The Tilehurst End - Reading FC 0-2 Birmingham City: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2016-04-11T16:34:24+01:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/111609172016-04-11T16:34:24+01:002016-04-11T16:34:24+01:00Brian On Brum Loss: "Bad Days Happen In Football"
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<figcaption>Alex Morton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Royals manager wants to forget Saturday's disappointing performance and move on quickly.</p> <p>Our unbeaten run at the Madejski Stadium in 2016 has ended after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Birmingham City.</p>
<p>The visitors took the lead in the second minute and it was clear to see that no comeback was going to happen, Brian McDermott told the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk">official club website</a>: "Today was a tough one, we're disappointed to lose the game and our unbeaten league record here in 2016, which had been a real positive for us.</p>
<p>"But we came up against a well organised Birmingham side and we conceded early. We've played some terrific football in the last two fixtures, in wins against Bolton and Forest, but although we saw a lot of the ball today, we didn't create.</p>
<p>"We certainly had a lot of possession in the second half and if we can score that early goal in the second half then maybe we can get back into it, but it wasn't to be.</p>
<p>"They got behind the ball and made it difficult. They've had two shots and scored them both - one in the second minute and one from a set play - so it's a really disappointing day for the lads and the fans. It certainly wasn't our day."</p>
<p>This week sees us head up to Middlesbrough on Tuesday followed by another long trip to Leeds United on Saturday, and we hope to return to our good form, McDermott added: "We'll train and get ourselves ready. I'm staying down to watch the under-21s here and I'll get a train up there on Tuesday, but the rest of the squad will go up on the Monday and prepare for the next game.</p>
<p>"We put this afternoon down to a difficult day and put it to bed early. Then, with six games to go, we have to let our fans see plenty of motivation in the side and players who are ready to play for their shirt in each and every game.</p>
<p>"Bad days happen in football, we have to take this one on the chin. But all you can do, bad day or good day, is get on with the next one.</p>
<p>"And we've got another game on Tuesday at Middlesbrough, a team looking to get themselves in the Premier League in the next few weeks, and then a real tough one at Leeds next weekend."</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/11/11405808/brian-mcdermott-gives-his-verdict-on-reading-fcs-defeat-to-birminghamsophierfc102016-04-11T11:46:24+01:002016-04-11T11:46:24+01:00Most Crosses & Passes All Year In Birmingham Loss
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<figcaption>Martin Willetts/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Is the 4-1-2-1-2 formation working, or were its limitations exposed by defeat to Birmingham? Here's some analysis of where it went wrong for Brian McDermott's Reading.</p> <p>The last three matches have seen the Royals try out a new 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with Oliver Norwood at the base of the midfield and wing-backs <span>Jordan Obita</span> and <span>Chris Gunter</span> playing much further upfield to provide width and put crosses into the box. Whilst Reading did manage to (eventually) overcome <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/">Bolton Wanderers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.inthetopone.com/">Nottingham Forest</a>, we were ruthlessly brought down to earth by a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city">Birmingham City</a> side that had won just once in their previous seven matches. What went wrong?</p>
<h3>Aimless Crossing</h3>
<p>Since the move to the 4-1-2-1-2, there's been far more conscious effort on the part of Obita and Gunter to bomb forward and get crosses into the box, trying to provide Yann Kermorgant with the ammunition he thrives on. Indeed it seems now to be a major part of the game plan, with the rest of the team conscious of delivering the ball in at height for the strikers. Here's the five matches with the most Royals crosses (including set-pieces) under Brian McDermott in the league.</p>
<h3></h3>
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<td><b>Nottm Forest (H)</b></td>
<td><b>43</b></td>
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<td><b>Birmingham (H)</b></td>
<td><b>40</b></td>
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<tr>
