The Tilehurst End - Reading FC 3-0 Burton Albion: Full Match CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2016-11-20T22:05:10+00:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/134442032016-11-20T22:05:10+00:002016-11-20T22:05:10+00:00Further Reading: Reading FC 3-0 Burton Albion
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<figcaption>Photo by Martin Willetts/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Bucks Royal takes a closer look at Saturday's win over Burton Albion at the Mad Stad. </p> <h3 id="hJQDIp">Jaap Stam tries out a new formation</h3>
<p id="hWRwfF">Until now, Reading had pretty much only played a 4-3-3, along the lines of this:</p>
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<p id="ZynBVY">When Stam wanted to shake things up, the holding midfielder would drop back alongside the centre halves, and the full backs would push up, putting Reading into a 3-4-3. Nonetheless, the shape of the side stayed pretty consistent, albeit tweaked. </p>
<p id="OVhWPg">However, against Burton, Stam tried something very different. Although the team was very fluid (particularly in attack), to me it looked like a 3-5-2:</p>
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<p id="y4MuWy">Saturday's lineup was one of the most attacking ones that Jaap Stam has put out as Reading manager. We chose a strike partnership for the first time, with a number 10 and two wing backs in support. There was also no holding midfielder. </p>
<p id="ObO1cf">It's a very fluid formation because, with a few switches, Reading could quickly dedicate players defensively or going forwards. </p>
<p id="QsvS7d">When Reading were out of possession, Gunter and Obita could drop deep to make a back five, which was shielded by George Evans and Danny Williams. However, when the home side won the ball back, there was a mobile strike partnership supported by a number ten behind, with wing backs providing the width. </p>
<p id="4qMnai">The 3-5-2 also suited the players well. McShane, Moore and Blackett complement each other well as a back three, giving a mixture of experience, pace and strength respectively. </p>
<p id="nBh1pH">Gunter and Obita clearly relished being let off the leash down the flanks, whereas Dominic Samuel and Garath McCleary did good jobs as central, mobile strikers. </p>
<h3 id="QEBBng">Player in focus: Liam Moore</h3>
<p id="peKNgw"><a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/player-ratings/2016/11/20/13687296/reading-fc-3-0-burton-albion-player-ratings-efl-championship-november-19">Sophie hit the nail on the head in her player ratings when she said:</a></p>
<blockquote><p id="Qc6yY5">"If I don't notice a player in a game, that means they have done nothing wrong, this was Moore for me today."</p></blockquote>
<p id="Zu6WTv">In games like the 3-0 win over Burton, centre halves don't get the plaudits they deserve. The attackers certainly won the game for Reading with three good goals, but the back three made sure that Burton were locked out of the contest. </p>
<p id="EzqRVT">Playing at the heart of that back three, Moore was a defensive rock off the ball and very accomplished in possession. </p>
<p id="kfzEyu">He made the most passes of anyone on the pitch (78), touched the ball more times than anyone else (98), was the joint best tackler (3 successful tackles out of 4), and made the most clearances (12). </p>
<p id="OFLi6y">Those stats show that he's not only solid defensively, but he's also cultured enough on the ball to excel in Jaap Stam's possession-heavy brand of football. He's just 23, but it's clear that the former Leicester City man has a very bright future in the game. </p>
<h3 id="7Qk3fq">The games get a lot tougher now</h3>
<p id="NwzjnD">The four-match winning streak in the league is impressive, but it does come with a caveat. Currently sitting in 18th, Nottingham Forest are the highest placed of the teams we've recently faced. Elsewhere, Burton (20th), Wigan (23rd) and Rotherham (24th) are all locked in a relegation battle. </p>
<p id="7LKAnz">That's not to take away from Reading's form, which has been impressive, but the challenge hasn't been as big as it could be.</p>
<p id="tG4WUS">Going up until the end of 2016, Reading face teams in the upper half of the Championship. In the next weeks, we face promotion-chasing Bristol City (10th), Fulham (8th) and Sheffield Wednesday (9th). After that, the challenge increases with games against Leeds United (7th) and Norwich City (6th). </p>
