The Tilehurst End - Reading FC 3-0 Barnsley: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2017-11-30T12:52:39+00:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/164684432017-11-30T12:52:39+00:002017-11-30T12:52:39+00:00Jaap Stam Cautiously Optimistic About Reading FC’s Barnsley Win
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<img alt="Reading v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yAxF-oM8suhdaq1i0VDgrtBKkC0=/1x0:3562x2374/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57800489/881222608.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The gaffer gave his take on the Royals’ 3-0 win over the Tykes at the Mad Stad on Tuesday night. </p> <p id="hAOa3H">‘Positive’ and ‘improvement’ were the two big words after Tuesday’s 3-0 victory against Barnsley at the Madejski Stadium. It was a positive result, with the team scoring three and registering a clean sheet, and now we are unbeaten in three league matches. </p>
<p id="WGrvM4">Dave Edwards scored his second goal since his summer move from Wolves, Joey van den Berg scored a brilliant second and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson bagged a third to secure all three points. But there is definite room for improvement, with the Royals seeming to let Barnsley back into the game in the second half and not capitalising on their first half dominance.</p>
<p id="gHUEjA">Jaap Stam was very happy with the victory but still critical, telling the official club website: </p>
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<p id="aCbNxY">“We deserved the win. We played good football, created chances, scored three goals, kept a clean sheet… so overall a very good evening.</p>
<p id="JQKvdx">“But we’re always very critical of our performances, always looking to details we can be better at, how we can improve.</p>
<p id="UbWxgY">“Looking at the game, I think we could have done better. Perhaps some of the players weren’t as fresh as they could be after Saturday’s game but in my opinion – and the team are of the same opinion – I think we can show a lot more.</p>
<p id="NB7X0T">“We had a lot of the ball and we were a threat throughout, and we scored two good goals in the first half.”</p>
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<p id="h0KD5g">Stam reserved special praise for van den Berg’s wonder goal in the first half, hinting that it’s something they’ve been working on in training. </p>
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<p id="Hq9Pq3">“Joey tries those shots a lot in training and quite often he comes very close; we always say the midfielders that, if they have that space in front of them, they should drive forward and take a shot – just do it!</p>
<p id="366euK">“Joey’s got the ability to do that, as he showed tonight. At first he was looking for a pass to get someone else in, but when you get so close you take your own initiative and have a shot yourself. And it was a great goal for him and important for us to get the second goal as well.</p>
<p id="o348gt">“Then at half-time they made three substitutions, played with two strikers up front and played a bit more direct – and of course there is always that threat then if they get forward.</p>
<p id="b9HLJ9">“And there were a couple of situations in the box, but we did very well in defending the lead, we put a lot of energy into it and worked very hard. So that is very positive. And a clean sheet, scoring three goals… we are happy of course.</p>
<p id="at23p5">“But we raise the bar ourselves, set certain standards for ourselves – and only by doing that do you improve and pick up more good results.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="0hzyP4">Next up for the Royals is a trip to Sunderland on Saturday. Make sure to tune into The Tilehurst End for all our usual preview and post-match content. </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/30/16716960/jaap-stam-optimistic-reading-fc-barnsley-3-0-royals-tykessophierfc102017-11-29T17:10:15+00:002017-11-29T17:10:15+00:00Five Things: Barnsley (Home)
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<img alt="Reading v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CFWKywjyHReCKj1-kXXbXA5GsrA=/0x0:2667x1778/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57789281/881221762.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The key points from Tuesday’s win are picked out by Matthew Cooper</p> <h2 id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1511974629755_1963"><strong>Nine points off the play-offs</strong></h2>
<p id="XxwJ4R">Despite being 10 places off the play-off spots, Reading’s win against Barnsley takes them just nine points away from Derby in 6<sup>th</sup> which goes to show just how close the Championship is, and has always been. Equally, nine points is also the amount that separates the Royals from the relegation zone. </p>
