News and Views
Marshall Set To Take Third Game As Caretaker
21 December 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading are set to remain under the management of caretaker boss Scott Marshall this Saturday as they entertain Middlesbrough at the Madejski Stadium. With Reading still to appoint a new manager, Marshall will take his third game in charge hoping to avoid overseeing his Reading team drop into the relegation positions at Christmas. The Royals are currently outside of the bottom three on goal difference only, and both Millwall and Bolton could overtake Reading if they pick up more points than Reading. Millwall head to Stoke City tomorrow before facing Reading at The Den on Boxing Day in what is a real six pointer. Meanwhile, Bolton, a point behind the Royals travel to strugglers Brentford. Bolton are on a run of 12 games without a win to heap the pressure on former Reading midfielder Phil Parkinson.
Parkinson was a firm favourite to leave Bolton and take the vacant managers position at Reading until Jose Gomes was approached by Reading earlier this week. Gomes is understood to be willing to come to Reading but contracts are yet to be agreed. Rio Ave are still negotiating compensation for the possible departure of their manager who is without a win in six games - a run in which his side have conceded three goals per game on average. The capture of Gomes as manager appears to be a costly and time consuming task to secure a manager who fails to tick the boxes as someone ready to fight relegation into League One. Why Reading FC are so fixed on Gomes, despite the costs and risks, is unknown. We would have to assume someone at the club is confident that Gomes is the man to turn Reading's fortunes around and guide us up the table.
Middlesbrough fans are almost as unhappy as follows of Reading after seeing their automatic promotion push fizzle out with a run of just two points from four league games, followed by an embarrassing 0-1 home defeat against League One Burton Albion in the League Cup this week. Reading of course are on a run of six league games without a win. The Royals came close last weekend but failed to pick up the three points at Rotherham after the Millers grabbed a late equaliser. The two teams form may be similar, but the difference is that Middlesbrough are still inside the play-off positions and will remain favourites to return to winning ways at the expense of the Royals.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson will be expected to play after playing for the Under 23s in the week, although he may still start from the bench. Vito Mannone also appeared in that match but is unlikely to displace Jaakkola who should retain his starting place in goal after some excellent recent performances. Tom McIntyre made his first team default last weekend in that draw at Rotherham and will be hoping to retain his place and make his first senior appearance in front of his home fans.
Recent Meetings With Middlesbrough
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 10 February 2018 | Championship | Middlesbro (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 28 October 2017 | Championship | Middlesbro (HOME) | L: 0-2 | Read report... |
| 12 April 2016 | Championship | Middlesbro (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 03 October 2015 | Championship | Middlesbrough (HOME) | W: 2-0 | Read report... |
| 10 January 2015 | Championship | Middlesbrough (HOME) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 30 August 2014 | Championship | Middlesbrough (Away) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 22 April 2014 | Championship | Middlesbrough (HOME) | W: 2-0 | Read report... |
| 29 December 2013 | Championship | Middlesbrough (Away) | L: 0-3 | Read report... |
| 25 February 2012 | Championship | Middlesbrough (Away) | W: 2-0 | Read report... |
| 01 October 2011 | Championship | Middlesbrough (HOME) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 05 March 2011 | Championship | Middlesbrough (HOME) | W: 5-2 | Read report... |
| 18 September 2010 | Championship | Middlesbrough (Away) | L: 1-3 | Read report... |
| 20 March 2010 | Championship | Middlesbrough (Away) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 03 October 2009 | Championship | Middlesbrough (HOME) | L: 0-2 | Read report... |
| 01 March 2008 | Premiership | Middlesbrough (Away) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 01 December 2007 | Premiership | Middlesbrough (HOME) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 24 February 2007 | Premiership | Middlesbrough (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 19 August 2006 | Premiership | Middlesbrough (HOME) | W: 3-2 | Read report... |
Share this article: