MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Sutekh » 27 Mar 2019 10:20



When : Saturday, 30th March 2019, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


Almost a year to the day and a Preston team on the fringes of the play offs are back in town. This time, though, a whole lot meaner and a whole lot more impressive than they have been for many years. So just what you want rolling into town when Reading are badly struggling in a relegation battle and crippled by injuries left right and centre.

Form wise Preston have lost just one league game in 2019 and that was at Rotherham on 1st January. Since then they’ve gone on a run of 12 league games winning a mere 8 of them. The form table for the last 10 Championship games therefore pitches Preston in equal second place with Sheffield United (only Norwich are better with 8 wins and a draw from their 10 games).

The form table looks good for Reading as well as they’re safely ensconced in 11th place leading the mid-table obscurity challenge - so a real pity the season isn’t just 10 games old.

Preston also lead the away form table where the last 8 away games show that they’ve won 6 of them. In the matching home form table Reading are languishing in 16th place. No I don’t want to go there either (both metaphorically and physically).

For a change Reading aren’t playing a side with a mass of recent draws. No. This bunch have a mass of recent wins away from home. Just the 6 from their previous 6 played including at places like Middlesbrough. However, as mentioned earlier they have been beaten at Rotherham so they are not invincible and do have a few injury concerns over Paul Gallagher, Andy Hughes (no, not that one), Tom Barkhuizen and Tom Clarke, though the international break may well have enabled those concerns to retreat into the distance.

Reading’s perennial injury crisis (now into it’s second year) may also bear a little good news for a change with the vague possibility of both
Ejaria and Rino being in contention which, if true, would at least return some balance to midfield though in Rino’s case, how much match fitness he’ll be able to call on is debatable.

So, if everyone can do their job properly on the day - and that means the fans as much as the players - then there’s no reason that a home win couldn’t happen. So let’s all treat it like a cup tie against higher division opposition, develop that required atmosphere, and who know what might ensue….

Referee

Tony Harrington provides a 25% win rate so far or, alternatively, a 75% pointage rate and currently I think many of us would take a draw from this one if it was offered.



Previous

23-Oct 18 > Birmingham City 2-1 Reading
24-Feb-18 > Reading 3-3 Derby County
16-Sep-18 > Brentford 1-1 Reading
21-Feb-17 > Huddersfield Town 1-0 Reading
10-Dec-16 > Reading 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
06-Feb-16 > Reading 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
29-Sep-15 > Burnley 1-2 Reading
01-Oct-14 > Reading 0-0 Leeds United

Historically

This will be the 28th league game with Preston in Reading. Reading has been a bit of a graveyard for visiting Preston teams down the years (pretty much like Deepdale is for visiting Reading teams) with Reading ahead by 17 wins to 4.

How to follow the game

  1. Get a ticket and travel
  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 : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Old Man Andrews » 27 Mar 2019 10:22

Tony Harrington........... :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Elm Park Kid
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Elm Park Kid » 27 Mar 2019 10:43

Another nil-nil has to be the best hope here.

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Old Man Andrews » 27 Mar 2019 10:44

No it isn't. We can and will beat Preston.

Hound
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Hound » 27 Mar 2019 11:20

Their run has to end sometime...reckon we'll get a draw.

They are a good organised time and have a lot of respect for them, but we should have a fair shot


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yuomi
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by yuomi » 27 Mar 2019 11:22

https://twitter.com/eduphysio/status/1110830776227000320

Apologies if posted elsewhere, but this is interesting.


Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Old Man Andrews » 27 Mar 2019 11:24

Don't think he will be match fit but I think he is probably just fit to run perhaps?

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yuomi
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by yuomi » 27 Mar 2019 11:29

Old Man Andrews Don't think he will be match fit but I think he is probably just fit to run perhaps?


Considering he was out for the season as recently as 10 days ago, this is still pretty good going. Back for Hull even?

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Old Man Andrews » 27 Mar 2019 11:30

yuomi
Old Man Andrews Don't think he will be match fit but I think he is probably just fit to run perhaps?


Considering he was out for the season as recently as 10 days ago, this is still pretty good going. Back for Hull even?

Think Hull is realistic, at least from the bench.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Hound » 27 Mar 2019 11:36

its interesting that he has tucked his shorts into his pants and pulled his socks right up. Not a great look, but yep anything that means he is fit for at least some of our run in is a very good thing

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John Smith
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by John Smith » 27 Mar 2019 11:59

Old Man Andrews Tony Harrington........... :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I think he needs to jacket in, personally.

Hound Their run has to end sometime...reckon we'll get a draw.

They are a good organised time and have a lot of respect for them, but we should have a fair shot

Couldn't agree more. They were dross at Deepdale and it's the same side - they're just riding on confidence and that could become cockiness versus little old Reading

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by URZZZZ » 27 Mar 2019 13:41

John Smith
Old Man Andrews Tony Harrington........... :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I think he needs to jacket in, personally.

