Here it is, the biggest game of the season. This is obviously a must win game to avoid the drop. We haven't scored in over 500 minutes, but we are playing against the worst team ever to play in the prem. Derby has usually been the 3 point ATM this year, but I think it will be different on Sunday. Derby knows they are going down and they want to give the fans a win on the last game of the season. They also have been scoring some goals while Reading has not. I expect a sloppy game, but it will be an intense game as well. Reading need help from Portsmouth as well in order to have a chance of staying in it. Coppell will surely put out a 4-3-3 to win the game out right. For all of the supporters in the US, the game will be televised on Setanta at 4 eastern. Expected lineup: ----------------------USA------------------ ---Rosenior----Ivar-----Bikey-------Shorey-- ---Matejovsky-----Harper--------Hunt------- ------Kitson-------Lita------Doyle----------- CMON URZZZZZ AVOID THE DROP!!!
"Royals assistant boss Kevin Dillon has managed to give Derby a reason to win on Sunday following some stupid comments at the beginning of the week." Why say this in public: 'Let's put it this way, if we can't beat Derby, it will be hard to take.'? Jewell is smart to use it as motivation. Can't make it any easier for the Royals on Sunday.
I can't watch, or follow online Sunday due to mothers day commitments. Thank the lord for small favors, I thinl it would kill me to sit through 90 minutes of this match. At least this way I can just read the scores real quick and be happy or sad and be done.
Neeto - thanks for the heads up on the Setanta broadcast! My Dish Network guide still says they are showing the Aston Villa game, but no surprise there... for some reason the Dish guide for Setanta is notoriously late in posting and subject to change. Still, think I'll tape and listen live. If there's a good outcome, I'll watch later. I really hope that Coppell doesn't go with a 4-3-3... as Coppell himself has said, Reading are just not good enough to play different formations. I'd like to see our familiar 442, Kits & Lita to start up front, Oster on the right wing, Convey on the bench. And please, I hope that the players have stopped drinking whatever it is that has prevented them from doing well on service during crosses and set pieces. Can I hear for just one game that corners are being whipped into a dangerous area? Here's hoping for the best!
I am praying tonight that Reading doesn't get relugated. So if Reading wins tomorrow and Fulham loses were good right? And if Fulham and Reading win we lose by a 6 goal difference?
Reading & Fulham are tied on points, Reading is down 6 on GD. So, realistically, Reading need more points tomorrow than Fulham: a Reading win with a Fulham tie or loss; a Reading tie with a Fulham loss. It is mathematically possible for Reading to avoid relegation if both teams win, but Reading would need to make up that GD, so not really an option. I'll be happy if we can manage to score 1 and keep a clean sheet.
Starting 11: Hahnemann Murty Ingimarsson Duberry Shorey Oster Harper Matejovsky Hunt Lita Kitson Subs: Cisse Bikey Doyle Kebe Federici I think it really sucks that Convey isn't even on the bench for this one. Oster is pants as far as I'm concerned and for the life of me I don't know why he keeps getting playing time. Hopefully Matejovsky will help with our possession issues and we'll actually be able to string a few passes together.
Whats even more surprising is that Kebe made the bench. If you want someone who has speed only and no ball control then he's your man. If you want both then you want Convey.
Marek has been dominating in mid field, Lita has been creating problems - and beautiful Harper breaks the goal drought. C'mon Pompey!!!!!!
Lita is playing really well - Derby can't handle his speed - but he's not getting the final service he needs. I want 2 more goals - one for Reading, one for Portsmouth.
0-0 at half for Fulham -As far as our game Lita should have a hat trick Hunt and Oster suck Marek is playing great
0-1 Reading at HT. Reading dominating across the park. Can these results around the Prem stand another 45??
From the Fulham thread, it sounds like Pompey have had the better of the play and completely solid in the back. Ack!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stand the suspense. And the second half starts.
Derby with 2 changes: Derby substitution: Mile Sterjovski replaced by Marc Edworthy (tactical).Derby substitution: Robbie Savage replaced by Benny Feilhaber (tactical).
Reading are having some trouble getting started 2nd half. Elsewhere, Blackburn equalize 1-1 with Birm