The Tilehurst End - Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Reading FC: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2016-12-19T13:48:02+00:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/137521492016-12-19T13:48:02+00:002016-12-19T13:48:02+00:00Blackburn 2-3 Reading: 18 Thoughts While Watching Highlights
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<img alt="Arsenal v Reading - EFL Cup Fourth Round" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j4OgIqmb3VqSLiX4XFrzOP3WiLI=/1765x99:3903x1524/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52355293/617977102.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>An emotional rollercoaster of a game, that one.</p> <p id="goO4XE">There are some games that you can't bring yourself to watch back. (<em>cough</em>, Fulham 5-0, <em>cough.</em>) There are some that you are happy to watch back over and over again. And then there are the games you can watch back only because you know the result. This is one of those games.</p>
<h2 id="JdZR0Z">The video</h2>
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<h2 id="H19jHK">The thoughts</h2>
<h3 id="wuTk6r">0:00-0:19</h3>
<p id="Tpx92x">Right, let's see what happens here then. </p>
<p id="3aa2Tw">FLIPPING HECK!</p>
<p id="87Vrwp">That was a beauty. That pass. That finish. Barcelona who?</p>
<h3 id="pvCbyh">0:20-0:30</h3>
<p id="1okONa">Long ball forward. Deal with that.</p>
<p id="kXcxgz">Or don't. You know. Whatever. </p>
<h3 id="7mIyOS">0:31-0:48</h3>
<p id="doayfv">Alright, lads, you need to be winning those second balls. That's twice in two sections of these highlights you've let the flick on beat you.</p>
<h3 id="BABWrD">0:49-1:02</h3>
<p id="QNuF23">I'm going to say that's <strong>another </strong>flick on you've not picked up.</p>
<p id="4OE9IR">But wasn't he offside? Are we sure about that?</p>
<h3 id="9mIQ6s">1:03-1:17</h3>
<p id="7rLJa2">What a shot Little Liam! So unlucky. </p>
<p id="B9JtLO">Did it cross the line?</p>
<p id="O2SOZ7">Moore following in, what a lad.</p>
<p id="a00qfK">Hey, either way, that's a Liam goal. Well done Liam.</p>
<h3 id="rLhfHc">1:18-1:30</h3>
<p id="bj1WIg">Have The Royals won a single header this game?</p>
<h3 id="1q3xuy">1:31-1:45</h3>
<p id="hNfSBo">WHAT KIND OF A HALF-A*SED ATTEMPT AT A CLEARANCE OFF THE LINE WAS THAT?</p>
<p id="F7fef4">ANOTHER HEADER? Flippin' 'eck.</p>
<h3 id="WTBlzp">1:46-2:07</h3>
<p id="RomaHb">YES! Quick thinking by Gunter, good run by McCleary, calm finish by Evans.</p>
<p id="iJvQMz">I think I'm starting to believe the play-offs are possible. </p>
<p id="AkSqdO">Hold me.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/12/19/14005372/blackburn-rovers-2-3-reading-fc-18-thoughts-video-highlightsRoyal Hoops2016-12-18T17:32:04+00:002016-12-18T17:32:04+00:00Jaap Stam: "It Was A Fantastic Result."