<p id="RJdhxt">How well Reading manage the upcoming period, especially without the likes of Joey Van den Berg, John Swift and Yann Kermorgant, will be crucial. If they can hold their nerve and stay in the Playoffs, we'll be very well positioned when the New Year arrives. </p>
<p id="tQuQ4j"><em>Agree with what Bucks said? Disagree? Leave us a comment below, or tweet us @TheTilehurstEnd. </em></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/11/20/13691990/further-reading-fc-3-0-burton-albionBucksRoyal2016-11-20T14:48:03+00:002016-11-20T14:48:03+00:00Burton Win Player Ratings: Samuel Stands Out
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<figcaption>Mike Hewitt/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Samuel impresses while nobody let the side down - Find out how Sophie rated Reading's players against Burton.</p> <h3><b><span>Ali Al Habsi</span> - 6</b></h3>
<p>Was named Player of the Month before the game but had quite a quiet afternoon but was ever consistent when called upon.</p>
<h3><b><span>Chris Gunter</span> - 6</b></h3>
<p>He also had a quiet afternoon but felt he did well as wing back and got in some good positions which were unseen by other players.</p>
<h3><b>Liam Moore - 6</b></h3>
<p>If I don't notice a player in a game, that means they have done nothing wrong, this was Moore for me today.</p>
<h3><b>Paul McShane - 6</b></h3>
<p>Mr Consistent had another good game and even pushed forward in the second half, although a couple of times he did seem to run around in circles!</p>
<h3><b>Tyler Blackett - 6</b></h3>
<p>Blackett is another player that improves every week and put in another good performance today.</p>
<h3><b>Roy Beerens - 7</b></h3>
<p>Had a good game today put in a great ball for the first goal.</p>
<h3><b>George Evans - 6</b></h3>
<p>Evans' partnership with Williams is getting stronger to break. He even took some corners today.</p>
<h3><b>Danny Williams - 7</b></h3>
<p>Took his goal well and kept pushing forward even towards the end.</p>
<h3><b><span>Jordan Obita</span> - 7</b></h3>
<p>Great to have Obita on the pitch and had his best game for the Royals in a while. Reminded me of the old Obita from years back.</p>
<h3><b><span>Garath McCleary</span> - 6</b></h3>
<p>One of McCleary's quieter games but still a big improvement from last season. Great to have him back in form.</p>
<h3><b><span>Dominic Samuel</span> - 7</b></h3>
<p>Had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but played really well, got his goal and went off to a standing ovation.</p>
<h3><u>Substitutes</u></h3>
<h3><b>Yakou Meite - 6</b></h3>
<p>Impressed when he came on and did well with the third goal. Loved that he celebrated it like it wasn't an own goal!</p>
<p><b>Joseph Mendes - N/A</b></p>
<p><b>Liam Kelly - N/A</b></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/player-ratings/2016/11/20/13687296/reading-fc-3-0-burton-albion-player-ratings-efl-championship-november-19sophierfc102016-11-20T13:47:07+00:002016-11-20T13:47:07+00:00Jaap Stam Staying Calm after Burton Victory
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<figcaption>Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Reading gaffer had plenty to be happy about after a second successive 3-0 win for Reading, so what did he make of the performance against Burton?</p> <p>Four wins on the trot for the Royals means we are in our highest league position for over a year, but even after a great 3-0 victory over Burton Albion, Jaap Stam is still playing down our league position and seeking for improvement.</p>
<p><span>Dominic Samuel</span> made his first start for the Royals and scored to make in 1-0. Danny Williams made it two shortly after. Burton had their chances but wasted them before John Brayford scored an own goal in the second half after good work from Yakou Meite to secure all three points stay in Berkshire.</p>
<p>Stam was pleased with the result, speaking to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk">Official Club website,</a> he said:</p>
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<p>"The result is very pleasing. It's 3-0 and you don't get that very often... and yet we've managed it twice in a row. It's good and we're very happy with that.</p>
