Reading v Charlton Athletic Saturday 08 November 2014 Kick-Off: 3pm INTRODUCTION With the final disruption that is the International break looming after our next Championship fixture many Addicks fans will be pleased to see a bit of consistency back in Championship Football… Prior to the last break (which was on October 12th) the Addicks had yet to lose a game, had recorded four draws and three victories (which included the smash and grab at Norwich City) and were sitting sixth in the table… Since then though the Addicks have been on a bit of a downward curve, five matches have been played with just the single victory and along with two defeats mean that Charlton have dropped to tenth, of course its not all doom and gloom with us still only three points from the Play-Offs yet as we prepare for a trip to Reading this Saturday… Maybe a break in proceedings may help Charlton to return to the upper reaches of the table. LAST TIME OUT The Addicks heading for Yorkshire and Leeds United would find themselves heading into Half-Time at 0-0 yet a goal from Andy Mowatt early in the second half would give Leeds a much needed lead, Charlton would bounce back though and Johann Gudmundsson popped up to score only his second goal for the club, unfortunately that joy would be short-lived as Andy Mowatt would again give Leeds the lead only for Johann Gudmundsson to level from the penalty spot late on… Rhoys Wiggins would be injured in the build up to the penalty yet the Mowatt and Gudmundsson show would finish 2-2. Reading on the other hand would be the Home side against Yorkshire opposition as Rotherham United would make the trip down to Berkshire… taking the lead midway through the half (through Jamie Mackie), the Royals would never look back and never looked in danger of surrendering their lead, two more goals from Simon Cox in the second half would give Reading a 3-0 win leaving them in 13th place and three points behind their opposition this Saturday. THE OPPOSITION Manager: NIGEL ATKINS As a Footballer Atkins would have a career cut short by a double spinal fracture, after appearing for Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic; Atkins would join Welsh side: Bangor City in 1993 as a Player-Manager, three years he’d spend in Wales before moving to England and Sc**thorpe United where initially he took the position of physio, following the departure of Brian Laws, Atkins would be promoted to Manager and within one season would guide Sc**thorpe to the Championship… In 2010 League One side; Southampton would come calling and despite dropping a Division, Atkins would take the Saints in back to Back promotions straight to the Premier League… Seen by many as an unfair sacking at the time, Atkins would depart the South Coast in 2013 where he would immediately become Reading Manager, unable to save the Royals from relegation they would return to the Championship and despite a strong year, would be piped to the Play-Off places on the last day of the season by Brighton & Hove Albion. Player: GARETH MCCLEARY Focus this week is on a Reading Winger with links close to South East London… Starting his youth career at Oxford United, McCleary would depart without making a senior appearance, moving to neighbours Oxford City for just one season, McCleary would go on to play for Slough Town yet it was for his next club where he made his mark: Bromley… Playing for the Ravens for just one season, McCleary’s big chance would materialise with a move to Nottingham Forest, there he’d spend four years making over 100-appearances before joining current side Reading upon their promotion to the Premier League… The Season so Far… READING Is this the best or the worst time to be playing Reading, either way I’ll let you decide… since the 4th October, Reading have played six matches, in four those matches they’ve conceded three goals (losing on each occasion) whilst in their last two home matches they’ve scored three goals (winning both times), if ever there is a emphasis on the saying “It comes in threes”, Charlton fans had better home that this is a bit of a myth. In form table Reading currently have the second best home form in the Division losing and drawing just once, whilst they have the 11th and 19th best attack and defence respectively… Simon Cox their top scorer has seven goals whilst Adam Federici in the Reading goal this season has kept seven clean sheets. CHARLTON TEAM NEWS The biggest news to come out of the Press Conference yesterday was the news that Rhoys Wiggins is set to be out for six weeks with a foot injury, Morgan Fox is expected to deputise during this period yet Joe Gomez and Lawrie Wilson can both fill in at Left-Back… Johann Gudmundsson played his first 90minutes for a number of weeks whilst Igor Vetokele managed a bit more game time against Leeds (appearing from the bench), another possibility this Weekend will be Francis Coquelin who impressed in a cameo on Tuesday night so equally could come into the Midfield. LINE-UP Henderson Solly – Ben-Haim – Bikey – Fox Gudmundsson – Buyens – Coquelin – Cousins Jackson – Vetokele Substitutes Bench Pope – Gomez – Wilson – Onyewu – Harriott – Moussa – Tucudean PREDICTION Reading 1-3 Charlton Athletic
I know there has been a bit of talk about who will be occupying the Left-Back slot this week and really do believe that Morgan Fox will fill that slot, at the same time though I partly wonder if Peeters will opt to go for Lawrie Wilson down the Left hand side, is a bit more pacey and would be better suited to deal with any threats down the wings (thats if Reading dont decide to play it through the middle)
I would expect to see Fox in at LB. That's what I hope to see anyway. I'll be at the Madejski tomorrow so no match updates from me. My prediction: 1-1, Igor for us.
