12 May 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading will be hoping to make it sixth time lucky as they enter the end of season play-offs after five historical disappointments. The play-offs were first introduced in 1987 and since then the Royals have been beaten in three play-off finals and gone out a further two times over two legs at the semi-final stage. This will be our fifth attempt to make it into the top tier via the play-offs.
Thankfully since our last play-off venture, six years ago, a lot has changed at the Madejski Stadium, which will hopefully make history irrelevant. The club has changed dramatically and none of the players that featured in the 2-4 play-off final defeat against Swansea City are now at the club. The management, owners and back-room staff have also seen big changes, which should allow everyone to ignore history.
It is stating the obvious, but Reading, along with the other contenders, will have a one in four chance of making it to the Premier League. All the teams that finished in the play-off positions have little between them and all are capable of beating each other. Despite Reading finishing third, three places and five points ahead of Fulham, it is Fulham that are firm favourites to make it to the Wembley final. Fulham are favourites for promotion, followed by Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield. Reading will remain labelled as underdogs after having that label all season long - despite finishing a massive 10 points clear of Leeds United in 7th place.
Fulham's tag of favourites has been earned by a strong finish to the season and helped along by their 5-0 victory over Reading at Craven Cottage earlier this season. As Jaap Stam was quick to point out in his press conference that result was a freak result with the Royals playing a big chunk of that game with ten men. No-one should expect a similar scoreline this time around. With no injury worries ahead of the game, Stam can take his pick of players and tactics.
As long as we can keep it close we can bring the game back to the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night (16 May, 7:45pm kick-off) and try and finish the job. Saturday's away leg sold out immediately to season ticket holders with over 3000 loyalty points. Amazingly, there are still a handful of tickets available for Tuesday's home leg.
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 24 January 2017 | Championship | Fulham (HOME) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 03 December 2016 | Championship | Fulham (Away) | L: 0-5 | Read report... |
| 05 March 2016 | Championship | Fulham (HOME) | D: 2-2 | Read 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... |
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