To end a busy week, we travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday. On the back of two 1-0 defeats in a row against Swansea and Bristol City, we will be looking to bounce back and pick up three points in the North West.
It will be the first time we have come up against Andre Bikey since the Cameroon defenders departure from the Madejski Stadium and he is sure to be fired up for the game, after missing the FA Cup tie last season.
A full match preview is here….
Vital Quotes:
Midfielder Jem Karacan –
‘Going to Turf Moor is always tough and we know what to expect. We are going into it on high spirits, we know we shouldn`t be going into this game on the back of two defeats, but we`re looking forward to putting it right.’
Brian McDermott on Andre Bikey –
‘I`ve got a lot of time for Andre. He`s a great character and well liked around here still by our players.’
Andre Bikey on his sending off in the play off semi final in 2009 –
“It was a key game. If we had got a draw there we were sure we could go on and get promotion. It was difficult for me at the time.”
Burnley Team News:
The home side will have to do without Clarke Carlisle who misses the match through suspension. Danny Fox will hope to be fit after missing the win over Barnsley in midweek with a thigh strain.
Player to watch: Andre Bikey
Who else could we choose! The Cameroonian centre back has been in fine form for the Clarets this season and will be keen to get three points against his former employers.
Reading Team News:
Brynjar Gunnarsson will miss the game as he remains on the treatment table, but youngster Jake Taylor is the only other player out injured right now.
Jay Tabb could return after recovering from ankle surgery, whilst fellow midfielder Brian Howard is also in line for a start after impressing as a sub against Bristol City. Could we see a return to the Tabb / Howard midfield partnership that served us so well last season?
Noel Hunt is likely to keep his place after a decent display at Bristol City, and could again be partnered by Shane Long despite the Irishman’s lack of goals so far this season.
Player to watch: The strikers!
Any chance of a goal??
Match Facts & Stats
Saturday 23rd January 2010, Reading 1-0 Burnley.
Match Prediction:
One of two things will happen in this game, we will get hammered or nick a win – its the Reading way. I will go for the latter and be positive, 1-0 to the Royals!
Next Fixtures:
Saturday 30th October 2010, Doncaster (A)
