Reading v Swansea Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Select Car Leasing Stadium Date - 27 December 2022 Kick off - 17:15 Following their dramatic 3-3 away draw at Coventry, next up for Russell Martin’s stuttering Swans is a trip up the M4 to play Paul Ince’s Reading on December 27th. Last Saturday, the Swans fought back from 3-0 down to claim a point in a remarkable game at Coventry City. Jonathan Panzo headed in a first senior goal before second-half strikes from Jamie Allen and Viktor Gyokeres put Coventry in total control. But Joel Piroe swept in before Jay Fulton lashed home the Welsh club's second. Russell Martin's team completed a memorable comeback when Liam Cullen tapped in six minutes from time. The question is - why did the Swans find themselves in that predicament in the first place? Wrong team selection? Wrong tactics? The draw meant that the Swans’ winless run now stretches to seven matches, although in some respects the Coventry result will feel like a victory given that the game looked over after Gyokeres struck. As a result, the Swans climbed to 11th in the Championship. The previous evening, two-goal Birmingham City skipper Troy Deeney proved the match-winner on a freezing cold night at St Andrew's as his early double helped beat Paul Ince's Reading. Deeney's opener after just 63 seconds, followed by his 23rd-minute penalty and Tahith Chong's first goal of the season, earned Blues a commanding half-time lead. Lucas Joao got one back on 83 minutes and Tom Ince added another four minutes into stoppage time. However, John Eustace's Blues hung on for their eighth win of the season to move seven places up to ninth in the table - above Reading who are in twelfth place, at the halfway mark of the Championship season. The Swans have played Reading on 87 previous occasions, winning 35, losing 34 with 18 games drawn. In the corresponding fixture last season, the teams drew 4-4, with the Swans ‘blowing’ a 4-1 lead ….. Turning to Tuesday, Reading could possibly be welcoming back up to six players for the match which is live on Sky TV - Naby Sarr and Tom McIntyre will definitely be back in the Reading fold, with Scott Dann, Tom Holmes, Sam Hutchinson and possibly Femi Azeez available for selection. Whilst the Swans are more than capable of returning to South Wales with at least a point, I have a feeling that Reading will win and level the overall series at 35 wins each. That would make it 5 points out of a possible 24 points for the Swans in the last 8 Championship fixtures …… Hope I’m wrong Merry Christmas
I’m struggling to get interested in club football since the World Cup. I’m not even looking at the fixtures to see who we have next.
The World Cup was as over hyped as the appalling Premier League. Thank goodness it's over. My only contact with it was for about 30 minutes of the first half of Wales' first game. It was simply dreadful. I had seen enough, and decided to save my electricity for something more worthwhile.
So you’re saying that you have judged the entire 64 games of the World Cup on 30 minutes of a dour performance by Wales on the 2nd day of the tournament ? The World Cup was fantastic. Money may have made the difference as to where it was hosted but did not have an effect on the players each team had - which is why it is much more exciting than league football - particularly the PL where you can buy anything if you have the right backers.
I watched nearly all of it and apart from the tail end of the final could not seem to get any interest in it. Felt something was missing. Just my opinion of course. Everyone to their own.
No, you are " saying " it. As expected. If you had taken the time to read my post it ONLY referred to 30 minutes of Wales first game. So how can I have done as you say. You just can't help yourself, can you ? You are entitled to opine that the World Cup was " fantastic ", as that's your prerorgative. I prefer to reserve the use of that special word for when something meaningful happens in my life/world. Clearly, watching a game/games of football has more meaning in your life/world than in mine. Sad, or what ? To have held the tournament in Qatar was a disgrace but the corrupt officials who organised it were blinded by the size of the bribes on offer. Nothing changes with regards these tournaments. Sadly, the viewing public lacked the courage to speak up, and avoid it. I'm surprised that they don't hold these pointless, meaningless, tournaments every 2 years. Just think of all the millions of pounds, dollars, euros, dinars, etc., going begging, by sticking to every 4 years.
Doesn't he look fit and healthy. Great to see him again. Is he still " laying on more balls than " - you know who ?
So this is what your post said : "My only contact with it was for about 30 minutes of the first half of Wales' first game. It was simply dreadful. I had seen enough, and decided to save my electricity for something more worthwhile." How have I misunderstood that ? about 30 minutes and then you had seen enough. Fairly unambiguous statement from you. "Clearly, watching a game/games of football has more meaning in your life/world than in mine. Sad, or what ?" you're right - it is sad that you feel that way. "I'm surprised that they don't hold these pointless, meaningless, tournaments every 2 years." I'm surprised you even pay attention to any football whatsoever due to your apparent disgust and ill feelings towards it. "Just think of all the millions of pounds, dollars, euros, dinars, etc., going begging, by sticking to every 4 years." Many times I've heard you shout down anyone who has bad things to say about owners etc - by saying it is a business and they can do with it as they want as it's nothing to do with the fans, then you make sarcastic statements like this when FIFA, who again are essentially a business, hint that they want to make more money from their tournaments. You can't have it both ways.
