Reading v Burnley Preview
Posted on | October 3, 2008 | No Comments
Having thrashed table-toppers Wolves away from home on Tuesday, Steve Coppell’s Reading are absolutely flying and have cut the gap at the top to just five points. Burnley on the other hand have completely turned their season around and after failing to win in the league until mid-September, are now up to 4th and right behind The Royals.
Coppell seemed to have a difficult summer after losing some of the club’s top stars and not spending any significant money. However, the Reading manager has proved once again why he’s one of the top English bosses by guiding The Royals to 3rd in the league. Their recent thrashing of Wolves was their first away victory in the league this season and if they can kick on from that win on the road, the future looks bright. Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem at all with The Royals having one of the best records in front of goal in the Championship, with the likes of Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt being in top form. At the back they also look pretty sound so things are definitely looking up for the Madejski side and there’s a great chance of bouncing back to the Premiership.
As for Burnley, it couldn’t have been a better month for Owen Coyle. The Clarets’ boss won the Manager of the Month award and it was for great reason, with the Lancashire side taking thirteen points from September. To add to that feat, they also managed to knock Fulham out of the Carling Cup so it looks as though after a tricky start, Coyle’s summer spending has finally paid off. Not many people could believe how bad they were doing after bringing in the likes of Chris Eagles and Martin Pattison during pre-season, yet things looked to have clicked now and should they manage to overcome The Royals, they’ll go up to 3rd in the league.
It’s all looking rosy for Steve Coppell on the team news front, with the Reading boss having absolutely no new injury worries. James Harper looks set to return after an ankle injury and Michael Duberry and Grame Murty are the only two out with long term issues. As for Burnley, Owen Coyle may have to be without Ade Akinbiyi and Kevin McDonald who are both doubts. Even though he arrived in a big money package, Chris Eagles has struggled to force himself back into the side after a suspension and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he found himself on the bench in this one as well.
Burnley are performing fantastically at the moment and their manager Owen Coyle has deservedly claimed the MOTM award for September. However, Reading simply look unbeatable. They can’t stop scoring goals and at home they’ve looked highly impressive. We’ll go for a 2-0 Royals win.
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