MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Sutekh » 19 Feb 2019 10:38



When : Saturday, 23rd February 2019, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


So, this is it then. The biggest game of the season – so far at least.

And let’s get one thing straight this is not going to be easy. This is not going to be a matter of turning up and collecting pointage because as we all know – Reading are absolutely dire when that is in any way any sort of expectation.

Yes Rotherham are poor but then they have the same number of points as Reading from the same number of games so that hardly makes them worse, nor Reading any better. Let’s not also forget that Reading’s record against the teams in the bottom 3 is awful with just 3 draws from 4 games with goals given away in injury time in both of the last games played against those teams.

Rotherham’s run of form this season is poor. Of their last 26 games in the league they’ve won 2 but managed to collect 14 draws in that time. They are on a run of 4 successive draws and have not won any of their last 7 in the league. Probably the most worrying stat for Reading though is the fact that Rotherham have not won any of their last 18 away league games which stretches back into the end of last season – and we can all guess to what that might lead.

Additionally Rotherham’s expectation at this level is for a struggle and a battle so their position is not likely to be a surprise to and they’ll be geared up for it. They will throw everything at Reading as they will have the belief this is a game they can win.

If Gomes’ expectation of Rotherham is for anything other than a fight everywhere on the pitch with less than zero time being allowed on the ball while being bombarded with very quick direct movement (not to mention the obligatory long throw specialist) then he should not be managing the club.

We all know how brilliant Reading are at defending against that sort of approach so more than ever they are going to seriously miss what little midfield protection may have been available from Bacuna and Rinomhota. I think we are all agreed that is the one area Gomes has to get right though just how he gets it right is anyone’s guess – personally I think you have to put O’Shea or Blackett in there, to at least give some presence, as the club cannot afford to repeat the dreadful mess they were in at Sheffield United. Either that or you play 5 at the back and try and use pace and width rather than playing out through midfield all the time.

Whatever team Is selected it has to be fired up and it has to be as determined as Rotherham and take the game to them from the start (just like the Forest game). The last thing you want is a repeat of the **** that was served up when Ipswich rolled into town

This is a must win game, it has to be. The next 2 games that follow are in a similar vein and Reading have to get a minimum of 7 points from them to really put their season on an upward swing and give pole position in the fight to survive. Sadly we all know football rarely works out quite the way you want it to.

Referee

Lancashire’s Jeremy Simpson steps up for this one



Previously

22 Sep 2018 > Reading 3-0 Hull City
21 Apr 2018 > Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Reading
14 Oct 2017 > Leeds United 0-1 Reading
31 Jan 2017 > Birmingham City 0-1 Reading
17 Dec 2016 > Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Reading
09 Sep 2016 > Reading 2-1 Ipswich Town (managed to book 9 players)
16 Apr 2016 > Leeds United 3-2 Reading
09 Jan 2016 > Huddersfield Town 2-2 Reading (FA Cup 3)
20 Oct 2015 > Rotherham United 1-1 Reading

Historically

Reading have a good home record against Rotherham. In the 21 previous league games Rotherham have only won once (3-0 in May 1977) which leaves 14 victories for Reading and 6 draws.

Rotherham have managed just 1 goal in their last 8 visits but that goal was scored on their last trip down.

Reading have also won the last 4 played at home and, overall, have scored 33 times to Rotherham’s 14.

How to follow the game

  1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
  2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
  3. Ring/text a mate for updates
  4. Use an iFollow subscription
  5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Old Man Andrews » 19 Feb 2019 11:28

Can you ever really trust Jeremy Simpson?

windermereROYAL
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by windermereROYAL » 19 Feb 2019 11:55

This as all the makings of Burton at home last season all over again.

If we come unstuck here the love affair with Gomes could come to a premature end.
Rotherham`s run-in is very hard for them, really can`t see them finishing above us no matter what the result Saturday.
Last edited by windermereROYAL on 19 Feb 2019 12:08, edited 1 time in total.

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John Smith
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by John Smith » 19 Feb 2019 11:57

On the basis that Rotherham lost at Ipswich then I think we should win this.

Bolton will almost certainly lose at Leeds so I think in the event of a defeat we will not be dead and buried.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Hound » 19 Feb 2019 14:37

Going to be a proper tough game. But we really should be winning it, with their away from, and our improvement at home

As everyone knows that CM looks woefully weak. But if we can dominate possession and Moore and Miazga are on their game, having two ball players in there may even work to our advantage

Just hoping the extra class of Martinez, the CBs and Nelson up front will drag us through


Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Old Man Andrews » 19 Feb 2019 14:38

Going for a 3-1. Early goal is key, it will settle everyone down and get the supporters onside.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Royality creeps In » 19 Feb 2019 19:13

As someone mentioned Rovrum have a tough run in.
They will look at this a must win game.
I am sure they will play on the front foot, this in turn should leave gaps for us to exploit. I think we should play with two wide men running at pace with two strikers in the middle (Bod and Oli)
Swift spraying diagonal passes out to them.
Looks like our midfield will be more useless than usual and probably out muscled, so just have a couple in there.

