MATCHWATCH : Derby County (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday January 23, 2024, 8pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


After the "biggun in Wiggun" comes the "barbie with Derby" only all the prime meat is starting to be nicked by bigger and better run barbies elsewhere. This game will also likely have Reading supporters suffering through 90 minutes of Derby "no problems to see here" County fans giving it large so let's hope the responding banter is up to the mark.

It's certainly going to be a struggle on the pitch for the home side as Derby are looking good for at least a play off spot at the moment and after a slow start, that saw them lose 3 out of 4 league games, they're recovered very decently to be one of the more consistent form teams. At the moment the Rams are on a run of 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 7 league games and haven't lost away since crashing 3-1 at Stevenage at the end of October, in fact, since then, they've only lost 1 of the last 13 in the league (home to the Posh on New Years Day).

Threats come from James Collins (12 goals in 27 apps), Nathan Mendez-Laing (6 in 27) and the experienced Martyn Waghorn also with 6 but from 13 games. Midfield will be key though as Derby will likely field Conor Hourihane and Tom Barkhuizen. Overall this is as tough as you're going to find in this division and Reading really do need to boost confidence after the apparent "no show" on Saturday.

Really not sure the injury state at the club, as far as I am aware it's pretty much a clean bill of health but it'll probably be tempered by the need to rest anyone who might be off in the last 10 days of the transfer window.

Referee

Darren Drysdale

Previously

04 Sep 2023 > Cambridge United 1-0 Reading
19 Mar 2016 > Reading 1-1 Cardiff City
11 Aug 2015 > Colchester United 0-1 Reading (League Cup)
06 Apr 2012 > Reading 2-0 Leeds United
30 Apr 2006 > Reading 2-1 Queen's Park Rangers

Historically

This will be the 24th visit from Derby for a league game in Reading and all have been played since September 1984 (a drab 0-0, which we'd probably all take right now).

Reading have the upper hand on Derby with almost as twice as many wins across all league games (23) as their more illustrious opponents. However while Reading have that upper hand, and have recorded 13 home wins to Derby’s 4 away wins, the fact remains that Reading have only won 2 of the previous 9 home games against Derby.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket
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)

[windermereROYAL]

Dreading this one, can only see a comfortable Derby win, giving it a miss.

[blythspartan]

I have a feeling we’ll win this one. I am expecting a lot of stick from the Derby fans rejoicing at our demise.

[Gunny Fishcake]

Will there be another pitch invasion protest ?

[Royal_jimmy]

Think we can get a result they're really not all that. There's nothing to fear

[Orion1871]

Think we can get a result they're really not all that. There's nothing to fear

That's the case for pretty much every team in this league, yet here we are in the relegation zone.

[tmesis]

The official site appears to have gone back in time, and thinks the Derby game is postponed, and our next game is v Eastleigh.
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/match/first ... 4/g2371283
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/matches/

(this will no doubt have been fixed by the time anyone sees this)

[shadesrwrf]

Will there be another pitch invasion protest ?

Covered elsewhere but let's hope not. Been there, done that, got the publicity.

[Sutekh]

Will there be another pitch invasion protest ?

Covered elsewhere but let's hope not. Been there, done that, got the publicity.

Will there be a t shirt?

[NathStPaul]

I fear we will get a good dicking this evening.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

The official site appears to have gone back in time, and thinks the Derby game is postponed, and our next game is v Eastleigh.
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/match/first ... 4/g2371283
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/matches/

(this will no doubt have been fixed by the time anyone sees this)

It's hasn't been updated since December - I'm guessing the person whose job it was is no longer employed at the club.

[Zammo]

Away win. First bus out.

[MartinRdg]

The official site appears to have gone back in time, and thinks the Derby game is postponed, and our next game is v Eastleigh.
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/match/first ... 4/g2371283
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/matches/

(this will no doubt have been fixed by the time anyone sees this)

It's hasn't been updated since December - I'm guessing the person whose job it was is no longer employed at the club.

And, even if you go to Matches and select the correct home Derby match, it takes you to the Saturday 18th November match

[Hound]

Prob same team just about unless someone else is nearly out the door

Maybe TMc in for Bindon. Which leaves Holmes/TMc at the back which shows how bad things are

Would rather TMc/Mbengue but guess Holmes is nailed on starter for the rest of the year now

[Brogue]

If tmac is ready for selection what are your thoughts on Dorset at cb and tmac at lb. Tmac and Holmes haven’t exactly been a great cb pairing

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I think Dorsett is ok at LB at the moment, I know he's seen as a CB but he's done pretty well there, so maybe not the position to change. I would rather have Mbengue come in if anyone if it wasn't going to be TMac.

It's worth noting that TMac and Holmes haven't played alongside each other this year, so maybe the drop down a level might help them both? At the moment, it's TMac's way back into the team at least.

[Royals and Racers]

1 change Savage for Craig

[Sutekh]

Savage has his pay rise....

[windermereROYAL]

1 change Savage for Craig

Pay rise for Charlie then. (allegedly)

[Mid Sussex Royal]

1 change Savage for Craig

Pay rise for Charlie then. (allegedly)

No - I'd say the stuff on Twitter was the usual boll0cks, as it was re Ejaria.