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<figcaption>Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He was fuming on Tuesday night but the Reading boss was understandably pretty happy with the result at Blackburn.</p> <p>We all love a late winner, especially in the lead up to Christmas to keep us third over the festive period. Three points returned to Berkshire in an eventful afternoon.</p>
<p>The Royals took the lead in the first half through Dominic Samuel, before Blackburn equalised just before the break. Liam Moore made it two, before Blackburn again made it even. George Evans turned into the hero scoring a last minute winner to secure all three points.</p>
<p>After saying that our defeat against Leeds was one of our best performances this season, Jaap Stam was delighted with the win, he told the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk">Official Club website</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It was a fantastic result.</p>
<p>"We started the game well, earned ourselves time on the ball to play, maybe didn't make all the right decisions but we took the lead with that one goal from Dom.</p>
<p>"We wanted to keep possession, keep passing it and go for a second one. But instead, we got sloppy, lost the ball a little bit too quickly when we were high up the pitch and they grew in confidence.</p>
<p>"They got the ball forward into the box a lot... into their strikers, and with the physique they had up front, they could be dangerous with the headers they were winning or with the runners from midfield.</p>
<p>"They tried to work us with those strong players, getting crosses into the box and winning headers and they caused us problems - both their goals were from headers in fact.</p>
<p>"We are not the type of team who plays that sort of football, but we have to deal with it and defend those situations better. Because, in any game, if the opposition get the equaliser they get the momentum. And they did it twice!</p>
<p>"So it was important that we stayed calm, kept control, used the space we were getting and kept going forward. And we controlled the game a bit more in the second half.</p>
<p>"Of course we were very happy at the end with the goal George scored. During the game, you want it to be a bit easier and there was a lot of tension on the touchline. But it was great to get the win."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Royals go into Christmas sat very nicely in third place and face out of form Norwich on Boxing Day, before Fulham (eek!) visit on the 30th. Fingers crossed that 2016 can end of a high.</p>
<p>Stam added:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Hopefully Christmas gives us some presents as well. It's nice to be up there and of course we want to stay up there as long as we can. But it's not going to be easy.</p>
<p>"We are not a team who think before the games that we are going to win every game. It's a tough league and we know we have to be at the full 100% to get results. But it's always nice to win away."</p>
</blockquote>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/12/18/13998034/reading-fc-jaap-stam-blackburn-reactionsophierfc102016-12-18T17:09:49+00:002016-12-18T17:09:49+00:00Blackburn 2-3 Reading: Kelly Steals The Show & Evans Impresses
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<img alt="Reading v AFC Bournemouth - Pre-Season Friendly" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DwokupCPoNlb1lqEWOnK0biWWC0=/0x0:2063x1375/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52345837/584731870.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>So Reading to all three points but which players impressed our latest guest writer at Ewood Park?</p> <p id="03Ihc7"><em>Jake Moore sent us his ratings in from Reading's 3-2 win at Blackburn, you can follow him on Twitter @JakeMooreSport</em></p>
<h3 id="yuVQsz">Ali Al-Habsi: 7</h3>
<p id="hbUzOM">Distribution to the back four and beyond was good, made some world-class stops to deny Rovers' threatening front-line at nervy stages in the game.</p>
<h3 id="gYEHmU">Chris Gunter: 6</h3>
<p id="6dqvuP">Was a lot more attack-minded in comparison to Tuesday night, played a few key passes that led to promising attacks moves the Royals.</p>
<h3 id="dbid3F">Paul McShane: 6</h3>
<p id="usDXH5">Solid as ever for Reading. contributing extremely well to breaking up Blackburn attacks and even came close to getting on the scoresheet. A threat in the air all afternoon.</p>
<h3 id="XCkMTM">Liam Moore: 7</h3>
<p id="vXf0OO">Much the same as McShane and, open goal or not, managed to notch his first goal for the club. Much deserved.</p>
<h3 id="GKHfP1">Tyler Blackett: 6 </h3>
<p id="QrMItF">Assured in defence, played a few good passes, seemed a massive confidence boost to him that he was alongside Moore and McShane.</p>
<h3 id="vEmY9X">George Evans: 7</h3>
<p id="x6IyPU">Calm in possession, got the ball forward well and showed his quality in injury time with such a composed finish that many would've snatched at and missed the target.</p>
