When : Saturday 2nd April 2022, 3pm
Where : Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET
Capacity 23,009
Here it is then, pretty much exactly 1 year since the last visit to this part of South Yorkshire Reading are winding their weary way northwards again for what actually is going to be the biggest game of their season. Seriously this IS the big one, win it and there is a whopping 8 point cushion between safety and relegation plus a very big dent put into the Barnsley bandwagon. Lose it though and this board, and all who sail on her, are very likely to be consigned to the fact the club have really ***** it up now and convinced that that’s that then. Whatever happens let’s hope that at least Yiadom doesn’t play “who can give away the stupidest penalty” again and Joao remembers how to kick a football toward an open goal.
The biggest thing the club and players must realise and be ready for though is the fact that Barnsley are going to be up for this and Reading’s record against sides “up for it” and pressing and “getting in their faces” is rather less than impressive. Standing about trying to play slow tempo keep ball is really going to be about as much use as a chocolate teapot in a “who can make the hottest cup of tea” competition. That said Reading have experience to draw on having been belittled at Kidderminster so they need to try and use that horrible feeling to their advantage and make sure they match Barnsley everywhere on the pitch. I presume the required fight and determination is something Paul Ince knows only too well so surely there’s no reason to think the club won’t be prepared?
Barnsley looked dead and buried at the start of 2022 but in the January window they picked up midfielders Amine Bassi and Qina on loan from Metz and Watford respectively and this seems to have completely lifted their form which, while not brilliant, is a marked improvement on that which preceded February. Before February the Tykes had managed 3 draws and 10 defeats from 13 games which was part of a sequence of just 1 win in 26 games (and that was v Derby). Now the run is 4 wins and 2 draws from the last 9 games and it’s happening just at the right time to give them the confidence and belief that can do it so Reading will be seen as a game they can and must win.
Cauley Woodrow and Carlton Morris carry the main goal threat, the likes of Victor Adeboyejo and Aaron Iseka look pretty useful from the bench while the aforementioned loan midfielders have bagged 4 goals between them so will need to be carefully marshalled.
However messers Woodrow and Adeboyejo are doubtful having picked up knee injuries from which they may well not have completely recovered in time. Reading could actually be pretty much at full strength for the first time this season (presuming Nyland and Hoilett don’t get injured on international duty of course) with even Rahman having a chance of resuming duty at left back.
Referee
Keith “eight games and four and a half years since a Reading win” Stroud
Previously
19 Dec 2020 > Brentford 3-1 Reading
07 Nov 2020 > Reading 0-3 Stoke City
08 Jan 2020 > Millwall 2-0 Reading
28 Sep 2019 > Swansea City 1-1 Reading
05 May 2019 > Reading 0-0 Birmingham City
10 Apr 2019 > Norwich City 2-2 Reading
27 Oct 2018 > Swansea City 2-0 Reading
28 Apr 2018 > Reading 0-4 Ipswich Town
02 Dec 2017 > Sunderland 1-3 Reading
04 Nov 2017 > Derby County 2-4 Reading
01 Apr 2017 > Reading 1-0 Leeds United
14 Feb 2017 > Reading 3-2 Brentford
19 Nov 2016 > Reading 3-0 Burton Albion
28 Dec 2015 > Reading 1-2 Brentford
07 Nov 2015 > Cardiff City 2-0 Reading
03 Oct 2015 > Reading 2-0 Middlesbrough
14 Apr 2015 > Reading 0-1 Bournemouth
29 Mar 2014 > Reading 1-1 Huddersfield Town
11 Jan 2014 > Watford 0-1 Reading
13 Aug 2011 > Leicester City 0-2 Reading
03 Apr 2010 > Ipswich Town 2-1 Reading
06 Feb 2010 > Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Reading
29 Dec 2007 > Tottenham Hotspur 6-4 Reading
22 Sep 2007 > Reading 2-1 Wigan Athletic
25 Feb 2006 > Reading 2-1 Preston North End
23 Aug 2005 > Reading 3-1 Swansea City (League Cup)
History
Reading away from home to play that oft quoted, proverbial game always thrown up when some mercurial foreign talent arrives from some hotter clime, got to be a miserable time to be had by all southern softies surely?
Well no actually, it was like that once but it’s not that bad these days.....
This will be the 37th time league action has occurred between the two teams in South Yorkshire and so far Reading have won 11 of the games compared to Barnsley’s 16. Sadly though fate will now be tempted as the bit Reading have to protect is the fact that since the move to RG2 they have made this league trip 9 times and obtained 19 points following 5 wins and 4 draws.
How to follow the game
- Ticket yourself, be brave and travel
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)