MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Sutekh » 25 Feb 2020 21:20




When : Tuesday 3rd March, 8pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


Cup magic is what it is all about so thought I’d put this thread together nice and early to get as much build up and cup fever going as possible.

Reading are now one win away from being one win away from Wembley (although most would agree that that is actually a bit cr@p given that you are actually 3 wins away from the game that matters in the competition - but then a day out in a semi final is still something special wherever it’s played).

This will obviously be the hardest challenge so far as the Blades are currently now miles ahead of Reading in terms of prestige, money and squad then add to that Reading’s fairly dreadful home form and the fact that Sheffield United won’t have had to play a game since 22nd February (they were scheduled for a trip to Aston Villa on 29th February) and you see just how magnificent Reading will need to be to progress.

Sheffield are also likely to take the FA Cup fairly seriously as they also can see a chance of achievement in the horizon particularly as they are currently sitting 7th in the Premier League and just 4 points off a possible Champions League place. Chances are they’ll start with the likes of Sharp, Henderson, Basham and Norwood et al so no kids making up the numbers expected here.

Reading too are expected field a more experienced team than in previous rounds but injury problems will be as annoying as ever. Yet despite all this, all it takes is some determination, fight, belief, a baying crowd that can turn the Madejski into an Anfield on a European night (plus the obligatory touch of luck) and there could be a real upset on the cards.

Just to remind you that this tie must be decided on the night, there is no replay so extra time and penalties will be used if necessary.

Referee

As a PL club is involved we get a PL referee and Kevin Friend is due to be providing whistle action for this one

Previously....

15 Aug 2017 > Reading 2-1 Aston Villa
28 Jan 2014 > Reading 5-1 Blackpool
28 Apr 2013 > Reading 0-0 Queen's Park Rangers
12 Jan 2013 > Reading 3-2 West Bromwich Albion
30 Oct 2012 > Reading 5-7 Arsenal ( League Cup )
18 Aug 2012 > Reading 1-1 Stoke City
02 Apr 2011 > Reading 2-0 Portsmouth
26 Dec 2010 > Reading 4-1 Bristol City
24 Apr 2010 > Watford 3-0 Reading
08 Dec 2009 > Reading 2-4 Crystal Palace
10 Apr 2009 > Reading 0-1 Sheffield United
04 Oct 2008 > Reading 3-1 Burnley
28 Aug 2007 > Swansea City 0-1 Reading ( League Cup )
09 Aug 2005 > Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Reading
21 Mar 2005 > Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Reading
18 Sep 2004 > Reading 3-1 Gillingham

Historically

Reading and Sheffield United have played two games against each other in the FA Cup, one at each ground and on each occasion the result has been a home win with the away team unable to score so can the trend be continued?

Overall though home form against the red half of the “steel city” is not impressive at all. Reading have the edge but only by 10 wins to 9 and have lost every one of the last 5 home league games by an aggregate of 4 goals to 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 : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Old Man Andrews » 25 Feb 2020 21:22

Kevin Friend? The man is a friend to nobody!

windermereROYAL
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by windermereROYAL » 25 Feb 2020 23:14

Remember this knob head referee during the infamous Arsenal game, early in the 2nd half Noel Hunt got absolutely pole axed in the area, stone wall. potentially 5-1 , the only person in the whole ground that didn`t think it was a pen.

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JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo » 26 Feb 2020 23:32

thanks

Jinx
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Jinx » 29 Feb 2020 22:00

Oh no, Kevin Friend is my least favourite current ref :x


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by windermereROYAL » 29 Feb 2020 22:57

The Blades didn`t play today, I can see them putting out their strongest team in this one.

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Snowflake Royal » 01 Mar 2020 08:29

Going to need to be good and make few mistakes. Likely to be pressured.

......................Cabral
Yiadom, Miazga, Moore, Blackett
.............Rinomhota, Pele
.............Meite, Swift, Obita
.....................Baldock

Keep it tight, press and disrupt them, break where possible, look for set piece opportunities and then go for the win hard in the last 20 with some subs, like Ovie, Puscas etc.