<td>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/sheffield-wednesday">Sheffield Wednesday</a> (H)</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Bolton (A)</b></td>
<td><b>38</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> (H)</td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>As you'll see, the last three games are in the top four, and some way ahead of the Fulham match in fifth. Over the last three matches we've attempted an average of <b>40.3</b> crosses per game (including set-pieces) - whilst in McDermott's other 16 league matches that average figure sits at just <b>24.3</b>.</p>
<p>Is it working? We're creating chances - put enough balls in the box and you're bound to get on the end of at least one - but none are particularly clear cut. Certainly in the last three games, no goals have come from crosses (unless you count Norwood's speculative long-range shot deflecting in off Matej Vydra against Forest). It becomes clear watching the highlights just how reliant on this tactic we've been, with a weak long range Danny Williams shot the only chance that didn't come from a swing into the box. Let's run through some.</p>
<p>First up - Gunter with the first time cross, Stephen Quinn arrives to meet, but a big ask to net from 15 yards out with his head.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Kermorgant rises to meet Obita's cross, and Vydra (played onside by Ryan Shotton) just can't connect.</p>
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<p>Norwood with the free-kick, Jake Cooper rises highest but can't get it on target.</p>
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<p>And in the final few minutes, <span>Garath McCleary</span> floats a cross to the back post which Kermorgant heads straight at Adam Legzdin.</p>
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<p>As you can see Reading are getting chances but that's always going to happen when you put 40+ crosses into the box per game. It was a similar situation last time out against Forest, with Kermorgant narrowly missing a number of good opportunities to grab a goal. If McDermott wants to stick with this tactic it's going to take more practice and more refining because at the moment, it's not getting the rewards.</p>
<h3>Pointless Passing</h3>
<p>The last three games have also seen the most passes made by a Reading team under McDermott in the league.</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Birmingham (H)</b></td>
<td><b>663</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Bolton (A)</b></td>
<td><b>640</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Nottm Forest (H)</b></td>
<td><b>569</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sheff Wed (H)</td>
<td>569</td>
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<td>Burnley (H)</td>
<td>483</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The reason for this is partly down to the match situations. In all three games we've faced sides happy to sit in and defend a lead (or in ten-man Bolton's case, defend a point). But with Reading being challenged to seize the initiative and take the game to sides, we've instead decided on a slower, more methodical approach. That gives the opposition defence time to organize themselves and is probably why we've struggled to break these teams down, despite the perceived individual quality in the side.</p>
<p>I wanted to focus on one player here, and that's Oliver Norwood. There's no doubting that the Northern Irishman has an impressive range of passing but in the last two matches, with Reading attempting to recover from going behind, his enforced limitations as a forward threat have been exposed. Here are his heat-maps against Forest and Birmingham.</p>
<p><i>Forest</i></p>
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<p><i>Birmingham</i></p>
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<p>As you'll see from both heat-maps it's clear he's been told to stay back and distribute the ball from deep. This is in part down to his passing range but also, no doubt, due to the wing-backs playing far higher up the field. It's useful to have that safety valve and distributor but I question whether it's necessary for Norwood to play quite so deep.</p>
<p>Below is centre-back Paul McShane's heat-map from the Birmingham game - whilst he obviously doesn't venture as far forward or as central as his midfield teammate, he still gets pretty high up the field to pick a pass.</p>
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<p>And here's Stephen Quinn's heat-map - he's also been told to stick back and cover Jordan Obita in case the wing-back gets caught out up field.</p>
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<p>Bearing in mind this was a match where the Blues were quite happy to sit deep and defend their lead, it's concerning to see a lack of forward adventure from two players in the centre of midfield.</p>
