News and Views
Match Preview: Rotherham United v Reading
21 October 2016
By Alex Bower
"We are not used to the feeling of losing and the players don't like that feeling. The players are determined to go out and do better on Saturday, I don't think they played badly on Tuesday because they worked very hard, but they will be doing that again to try and get a win in Rotherham."
- Reading FC Manager Jaap Stam
"It's an important game for us now to bounce back from a last-minute goal, and we can show our character and resilience to come back from a disappointing evening. That last minute defeat will seem a long way away, and we'll be looking forward again."
- Reading FC Defender Chris Gunter
Reading will be hoping to follow-up Tuesday's late defeat to Aston Villa at the Madejski Stadium with a win away to Rotherham United. The Royals were level with the Villans as the game approached the final whistle with goals coming from Jonathan Kodjia and Yann Kermorgant. It was a last-minute penalty that would hand Villa the win, with Jordan Ayew converting with ease.
Bottom placed Rotherham will also have a point to prove, having just appointed Kenny Jackett as their new manager. The Millers have lost nine games so far this season and have won only once, at home against Brentford. As Tuesday's fixture demonstrated, however, if you are a new manager looking to improve a spell of poor form, then Reading are the team to play.
Previous games between the two teams are not a massive indicator as to how Saturday's game will go. Reading have won the most games with nineteen victories. Fourteen times the game has ended in a draw and Rotherham have won on ten occasions. Reading earned points from both fixtures last season, with a 1-1 draw away from home and a 1-0 win at the Madejski.
This season, Rotherham have lost their last six matches. They have not lost seven league games in a row since April 1962. The Millers have also not lost against Reading in five home league games. While the team are currently bottom and performing below par, everyone knows that it can all change at the drop of a hat in the Championship.
In terms of absences, Paul McShane remains a doubt for Reading with a hamstring injury that has seen him miss the last two games. Joseph Mendes, Jake Cooper and Yakou Meite are all also out for the Royals as they recover from their injuries. Rotherham, meanwhile, could be without Dael Fry, Kelvin Wilson and Tom Adeyemi.
Going into the game as favourites, Reading will be keen to win on Saturday following their late defeat to Villa. There is no such thing as an easy game in the Championship, however, and the Rotherham squad will be keen on impressing their new manager.
Recent Meetings With ROTHERHAM
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 23 February 2016 | Championship | Rotherham (HOME) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 20 October 2015 | Championship | Rotherham (Away) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 28 April 2015 | Championship | Rotherham (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 04 November 2014 | Championship | Rotherham (HOME) | W: 3-0 | Read report... |
| 15 March 2005 | Championship | Rotherham (Away) | L: 0-1 | Read report... |
| 21 August 2004 | Championship | Rotherham (HOME) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 07 February 2004 | Division 1 | Rotherham (Away) | L: 1-5 | Read report... |
| 25 August 2003 | Division 1 | Rotherham (HOME) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 22 February 2003 | Division 1 | Rotherham (HOME) | W: 3-0 | Read report... |
| 07 September 2002 | Division 1 | Rotherham (Away) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 03 March 2001 | Division Two | Rotherham (HOME) | W: 2-0 | Read report... |
| 30 September 2000 | Division Two | Rotherham (Away) | W: 3-1 | Read report... |
| Reading and Rotherham - Head to head record (since August 1994) | |
| Games Between Reading and Rotherham | 12 |
| Reading Wins | 6 |
| Rotherham Wins | 3 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Reading Goals | 16 |
| Rotherham Goals | 10 |
| Average Goals Per Game | 2.17 |
Discussion On This Story:
Half Biscuit
3-1 home win.
They have a brief flourish under new management before eventually getting relegated anyway.
This season is beginning to feel alarmingly like a copy of the last one.
Not only have opponents 'sussed us out', but the players are getting fed up of being treated like children.
Great togetherness and camaraderie - when we're winning.
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