Reading FC Corner 1 - Matches (previews, live comments & final whistle)

Former Man Utd and Bayern Munich player Owen Hargreaves said on BT Sport
"Reading played really well in between both boxes but chances didn't go their way. They had about 60 per cent possession at Old Trafford, and that doesn't really happen. Their general play was good."


The Royals had more shots than the home side, with 13 compared Man Utds five, and five on target each.

Manchester United's Juan Mata speaks out on impact of Jose Gomes at Reading FC so far
Juan Mata has praised Reading after their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Spaniard credited the impact of new manager Jose Gomes who was appointed by the Royals on December 22. He had previously worked for a number of clubs in Portugal, Hungary and the Middle East, and was once the assistant at Porto. Reading went into their match against United in the FA Cup third round second-from-bottom in the Championship, but according to Mata they are now on the right path.

"Big credit to Reading," said the former Chelsea playmaker in his post-match interview with BT Sport. "They played very good. They have a new manager and they're trying to play this way which is a very nice way. Credit them but we are through."
Mata opened the scoring for United from the penalty spot as the video assisted referee awarded the hosts a foul inside the Reading box.

READING v NOTTM FOREST
Madejski Stadim
12th January 2019

Winless in 11 competitive games, and scoring just six goals during that run (D5, L6), Reading enter this clash having lost their last three Championship home matches. Despite having the lion's share of the possession in their last three competitive matches, a 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United in their last outing further exemplified the ‘Royals’ goal conversion issues - with 298 total shots on goal in the league this season, just 28 have found the net (GD - 28:41).

Eight of their Championship fixtures also saw Reading lose from a half-time drawing position (a league high), and the hosts currently hold the division’s third-worst defensive record for the 15 minutes immediately following the break (ten goals conceded). Here, second-from-bottom Reading face next-in-line for total shots on goal in Nottingham Forest (304), yet Forest are seventh and just four points off the play-off positions.

Without a win in four Championship away games, the 'Reds' (W9, D12, L5) scored three goals in seven minutes to beat ten-man Leeds 4-2 at home in their last league showing. Having netted in 72% of their away league fixtures this season, Forest travel to the Madejski in search of victory after three consecutive H2H defeats here. With 20 wins in all competitions however, Forest lead the H2H record (W20, D10, L15) but have won just twice here since 2003 (W2, D3, L7).


Players to watch: John Swift scored a brace against Forest in Reading's recent 3-1 H2H win here, while 14-goal Lewis Grabban (NOT) has two career goals and assists against Reading and could trouble his former club.

Stat attack (in all competitions): Reading have kept just two clean sheets in 15 home games - nine finished with over 2.5 goals. Seven of Forest's 15 away games featured over 2.5 goals. The home side on the day has won six of the last seven H2Hs.

Winless in 11 competitive games, and scoring just six goals during that run (D5, L6), Reading enter this clash having lost their last three Championship home matches. Despite having the lion's share of the possession in their last three competitive matches, a 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United in their last outing further exemplified the ‘Royals’ goal conversion issues - with 298 total shots on goal in the league this season, just 28 have found the net (GD - 28:41).
Eight of their Championship fixtures also saw Reading lose from a half-time drawing position (a league high), and the hosts currently hold the division’s third-worst defensive record for the 15 minutes immediately following the break (ten goals conceded). Here, second-from-bottom Reading face next-in-line for total shots on goal in Nottingham Forest (304), yet Forest are seventh and just four points off the play-off positions.

Without a win in four Championship away games, the 'Reds' (W9, D12, L5) scored three goals in seven minutes to beat ten-man Leeds 4-2 at home in their last league showing. Having netted in 72% of their away league fixtures this season, Forest travel to the Madejski in search of victory after three consecutive H2H defeats here.
With 20 wins in all competitions however, Forest lead the H2H record (W20, D10, L15) but have won just twice here since 2003 (W2, D3, L7).

Players to watch: John Swift scored a brace against Forest in Reading's recent 3-1 H2H win here, while 14-goal Lewis Grabban (NOTTM FOR) has two career goals and assists against Reading and could trouble his former club.

