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West Brom (A) Match Preview

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After a rather disappointing performance against Spurs on Sunday, Reading will want to prove a point to their doubters, as they take on West Bromwich Albion. Steve Clarke’s side have started well but picked up their first loss last week against Fulham in a 3-0 defeat.

Vital Quotes:

Reading boss Brian McDermott – ‘We need to do ourselves justice and do the fans justice. We need the fans to stay with us and I`m sure they will do. We`ve looked at the fact that we didn`t play a game for over three weeks before Tottenham. It`s a reason rather than an excuse – that`s a very long time. We`ve got that game under our belts now so we`ll be ready.”

West Brom head coach Steve Clarke – ‘Reading is a good club, well organised from top to bottom. There is a really good structure and Brian McDermott has been there for a long time and knows the club inside out. He`s done a fantastic job to get them into the Premier League having suffered a real heartbreak in the play-offs the year before last. To get them up the way he did in the manner he did was a great achievement so they will be tough opponents.’

West Brom Team News:

West Brom will be without the suspended Peter Odemwingie, who was sent off against Fulham last week for violent conduct. Defender Steven Reid is expected to return from a hamstring problem, but new signing Goran Popov is still not fit to make his debut.

Player to watch: Shane Long

The former Reading striker has made a big impression so far for the Baggies, becoming a fans favourite at the Hawthorns. Has admitted he won’t celebrate against his former side, will certainly be a handful.

Reading Team News:

Reading winger Jimmy Kebe is back in full training with the Royals, but is unlikely to be risked for this fixture. Striker Jason Roberts is still injured with a calf strain, but is close to returning to training.

Player to watch: Nicky Shorey

After Ian Harte’s poor performance against Tottenham, it could time for Royals legend Shorey to make his long-awaited return. Will want to prove a point at the club he was released from in May.

Expected line-ups:

West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Gera, Morrison, Fortune, Long

Reading: McCarthy, Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Shorey, McCleary, Guthrie, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak

Ref Watch:

The referee for the game at the Hawthorns will be Michael Oliver, who is the Premier League’s youngest referee at the age of 27.

Match Prediction:

It will be a tough game, but one I feel we can manage to get a result out of. Credible 1-1 draw.

Next Fixtures:

West Brom – Liverpool (H) – Wed 26th September – Capital One Cup

Reading – QPR (A) – Wed 26th September – Capital One Cup

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