Hound Their run has to end sometime...reckon we'll get a draw.

They are a good organised time and have a lot of respect for them, but we should have a fair shot

Couldn't agree more. They were dross at Deepdale and it's the same side - they're just riding on confidence and that could become cockiness versus little old Reading


It isn’t the same side at all, infact only 4 people who started their last league game started against us. Add to that, Pearson who’s probably their best player, was suspended that day and they now play a different formation, it really isn’t the same side. Try again

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Hound » 28 Mar 2019 08:59

Should sign this chap up

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201803/3 ... 15815.html

Wonder where the contact with him was - our owners?


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Hound » 28 Mar 2019 12:23

sounds like Baldock and Rino are fit enough to play some part. Ejaria presumably back as well. No Bod.

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72 bus
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by 72 bus » 28 Mar 2019 12:38

Hound Should sign this chap up

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201803/3 ... 15815.html

Wonder where the contact with him was - our owners?


Not a chance he would come here or that we could afford him and his team of eight

Santos said he left Zenit in 2016 after SIPG shelled out $1.3 million for him
Santos said he has resisted offers to work for major European clubs because he has freedom at "open-minded" SIPG.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by URZZZZ » 28 Mar 2019 13:33

Would go for something like this

Martinez

Yiadom
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Rino
Baker

Meite
Swift
McCleary

Baldock

Walker Gunter McShane Kelly Harriott Barrow Loader/Ejaria if fit

Probably shouldn't start Baldock but we're completely desperate

Hound
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Hound » 28 Mar 2019 13:37

72 bus
Hound Should sign this chap up

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201803/3 ... 15815.html

Wonder where the contact with him was - our owners?


Not a chance he would come here or that we could afford him and his team of eight

Santos said he left Zenit in 2016 after SIPG shelled out $1.3 million for him
Santos said he has resisted offers to work for major European clubs because he has freedom at "open-minded" SIPG.


it wasn't a serious suggestion :)

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by Hound » 28 Mar 2019 13:41

URZZZZ Would go for something like this

Martinez

Yiadom
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Rino
Baker

Meite
Swift
McCleary

Baldock

Walker Gunter McShane Kelly Harriott Barrow Loader/Ejaria if fit

Probably shouldn't start Baldock but we're completely desperate


Last thing we need is Baldock to get injured again though. Bit concerned Meite isn't back still apparently. Not a great prep

Would prob keep the same team roughly but look to introduce Rino and Baldock during the game

Martinez
Yiadom
Blackett
Miazga
Moore
Baker
Swift
Ejaria
McCleary
Harriott
Meite

Jaakola, Gunter, McShane, Barrow, Baldock, Rino, Loader. Bit harsh on Olise though.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by URZZZZ » 28 Mar 2019 13:47

Hound
URZZZZ Would go for something like this

Martinez

Yiadom
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Rino
Baker

Meite
Swift
McCleary

Baldock

Walker Gunter McShane Kelly Harriott Barrow Loader/Ejaria if fit

Probably shouldn't start Baldock but we're completely desperate


Last thing we need is Baldock to get injured again though. Bit concerned Meite isn't back still apparently. Not a great prep

Would prob keep the same team roughly but look to introduce Rino and Baldock during the game

Martinez
Yiadom
Blackett
Miazga
Moore
Baker
Swift
Ejaria
McCleary
Harriott
Meite

Jaakola, Gunter, McShane, Barrow, Baldock, Rino, Loader. Bit harsh on Olise though.


I'd argue Preston are a decent team but this really is one of the winnable games we have left, although I do think we'll lose still. It's essential we play with a striker and not a winger up front

I didn't think Ejaria was fit in all honesty, but I doubt he'll keep the same two wingers in regardless because he never seems to do that, expect the rotation again there

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Preston North End (h) sponsored by the only way is up

by NewCorkSeth » 28 Mar 2019 13:59

-----------------Martinez
Yiadom--Miazga--Moore--Blackett
------------Baker--Rinomhota
Harriott---------Swift--------Barrow
-------------------Meite

For me please.
Back 5 obviously unchanged as far as possible.
Baker hasn't done much wrong so should keep his place.
Rinomhota is back right? Slot him in. On paper he should do very well next to Baker.
Swift retains his place for me with Ejaria ready for a cameo if he doesn't perform well.
Harriott is really growing on me. Obviously he hasn't delivered the goods as much as I would like but his energy and strength on the ball have impressed me.
Barrow over McCleary as he is scoring goals. We need goals. Go with the guy scoring goals.
Meite up top. Baldock wont be ready to start. Good option of the bench though and I'm glad he is back.

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