<p>"The performance itself - in the first half we played very well. In the first five minute, we were searching for how to play in a system different to how we normally try to play. But after that we controlled the game, created some very good chances and scored two good goals.</p>
<p>"In the second half you want to keep that rhythm and do the same again, play the ball forward if the chance is there or keep possession when you need to. But we were a bit sloppy, not as aggressive as we were in the first half. We gave them a bit more time on the ball.</p>
<p>"At 2-0, if they score one, they get their confidence back. But they didn't really get any clear cut chances and thankfully we scored a third goal and created a few more chances to score even more."</p>
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<p>Stam added after the game to not get too excited by our recent form and league position...</p>
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<p>"We're realistic in what we're trying to achieve, what we can do with the squad we have and where we want to go to eventually.</p>
<p>"We want to perform, but we're still building something that will hopefully allow us to eventually get somewhere. We're doing well and the players are enjoying themselves - four wins in a row, four clean sheets, so I'm very happy with how everything is going.</p>
<p>"But it's still difficult to stay up there, because you're playing in a league with a lot of quality teams - clubs with squads that are probably bigger than what we have at the moment. So we need to look to the long term and what is realistic for us this season.</p>
<p>"Are we looking at the table and thinking we need to stay there, because then we might go up... no. We're just looking from game to game - that's what we're focused on.</p>
<p>"I know people can get happy with results like this and, of course, everybody wants to go up as quick as we can. The club wants that, myself as a manager I want that. But there are a lot of games to be played.</p>
<p>"We're working very hard to get results and up to now its going quite well. But during the season, there will be games that are difficult and we'll have to deal with them as well. We have to be realistic. So we're just looking from game to game and hoping to get a result."</p>
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<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1kE9HpGI3CE" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/11/20/13687444/reading-fc-jaap-stam-reaction-burton-albion-efl-championshipsophierfc102016-11-20T13:31:49+00:002016-11-20T13:31:49+00:00Reading 3-0 Burton Albion: The Continuous Rise
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The winning run continues for Jaap Stam and Reading as they brush aside Burton at the Mad Stad.</p> <p>It has been a long couple of weeks with the international break, but the Royals came back with a bang with a brilliant victory against Burton Albion.</p>
<p>Today for myself personally, was a trip down memory lane. 10 years ago my family moved from Burton-on-Trent down to West Sussex, so having spent most of my teenage years in Burton, it was great to see them doing so well (or not) in the Championship, as when I moved, they were still in the Conference. There has only been one other fixture between the two, with the Royals coming out on top with a 5-1 victory in the League Cup in 2009.</p>
<p>But, Saturday was about a great 3-0 victory for the Royals which means we are now third. To think that this time last year, Steve Clarke was about to leave for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> or not, so it's good to see positive times return to the Club after what has been a tough few seasons.</p>
<h3>First-Half</h3>
<p>With Yann Kermorgant out, it was time for Jaap Stam to make the decision to start <span>Dominic Samuel</span>, which is something that fans have wanted for a while, and he didn't disappoint. Stam also made the decision to play three at the back, with <span>Jordan Obita</span> and <span>Chris Gunter</span> as wing backs, which worked.</p>
<p>After a bit of a slow start for the Royals, Samuel's had a chance to make it 1-0 early on, but hit the side netting. It wasn't long before he made it 1-0 for real. it was a good move down the left from Roy Beerens before Samuel made contact to score his first goal for the Royals.</p>
<p>It didn't take long for Reading to make it two, in a similar move down the left, this time Obita slotted the ball through for Danny Williams to score our second.</p>