I think reading are going to start marching up the table sooner rather than later - and think it will be 6 points from 6, from their two home games. One thing is for sure, by the sound of his performance from his 30 minutes in Leeds - the Coq has to start. Bob also claims everyone is fully fit bar wiggins - so hope igor is on song. 4-5-1 turning in to 4-3-3 seems to be the plan moving forward, but I'd like to see Tucudean partnered up top one more time, even if it's just to get the best out of vetokele. This would be my game to try it too. 2-1 reading. Bikey to score against his old club.
I had us down for a 3-1 loss, but my pessimism might be unfounded. With Igor, Gudmundsson fit and Coquelin proving to be useful we should manage to put out a team without Moussa, Tucudean or Bulot(who might be back). Too late to change my prediction, but I'm more optimistic now.
Vetokele replaces Tucudean and Solly comes back in at RB. Fox is in for Wiggins. Reading are starting Mackie, Cox and Murray. We will need Bikey and TBH on top form. Personally the Coq should have started and been told to marshall Mackie who will drop deep.
With Fox in and Wilson and Coquelin out, I have to go for a 2-1 defeat. At full strength I would have fancied a draw.
He said the same thing in two separate interviews. Pretty damning indictment of Church's status at the club. We all know he is not up to it, but at least observe the courtesies, especially as the poor guy has a bad injury and we get frequent commentaries on the state of the almost equally useless Bulot's health.
Presumably to give Fox some help. Second start for Harriott. Needs to do better than against the Massive to establish himself in Tucudean's place. Hopefully he will.
Have you right there, eddie. Just wonder why Tucudean didn't play if it's 4-4-2. I;m not his biggest fan but he does compliment Igor.
Goal! 39 mins. Vetokele header from chipped cross from Solly. Reading commentators gave the goal to Harriott, so I switched back to Peter Finch in disgust.
The goal came up on the BBC web a minute or two before CAFC player, so either CAFC player is on a delay, or someone at the Beeb has second sight.
I'm following on Betfair which is instant, and have SSN on in the background. Got a cheeky 10 fold for 3 grand looking ooooooook (touch wood). Though Leverkusen need to hurry up and score!
When I am abroad, as now, I watch on FirstRow. It is usually without commentary so I have tried watching using Player for sound. It often starts off OK, but as the match progresses the Player commentary falls further and further behind.
Many strikers have one hot season for scoring then fade back into the pack. What is different about Vetokele is that he is a tremendously hard worker, so he will always be worth a place even when not scoring. When he has helped out with defending he has been cool and tough.
Apparently Paul Walsh said on Sky we are "taking a battering", but BBC reports Reading have not had a shot on goal yet. Fox doing OK, apparently.
You can see he enjoys his football, and with that fans will instantly warm to him. I love the way he celebrates, exactly the same - whatever the goal.
