News and Views
Recovering Royals Aim To Sink Sunderland
01 February 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?
The Royals will be aiming to build on a fantastic start to the year with another win as Sunderland visit Reading this weekend. Reading have had a great January - four wins, a draw against Chelsea, and just a single defeat has seen Reading get into the fifth round of the FA Cup and, more importantly, climb to 17th place in the League table. Reading looked down and out at Christmas but have staged a remarkable recovery thanks to three stunning late comebacks to claim 7 points when we looked to be heading to pick up nothing. All eyes will be on the man who made that happen - Adam Le Fondre - who has scored 7 goals in less than a month. Le Fondre was assisted by Hope Akpan, who signed from Crawley, as Reading's success on the pitch was followed up by success in the transfer market. Akpan looks the business and is set to be a bargain signing. Ignoring the Gylfi nonsense, all went to plan as Reading picked up Akpan, Kelly and Blackman on top of Carrico who signed at the turn of the year. Expect the first three of those players to play a role as Reading take on mid-table Sunderland.
Sunderland were in relegation trouble themselves a couple of months ago. However their 3-0 victory against Reading in December was the turning point form them and since then they've been consistantly picking up points. Sunderland's last three league games matches Reading as they have also picked up 7 points. Sunderland have won 3, drawn 4 and lost 5 on their travels so far this season. The visitors may introduce new signing Danny Graham who signed on transfer deadline day for 5 million pounds from Swansea City. You'd expect goals in this fixture with journalists hoping to have plenty to write about either Graham or Le Fondre. It'll be interesting to see if Le Fondre is left on the bench or has earned himself a rare League start.
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