MATCHWATCH : Cardiff City (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Friday 17th February, 8pm
Where : Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ
Capacity : 33,280

Thanks to SKY yet another weekend is possibly going to be ruined with the scheduled game moved to Friday night as Reading go in search of a first point on a Friday night this season after the previous 3 miserable results and performances.

Like Reading and their current car crash of a season, Cardiff are struggling badly, their win at Birmingham on Tuesday evening was their first league win since winning 1-0 at Sunderland on November 5th 2022 so that's 1 win in the 13 league games since. Of course, as per much of the Rotherham performance, this is just the sort of bleak opposition record that Reading Charity FC enjoy the most.

Just over a month ago Cardiff sacked their second manager of the season with Mark Hudson leaving and former Forest failure Sabri Lamouchi taking up the reins. Not sure if "new manager bounce" can still be applied after 2 weeks in the job but it's not the first time this season Reading have faced clubs after they've changed management options and generally the record in the previous instances hasn't been too bad so perhaps that will help Reading rather than hinder.

Goalscoring threat from the Bluebirds comes in the shape of forwards Mark Harris and Callum Robertson. Set pieces are likely to be a danger with centre back Callum O'Dowda having netted 3 times. While Romaine Sawyers is a midfield nuisance. Andy Rinomhota will also want to give a good account of himself against his former employers but at least he's a player the Reading management should know well.

Just a couple of injuries at the Cardiff end with Ebou Adams and Jamie Collins both out while Reading are, amazingly, pretty near full strength (which is probably the biggest issue in a while as it seems to need injuries to Rahman and Toilett before NGW and Azeez are allowed to play) with just Sam Hutchinson missing however Loum is back from suspension but at least Rahman is a doubt! Obi-Wan, Azeez and Fornah really need to be starting this one, if they don’t then it’s questionable whether Ince Snr. should be manager.

Referee

Darren Bond

Previously…

14 Jan 23 > Reading 2-2 Queens Park Rangers
04 Oct 22 > Reading 1-1 Norwich City
09 Jan 21 > Luton Town 1-0 Reading (FA Cup)
21 Nov 20 > Bournemouth 4-2 Reading
17 Oct 20 > Middlesbrough 0-0 Reading
12 Sep 20 > Derby County 0-2 Reading
11 Jul 20 > Charlton Athletic 0-1 Reading
14 Jan 20 > Blackpool 0-2 Reading (FA Cup)
26 Nov 19 > Reading 0-1 Leeds United
10 Nov 18 > Reading 2-2 Ipswich Town
15 Sep 18 > Preston North End 2-3 Reading
03 Apr 18 > Aston Villa 3-0 Reading
20 Jan 17 > Reading 0-1 Brentford
30 Nov 17 > Reading 3-0 Barnsley
11 Feb 17 > Reading 0-0 Barnsley
13 Aug 16 > Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Reading
14 Mar 15 > Watford 4-1 Reading
30 Aug 14 > Middlesbrough 0-1 Reading

Historically

It’s the 33rd trip to Cardiff in the league and it's a fairly level time of things so far with 10 wins for Reading against Cardiff's 13.

Sorry but fate will now be tempted as Reading haven't lost at Cardiff in any of the previous 6 visits in all competitions, last defeat was by 2-0 in November 2015 (which was also the last time Reading failed to score there). So with that, Reading Charity FC, the TV curse (now 8 wins from the last 40 televised matches) and Cardiff's current form don't be surprised at the outcome and hearing Ince once again wheeling out the "SKY hate us" mantra.

How to follow the game

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

[Snowflake Royal]

Loum back available, probably no Holmes still... NGW and Azeez surely have to start.


......................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Sarr NGW
.....................McIntyre
.............Hendrick, Fornah
...Ince.................................Azeez
......................Carroll


Surely? Maybe McIntyre back in defence and Loum the holding role for Sarr?

[Royals and Racers]

Yiadom is suspended for 2 matches- Cardiff and Blackpool.

[Stranded]

Loum back available, probably no Holmes still... NGW and Azeez surely have to start.


......................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Sarr NGW
.....................McIntyre
.............Hendrick, Fornah
...Ince.................................Azeez
......................Carroll


Surely? Maybe McIntyre back in defence and Loum the holding role for Sarr?

With Yiadom out, guess we may see Mbengue go to RB, McIntyre drop back and either Loum or Casadei come in.

