MATCHWATCH : Leyton Orient (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday January 27 2024, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Another divisional form team to face next so another difficult game with not much expectation on the face of it but then Reading turned out a thoroughly decent performance to inflict Derby's first away defeat in months so there shouldn't be any fear, but when was the last time Reading managed two successive thoroughly decent home league performances (as that is what will be needed)?

Not only are the O's on the back of 4 wins and a draw from their last 6 games they have also not conceded a goal anywhere since the 10th minute of their 3-2 defeat at Bolton 6 games ago (so that's 530 minutes of defensive stubborness). In addition their last away outing was a comfortable 3-0 stuffing of Pompey (bell 'n' all) at Fratton so things will not get harder for Reading than this.

Midfielder Shaqai Forde and forward Ruel Sotiriou do much of the damage with 12 goals between them but Leyton Orient are a decent team throughout with good goal contributions from all over.

Reading are still managing to keep clear of the usual injury crisis, touchwood, (is it just Camara now?) so it should, I guess, be an unchanged line up from the Derby game. Cameroon are playing Nigeria in the AFCON round of 16 on Saturday which will mean Elliott will be back in time for the Oxford game next Saturday if Cameroon lose.

This Saturday could be a key fixture for Reading as there are some nice tough games (see below) for those around us too so somehow jamming a win should really help confidence and belief for everyone on and off the pitch.

If Reading can somehow get a win on Saturday then things could well be looking the most positive they have all season as, except Wycombe, all those around us in the table have nice difficult games!

Saturday's other League One Fixtures:

Barnsley v Exeter City
Blackpool v Charlton Athletic
Bristol Rovers v Oxford United
Cambridge United v Burton Albion
Carlisle United v Bolton Wanderers
Derby County v Cheltenham Town
Lincoln City v Peterborough United
Northampton Town v Shrewsbury Town
Port Vale v Portsmouth
Wigan Athletic v Stevenage
Wycombe Wanderers v Fleetwood Town


Referee

Graham Scott

Previously

Nothing known

Historically

The last league game at home to the O's was a 2-1 win back in October 1993. However since then Orient have visited the Mad Stad twice in cup competitions losing 1-0 in the FL Trophy (Mark Bowen played for the Royals) in 1999 and winning 2-0 in the League Cup in 2000.

In the 33 previous seasons the clubs have shared together Reading have won 19 home games to Orient's 5. Orient's last league win in Reading was in October 1990 and there has only ever been one 0-0 (back in December 1934).

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 a RoyalsTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Royal_jimmy]

Orient didn't have a game in the week so will have an advantage in being fresher than us. They've on a great run and I'm a big admirer of their manager who will be managing in a higher league within a couple of seasons.

[WestYorksRoyal]

A lot of Reading fans wanted Wellens in the summer, perhaps in a different world where we weren't Daifucked . Will go onto bigger things no doubt.

[morganb]

A lot of Reading fans wanted Wellens in the summer, perhaps in a different world where we weren't Daifucked . Will go onto bigger things no doubt.

Richie Wellens sometimes (well, at least once as we saw him there!) attends our U21 matches as he's the dad of our very own Charlie Wellens

[Sutekh]

A lot of Reading fans wanted Wellens in the summer, perhaps in a different world where we weren't Daifucked . Will go onto bigger things no doubt.

Richie Wellens sometimes (well, at least once as we saw him there!) attends our U21 matches as he's the dad of our very own Charlie Wellens

Well there's nothing like a bit of scouting in your match preparation.

[Clyde1998]

Based on the ticket website, it's looking like this could be our highest overall attendance of the season (north of 14,500). Currently the highest is against Portsmouth (14,417).

In terms of home fans (ie. discounting away supporters), it will likely fall behind the highest against Burton (13,378) back in September - but still could be the second highest this season (roughly 12,600).

Leyton Orient are bringing around 2,000 fans - which will be the fourth highest in the league this season behind Portsmouth (2,891), Oxford (2,768) and Bristol Rovers (2,735), but comfortably ahead of Bolton (1,670) and Derby (1,634); Ipswich brought 2,214 in the League Cup.

It also depends on the exact segregation between Club 1871 and the away fans; Club 1871 is showing as sold out. I've based it on the segregation from the last few matches - where the whole of R29 is unavailable, along with about 150 seats in R28. More of those seats being made available would increase those numbers, although I'm sure we would've heard if more Club 1871 seats were made available.

[blythspartan]

I am looking forward to this one and I am hoping that we can get another 1-0 win. However, given Orient’s recent form I won’t be surprised if it’s an away win.

It’ll be interesting to see if TMac is in the squad today.

[Snowflake Royal]

Unchanged side, McIntyre on bench still.

[Snowflake Royal]

Listening to pre-match interview with Holmes.

Not so subtle digs at Selles for scapegoating him and throwing him into the youth side.

[Uke]

Watching on IPTV

Not so bad, but could be more attack

Knibbs getting better with every match

[morganb]

0-1 Penalty for them

[Millsy]

WTF

Walking all over them.

Totally against run of play.

Dirty penalty.

[Snowflake Royal]

Holmes's holding in the box goes wrong when the ball hits his arm around the Orient player's head/shoulder.

Dickish penalty, but didn't actually stop.

[Snowflake Royal]

How has Knibbs not finished that.

[Millsy]

WTF three players in the 6 yard box fail to knock it in. Not our day today.

[Uke]

Very dirty penalty, followed by dickhead celebrating

[Millsy]

KNIBBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[morganb]

1-1

[Millsy]

1-1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Millsy]

Thoroughly deserved we're absolutely battering them. It's men v boys.