<p>Norwood has also had by far the highest number of touches and passes of any Reading player in the last two games. Again, he has the ability to find a player from just about anywhere on the park, but if your "key" player is playing most of the match inside your own half then how can you expect to consistently put pressure on the opposition? Here's where Norwood made the interception before his long-range winner against Forest:</p>
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<p>You'll also see Danny Williams, Chris Gunter and Stephen Quinn tracking back in the knowledge that they may have to cover the counter-attack, giving Norwood the license to challenge further upfield and "gamble". In this sense Norwood's positioning was unpredictable, it gave Forest a different threat to worry about and ultimately it led to the Royals gaining possession high upfield and getting the winner.</p>
<p>It seems that Oliver Norwood has been told to stay back and play the "quarterback" role, always keeping himself open as an option to re-distribute and re-focus the point of attack. But it might be that with Quinn and Williams in the side, two energetic midfielders have the speed and nous to cover the occasional foray forward from the Northern Irishman. Rotating the angle of attack gives the opposition something new to worry about, rather than constantly getting the ball wide and pumping it into the penalty area.</p>
<p>The predictability and slow speed of the Royals' attacks have been the problem in the last few matches, despite guiding us to two victories previously. It's a new system, granted, but Reading certainly need more cutting edge, more directness and more ideas if they're to grind out more victories this season.</p>
<p><b>What do you think? Can the 4-1-2-1-2 be successful or is it time to revert to traditional wing-play? Let us know below.</b></p>
<p><i>All stats and heat-maps courtesy of WhoScored. All match action stills courtesy of YouTube/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/">Reading FC</a></i>.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/11/11405622/further-reading-fc-passing-crossing-tactical-analysis-birmingham-defeat-championship-brian-mcdermottjonnafon2016-04-10T15:56:02+01:002016-04-10T15:56:02+01:00Birmingham Ratings: Worst Showing Of The Season
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Here's how Becka rated the players after Saturday's defeat to Birmingham.</p> <h4>Ali Al-Habsi: 5</h4>
<p>Apart from the two goals, Al-Habsi had a reasonably quiet afternoon. Unlucky with the second goal after a good first save from the initial free kick.</p>
<h4>Chris Gunter: 5</h4>
<p>A very bizarre decision from McDermott to substitute Gunter for McCleary in the second half. Got forward but didn't have much support due to the narrow diamond formation.</p>
<h4>Paul McShane: 5</h4>
<p>Ended up being Reading's main goal threat in the first half and saw a couple of headers go close.</p>
<h4>Jake Cooper: 4</h4>
<p>After a couple of good performances, it felt like Cooper took a couple of steps back today. He looked shaky and made a couple of mistimed tackles.</p>
<h4>Jordan Obita: 5</h4>
<p>Again like Gunter, Obita's ability to get forward didn't suit the diamond formation in midfield. Maybe should have done better for the first goal.</p>
<h4>Oliver Norwood: 4</h4>
<p>Had an effort that sailed over the bar in the second half but apart from that, Norwood was ineffective and his passing was poor.</p>
<h4>Danny Williams: 5</h4>
<p>Was pushed off the ball far too easily a few times which is unlike him. Moved out to the right of the diamond when McCleary came on but that position just isn't his best.</p>
<h4>Stephen Quinn: 5</h4>
<p>One of the only players who actually looked half bothered. He ran around a lot but wasn't rewarded for his efforts.</p>
<h4>Lucas Piazon: 4</h4>
<p>Poor first half and much like Cox was non-existent. Not much effort, blazed a two-yard effort over the bar and was right to be substituted at half time.</p>
<h4>Yann Kermorgant: 5</h4>
<p>Just didn't get the service to even create half a chance in an afternoon which I imagine was horrendously frustrating for him.</p>
<h4>Simon Cox: 4</h4>
<p>He didn't even really do his speciality of running around this week. Unnoticable.</p>
<h3><u>Substitutes</u></h3>
<h4>Matej Vydra: 4</h4>
<p>Didn't make any kind of impact when he came on. His second half performance probably sums up his whole season - unspectacular.</p>
<h4>Garath McCleary: 5</h4>
<p>As if McCleary replaced an uninjured Gunter to play at right back?!</p>
<h4>Ola John: N/A</h4>
<p>Not on the pitch long enough to make an impact.</p>
