Reading (H) Build Up

[Quirkafleeg]

So Saturday in front of the thousands of millions with Villa, Cardiff and Derby hoping to watch us lose with wins under there belts already. We welcome back Dave and Bod and the so called 'former player returns' bullshit will be resurrected. Anyway defensively there should be changes but only to RWB, however with Doherty the only incumbent to that position then sadly he remains. Further up the field do we stick with Alfred and Romain or being at home go with the attack minded MGW, the Reading midfield isnt going to be as strong as Fulham's so for me a centre partnership of Alfred and Morgan does it for me, Alfred has looked half decent in that role of breaking stuff down and Morgan has looked very sprightly on the ball and breaking forward.

Up front no brainer Diogo comes back in and Cav of course on the other side. Regarding that centre portion do we stick with Leo or is it about time we gave Benik a start, I have been critical of the role Benik has come into under Nuno but he has been lively and Saturday created the best chance to get back into the game. My team for the weekend will be:-

Cav - Afobe - Jota

Douglas - Alfred - Morgan - Doherty

Willy - Coady - Bennett

Ruddy​

 

[Langers]

I think we've got to revert back to Jota - Cav - Costa up top. Otherwise I'd go with your side, though wouldn't be surprised to see N'Diaye/Saiss paired together again.

 

[Trips]

Yep, Jota-Cav-Costa front 3 for me, and I'd bring MGW into midfield also

 

[Norman Deeley]

Don't think MGW has the physical presence yet for that midfield role. And I'd seriously think about replacing the increasingly fallible Ruddy. Norris might just turn out to be a top class keeper: we have to give him a chance at some time. And no to Costa after his weak performance at Fulham. I'd rather see MGW start as one of the front three than Costa

 

[darlowolf64]

I wouldn't have Afobe anywhere near the starting XI...He doesn't work there and a front 3 of Jota, Cav and Costa will run Reading ragged

 

[Dinowolf]

I think it's time that Doherty was dropped.

To keep playing him because 'there is no-one else' is an admittance of how poor we were in the January window in trying to solve this particular problem.

He was easily our worst player against Fulham, that 1st goal may not have happened if he'd done his job and not just stood and watched the Fulham player. His distribution is laughable at times, as it was on Saturday, and he gave the ball away time and time again.

What's the answer? Well it's difficult if we don't want to change the system.
Even if it means moving Bennett/Coady across and using Miranda/Batth, we would not lose defensively and not lose much going forward as Doherty's contribution in that dept. has been sadly lacking for some time, and absolutely zero on Saturday.

I watched the latest video of the 'Question Tankard' and got the impression that Jota thinks Doherty is a joke and in training is always making mistakes.

So, come on Nuno, drop Doherty against Reading and give him the kick up the backside he so richly deserves.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

Cav - Jota - Costa

Douglas - Saiss - MGW - Doherty

Boly - Coady - Bennett

Norris​

I don't think Nuno will pick this but it's the team I'd go with. I think he'll stick with Ruddy and play N'Diaye & Saiss in the middle.

 

[StuardoWulf]

Ruddy in goal Saiss/N'Diaye midfield Jota back in Leo in Costa out. Back to basics that got us where we are. Should piss these 3-0

 

[Penk Wolf]

I'd play Neves, fuck the EFL, we're Fosun we do what we want.

 

[Wombat del combate]

I'd play Neves, fuck the EFL, we're Fosun we do what we want.

I agree with this, simply as it's my first trip up in 34 months and I want to see this footballing demi-God in the flesh.

 

[lemonjelly]

Cav - Jota - Costa

Vinagre - Saiss - MGW - Doherty

Boly - Coady - Bennett

Ruddy

I still don't see Nuno dropping Ruddy yet.
The above would be my team.

 

[Carrotdude]

We don’t need a win here but we could damn well do with one just to settle everyone down after the last 3 games. I would play Jota and MGW for Leo and N’diaye.

 

[Jack Regan]

We don’t need a win here but we could damn well do with one just to settle everyone down after the last 3 games. I would play Jota and MGW for Leo and N’diaye.

I suspect a lot of people will disagree with you on that point.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

We don’t need a win here but we could damn well do with one just to settle everyone down after the last 3 games. I would play Jota and MGW for Leo and N’diaye.

We don't need a win? So you'd take a draw right now?

 

[Carrotdude]

We don't need a win? So you'd take a draw right now?

I’m talking strictly technically when you look at the table, we can lose and still be top.

 

[jd1981]

In terms of the table it’s not must win psychologically I think it’s not far off, win Saturday and regardless what the rest do it just settles things. Certainly don’t expect any favours from QPR.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

In terms of the table it’s not must win psychologically I think it’s not far off, win Saturday and regardless what the rest do it just settles things. Certainly don’t expect any favours from QPR.

I think Brentford might manage something though.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Costa - Cav - Jota up front (as long as Costa is prepared to work harder than he did at Fulham) - Afobe really isn't the answer

Nuno unlikely to do so, but would like to see Norris given a turn as Ruddy seemed devoid of confidence on Saturday & as Reading are not as good as Fulham MGW in midfield or if you keep faith with the N'Daiye/Saiss partnership then up front instead of Costa.

As to how critical a win is clearly not absolutely essential re current points, but is to halt any downturn & keep the advantage at least at the current level. Bad runs can become embedded as easily as good ones.

 

[pr0sl0]

I thought Costa was fine for the first quarter of the Fulham match... then he got that hefty knock into his lower back and completely drifted out of the game. I'm hoping it was just a niggle that kept him quiet and he'll be back to his better self on Saturday.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

A good performance and 3 points to get us back on track please. Ruddy to stay in the sticks. Last chance though. Cav, Jota Costa front three. MGW and NDAIYE in the middle. Douglas, and Doherty wing backs. Defence of Bennet Boly Coady picks itself.
2-1 (Bod or Edwards to score for them obviously!)