<h3 id="oACpIs">Liam Kelly: 8</h3>
<p id="5Dmhfa">Definitely deserved MOTM. Questioned his selection v Leeds but he's proven me wrong and I have no shame in admitting that. Was at the heart of play all afternoon and looked like belongs at Championship level.</p>
<h3 id="1uX0nM">Joey van den Berg: 6</h3>
<p id="QmwNs5">Looked sharp following a slow start to games after injury. Comfortably played the full 90. Won some very important challenges. Himself and Evans controlled the midfield very well.</p>
<h3 id="wZeaiR">Roy Beerens: 6</h3>
<p id="R5dtJ9">Made some great runs down the flank, put in some great crosses and caused problems for Rovers. Off the ball running a particular highlight.</p>
<h3 id="4r5kTr">Garath McCleary 7</h3>
<p id="Zhu3mB">Similar performance to Beerens, played very well. Superb assist for the first. Made a great run before supplying the ball on a plate for Evans to win the game. Started to shine recently.</p>
<h3 id="lW3CSo">Dominic Samuel: 7</h3>
<p id="ao0MAq">Great to see Samuel start to play regularly after earlier injuries in his career have halted his progress. Not been in the best of form so his performance yesterday will hopefully give him a boost in confidence. Great run to make space for his first and a finish to match. </p>
<h3 id="616Uzp">SUBSTITUTES</h3>
<h3 id="pDriRK">Yann Kermorgant: 6</h3>
<p id="NncxE5">Solid replacement for Samuel, continues to improve after injury.</p>
<h3 id="esHjMn">Jake Cooper: N/A</h3>
<p id="C0jii8">*****</p>
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https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/12/18/13998928/blackburn-rovers-2-3-reading-fc-player-ratings-ewood-park-efl-championshipThe Tilehurst End Guest Writer2016-12-16T11:00:02+00:002016-12-16T11:00:02+00:00The Oppo: Blackburn Rovers vs Reading FC
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T42UcKn2EIAjLLwCKrAcdWbcSmA=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52320497/GettyImages-74138523.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Remember when the Royals were one game away from European competition in 2007? Handbags remembers that thrilling 3-3 draw against Blackburn and much more in his comprehensive history between the two sides.</p> <p>Defeat on Tuesday evening left the Royals winless in an away evening kick off for the twentieth successive occasion. Thankfully, Saturdays offer more of a chance for Reading to gain three valuable points, although the fact we're at Ewood Park may put the brakes on any building optimism!</p>
<h3><b>Head to Head</b></h3>
<p>Reading have never won at Ewood Park, having played there in the league on eight occasions dating back to 1980. We fare slightly better at home, with two wins from eight, once at Elm Park and once at the Madejski Stadium in Brian McDermott's comeback match last season, but generally it is fair to say Blackburn Rovers are a graveyard club for Reading.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="93" valign="top">
<p align="center"> </p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">Played</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">RFC Wins</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">Draws</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">BRFC Wins</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">RFC Goals Scored</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">BRFC Goals Scored</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="93" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>Ewood Park</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>8</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>0</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>4</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>4</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>10</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>18</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="93" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>Madejski Stadium</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>5</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>1</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>2</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>2</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>2</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>3</i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="93" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>Elm Park</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>3</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>1</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>2</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>0</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>5</i></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><i>1</i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="93" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>Reading Overall</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>8</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>2</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>4</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>2</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>7</b></p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>4</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="93" valign="top">