<p id="I7Tktc">Whilst they are closer to the bottom of the table in terms of league placing, the fact that it is the same amount of points which is the difference between League One and a potential Premier League place makes this run of games over Christmas and New Year all the more important. A good run of form shoots Jaap Stam’s men up the table and may even rekindle any hopes of sneaking into the play-offs. However, a bad run of form and Reading could fall close to those dreaded bottom three places and may even cost Stam his job.</p>
<aside id="S2d1Oe"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Reading FC 3-0 Barnsley: Player Ratings","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/28/16712700/reading-fc-3-0-barnsley-player-ratings-jaap-stam-efl-championship"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="X2G0i4"><strong>Perfect Response</strong></h2>
<p id="bXqWKT">After some pretty scathing criticism of the way the Royals played on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday where they were barely able to hit the target, let alone score, it was good to see three goals scored by Dave Edwards, Joey van den Berg and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson. The potential was there to get even more with Liam Moore and Sone Aluko amongst those who had additional chances, and while it would have been nice to put four or five past Barnsley, a comfortable 3-0 win is just what was needed going into an away fixture against a Sunderland. </p>
<p id="ovATDv">Under new manager Chris Coleman, last weekend the Black Cats picked up their first win since August 13th and will be desperate to end their horrendous home form and pick up their first win at the Stadium of Light in 2017. That game will be tougher than it looks on paper.</p>
<aside id="DFpT3K"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Jaap Stam Cautiously Optimistic About Reading FC’s Barnsley Win","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/30/16716960/jaap-stam-optimistic-reading-fc-barnsley-3-0-royals-tykes"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="cBJbqq"><strong>Second straight clean sheet</strong></h2>
<p id="3JUDLB">After being unable to keep a home clean sheet this season until Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, Reading waited just three days to double that number against Barnsley. Obviously clean sheets are massively important in football and hopefully Reading can build up a better record of not conceding at home, which they seem to now be doing, and that can help the Mad Stad become the fortress all Reading fans want it to be. After all, how important was home form to the Royals every time they have been promoted?</p>
<h2 id="ywXaTa"><strong>A first win in four</strong></h2>
<p id="Nl9be0">In last weeks <em>Five Things</em>, I mentioned that on paper, Reading’s form did not seem that bad with the only loss in the last five games coming against table toppers Wolves. However, as with most statistics, there is a flip side, and it was massively important for Reading to start converting draws into wins, which they were able to do at Barnsley. </p>
<p id="hqWuO9">The victory was the Royals’ first set of three points in their last four games. A run of wins is definitely needed to lift some of the pressure at the club and there is not really a fixture in December or January which Reading will find hugely challenging. It will be interesting to see exactly how many points are picked up in those next two months.</p>
<aside id="PJuabK"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The Tilehurst End Podcast 145: Neither Half Empty Nor Half Full","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/29/16715204/the-tilehurst-end-podcast-145-neither-half-empty-nor-half-full-reading-fc-podcast"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="kBznEw"><strong>Unchanged side</strong></h2>
<p id="oCN2Cc">We are nearly four months into 2017-18, but these last two games against Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley mark the first time this season that Jaap Stam has named an unchanged XI. To be fair, Reading have been, and continue to be, plagued by injury woes, with Tiago Ilori, Paul McShane, Jordan Obita, John Swift, Yann Kermorgant and Garath McCleary amongst the key players who have battled fitness issues thus far. </p>
<p id="vyIJFC">However, consistency in selection is extremely important in football for players to understand exactly what their role in the team is as well as allowing them to gel better with their new teammates (massively important considering the Royals added seven new faces over the Summer). Hopefully, the less changes Stam needs to make to the team, the better they will play.</p>
