clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Key Battles: Nottingham Forest v Reading FC

Reading play Nottingham Forest tomorrow afternoon and Ethan is here again to show us the key battles Steve Clarke’s men face.

Martin Willetts/Getty Images

Orlando Sa vs Matt Mills

Reading fans will be desperate for our Portuguese striker to get the better of former defender Matt Mills. Mills, 29, made the move from Reading to Leicester back in 2011, angering Royals fans. Back in March 2010 in a game against QPR, he was seen making an obscene gesture to his own supporters and this led to a critical response from the fans with regards to his ‘sideways' move to Leicester.

Orlando Sa on the other hand is well-liked by Reading fans despite getting sent off for head-butting Derby defender Jason Shackell in a 1-0 defeat to the Rams in September. The former Fulham frontman has scored five goals in 14 games in this season's Championship, registering two assists as well. Sa hasn't scored in four games since his consolation in the 4-2 defeat away to Fulham last month, but a hat-trick in a 5-1 demolition of Ipswich is promising.

Danny Williams vs Henri Lansbury

Having scored a decent long-range effort in the 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at the weekend, Danny Williams will be full of confidence going into the game tomorrow. Henri Lansbury is most likely the Forest midfielder looking to quell the threat Williams can bring. Lansbury has made an impressive 113 appearances for the Reds since joining and scored his side's only goal in their last-ditch 2-1 defeat away to Brentford on Saturday. Despite dominating chances, Forest conceded in the sixth minute of stoppage time with manager Dougie Freedman saying post-match "The result was definitely of our own making." Therefore, Freedman is likely to drill into his players, especially Lansbury in the heart of midfield, that he wants no complacency.

Steve Clarke, hopefully, will task Danny Williams with winning and holding onto possession tomorrow afternoon as Forest will want to make amends for their frustrating defeat at Brentford.

Anton Ferdinand vs Nélson Oliveira

With Ferdinand eager to cement his place back in the Reading starting eleven and Forest striker Nelson Oliveira desperate to add to his two goals in ten appearances, this should be an interesting encounter. Ferdinand, 30, had a less-than-impressive debut season for the Royals last year, having joined from Thai side Police United in August 2014. The centre-back's campaign was riddled with injuries and only managed two appearances for Steve Clarke's team. This season, however, has been a pleasant improvement and Ferdinand has built a successful defensive partnership with club captain Paul McShane. Ferdinand's place in the first eleven is under threat from Michael Hector who is keen to impress his new employers - Chelsea.

Nelson Oliveira, on loan at Forest from Portuguese Primeira Liga champions Benfica, scored his side's only goal in the 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Derby earlier this month. In the two games Oliveira has scored in, Forest have won. Therefore, this will be another interesting key battle for Reading fans to keep an eye on tomorrow!

*****

Here's to another three points for the Royals! URZ!