Stat attack (in all competitions): Reading have kept just two clean sheets in 15 home games - nine finished with over 2.5 goals. Seven of Forest's 15 away games featured over 2.5 goals. The home side on the day has won six of the last seven H2Hs.

DERBY COUNTY v READING
Championship
Saturday, 19thh January 2019 - KO 3.00pm
 
With a swell of pride at Pride Park, Derby County (W12, D7, L8) return home following a midweek FA Cup win on penalties over Southampton. Four straight draws help make up a five-game unbeaten streak at home in all competitions, with Derby losing just twice here in the Championship all season (W6, D5, L2). Frank Lampard's 'Rams' have only failed to score on three occasions at Pride Park this term, but two league losses by two-goal margins since December has done little to quell sixth-placed Derby’s promotion campaign.
 
Seven points off second ahead of this round, a Derby victory may seem a foregone conclusion against relegation-threatened Reading (22nd-place); however the ‘Royals' have an excellent record here over the years having won nine of their last 16 visits since 2002, and fought a tough battle in their 4-2 win in their last visit to Pride Park. But having won just one away trip this Championship campaign (W1, D6, L6), boss José Gomes will have a difficult task on his hands managing back-to-back Reading wins after beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 last time out to break a ten-game winless streak. Their last successive victories came over a year ago, and they've failed to score in their last two Championship awaydays.
 
Players to watch:
Nine-goal Harry Wilson scored in his last league appearance to level the game for Derby, and netted in their FA Cup victory.
Modou Barrow meanwhile hasn't scored in six league games, but scored on his last visit here!
 
Stat attack: Fourteen of these teams' last 23 games featured over 2.5 match goals. Derby have seen both teams score in 67% of their Championship fixtures this season. Reading have been drawing at half-time and then losing at full-time (D/L) in eight matches this term - a league high. The last five H2Hs produced 28 yellow cards and two dismissals (total).

READING v BLACKBURN ROVERS
Championship


MATCH PREVIEW


Reading currently hold the Championship’s third-worst points return at home (W4, D3, L8), and come into this after back-to-back goalless draws. A win here would be only the Royals’ second at home since November, but after the arrival of new manager José Gomes, Reading are unbeaten in four of their last five (W1, D3, L1). Tellingly, Reading were winless in seven league matches prior to his arrival. Short of consistent wins, his presence has at least heralded a defensive improvement, as evidenced by the fact that nearly half (six) of Reading’s 15 home fixtures this term have now produced a 0-0 half-time scoreline.
Prior to their Berkshire jaunt, Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn have suffered back-to-back defeats directly following a run of four straight league wins. Late capitulations are mostly to blame, with 11 of their last 13 conceded league goals have coming in the second half of the match. Furthermore, visiting manager Tony Mowbray is winless in six prior managerial H2Hs with Reading (D2, L4), with his side on the day conceding at least two goals in five of those six meetings. Additionally, Blackburn teams have conceded at least twice in each of their last three H2Hs in all competitions.


Players to watch:
Despite scoring just once this season, Reading’s Modou Barrow is a bright spark down the wing for the Royals - getting an assist in their last home victory.
With 11 goals and five assists, Bradley Dack is Blackburn’s Championship top-scorer, netting in two of his last three away matches in all competitions.


Stat attack:
Reading have been drawing at both half-time and full-time in each of their last three league matches.
 
Head-to-Head:
 Each of the last four H2H encounters have produced over 2.5 total goals. Blackburn have scored first in six of their last eight matches, returning a record of: W4, D1, L1, after doing so.

IPSWICH v READING


Championship


MATCH PREVIEW


 
With just three wins all Championship season and sitting nine points adrift at the bottom of the table, only a miracle can save Ipswich Town from relegation now (W3, D12, L19). They can take heart in the fact that their last three Championship matches have ended in a draw, notably all were by a 1-1 scoreline. The ‘Tractor Boys’ have conceded more league goals than any other Championship side, with their tally of 57 averaging out at a painful 1.68 goals conceded per league match. Meanwhile at the other end, their shot tally of 296 for the season is again the worst in the Championship. Unsurprisingly then, only Bolton have scored fewer goals than their total of 26 this campaign.


