MATCHWATCH : Newport County (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday November 12 2024, 7pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Last game of the Associate Members Cup qualification stage and Reading basically just have to beat Newport to qualify for an away game in the first knock out round of the competition. So there are two options to progress - score more goals in the right ends than Newport over the 90 minutes of the game or, if both teams have scored the same number of goals at the final whistle then bang in more penalties than the opposition.

Biggest problem for Reading in the game, if Newport elect to take things really seriously, is the size of their squad, lot of tall players amongst them not least Huddersfield loan striker Kyle Hudlin who is 6 foot 9. Like Reading Newport have the same requirements to qualify (but obviously in their favour) for the next stage.

Referee

Sam Mulhall

Previously

Nothing whatsoever

Historically

28 wins at home v the Exiles in all competitions. Last game played was a 3-1 league cup win against them in August 2014. Before that you have to go all the way back to March 1986 for the last competitive fixture in any competition (Reading won that 2-0 to match the record breaking away success earlier that season).

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
2. Sky Red button/Now App coverage
3. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use a RoyalsTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Clyde1998]

The outfield qualifying players for this one (including anyone who's injured); players in grey are duplicates:

1. Started 40+ senior matches (10): Yiadom (485); Dean (474); Wing (230); Smith (199); Knibbs (149); Dorsett (81); Mbengue (71); Bindon (62); Savage (52); Ehibhatiomhan (45)
2. On loan from a Premier League or EFL Cat 1 academy (1): Campbell
3. Top ten most starts (all comps) this season (2): Bindon (15); Wing (15); Craig (14); Elliott (14); Mbengue (14); Ehibhatiomhan (12); Knibbs (11); Savage (11); Smith (11); Campbell (9)
4. Started the previous match (2): Craig; Bindon; Mbengue; Garcia; Wing; Savage; Elliott; Camara; Campbell; Knibbs

Overall (15): Bindon; Camara; Campbell; Craig; Dean; Dorsett; Ehibhatiomhan; Elliott; Garcia; Knibbs; Mbengue; Savage; Smith; Wing; Yiadom

A number of the kids drop out of this list compared to the Cheltenham game, due to them qualifying through playing in the FA Cup previously (Ahmed; Holzman; Rushesha; Spencer; Wareham). Garcia is the only addition, due to him starting on Saturday.

If we qualify for the next round (and the game takes place as expected - 10/11 Dec), it's likely Michael Craig (currently 37) will have crossed the 40+ senior match starts threshold for automatic qualification; Chem Campbell (34) and Ben Elliott (30) are the next closest two.

This list means we'll have to go a bit stronger than last week - especially with players like Dean (I assume), Ehibhatiomhan, Smith and Yiadom all injured, meaning we have to pick four out of the remaining eleven. Does help with Dorsett being back.

[Royals and Racers]

The 1st round of the comp is completed tonight.
If we qualify for the round of 32 we know we will be away to one of the 7 other South group winners.
Charlton, Peterborough and Exeter are the 3 possibilities so far- 4 more will be known by 9pm tonight.

[WestYorksRoyal]

The outfield qualifying players for this one (including anyone who's injured); players in grey are duplicates:

1. Started 40+ senior matches (10): Yiadom (485); Dean (474); Wing (230); Smith (199); Knibbs (149); Dorsett (81); Mbengue (71); Bindon (62); Savage (52); Ehibhatiomhan (45)
2. On loan from a Premier League or EFL Cat 1 academy (1): Campbell
3. Top ten most starts (all comps) this season (2): Bindon (15); Wing (15); Craig (14); Elliott (14); Mbengue (14); Ehibhatiomhan (12); Knibbs (11); Savage (11); Smith (11); Campbell (9)
4. Started the previous match (2): Craig; Bindon; Mbengue; Garcia; Wing; Savage; Elliott; Camara; Campbell; Knibbs

Overall (15): Bindon; Camara; Campbell; Craig; Dean; Dorsett; Ehibhatiomhan; Elliott; Garcia; Knibbs; Mbengue; Savage; Smith; Wing; Yiadom

A number of the kids drop out of this list compared to the Cheltenham game, due to them qualifying through playing in the FA Cup previously (Ahmed; Holzman; Rushesha; Spencer; Wareham). Garcia is the only addition, due to him starting on Saturday.

