Reading v Everton 18/08/07 [R]

[The Old Lady Hertha]

I think Moyes will have an unchanged team. That is, unless Manny comes before then

COYB

[IU34]

Don't see any need to change the team either. Even if Manny signs today (fingers crossed), Moyes doesn't seem the type to throw him in immediately. Wouldn't be surprised though if he threw Jags in there to get a look.

[Tony Dellbird]

Yeah I agree with what Moyes has done. It shows loyalty to the existing players. I mean everyone knows Jagielka is better than Hibbert, but it's nice Hibbert is being rewarded. Even though at present he's playing pretty well. Yes Sara, you read it correctly, Hibs has earnt a compliment from me!

I think the game will be fairly tight, being two quite similar teams but I feel we'll pinch it by a goal. More than likely 2-1.

[TX Bill]

I'm going with same lineup as the last two weeks with us squeaking out a traditional 1-0 Everton win. AJ scoring for us.

[spider_kin]

i have a request: if starting a game thread can every/anyone pls put the game date in the subject as well as the everton-opponent part? i'm really bad with dates and often have to be told a bazillion times to remember things.

thanks if you can!

and now back to your regularly scheduled broadcast...

COYB! :D

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Edited just for you ;)

[spider_kin]

Edited just for you ;)
:) i feel so special! thank you :)

[mischaDCU]

Yobo is doubtful for this match...groin problem.

http://www.football365.com/preview/0,17033,8740_2667192,00.html

[HogDaddy]

If Yobo is unable to start I would suspect we would see Lescott move back to the middle with Nuno starting at left back?

Any other likely possibilities? What about Jags? Is he capable of playing center back?

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Jags can play centre back, Baines has travelled but Moyes says he'd prefer him to have another weeks training.

I'd guess Valente in at left back, move Lescott over to the centre.

I'm expecting Yobo to play though.

[IU34]

Jags can play centre back, Baines has travelled but Moyes says he'd prefer him to have another weeks training.

I'd guess Valente in at left back, move Lescott over to the centre.

I'm expecting Yobo to play though.

Sadly Yobo's now officially ruled out of the game. A lot of options for Moyes with the back 4, will be interesting to see which route he goes. Hope this isn't an ongoing thing with Yobo, as he was one of only 4 EPL players to play every minute of every game for his team last year.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Damn, that's pretty bad news. I bet Moyes was really hoping to field another unchanged side, it's a real rarity these days.

I'd be willing to bet money that it'll be Valente at left back and shift Lescott into the middle. While it's not a shame, it's just not what we wanted on an away day, we've lost strength in defence.

Having said that, it's been the midfield that's really impressed, especially against Tottenham, and that won't be changed. Arteta, Neville, Carsley, Osman. There's a possibility Jagielka will come in for (a tired) Anichebe and play the 'alternative' midfield sort of game as he did when he came on as sub against Tottenham. But again, this would surprise me (and everyone else :P).

Pienaar won't start, that is certain ;).

Also to add, how Arteta plays will be crucial. It's not ideal, but he's far and away our best player on the ball, one of our tactics is to pass him the ball. So if he has an off day, a draw will be a good result.

edit: I had a look around for confirmation of Yobo being unavailable, but couldn't find it...?

[Dead Fingers]

coyb

[Scouse]

Reading are a good organised team, and difficult to break down.

I'd be fairly happy with a draw today.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Live stream being shown on StartSports using SopCast.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Yup, we're gonig with the team I said.

Howard
Hibbert Lescott Stubbs Valente
Arteta Neville Carsley Osman
Johnson Anichebe

Ruddy
Baines
Pienaar
Jagielka
McFadden

8 minutes til kick off.

[spider_kin]

grrrr i'm having trouble getting any of the streams to work. all my programs are out of date cos i haven't used them in 3 months LOL

anything going on? what's happening out there?

are we winning yet? :p ;) :D

[Tony Dellbird]

No...we're losing 1-0 to a Stephen Hunt scores from 6 yards out just before the break. Not good news.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Reading 1 - 0 Everton Half Time.

Really unlucky to be one down, a goal by Stephen Hunt just before half time. Stubbs over-committed to a ball he couldn't win, Hunt got the better side of Hibbert, and slid it in nicely. I was just thinking before it went in how disappointed we'd be to go a goal down, and then it happened....

I said last ngiht how important Arteta would be, and he's looked very disinterested I'm sad to say, his set piece delivery has been very poor.

Defensively we've looked pretty good, although we nearly got caught out once when Neville and Carsley were out of position. Hunt has been getting some joy down the left too when he's one-on-one with Hibbert.

Anichebe hasn't been very effective either. We've sent a lot of early balls to him which he's been unable to hold up, although it has been quite tricky for him. The thing is we haven't exactly got attacking options on the bench, I think we might even be best suited to bringing on Pienaar for Anichebe and start running at them.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Pienaar on for injured Anichebe. We've started the second half very poorly.