MATCHWATCH : Northampton Town (h)

[Sutekh]

The Cobblers have a few injury problems with Jack Vale, Jon Guthrie, Liam Shaw, Max Dache, Tom Eaves and Elliott List all expected to miss out though Lee Burge and Kyle Edwards could return. They’re apparently likely to line up with a 5-4-1 formation so getting space in the key areas will be a problem for Reading.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I've definitely heard some through the broadcast.

Been to every home game bar Port Vale so far and there's not been much, if any.

There was booing at the end of the Mansfield game but that was for the ref as most of the crowd thought MO'M should have had a penalty at the end

Yep

It was a huge amount worse under Selles first season. It’s more a bit of apathy and resignation this year rather than negativity

It's been a bit toxic towards Hunt at the three northern aways I've been to, if things go wrong in the next two I'd expect that to filter through to the home games.

[MR. CYNICAL]

It’s not like it’s translated to the crowds at the games though as far as I can see. I didn’t go to Swindon but hear there was some there. Otherwise I’ve barely heard a boo or negative chanting at any game I’ve been to this year

If they read what C Scott and his muppet mates say on Twitter then more fool them

I've definitely heard some through the broadcast.

Been to every home game bar Port Vale so far and there's not been much, if any.

There was booing at the end of the Mansfield game but that was for the ref as most of the crowd thought MO'M should have had a penalty at the end

Definitely some booing in the East stand at half time whistle against Mansfield.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

The Cobblers have a few injury problems with Jack Vale, Jon Guthrie, Liam Shaw, Max Dache, Tom Eaves and Elliott List all expected to miss out though Lee Burge and Kyle Edwards could return. They’re apparently likely to line up with a 5-4-1 formation so getting space in the key areas will be a problem for Reading.

Yes - we won't get anywhere near the space to play like we did at Cardiff; they will come to frustrate and nick a 1-0.

[Orion1871]

Been to every home game bar Port Vale so far and there's not been much, if any.

There was booing at the end of the Mansfield game but that was for the ref as most of the crowd thought MO'M should have had a penalty at the end

Yep

It was a huge amount worse under Selles first season. It’s more a bit of apathy and resignation this year rather than negativity

It's been a bit toxic towards Hunt at the three northern aways I've been to, if things go wrong in the next two I'd expect that to filter through to the home games.

Toxic at Exeter too. A few "sacked in the morning" chants and I heard a few "Hunt you're a c u nt" chants. Totally unnecessary, Noel is trying his best, I just doubt his best is good enough.

That's up to the owner to decide, as Couhig has said himself, and Noel will give his all to try and make it work.

[leon]

The Cobblers have a few injury problems with Jack Vale, Jon Guthrie, Liam Shaw, Max Dache, Tom Eaves and Elliott List all expected to miss out though Lee Burge and Kyle Edwards could return. They’re apparently likely to line up so getting space in the key areas will be a problem for Reading.

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[Sutekh]

The Cobblers have a few injury problems with Jack Vale, Jon Guthrie, Liam Shaw, Max Dache, Tom Eaves and Elliott List all expected to miss out though Lee Burge and Kyle Edwards could return. They’re apparently likely to line up with a 5-4-1 formation so getting space in the key areas will be a problem for Reading.

Yes - we won't get anywhere near the space to play like we did at Cardiff; they will come to frustrate and nick a 1-0.

Kevin Nolan seems to have learned buckets as a manager, he only started last Boxing Day (interestingly his first game was a 4-1 defeat at Reading) and Northampton were a bit of an inconsistent mess struggling to 19th and the 50 point mark by the end of the season. This time he seems to be building something that is a little well organised (some fairly shrewd signings in the summer it seems, like Ethan Wheatley on loan from ManU and Matthew Jacobs from Chesterfield - only Lincoln, Cardiff and Stevenage have conceded fewer in the division and though their goal tally of 10 is only "worsened" by Peterborough it would suggest he's going about things in the correct manner to get the team onto a steady, hard to beat base. Perhaps Mr Hunt should be taking note of this. Anyway doesn't sound like there's going to be much to expect by way of goals tonight but if Reading can get themselves ahead there should be a chance they can stay there, barring any of the usual stupid defensive presents.

[RoyalBlue]

Lady referee, she was one of the better ones we had last season.

Abigail Byrne

Yes, whenever I've seen her referee games she has done pretty well.

I hope I haven't just jinxed it and her!

[Snowflake Royal]

Would bring in Kelvin for this one but to play off Marriott - clever dummy for Lane’s blocked shot off the line. LB all much of a muchness at the moment but would be tempted to give Ryan an extended go in the side as Dorsett plays too much like a CB at LB and has a tendency to allow the winger too much room. Actually think Jacob is given a tougher time than deserved but not sure he offers something extra we don’t already have

Wing continuing to cause a conundrum with his ability to dictate the game from deep marred by a lack of defensive responsibility - Cardiff’s only chance in the first half as a result of him losing his runner and not convinced he couldn’t have done better for their winner

Stevens

Abrefa
Burns
O’Connor
Ryan

Wing
Savage

Ritchie
Ehibhatiomhan
Lane

Marriott

Norcott, Yiadom, Dorsett, Elliott, Doyle, Kyeweraa, O’Mahony

Yeah wouldn’t argue with that side

Expect Jacob will be in there somewhere though

Do think it's time to try someone else in for Doyle. Don’t mind who it is out of Kelvin, Kyerewaa or even Ritchie or Lane out of position tbh. Definitely not MOM.