But we absolutely should go as we finished formation-wise.

[Snowflake Royal]

Loum back available, probably no Holmes still... NGW and Azeez surely have to start.


......................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Sarr NGW
.....................McIntyre
.............Hendrick, Fornah
...Ince.................................Azeez
......................Carroll


Surely? Maybe McIntyre back in defence and Loum the holding role for Sarr?

With Yiadom out, guess we may see Mbengue go to RB, McIntyre drop back and either Loum or Casadei come in.

But we absolutely should go as we finished formation-wise.

Mbengue's pace is needed in the middle. We should be using Abrefa or Hoilett to cover his suspension.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Loum back available, probably no Holmes still... NGW and Azeez surely have to start.


......................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Sarr NGW
.....................McIntyre
.............Hendrick, Fornah
...Ince.................................Azeez
......................Carroll


Surely? Maybe McIntyre back in defence and Loum the holding role for Sarr?

With Yiadom out, guess we may see Mbengue go to RB, McIntyre drop back and either Loum or Casadei come in.

But we absolutely should go as we finished formation-wise.

As much as I agree, especially now without Yiadom, I can see us sticking with the formation we play and Hoilett at RWB and McIntyre might go into the back line with Loum coming back into midfield.

I'd actually be in favour of giving Abrefa a start at Cardiff though in a back 4, although with NGW at left back I just fear it may leave us a little bit exposed.

I can end up seeing a kind of 5-4-1 formation out of possession again.

[Wycombe Royal]

Loum back available, probably no Holmes still... NGW and Azeez surely have to start.


......................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Sarr NGW
.....................McIntyre
.............Hendrick, Fornah
...Ince.................................Azeez
......................Carroll


Surely? Maybe McIntyre back in defence and Loum the holding role for Sarr?

With Yiadom out, guess we may see Mbengue go to RB, McIntyre drop back and either Loum or Casadei come in.

But we absolutely should go as we finished formation-wise.

Mbengue's pace is needed in the middle. We should be using Abrefa or Hoilett to cover his suspension.

Is Abrefa back fit now? Didn't he get injured after the Watford cup match?

[Stranded]

Loum back available, probably no Holmes still... NGW and Azeez surely have to start.


......................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Sarr NGW
.....................McIntyre
.............Hendrick, Fornah
...Ince.................................Azeez
......................Carroll


Surely? Maybe McIntyre back in defence and Loum the holding role for Sarr?

With Yiadom out, guess we may see Mbengue go to RB, McIntyre drop back and either Loum or Casadei come in.

But we absolutely should go as we finished formation-wise.

Mbengue's pace is needed in the middle. We should be using Abrefa or Hoilett to cover his suspension.

Not disagreeing but saying how I think Ince would go, not what I would go with.

[Snowflake Royal]

Loum back available, probably no Holmes still... NGW and Azeez surely have to start.


......................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Sarr NGW
.....................McIntyre
.............Hendrick, Fornah
...Ince.................................Azeez
......................Carroll


Surely? Maybe McIntyre back in defence and Loum the holding role for Sarr?

With Yiadom out, guess we may see Mbengue go to RB, McIntyre drop back and either Loum or Casadei come in.

But we absolutely should go as we finished formation-wise.

As much as I agree, especially now without Yiadom, I can see us sticking with the formation we play and Hoilett at RWB and McIntyre might go into the back line with Loum coming back into midfield.

I'd actually be in favour of giving Abrefa a start at Cardiff though in a back 4, although with NGW at left back I just fear it may leave us a little bit exposed.

I can end up seeing a kind of 5-4-1 formation out of possession again.

A back 4 of Abrefa, Mbengue and NGW would lack a little experience.

I don't think there's any chance of Ince starting a back 4. Especially with Holmes out.

Probably be:

.......Mbengue, Sarr, McIntyre
Hoilett............Loum............NGW

Which would be a slight improvement

[Wycombe Royal]

So who will captain the side with Yiadom and Holmes missing?

[Sutekh]

Ince needs to be positive in the team selection

Should be:

Lumley
Abrefa McIntyre Sarr Mbengue NGW
Hendrick Fornah
Ince Carroll Azeez

It’ll be nearer:

Lumley
Toilett McIntyre Sarr Mbengue Rahman
Hendrick Loum
Ince Carroll Long

[YorkshireRoyal99]

With Yiadom out, guess we may see Mbengue go to RB, McIntyre drop back and either Loum or Casadei come in.