<p align="center">Overall</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">16</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">8</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">17</p>
</td>
<td width="87" valign="top">
<p align="center">22</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b><u> </u></b></p>
<h3><b>Memorable Match</b></h3>
<p>Sunday 13 May 2007, and a bit of fond indulgence. Steve Coppell's men headed into the final day of the season having already made history, guaranteed by far and away their highest ever finish. A win, and a bettering of the result of the Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa match would see Reading into 7<sup>th</sup>, and Europe. Sadly it wasn't to be, as despite their best efforts Mark Hughes's Rovers proved too tough a nut to crack.</p>
<p>It was the Royals who made the liveliest start, putting Rovers under pressure seeking the opening goal and gaining a series of corner kicks in the process, and twice the Royals nearly took the lead when corners were cleared only as far as Nicky Shorey. The Londoner performed superbly throughout the season, form which led to England caps in the summer, and his second effort in particular from 25 yards smacked the inside of Brad Friedel's left post and rebounded to safety.</p>
<p>Rovers, however, eventually imposed themselves on the game, and took the lead on 20 minutes with a controversial goal. Enterprising work on the left flank by Tugay, ensuring the ball didn't go out of play, left Morten Gamst Pederson with space to pick out an excellent cross into the middle, and he didn't disappoint his strikers as the low fizzing cross was met by both Marcus Hahnemann and Shabani Nonda.</p>
<p>As Hahnemann played the ball, Nonda challenged but only succeeded in breaking the big American's hand, and the ball trickled across goal to an unmarked Benni McCarthy to tap home from a yard. Hahnemann went off injured, replaced by Adam Federici making only his second ever league appearance.</p>
<p>The goal was disheartening, but as was typical of Reading 10 years ago they didn't give in and equalised with ultimately a simple goal 15 minutes later. Stephen Hunt's left footed inswinger was whipped into the far post and met by Seol ki-Hyeun. Seol, having stolen a yard on Benni McCarthy, powerfully headed just inside the post, and the sides went in level pegging at the break.</p>
<p>After a good first half, the second half provided some of the season's most exciting entertainment as Rovers and Royals went hammer and tongs at each other, the game swinging this way and that. Rovers regained the lead 10 minutes in as good work down the left from the irrepressible McCarthy made space for Stephen Warnock to run into and receive the ball and play a good pass on the run into the middle where it was met by Pedersen, whose sidefooted effort came off the post, but luck was out for Reading as David Bentley tapped home the rebound that fell straight to his feet.</p>
<p>Once again, Reading didn't give in though, and just two minutes later the second equaliser arrived as an excellent left footed cross from Ulises de la Cruz was met by the head of Kevin Doyle who planted past Friedel once again.</p>
<p>Again though, just ten minutes later, Rovers took the lead for the third and last time with the best goal of the game. Once again it was wing play that opened up Reading, David Bentley and Brett Emerton providing the thrust resulting in a wonderful right wing cross to the onrushing Matt Derbyshire who couldn't miss. There are times in life where you have to sit back and applaud excellent play, and this goal epitomised the best of English football with powerful lung busting wing play, a cross from wide and a solid header in the middle. A pity then, because of the possible repercussions of that goal the feeling was head in hands stuff.</p>
<p>But again, Reading displayed their resolve, again ten minutes later as a free kick was won by substitute Leroy Lita who opted to take the kick himself. 20 yards out, to the right of goal, he smashed the ball into the legs of the wall, but luck finally found itself in the path of Reading as the rebound was smashed with equal venom by Brynjar Gunnarsson low to Friedel's right. 3-3, ding-dong.</p>
<p>Despite their best efforts, in the knowledge that Villa had equalised at the Reebok, the Royals couldn't conjure up that winner that would have sent us all into hysterical raptures. The season was one to remember, a wonderful display of fast paced attacking football that mixed it up with the best England had to offer. 8<sup>th</sup> placed we finished, two positions and three points above Rovers. Ironically however, Rovers qualified for Europe via the Intertoto Cup having been the highest placed club to apply for entry, and enjoyed trips to Lithuania and Finland before succumbing to Greek side Larissa. Wishful thinking now, but that could have been us...</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yu35VayYfME" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h4>Lineups</h4>
