MATCHWATCH : Wigan Athletic (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 17 August 2024, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

The tough start to the season continues with a first home game against perennial nuisances Wigan Athletic.

Wigan have been very active in the transfer window with manager Shaun Maloney overseeing numerous comings and goings. The likes of Josh Magennis, Ben Amos and Charlie Wyke have all departed while Chelsea winger Dion Rankine, Fulham midfielder Tyrese Francois and Hearts defender Toby Sibbick have all joined permanently to link up with 5 loanees; (Callum Ramsey (Liverpool), Joe Hugill (Man Utd), Michael Olakigbe (Brentford), Luke Chambers (Liverpool) and Silko Amari-Thomas (Leicester)).

After being beaten at home by Charlton on the opening day Wigan are currently 22nd, 1 point and 9 places behind Reading. Like Reading they fell out of the League Cup on Tuesday on penalties at home to Barnsley so will be looking to at last get their season started and are well capable go beating anyone in this division if their previous seasons at this level are anything to go by.

This game is likely to be a bit of a dour no quarter given struggle and most home games with Wigan tend to be a blight on a season and are instantly forgettable. Certainly Reading have suffered some really embarrassing home results down the years against this Lancashire outfit but digging in and working hard will hopefully go a long way to getting a win and that will help set the stall out for what sort of season Reading want to have this time around.

Expecting a fairly even encounter, Wigan only made 2 changes from their last league game for the midweek cup game with Barnsley so Reading can't really use the excuse of tiredness following more senior appearances than would have been hoped for against Colchester. If Reading are to pose serious problems at the proper end of the third tier table then this is the sort of home game they will need to win.

Reading will be rather hoping to at last have some new faces in the directors box as the tortoise that's carrying confirmation of the sale being completed draws ever closer. Yiadom and Ryan will be out but hopefully Azeez will at last have recovered from a back injury.

Referee

James "do you know I was once in the Championship?" Linington

Previously

27 Dec 22 > Reading 2-1 Swansea City
08 Nov 22 > Watford 2-0 Reading
20 Aug 22 > Reading 1-0 Middlesbrough
19 Mar 22 > Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
15 Jan 22 > Middlesbrough 2-1 Reading
09 Apr 21 > Watford 2-0 Reading
06 Mar 21 > Reading 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday
29 Jan 21 > Reading 3-1 Bournemouth
04 Jul 20 > Luton Town 0-5 Reading
28 Jan 20 > Reading 0-1 Bristol City
26 Dec 19 > Reading 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
03 Aug 19 > Reading 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday
08 Dec 18 > Reading 0-2 Sheffield United
03 Nov 18 > Reading 3-2 Bristol City
06 Mar 18 > Reading 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
02 Jan 18 > Reading 0-2 Birmingham City
09 Sep 17 > Reading 0-1 Bristol City
08 Apr 17 > Norwich City 7-1 Reading
24 Sep 16 > Reading 1-0 Huddersfield Town
21 Nov 15 > Reading 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
02 May 15 > Derby County 0-3 Reading
28 Dec 14 > Reading 2-1 Norwich City
21 Nov 14 > Cardiff City 2-1 Reading
12 Aug 14 > Reading 3-1 Newport County (League Cup)
10 Sep 11 > Reading 0-2 Watford
30 Apr 11 > Coventry City 0-0 Reading
22 Jan 11 > Reading 1-1 Hull City
02 May 10 > Reading 4-0 Preston North End
30 Jan 10 > Reading 1-0 Barnsley

Historically

Wigan are one of the very few clubs that Reading have played in all four divisions. There have been twenty five previous visits from the Latics for league points and more often than not the outcome is decisive as there’s only been three draws (all 1-1) in that time.

Of the remaining twenty two games Reading have won fourteen to Wigan’s eight but Wigan have won 4 of the last 8 games played in Reading.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
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)

[Snowflake Royal]

Any changes expected given the very good Brum performance?

Would hope Azeez will play, but that's going to be harsh on one of Ehibhatiomhan or Camara.

Abrefa may not have done his chances at RB a lot of good, giving away a penalty at Colchester and with how the team performed first half.

I think I'd go with Camara over Kelvin for the higher energy, and the potential impact of his trickery off the bench if we need it. And I'd rather see a RB play RB than Craig.

[Clyde1998]

I can't see much of a point from changing the team from Birmingham. The only exception I'd make is if Azeez is fit, he'll probably play - Camara to drop out for me.

Abrefa may be considered at RB. He was arguably our best starting defender on Tuesday, even when considering he gave away the penalty (not a very high bar to clear). I would say Craig performed too well at Birmingham to want to change it though.

[Sutekh]

I can't see much of a point from changing the team from Birmingham. The only exception I'd make is if Azeez is fit, he'll probably play - Camara to drop out for me.

Abrefa may be considered at RB. He was arguably our best starting defender on Tuesday, even when considering he gave away the penalty (not a very high bar to clear). I would say Craig performed too well at Birmingham to want to change it though.

