MATCHWATCH : Fulham (h) sponsored by whoever's got the bottle

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

RE: Appealing McShane's Redder:

Isn't it worth appealing anyway in an attempt to delay the ban? It would at least mean he could play tomorrow night and get us to Wemberlee?

IIRC Celtic did this to decent effect?

[Top Flight]

Obita's pace kept their right back (Fredericks?) in check, not sure any of our other options have that same ability to cope.

Can't see why Ilori can't start at left back and keep Blackett in the centre. After all he came on and did that when we beat them in the fog re-arranged game.

Tiago didn't do much better in that position unfortunately though.

[linkenholtroyal]

I've a strong feeling this will go to penalties after a draw .....then we'll see who has bottle !

we've got no bottles just tin pots will that do??

[Sutekh]

Martin Atkinson to ref the match tomorrow.

First time in just over 4 years Martin Atkinson will have been in charge of a Reading game. Previous record is

14 May 2013 > Reading 0-2 Manchester City
17 Nov 2012 > Reading 2-1 Everton
02 Jan 2010 > Reading 1-1 Liverpool (FA Cup)
09 May 2009 > Burnley 1-0 Reading (Championship play-off 1st Leg)
26 Apr 2008 > Wigan Athletic 0-0 Reading
24 Feb 2008 > Reading 1-2 Aston Villa
25 Sep 2007 > Reading 2-4 Liverpool (League Cup)
08 May 2005 > Wigan Athletic 3-1 Reading
22 Jan 2005 > Reading 1-1 Ipswich Town

[CountryRoyal]

Obita's pace kept their right back (Fredericks?) in check, not sure any of our other options have that same ability to cope.

Can't see why Ilori can't start at left back and keep Blackett in the centre. After all he came on and did that when we beat them in the fog re-arranged game.

This is true, but we held onto the lead despite him, as opposed to because of him. He wasn't much of an upgrade.

[andrew1957]

Hopefully Watson playing for the U23's this eyeing is a sign that Obita is fit for tomorrow night after all. Otherwise we are leaving ourselves very light at the the back.

[Gunny Fishcake]

One thing Reading need to do though is put right their pretty awful home form in play off games.

Of the 5 previous games played Reading have won just once and drawn two others. In fact it gets worse. In 450 minutes of play off football at home Reading have scored only twice (that works out at 1 goal every 225 minutes) and if you were to take the last 3 minutes of the Wigan game out of the equation then Reading wouldn't have scored any goals at all

On the upside Reading, so far, only fail to make the final when they lose both legs of the semi-final

On the other hand though, you have to think about it tactically as well.

Tranmere at home. We won the first leg 3-1 so second leg was about shutting up shop and parking the bus.
Wolves. They won the first leg so second leg was about shutting up shop and parking the bus.
Burnley. They won the first leg so we had to chase the game at home. They absorbed the pressure and hit us on the break.
Cardiff was a nervy tense affair.

This game we start honours even. Fulham have to have a go and will leave space. We also have to try and win. Forget about the past. It means nothing tomorrow night. The circumstances are different this time as well.

What about the Wigan game when Nicky Forster scored that last minute winner.....possibly one of the loudest noises ever heard at the Mad Stad

[Top Flight]

One thing Reading need to do though is put right their pretty awful home form in play off games.

Of the 5 previous games played Reading have won just once and drawn two others. In fact it gets worse. In 450 minutes of play off football at home Reading have scored only twice (that works out at 1 goal every 225 minutes) and if you were to take the last 3 minutes of the Wigan game out of the equation then Reading wouldn't have scored any goals at all

On the upside Reading, so far, only fail to make the final when they lose both legs of the semi-final

On the other hand though, you have to think about it tactically as well.

Tranmere at home. We won the first leg 3-1 so second leg was about shutting up shop and parking the bus.
Wolves. They won the first leg so second leg was about shutting up shop and parking the bus.
Burnley. They won the first leg so we had to chase the game at home. They absorbed the pressure and hit us on the break.
Cardiff was a nervy tense affair.

This game we start honours even. Fulham have to have a go and will leave space. We also have to try and win. Forget about the past. It means nothing tomorrow night. The circumstances are different this time as well.

What about the Wigan game when Nicky Forster scored that last minute winner.....possibly one of the loudest noises ever heard at the Mad Stad

I was just looking at Championship playoff games. But you're right. That game most closely resembles the circumstances that we are in ahead of tonight's game. The first leg was a draw so it was all to play for in the second leg. And we won that time. Only just.

[Royal Ginger]

This football thing is supposed to be fun, so why right now am I sat at work feeling nervous and planning to attend an event this evening that will 50/50 cause me misery?

[CountryRoyal]

This football thing is supposed to be fun, so why right now am I sat at work feeling nervous and planning to attend an event this evening that will 50/50 cause me misery?

Because that other 50% is so so sweet.

[Top Flight]

This football thing is supposed to be fun, so why right now am I sat at work feeling nervous and planning to attend an event this evening that will 50/50 cause me misery?

I know what you're saying Royal Ginger. I'm feeling extremely stressed this morning.

Last night, I felt really sick. I was ready to throw up. I think it was because of my unhygienic behaviour in the kitchen rather than anything to do with today's game. But it could also be tonight's match that made me ill. I'm feeling better now luckily.

[Nameless]

This football thing is supposed to be fun, so why right now am I sat at work feeling nervous and planning to attend an event this evening that will 50/50 cause me misery?

According to the experts it's more like 60/40 that it will cause misery, but then what do they know...

[genome]

Last night, I felt really sick. I was ready to throw up. I think it was because of my unhygienic behaviour in the kitchen rather than anything to do with today's game. But it could also be tonight's match that made me ill. I'm feeling better now luckily.

[Davezk]

Why is Stam saying Fulham need to score - it sounds like he is implying about away goals which don't count right?

[windermereROYAL]

Tony Gale just predicted a Fulham win. no surprise there.

[windermereROYAL]

Why is Stam saying Fulham need to score - it sounds like he is implying about away goals which don't count right?

Fulham do need to score if they want to win .

[NewCorkSeth]

Why is Stam saying Fulham need to score - it sounds like he is implying about away goals which don't count right?

They don't count but I don't get why it's formatted that way. Perhaps they think it opens up play?

[Winston Biscuit]

Why is Stam saying Fulham need to score

because Fulham need to score

[genome]

Why is Stam saying Fulham need to score - it sounds like he is implying about away goals which don't count right?

I'm thinking Fulham won't fancy themselves on penalties.

[The Informant]

The stadium announcer will be unbearable tonight.

It will, of course, all be about him. I think he forgets that there are some adults in the ground.