<p id="q4OBsf"></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/29/16715420/five-things-reading-fc-3-0-barnsley-fc-efl-championship-jaap-stam-david-edwardsMatthew Cooper2017-11-29T12:17:38+00:002017-11-29T12:17:38+00:00Reading FC 3-0 Barnsley: Match Report
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<img alt="Reading v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Dp6h4nxoXgnLFLnltsrbJXKlMLw=/0x0:4529x3019/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57785315/881241046.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Ben summarises a crucial victory for Jaap Stam’s Royals.</p> <p id="yFSJgg">Under floodlights at the Madejski Stadium, Reading eased to a comfortable 3-0 win over Barnsley. The much-needed victory pushes the Royals up to 16<sup>th</sup> in the Championship table, now nine points clear of the once-looming drop-zone. Jaap Stam’s side are unbeaten in three games, registering back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.</p>
<p id="PtR2bG">There was a subdued atmosphere at kick-off, with a dwindling home support scattered around the ground and an unease that a Barnsley win could trigger an early exit for many. But, spirits were soon lifted as Reading looked easily the classier outfit in the early exchanges. Neat passing triangles and a succession of intricate one-twos created opportunities for Aluko and Barrow, but an end-product was lacking. Bacuna, whose stock is rising at a justifiably alarming rate, looked to break forward at every opportunity and nearly fashioned an opening on more than one occasion. </p>
<aside id="8u0Yjh"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Reading FC 3-0 Barnsley: Player Ratings","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/28/16712700/reading-fc-3-0-barnsley-player-ratings-jaap-stam-efl-championship"}]}'></div></aside><p id="NjqQUq">Reading looked positive in possession – bright, sparky and determined to prove a point. In the twentieth minute, their pressure paid dividends. Liam Kelly’s corner swirled towards the near post, where Welsh international Dave Edwards stood to head goal-wards. Barnsley’s keeper sprung to his right and appeared to have denied Edwards his second Royals goal, but after a moment’s delay and confusion aplenty, the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line and the goal was awarded. 1-0.</p>
<p id="iXeIhH">Nine minutes later, the home side doubled their advantage. Joey van den Berg is known more for his physicality, last-ditch defending and stubborn ill-discipline, than for his wand of a left foot – but from some 30 yards out, it was the Dutchman that scored Reading’s second. Given far too much space by the Barnsley midfield, Joey drove towards goal with conviction. Once in shooting range and with little other option, the midfielder rifled a shot towards goal which swirled beyond the keeper’s grasps and into the top corner. </p>
<p id="OzA15I">The home crowd rose to their feet in jubilation and forgot, for a moment at least, that they couldn’t feel their fingers in the bitter cold. 2-0. Goalkeeper Adam Davies will be disappointed when he watches the footage – the ball may have swerved, but he should almost certainly have done better.</p>
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<img alt="Reading v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/epLzqgmvgCRrmtgJ7feueQTBfrw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9772923/881221782.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="4fk91d">Riled by their timid start, Barnsley forced several openings in response. Zeki Fryers and George Moncur both saw low crosses diverted away from goal by the Reading back-line, but their best chance fell to 20-year-old attacking midfielder Harvey Barnes. His tame effort from the edge of the box rolled harmlessly into Mannone’s control. Reading stuttered towards the break, failing to match their initial efforts, misplacing too many passes and misjudging crosses in dangerous areas. They held on to their advantage though and, overall, could be fairly pleased with their first-half showing – good, but not great.</p>
<p id="WyTLbQ">Paul Heckingbottom in the away dugout made a triple substitution at the interval in a bid to freshen up the Tykes’ attack. Initially it appeared to work. Tom Bradshaw’s pace and movement provided a new challenge for Moore and McShane, and Harvey Barnes continued to cause problems when cutting in from the left-hand side. They were passing with renewed vigour, perhaps symptomatic of a scathing half-time team talk. Reading were sitting deeper, inviting pressure and hoping to utilise the pace of Barrow and Aluko on the counter-attack. </p>
<p id="EkcA6H">Unfortunately, the Royals were struggling to build momentum. Kelly, tasked with the role of playmaker for the night, couldn’t find his range and too many passes went astray. The slow build-up that has become commonplace under Stam also, at times, hampered their chances of catching the opposition off-guard. Consequently, the game petered out somewhat. </p>