Sorted!

Well thats my game plan in theory and what I would say to the Sunday pub league team :D

They don't call me Ron Manager for nought :wink:

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Crowbar6753
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Crowbar6753 » 19 Feb 2019 20:01

Rotherham are no mugs, and they will relish the fight against our powder puff midfield!! they will be fully aware of our weaknesses and you can be sure they will press our keeper and defense into any mistake possible, as well as battering our midfield into submission!!
However, i'm sure there mentality is fragile as well, especially after conceding late against Sheffield on Saturday, which will have hurt them dear.
If we can start strong at get an early advantage then i really think its ours to lose, however if they get an early lead it'll be tough.
I mentioned earlier regarding the attendance against Rotherham, and was really wondering whether the town will come out and back the players with a 15-16,000 crowd or whether its going to be the regular 11,000 half empty stadium.
I also mentioned that this game has been on the radar for a while now and why did the club not offer big discounts to ensure a large crowd!!
Coventry and Notts County did this a few weeks ago and got 30,000 and 16,000 respectively!! 22,000-24,000 would have really helped this weekend....just a thought.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by El Diablo » 19 Feb 2019 21:34

Bombard them early, get plenty of players in the box, score a couple, then pass them to death for a comfortable home win.

And then I woke up.

1-1


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Reading4eva
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Reading4eva » 19 Feb 2019 21:46

I'm not going to predict this. I just want the game to come and go and look at the league table and realise we are 3 points above them

This is worse than a Playoff Final. A loss and you stay in the Championship. A loss here might mean you wont. At least it'll toughen us up for when Jose leads us to another Playoff Final in a year's time

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Hound » 19 Feb 2019 21:50

There’s 12 games after this. Even if we lost we could be back above them 7 days later

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Old Man Andrews » 20 Feb 2019 08:54

Martinez

Yiadom
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Baker
Academy Kid
Swift

Harriott
Oliveira
Ejaria

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Old Man Andrews » 20 Feb 2019 08:57

Hound There’s 12 games after this. Even if we lost we could be back above them 7 days later


It is more about what it will do to the already mentally fragile players though isn't it? If they lose to a team as poor as Rotherham the last little bit of belief will drain way and make it very hard for the players to pick themselves up. Rotherham on the other hand could use an away win against their main relegation rivals to push on and sneak another couple of victories in their last 12 games. I could see us not winning another game all season if we lose to Rotherham.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Hound » 20 Feb 2019 09:01

Old Man Andrews
Hound There’s 12 games after this. Even if we lost we could be back above them 7 days later


It is more about what it will do to the already mentally fragile players though isn't it? If they lose to a team as poor as Rotherham the last little bit of belief will drain way and make it very hard for the players to pick themselves up. Rotherham on the other hand could use an away win against their main relegation rivals to push on and sneak another couple of victories in their last 12 games. I could see us not winning another game all season if we lose to Rotherham.


yep thats fair. Esp if we play poorly

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Coppells Lost Coat » 20 Feb 2019 09:22

Old Man Andrews Martinez

Yiadom
Miazga
Moore
Blackett

Baker
Academy Kid
Swift

Harriott
Oliveira
Ejaria


Think this is the best option of a team we can put out. Maybe drop Ejaria into mid and bring in Barrow - he brings width and a threat that Ejaria doesn't have, however comes at a price of a inconsistent work rate.
Oli and Barrow could occupy their back line allowing Harriot to drop in field to help track the runners.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Hound » 20 Feb 2019 10:09

I think I'd play Baker and Swift in CM and Harriott as number 10. Oli, Barrow/Gmac and Meite up top.

Not sure its a game to bring in East. Loader possibly at number 10, but wasn't particularly convincing before he got dropped

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Stranded » 20 Feb 2019 10:15

Hound
Old Man Andrews
Hound There’s 12 games after this. Even if we lost we could be back above them 7 days later


It is more about what it will do to the already mentally fragile players though isn't it? If they lose to a team as poor as Rotherham the last little bit of belief will drain way and make it very hard for the players to pick themselves up. Rotherham on the other hand could use an away win against their main relegation rivals to push on and sneak another couple of victories in their last 12 games. I could see us not winning another game all season if we lose to Rotherham.


yep thats fair. Esp if we play poorly


Plus win - it will dent Rotherham and put us 3 points clear of them (and likely 6 clear of Bolton) - would put extra pressure on Rotherham to beat Blackburn the following weekend just to even pull level.

If we lose, it is not fatal but the pressure builds for us at Ipswich and for the first time this season our fate is no longer in our hands.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo » 20 Feb 2019 10:30

thanks

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by windermereROYAL » 20 Feb 2019 10:56

JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo thanks


Prick.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Rotherham United (h) sponsored by all or nothing

by Hound » 20 Feb 2019 10:58

windermereROYAL
JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo thanks


Prick.


harsh

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