Marshall Takes Team To Rotherham

14 December 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Scott Marshall will remain in temporary charge of the first team as they travel to Rotherham United this Saturday, in what is a relegation six pointer. The Royals, currently in the bottom three, would jump out of the relegation positions and above Rotherham if they can take all three points from the game.

Despite sacking Paul Clement almost out of the blue, the club management have been unable to find a replacement since last weekend's disappointing home defeat at the hands of Sheffield United. Plenty of names have been linked with the Royals but there has been no definite news as to who will be brave enough to take on the challenge of preventing Reading dropping into League One. Former Reading favourite Phil Parkinson, currently at Bolton and a place behind Reading, remains the favourite but there is nothing to suggest he will leave his current club for what would be a sidewise move to a club in trouble.

Luis Castro, the early favourite for the job, publicly stated he was not interested, but remains in the top three at most bookmakers. Gareth Ainsworth, who is currently enjoying some success with League One side Wycombe Wanderers has moved up to second favourite. However, Ainsworth is saying all the right things to keep Wycombe fans happy and it's difficult to see why you wouldn't be able to take his comments as face value: "I am flattered to be linked with a Championship club like Reading and, like any manager from the lower leagues, of course I want to manage at a higher level. However, I am very happy to continue to be Wycombe manager and whether the links are hearsay or not, I am very happy to be here. I love being manager of this football club and I am hoping to continue here for as long as possible."

Slavisa Jokanovic, Steve Bruce, and Graeme Murty remain contenders, but the reality appears to be that Reading are no closer to securing their next manager.

Meanwhile, Marshall will be focused on the trip to Rotherham and the need to avoid defeat at the very least. There has been some rare good news for Reading fans with both Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Yakou Meite expected to be close to making a return to action. With Reading struggling for goals, both are key players who have already found the net in decent proportions for their time on pitch this season. Reading failed to register an attempt on goal last Saturday and will be hoping for better things. Danny Loader continues to look likely up front and a real prospect but will hopefully be joined up front by Meite who can supply the strength to compliment his play.

Rotherham also have players returning from injury and will be hoping to go one better than their last two home games that both finished as 2-2 draws.

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