Reading @ Arsenal 4/19 [R]

[rms5555]

Surely the Premiership is no longer a possibility for Arsenal and when Chelsea beat Wigan tonight that will put them 6 points out of avoiding CL Qualifying. Since they having nothing left to play for, is this good or bad for our chances to snatch a point or more? An away win would be a miracle, but maybe a draw is possible now.

[Laudy]

Since Chelsea only drew against Wigan now Arsenal is only 4 points out and they do have something to play for. They may rest some players but they are so deep that it won't matter. A point for us would be huge but I don't see it happening. The way they played the last match I don't know what to expect.

I would love to see a team that comes out and pressures Arsenal and pushes forward. Who cares if we concede a few goals as long as we can get the front line going again. If we can sneak 1 or 2 goals past Arsenal even if we lose it would be a positive given our recent scoring drought.

[rms5555]

Yes it looks like we are not getting help at either end of the table. Maybe it's time to call Lita back just to shake things up again. Yes that is how desperate I have become. Kitson hasn't scored in a month, Doyle hasn't scored since December and I don't remember when Long last scored. How much worse of an option could Lita be? At least he has seen the back of the net recently.

[rms5555]

I saw this link in the Yanks Abroad Forum. (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3431126,00.html) Looks like we will see some big changes for Saturday. And I guess I'm not the only one thinking Lita might be an option soon. Here is what Coppell had to say about it:

"I won't do it for this week," he said.
"I am mindful, though, that if things don't change I can call him back. I am aware of the situation and how he is doing.

[lestat2x]

So who is out/bench?
I'm thinking Hunt, Doyle, Kitson, Oster all either on the bench or out this week.

It'll be interesting to see if Coppell sticks to his guns on this one or if its just one change from last week's completely uninspiring and devoid of any finesse lineup. At this point I'd even say start the reserve team because they cannot possibly do any worse than the 1st teamers.

[rms5555]

Well I doubt both Doyle and Kitson will be out. Are you going to leave Long as your lone striker? Definatly Oster is out.

[Katsbox]

Yes it looks like we are not getting help at either end of the table. Maybe it's time to call Lita back just to shake things up again. Yes that is how desperate I have become. Kitson hasn't scored in a month, Doyle hasn't scored since December and I don't remember when Long last scored. How much worse of an option could Lita be? At least he has seen the back of the net recently.

I was wishing Lita was an option watching the Fulham game. Ugh - I can only just talk about that game. Abysmal!

The Sky piece said Coppell felt justified in changing 10 of last week's 11 - but that is just making the point that no one else did anything worth praising. Given what his options are, I am not sure what changes he could make. As happy as I was to see Little back on the field, what did he actually do in the 30 minutes he had? A couple good runs down the side resulting in a cross or corner kick is about all I can remember. I don't see Coppell taking Hunt out unless he is injured, no matter how little he creates. I'd like to see him back in a defensive mid role, doing what he does best - running around like crazy and breaking up plays. Hunt & Harper in the middle, Convey & Kebe (is he fit enough?) on the wings, Little on the bench. Lord - that leaves us with what up front?

Well - it'll be interesting to see what Coppell decides to do.

[Laudy]

I honestly think Coppell will change very little. Oster is most likely out as Little, Convey, and Kebe are all healthy. Long is probably out as well and Kitson will step in not that he will make a big difference but his size does cause problems at times. No way Hunt or Harper are out. Hunt could move to the middle but I still like the way Matejovsky controls the ball. He played like crap last week but who didn't.

The back line could change but Bikey, Ingimarsson, and Shorey should stay. Rosenoir could be benched but who will take his place. Is Murty healthy? Do we want him back there? How about De la Cruz? He is not flashy but has been a solid option when called on.

I would like to see a 4-4-2 but with Doyle in the midfield. I'd go with Kitson and Long up front with Doyle, and Hunt outside and Matejovsky and Harper in the middle. In the back I would go with Bikey and Ingimarsson in the middle and Shorey and Cisse on the outside. I don't know if Cisse can play that role but he can't be worse than anyone else. On the bench I would have Kebe, Convey, Little, Sonko, and Federici.

This is a little different but that is what we need.

[rms5555]

Murty played 70 in the last reserves game so he will at least be on the bench. (http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1290368,00.html)

It looks like Little will be replacing Oster. (http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1291484,00.html)

And the Boss expects to 4-4-2 and Kitson is pushing for a start along with Little. (http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1291574,00.html)

[Derrida]

Oster was one of the only decent players last week. Along with Marcus, obviously, Bikey and Shorey.

If they play at the same level they did last week, they will get throttled. Frankly, the team last week would probably struggle to hang with the Arsenal under 16s.

[rms5555]

Oster played well for Oster, which still sucks in my opinion.

[RichardL]

If they play at the same level they did last week, they will get throttled. Frankly, the team last week would probably struggle to hang with the Arsenal under 16s.They'd have struggled against the Readings U16s too. Women's U16s. With just 4 shots recorded, statistically speaking it was quite probably the worst home performance ever from an attacking point of view.


I wouldn't expect many changes. Harper & Doyle seemingly need to lose a leg to get dropped, but other than that I'd say anything could happen, but probably won't.


btw, to whoever suggested Hunt should go back to defensive midfield - Hunt's never played defensive midfield. He isn't even much of a tackler in truth.

[Laudy]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there a match where Coppell put Lita and Kitson upfront and used Doyle in the midfield? If my memory serves me well (and that is a big if) we did quite well with that lineup. We need to score goals and I still think using all 3 of our forwards will push things forward. What have we got to lose?

[The Biscuitman]

Just setting off for the game now, come on you Biscuitmen!!

[lestat2x]

Well its two nil to the Arsenal at half. They've been in control for most of the half, but then again a 5-4-1 isn't the most attacking formation you can play.

Convey is showing Hunt how to play at left wing properly. Bikey has looked relatively strong, except deflecting a straightforward Gilberto shot and making it completely unsaveable. Of course Hahnemann has shown up for the game even if the rest of his defense hasn't. Rosenoir isn't any worse than Shorey at left back, aside from not being able to use his left foot.

Move Kebe up front, sub in Little and Matejovsky and we should get a little more attacking impetus.

[lestat2x]

Hunt should not start another match at left wing this season. Convey is one of the few attacking positives in this match.

[lestat2x]

Well they put on more of an attacking show in the last 20. Arsenal were still very wasteful with the chances they had.

I'll repeat this: Convey should start for the remainder of the games. Rosenior looked better at left back than Shorey. Fae made more tackles in 5 minutes than Harper has all year. Kebe isn't the answer on the right wing.

[lestat2x]

The commentators also made me laugh, pretty good considering we were 2 down by that point.
"Hunt who has been their best player all season," if by season you mean for a two month period. Hahnemann is first with no one even close, his performance today only cements that.

[rms5555]

Wow, no space for Hunt or Shorey even on the bench! I can only imagine what is going on through Shoreys head. Surely he will really be looking elswhere now. But what happened to "Play for a draw and you lose" 5-4-1 isn't exactly an attacking formation. And the end game numbers show it with only 4 shots and 2 on goal. Maybe my opinion will change after I get a chance to watch the replay, but I think we went into the game with the thought of holding on for a 0-0 draw.

[rms5555]

Common Villa! Common Boro!