<p><b><i>Who was YOUR man of the match? Vote in our poll at the bottom of the page, and leave your thoughts in the comments section.</i></b></p>
<h4><u>Season's Ratings (click for a larger version):</u></h4>
<p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/hxv5sIt.png"></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/10/11401350/reading-vs-birmingham-player-ratingsBecka_Ellen2016-04-10T15:16:48+01:002016-04-10T15:16:48+01:00Birmingham Match Report: Drab Defeat
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Two first half goals from Birmingham saw Reading slump to their first home defeat in the Championship in 2016. Becka rounds up her views from Saturday's disappointing game.</p> <p>So, last week I wrote the report for Reading's 1-0 win over Bolton. I compared the Royals' performance to a budget airline; a get the job done kind of performance. After the win mid-week against <a href="https://www.inthetopone.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nottingham Forest</a>, I was almost expecting another step in the direction of a premium airline performance. However, Royals fans were left hugely disappointed as Reading's performance was more comparable to a coach trip to a rainy British seaside resort.</p>
<p>If you want the important details of the game, head over and see Wimb's Initial Reaction. My one wish is to be able to write a match report where everything is wonderful, lovely and easy to comment on, but alas, that'll have to wait for another week. I think I said last week I'm very much a 'glass half full' kind of person, but it's really difficult to take any kind of positive from the performance at the Madejski on Saturday.</p>
<p>Okay, so let me set the scene. I'm sat writing this match report on my mid-morning tea break at said London Airport which doesn't begin with H, looking out of the window towards the runway on a beautifully clear Sunday morning. I've worked since 05:00 with some of my other colleagues, trying to ensure gates close on time to ensure on time departure. So far, so good and my team have lots of happy passengers, airlines and handling agents. Even though I'm tired and I'm thinking of my holiday I've got booked in 7 weeks' time, I've worked hard and I feel I've earned this cup of tea I have in front of me.</p>
<p>I'd like to think this whole morning for myself is a stark contrast to the game I witnessed yesterday. For one the weather was dismal, but not quite as dismal as the way the performance on the pitch. The players' half-hearted efforts indicated that they're probably already thinking ahead to their flights to faraway shores in the summer. The work rate was very low for a lot of the team and many Reading fans left the Madejski annoyed and unhappy. I'm kind of hoping the players weren't allowed a cup of tea as a punishment considering how cold it was yesterday (or something similar).</p>
<p>I've dealt with many different situations during my short time at the airport. One thing that always confuses me is when passengers book to travel somewhere entirely different to where they want to go to. I encountered a customer who was travelling to Santorini, thinking it was on mainland Italy. I guess they were in for a bit of a shock when they landed on a tiny island in the middle of the Aegean Sea. It could be forgiven if anyone thought we were playing another team from the second city on Saturday, as Birmingham fans spent 80 minutes of the match singing about their rivals Aston Villa's impending relegation from the Premier League. The fact that they lived to survive another day due to Norwich's defeat at Crystal Palace made that all the more awkward. However, we did play a decent Birmingham side who deserved the win and you can see why they have had an outside chance of seeking into the play offs for a lot of the season.</p>
<p>As I'm continuing to write, I'm overhearing a flight boarding in progress of one of the premium airlines. Some of the passengers they call forward to board first are members of their Diamond Club; designed for the elite, smart business traveller. Reading's diamond on Saturday was definitely anything but elite and smart. The midfield formation just looked weak from the offset, with sloppy passing and players being pushed off the ball too easily. I just don't believe we have the players in the squad at the moment be able to successfully use this formation because it is so narrow. I also don't think I was the only person at the game who thought the introductions of Matej Vydra, Garath McCleary and Ola John would liven the game up. However, uncharacteristically these substitutions failed to make a difference. The players just never really settled and at times the performance was chaotic.</p>