If we qualify for the next round (and the game takes place as expected - 10/11 Dec), it's likely Michael Craig (currently 37) will have crossed the 40+ senior match starts threshold for automatic qualification; Chem Campbell (34) and Ben Elliott (30) are the next closest two.

This list means we'll have to go a bit stronger than last week - especially with players like Dean (I assume), Ehibhatiomhan, Smith and Yiadom all injured, meaning we have to pick four out of the remaining eleven. Does help with Dorsett being back.

Am I right in thinking we need to start 4 qualifying outfield players? For me, I'd go Dean, Garcia, Campbell and Savage.

[Clyde1998]

The outfield qualifying players for this one (including anyone who's injured); players in grey are duplicates:

1. Started 40+ senior matches (10): Yiadom (485); Dean (474); Wing (230); Smith (199); Knibbs (149); Dorsett (81); Mbengue (71); Bindon (62); Savage (52); Ehibhatiomhan (45)
2. On loan from a Premier League or EFL Cat 1 academy (1): Campbell
3. Top ten most starts (all comps) this season (2): Bindon (15); Wing (15); Craig (14); Elliott (14); Mbengue (14); Ehibhatiomhan (12); Knibbs (11); Savage (11); Smith (11); Campbell (9)
4. Started the previous match (2): Craig; Bindon; Mbengue; Garcia; Wing; Savage; Elliott; Camara; Campbell; Knibbs

Overall (15): Bindon; Camara; Campbell; Craig; Dean; Dorsett; Ehibhatiomhan; Elliott; Garcia; Knibbs; Mbengue; Savage; Smith; Wing; Yiadom

A number of the kids drop out of this list compared to the Cheltenham game, due to them qualifying through playing in the FA Cup previously (Ahmed; Holzman; Rushesha; Spencer; Wareham). Garcia is the only addition, due to him starting on Saturday.

If we qualify for the next round (and the game takes place as expected - 10/11 Dec), it's likely Michael Craig (currently 37) will have crossed the 40+ senior match starts threshold for automatic qualification; Chem Campbell (34) and Ben Elliott (30) are the next closest two.

This list means we'll have to go a bit stronger than last week - especially with players like Dean (I assume), Ehibhatiomhan, Smith and Yiadom all injured, meaning we have to pick four out of the remaining eleven. Does help with Dorsett being back.

Am I right in thinking we need to start 4 qualifying outfield players? For me, I'd go Dean, Garcia, Campbell and Savage.

Yeah - we need four. I'd certainly play Dean if he's available, but hasn't been in the squad for the past few matches; hopefully he's not injured.

I'd have at least one of Garcia or Dorsett; the latter may be more likely due to needing to build up fitness. If Dorsett does start, it would be a good opportunity to try Garcia out higher up the pitch.

I think I'd have something like:

CBC/Button
Ahmed - Holzman - Dean - Dorsett
Rushesha - Spencer - Elliott/Savage
Camara - Wareham - Garcia

That would give us five qualifying players, so if Dean isn't available he could easily be swapped out for Stickland and if he is Elliott/Savage could be swapped out for Sackey.

[Stranded]

Full list of likely opponents, if we manage to avoid defeat tonight:

Group A - Birmingham or Walsall (If Walsall beat Shrewsbury tonight, they top the group)
B: Wimbledon or Wycombe (If Wycombe beat Crawley, they win the group)
C: Charlton
D: Peterborough
E: Arsenal u21, Colchester, MK Dons, Leyton Orient (all play tonight and any side can still win the group. Arsenal currently top)
F: Northampton, Burton (Northampton most likely due to GD, but if they lose to Burton by 2 goals then would be them)
G: Exeter

[Clyde1998]

Full list of likely opponents, if we manage to avoid defeat tonight:

Group A - Birmingham or Walsall (If Walsall beat Shrewsbury tonight, they top the group)
B: Wimbledon or Wycombe (If Wycombe beat Crawley, they win the group)
C: Charlton
D: Peterborough
E: Arsenal u21, Colchester, MK Dons, Leyton Orient (all play tonight and any side can still win the group. Arsenal currently top)
F: Northampton, Burton (Northampton most likely due to GD, but if they lose to Burton by 2 goals then would be them)
G: Exeter

I think we'd be away too. The only possible exception would be if we were to draw Arsenal U21s, that game could be swapped.