Reading will be desperate to improve on their total of six league wins (W6, D12, L16) as they travel to Ipswich. Despite a torrid season, they have lost just one of their previous six matches (W1, D4, L1). However away from home, there seems to be a distinct drop in concentration levels, with the ‘Royals’ conceding 65.38% of their Championship away goals during the second half.
 
Head-to-Head:
Reading have won just one of the last six H2H meetings between the sides (W1, D2, L3). Additionally, five of those six games finished with over 2.5 goals.
 
Players to watch:
Despite their lack of goal threat this season, Will Keane (IPS) has two goals in his previous two league matches. Meanwhile Reading midfielder Yakou Méïté enjoys playing Ipswich, he grabbed a brace the last time these two sides met.
 
Stat attack:
 Ipswich have earned 71.43% of their points at home this season. Ipswich haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last seven Championship matches. Reading have failed to score in three of their previous six league games.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

FT: Reading 4 - 2 Peterborough


Reading FC Official Site: 
[ltr]https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2019/j ... terborough[/ltr]


Report | Royals beat Posh in penultimate Madejski friendly

Four different goal scorers helped Reading to a win over Peterborough in their oppening pre-season friendly at Madejski Stadium. Newly appointed shot stopper, Joao Virginia guarded the posts for Reading in his first start at Madejski Stadium, while new signings Charlie Adam and Michael Morrison both featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Birmingham City at Hogwood earlier in the day.

The Royals would have been in good stead heading into the game, with temperatures soaring not too far off what they would have experienced during their extensive two-week training camp out in Spain. A rather tentative opening to the game saw both sides fail to create any real clear cut chances. Marcos Maddison’s shot produced the first effort on goal, minutes before Mo Eisa’s cross found Ivan Toney in the middle, but the striker could only tamely find the hands of Virginia. The Royals looked to take advantage of Mo Barrow’s pace on the wings, but the few times that they did find the winger in space out wide, the linesman’s flag deemed offside.

Peterborough were dictating the play for large parts of the early exchanges, but a Reading corner proved to be their downfall 20 minutes in when a flick-on from the near post found its way to Tyler Blackett – the defender positioning his body perfectly to guide the ball home past a stationary Christy Pym. A water break was soon required due to the sweltering heat in Berkshire, but when the game resumed it was a much more even affair, with Jose Gomes’ men pushing to add to their advantage. Barrow next came close for Reading as he broke past the Posh defence and into the penalty area, but with Pym bearing down on his path, his attempted centre was overhit and resulted in a goal kick. The winger soon found himself on the scoresheet however, when John Swift’s adept through ball on the counter found Barrow with plenty of space 12 yards out. A clever one-touch and finish was enough to double Reading’s lead on the afternoon, although it wasn’t to last as Peterborough soon found a foothold in the game. With minutes to go before the interval, a low cross from the right wasn’t dealt with, and Ivan Toney managed to pull one back for the visitors with a side-footed finish from close range. A tightly contested first half ended with Reading in front, although chances were at a premium for both sides.

Half Time | Reading 2-1 Peterborough United

It was all action in the opening minutes of the second half, when a Peterborough corner fell to the feet of Eisa, but his swivel and shot came bounding off the crossbar and away. The woodwork wasn’t to deny Posh a leveller in the game, and Eisa soon had his goal when he picked up a lose ball on the edge of the area, powering home low to Virginia’s right. The goals didn’t stop there, as moments later John Swift found an immediate reply for the Royals. With the ball put on a tee for the midfielder, his curling effort was no match for Pym, and Reading’s advantage was soon restored. Not only that, but it wasn’t long before it was doubled – Josh Barrett’s quick footwork inside the Posh box enabled him to elude his marker, before slotting home to regain his side a two goal cushion in the tie. The pace of the play began to die down as the players entered the final 20 minutes. Meite’s burst forward was denied by the gloves of Pym before his trickery down the left won his side a corner, though the resulting set-piece was well cleared. With the heat testing the player's fitness to the limit, goals from Blackett, Barrow, Swift and Barrett were enough to overcome a strong Peterborough side come the final whistle. 

