Venue: Madejski Stadium Date: Saturday, 17th October 2015 Kick Off: 3pm Another week of international breaks, which has seen our player Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson qualify for Euro 2016 with Iceland as runners up of Group A. An international break which saw England qualify for the tournament and mosey to the top of their group with two easy games. We have also seen Northern Ireland and Wales qualify for the tournament next summer, so all round good news for the home nations (unless you're Scottish)! The problem though being, the International break came at the worst possible time for us as a club. Our performance during the last ten minutes of the Fulham match, after super Johnnie Jackson inspired a comeback for the draw, we could have done with taking that momentum into our latest away match versus Reading. Judging by "buzz" around social media this seems like a game with poor away following from us, needless to say, this is a game that Luzon and his band of merry men are hoping to pick up their first league win in six matches. The Opposition Steve Clarke's men must be enjoying the opening part of their season, especially when compared to the ones of seasons past. They find themselves sitting 3rd in the Championship having won five out of their last six matches, an impressive feat given victories over Middlesbrough, Burnley and a six goal thriller against Ipswich. Steve Clarke must be thinking that a match against injury struggling Charlton is a perfect opportunity to secure all three points, and if results go his way, secure second spot in the table. His team however are not without their injury woes, as news filtered through today that Hal Robson-Kanu is likely miss Saturday's match. Current Form As eluded to above our current form is something of a concern, which has seen us slip continually down the Championship. So far this season, we lost our last three away games, conceding eight goals, mustering two points, coming when we started well in August. Head-To-Head Over the last two seasons, we have the exact same win ratio. During the 2014/2015 season, we managed to do the double over Reading FC, with a 3 - 2 thriller at The Valley (with Simon Church scoring against his former club), with us running 1 - 0 winners at the Madejski Stadium, with a goal from Igor Vetokele, prior to his injury. The 2013/2014 season saw Reading FC do the double over us, both 1 - 0 wins. Club Updates: Guy Luzon's Press Conference Line Up Whilst Luzon is confident in the depth and strength of our squad, this is something that I do not share his sentiment with. Given the current scoring record, and the passion that Johnnie Jackson showed, it would be a mistake to sideline him on the bench. In doing so could see the wrath of the fans unleashed upon him if we concede quite a few. Good news too, we might be lucky to see Stephen Henderson return, as word is he's now fit enough to play. Luzon, I believe will set up rather defensively, dropping his 4 - 4 - 2 formation for one below: please log in to view this image Odds Given their current form, it is unsurprising that Reading are favourites to win this game. If you are feeling optimistic, have a punt on Charlton, especially at 6/1, you are set on making some serious dough. I've already placed a bet on 0 - 1 and Johnnie Jackson to score, which was a staggering 100/1. League Table & Fixtures Outcome Whilst I'm ever the optimist with my bets, I seriously doubt we're going to win this one people. I have doubts that we'll start Johnnie Jackson either. I think that we're going to be witnessing the downfall of Guy Luzon. Please, please, please Charlton. Prove us wrong! #COYR #COYA
No chance of Jackson or Henderson starting. I agree 4-5-1 would be a sensible formation, but we do not have a suitable "1". Watt is certainly not the right stuff for that demanding role. KAG is the nearest we have but lacks the experience as yet.
I also can't see Jacko starting so ..... Cousins in the middle, Lookman on the left and without any other options Watt up top. Without a BigMc we may go a bit hungry for goals however Nul points for the Belgians
Sadly after Jackson inspiring the team, if he don't start and we lose, people will turn on Luzon, Douchèbag and Katrine. You see that yesterday we've been named one of the cheapest clubs for season tickets, yet we fail to prevent falling attendances? Can't be the price, could it be the fact we don't have a manager or a merry-go-round of players, that majority show little spirit.
Luzon says that Jacko will feature, which means probably a slightly longer cameo than last time, to try and save the game and placate the fans. I can't see him doing a Roy-of-the-Rovers twice in a row though. What a load of crocks our strikers are turning out to be. Kag is the only one who looks 100% fit so I expect him to start alongside Watt who always seems to have fitness issues, which leaves Kennedy as the only striking option on the bench unless Umerah or Lookman gets promoted. I think Umerah was on the bench recently. Fingers crossed for Pope.
