| Competition | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| Nationwide League Division 1 | Saturday, 16th November (3pm) | Sheffield United | Away | Postponed |
Match facts:
Reading goals:
Assists:
Opposition goals:
Half-time:
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:
Weather:
Referee: George
Cain (Bootle)
Reading line-up:
Subs not used:
Reading yellow cards:
Reading red cards:
Match report:
Match notes:
Match preview:
I will write a preview nearer the rearranged date, but here is the preview for the originally postponed game:
Having climbed into the top six last Saturday, we now face a trip to the seventh placed side Sheffield United. Although confidence in the Reading camp is at something like an all-time high, the home team are likely to provide a sterner test than the other teams we have recently faced.
Reading are forced to make at least one change, with Ricky Newman serving a one-game suspension. Alan Pardew has suggested that either Martin Butler or Anthony Rougier will replace him, but obviously that will mean either a reshuffle or a change in formation as well. Following his badly gashed head injury last Saturday, Matthew Upson has a fitness test at Leeds United's training ground (our temporary home for this weekend) on Friday afternoon but he is expected to play. I think the main concern over Upson must be whether Arsenal step in and instruct us not to play him. John Mackie also picked up a head injury this week, in the reserve game on Wednesday, but I believe he is available to play.
However, Graeme Murty has picked up a hamstring problem and is doubtful for the game. If he is unable to play, that will require more changes to the side, with perhaps Andy Hughes filling in the role that he has had to perform on a couple of previous occasions. It's difficult to predict what knock-on changes to formation that change would have.
Sheffield United have problems with injuries and poor form in their forward line, and have signed Dean Windass on loan this week to try to cover that. Reading reject Carl Asaba may well start, although based on his previous record against us the danger man will be Paul Peschisolido. Home fans have been complaining about the performances of several of their players this season, something which hopefully will continue.
The reason we have overtaken the home side in the League table is that they have failed to win any of their last four League games, scoring only two goals in the process. If Marcus Hahnemann can produce another commanding performance then there must be a good chance of yet another clean sheet, and therefore of claiming three more points.
Ticket information:
Bramall Lane has gradually been rebuilt over the years. Away fans normally get the 2,000 seats in the lower tier of one of the ends, which is what we can expect. We have 2,500 seats available - at the moment I'm not sure whether that's because the lower tier has more seats than I thought or whether we have a different section of the ground. The tickets being sold are for the upper tier.
We have 500 tickets to sell in advance with the
rest available on the day. Advance tickets are on sale to season
ticket holders from Monday, 4th November (maximum of two per
season ticket), to STAR members from Thursday, 7th November (one
per member) and on general sale from Monday, 11th November.
Prices are as follows:
Adults - £15
Over-65s - £10
Under-16s - £10
Tickets for the original game are valid for the rearranged match. Refunds will be available up to 48 hours before the date of the game.
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