Jose Gomes' side now face one last test before the new season when they play Premier League's Chelsea at Madejski Stadium on Sunday 28th July.

Full Time | Reading 4-2 Peterborough United

Reading: Virgínia, Blackett, Moore (c), McIntyre, Yiadom, Rinomhota, Swift, Barret, Olise, Méïté, Barrow.
Subs: Watson, Andresson, Odimayo
Goals: Blackett, Barrow, Swift, Barrett

Peterborough: Pym, Butler, Beevers, Kent, Mason, Maddison, Woodyard, Boyd, Dembele, Eisa, Toney.
Subs: Jones, Fosu, Burrows, Barker, Rolt.
Goals: Toney, Eisa

Highlights - Friendly:

READING v PETERBOROUGH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e74JTZFykaQ

28 July 2019


Friendly Game: READING 3 CHELSEA 4


An entertaining fixture in front of a bustling crowd, goals from Chelsea’s Ross Barkley, Kenedy, and a Mason Mount brace were enough to overcome the Royals in their final pre-season preparations - Josh Barrett, Michael Morrison and Sam Baldock grabbed the Royals' goals.


Having faced Barcelona in Japan five days earlier, Chelsea descended on RG2 for our final friendly of pre-season on Saturday, with Frank Lampard at the helm taking charge of his first game for the Blues on English soil.


Matt Miazga was introduced to the side having returned to Reading on loan earlier in the week, featuring from the substitutes bench against his parent club.
Charlie Adam and Morrison were too both given initial minutes at Madejski Stadium, while Joao Virgínia guarded the posts like he did against Peterborough.


Full Report: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2019/july/report--reading-v-chelsea

Championship


READING v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY


3rd August 2019


"We're better than last time": Bullen issues rallying call as Sheffield Wednesday prepare for season opener at Reading


Sheffield Wednesday are heading into their Championship opener with Reading on Saturday stronger than they were last season, according to caretaker manager Lee Bullen. The Owls, who found themselves in play-off contention last time out after a Steve Bruce-led resurgence from the Championship’s lower reaches, have shown little in the way of distraction following his departure, recording four wins from six pre-season clashes. And former captain Bullen, preparing to oversee his ninth competitive match in a third stint as caretaker manager, believes they are well equipped to challenge the division’s top six once again.


The Scot said: "I think we are stronger than last season. That's no disrespect to the lads who have left but I just think we are a little bit stronger with regards to the energy we have had this season.”


Much has been made of changes to the club’s backroom staff and training regime in recent months, with former Manchester United and England sports science authority Tony Strudwick overseeing tweaks to their regime since signing in June. With regard to fitness, Bullen has described the club’s pre-season approach as ‘more old-school’ than in years previously, and with six first team players having left the club this summer, he says the feeling within a leaner camp is one of readiness.


"I think that we are working with better numbers compared to last year,” he said, “when you have got about 30 players, it is very difficult to keep them all on side and happy, especially when the majority of them are fit. "Working with a squad of around 20-25 maximum is probably better. Twenty players and three goalkeepers, I think it's ideal. At times, you are going have injuries and that's where you are hoping you can take from the academy to fill in gaps here and there.”


Gaps have been already been filled by freebie trio Kadeem Harris, Moses Odubajo and Julian Börner, who have all impressed since coming in.

He said: “All the lads have settled in really well and have earned the respect of their team-mates. The lads have taken to them and they have certainly settled in well and they are positive additions to the group.”


https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/latest-owls-news/were-better-than-last-time-bullen-issues-rallying-call-as-sheffield-wednesday-prepare-for-season-opener-at-reading-487697

READING 1  SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 3


FourFourTwo


Jose Gomes calls on Reading to cut out mistakes after defeat to Sheffield Wednesday


Reading manager Jose Gomes has urged his team to eradicate their mistakes as a matter of urgency after their 3-1 Championship defeat at home to 10-man Sheffield Wednesday.