<p><b>Blackburn Rovers</b></p>
<p>Brad Friedel; Brett Emerton, Stephen Warnock, Ryan Nelsen, Christopher Samba; Kerimoglu Tugay (David Dunn 69), Aaron Mokoena, David Bentley, Morten Gamst Pedersen; Shabani Nonda (Matt Derbyshire 66), Benni McCarthy.</p>
<p><b>Reading</b></p>
<p>Marcus Hahnemann (Adam Federici 23); Ulises de la Cruz, Nicky Shorey, Michael Duberry, Ivar Ingimarsson; James Harper, Brynjar Gunnarsson, Stephen Hunt (John Oster 70), Seol ki-Hyeun; Shane Long (Leroy Lita), Kevin Doyle.</p>
<h3><b>Grudge Moment</b></h3>
<p>Not much to go by in terms of grudges between these sides, mainly due to rarely playing each other, but of course the aforementioned broken hand cannot go unmentioned, a clear foul from my vantage point and one that completely changed the path of that match, and of course, history.</p>
<p>The fixture has had its fair share of awful officiating, the yellow card for Chris Gunter in 2013 being a case in point, the Welshman having the temerity to be unable to stay on his feet having been poleaxed by Grant Hanley. With no mechanism to rescind yellow cards (a crime against footballing humanity if you ask me), the card cost Reading as Gunter was suspended later on in the season.</p>
<p><b><u> </u></b></p>
<h3><b>Fact, Interesting or Otherwise</b></h3>
<p>Founder members of the Football League, and founder members of the Premier League. Only three clubs hold this honour -€” Aston Villa, Everton and Blackburn Rovers. They have spent the majority of their years in the top flight of English football, quite an achievement for what is now a comparatively small club to the majority of the Premier League.</p>
<p>For a town of just over 100,000, the club enjoyed big attendances when taken as a population of the local conurbation, as 24,000 regularly passed through the turnstiles.</p>
<p>Lastly, the club's motto "Arte et Labore" means "By skill and hard work" -€” thoroughly representative of the expectations of Lancastrian football supporters, and the working class, industrial history of the town.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/12/16/13979932/reading-fc-the-oppo-blackburn-rovers-championship-preview-historyhandbags_harris2016-12-16T10:04:16+00:002016-12-16T10:04:16+00:00Blackburn Key Battles: Marshall The Threat
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<img alt="The man Tyler Blackett will be up against, Ben Marshall" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/06zuBC4gGxFG_kO1eAvg49mQhgs=/0x0:2981x1987/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52317291/GettyImages-611282950.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>The man Tyler Blackett will be up against, Ben Marshall | Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The key battles ahead of the clash with Blackburn at Ewood Park. </p> <h3>Ben Marshall vs Tyler Blackett</h3>
<p>25 year old Marshall has been with the club for a number of years following his transfer from Leicester in the summer of 2013.</p>
<p>Playing out on the right wing, Marshall is one of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/blackburn-rovers">Rovers</a>' best players. When on form he can cause any defence problems with his pace, technique and the ability to whip the ball into the box.</p>
<p>He also has a fantastic ability to score free kicks, something that Reading goalkeeper <span>Ali Al Habsi</span> will need to be aware of.</p>
<p>Last season Marshall scored six goals in 48 appearances in all competitions, as Blackburn finished 15th, three points ahead of Reading.</p>
<p>Looking to keep Marshall quiet will be Tyler Blackett, the left back struggled in the 2-0 defeat at Leeds, with the former Manchester United man looking shaky in the Royals back line.</p>
<p>It will be an interesting game for Blackett in a match where he will need to deliver now that his competitor <span>Jordan Obita</span> is out for two weeks with a thigh injury.</p>
<p>If Blackett can keep Marshall quiet and deliver a good performance, then this will not only be a big boost for Reading, but also for Blackett in terms of his confidence.</p>
<p>Here's a video of Marshall demonstrating just how good he can be in Blackburn's 3-0 win over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> last season.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R6obv6AIRxI" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></p>
<h3>Sam Gallagher vs Paul McShane</h3>
<p>21 year old Gallagher is full of confidence ahead of this weekend's clash. His team may have lost 3-2 against Brighton in midweek, but the striker scored both his side's goals.</p>
<p>On loan from Southampton, Gallagher is enjoying his best ever season with nine goals in 20 appearances so far and will be looking follow that up with another good performance.</p>
