MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Sutekh » 08 Mar 2023 08:40




When : Saturday 11th March 2023, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Seems every year at about this time Millwall roll up collect 3 points in their charge to fail to make the play offs and we all go home again. Not saying it's a desperate must win game for Reading but it would be nice to stop collecting these home defeat trends before they become millstones.

As usual Millwall are looking quite useful and with a decent wind behind them they could be in the play off mix at the end of it all. The Lions lie 7th in the table and have 2 wins and 2 draws from their last 6 games so are pretty consistent at getting points. Their last 3 away games have seen 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat so are more than capable of posing difficult questions of the Reading team.

Twenty six league goals have been scored by midfielder Zian Flemming and striker Tom Bradshaw between them this season, on top of that is the most consistent threat, in more ways than one, of Jake Cooper who has a nasty habit of scoring against Reading so Reading need to develop some suitable treatment and just stop these three from doing what they do best.

Gary Rowett's men have 5 injured; Billy Mitchell, Aidomo Emakhu, Mason Bennet, Tyler Burley and Callum Styles plus have had Oliver Burke, Duncan Watmore and Jamie Shackleton all missing recent games through illness. Reading have Sam Hutchinson missing plus question marks over Yakou Meite which will presumably become clearer at Thursday's pre-match press conference on Thursday. Liam Moore is back to help the defensive options and if he does play I hope the booing idiots, evident on Tuesday, don't reappear as well.

No doubt Reading will go all negative again and struggle as a result esp. as Millwall have had a clear week to rest. Whatever happens it's going to be a hard and difficult game but if Reading could actually be positive about things rather than playing excessive numbers of defenders and players out of position for once then perhaps something hopeful might take place.

Referee

Michael "my annual Reading game" Salisbury

Previously

09 Apr 22 > Reading 1-2 Cardiff City
21 Apr 21 > Luton Town 0-0 Reading
20 Jun 20 > Reading 1-1 Stoke City
21 Dec 19 > Reading 3-0 Derby County

Historically

This will be the 104th league game against Millwall and therefore the 52nd time Reading will have played them at home. Currently it is definitely a case of the home team ruling as Reading have won 29 of those 46 games and lost 14 (more or less the opposite of the games at Millwall).

There is usually a stack of goals between the sides, Reading have netted 96 while Millwall have managed 51.

So it'll be a pretty dull 0-0 then and there’s probably a good few that’d take to stop the rot before the next miserable away trip.

How to follow the game

  1. Ticket yourself 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 RoyalTV subscription
  5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Snowflake Royal » 08 Mar 2023 09:22

Millwall are limited, but fighting for the POs.

We'll do well to get a point. But this is not a game we should approach negatively, because if we let Millwall dominate they will batter us and force something in. We need to get at them, which means back to 4-3-3 for me.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Stranded » 08 Mar 2023 09:23

Millwall have won 3 of the last 5 visits - we won the other 2 - be good to equal that up this weekend.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by YorkshireRoyal99 » 08 Mar 2023 09:25

If we can get a performance similar to last night, I'd imagine we'd get something. Zian Flemming is obviously their key player and they've got a few other quality players about, but nothing we can't beat on our day.

Be interesting to see what team we go for considering both Loum and Meite were out of the squad yesterday so they could both come back in assuming they aren't injured (or suspended).

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by paultheroyal » 08 Mar 2023 09:50

YorkshireRoyal99 If we can get a performance similar to last night, I'd imagine we'd get something. Zian Flemming is obviously their key player and they've got a few other quality players about, but nothing we can't beat on our day.

Be interesting to see what team we go for considering both Loum and Meite were out of the squad yesterday so they could both come back in assuming they aren't injured (or suspended).



Meite out till April at the earliest - not sure what has happened with Loum.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by YorkshireRoyal99 » 08 Mar 2023 09:52

paultheroyal
YorkshireRoyal99 If we can get a performance similar to last night, I'd imagine we'd get something. Zian Flemming is obviously their key player and they've got a few other quality players about, but nothing we can't beat on our day.

Be interesting to see what team we go for considering both Loum and Meite were out of the squad yesterday so they could both come back in assuming they aren't injured (or suspended).