But we absolutely should go as we finished formation-wise.

As much as I agree, especially now without Yiadom, I can see us sticking with the formation we play and Hoilett at RWB and McIntyre might go into the back line with Loum coming back into midfield.

I'd actually be in favour of giving Abrefa a start at Cardiff though in a back 4, although with NGW at left back I just fear it may leave us a little bit exposed.

I can end up seeing a kind of 5-4-1 formation out of possession again.

A back 4 of Abrefa, Mbengue and NGW would lack a little experience.

I don't think there's any chance of Ince starting a back 4. Especially with Holmes out.

Probably be:

.......Mbengue, Sarr, McIntyre
Hoilett............Loum............NGW

Which would be a slight improvement

That's what I'm thinking/expecting it to be, which honestly isn't all that bad.

Our forward options will of interest though as well as Fornah has worked his way into the first XI potentially with his late goal, Hendrick and Ince are mainstays so will be difficult to displace etc.

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Ince is stubborn - he wont change his style until it works out so he can go - see told you....we may lose every game till then. I am having flashbacks to the end of VP tbh unwavering to failing tactics. Awful team choices.
Fully expecting this.

..................Lumley
Hoilet MBengue Sarr McIntrye Baba (if fit)
.......................Loum
Hendrick..................... Ince
.........Carroll......... Long (if fit)

what I would love to see

..................Lumley
MBengue Sarr McIntrye/Dann NGW
.............Loum ....Fornah
Ince .........Hendrick..... Azeez
................Carroll.........

[Hound]

Holmes may be back

Would like to see basically the second half team from rovrum if not though

Lumley
Mbengue Sarr McIntyre/Holmes NGW
Loum
Hendrick Fornah
Ince Carroll Azeez

Bouzanis, casadei, Long, Meite, McIntyre/Abrefa , Ejaria, Hoilett

Bored of Hoilett. Time to move on from him. Ince and Azeez buzzing round Carroll should do ok. Hopefully baba out

[Snowflake Royal]

Holmes may be back

Would like to see basically the second half team from rovrum if not though

Lumley
Mbengue Sarr McIntyre/Holmes NGW
Loum
Hendrick Fornah
Ince Carroll Azeez

Bouzanis, casadei, Long, Meite, McIntyre/Abrefa , Ejaria, Hoilett

Bored of Hoilett. Time to move on from him. Ince and Azeez buzzing round Carroll should do ok. Hopefully baba out

Part of me would slam Holmes straight back in, but also, the worst thing we could do would be give him a set back by rushing.

Him and Mbengue should be first choice imo. Personally I far prefer McIntyre to Sarr, but Sarr did ok last night and McIntyre did well in midfield at the weekend and second half last night, so I can see a rationale for limiting change.

[Hound]

Sarr’s having a little run now after barely playing since last season. I’d hope he’d improve as he goes

But yeah ideally Holmes and Mbengue I reckon in a back 4.

[Snowflake Royal]

Sarr’s having a little run now after barely playing since last season. I’d hope he’d improve as he goes

But yeah ideally Holmes and Mbengue I reckon in a back 4.

Bar that game before he got injured originally, I have been unimpressed. He had a little run a while ago and didn't seem to improve. And I come back to the fact he was a major part of Huddersfields struggling defence previously, and far from a mainstay in their good season.

[blythspartan]

I just hope we can play on the front foot in this one. I’d like to see us have a real go at them but I fully expect it to be a cautious defensive approach.

I really hope we can tie Mbengue down to a longer contract at the end of the season as he has bags of potential and he’d be one of my first names on the team sheet. Also, I believe if Azeez can stay fit he’ll be a huge asset for us and Carroll.

[Hound]

Be nice if Mbengue, Fornah, Azeez, NGW and Abrefa all hung around and continued developing with us

Be a nice core of good newish young players to build round

[Snowflake Royal]

Be nice if Mbengue, Fornah, Azeez, NGW and Abrefa all hung around and continued developing with us

Be a nice core of good newish young players to build round

Yeah, tbh this already doesn't look like a particularly awful team does it...

....................Boyce-Clarke
.......Holmes, Mbengue, McIntyre
Abrefa.........Leavy, Craig..........NGW
....Azeez..............................Camara
..................Ehibhatiomhan