News and Views
McDermott Aims To Build Run Against Fulham
04 March 2016
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Brian McDermott will be aiming to build a run of form as he continues to slowly turn Reading Football Club around. McDermott arrived in the middle of a woeful mid-season run and has since steadied the ship and guided Reading to the FA Cup quarter finals. The Royals are now on a run of five games undefeated and have three consecutive victories under their belt ahead of the visit of Fulham this weekend. Reading found themselves back in the top half of the table after the dramatic 4-3 victory over Charlton Athletic last weekend. A good run to finish the season and end up well in the top half would be the perfect boost ahead of next season and, hopefully, another attempt at promotion back to the top flight.
Our last two league wins have been against teams in the bottom three - Rotherham and Charlton. Fulham are also just two places outside the drop zone and Reading, with home advantage on their side, must surely fancy their chances of a third straight league win to make it four in all competitions. Reading as a team are starting to build in confidence, but individuals are starting to find their feet too. Yann Kermorgant was key in Reading's win at Charlton, scoring two goals against his former club and setting up another to guide Reading to victory. Deniss Rakels also hit his first Reading goal to secure the three points late on. Vydra has found his form in the FA Cup before injury. Vydra is fit again and may find himself on the bench against Charlton as McDermott finds himself with few injury worries.
One player that won't be back on the bench is Rowan Liburd who has joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on a months emergency loan. Liburd had finally broken into the first team with three appearances from the bench in November and December. He has found his chances limited with the news arrivals of Kermorgant, Rakels, and Simon Cox returning from his loan spell. Liburd will be expecting to get straight into the Wycombe side to build up some much needed Football League experience.
Last season Fulham and Reading shared a win each with Reading 3-0 winners at the Madejski Stadium. Earlier this season the Royals were defeated 2-4 away from home despite goals from former player Orlando Sa and Lucas Piazon. Reading have won four out of their last 11 meetings with Fulham. The games are traditionally high scoring matches and, after last weekend's 4-3 win, Reading fans will be expecting some goals.
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 24 October 2015 | Championship | Fulham (Away) | L: 2-4 | Read report... |
| 17 January 2015 | Championship | Fulham (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 13 September 2014 | Championship | Fulham (HOME) | W: 3-0 | Read report... |
| 04 May 2013 | Premier League | Fulham (Away) | W: 4-2 | Read report... |
| 27 October 2012 | Premier League | Fulham (HOME) | D: 3-3 | Read report... |
| 12 April 2008 | Premiership | Fulham (HOME) | L: 0-2 | Read report... |
| 03 November 2007 | Premiership | Fulham (Away) | L: 1-3 | Read report... |
| 14 April 2007 | Premiership | Fulham (HOME) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 25 November 2006 | Premiership | Fulham (Away) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 05 April 1999 | Division Two | Fulham (HOME) | L: 0-1 | Read report... |
| 23 February 1999 | Division Two | Fulham (Away) | L: 1-3 | Read report... |
Discussion On This Story:
Gunny Fishcake
So I would love us to batter Fulham and think we will continue to build on recent good form so will go for a confident 2-0 win
Nameless
Fulham have got some very decent forwards, and Stearman will be missing in defence.
Our forwards seem to have worked out where the net is, and our defence seems a little shaky at times.
Could easily be another best of 7 type affair, which means it will be goal less.
Despite all that I'm going 3-1 to us, at least one from a set piece and at least one each for Kormagent and Denniss.
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