<p>As always, the Royals didn't make it particularly easy for themselves, and Burton had their chances, but luckily, they weren't at the races.</p>
<h3>Second-Half</h3>
<p>The second period was a much quieter affair. Speaking of quiet, the Madejski only had 15,545 inside this afternoon, with just over 400 from Burton - they have no excuse, I made the four-and-a-half hour journey every weekend for four years! But they did make quite a bit of noise with their drum!</p>
<p>The Brewers had more chances in the second half but wasted them. Jaap made some changes, as Samuel was replaced by Yakou Meite and Joseph Mendes came on for Garath McCleary. It didn't take long for Meite to make an impact, after some good work down the right, his left footed shot was saved by Burton goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, before it was rebounded into the net by Brewers defender John Brayford.</p>
<p>Stam was of course playing down the victory after the game and even he got a ticking off from the Referee today after it looked like Samuel had a good shout for a penalty. It was rather amusing watching Keith Stroud stand in front of the former Man United defender.</p>
<p>So overall, it was a fantastic weekend for the Royals, with the three points putting us in our highest position in the league for over a year, four wins and clean sheets on the trot, it is all looking good for Reading. Next up, is Bristol City at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, but for now, lets enjoy the victory!</p>
<p>URZZ!</p>
<p><i><b>Reading</b>: Al-Habsi, Blackett, McShane, Moore, Obita, Gunter, Evans, Williams, Beerens (Kelly), McCleary (Mendes), Samuel (Meite)</i></p>
<p>****</p>
<p>Points change on this stage in 2015/16 (52): +4</p>
<p>Points change on this stage in 2005/06 (106): -7</p>
<p>Points change on this stage in 1997/98 (42): +13</p>
<p><b>Projected Points Total 2016/17: 84</b></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/11/20/13686976/reading-fc-3-0-burton-albion-fc-efl-championship-november-19-madejski-stadiumsophierfc102016-11-19T16:55:53+00:002016-11-19T16:55:53+00:00Reading 3-0 Burton: 60 Second Report
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<p>Dominic Samuel scored his first goal for Reading as the home side won for the fourth consecutive league game.</p> <p>Jaap Stam's promising start to his managerial career continued as his side's good form continued and they moved up to third place in the table.</p>
<p>Reading went into the game with Yann Kermorgant and John Swift both missing due to injury. That meant Dominic Samuel started a league game for the first time for The Royals, and it was to be a day of firsts for the 22 year old when he opened his Reading account four years after he made his debut.</p>
<p>Danny Williams doubled the lead soon after when he finished after a perfect Jordan Obita cross.</p>
<p>Burton pushed their luck before the break with Paul McShane having a shot cleared off the line and Samuel being denied a penalty, which angered Stam so much the referee had to calm him down.</p>
<p>After a poor first half Burton could only improve and two shots early after half time gave Reading a warning that the game wasn't won. Despite that good work from Samuel almost led to McCleary putting the game beyond The Brewers.</p>
<p>Following that chance Reading never had to get out of second gear and the game was finally put to bed when substitute Yakou Méïte showed good strength to get past Ben Turner to fire a shot that Jon McLaughlin saved only for it to rebound off John Brayford into the net.</p>
<p>The win saw Reading go above Huddersfield in the table and they are now just four points behind Brighton. In a poor Championship, Stam's team are surpassing expectations and are in good form: four wins in a row, four clean sheets in a row and two three goal wins in a row.</p>
<p>There is a clear gap in quality between the top two and the rest of the Championship, so while Reading won't trouble the automatic promotion places their fans will be increasingly hopeful of a bright future under Stam.</p>
<p><b>Reading: </b>Al-Habsi; Gunter, McShane, Moore, Obita; Williams, Evans, Obita; McCleary (Mendes 77), Samuel (Méïte 67), Beerens (Kelly 86).</p>
<p><b>Burton:</b> McLaughlin; Brayford, Mousinho, Turner (Flanagan 80); Akins, Williamson (Naylor 71), Palmer, Irvine, Dyer; Beavon, O'Grady (Miller 67).</p>