[Stranded]

Full list of likely opponents, if we manage to avoid defeat tonight:

Group A - Birmingham or Walsall (If Walsall beat Shrewsbury tonight, they top the group)
B: Wimbledon or Wycombe (If Wycombe beat Crawley, they win the group)
C: Charlton
D: Peterborough
E: Arsenal u21, Colchester, MK Dons, Leyton Orient (all play tonight and any side can still win the group. Arsenal currently top)
F: Northampton, Burton (Northampton most likely due to GD, but if they lose to Burton by 2 goals then would be them)
G: Exeter

I think we'd be away too. The only possible exception would be if we were to draw Arsenal U21s, that game could be swapped.

Yes, all of the above would be away unless Arsenal win and ask for it to be switched but we played Brighton away in the knock outs, so not sure if that is feasible.

[stealthpapes]

Full list of likely opponents, if we manage to avoid defeat tonight:

Group A - Birmingham or Walsall (If Walsall beat Shrewsbury tonight, they top the group)
B: Wimbledon or Wycombe (If Wycombe beat Crawley, they win the group)
C: Charlton
D: Peterborough
E: Arsenal u21, Colchester, MK Dons, Leyton Orient (all play tonight and any side can still win the group. Arsenal currently top)
F: Northampton, Burton (Northampton most likely due to GD, but if they lose to Burton by 2 goals then would be them)
G: Exeter

I think we'd be away too. The only possible exception would be if we were to draw Arsenal U21s, that game could be swapped.

First knock out round boils down to where in the group you finish?

Rounds 2 and 3 of the competition will be drawn on a regionalised basis.
In Round 2, the group winners will be seeded and the group runners-up will be unseeded in the draw.

So we played Charlton last season (finished 2nd in their group).

I think the next rounds are then an 'open' draw.

[Royals and Racers]

Sells says he will put out a strong side tonight.

[stealthpapes]

happy if that's the case - think the international break gives us a breather, think a small cup run would be good for moral

[skipper]

Is this a cup that we genuinely think we could win?

Because I'd say just lump us on to a game at Wembley, lets win a minor cup, lets give our selves something to cheer about. Might be attractive to a buyer too......!

[tidus_mi2]

Is this a cup that we genuinely think we could win?

Because I'd say just lump us on to a game at Wembley, lets win a minor cup, lets give our selves something to cheer about. Might be attractive to a buyer too......!

I think on our day we are one of the better teams in League One, which would logically make us one of the stronger teams in this competition, so while I wouldn't put us among the favourites, I think we should have a good chance.

But for us as well as many other teams in this competition, whether we do well comes down to a combination of things like desire, squad rotation, squad depth etc.

[Stranded]

Is this a cup that we genuinely think we could win?

Because I'd say just lump us on to a game at Wembley, lets win a minor cup, lets give our selves something to cheer about. Might be attractive to a buyer too......!

Of course it is but all it takes is one bad night and it's all over - until the latter stages, you have no idea how strong a side the other team are likely to put out - so if you do go fairly strong, you are likely to win games comfortably. I think the postponement of the Cheltenham game didn't help us as forced our hand into playing a very young side in a game we would have likely won if we had played as planned, as we likely would have played a different side.

[Clyde1998]

Sells says he will put out a strong side tonight.

I'd be surprised if it's a full strength side after putting out an U21 team against Cheltenham, but the international break probably frees up a few players who would've been rested otherwise. It may be that having less young eligible players is simply forcing his hand.

Of the fifteen qualifying players - Bindon; Camara; Campbell; Craig; Dean; Dorsett; Ehibhatiomhan; Elliott; Garcia; Knibbs; Mbengue; Savage; Smith; Wing; Yiadom - Dean may be injured; Ehibhatiomhan, Smith and Yiadom are injured; Bindon and Savage are probably on international duty.

That effectively leaves us with having to play four from nine (ten if Dean is fit): Camara; Campbell; Craig; Dorsett; Elliott; Garcia; Knibbs; Mbengue; Wing. That assumes Dorsett is fit enough to start too.