Lane probably needs another game or two, because he is getting in the right spots, but nothing soon and its break time.

We'd likely have an additional 5 points and be absolutely fine if his finishing was better in the last two league games.

If Burns and Ahmed were less error prone, we'd probably be top 10.

[tidus_mi2]

Probably a must win tonight right? Might be able to accept a draw if we perform well and are just unlucky.

[Hound]

Would bring in Kelvin for this one but to play off Marriott - clever dummy for Lane’s blocked shot off the line. LB all much of a muchness at the moment but would be tempted to give Ryan an extended go in the side as Dorsett plays too much like a CB at LB and has a tendency to allow the winger too much room. Actually think Jacob is given a tougher time than deserved but not sure he offers something extra we don’t already have

Wing continuing to cause a conundrum with his ability to dictate the game from deep marred by a lack of defensive responsibility - Cardiff’s only chance in the first half as a result of him losing his runner and not convinced he couldn’t have done better for their winner

Stevens

Abrefa
Burns
O’Connor
Ryan

Wing
Savage

Ritchie
Ehibhatiomhan
Lane

Marriott

Norcott, Yiadom, Dorsett, Elliott, Doyle, Kyeweraa, O’Mahony

Yeah wouldn’t argue with that side

Expect Jacob will be in there somewhere though

Do think it's time to try someone else in for Doyle. Don’t mind who it is out of Kelvin, Kyerewaa or even Ritchie or Lane out of position tbh. Definitely not MOM.

Lane probably needs another game or two, because he is getting in the right spots, but nothing soon and its break time.

We'd likely have an additional 5 points and be absolutely fine if his finishing was better in the last two league games.

If Burns and Ahmed were less error prone, we'd probably be top 10.

Elliott or Kelvin in the 10 role for me.

MoM needs to be worked hard with to be that back up no9 if Marriott gets injured/out of form/comes off after 70 etc. he’s all we’ve got til Jan really and could be needed at any minute

In an ideal world id rather see at least a couple of Ryan, Spencer, Sackey, Patton, Evans, Osho, Borgnis in the squad but don’t think it’ll happen

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah wouldn’t argue with that side

Expect Jacob will be in there somewhere though

Do think it's time to try someone else in for Doyle. Don’t mind who it is out of Kelvin, Kyerewaa or even Ritchie or Lane out of position tbh. Definitely not MOM.

Lane probably needs another game or two, because he is getting in the right spots, but nothing soon and its break time.

We'd likely have an additional 5 points and be absolutely fine if his finishing was better in the last two league games.

If Burns and Ahmed were less error prone, we'd probably be top 10.

Elliott or Kelvin in the 10 role for me.

MoM needs to be worked hard with to be that back up no9 if Marriott gets injured/out of form/comes off after 70 etc. he’s all we’ve got til Jan really and could be needed at any minute

In an ideal world id rather see at least a couple of Ryan, Spencer, Sackey, Patton, Evans, Osho, Borgnis in the squad but don’t think it’ll happen

Some of them, I think it would just be for the sake of young players.

Evans maybe, Osho while Camara and Garcia are out sure, and Borgnis would be ahead of pretty much any CB other than Williams, O'Connor or Dorsett for the bench imo.

[traff]

Agree with the above team but would put Norcott in for Lane

[Clyde1998]

Starting XI
Stevens
Abrefa - O’Connor - Williams - Jacob
Wing - Savage
Ritchie - Elliott - Lane
Ehibhatiomhan

Subs: Norcott; Dorsett; Kyerewaa; Burns; Yiadom; O’Mahony; Doyle

[Crowbar6753]

Tonight is our game in hand and we really need to take advantage and get the three points needed to take away the pressure building on us. On Saturday against Cardiff they were happy to let us play football and we proved we are a good footballing side when given the opportunity to play! We could and should have taken all three points by half time and i feel it is just a matter of confidence that we're not putting these chance's away.
Our conundrum is that most teams in Div one will not play like Cardiff and will not allow us the time on the ball we were given hence why we are struggling. I actually believe we are better suited for Championship football than football in Div 1 purely down to the fact that good footballing sides often suffer against teams set up to bully and hassle the opposition.
That's not to say good football won't work i just feel for it to work we need to play at and pass at a faster pace and this will only come with confidence and confidence will only come with good results! We need a bit of a break and a couple of wins and to stop these silly error's at the back and with that i believe we will still slowly move up the table.
We are slowly getting better and i believe that Noel still needs a bit longer to see if he can turn things around. I actually believe it is commendable of the owner's to give the manager time to turn things around and would certainly prefer this approach than the one currently on offer at Notts Forest which is a joke!
Come on Urrzzzzz.

[Sutekh]

[windermereROYAL]

Good news to see Williams and O`Connor together, Jacobs getting the usual pelters, People have been calling for Elliott, you`ve got him, obviously bad news to lose Jack, somebody mentioned a hamstring problem, that could mean he`ll be out for little while.

[Sutekh]

How bad is Marriott’s injury?

[traff]

Its a shame the Battle Inn has shut down. We could have sent taxi over at 7:45 and got someone to shout Paddy.
I am sure we would have found a couple of players more proficient than the ones we have1

[morganb]

How bad is Marriott’s injury?

Does Hobnob have any ITKs any more or did Mr Couhig plug all the leaks?