After a very disappointing performance against Bournemouth last week, Reading will want to make amends as they prepare to face Mark Robins’ Huddersfield side. The Terriers currently occupy 12th place in the Championship and have had some good results this season, namely beating Burnley a few weeks, but have struggled for consistency. The last away showing was a good 3-2 win over Forest, so Adkins will want a repeat result and performance of that game.
Vital Quotes:
Reading boss Nigel Adkins – ‘He’s done a great job – they are on a good roll themselves in this moment in time. It takes a bit of time sometimes to get used to it but Mark is an excellent manager – He’s played at the top level, he’s been an Academy manager and also a manager at a couple of other football clubs. The beauty for me us is that he’s a very bright manager in the way that they play – it’s the future of football. It’s very good to watch and it’s going to be a good challenge for us.’
Huddersfield manager Mark Robins – ‘Reading are fighting at the right end of the table and will offer a different kind of test. I know Nigel Adkins from his days at Scunthorpe and he has done very well throughout his managerial career. It is a good challenge for us to pit our wits against a good team and manager. Despite having a few injuries, they still have plenty of options. The likes of Royston Drenthe could come in who has played at a high level.’
Huddersfield Team News:
Robins will be able to choose from the attacking duo of Martin Paterson and Danny Ward, who had injury concerns coming into this game. Apart from that, the Terriers boss has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Player to watch: James Vaughan
The former Everton striker has looked a different player since he joined Huddersfield, having scored 26 goals in 56 games. Vaughan has a great mix of power and pace, that will cause the majority of Championship defences problems.
Reading Team News:
The injury list still reigns high for Nigel Adkins, who still cannot choose from Sean Morrison, Wayne Bridge, Jem Karacan, Mikele Leigertwood and Jason Roberts, while Chris Baird did return to light training this week, but will be involved. Despite Royston Drenthe’s good cameo spell against Bournemouth, Adkins maintains he is not fit enough to start yet. Midfielder Danny Guthrie is also suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Bournemouth, so Hope Akpan is likely to come in.
Player to watch: Royston Drenthe
I personally would start him for this game, even if he is only 70% fit. He was only on for 30 minutes against Bournemouth, yet he was our best player when he came on, he has the quality to unlock a defence. I doubt he will start, but if things aren’t going right, then it would be odd of Adkins to not introduce him.
Expected line-ups:
Huddersfield – 3-5-2: Smithies, Dixon, Gerrard, Lynch, Smith, Hogg, Clayton, Norwood, Hammill, Ward, Vaughan
Reading – 4-2-3-1: McCarthy, Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Cummings, Akpan, Williams, McCleary, Robson-Kanu, Obita, Pogrebnyak
Match Prediction:
I do worry that Guthrie’s absence will leave us too weak in midfield, especially as Akpan looks out of his depth. I’m afraid the weakness in centre midfield could mean we come away from this with nothing.
Vital Reading prediction: Huddersfield 1 – 0 Reading
Next Fixtures:
Huddersfield – Brighton (A) – Sat 21st December – SkyBet Championship
Reading – Wigan (H) – Sat 21st December – SkyBet Championship