It'll probably be something similar to what we put out against Fleetwood in the FA Cup.

[Clyde1998]

Is this a cup that we genuinely think we could win?

Because I'd say just lump us on to a game at Wembley, lets win a minor cup, lets give our selves something to cheer about. Might be attractive to a buyer too......!

Of course it is but all it takes is one bad night and it's all over - until the latter stages, you have no idea how strong a side the other team are likely to put out - so if you do go fairly strong, you are likely to win games comfortably. I think the postponement of the Cheltenham game didn't help us as forced our hand into playing a very young side in a game we would have likely won if we had played as planned, as we likely would have played a different side.

This. Playing the U21s against Cheltenham may have cost us a group win and given us a potentially tricky away trip in the next round (if we get through). We would've had to play a different side on the original date due to the qualifying players rule.

The question really is whether we think we've got a deep enough squad to seriously win the competition. I'm sure the primary objective is to try and reach the play-offs; I doubt doing well in the EFL Trophy will help with that.

[Stranded]

Is this a cup that we genuinely think we could win?

Because I'd say just lump us on to a game at Wembley, lets win a minor cup, lets give our selves something to cheer about. Might be attractive to a buyer too......!

Of course it is but all it takes is one bad night and it's all over - until the latter stages, you have no idea how strong a side the other team are likely to put out - so if you do go fairly strong, you are likely to win games comfortably. I think the postponement of the Cheltenham game didn't help us as forced our hand into playing a very young side in a game we would have likely won if we had played as planned, as we likely would have played a different side.

This. Playing the U21s against Cheltenham may have cost us a group win and given us a potentially tricky away trip in the next round (if we get through). We would've had to play a different side on the original date due to the qualifying players rule.

The question really is whether we think we've got a deep enough squad to seriously win the competition. I'm sure the primary objective is to try and reach the play-offs; I doubt doing well in the EFL Trophy will help with that.

To be fair though, if we win tonight, its not really a lot of extra work unless we win a game or two in the FA Cup.

Round of 32 - 9th Dec
Round of 16 - 13th Jan
QF - 3rd Feb
SF - 17th Feb
Final - 13th April

so most date tied into what would have been a likely cup replay date and then a 2 month gap until the final.

[Crowbar6753]

Is this a cup that we genuinely think we could win?

Because I'd say just lump us on to a game at Wembley, lets win a minor cup, lets give our selves something to cheer about. Might be attractive to a buyer too......!

Agreed, the final is usually well supported very much like the old Simod Cup so getting to the final would be a big deal for gate receipts generating much needed cash.
I could see a Reading v Birmingham final pushing the 60,000+ attendance.

[skipper]

Is this a cup that we genuinely think we could win?

Because I'd say just lump us on to a game at Wembley, lets win a minor cup, lets give our selves something to cheer about. Might be attractive to a buyer too......!

I doubt doing well in the EFL Trophy will help with that.

Do you think the board targeted Selles with promotion? I mean... we're doing well, but it is a surprise even to us. We know we have a good squad, little depth, playing our admittedly good youth players.

I'd take a cup win like this over promotion right now. Winning a cup and getting out of the financial mess and selling the club sets up nicely for future growth, imo.

[Clyde1998]

I doubt doing well in the EFL Trophy will help with that.

Do you think the board targeted Selles with promotion? I mean... we're doing well, but it is a surprise even to us. We know we have a good squad, little depth, playing our admittedly good youth players.

I'd take a cup win like this over promotion right now. Winning a cup and getting out of the financial mess and selling the club sets up nicely for future growth, imo.

I’d be surprised if Selles’ job depends on us getting promoted or into the play-offs, but I think the board (or whoever’s making decisions) wants us to maximise our league position.

There’s a significant gulf in TV revenue between Championship and League One clubs (which has grown with the new TV deal). I imagine getting back to the Championship is viewed as necessary financially, especially without a takeover happening.

A cup run in either the FA Cup or League Trophy pales in comparison to promotion in revenue terms.

If there’s any chance of the play-offs and promotion, and currently there is, the priority will be that.

I’m sure we’d all like a cup run (especially if we can win this Trophy), but the priority will be the league and key players won’t be risked unless we reach the semis - even if it means we get knocked out early from the Trophy.