Reading @ Sheffield United 9/16/06- Pre/During/Post Match Talk [R]

[prvev]

Big match. A win here before the very difficult stretch of games would be great. I don't know if we'll see the guys who didn't play today (Bikey, Little, de la Cruz, Kitson) or if they'll get back into things by playing in the Carling Cup match against Darlington.

The game will be at 10 ET, I don't think there will be any coverage on TV.

[olegunnar]

On a personal note its too bad its not on television as this is a rare weekend I actually have access to FSC.

Absolutley hellish run of matches to begin after this one all the way through the middle of November. It would not surprise me if we got anywhere from 0 - 3 points in those 7 matches (I am counting Tottenham as difficult which you may disagree with). So I am not necessarily counting on Europe at this point. We had been handed a very friendly set of games to begin the season.

Kitson will not be available for the weekend per the official site. Our recent record against Sheffield United is outstanding (three wins and a draw away from home in the last four seasons if I remember correctly)

[rms5555]

Absolutley hellish run of matches to begin after this one all the way through the middle of November. It would not surprise me if we got anywhere from 0 - 3 points in those 7 matches (I am counting Tottenham as difficult which you may disagree with). So I am not necessarily counting on Europe at this point. We had been handed a very friendly set of games to begin the season. We should be able to at least pull a draw from the Hammers. Chelsea will probably be our first home Premiership defeat unless we pull off a miracle. I think Arsenal is beatable right now, I don't have much of a read on Portsmouth, but they appear to have only triumphed over weaker opponents, I think we can get a good road point out of that match. Liverpool is another match that I think we can get a point out of. Tottenham at home should be another home victory. I'm thinking 9 points out of those matches is within reach.

[olegunnar]

Well I really hope you are right my friend. If we can do that I would say right away that we are more than safe this season.

[mschofield]

If we can pull a win out of this blades trip, I think it will go a long way towards making October survivable. Realistically, after 12 games (including that run), 12 points would be pretty decent. I've got to think we're going to get at least a couple points off the major clubs. We do have the opening rd of the CL in our favor, as thoughts will be elsewhere. But given how tough the coming stretch is, we need points from blades.

[prvev]

I think 12 is a good goal. Hopefully 9 (or at least 7) after this match, maybe a point or 3 against Portsmouth (although they seem to be playing great at the moment, no goals allowed), and I'd guess that among the rest of the games a few could be stolen. Then after that there are games against Charlton, Fulham, Bolton (revenge for '95? yes, there have been two games since, but this is in the premiership), Newcastle, and Watford. All of those games hold a good possibility of getting points, with the possible exception of Newcastle. .

Anyway, I'm getting too far ahead of myself. Beat Sheffield first. If you have Setanta, I guess they will be showing a replay of the match at 3 eastern. Better than nothing.

[Pablo Chicago]

3 pts off Sheffield, and maybe...maybe a point earned from the Hammers, Gunners, and Spurs. I'd be happy to pick up 6 points over this run.

An upset against any of the others would be icing on the cake.

[T_Rock]

This may sound weird, but after looking ahead at the fixtures after this game, Reading really has to focus on getting three points against Sheffield United. To stake a claim at having a future in the Premership, Reading has to have maximum points against teams that are going to struggle to stay up. Winning these games takes pressure off when playing the giants of the league. Obviously, a win against the big boys will be something we will not soon forget, but losing to the bottom feeders can lead to real disapointment later in the year.

[mschofield]

This may sound weird, but after looking ahead at the fixtures after this game, Reading really has to focus on getting three points against Sheffield United. To stake a claim at having a future in the Premership, Reading has to have maximum points against teams that are going to struggle to stay up. Winning these games takes pressure off when playing the giants of the league. Obviously, a win against the big boys will be something we will not soon forget, but losing to the bottom feeders can lead to real disapointment later in the year.I don't think we're certain to go down if we lose to blades, but you're correct, this is a game we need, at least, a point from. as much to steal points from a relegation candidate as stockpile them ourselves. three would be great.
However, staying up is going to mean beating a couple of the top feeders this year (not nec top four, but certainly top eight), and winning a couple games on the road. Reading should have had points from aston villa. this would be a great time to get the first road points.
For that, this is a game blades also know they have to win, and they haven't been totally outclassed yet. they're a very decent side, and it's going to be a battle.

[ChancellorElmer]

We definitely need to get points out of this game. I think they can win this, Sheffield is not a lot better than they were last year, and we beat them twice at home and drew twice on the road.

[T_Rock]

I don't think we're certain to go down if we lose to blades, but you're correct, this is a game we need, at least, a point from. as much to steal points from a relegation candidate as stockpile them ourselves. three would be great.
However, staying up is going to mean beating a couple of the top feeders this year (not nec top four, but certainly top eight), and winning a couple games on the road. Reading should have had points from aston villa. this would be a great time to get the first road points.
For that, this is a game blades also know they have to win, and they haven't been totally outclassed yet. they're a very decent side, and it's going to be a battle.