<p>Without his goals it could argued that Blackburn could be well adrift in the relegation zone.</p>
<p>Paul McShane will be the best man to keep Gallagher quiet, with the centre back known for his warrior-like defending, organisation and leadership. These are the qualities that he'll need to use if Reading are to come away from Lancashire with all three points.</p>
<p>The Republic of Ireland international will also be for looking for his team to keep a clean on the road, something they've have not done since the 3-0 win at Wigan in November.</p>
<p>If he can do this, it should put Reading in good stead, with the team looking to bounce back from the disappointing defeat at Leeds with a win.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SkRXmlAN_XM" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h3>Derrick Williams vs Yann Kermorgant</h3>
<p>The former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international has played in all but a few games for the Rovers since joining from Bristol City in the summer.</p>
<p>The 23 year old has only kept two clean sheets since the start of the season, but managed to keep one during the 1-0 win at Newcastle a few weeks ago.</p>
<p>Looking to give Williams a hard time will be Yann Kermorgant. The Frenchman could finally get to reclaim his starting spot, following his recent appearances as a substitute.</p>
<p>Kermorgant should fancy his chances against a Blackburn defence that has conceded 29 goals so far this season.</p>
<p>However he will have it all to do against a Rovers side looking to get themselves out of a potential relegation scrap.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/12/16/13976436/key-battles-blackburn-rovers-vs-reading-fcjacks19962016-12-16T09:28:53+00:002016-12-16T09:28:53+00:00View From The Town End: Blackburn Rovers
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<img alt="Derby County v Blackburn Rovers - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0lFAl8-08pM9RmNaP--hMVRr4zQ=/0x0:3495x2330/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52320451/610108886.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>What can Reading expect from Blackburn and old chums Hope Akpan & Danny Guthrie?</p> <p id="SQB8WH"><em>Today we got the Blackburn view from </em><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/blackburn-rovers"><em><strong>Rovers</strong></em></a><em> fan Mikey Delap. You can follow him on twitter </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/mikeydelap"><em><strong>@MikeyDelap</strong></em></a></p>
<h4 id="HdHZ6p">How would you sum up your season so far?</h4>
<p id="zHc5zD">About as expected I would say - disappointing. The indicator was always there that we'd camp out somewhere near the bottom and so it has transpired.</p>
<p id="73s4Xr">Any players worth any value have been sold and replaced with frees and loans which isn't always a recipe for disaster but it's not helping matters as Venky's seem to have lost what little interest they had in investing proactively into the club.</p>
<p id="WhUb6M">It's been a slog so far - with the odd bright moment along the way, but largely it's been about as fruitful as the league table appears... </p>
<h4 id="vhqwVq">You told us in the summer that reaction to Owen Coyle's appointment was mixed. Six months in how are fans feeling now?</h4>
<p id="8FoBon">Pretty much the same. There's a line of thinking that not many could improve the current fortunes substantially given the handcuffs that are currently being allocated out to work with.</p>
<p id="0LS49h">I don't really buy that as there's always a manager out there that could improve things if the administration running the club bang their heads together... but it genuinely would be a tough job for any manager given the farce they have to operate under.</p>
<p id="LXp7gy">On the whole though the majority remain wholly unimpressed with the constant smiling, permanently over-positive (which coming from me is saying something) bag of hot air and tube socks (that's Coyle not Venky's).</p>
<h4 id="7YiCTy">Who should we be wary of on Saturday?</h4>
<p id="U8KVvi">Be very wary of a minority of the Darwen End brigade making homophobic chanting a thing.</p>
<p id="S8C95d">Oh sorry you mean on the field?</p>
<p id="mTEfOo">Hard to look past Sam Gallagher and/or Danny Graham really. Whilst the backline has been makeshift and the central midfield non-existent the forwards having actually been reasonably good on the whole.</p>
<p id="n3haXK">They're both big lads who can shift themselves and both have chipped in with a good degree of goals so far this season. </p>
<h4 id="uDB8xN">How are our old chums Hope Akpan and Danny Guthrie getting on in Lancashire?</h4>
<p id="4ymT0c">Akpan has been about as you'd expect really - a try hard, lumberer who puts himself about but in the main to little effect.</p>
<p id="oNtPCU">Guthrie has been injured, then had a patch of being very decent, then injured again.</p>