Wednesday went ahead on the half hour when Kadeem Harris scored from a tight angle on his debut. Reading equalised when Yakou Meite nodded in after the break but Wednesday were soon in front again from a Sam Hutchinson header. Wednesday had goalkeeper Keiren Westwood sent off in the 80th minute for a foul on Mo Barrow. But they held on easily, with Lucas Joao adding a third goal seven minutes into stoppage time.


“We are in the beginning of the season and we have a long way in front of us,” Gomes said. “But we need to fix as soon as possible the mistakes that we showed. In the next game (away to Hull City) the players for sure will perform better than they did today. Both teams started playing steadily at the same time and there were no chances on any goal. Some moments we played better than them, some moments Wednesday showed good things. When we conceded the first goal, we didn’t deserve it because of the way that we had played. But Wednesday used the best way that they could in the chance that we gave to them. We offered the chance. After that, we were again in the game, especially when we scored. But then about one minute later, we conceded again. If you watch properly the game, you cannot say that they were better than us. But they used very well their chances that they created or that we gave to them. In football, if you score more, you win. I must look to my players and study the game again, watch everything again. I must help the players during the next week to be better against Hull. I must say that our fans were again fantastic and they deserved a different result.”


Wednesday caretaker manager Lee Bullen said: “It was a very good win. The first time I was caretaker, we beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 and then lost the next two – so I hope that’s not an omen! If the chairman goes with me, then I feel I’m ready for it (the job permanently). I am very privileged to be doing it at the moment. The chairman will decide, my sole focus is now Barnsley (the next game). But it would be a great opportunity for anyone else who was offered this job. This result is what you would have dreamed of. As for the performance, we can be better. Ultimately, you have to give some credit to Reading. They pegged us back and we had to set some traps and hit them on the counter. That worked for us. We had four strikers on the bench today to change it, a couple of them adaptable. Sam Winnall didn’t even make the squad. That can be tough to keep everyone onside. Possibly we might have to let one or two go but good players attract interest. It maybe isn’t ideal to have six top strikers but it’s a great problem to have. We’ll have to make a decision on Keiren’s red card, whether we appeal. He insists he didn’t touch the boy.”


Read original at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jose-gomes-calls-reading-cut-out-mistakes-after-defeat-sheffield-wednesday#Rto7U2087exwpwFW.99

HULL CITY v READING
Championship
10th August 2019
 
A 2-1 defeat to Swansea was not the way Hull would have wanted to start the new campaign, but the ‘Tigers’ haven’t lost their opening two games of a Championship season since 2006/07. However, Hull are now winless in their last six league games (D2, L4) - their longest such run since October 2018 - with four of those matches seeing both teams score, and only two ending with under 2.5 goals.  Since the Championship’s formation, Hull are unbeaten at home against Reading (W3, D3), with their largest winning margin during that time coming here last season (3-1). Moreover, Hull have lost only one league game at the KCOM Stadium this calendar year (W7, D3, L1), with those games averaging 3.27 match goals per fixture.

Reading have won just one of the last ten Championship H2Hs (W1, D4, L5), although they have opened the scoring by the 16th minute in the last two league meetings (W1, L1). Notably, 50% of Reading’s away league goals last term arrived in the first half hour. However, the ‘Royals’ have won only one game on matchday two across the last six seasons (W1, D3, L2), and after a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday last week, Reading fans may be expecting the worst.


Players to watch: Kamil Grosicki (HUL) scored a brace in the last H2H here. He’s now scored in his last two appearances (for club and country). Yakou Méïté netted Reading’s consolation in their opener. His last two league goals came in the 15 minutes following half-time.