<p><b>Referee: </b>Keith Stroud</p>
<p><b>Attendance: </b>15,545 (446 away fans)</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/11/19/13685220/reading-fc-burton-albion-match-report-efl-championship-2016-2017WilliamOwain2016-11-18T21:07:34+00:002016-11-18T21:07:34+00:00Reading v Burton: The Oppo
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<figcaption>Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Handbags returns to look at a brief history between Reading and Burton.</p> <p id="hiFzmd">Two weeks off for the third time this season (irritating isn’t it?), and we have a welcome return to Championship action against new boys Burton Albion.</p>
<p id="Rv6CHm"> <strong>Head to Head</strong></p>
<p id="1gLelJ">This is the first ever league meeting between the sides, although the two sides met in 2009 in League Cup action, the Royals routing the then newest Football League club 5-1 in their first ever League Cup tie (a match which featured 46 year old Kevin Poole in goal).</p>
<p id="AlgGpg"><strong> They Played For Both Teams</strong></p>
<p id="PwkMDx">As far as my research suggests, there are no direct playing links between the Royals and Brewers, the closest we have to a player playing for both is father and son combo Stuart Beavon Snr & Jnr. Beavon Snr commenced his career at Tottenham and made four appearances, while he also made six appearances on loan at Notts County while on the north London club’s books. With playing time limited though, Maurice Evans paid a proverbial visit to the Tottenham High Road, and came back with Beavon, from whence the Black Country-born player went on to make 481 appearances over 10 years, scoring 44 goals including the penalty that gave Reading a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish at Wembley in 1998. In all, Beavon is the Royals’ fifth highest appearance maker of all time.</p>
<p id="PJUaLy">Beavon was a midfield stalwart at Elm Park, but he left the Royals in 1990 for Northampton where he would make a further 98 league during which he notched a further 14 times, before ending his professional career to become a painter and decorator, while he also had a short lived spell at the now defunct Newbury Town FC. He still lives locally.</p>
<p id="CbqWg8">Beavon Jnr commenced his playing days at Loop Meadow, Didcot Town in the Hellenic League, and did enough to earn himself a move to Conference National side Weymouth. 90 appearances in three years yielded 27 goals and enough to earn a crack at League football with Wycombe Wanderers after the Terras entered financial difficulties, initially on loan with a permanent deal being offered come season’s end. A similar games to goals ratio followed to Buckinghamshire, with 125 appearances bringing 34 goals and a two year spell at Preston North End. 69 appearances and just 12 goals later, Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett saw the high intensity attacker as a good addition to the Brewer’s squad and signed him initially on loan, then permanently at the end of August 2014. To date, Beavon has made 99 appearances for Burton, scoring 13 goals. A bit of sentimentality from Nigel Clough may be in the offing this weekend...</p>
<p id="kfuU1r"><strong>Grudge Moment</strong></p>
<p id="CmYPJp">Err...there are none!!</p>
<p id="cGiaDC"><strong>Fact, Interesting or Otherwise</strong></p>
<p id="HVkrAy">The Brewers are so called due to Burton’s brewing heritage which at one time was responsible for a quarter of the UK’s beer production. </p>
<p id="hY7Q7v">The club’s current home ground is the 7,000 Pirelli Stadium having moved from former home Eton Park in 2005, where they played from 1958 just eight years after Burton Albion’s foundation. </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/11/18/13680934/reading-fc-v-burton-albion-fc-efl-championship-opposition-previewhandbags_harris2016-11-18T19:48:53+00:002016-11-18T19:48:53+00:00The Tilehurst End Prediction League: Matchday 17
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<figcaption>Nathan Stirk/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Your thinking caps have had a two week break, but it's time to get them back on and guess the score and first goalscorer as Reading host Burton Albion. </p> <p>Before the final international break of the calendar year, Reading visited Wigan Athletic and won 3-0, a result that no one saw coming, with nobody in the Prediction League guessing that scoreline. 25 people though did correctly predict that the Royals would take all three points from the DW Stadium, with five people also correctly predicted Garath McCleary to score first.</p>