Ideally don't change anything if performances and results are good unless it's enforced, especially defensively. So no changes, leave Azeez out if not fit or put him on the bench, if he is, to bog up Wigan's last half hour.

[Brogue]

Incredibly excited for the game today. As a 41 year old man I don’t really get excited by things anymore. I have woken up this morning wandering around the house not knowing what to do with myself, I’m just itching to get there. Really do hope they announce the new ownership before the game. It will make for a party atmosphere. And a moment I can share with my daughter and we can say ‘we were there when’.

[blythspartan]

Incredibly excited for the game today. As a 41 year old man I don’t really get excited by things anymore. I have woken up this morning wandering around the house not knowing what to do with myself, I’m just itching to get there. Really do hope they announce the new ownership before the game. It will make for a party atmosphere. And a moment I can share with my daughter and we can say ‘we were there when’.

I know what you mean, but not convinced there’ll be an official announcement today. JE had previously said early next week, but he can be pretty conservative. Looking at availability I would have hoped we’d sold more tickets, but I guess lots of fans are on holiday atm.

[Sutekh]

Incredibly excited for the game today. As a 41 year old man I don’t really get excited by things anymore. I have woken up this morning wandering around the house not knowing what to do with myself, I’m just itching to get there. Really do hope they announce the new ownership before the game. It will make for a party atmosphere. And a moment I can share with my daughter and we can say ‘we were there when’.

I know what you mean, but not convinced there’ll be an official announcement today. JE had previously said early next week, but he can be pretty conservative. Looking at availability I would have hoped we’d sold more tickets, but I guess lots of fans are on holiday atm.

Knowing Reading it'll be some sort of subtle or enigmatic message hidden in the pre match build up (eg. "stars n stripes" suddenly being played as the teams run out). Really don't want Wigan encouraged to put a dampner on the day so business as usual with tennis balls on at 16 minutes will do just fine so long as we get a "celebratory" press conference on Monday or Tuesday and an owner that actually talks ( ) about the club plans to the community.

[Orion1871]

Incredibly excited for the game today. As a 41 year old man I don’t really get excited by things anymore. I have woken up this morning wandering around the house not knowing what to do with myself, I’m just itching to get there. Really do hope they announce the new ownership before the game. It will make for a party atmosphere. And a moment I can share with my daughter and we can say ‘we were there when’.

I know what you mean, but not convinced there’ll be an official announcement today. JE had previously said early next week, but he can be pretty conservative. Looking at availability I would have hoped we’d sold more tickets, but I guess lots of fans are on holiday atm.

Knowing Reading it'll be some sort of subtle or enigmatic message hidden in the pre match build up (eg. "stars n stripes" suddenly being played as the teams run out). Really don't want Wigan encouraged to put a dampner on the day so business as usual with tennis balls on at 16 minutes will do just fine so long as we get a "celebratory" press conference on Monday or Tuesday and an owner that actually talks ( ) about the club plans to the community.

DJ Megaparty doesn't do subtle.

[Snowflake Royal]

Given the takeover is basically done.and about to be announced, with the new owners at the ground, so it's going to be a real party atmosphere...

We're going to lose aren't we?

If we win,would love to see Couhig leading the Mbengue celebration.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Wigan are decent. More points deducted than us last season but finished above us. That being said, their chaos was over in pre season so perhaps call it even.

I'd say they're similar to us. Top 10 with an outside hope of promotion. Perhaps more depth but starting XI not quite as strong.

[On Strings]

Hate suffering with anxiety. I'm planning to head to the ground at 13:30, and I only live a 10 minute ride away. For some reason I always need to be early. Now the usual panic sets in and I'm close to not going at all.

2-0 home win today
Smith, Knibbs
Attendance: 12,349

[Sutekh]

[Snowflake Royal]

Hmmm...no Knibbs now, with Azeez back on the bench.

[Sutekh]

Knibbs looked to take a bit of a knock before being subbed on Tuesday.

[Hound]

Which is the problem playing your key players in a rubbish cup match. Will be a big miss

Team fine otherwise. Thought Craig was excellent vs Brum at rb

Happy to see Rushesha fit as well

[skipper]

I think our experienced team should edge this.

REALLY EXCITED.

[Snowflake Royal]

That is an UNBELIEVABLE takedown from Ehibhatiomhan, and a perfect pull back for Savage.

[Ascotexgunner]

The takeover must be real and happening.... For the first time I seasons there's adverts in the bogs.

[Snowflake Royal]

Need to get that ruthless killer instinct into our game. Were vastly superior first 60 minutes against Birmingham and drew. Could have had another bunch first half today, but only 1 up.

We've got the quality. Just got to get some distance and finish teams off.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Kelvin could have a mega season if the opening 2 games are anything to go by.

Though Elliott remains on 0 league G/A thanks to Smith missing the original chance.