150 Year Celebration Game Unlikely To Be A Party

11 February 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

It's all been kicking off ahead of the visit of Coventry City this Saturday afternoon. The game is the rearranged 150th birthday celebration game, however it doesn't feel much like a celebration with Reading now looking set for relegation to League One. Positivity is hard to be found within the club and it's supporters with the club locked into a downward spiral. Ahead of the match there is set to a protest of sorts before kick-off although it remains to be seen how many will take part with a real feel of apathy hanging over the club. It's a shame that this match can't be used to get behind the team and celebrate our long history, but the lack of positivity is understandable.

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic looks set to be targeted at the game, with the owners remaining insistant on retaining his services. His contract is due to expire at the end of the season and the club seem set to honour that contract to avoid a substantial pay-off with the club in financial difficulties. Paunovic has had a very difficult job this season with an insane number of injuries, a points deduction, and restrictions in the transfer market but it is hard now to look past a run of seven straight defeats. With Paunovic remaining in his job attention has also turned to the club owners who are trying to deflect away from the current situation with an "open letter" and now an offer to randomly give up to 20 home supporters one thousand pounds just for turning up on Saturday. It is an unusual gesture to try and win support.

The open letter appears desperate to try and avoid any kind of protest: "We are in a fight and we need to fight together. To do that, we need you... And win, lose or draw, all we ask is that you get behind the team and give us the best chance of success on Saturday and for the remaining 16 games that follow!" Of course it is difficult to provide that kind of support when the club are sleep walking into League One.

The game itself feels like another where we will struggle to pick up any points, although Reading are now favourites to lose every game home or away. Coventry are thoroughly mid-table for both form and overall position, although a win at Reading would be handy in keeping them in with a good shout of the play-offs. Reading are of course on the brink of the bottom three and a massive 10 points behind 20th placed Cardiff City.

Previous Meetings With Coventry City

DATE	OPPOSITION	COMPETITION	SCORE	REPORT
21 August 2021	Coventry (Away)	Championship	L: 1-2	Report...
19 January 2021	Coventry (HOME)	Championship	W: 3-0	Report...
30 October 2020	Coventry (Away)	Championship	L: 2-3	Report...
11 February 2012	Coventry (HOME)	Championship	W: 2-0	Report...
24 September 2011	Coventry (Away)	Championship	D: 1-1	Report...
30 April 2011	Coventry (Away)	Championship	D: 0-0	Report...
11 December 2010	Coventry (HOME)	Championship	D: 0-0	Report...
05 April 2010	Coventry (HOME)	Championship	W: 3-0	Report...
31 October 2009	Coventry (Away)	Championship	W: 3-1	Report...
04 April 2009	Coventry (Away)	Championship	D: 0-0	Report...
01 December 2008	Coventry (HOME)	Championship	W: 3-1	Report...
14 January 2006	Coventry (HOME)	Championship	W: 2-0	Report...
10 September 2005	Coventry (Away)	Championship	D: 1-1	Report...
19 February 2005	Coventry (HOME)	Championship	L: 1-2	Report...
30 October 2004	Coventry (Away)	Championship	L: 2-3	Report...
27 March 2004	Coventry (Away)	Division 1	W: 2-1	Report...
20 September 2003	Coventry (HOME)	Division 1	L: 1-2	Report...
26 December 2002	Coventry (Away)	Division 1	L: 0-2	Report...
17 August 2002	Coventry (HOME)	Division 1	L: 1-2	Report...

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