<p id="4TdNaA">When the home-side did venture forward, they were not clinical enough. Barrow, whose pace and trickery flummoxed Andy Yiadom, crossed low to Aluko on the edge of the box, but the ex-Fulham winger skewed wide. Later, Liam Moore found himself in space in the attacking third, but saw his shot cannon off the inside of the post. Reading were almost made to pay for their wastefulness five minutes from time. The impressive Harvey Barnes was slotted in by an audacious back-heel six yards from goal and poked the ball past Vito Mannone. Much to the youngster’s dismay the ball ricocheted off the post and trickled across goal. Liam Moore lunged at the ball and scooped clear – a let-off for the Royals.</p>
<p id="YGUYNx">Two minutes from time, Reading sealed the victory. A short corner on the left-hand side set substitute Adrian Popa free on the edge of the box. The Romanian international curled a delightful effort towards the top corner, Adam Davies tipped the ball onto the woodwork, but another sub, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, was in prime position to head home the rebound. Both Popa and Bodvarsson have arguably been underused by Stam this season and will be delighted to have influenced the game. 3-0 to Reading, and the final whistle followed soon after.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TABLE: A look at the <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyBetChamp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyBetChamp</a> table after wins for <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_ITFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Official_ITFC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadingFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReadingFC</a>... <a href="https://t.co/EdQmiaLviH">pic.twitter.com/EdQmiaLviH</a></p>— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyBetChamp/status/935635807741739010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2017</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="7vCqxG">Ahead of a trip to a revitalised Sunderland side at the weekend, Reading must take positives from Tuesday night’s performance. Three goals, a clean sheet and another giant step towards safety marks a significant improvement on some of the abject displays of recent months, but it doesn’t paper over all of the cracks. With respect to Barnsley, who have performed admirably this season given their summer exodus, they were very poor on this occasion. Reading arguably should have won more emphatically, and had they been less sloppy and laboured in the second half, they may well have done so. </p>
<p id="h8XjG1">Kermorgant still doesn’t look match-fit to me and there are still plenty of ‘square pegs in round holes’, most notably at left back and attacking midfield. As they have done time and again this season, Reading have earned a crucial result when the manager’s job has been under most scrutiny – but with another bottom-half of the table clash on Saturday, the pressure won’t ease just yet.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/29/16714378/reading-fc-3-0-barnsley-match-reportWBWarden2017-11-28T23:10:41+00:002017-11-28T23:10:41+00:00Reading 3-0 Barnsley: Player Ratings
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<img alt="Reading v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ta3QFb-gqneU3whH6z02qwA6wSQ=/0x0:2808x1872/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57780043/881221782.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>How did the Royals perform in their home game against the Tykes? Bucks dishes out the scores. </p> <h1 id="lLYznV">Vito Mannone: 6</h1>
<p id="RrDtRe">Not a huge amount to do, but made some routine saves to preserve his clean sheet. </p>
<h1 id="LSPGmN">Leandro Bacuna: 7</h1>
<p id="nrvpVH">The former Villa man oozes composure and calm on the ball, and looked very comfortable on the ball all night. Not overly troubled by Barnsley's attacks, and drove forward dangerously a few times. </p>
<h1 id="3UU616">Paul McShane: 6</h1>
<p id="GhQvZs">Solid as per, but a little shaky in possession. Brownie points for telling a heckler in the Dolan Stand to, ahem, 'be quiet'. </p>
<h1 id="qMPNqL">Liam Moore: 7</h1>
<p id="b0rjxF">Defensively sound like McShane, and produced a fine goal-line clearance in the second half to deny Barnsley a route back into the game at 2-0. Hit the post in the second half with a driven shot from range. </p>
<h1 id="rAKj2j">Chris Gunter: 6</h1>
<p id="FQy0OZ">Standard no frills Gunter, looked comfortable at left back and got forward a few times. </p>
<h1 id="yyEP26">Joey van den Berg: 7</h1>