A good honest article from Tony Watt. http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/...lton Athletic§ionIs=sport&searchyear=2015
Agree. If Jackson doesn't start and we lose - it will all kick off. Fans are already winding themselves up at the thought of him not starting. I see a 3-0 win for reading - but this is where Chatlton usually surprise me. With that in mind, I think it will now be 2-0 reading. A goal either half, Opening goal in the first 15 minutes. Reading to win the first half is 11/10. We've scored one before half time in the league I think. Reading -1 is 7/5
Interesting to read Watt talking the talk. We seem to have a few of this type at the moment , Makienok, Bauer and JBG are always very quick to don sackcloth and ashes on their social media after the latest sh1t performance. How about just doing your job on the pitch guys? If as looks likely Pope is in goal at Reading, and little Aherne Grant is starting up front, I fear a battering. I will be at the forefront of the bile n'vitriol on the terraces tomorrow if that happens Another two week break passes by and still our treatment table is full. What the f**k do they treat our injured players with, home grown rhubarb juice?
Fair play to him. All too often these days footballers say nothing it make excuses when they're plating ****. I admite Watt for coming out and telling it as is is. On form he is a good forward so I hope he can rediscover a bit of form on Saturday.
I work in media. Most of these footballers probably don't run it themselves. They'll hire someone to "tweet" or post on their behalf. I know people who do for some top premier league stars, clubs, businesses, etc. They probably don't really care, they get paid a fair amount
The simple fact is that some things don't sell however low you discount it and a seat at the valley is fast becoming one of these. It doesn't take a marketing guru to understand that what you are selling is not a seat but the ability to partake in the warm buzz of success, victory etc. If that is not present then you can sell the seats for a quid and you will still have declining attendances. The ten minutes of JJ inspired revival two weekends ago was sufficient for me to justify my seat purchase on the day but if you aren't there to partake in the success you would not want to go. A draw at home will not draw fans to the stadium. Yes, the manager, the player carrousel, the failure to manage injuries all seem to be the contributory factors. Nothing that is being offered has the "I must see that" factor to draw crowds in, or delivers a sense of unity and identity with the club and the team that we so badly need. Unfortunately the lack of this factor does draw in the leg ends who reckon it is clever to throw seats and bottles at official, opposing fans or players. These are mostly failures of the human race who are identifying with failure. If Nick thinks that these are the supporters we need to encourage, then he is living in an alternative universe to the rest of us, since no parent will bring little Jonny to watch a match where morons like this are present and thus the death spiral is reinforced. We need a good performance from a thin squad and that is always a possibility. Players like Ahearne Grant will have benefitted from the comeback two weeks ago as an education that you can beat the odds. Confidence is what breeds victory and negativity is the one thing that guarantees defeat. On here we seem to be breeding the latter. Do I support Duchatalet, Meire and Luzon - no because I don't think they really know what they are doing in the current championship. Do I support the team - yes even if some of them are not good enough to wear the shirt, they are my team and I do not see the need to dig out players like Pope, Ahearne Grant , Solly. Jacko , Fox, Cousins. Diara, Bauer et al. An army is led by its general and the birdy song is not a rallying cry for most of the troops. However when a captain comes on the field he can often inspire the troops to greater things, even if the general's master plan has failed. Chris Solly is a great player and doesn't need to be captain, he was relieved when Jacko came n the field and instantly started playing better. Never under estimate the power of good leadership. Leadership, support, desire and belief are needed
For more teams news, Hal Robson-Kanu is almost certain to miss out. We are also missing Jonathan Bond through injury (not worried as he is having a worse season than Nick Pope at the moment!) and also Anton Ferdinand in the centre of defence and Stephen Quinn in centre midfield. We may have Matej Vydra back though to give us more options up front. Reading look like they should be able to win this one, but never underestimate complacency. Steve Clarke is doing his best to keep everyone's feet firmly on the ground, but is it working? Watch this space...
Fantastic match thread by the way, from all the forums I'm attached to this is the best I've seen so far this season!
Henderson back on the bench, Jackson starting, Moussa starting and Fox and Watt both dropped to the bench.
Thank you! We ain't won away in so many games Number_13. It's near impossible for Clarke to be complacent. Team news guys: Not quite agree with Morgan Fox being dropped for an unknown, who's name sounds suspiciously like "bird ****" Hope everyone enjoys the game!
