The Fulham victory on Saturday was our third win and clean sheet on the bounce, which is a great response from the trouncing we had at Forest last month. We now prepare to face Ian Holloway’s Millwall side, who have made a good start to the league campaign. They may have only won one of their last four games in all competitions, but still find themselves in a credible seventh position.
Vital Quotes:
Millwall boss Ian Holloway – We’ve got to get strong. We’ve got a long way to go. Everybody was excited and now they’re not. We’ll dust ourselves down and have a go against Reading. I’m going to be one point short of what I wanted because I asked the lads for seven points from the next nine. We’ve got to win these next two to get six now.’
Reading Team News:
Nigel Adkins will not have any players back for the visit of the Lions, but admitted that midfielder Danny Guthrie is edging closer to a return, so could make the bench. Both Hal Robson-Kanu and Stephen Kelly are now back in training, but won’t be considered.
The long-term absentee’s remain Jem Karacan, Danny Williams and Garath McCleary, with Shaun Cummings facing a few months on the sidelines, after a recent operation. Defender Anton Ferdinand is still looking to make his first Royals appearance, but has a hamstring injury.
Player to watch: Glenn Murray
The on-loan Palace man had a dream debut against Fulham on Saturday by scoring two goals and he will want to add to his tally again. Ian Holloway was his manager at Palace and will be firmly aware of his goalscoring talents.
Millwall Team News:
Millwall have a few injury problems of their own coming into this one, with Danny Shittu and Justin Hoyte both short of fitness. Key winger Lee Martin recently suffered a knee ligament injury, while Nicky Bailey and Lee Gregory are both set to miss out.
Player to watch: Scott McDonald
The Australian seems to be relishing playing in a deeper role for the Lions, after failing to establish as a striker at the Den. He will be looking to link up with Fuller and cause Pearce problems with their pace.
Expected line-ups:
Reading – 4-2-3-1: Federici; Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita; Norwood, Akpan; Blackman, Cox, Mackie; Murray.
Millwall – 4-4-1-1: Forde; Edwards, Dunne, Beevers, Malone; Woolford, Williams, Powell, Easter; McDonald; Fuller.
Ref Watch:
The man in the middle for this game will be Keith Hill, whose last visit to the Madejski Stadium would not have been one to remember. He was the referee when we lost to Sheffield Wednesday at home last season, sending off Alex Pearce in what was eventually rescinded, pretty much saying he was wrong – let’s hope he makes amends this time round! He has already taken charge of six games this season, with every game averaging at least five goals!
Match Prediction:
Our injury situation is looking better, the signings are fitting in well and against Fulham, we were playing with great confidence, despite it being against a team with ten men. Millwall will certainly provide a tougher challenge, but one that I still expect to pass, just about anyway.
Vital Reading prediction: Reading 2 – 1 Millwall
Next Fixtures:
Reading – Sheff Wed (A) – Sat 20th September – SkyBet Championship
Millwall – Nottingham Forest (H) – Sat 20th September – SkyBet Championship
