Reading play at Luton tonight. If they win or tie they own a record of some sort, but the target on the record seems to change every time they don't lose, so who knows. It would be number 33 or 34. Coming off a good tie against Shef Utd, amazing pace. Luton are midtable, not really in a position to chase the playoffs, not threatened by relegation. Very comfy spot, but everyone plays up for Reading these days. the official club preview: http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10306~784289,00.html Another interesting bit on the site in which Boa Morte, laughing, recalls marcus, calls him, "Mad" and notes that he appears to be up to the same tricks at Reading that he was at Fulham. He refused to relate the madness. He also notes that Marcus has always been very professional in his approach to the game. On a piece about kevin dillon, he notes that kitson keeps their confidence in taking pks, but he adds that convey did want the last one. three points would take them to 86 points, which in the last several years has guaranteed promotion, and puts them closer. What is the magic number now, 18, 19?
Something to watch for tonight is the fitness of the starting 11. They all played 90 minutes on Tues. and have had little time to recover. It was surprising that Reading used no subs being as there's a match tonight. Is Lita bacK? I suspect Coppell to probably starting inserting subs around the 60 minute mark.
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=364397&CPID=10&clid=&lid=&title=Convey:+Resilience+is+key http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=364407&CPID=10&clid=&lid=&title=Luton+v+Reading+preview First article short, nice little peice how Convey expresses resilience is the key to Reading success this season. They never think too far ahead. Coppell has instilled a game by game approach. The second is a preview of tonight's game and confirms Lita and Gunnarsson are back and expected to reclaim their spots.
RoyalMan must be slacking, as there's been no listing for this match yet. http://www.freewebs.com/reading-fc/index.htm
19 gives them guaranteed promotion; 18 guarantees them a tie for 2nd place with Leeds. Not sure about the tie breaker. (Leeds are currently 3rd with 62 points and have 13 games remaining. If Leeds win all 13 games, then the max points they could have is 101 (62 + (13 x 3)). Since Reading are on 83 points currently, any combination of Reading points gained in their remaining 12 games and Leeds points lost (e.g., if Leeds tie a game, that's 2 points lost; if they lose a game, that's obviously 3 points lost) in their remaining 13 games equaling 19 guarantees Reading promotion.
Time to play fun with numbers. If Reading win, that puts them at 86 points. Cardiff, in 7th place, would end up with 85 points if they win out. Wolves are in 8th but have played one less match. If they win out, they'll finish with 86 points. So a win combined with Wolves drawing or losing clinches a playoff spot for Reading. Wolves are home to Ipswich. Pretty friggin' amazing.
Come on, the math on this one is easy... Reading has played 34 matches this season. They lost the first game and haven't lost since. So.... they are unbeaten in 33 games. If they win or draw tonight it will be 34. Now depending on if you believe what Liverpool's streak was or should be..... they have either passed or tied the old record. A win or draw tonight removes any doubt.
Does anyone know what the record is (in terms of fewest number of games played) for a Colaship (fomerly D1, formerly D2) team to clinch automatic promotion to the Premier League (formerly D1)?
Looking at this realistically.... If Reading win tonight they have 86 points. Lets suppose Wolves win out and get 86 points. After tonight Reading would have 11 games to play and a goal differential no worse than +54. Wolves are currently with 13 games to play and a goal differential of 8. We can average it to 12 goals apiece..... and the difference in GD is 46. Thus Wolves would need almost a 4 goal swing in all the games Reading lost and they win the rest of the way.... meaning If Reading lose by 1 each game, Wolves need to win by 3; if Reading lose by 2, wolves need to lose by 2... etc. Even the most heartily pessimistic Reading fan would have a hard time believing that could happen.
Well,that was quick. Luton fails to clear a Convey cross and it bounces to Doyle, who makes it 1-0 18 SECONDS in.
does this count as an assist? if so: Since the Avatar switch 3 Matches. 0 goals. 3 assists. 1 Earned PK.
Luton equalise 20 minutes or so in. Sounds like Reading defense got carved apart by combination play. Commentators say Sonko looks off, perhaps nursing a knock
Nice Luton build-up, in part because of some loose Reading marking creates an equalizer in the 20th. Marcus a tad slow coming off his line but the goal was well created and well-struck so not too much MH could have done. 1-1.
Luton carves 'em up again to go up 2-1. Reading is giving Luton way too much space and not marking and Luton is taking full advantage. Honestly, Reading needs to start putting some bodies on people or this will be a long night.