The Hosts – Reading

With Blues` faint hopes of a play-off place all but gone, pride is at stake as Gary Rowett sets his sights on a positive end to the season. The season can still be seen as a success if results pick up.

CURRENT FORM

Three wins in twelve games is how Blues` current form reads. All momentum and steam seems to have gone. Now the task is to finish the season on a high. The last two games have seen Blues throw away a lead to lose both games 2-1. But now, with the pressure off, can Rowett reignite his team?

Reading host Blues on the back of two straight wins. Just two defeats in their last ten games indicate decent form for The Royals, who sit in a comfortable mid-table position of 13th.

The Madejski Stadium isn`t a happy hunting ground for Blues. And to make the game even tougher, Reading haven`t lost at home this calendar year.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM READING

Under the stewardship of Brian McDermott for the second time, Reading are a tough nut to crack. Matej Vydra is their top scorer with nine but has found himself on the bench in recent games.

Oliver Norwood pulls the creative strings and his 10 assists have been a hefty contribution to their season.

With Reading, you never know what team will turn up. On their day, they are a very decent side capable of beating anyone in the league. But the other side to their game is the inconsistency that has marred their season. Hopefully, Blues` will face the latter.

PRIDE TO PLAY FOR

Now the play-off pipe dream has gone, would it be beneficial to bed some of the younger players into the team? The likes of Koby Arthur, Viv Solomon-Otabor, Charlee Adams and perhaps even Ronan Hale, will be champing at the bit for a chance to prove themselves.

For the senior players, they cannot be dreaming of their sunbeds just yet. Blues fans expect 100% effort as a minimum requirement.

THOUGHTS FROM THE TILEHURST END

With the McDermott IN/OUT debate raging around Twitter for the Reading FC fans, you sometimes forget that other teams are in much worse situations than our own team. Judging by the reactions from the Bolton and Forest fans, coupled with the views the other week from the Charlton supporters, maybe we should be grateful that we aren`t in the position that they are.
We have comments about lack of effort from the Bolton fans, through to the owner of Nottingham Forrest taking to Twitter (seriously, hasn’t this guy got a PR department?), and doubts over the ability of the manager.

I will start with Bolton, as basically the Trotters have given up moaning about football and all in all they have accepted their fate. Then on to Forest where the owner debate is raging well and truly (Article via www.thetilehurstend.sbnation.com)

TWEETS

@TheTilehurstEnd – DROUGHT: It’s 16 months since Simon Cox scored but is such a spell unique at #readingfc?

@patmurphybbc – Don’t assume Gary Rowett’s nailed on for Derby job. He likes autonomy & wouldn’t put up with micro-management from chairman. Strong-minded.

@amc89avfc – I’d be happy with Moyes, Dyche and Rowett! #avfc

@hazaDCFC – the Brewers played the most boring football I’ve ever seen in the last full season Rowett had

Article written by Rob Wildey – @robwildey123