<p id="6jXvfU">Threw his weight around effectively to break up Barnsley attacks, but his distribution was mixed. Terrific goal from range to double Reading's lead, although the goalie should perhaps have done better at his near post. </p>
<h1 id="uPHGKJ">Dave Edwards: 6</h1>
<p id="ciqHu5">Didn't stamp his authority on the game as he usually does, instead having a pretty quiet evening. Smart header to open the scoring, but it really should have been saved. </p>
<h1 id="AOhhjI">Liam Kelly: 5</h1>
<p id="RdOXBH">A frustrating night for Kelly who's being asked to provide a creative spark in the absence of John Swift. Unfortunately, he doesn't do well in that advanced role - ineffective when driving forward, muscled off the ball various times, and loose passing. However, he can be happy with his corner that Edwards converted. </p>
<h1 id="jt0dKD">Sone Aluko: 6</h1>
<p id="PruP2i">The summer signing didn't get into the game, but still worked hard and dropped back well to link up play. </p>
<h1 id="pFVjSf">Yann Kermorgant: 5</h1>
<p id="2USEVY">Ineffective. Still off the pace, and suffered both from his own lack of fitness and the team's lack of Swift. Needs game time to get back into the swing of things. </p>
<h1 id="YzLfsv">Modou Barrow: 7</h1>
<p id="3qqIlW">Reading's brightest attacking spark again, Barrow just loves to run at a defence. Used his pace well by charging both down the flank and through the middle. Showed a confidence and positivity that Jimmy Kebe would be proud of. </p>
<h1 id="XwnM45">Subs</h1>
<h1 id="Vmn5za">Jon Dadi Bodvarsson: 7</h1>
<p id="n3EKIR">I wouldn't say he looked sharp per se, but Bodvarsson's energy and intelligent use of strength made him a valuable outlet for a Reading team that was under the cosh a tad in the second half. </p>
<p id="uVcPA3">Grew into the game as it went on, running at the visitors' defence to cause them problems. Excellent predator instincts to get his third goal of the season. </p>
<h1 id="ALuKyY">Adrian Popa: 6</h1>
<p id="7H5cUD">He's alive! Hooray! Stam finally gave the Romanian another chance in first team football. Popa was his usual industrious self, but didn't get much of a chance offensively until a tasty curled shot late on that crashed against the bar. Encouraging, but needs more minutes. </p>
<h1 id="tleBoO">Tiago Ilori: N/A</h1>
<p id="8S7If2">Brought on for Kelly so that Reading could go three at the back for some reason, but not on long enough to have a notable impact. </p>
<h1 id="KsvFcd"><em>Average: 6.23</em></h1>
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<div id="qp_main1957682" fp="5B8B462b-51" results="0" style="border-radius:6px;border:1px solid rgb(150,163,170);margin:0 auto;padding:10px;background:rgb(201,219,229);background:-moz-linear-gradient(top, rgba(242,246,248,1) 0%, rgba(201,219,229,1) 19%, rgba(216,225,231,1) 58%, rgba(224,239,249,1) 100%);background:-webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%,rgba(242,246,248,1)), color-stop(19%,rgba(201,219,229,1)), color-stop(58%,rgba(216,225,231,1)), color-stop(100%,rgba(224,239,249,1)));background:-webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgba(242,246,248,1) 0%,rgba(201,219,229,1) 19%,rgba(216,225,231,1) 58%,rgba(224,239,249,1) 100%);background:-o-linear-gradient(top, rgba(242,246,248,1) 0%,rgba(201,219,229,1) 19%,rgba(216,225,231,1) 58%,rgba(224,239,249,1) 100%);background:-ms-linear-gradient(top, rgba(242,246,248,1) 0%,rgba(201,219,229,1) 19%,rgba(216,225,231,1) 58%,rgba(224,239,249,1) 100%);background:linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(242,246,248,1) 0%,rgba(201,219,229,1) 19%,rgba(216,225,231,1) 58%,rgba(224,239,249,1) 100%);filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr='#F2F6F8', endColorstr='#C9DBE5', GradientType=0);zoom:1;box-sizing:border-box">
<div style="border-radius:6px;font-family:Arial;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;background-color:rgb(89,97,102);color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-bottom:10px;border:1px solid rgb(241,245,248);background: rgb(85,102,111);background: -moz-linear-gradient(top, rgba(85,102,111,1) 0%, rgba(79,91,99,1) 18%, rgba(69,80,87,1) 57%, rgba(73,98,115,1) 100%);background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%,rgba(85,102,111,1)), color-stop(18%,rgba(79,91,99,1)), color-stop(57%,rgba(69,80,87,1)), color-stop(100%,rgba(73,98,115,1)));background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgba(85,102,111,1) 0%,rgba(79,91,99,1) 18%,rgba(69,80,87,1) 57%,rgba(73,98,115,1) 100%);background: -o-linear-gradient(top, rgba(85,102,111,1) 0%,rgba(79,91,99,1) 18%,rgba(69,80,87,1) 57%,rgba(73,98,115,1) 100%);background: -ms-linear-gradient(top, rgba(85,102,111,1) 0%,rgba(79,91,99,1) 18%,rgba(69,80,87,1) 57%,rgba(73,98,115,1) 100%);background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(85,102,111,1) 0%,rgba(79,91,99,1) 18%,rgba(69,80,87,1) 57%,rgba(73,98,115,1) 100%);filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient( startColorstr='#55666f', endColorstr='#496273',GradientType=0);zoom:1;box-sizing:border-box"><div style="padding:10px">Who was your man of the match?</div></div>
