Haven't seen a game thread for this yet.... But today (Friday the 20th) Reading are away to Crystal Palace. This is a pretty big game (as big as it can be for a team that is at least 18 points clear of the 3rd place team) in the Championship League. Crystal Palace are obviously a strong team and have only given up 9 points at home this year. Currently they sit 5th but have a game in hand over 3rd place Leeds and 2 games in hand over everyone else.... so they are by no means out of reach yet. A win Reading would probably put Crystal Palace in the fight for 3rd permanently, but lets face it, an away draw here would still be a good result. Good luck to the Reading boys as Crystal Palace are one of the few teams vying for promotion that do NOT have a Yank on board.
Both YAs set to start, according to soccernet: Marcus Hahnemann 1 Ivar Ingimarsson 16 Graeme Murty 2 Nicky Shorey 3 Ibrahima Sonko 5 Bobby Convey 17 James Harper 15 Glen Little 7 Steve Sidwell 4 Kevin Doyle 19 Dave Kitson 12
Game a few minutes from kickoff, announcers speculating as to what color kits Reading will wear, as their normal away kits would clash with Palace's home kit. FYI - I'm listening on a link that was posted in the thread earlier this week entitled "WBA vs Reading No YAs expected" or something like that. I'm thinking it may not be an officially authorized source, so I won't link it here just in case it could cause issues for anyone - including whoever was nice enough to set it up.
21 points. don't narrow the gap before they do. Announcers are on about how they feel Hunt has pushed Convey really hard, and made him better. They're also going over the Reading signing philosophy, young, promising, but not fully there yet, and hungry to prove their worth. That also means cheap.
The game is delayed, which probably means sky wants them to start a little late. Players just now coming onto the field. CP btw have won six straight. Reading haven't lost since August. and, should mention, the first game between these two was one of the games of the year, reading winning at home 3-2.
Announcers point out game is delayed a bit. Commenting that the cheerleaders are wearing track suits in the cold. [Aside - They need to read TMQ about the cheerleader professionalism index. According to which, Palace are in trouble.] Teams coming out now. Reading are wearing the home blue and white hoop kits.
just got home, happy to to pbp. made it back just in time to see mh stone andy johnson on a breakaway. announcers reaction, "that's why he's played himself into being on the verge of the american national team set-up"
Marcus just saved a breakaway by england international andy johnson, btw/ made himself big, he did. Harper set johnson free with a stupid backpass.
sven in attendance, looking suitably unimpressed by johnson not taking the opportunity. was a decent save by mh, stood his ground, didn't give an opening, didn't panic, blocked with his legs nicely. palace starting a little better than reading, taking the initiative
works out well, wife has leaving drinks for a work person. i get a bottle of wine, some pizza and a bit of footie
shorey threads through to convey, slides a great ball along the six, 50/50 between the gk and doyle, ball spills, but foul given
12" palace finding some space, good move down the left. low cross in cut out before johnson can get to it, corner to palace
13" first corner finds a palace attacker, but header deflected wide for another corner. second one deeper, headed back across, but volleyed well over the goals. goal kick to reading
14" long ball finds convey, makes a neat move to get to the touchline - "another lovely ball by the american express, convey". great ball cut out for a corner. chance for reading off the corner, but good cross just can't find kitson reading looking brighter now, coming into the game
16" attacking throw for palace, put into the box, mh needs to come out bravely to take. long throw finds convey venturing into the middle, but pushed off the ball as he looks to spring the attack
17" convey sidestepped nicely by palace winger, gets to touchline and puts a dangerous cross along the ground on the box, just can't find anyone, but great chance if anyone can find the ball