Can Reading bounce back from the back to back 3-0 defeats against Bolton and West Ham with what is already billed as a must win game at Sunderland?
Vital Quotes:
Reading manager Steve Coppell on not worrying, “At the moment, after five games, where you are at could just be a coincidence of the fixtures, an accident of who you play and where.
“But after ten games you have a fair idea of where you sit, so this group of five games coming up is massive for most clubs.
“I think it is your positioning period, because after this batch of games you have another two weeks off and then you can assess where you are at.
“One win in five is not going to make or break but the batch of five certainly colours your interpretation of what kind of start you’ve had.”
Sunderland Team News:
Richardson has a stress fracture of the back, and a knee problem will keep out Whitehead again. Cole, Edwards and Varga are all out as well. But new signings Kenwyne Jones and Russell Anderson, along with fit again Collins are expected to feature. Halford returns from suspension.
Player to watch: Kenwyne Jones
Jones was a big money signing from Southampton, so it will be interesting to see if he can make the step-up to the Premiership.
Reading Team News:
Gunnarsson has a knee problem that forced him out of Iceland’s matches, so is expected to miss out. Duberry needs to prove his fitness after illness but Little and Oster, the latter who had hoped to face his former side are out but Rosenior is set for his debut.
Player to watch: Liam Rosenior
It will be good to see the debut of Rosenior in a more advanced midfield role than his usual defensive position.
Match Facts & Stats
Reading are yet to score a league goal away from the Madejski Stadium.
Sunderland have not scored in the first half of a league game; Reading have yet to score in the second half.
This is the first ever meeting of these clubs in top-flight football; all previous league meetings have been in the second tier.
Ref Watch:
Steve Tanner (Somerset)
Match Prediction:
A point is a must, but three points are not out of the question. The performance will have to improve on these more recently but it should so I have to go for a Reading win, but would settle for a point.
Next Fixture
Wigan @ the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, 15:00.
This is a match that both sides will be wanting, and maybe even expecting to win. A point would suit Reading more, a win would be brilliant.
Hard lines yesterday but you never seemed to be at the races. Do you normally play like that?. If you do you are going to struggle for the rest of the season. Hope your fortunes change for the better for the rest of the season that excludes when you come to play us again.
Reading have found it tought going this season, we need to kick on as we are better than this. Kenwyne Jones was brilliant, he looks like he might be some player for your lot.