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Zip
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Zip » 01 Mar 2020 09:28

Snowflake Royal Going to need to be good and make few mistakes. Likely to be pressured.

......................Cabral
Yiadom, Miazga, Moore, Blackett
.............Rinomhota, Pele
.............Meite, Swift, Obita
.....................Baldock

Keep it tight, press and disrupt them, break where possible, look for set piece opportunities and then go for the win hard in the last 20 with some subs, like Ovie, Puscas etc.


Puscas has to start Ian. I think that’s three goals in his last four starts. Would agree with the centre back pairing and I would bring in Pelé for Olise. Otherwise the same team as yesterday.

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Snowflake Royal » 01 Mar 2020 09:49

Zip
Snowflake Royal Going to need to be good and make few mistakes. Likely to be pressured.

......................Cabral
Yiadom, Miazga, Moore, Blackett
.............Rinomhota, Pele
.............Meite, Swift, Obita
.....................Baldock

Keep it tight, press and disrupt them, break where possible, look for set piece opportunities and then go for the win hard in the last 20 with some subs, like Ovie, Puscas etc.


Puscas has to start Ian. I think that’s three goals in his last four starts. Would agree with the centre back pairing and I would bring in Pelé for Olise. Otherwise the same team as yesterday.


Puscas, though much improved in this area, has a tendency to spectate a bit too much. Baldock on the other hand is great for defending from the front. Plus, Puscas has a lot of work to do in the league, so keep him fresher.

Just my approach.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by URZZZZ » 01 Mar 2020 11:36

Rafael

Yiadom
Miazga
Morrison
Obita

Pele

Meite
Rino
Swift
Ejaria

Puscas

Walker Richards Moore Olise McCleary Timbe Baldock

Would prefer Blackett/Richards in at LB but I’m hesitant to change a back four that has just kept a clean sheet so that also involves keeping Moore away too

I’d put Pele in for Olise, nothing against Olise and do want to see him get a good run in the team but with the quick interplay United play, the pockets of space they find, think it’d be better to revert back to the 4-1-4-1 just for this game alone and no one plays the DM role in the squad better than Pele

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Old Man Andrews » 01 Mar 2020 13:08

Mark Bowen has just called this the biggest game of the season. All of those argued with me when I said that can form a queue and apologise to me.
Last edited by Old Man Andrews on 01 Mar 2020 14:15, edited 1 time in total.

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Snowflake Royal » 01 Mar 2020 13:20

Bore off.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by windermereROYAL » 02 Mar 2020 11:13

This game is being streamed live on facebook.


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Dave the rave
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Dave the rave » 02 Mar 2020 11:23

We're in for this one. My lad's first midweek evening game.

Let's have some magic please, Reading.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Hendo » 02 Mar 2020 11:27

windermereROYAL This game is being streamed live on facebook.


The FA Facebook page? That is quite cool.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by NewCorkSeth » 02 Mar 2020 11:55

windermereROYAL This game is being streamed live on facebook.

Just saw that. Happy days

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by South Coast Royal » 02 Mar 2020 13:29

Jinx Oh no, Kevin Friend is my least favourite current ref :x


Same here.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Westwood52 » 02 Mar 2020 13:57

Hate to say this,because as a rule referees and linesman,are not up to it,and are killing the game;however I actually think he’s one of the better ones.

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Sutekh
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Sutekh » 02 Mar 2020 14:49

windermereROYAL This game is being streamed live on facebook.


Facebook Watch whatever that is. Presume you would just go the the RFC or SUFC Facebook page and click a link....

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Sheffield United (h) sponsored by the magic of the cup

by Sutekh » 02 Mar 2020 14:54

Chris Wilder has said that SUFC’s January loanees; Richairo Zivkovic and Panos Retsos will both play some part in the game

Enda Stevens is unlikely to be risked and there are a couple of others likely to not be risked as well

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