Reading v Middlesbrough Preview
Posted on | October 2, 2009 | No Comments
The jury is definitely still out on both managers of these two clubs who are under plenty of pressure from supporters to achieve a high finish. Following their play off disappointment last season the Reading supporters are hoping for their club to go one step further, while Middlesbrough are aiming to bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
Replacing the hugely popular Steve Coppell was always going to be difficult, although Brendan Rodgers has probably found it even trickier than he first imagined. Having lost a host of key players such as Kevin Doyle, Leroy Lita, Andre Bikey and Stephen Hunt, the Royals have pretty much lost the spine of their squad and their results have shown this. They currently sit in 19th place in the table with just ten points to their name and already, it looks as though the only battle they will be facing this season is one to stay away from the relegation zone. There was some shining point when they beat high-flying Preston in their last game, but that was their first win since the end of August so it’s clear there are problems at the Madejski Stadium this term.
Middlesbrough on the other hand haven’t had a terrible start to the season, but that still hasn’t stopped the pressure mounting on Gareth Southgate. Following last season’s relegation, Southgate was always going to struggle with rebuilding the rapport with supporters and after a couple of bad results the pressure has intensified. As it stands they’re 4th in the table and just three points behind 2nd place West Brom, but recent results certainly haven’t been promising. They were destroyed 5-0 at home to the Baggies a couple of weeks ago and following a draw at Coventry and then another home defeat to Leicester, many fans are not happy with the progress the club is making.
As for team news, there’s not much to report for the home side although Brendan Rodgers has a slight doubt of striker Grzegorz Rasiak. The on loan Southampton man has struggled with injury throughout the last few weeks and will be penciled in for a late fitness test. Middlesbrough also have problems of their own in the forwards department after Caleb Folan was ruled out with a hamstring problem. However, Justin Hoyte should be fit to feature after shaking off an ankle problem.
In terms of a prediction, this game has draw written all over it. Boro have an appalling record at Reading, while the Royals have struggled for form at home all throughout 2009. It won’t be a result that will satisfy either manager, but we’ll predict a goalless draw here.
Related posts:
- Reading v Middlesbrough Preview
- Middlesbrough vs Reading preview
- Wolves v Reading Preview
- Middlesbrough v Burnley Preview
- Doncaster v Middlesbrough Preview
Comments
Leave a Reply