Stat attack: Hull were winning at half-time just once in their last five Championship home games (HT: W1, D1, L3). Hull scored 24.32% of their home league goals during 2018/19 after the 75th minute.


Of the league goals Reading conceded away from home last term, 31.43% were scored beyond the 75th minute.

HULL CITY 2  READING 1


Match Report


Reading boss Jose Gomes slammed his players for the lack of fight they showed during the 2-1 defeat at Hull City on Saturday. An awful start saw Royals trail 2-0 inside the first 16 minutes and the side were a shambles defensively for the opening 45 minutes at the KCOM Stadium. A much-improved second-half display yielded a debut goal for Lucas Joao and further chances to find the net, but it was ultimately too little too late for Gomes side.
The manager, who handed debuts to three new signings from the past week, criticised his team for not showing the passion and commitment needed to compete in the Championship, week in, week out.

"We did what we could do to increase the level of the squad, and now we have a squad that must show a different ambition," he said. "But in football the names never win games. If you don't respect football, it will kill you. When I say that I'm talking about after the first whistle - the way you fight and go for all the challenges. If you don't give your maximum then you're not respecting football and then these kinds of things can happen. It's a big lesson for the future."


Goalkeeper Joao Virginia, on a season-long loan from Everton, was at fault for the first goal while Jackson Irvine found himself unmarked in the centre of the box and headed home to double Hull's lead. Joao, Lucas Boye and Pele - all recruited in the past week - were given their Reading debuts in the hope of lifting the side after their opening day defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. But only Joao impressed as Royals found it difficult to match Grant McCann's side. A much-improved second half display gives Royals hope for the next few weeks, but Gomes admits his players must fight for every point.


"When you change things you always expect something to happen - like a gift," he said. "We started with Lucas Joao, Lucas Boye and Pele but we can't expect things to happen for free with these three new signings. After a mistake the players felt a bit scared things might happen. We must understand why it happened to avoid it happening again in the future. That's my job, but we must catch the spirit we showed in the second half and use it in the future. I'm confident we'll do a great, great season."

Original: https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/names-never-win-games-gomes-16735592

Tuesday 13th AUG 2019


EFL CUP


Wycombe 1  Reading 1 
Reading win 4-2 on penalties
Samuel (59') // Puscas (63')


Reading survived a scare at the hands of Wycombe as the Royals edged through to round two of the Carabao Cup by winning 4-2 on penalties. Danny Loader's spot-kick clinched the tie for the Championship side at Adams Park after Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael Cabral Barbosa saved from Nick Freeman and Fred Onyedinma.
Alex Samuel had given League One Wanderers the lead on the hour mark after the striker glanced Joshua Parker's corner into the back of the net. But new Reading signing George Puscas levelled the scores moments later as he slotted in his first goal on his first start since signing from Inter Milan.

Draw Round 2

Plymouth v Reading

READING v CARDIFF CITY
18th August 2019 - Championship
Match Preview


Referee: Davies A.  / Venue:  Madejski Stadium (Reading)
 
Back-to-back Championship losses for the first time since December has Reading sitting in an early relegation spot. The ‘Royals’ have now conceded the first goal in all three competitive games this season, something they also did in 41.3% of their Championship fixtures last term. However, they did lose just once at the Madjeski Stadium in their final ten matches here last season (W5, D4, L1), but only won ‘to nil’ at home twice last Championship campaign, whilst losing ‘to nil’ five times. A worthy note is that across the 68 previous H2Hs (Reading: W24, D21, L23), 26.47% saw the winning team lose ‘to nil’.

Cardiff City were relegated to the Championship after an abysmal season where they scored an average of just 0.68 goals per away league game. Manager Neil Warnock saw his team lose their opening away match at Wigan 3-2, before then beating Luton in a 2-1 home win last weekend. Matchday three fixtures have been fortuitous for the ‘Bluebirds’ in recent seasons, with their last loss coming in 2012/13 (W3, D3 since). Whilst Cardiff won their first three matches (to nil) in their 2017/18 Championship promotion season, they are winless in the last five H2Hs at this level (D3, L2).