<p id="epYfeb">Any of this sound familiar?</p>
<h4 id="wg1ejn">Any Reading player that's caught your eye?</h4>
<p id="AVHV0v">Yes I like Yann Kermorgant. Always rated him whenever I've seen him and seem to operate at a good level to very little fanfare.</p>
<p id="AOdGom">Put my down as the president of his fanclub.</p>
<h4 id="QNSRvO">Score prediction?</h4>
<p id="Cf5LYg">I actually have a sneaky feeling we might win this one. Two things you can be sure of is that we'll score and we'll concede.</p>
<p id="sYQgXS">So put me down for a 2-1 win and a large gang of mockers when this turns out to be nowhere near.</p>
<h4 id="Pe1jQf">Finally, any advice for fans making the trip?</h4>
<p id="9WzUyi">Yes. Wrap up warm folks, it's quite nippy out.</p>
<p id="07gOls"></p>
<p id="H0L46c"> </p>
<p id="1iNQhZ"></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/12/16/13979878/view-from-the-town-end-blackburn-rovers-v-reading-fc-ewood-par-efl-championshipWimbThe Tilehurst End Guest Writer2016-12-15T13:00:08+00:002016-12-15T13:00:08+00:00Bookie Watch: Promotion Odds Hit Hard
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_bSxbPV8gpVSwamFvKBjnAPNuuA=/0x82:2227x1567/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52301755/GettyImages-505248138.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Gareth Copley/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>You never know what you're going to get from Reading these days, so spare a thought for the men who have to try and calculate odds each week. Here's our bookie watch for Blackburn.</p> <p>Back-to-back away defeats is far from ideal but after tricky trips to Fulham and Leeds, Saturday should be a tad bit easier against inconsistent Blackburn. That's my view anyway but what do the bookmakers think?</p>
<p><i>All odds are best available and taken from Oddschecker.com on Thursday.</i></p>
<h3>Match Result</h3>
<table style="text-align: center;" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Blackburn Win</td>
<td>Draw</td>
<td>Reading Win</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17/10</td>
<td>12/5</td>
<td>15/8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The bookies are having a tricky time figuring out a result here. A tenner on each result would net £17 for a Blackburn win, £24 on the draw and £18.75 for Reading to win, so not much to separate any of them. However, any home win that's going to earn you nearly double your stake is a very tempting offer and likewise, given Reading's scratchy form on the road I'm not overly confident when being offered less than 2/1 odds.</p>
<h3>First Goalscorer</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><i>Player</i></td>
<td><i>Odds</i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Y Kermorgant</td>
<td>13/2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>D Samuel</td>
<td>15/2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>R Beerens</td>
<td>9/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>G McCleary</td>
<td>9/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>J Mendes</td>
<td>10/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Y Meite</td>
<td>12/1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C Harriott</td>
<td>14/1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Few surprises in the FGS list, where bookmakers are still offering a rather generous 9/1 on Garath McCleary to be Reading's opening scorer. I wonder whether Dom Samuel has run out of chances following another lacklustre outing at Leeds so maybe this is the day the Yak is unleashed and if so, 12/1 is tasty for a striker who's looked handy in limited action.</p>
<p>Blackburn's Sam Gallagher and Danny Graham are the overall favourites to score first at 11/2 and 6/1 respectively, while our old chums Danny Guthrie and Hope Akpan are both 20/1 to hit the first goal against their former club.</p>
<h3>Championship Betting</h3>
<p>If you got swept up in promotion fever a couple of weeks ago and lumped some money on, well you might be kicking yourself. Back then our odds were as low as 3/1 to go up but today that price has drifted all the way out to <b>9/1.</b> Personally that's a price I'm much, much happier to get involved with and while I'm not sure we're going to do it, the rumoured new ownership and flakey nature of the Championship suddenly make a sneaky £10 bet look a wise investment.</p>
<p>Newcastle are already 1/20 to go up and 1/3 to win the division, despite having more than half the season left to play. Brighton are 3/10 to join them, with Norwich, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Leeds and Fulham all shorter prices than Reading despite sitting below us in the table.</p>
<p>Our <b>relegation odds</b> are 250/1 if you fear a collapse on the scale of Millwall in 1995 when they went from 34 points after 18 games, to end up relegated on 52.</p>
<p><i>That's your lot for this week, as always please gamble responsibly. #gambleaware</i></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/12/15/13965390/reading-fc-bookie-watch-blackburn-aWimb