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Reading v Walsall; FA Cup 4th Round
Topic Started: 27 Jan 2016, 02:55 AM (259 Views)
Wolfy
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Fixture: Reading v Walsall

Competition:
FA Cup 4th Round

Venue: Madejski Stadium

League Position: Reading - 15th (Championship) ~ Walsall - 3rd (League One)

Form: Reading - DWLDD ~ Walsall - DWDWL

Reading held play-off chasing Sheffield Wednesday to a draw last weekend. But their only win the last 5 games was the big 5-2 win over FA Cup. They were on a horrible run at the end of the year but Brian McDermott has steadied the ship, they've lost just one game of the six they've played since the turn of the year, with a defeat at MK Dons the only blip on the record. Walsall beat championship side Brentford away from home in the last round. Their last defeat, at home to Rochdale 3-0 was their first home defeat at home since October and their first defeat since November. They were held by lowly Blackpool last time out but beat Bury in a thriller in their last away game.

Managers: Brian McDermott (Reading) ~ Sean O Driscoll (Walsall) v Reading P7 W0 D1 L6

Brian McDermott has never played against Walsall but has beaten Sean O Driscoll on all 4 occasions when they have met.

History: There has been just 4 meetings between these sides, with both side winning a game apiece. The meeting took place in 2002/03. Interestingly, the home team has never won in clashes between these two sides.

Formations/Line-Ups:
Reading have stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation recently in their last 3 games. Captain Norwood was brought further forward for the first time this season in the draw against Sheffield Wednesday due to George Evans' arrival. Matej Vydra scored 3 in the last round replay against Huddersfield and should start here. Piazon and Robson-Kanu were selected out wide but I'd like to see Ola John start this game with his broken game time not sufficient, considering his serious potential talent. Jake Cooper netted a header against Sheff Wed and he'll battle Hector for a place in the side for this game. Walsall have favored a 4-4-2 diamond recently and tend to change up their formation every now and then. Tom Bradshaw has been heavily linked with Reading and netted in the 3-2 win over Bury, so it'll be interesting to see if he starts here. Attacking midfield player Romaine Sawyers started up front in that win over Bury and might be given the nod again, after playing in all 34 games so far this season. Walsall have no injuries or suspensions to worry about heading into this game.

Goalscorers:
Vydra is the top scorer in the FA Cup this season with 4 and has 6 for the season. Lucas Piazon has 4 goals in 19 appearances and netted in the replay win over Huddersfield. Daniel Williams is also a threat from midfield and has 5 for the season. Yann Kermogrant will be looking to get off the mark for his new club, possibly from the bench. Bradshaw has 2 goals in Walsall's last 3 games and has an impressive 14 this season, on average a goal every other game. Winger Milan Lalkovic has 7 for the season. Romaine Sawyers might start up top in this game and has scored 6 this season.

Prediction: Walsall have had a very good season but haven't been at their very best recently. Reading are starting to put in better performances recently but haven't really got the very best set of results. It's a going to be a close game, very tight. I can see this game going to a replay. It won't be scoreless and if Bradshaw plays well and isn't distracted by any speculation, he could well be the difference for Walsall.
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Owlish52
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I believe I have read that Kermorgant :-/ (see Post #25 in the Yann Kermorgant thread) and Evans are both Cup-tied and not available for selection. I'd guess Piazon will play behind Vydra, but I agree that I would like to see Ola John start on the left wing, HRK on the right and Williams in central midfield with Norwood. Hurtado could be on the bench as a late wing substitute perhaps? He did play some on the right wing for Peru. {Edit: And now Hurtado is being linked (http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-transfers-paolo-hurtado-10793805) to a move back to Portugal? The Clarke signings not looking too well... :-/ } McDermott played his League XI as much as possible against Huddersfield and I'd expect the same against Walsall, other than the Cup-tied players.

I'll be looking forward to the getReading chat on Friday following the usual Reading press conference on Thursday for an update on Hector versus Cooper, as that could be a close call. Also, rumor is afoot that either Gunter, HRK or both might possibly be moved, as both will be out of contract this summer. The club is hardly awash with talent to replace either player, so it could be very disruptive if either were held out or depart by Saturday.
Edited by Owlish52, 27 Jan 2016, 09:09 AM.
"It could have been worse with Hillary..." - Owlish52
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