Players to watch: Yakou Méïté scored 12 league goals last season, and netted Reading's consolation in their opening day defeat. Isaac Vassell (CAR) came off the bench and scored a 96th-minute winner last time out, but keep tabs on Josh Murphy who has been shown a yellow card in his last three league appearances.


Stat attack: Both teams have shipped 18 league goals after the 75th minute last season. Cardiff led at half-time in just two of 19 league awaydays last term (REA home: eight). As well as both teams scoring in each of these team's opening matches, both have scored in their last five H2Hs held here.

READING 3  CARDIFF CITY 0


First league win of the season for Reading as they beat Cardiff City


READING recorded their first league of the season this afternoon as they beat visiting Cardiff City 3-0. The victory catapulted the Royals up to 17th in the Championship table, having started the day rock bottom.


Reading took 25 minutes to open the scoring from George Puscas on his home debut. The same player then doubled the advantage for the home side five minutes before half-time. It was left to John Swift to complete the scoring seven minutes from time.


Reading will hope to build on this win on Wednesday night, when they travel to West Brom

WBA v READING


Championship 


West Bromwich Albion opened their Championship home campaign with a 1-1 draw to Millwall, and will now be eager to get a win under their belts at The Hawthorns. However they failed to claim all three points in 11 of their 23 home league matches last season (W12, D7, L4), although they only dropped points in three home games versus bottom-half clubs. The ‘Baggies’ may have scored five league goals across three Championship games so far, but they’ll be eager to improve their strike rate. That’s because although they’re averaging 15.7 shots per match, that number drastically reduces to just 3.3 in terms of attempts on target.


Reading, on the other hand, must improve their away form if they’re to have aspirations of a play-off push this time around. They’ve only won three of 34 Championship away matches since the beginning of 2018, with two coming against clubs who went on to be relegated. José Gomes has overseen 13 away league contests as Reading manager (W1, D6, L6), with his team conceding at least twice in six, and failing to score in five. In fact, last season the ‘Royals’ were one of only six teams in England’s top-four tiers to have won two or fewer away league games.


Players to watch: New signing Charlie Austin (WBA) has scored 66 goals in 130 Championship appearances throughout his career. Reading forward Lucas João has scored in his last two away matches, one for his new club and the other for former side Sheffield Wednesday.


Stat attack: West Brom have won the last three home league H2Hs, with Reading last winning away in the league in this H2H on February 27, 1988.  West Brom scored the opener in 21 Championship matches last season, and didn’t lose any (W17, D4). Last season, both teams scored in 60.87% of Reading’s away league matches.

HUDDERSFIELD 0 READING 2


Reading FC boss Jose Gomes on beating Huddersfield, a brilliant week, McIntyre and keeping focused


See what Royals' manager had to say post match at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday afternoon


Reading boss Jose Gomes was delighted with his side's display after the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town. Second-half goals by Ovie Ejaria - his second in four days - and Michael Morrison earned Royals a comfortable win at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The result sent Reading up to 11th place in the Championship table.

“We did extremely well against Cardiff, defended bravely at West Brom and although we started by giving away the ball too much today, we defended very well. Even though they had more possession, they couldn't create a clear goalscoring chance. We didn't allow it. It's always a risk if you give the ball to the opponent. Even when we play away we should always try to reduce the time and space for the opposition to create options. The good thing is the spirit my players defended with. They were tired and we have been training in temperatures of around 18C and we played in around 30C so it was tough for them. But we showed good organisation and even when they played better than us in the first half we defended well. We are in a moment where everyone is loving the way we like to play but we should be in pre-season because my players are still learning and understanding how we play. We are growing like a team.”
 
McIntyre's display
As a coach I always look for the mistakes - he made one but did a lot of good things as well. He is a kid with a great capacity and is a great talent. He is very tough and he already showed in pre-season we can count on him.
 
Miazga's injury
I don't think it is anything serious. He felt cramp in his muscle and felt if he went on then he might do something serious.
 
