Reading v Charlton AthleticSaturday 31st August 2019 … 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Jarred Gillett (Australia)IntroductionCharlton are off on their travels before a very much needed International Break… Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Royal Berkshire, home to attractions such as Ascot, Windsor Park and Legoland – The irony of the latter shouldn’t be lost on events within SE7 of late; where Lee Bowyer can be found building something special… Reading will be our hosts this Saturday, their fans believe we’re in a false position – Like those we’ve faced already this season, it’s only fair we continue to show we’re third on merit, not luck!!
The OppositionName: Reading |
Manager: Jose Manuel Gomes
Ground: Madejski Stadium
Under a transfer embargo for much of the summer, its not been the best of times at Reading - Relegation from the Premier League in 2013 has seen a harsh transition to football back in the Championship, they've been in a relegation fight for all but two of those years and survived dropping into League One by just seven points last season... There is light at the end of the tunnel though, the embargo has been lifted and there could once again be hope in Berkshire. Sitting just two points from the Play-Offs, it’s not just the Addicks that look like they’re in a false position at this early start of the season!!
Erm hang on… Moore, Pele, Puscas? - Are we sure this isnt a 1970s Retirement Home we’re visiting??? - Okay all three players may not be as problematic as their namesakes but this will be another challenge we should become used to at this level!!
Yet my danger man is pretty obvious this week… Michael Morrison, one of the biggest mistakes of our current regime. Enjoying constant Championship Football (whilst we’ve endured three years of League One); Michael would leave Birmingham City this summer after wanting the security of an extra year on his contract, baffling for a Defender who has proven so reliable at this level and should be a match for our attackers!!
Charlton Team NewsWith a week off since Brentford its been a week for players to re-charge their batteries and take a short break from the rigours of Championship Football – Lee Bowyer would confirm straight after Saturdays win that there would be a behind closed doors game this week so those lacking match fitness would get some much needed minutes
It means that there should be a chance for the likes of Erhun Oztumer and Beram Kayal to impress in front of their Manager… Chris Solly will come back into condition after completing his mandatory seven day break from action following his concussion against Barnsley. Going to need more headache tablets Lee!!
Phillips
Solly | Lockyer | Pearce | Purrington
Cullen | Field | Williams
Gallagher
Taylor | Hemed
Substitutes Bench: Amos | Sarr | Kayal | Aneke | Oztumer | Lapslie | Leko
PredictionWhat is a common theme of this section; the Championship is certainly difficult to predict but Charlton results seem to be constant as the games roll by – With a difficult October coming up (where we face the expected top six) its important that we get points on the board now. We’ve yet to go on a proper losing run under the current Management, that’s not to say it wont happen eventually!!
Comments
75-mins for Kayal in the BCD game midweek? - Might be a chance to give him another small run out before the break?
I have to keep up my lack of optimism on this thread which suggests that we will lose (2-1), but I have backed us to win on beat the bookie, thus surely condemning us to our first league loss of the season!
To be honest though I've put Kayal on the bench but now realised that Pratley isnt involved
Christ wonder if Bowyer will lend me his headache tablets!!
I'm going to this game and although I think a draw would be a decent result I reckon we will nick it.
2.1 Charlton Hemed to open his account for the mighty Addicks.
Williams, Gallagher and Taylor
Scrappy 1.0 defeat.
A 50% improvement in ball control and the same fantastic spirit will see us bring home at least a point.
I believe Reading played mainly a reserve team last night so shouldn't have a bearing?
By all accounts Reading's performance against Huddersfield was like Forest against us. 78% possession to Huddersfield at half time and Reading nicked one after the opposition ran out of steam after 65 minutes and stopped pressing. So assume JB will see Reading as another Forest and set up to press and dominate the midfield, unlike the Brentford strategy.
We are clearly not yet as fit as we need to be to press and control possession for 90minutes, but it will come and it will get easier as it gets cooler. So hope to see a similar start to the one we made against Forest. We just need to get the goals when we have the possession.
Morrison is getting grave reviews from the Reading fans and their defence looks like their strong point, so all set up for a cracker of a game.
With Solly not being an attacking defender (iyswim) I think we will lose some cutting edge as well as being worse at the back not having Oshi there.
2-0 to the home side.
2-0 to Reading
Taylor x2
Leko x3
If your team prediction is right what a subs bench that is.