Ref-Watch: Brentford (H)

Andy Madley doesn’t usually officiate 0-0 draws. He has only taken charge of two goalless games this campaign, and one of those involved Reading, which pretty much sums up our season perfectly.

Madley was the man in the middle when we visited Millwall in January, and sent off the Lions’ Sid Nelson just before half-time, but we still couldn't score. Once again, summing up our season nicely. It was the third Royals match that the West Yorkshireman has officiated, with the others coming last season with a defeat at Ipswich and win at Charlton, making this Madley’s first ever trip to the Madjeski Stadium.

Yet you may have seen the name Madley in ‘The Royal’ programme before. And you have, as Andy’s younger brother Robert took charge in Berkshire against Leicester in 2012 (we won), but is now a Premier League official. Andy was in his first season as a ref at the time, but I’m sure has aspirations to join his sibling in the top division.

If the FA want any stats in order to promote him, here they are, as well as for your benefit. Andy has taken charge of 34 games this season, and has given 97 yellow cards and three reds. There have been notably high-scoring games with Madley in charge as well such as Bournemouth's 6-1 and 5-1 wins over Blackpool and Fulham respectively and West Brom's 7-0 FA Cup demolition of Gateshead. Don’t expect anything similar on Saturday (certainly not in Reading’s favour anyway), although I’m sure you aren’t, with Reading’s home goal scoring record well-documented.

Madley is on a 16 game run of not giving a penalty though which dates back to December, having previously given six this campaign, so could we see a spot-kick tomorrow? Last time I inferred that against Blackpool, it happened so you never know…