Reading v Sheffield United Preview
Posted on | August 21, 2009 | No Comments
Both of these two sides made last season’s play offs although at the moment, it appears only one will be challenging this season. Wholesale changes at Reading have meant that their expectations have been lowered, although Sheffield United have started the season strongly and are tipped to match or better last season’s play off final defeat.
The task of filling Steve Coppell’s boots was always going to be a tough one for new Reading boss Brendan Rodgers, but over recent weeks he’s had it made even harder. The Royals have been forced to sell several key players over the summer with the likes of Marcus Hahnemann, Kevin Doyle, Leroy Lita, Stephen Hunt and Andre Bikey all leaving the Madejski Stadium. They splashed the cash to bring centre half Matt Mills into the club in a £2m deal, but other than that and the loan signing of Ryan Bertrand, very little investment has taken place. The club are without a win in the league having drawn against Nottingham Forest and Swansea and being on the end of a heavy defeat to Newcastle. Bearing all of this in mind, it appears it will be a massive task for the Royals to match last season’s top six finish.
Sheffield United on the other hand have enjoyed a solid start, having collected five points from their opening three games. Unlike their opponents, the Blades have brought plenty of players in through the summer and that looks to have had a positive impact, with the club in a respectable 8th already. They will be slightly disappointed to only have recorded a 1-1 draw with Leicester as despite going behind, they dominated for large periods and Kevin Blackwell will know that they should have collected all three points. Still, the season’s early and as they’re still unbeaten in the league, Blades supporters will be relatively happy with how things have turned out so far.
As for team news, Brendan Rodgers is sweating on the fitness of Jimmy Kebe who is struggling with a groin strain picked up in the previous game against Swansea. However, there is no chance of Marek Matejovsky featuring who is nowhere near fit having also struggled with a groin problem in recent weeks. There isn’t much to report for the visitors although Kevin Blackwell will be missing influential midfielder Brian Howard. Howard will sit this one out through tonsillitis although there is some good news, as Lee Hendrie comes back into contention after serving a lengthy suspension.
Reading are not anything like the team they were last season and because of that, we’re not predicting a home victory. However, they will still provide tough competition for Sheffield United and having already amassed two draws, we think they could get a third in this game. 1-1.
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