Pre-Match: Reading v Doncaster Rovers

READING

V

DONCASTER ROVERS

A meeting of two clubs who are no doubt wishing they hadn't bothered starting this season just yet.  My prediction for the day; at 4:45pm, one set of fans will be feeling just a little happier.

As everyone in Donny knows, I am a staunch defender of the manager and his philosophies and I was looking for more reason to excuse our terrible start.  "Wait a minute", I thought Rovers have lost to Brighton, West Ham, Derby and Cardiff.  Well that's 4 of the top 6.  We've also been beaten by Forest who....well are also not doing so well.  Our point of course came at home against Bristol who are another team performing almost as badly as the antagonists tomorrow.

Reading's defeats have been at the hands of Portsmouth, Barnsley, Hull and Watford.  These teams are mediocre to say the least so far this season.  They gained their points in their two opening fixtures at home to Millwall and away to moneybags-Leicester.  Careful Reading, they could be judged as good results.

So Fuzzy's prematch starts with a peeing competition over which of us is performing the worst at the moment.  It all bides well for good, wholesome entertainment on Saturday.  We actually had a real thriller at the Madstad last season with Reading coming back from 3:1 down to take the spoils 4:3.  Any bets on that kind of scoreline tomorrow?

READING

We are not stupid enough to think we are  doing well. We know we are not doing well enough and we want to put it right - Mickele Leigertwood

Of course, it is all Reading's fault.  Selling a class-act like Matt Mills and expecting never to look back.  Simply unrealistic, I mean, who sells a top performing central defender without first ensuring that you have adequately replaced him? (cheers for the sell on fee by the way).

The match against Watford saw the Hornets pick up their first win of the season.  So if Reading want to make a habit of giving sides their first wins....  The first thing that struck me in this game was the amount of space Reading were allowing Watford between the edge of their area and 40 yards out.  Not a good thing and Watford exposed it on a few occasions.  In the attacking sense, two things.  First of all a great corner which Mikele Leigertwood really should have headed home, and a half-decent free-kick by Joe Mills.

Another point about the defending was a worrying habit of not paying adequate attention to the attacker at the far post from any cross or set-piece.  It caused the second they conceded against Watford and was painfully obvious against Hull.  It seemed to be every time a ball came over, the far side of the attack was unattended.

Barnsley also came to the the Madstad seeking and getting their first win of the season.  In this case, Reading really were in gift-mode, converting just one of the three penalties they were awarded that day.  The first miss was a real collectors item.  An Ian Harte penalty miss.  That hasn't happened often.

Federici - Dominant in his 6 -Yard area

At last, I saw a bit more of Reading going forward in this game.  Unfortunately, not so much to draw many conclusion other than they can run at a defence.  Barnsley's defence was way too panicky to let them do anything else other than take penalty-kicks.  

Defensively, that space in front of the penalty area Reading like to leave  caused Barnsley's second as they sprung the offside-trap beautifully.  Their first was from a corner.  A case of an attacker getting in front of his marker.  It happens all the time but shouldn't.

Shout out for Reading.  Adam Federici.  I've always liked this guy as a 'keeper and the game against Hull in particular saw him dominating his 6-yard area much like the other 'keeper on show on Saturday hasn't been so far this season.  

DONCASTER ROVERS

It's a big game for both teams but it's been one of our strengths that when we have been in this sort of situation in the past we have shown self belief - and that's what we have to do again. - Sean O'Driscoll

Awful for Donny of course so far this season.  Awful for Donny so far this year.  And against Cardiff, it predictably continued.  I've just realised that I haven't looked at the highlights of that one.  Bear with me a moment...

Friend - Player of the Season so Far

Now that's not the sort of thing to watch after you've been mildly taking the mick out of the oppositions defending.   A horrible 'keeper fumble nearly gifting Cardiff an opener; Jimmy O'Connor being out-muscled by a midget and very appropriately described "Keystone Cops" defending for Cardiff's second were my low-lights.  The highlights also showed me the inadequacies of believing radio commentary.  Our two commentators were arguing over Cardiff's first.  Did Gerrard touch it?  Touch it!  He nearly burst the back of the net with it!  Still, they did call a brilliant break from George Friend who then set up Coppinger to blast over.

From everything I have heard, Friend has picked up from where he left off that season, and to be honest, he's perhaps the only player we would have wanted to do so.  

I'm still going to remain positive though!  Players are coming back (I'll put O'Connor's problems with the midget down to lack of match-fitness) and Rovers should improve.  As Mr. O'Driscoll says, its a big game for both teams.  A chance for either to gain some much-needed confidence.  

And I'm going to be there to see it all!  Give me a shout if you see me (the shirt's a dead giveaway!)