Keeping grounded
There is still a long time to go, now we must rest and I must now think about the best options for the Plymouth game. The truth is the players are tired and we need to rest. I must decide whether to play them or change the team for Tuesday. We have 41 games to go - and with cup games too - and 41 is more than the majority of leagues in Europe. It's a fantastic competition.
 
Ejaria's display
He scored again just when we were changing the team. We started holding the ball in the offensive part of the midfield and he did a great action again. He believed it was possible to score and hopefully he can go on scoring. He had cramp in his hamstring just before the goal and I was talking with the physio and staff to see if we should change him or not. It was a risk allowing him to continue but they said he could go on. I waited a bit on the change and it was good that I did because he scored.
 
Morrison's defensive performance
He did very well - as did the other centre-backs. They were brave - McIntyre did well and Moore defended the ball in a dangerous moment. I'm very happy with them.
 
Up to 11th in the table
We've only played five games so we're at the beginning. We have 41 games in front of us so it's step by step; we must be realistic and we understand the enthusiastic way everybody is living this moment but the important thing is the end of the league. A lot of things can happen in the remaining 41 games and my mission is to help the players keep focused and make sure they get better and better.

Original: https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-boss-jose-gomes-16810741

Striker Yakou Meite scored twice as Sky Bet Championship side Reading fought back from 2-1 down to beat League Two Plymouth 4-2 at Home Park in the Carabao Cup second round. Meite won and converted an 87th minute penalty after being felled by home keeper Mike Cooper. Meite then put the tie beyond Plymouth by firing home under Cooper in the first minute of stoppage time.
Target man Ryan Taylor claimed his third goal in two games to fire Argyle 1-0 up after 22 minutes. Taylor tapped home from close range after strike partner Zak Rudden, on loan from Rangers, teed him up. Reading levelled when impressive Josh Barrett – one of 11 changes to the team that won 2-0 at Huddersfield – cut in from the left and let fly with a thumping shot into the far corner with 35 minutes gone. Midfielder Jose Baxter scored a superb second goal for the Greens, sending a low 25-yard shot past diving Sam Walker into the corner on 55 minutes. Barrett levelled again after 72 minutes when he cut in from the left to send a measured curling shot over a full stretch Cooper into the top corner. Argyle could have gone 3-1 up but playmaker Danny Mayor's rising angled drive rattled the post and they were to rue that missed chance as Reading went on to win.

READING v CHARLTON ATHLETIC


31st August 2019 - Championship


Match Preview


Referee: Gillet J. / Venue: Madejski Stadium (Reading)
 
Following a 4-2 comeback win at Plymouth in the Carabao Cup midweek, Reading are unbeaten in their last five competitive games (W3, D2), and have provided fans with an average of 3.5 total goals per Championship home match this term. Moreover, Reading have scored in each of their first seven competitive games of the season so far - the first time they’ve done so since 2010/11. The last time these two met the ‘Royals’ completed a league double over Charlton Athletic (2015/16), however, Reading fans will be wary considering their team won just 25% of the league fixtures that they started as a home favourite last season (W2, D3, L3).

Ahead of this round, newly promoted Charlton (W3, D2) are one of just four teams that remain undefeated this Championship campaign. Notably, their tally of 11 points from their opening five league matches is the ‘Addicks’ best start to a second-tier campaign since 1999/00 (12pts) when they won the title. Even so, Charlton are winless in nine of their last ten trips to Reading (W1, D4, L5 - in all competitions), with the previous three Championship H2Hs held here ending via a 1-0 scoreline (W1, L2).

Players to watch: John Swift was involved in two of Reading’s three goals in their last home match (one goal, one assist), and has scored against Charlton once in two previous appearances against them. Lyle Taylor has had a hand in five of Charlton’s nine Championship goals this campaign (four goals, one assist).

Stat attack: Reading have registered a clean sheet in three of their last four home league fixtures (W1, D2, L1). A red card has been shown to the away side on the day in two of the last three H2Hs. Charlton have scored the opening goal in four of their five Championship fixtures this campaign.