<p>After looking through some of the stats at full time, I'm not sure I can remember ever seeing such a bad display yet dominating possession and goal scoring opportunities. When does a team have 71% possession and double the amount of shots as the opposition (Reading had 14 shots and Birmingham had 7) and still come away with a frustrating but deserved 2-0 defeat? I know it's been a pretty underwhelming season on the whole, but the way the game was played against Birmingham was bordering on insulting. There was no desire, no passion and no team spirit and it's frustrating watching week in week out knowing the players are ready for the end of the season. I know there's nothing to play for, but come on, does that really excuse a performance like that? I said last week that I wanted some more premium airline performances, but I'd take six more budget airline performances to see us through to the end of the season if it means I don't have to watch another performance like that.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/10/11401344/reading-0-2-birmingham-match-reportBecka_Ellen2016-04-09T16:55:05+01:002016-04-09T16:55:05+01:00Reading FC 0-2 Birmingham City: Initial Reaction
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<figcaption>Alex Morton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Just when you thought it was safe to feel optimistic about Reading, Brian McDermott's side crumbled to a defeat at home to Birmingham. Here's our initial reaction with a full report to follow.</p> <p>Reading's two-match winning run ended on a wet afternoon at the Madejski as goals from Clayton Donaldson and Ryan Shotton gave Birmingham a well deserved win against a poor Royals side.</p>
<p>Brian McDermott went with an unchanged lineup to the one that beat Nottingham Forest in midweek but any hopes for that momentum carrying over were swiftly crushed after Clayton Donaldson capitalised on some sloppy defending to give Birmingham a lead just 75 seconds into the contest.</p>
<p>As the rain picked up, so did the sense of panic in the Reading team, who struggles to create much more than a Licas Piazon effort that blazed over the bar. While Birmingham's play-off hopes may be slim, the quality that has kept them in contention all season was there to see as they fought hard to keep control.</p>
<p>That hard work soon paid off as a Birkingham free-kick was well saved by Ali Al-Habsi down to his right, but all the Omani could manage was to push it into the path of Ryan Shotton who calmly slotted home to make it 2-0.</p>
<p>As the weather changed at the break, so did Readig as Vydra came on for Piazon but despite further changes that saw McCleary on for Gunter and John for Cox, there was no way back. Birmingham fully deserved their win and Reading's players need to take a good look a themselves after a truly pitiful performance all round.</p>
<p>Becka will be along with a full report and ratings later on, where we'll truly get to the bottom of a horrid performance but meanwhile, try and enjoy the rest of the weekend.</p>
<p><i>Reading</i>: Al-Habsi, Obita, McShane, Cooper, Gunter (McCleary), Norwood, Williams, Quinn, Piazon (Vydra), Cox (John), Kermorgant</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/9/11397250/reading-fc-0-2-birmingham-city-initial-reactionWimb2016-04-09T07:00:03+01:002016-04-09T07:00:03+01:00Birmingham Preview: Royals Going For Third Win
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<figcaption>Mike Hewitt/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Reading host Birmingham City looking to take the opportunity to win three league games on the bounce, something they haven't done all season; Phil Owtram looks at the chances of both teams.</p> <h4><a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Reading FC</a></h4>
<p><span><b>Form (all comps): WWDLL </b></span></p>
<p>Reading manager Brian McDermott is hopeful Deniss Rakels and <span>Garath McCleary</span> will be available to face Birmingham. Hal Robson-Kanu remains sidelined for The Royals but aims to be fit in time to play for Wales at Euro 2016.</p>
<p>Reading secured back-to-back wins with victory over <a href="https://www.inthetopone.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nottingham Forest</a> at Madejski Stadium on Tuesday, and haven't had three consecutive wins in the league since October. Tuesday’s win means the Royals are now unbeaten in their last eight home matches in the league and will look to extend that record when Birmingham come to town. The last time Birmingham did so last season they went away with all three points thanks to a 1-0 win. Reading have a record of three wins in their last five meetings at Madejski Stadium with Birmingham which should give them some confidence going into this one</p>
