 goals in their last 10 visits but those goals were scored in 2 of their last 3 visits.
Reading have also won 5 of the last 6 played at home and, overall, have scored 37 times to Rotherham’s 15.
How to follow the game
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- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
