Some may argue whether the international break came at a good time for us when you consider our poor recent form, having not won in four league games. Whether it was or wasn’t is irrelevant now, as we prepare to face a tough test in Derby County. Steve McClaren’s men have been on good form and sit in fourth place, despite probably drawing a few too many more games than they would have hoped.
Vital Quotes:
Reading manager Nigel Adkins – ‘”Derby are an excellent side, we have no illusions about that. For me they`re the best team in the league and they play football in a manner which is good in terms of possession but also effective. That said we have been scoring goals at home as well, it bodes for a very exciting game at the weekend. We have had an opportunity over the last fortnight to go and reflect on the first quarter of the season; there are a billion stats you can analyse and argue about but the top and bottom is both areas we need to improve on.’
Reading Team News:
The situation of injury-stricken Danny Guthrie is unknown, after he was ruled out of the trip to Brentford last week, due to a hamstring injury. Hope Akpan played for Nigeria on Wednesday, so should be fit, but only returned to the UK yesterday, so may not be risked.
Skipper Jem Karacan is edging closer to a return and could even be playing for the under 21s at the end of the month. The long-term injury problems remain Garath McCleary, Shaun Cummings and Danny Williams, while Craig Tanner is still a few weeks away.
Player to watch: Hope Akpan
The former Everton midfielder would have been buoyed by making his international debut for Nigeria on Wednesday, where he made a good first impression. It was clear how much we missed him against Brentford in the midfield, let’s hope he is fit enough to play in this one.
Derby Team News:
Derby received a big boost during the week, as captain Richard Keogh appears fit to play, after recovering from a hamstring problem. Defender Jake Buxton could return to the 18-man squad too, with George Thorne remaining the only long-term absentee for the Rams.
Player to watch: Jamie Ward
The Nothern Ireland winger has enjoyed a good start to the season, getting five goals to his name and impressing for the country in their 100% European qualification record. Gunter seems to struggle against wingers with his technical ability, so let’s hope he prepares well!
Expected line-ups:
Reading – 4-2-3-1: Federici; Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita; Akpan, Norwood; Blackman, Cox, Robson-Kanu; Murray.
Derby – 4-3-2: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Whitbread, Forsyth; Hughes, Bryson, Eustace; Ward, Martin, Ibe.
Ref Watch:
The man in the middle will be Darren Deadman, a referee notorious for handing out red cards like hotcakes – the last Derby game he refereed, he handed out two, as the Rams beat Huddersfield 3-1 last season. The last Royals game he refereed was back in February 2012, as we beat Burnley 1-0, thanks to a Jason Roberts goal – it’s worth noting that he handed out eight yellow cards in that game!
Match Prediction:
This will probably be our toughest home game this season and possibly for the entire campaign. Derby are an accomplished outfit, but our home form has been good this season and I think that should see us through to scrape a point.
Vital Reading prediction: Reading 1 – 1 Derby
Next Fixtures:
Reading – Bournemouth (A) – Tues 21st October – SkyBet Championship
Derby – Blackpool (A) – Tues 21st October – SkyBet Championship