<p>This weekend, Jaap Stam's team host newly-promoted Burton Albion, who are yet to win away from home this campaign. <span><span><span><span><b><span>All you have to do is g</span><span>uess the score of the game and say who you think will score the first goal in the comments below.</span></b></span></span></span></span><span> </span><span>A correct score earns two points, a correct result earns one point as does a correct first goalscorer.</span></p>
<p>I think the score will be 1-0 to Reading, with Garath McCleary being the first goalscorer. <span>This series is of course done alongside </span><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/SuppressorCentral">Reading FC Away Days</a></span><span>, and by watching their video below, you can find out what James and Adam think will happen.</span></p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GzJu1euGhH0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h4>The current leaderboard:</h4>
<h3><span>16 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Grossomatto</p>
<h3>14 points</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Edward Spiteri</p>
<h3>13 points</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">RiskAverse<br>Will Jones</p>
<h3>12 points</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vince4788</p>
<h3>10 points</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bertie Mcvittie<br>robjs54<br>The inspector<br>ShiplakeAl<br>Illinois_royal<br>Marc Mayo<br>Dan Goodfellow<br>Ipertyy</p>
<p> </p>
<h3><span>9 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Olly<br>Loyal Royal<br>James<br>EthanRFC_<br>Ryan Wadsworth<br>Adam</p>
<h3><span>8 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joe_Evening<br>FootballFan77<br>James Southard</p>
<h3><span>7 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Greg Tilton<br>Antony Strange<br>Reading FanTV<br>The RFC vlogger<br>Glorygerbil<br>Fylde coast royal</p>
<h3><span>6 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hobnob24<br>Luke Taylor<br>Samuel Goodwin<br>Charlie RFC</p>
<h3><span>5 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Titan13<br>Jamie Westcar</p>
<h3><span>4 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Harrison Luffrum<br>Sky Bet Championship<br>pete1964</p>
<h3><span>3 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Titan13<br>Connor Glasgow<br>Maffff<br>George Willis<br>RobLangham<br>Wimb<br>forwardnorwood<br>Dylan Sheard<br>Joe Bradfield<br>Readingfcvlogs</p>
<h3><span>2 points</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joseph Joynson<br>Lappers<br>Michael.dakin.7<br>Jake Sinkinson<br>cassell_matthew<br>Jordan Cottle<br>BradSRay<br>Slater1993<br>Readingfanman<br>TheFreestyler<br>Davemc_exile<br>Jono Pierce<br>Matt Harris<br>Rhys Milton<br>Jacob RFC<br>Jesus Was Here<br>Bertie Miell</p>
<h3><span>1 point</span></h3>
<p><span>Hey-Zeus</span><br><span>Crowbar6753</span><br><span>Reading FC 2016/17 Championship Winners</span><br><span>Justfmsaves</span><br><span>Patrick Carter</span><br><span>James Wicks</span><br><span>Matt Smith</span><br><span>Kieron Brocks</span><br><span>Mr Walshyy</span><br><span>LewisGregsre</span><br><span>DanielHarrington</span><br><span>Bobby Hall</span><br><span>Joe Sawyer</span><br><span>Daniel Stone</span><br><span>Oliver Drew</span><br><span>Eager Does Gaming</span><br><span>FutHawkinz</span><br><span>Joey1872</span><br><span>dsaunders21</span><br><span>Candyadz</span><br><span>Caiger 24</span><br><span>DanielWChandler</span><br><span>@Deanocx</span><br><span>Nathan Sherman</span><br><span>Rakels <3</span><br><span>John David</span><br><span>The Mad Stad</span><br><span>Daniel Johns</span><br><span>Josh Mann</span><br><span>MEHR<br>Matthew Hutchison<br>Callum Harper<br>M Marlow<br>LLL</span></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/11/18/13679772/prediction-league-matchday-17-burton-albion-reading-fc-efl-championshipOlly_AllenHiggy162016-11-18T19:12:34+00:002016-11-18T19:12:34+00:00Key Battles: Reading v Burton
