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View Full Version : Reading vs. Arsenal -- Mon. 11/12/07 -- Pre/During/Post [R]


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Postmaster
09 Nov 2007, 05:19 PM
A challenging home fixture. Last year, Reading went down a goal in a hurry and then things got worse. This year, Arsenal are playing well (extremely well) in all competitions. Could they please pick Monday for an over-confident stumble in form?

How aggressive/conservative should Reading (most generous in goals allowed) be at home against the top team (most dangerous in goals scored)? Certainly that strategy will drive Coppell's selection. With last week's loss, Coppell will feel free to make some changes.

Marcus will be happy to gain another appearance toward his quota for next year's contract. Duberry has a rib problem and so we'd expect to see Ivar with Sonko, Murty, and Shorey.

Will Convey finally get a start with Hunt sitting (or might Coppell try Convey on the right as was discussed before his most recent cycle of injury)? Oster just might be fit. I'm guessing Oster on the right and Hunt (for his pest-like defensive ability) on the left. Has Gunnarsson done well enough to start with Harper again? I suppose that may be our best midfield bite.

Probably time for Lita to sit and put Doyle back up top with Kitson. Or might Kitson be a lone target and Doyle withdrawn?

Lots for Copps to mull over and I know he'll do better than I would. A Monday match, so plenty of time to weigh in.

Postmaster
12 Nov 2007, 08:32 AM
Must have been a busy weekend ...

Based on this article, Gunnarsson seems likely. (http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/readingfc/2017/2017679/im_gunnar_stick_with_fab)
Coppell could employ a five-man midfield tonight in a bid to stop the Gunners.

That could mean Emerse Fae or Kalifa Cisse returning to the side in place of Leroy Lita.

Michael Duberry (ribs) is a major doubt...

Fae would seem an odd choice given Dillon's comments (http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/readingfc/2017/2017678/dillon_fae_will_make_an_impact) that Fae "needs to learn the defensive side of the game to earn a run in the side."

Postmaster
12 Nov 2007, 02:01 PM
OK, an hour to kickoff and I clearly missed the memo about how our highly insightful discussions in this forum were likely to tip too much info to Arsenal. :rolleyes:

Anyone have TV coverage and going to do a PBP?

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 02:20 PM
Well Arsenal fans are confident, the opposite of what I'm sure most of us are. Having Sonko in the starting backline is huge though and a five player midfield might give us a little of a chance to sustain. Is a tie too much to hope for?

Postmaster
12 Nov 2007, 02:44 PM
Hahnemann
Murty Sonko Ingimarsson Shorey
Convey Gunnarsson Harper Hunt
Doyle Kitson

[uncertain about arrangement]

rms5555
12 Nov 2007, 03:06 PM
I wonder if Doyle is gonna play back putting out a 4-5-1? If so he would naturally go on the right I think. Where would Bobby go?

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:08 PM
3 minutes in and Sonko can't keep pace with Adebayor. Luckily the post was there to help.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:15 PM
Plenty of Arsenal possession for first 10.

Postmaster
12 Nov 2007, 03:23 PM
lestat2x:

How is Reading deployed? How does Convey look (invisible on SoccerNet GameCast)?

Thanks

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:29 PM
Defense is tight and solid. A few good counter attacks that haven't pressed Arsenal's defense too much.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:30 PM
Convey has been pretty good although one or two of his passes have gone astray.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:35 PM
Gunnarson with an impressive volley from about 20 yards. Alumina forced to make a save.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:42 PM
Free kick by Toure right outside the box sliced wide.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:48 PM
Caught on the break. Hahneman commits and Flamini nails the cross across the goal.

Postmaster
12 Nov 2007, 03:53 PM
Too bad, so near the half. Well, good things can still happen.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 03:56 PM
Performed well defensively. No corners and only one free kick for Arsenal. As long as they don't get caught on the break by Arsenal like they did for the goal they might be able to put one away from counter or on a set piece.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 04:14 PM
Adebayor scores with perfectly placed side-footer.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 04:17 PM
Adebayor offside-ish so third goal doesn't count. Once again caught on the break.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 04:21 PM
Suddenly the entire Reading side doesn't want to play. Offside goal disallowed and Adebayor's had two chances.

Harper off for Fae.

lestat2x
12 Nov 2007, 04:23 PM
They might need another assistant just to track whether Adebayor is offside or not.