Meite out till April at the earliest - not sure what has happened with Loum.


Ah right. It's really been a bad couple of years for Meite with injuries which is a shame because he's a beast on his day, probably isn't worth renewing his contract come the end of the season unfortunately.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by URZZZZ » 10 Mar 2023 10:57

Would go with:

Lumley

Yiadom
Holmes
Sarr

Mbengue
Casadei
Hendrick
NGW

Ince
Long
Carroll

Bouzanis, McIntyre, Dann/Moore, Loum, Fornah, Azeez, Joao

Thought Dann had another decent game on Tuesday but Holmes wasn’t comfortable as the RCB so would revert him back to the centre

Would ideally drop to a back four but struggling for options with Meite out

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by tidus_mi2 » 10 Mar 2023 11:11

It did feel like going back to a back 5 was the right call against Sheff U and the balance was ALMOST right, we made it difficult for them and didn't concede too many decent chances but our attacking intent could have been a bit greater, not sure how that translates in team selection, maybe Meite instead of Long but unfortunately he's injured, maybe Azeez?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by YorkshireRoyal99 » 10 Mar 2023 11:19

Azeez looked threatening against Cardiff but we didn't get the ball into the right areas nearly enough times, but he did look to go beyond the back line but he didn't get enough support. I think any of our current forward options could work, we just have to get the ball to them enough times, if we don't then we will always be a bit toothless.

Seen a piece on Fornah but he seems to have really lost his place since the WC break, I wonder what it will take to get him back in the team.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Hound » 10 Mar 2023 11:22

I know he only has 5 mins but thought Casadei looked bright and confident against sheff utd. Would like to see him start

Basically urrzz team but would consider Azeez for Long

Millwall their usual selves. Battlers, seem to have a load of injuries but certainly beatable. Not sure it’s a game for the purists

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Snowflake Royal » 10 Mar 2023 11:53

.....................Lumley
Yiadom, Mbengue, Holmes, NGW
....................McIntyre
............Hendrick, Casadei
Azeez.................................Ince
.....................Carroll

I think Azeez and NGW down the left is too inexperienced, and Long probably doesn’t have the legs to drop in and cover NGW, and for some reason I don't fancy him on the right.

Would ideally like Ince central, but he absolutely can support NGW. McIntyre has to play, but him and Holmes don't make a great pair, so use him screening defence.

Be happy with Fornah in for Casadei
Last edited by Snowflake Royal on 10 Mar 2023 12:54, edited 1 time in total.

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Sutekh
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Sutekh » 10 Mar 2023 12:45

Really need to show some positivity in this one and really try to make the defence look like it is able to move so

Lumley
Yiadom Sarr Holmes Mbengue NGW
Hendrick Casadei
Azeez Carroll Ince

Subs

Bouzanis
McIntyre
Dann
Loum
Moore
Joao
Long

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Mid Sussex Royal » 10 Mar 2023 19:13

I'd start with Joao, pointless lumping it up to Carroll, it will just come straight back. their backline is slow, need to get in behind


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tidus_mi2
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by tidus_mi2 » 10 Mar 2023 20:31

Don't worry lads, we'll win this one.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Royals and Racers » 11 Mar 2023 11:41

Millwall have sold out 2134

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by karbota » 11 Mar 2023 13:46

Sutekh Really need to show some positivity in this one and really try to make the defence look like it is able to move so

Lumley
Yiadom Sarr Holmes Mbengue NGW
Hendrick Casadei
Azeez Carroll Ince

Subs

Bouzanis
McIntyre
Dann
Loum
[u]Moore[/u]
Joao
Long


No, and Long has to start ahead of Azeez.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Royals and Racers » 11 Mar 2023 14:01

Un- changed from Tuesday

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Brogue » 11 Mar 2023 14:02


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Sutekh
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by Sutekh » 11 Mar 2023 14:03

Oh goody Dann over Mbengue again!

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Millwall (h)

by SCIAG » 11 Mar 2023 14:47

I am boycotting this match in support of Gary Lineker.

Also because I don't want to see Jake Cooper score against us again.

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