<div class="pullquote">Reading FC vs. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Birmingham City</a> FC:<span>9 April 2016</span> <span>15:00 KO</span> <span>Madejski Stadium, Reading</span><span>Referee: Nigel Miller</span>
</div>
<h4>Birmingham City FC</h4>
<p><b>Form (all comps): LLDDL</b></p>
<p>Kyle Lafferty could start for Birmingham again after his goal-scoring debut against Brighton on Tuesday. The Blues will be without defender Neal Eardley who is sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee injury.</p>
<p>Birmingham are on a run of five games without a win as their play-off push has taken a setback in recent weeks and they are now eleven points off sixth place <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/derby-county" class="sbn-auto-link">Derby County</a>. The Blues’ last win came seven games ago when they defeated Derby 3-0, a result which at the time lifted them to within two points of the play-off spots. Results have taken a turn for the worse since and ultimately their away form will cost them as a run of one win in their last 12 is a pretty poor return.</p>
<p><i>Reading (v Nottingham Forest): A. Al Habsi, P. McShane, C. Gunter, J. Cooper, S. Quinn, D. Williams, O. Norwood, J. Obita, S. Cox (M. Vydra 61), Y. Kermorgant, L. Piazon (O. John 61).</i></p>
<p><i>Birmingham City (v Brighton): T. Kuszczak, J. Spector, J. Grounds, P. Caddis, M. Morrison, S. Gleeson, M. Kieftenbeld, J. Maghoma (D. Fabbrini 78), Jon Toral (D. Cotterill 86), C. Donaldson, K. Lafferty (D. Davis 71).</i></p>
<h4>What The Opposition Think</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>We enjoyed a great first three months but it feels like results and performances are gradually getting worse and we've not played well for 90 minutes since Derby away in January. To be temporarily positive, we've not got a big budget and ninth is two places higher than I predicted last summer, I would have taken this then. We were 2nd in October, since then it's been a regression to the mean.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>You can read the full interview with Football Lab founder Gabriel in this week's View from the Town End, which you can find <a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/8/11391964/reading-fc-v-birmingham-fc-madejski-stadium-april-9-2016-fan-preview">here</a>.</p>
<h4>Last five meetings</h4>
<p>08 Aug 2015: Birmingham City 2-1 Reading (League Championship)</p>
<p>22 Apr 2015: Reading 0-1 Birmingham City (League Championship)</p>
<p>13 Dec 2014: Birmingham City 6-1 Reading (League Championship)</p>
<p>22 Mar 2014: Birmingham City 1-2 Reading (League Championship)</p>
<p>28 Sep 2013: Reading 2-0 Birmingham City (League Championship)</p>
<h4>Head To Head</h4>
<p>Reading v Birmingham City: W:10 D:10 L:11</p>
<h4>YouTube History</h4>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MElCVcMXvj0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h4>Prediction</h4>
<p>Reading FC 1-1 Birmingham City FC</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/9/11393322/reading-fc-birmingham-city-match-previewPhil902016-04-08T20:04:28+01:002016-04-08T20:04:28+01:00Ref-Watch: Birmingham City (H)
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RHBkAGfGYtzR7MRzRAR2CCY6wGM=/0x7:3000x2007/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49267609/GettyImages-463178198.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Pete Norton/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>NIGEL MILLER will be the man in the middle when Birmingham visit Berkshire, as he was for a fateful trip to St. Andrew's 16 months ago...</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was surprised when I found out that Nigel Miller would be the referee for Saturday’s game against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city">Birmingham City</a>, considering the County Durham official was the man in the middle for Reading’s 4-3 win at Charlton at the end of February.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just 41 days and six league fixtures separate that heart-stopping win at the Valley and tomorrow’s game, so surely the Football League could have appointed us a new referee to get to know/hurl abuse at? I mean, we still haven’t had the brilliantly named Trevor Kettle yet this campaign.*</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You’re probably thinking I’m a fool for complaining about some referee you’ve never heard of (you’d be right), but trust me, Reading, Birmingham and Nigel Miller is not a good mix. Why? Because he was the man in the middle when the Royals lost 6-1 at St. Andrew's last season, after which Nigel Adkins lost his job.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That was one of five Reading matches that the 56 year old has previously officiated, with two Royals wins and three defeats. Last weekend he took charge of Accrington vs Cambridge, which Reading loanee Tariqe Fosu scored in.