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<img alt="Reading's in-form man Garath McCleary " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t_jplvGxo4OmQXLj1TwblX9Fcx0=/0x7:2833x1896/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51889731/GettyImages-601092246.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Reading's in-form man Garath McCleary | Martin Willetts/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here are the key battles as Reading return to action following the international break. </p> <h3>Tyler Blackett vs Lucas Akins</h3>
<p>The 27 year-old has been at the club for a few seasons, following his arrival from Stevenage in July 2014.</p>
<p>Last season Akins got 12 goals and three assists as he helped Burton Albion make history by winning automatic promotion to the Championship for the very first time.</p>
<p>He has done okay since making the step to Championship football, with three goals and one assist so far this season.</p>
<p>The right winger is one of Burton's danger men, having the ability to put brilliant whipped crosses into the box with the strikers looking to feed on the delivery.</p>
<p>Akins will be up against Tyler Blackett, who started in the 3-0 win against Wigan last time out and will be looking to keep his place by putting in another good performance.</p>
<p>It will be Blackett's job to stop the supply and stop the ball from finding its way into the box.</p>
<p>Blackett will therefore need to be his guard as the former Manchester United man has struggled for consistency so far this season, the games against QPR and Aston Villa spring to mind.</p>
<p>Here's a video of Akins showcasing his talents in Burton's 4-3 defeat against <a href="https://www.inthetopone.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nottingham Forest</a> on the opening day of the season:</p>
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<h3>Paul McShane vs Jackson Irvine</h3>
<p>Playing in central midfield Irvine is another of Burton Albion's best players.</p>
<p>Signed from Scottish Premiership side Ross County in the summer the 23 year-old from Australia is the main threat from midfield.</p>
<p>This has been demonstrated with Irvine scoring five goals in 15 appearances so far this season.</p>
<p>Irvine's goals have helped claim vital points for Burton in their fight to avoid relegation to League One, most notably in their 1-0 win over Derby at the end of August.</p>
<p>From studying Irvine's goals three of the five he has scored have been headers from inside the six yard box.</p>
<p>The best person therefore to deal with this threat will be Paul McShane, the Reading captain has played the last three games keeping three clean sheets in the process and will be looking to make that a fourth on Saturday.</p>
<p>McShane is known for his brilliant heading and warrior-like defending, so if someone is going to keep Irvine from scoring on Saturday, it's going to be him.</p>
<p>Here's a video of Irvine scoring one of his headed goals in Burton Albion's 1-0 win over Derby earlier this season.</p>
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<h3>Garath McCleary vs Lloyd Dyer</h3>
<p>The 34 year-old whose former clubs include Leicester, Watford and Burnley has made a decent impact for The Brewers since arriving in the summer.</p>
<p>So far this season, Dyer has three goals and two assists to his name and will be looking to add that when his side faces off against a very strong Reading defence.</p>
<p>Playing on either side of the midfield, Dyer has the ability to create something out of nothing and also score the odd spectacular goal.</p>
<p>The man he'll be squaring off with will be Garath McCleary, the Jamaican international has been in terrific form this season with six goals and four assists in 14 appearances.</p>
<p>After the Wigan game in which he scored two goals in five minutes, <a href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/garath-mccleary-hails-jaap-stam-12138635"><u><font color="#0066cc">McCleary said he was in "the best spell of his footballing career"</font></u></a></p>
<p>McCleary therefore will be full of confidence, which will be a massive boost for The Royals and Jaap Stam.</p>
<p>With Burton Albion playing three in defence, wing back Dyer will be the one to stop McCleary and help his defenders out when Reading are on the attack.</p>
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https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/11/18/13667876/key-battles-reading-vs-burton-albionjacks1996