Very good point. I wasn't trying to say that this game IS the season. Just trying to say that if Reading does not stay up, we will be looking at a few games that were lost opportunities. This has the making of one of those games. Reading will have to get some points against the big teams that follow this match. I guess what I was really trying to say is this match kind of sets a tone going into those matches.

In other words, the intend of my post was to pretty much say exactly what you said. You did a much better job putting your thoughts into words, however. Guess that is why I wasn't an English major! :)

[olegunnar]

I didn't notice this myself until just recently. 100% proof we don't have to worry about Arsenal in our tough run of games : )

Arsenal 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
Arsenal 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Man City 1- 0 Aresnal

Reading 3 - 2 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 2 - 1 Reading
Reading 1 - 0 Man City

[ChancellorElmer]

I didn't notice this myself until just recently. 100% proof we don't have to worry about Arsenal in our tough run of games : )

Arsenal 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
Arsenal 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Man City 1- 0 Aresnal

Reading 3 - 2 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 2 - 1 Reading
Reading 1 - 0 Man City


Too bad the transitive property doesn't work in sports. And while the game is at the MadStad, I still think that we have to worry.

[mschofield]

I didn't notice this myself until just recently. 100% proof we don't have to worry about Arsenal in our tough run of games : )

Arsenal 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
Arsenal 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Man City 1- 0 Aresnal

Reading 3 - 2 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 2 - 1 Reading
Reading 1 - 0 Man CityYou forgot to add Hamburg 1- Arsenal 2 (CL). I know you're kidding (kind of) but Ouch. Never underestimate these guys. Acually, Arsenal is a tougher matchup for Reading, imo, than chelsea. Remember, the youthful side that went on to a second place CL finish essentially had it's coming out last year against reading in the cup, and they were quite impressive. In fact, they looked about like they did last night.
man, I hope they're overlooking Reading, but given their start, they won't be overlooking anyone.

[olegunnar]

I am kidding (completely) from what this thread looks like, me or perhaps yourself, are the two most pessimistic on here. Again my goal is 17th position, win against the lesser teams, take our lumps against the bigger boys (maybe scrape a couple points off them over the course of the season) and I will be ecstatic come May.

Hoping that the Blades game will be available via some online source come the weekend.

[rms5555]

I'm bummed about us not being on Fox this weekend too, but with the big teams comming up I can't imagine that we will be off the schedule very often in the next few weeks.

[mschofield]

I am kidding (completely) from what this thread looks like, me or perhaps yourself, are the two most pessimistic on here. Again my goal is 17th position, win against the lesser teams, take our lumps against the bigger boys (maybe scrape a couple points off them over the course of the season) and I will be ecstatic come May.

Hoping that the Blades game will be available via some online source come the weekend.
Yeah, I'd be much happier if Reading was heading into games v the top teams while they were cruising, and ignoring Reading. I think we just might trip ManU or Chelski (we came close with chels, was that last year, two years ago), but get pasted by arse.
As for the blades, this could be a win, not sure it should be a win, but it would be a huge three points.
And yes, i'm always pessimistic, as well. I do think survival is very possible though. Please be possible...
And looking at the slip on the board in front of me, 14th would be totally brilliant.;)

[prvev]

Yeah, I'd be much happier if Reading was heading into games v the top teams while they were cruising, and ignoring Reading. I think we just might trip ManU or Chelski.

Thats a good point, I think at least a tie against ManU could happen, especially with a win against Sheffield this weekend to buoild momentum. Hopefully ManU will be looking forward to their CL match too much and the home crowd can give a bit of a boost as well.


Someone mentioned an online stream (or referred to them, I think). There is a good chance one will be available because it will be one of only 3 matches at 10 eastern Saturday.

[Pablo Chicago]

Same lineup as last match?

Anyone know if Tonge is going to suit up for the Blades?

[Katsbox]

Thats a good point, I think at least a tie against ManU could happen, especially with a win against Sheffield this weekend to buoild momentum. Hopefully ManU will be looking forward to their CL match too much and the home crowd can give a bit of a boost as well.


Someone mentioned an online stream (or referred to them, I think). There is a good chance one will be available because it will be one of only 3 matches at 10 eastern Saturday.
Right now it's not showing up on the Asia Plate website (http://www.asiaplate.com/live.today.htm) (http://www.asiaplate.com/live.today.htm%29)

and NO games have been listed on the Football4Less schedule yet (http://www.football4less.com/schedules/schedules_16092006.html) (http://www.football4less.com/schedules/schedules_16092006.html%29)... here's hoping!

If only I knew someone with Setanta (playing same day delay). Can't really complain, I guess. I've seen every game so far - at least on delay - a vast improvement over seasons past!


Edit: Internet stream available live for fee - probably 2.50 BPS http://www.liveonlinefooty.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1152237473&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&