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So far this campaign, Miller has been the whistle-blower on 27 games in all competitions, showing 66 yellow cards, three red cards and awarding four penalties, although neither of the latter since October.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The assistant referees at the Madejski Stadium will be Robert Hyde and Mark Mellor, whilst on fourth official duty is Andy Davies.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">*He’s not really that brilliantly named, but to be honest not many referees are, and James Adcock is just too immature. Plus, it’s probably with good reason that Mr Kettle hasn’t been given a Reading game, as he is from Berkshire, and we don’t want any bias do we???</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/8/11393210/ref-watch-reading-fc-birmingham-city-sky-bet-championship-nigel-miller-madejski-stadiumOlly_Allen2016-04-08T18:00:03+01:002016-04-08T18:00:03+01:00My Team For... Birmingham City At Home
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Trialling a new feature on The Tilehurst End, Bucks Royal gives us the team he'd play on Saturday afternoon, including a few ideas that Brian might want to try out. </p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Reading team for Brum" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/47d7gbuWXgQx9O1cA6Q7tX3T_kk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6303225/Reading_team_for_Brum.0.PNG">
</figure>
</p>
<p><i>(Graphic via footballformation.co.uk)</i></p>
<p>Something's that gone quietly unnoticed about Brian McDermott's Reading in the last few months is that the back five has been so consistent. Ali Al-Habsi's shaken off his errors from earlier in the season, keeping Jonathan Bond out of the picture.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">Agree with Bucks' team? Tell us your starting XI for Saturday in the comments below.</div>
<p>In front of him, <span>Chris Gunter</span> and Paul McShane are pretty obvious picks at right back and centre half respectively. Elsewhere, youngsters Jake Cooper and <span>Jordan Obita</span> are becoming more confident by the week, resulting in little minimal minutes for <span>Anton Ferdinand</span> and Andrew Taylor. I'm a fan of that experienced duo, but Cooper and Obita are the future for Reading, so I see no need to change that at the moment.</p>
<p>For me, the 4-4-2 diamond is a really interesting experiment. Forget about which players Brian McDermott will be playing next season - he needs to actually have an effective system to line them up in. And, judging from the Forest game, the diamond is a system that suits a number of our midfielders. Oliver Norwood is at his most effective as the 'quarterback' of the team, Stephen Quinn and Danny Williams provide balance in front of him, whereas Lucas Piazon is best suited to that free role behind the strikers.</p>
<p>Up top, Yann Kermorgant is an experienced player capable of leading the line week in, week out. The only real question is who should partner him. In the presumed injury absence of Deniss Rakels (more on him later), Matej Vydra edges out Simon Cox (also, more on him later).</p>
<p><i>Subs: Bond, Taylor, Ferdinand, Evans, John, Rakels, Cox. </i></p>
<h3>Some things Reading could try on Saturday</h3>
<p>Essentially, this boils down to: who has Brian McDermott not seen much of yet? Jonathan Bond is surely a longer term option than Ali Al-Habsi, but - to my mind - hasn't yet featured under the former Slough boss. Apart from him, Andrew Taylor and Anton Ferdinand will want chances at left back/centre back to earn permanent contracts.</p>
<p>Off the bench, I'd like to see George Evans and Deniss Rakels both feature at some point. Evans seems to be the best alternative to Oliver Norwood as a deep lying playmaker, with Rakels a quick, lively partner to play off Yann Kermorgant.</p>
<p>As a wild card - and I know this won't happen - I'd also be interested to see Simon Cox play in Lucas Piazon's spot. For me, Cox was at his best under Nigel Adkins playing off Glenn Murray at the start of the last season - could he do something similar in behind a strike partnership? He certainly has the energy to link the midfield and attack, whilst arguably not being clinical enough to play as an out and out striker.</p>
<p><i>We'd love to know what team YOU think Brian McDermott should play against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city">Birmingham City</a>. Tell us in the comments section. </i></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/4/8/11386984/my-team-for-birmingham-city-homeBucksRoyal