Team News
Blues will be without Jean Beausejour who is suspended and Morgaro Gomis who is still struggling with a groin injury.
Reading have no major injury worries and could field an unchanged side.
Last Meeting
Our last trip to Reading was in May 2009 when a 2-1 Blues victory sent us back to the Premier League. Keith Fahey and Kevin Phillips got the goals.
Recent Form
Last Saturday’s draw with Brighton ended a run of four straight wins for Blues. They are still unbeaten in all competitions since losing to Man City in the Carling Cup in September.
Reading have won one and drawn four of their last six. They are currently 16th, five places and three points behind Blues.
Outlook
Thursday night’s comeback against Brugge kept our Europa League qualification hopes alive but it did follow a pretty poor first half performance. Adding in last week’s game against Brighton we had three halves of football where we failed to get a single shot on target. There are definite signs of fatigue setting in which is understandable considering the number of games we played in October. The international break that follows this game is coming at a good time for Chris Hughton’s men.
In the league October has been a great month in which we won four of five games scoring eight and conceding only one. Chris Hughton has deservedly been awarded manager of the month and while that can be a curse I am very pleased that he has been recognised for his great work. Away games after Europe are always tough so it might not just be the curse to blame if we slip up tomorrow. Reading have been tough to beat at home getting draws against Southampton, Derby and Middlesbrough already this season. In fact they are draw specialists and have only one home win under their belts so far. We have good and bad memories of going to Reading’s flat pack stadium. In 2009 we were promoted there but the previous year we lost a crucial relegation battle where a point would have kept us up. I also remember that game being particularly cold despite being at Easter. The Madjeski stadium seems to have been designed so that the cold wind always blows into the faces of the away fans.
For this game I expect those on the bench on Thursday to all be in the starting line up. That means recalls for Myhill, Davies, Burke, King, Ridgewell and Wood with Stephen Carr also back at right back. One position to fill will be on the left where Jean Beausejour is suspended leaving us a bit light in midfield. It looks a straight choice between Elliott and Redmond and while I’d like young Nathan to be given another go I expect the senior man to get the nod. I personally would play them both with Elliott moving into the centre. Up front we have the quality but they can’t do much if they are as starved of service as they were last Saturday.
As the table currently stands a win could take us to seventh but I don’t think a draw would be that bad a result. Reading are the draw specialists after all.
My prediction Reading 1 Blues 1
C’mon you Blue Boys
@Aylesbury_Blue
Beausejour being suspended is a big blow. I think we’ll struggle to win tomorrow but I agree that we can get a point.
I reckon Redmond should be chomping at the bit, so it’s a good shout to start him and Elliott, N’Daw too. Think Fahey needs a break.
0-1 Blues…
I saw a Reading preview yesterday that predicted that we would have too much for them! Interesting; the reviewer predicted a 0-1 scoreline. One thing is for sure we have to defend set pieces better than we did on Thursday and indeed better than we did that time we lost in that relegation encounter. Bikey scored both their goals as I recall and they were identical in the manner which we defended. Clean sheets are what it is all about. Don’t concede and you win matches – simples!!!!! 😉
KRO SOTV
Bazza, your equation misses a little 😉
Don’t concede and you have no-score draws.
Score and don’t concede and you win matches – simples!!!!! 😉