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<p id="d2ZcnP">Can’t see the poll? <a href="https://goo.gl/MmqaYb"><strong>Click here.</strong></a></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/28/16712700/reading-fc-3-0-barnsley-player-ratings-jaap-stam-efl-championshipBucksRoyal2017-11-28T14:49:42+00:002017-11-28T14:49:42+00:00The Tilehurst End Prediction League 17/18: Matchday 19 - Barnsley (H)
<figure>
<img alt="Burton Albion v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_TlcgbSWW-1cW9qa04y8zqbjAKA=/284x0:4745x2974/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57770871/868745758.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="JReVfO">There was a variety of predictions for Reading’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, suggesting the game would be too close to call. That indeed proved to be the case, with the two sides playing out a 0-0 draw. Five people predicted that it would end honours even, but none got the scoreline spot on. The updated leaderboard is below. </p>
<p id="qC6RF6">In one of only two Championship fixtures being played tonight, Reading host Barnsley in the teams’ game in hand over most of the rest of the division. The Tykes currently sit one place above the Royals but on the same number of points (20). <strong>All you have to do is guess the score of the game and say who you think will score the first goal in the comments below. </strong>A correct score earns two points, a correct result earns one point as does a correct first goalscorer.</p>
<p id="KjSDuI">To get the ball rolling, I think the score will be 1-0 to Reading, with Sone Aluko being the first goalscorer.</p>
<p id="gHlptN">Good luck!</p>
<h4 id="M66oit">The current leaderboard:</h4>
<h2 id="6Xtojq">13 points</h2>
<p id="vsaTLx">ShiplakeAl</p>
<h2 id="OjGPmI">12 points</h2>
<p id="1OSTwA">EthanRFC_<br>JackRonan</p>
<h3 id="BNP0xL">10 points</h3>
<p id="MFscmj">Fylde coast royal</p>
<h3 id="oAEKXF">8 points</h3>
<p id="UUGgI9">Olly</p>
<h3 id="syUxmj">7 points</h3>
<p id="CFMnIo">1.fcl<br>Will Jones<br>Risk_Taker<br>Glorygerbil</p>
<h2 id="bJu23Z">5 points</h2>
<p id="M8OElT">KildareRoyal<br>Osborns scoop<br>Bacuzzi's Boys<br>RiskAverse</p>
<h3 id="oyzrsK">4 points</h3>
<p id="BB3NjL">TheRoyalViking<br>The inspector<br>Illinois_royal<br>Brum Royal</p>
<h2 id="0BnVm0">3 points</h2>
<p id="ic9pMd">CharlieRFC<br>James - ReadingAwayDays<br>Blaa1980<br>Pete1964<br>MickeyTaker</p>
<h2 id="R8XBAT">2 points</h2>
<p id="7QfU0x">The RFC Vlogger<br>Jake RFC<br>Luke Rogers<br>Christian Taylor<br>Robjs54</p>
<h2 id="rg3FeH">1 point</h2>
<p id="3CmO4u">X210<br>Will Symons<br>Jamie Westcar<br>Football Fan<br>Billal Benassar<br>Ben Hayward<br>Ram Pandariram<br>Harry Crawford<br>ITZ HAZZ<br>Sky Bet Championship<br>Rich Gallagher</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/28/16707412/prediction-league-17-18-matchday-19-reading-fc-vs-barnsley-efl-championship-28-november-2017Olly_Allen2017-11-28T10:24:24+00:002017-11-28T10:24:24+00:00The Home Team Hasn’t Done Very Well In Reading-Barnsley Games Of Late
<figure>
<img alt="Barnsley v Reading - npower Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bmCWVKvVOA5-0Cjk0f-MgtoOZIA=/18x0:3500x2321/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57769005/141485720.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>And we’re at home tonight...</p> <p id="x6BBFP">Backing the home team is a pretty sturdy way to go about predicting the result of any game of football, particularly when it takes place between two middling Championship sides like Reading and Barnsley.</p>
<p id="6syA8Y">However, the home team hasn’t won any game between these teams in their last seven meetings.</p>
<p id="NkLlTG">Not since the Royals grabbed a late 3-0 win at home to the Tykes in September 2010 has the game ended in the locals going home happy, be that at Oakwell or the Madejski Stadium.</p>
<div id="wwVnng"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUSirVaYCqM?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="ZPhK0v">In fact, taking aside Reading’s other win in Berkshire, a 1-0 triumph in the 2009/10 campaign, this curious streak has some real legs.</p>
<p id="ahcZmj">That’s because the home team has only won this fixture twice this century, that’s 13 games with the last meeting of the previous century also being a 1-1 draw in 1998.</p>
<p id="c77sNK">Across the last 14 matches between the two, Barnsley have won three (all at the Mad Stad), Reading have won seven (five of which were in Yorkshire) and there have been four draws (three of which were in Reading).</p>
<p id="v6g5bT">Will that change tonight?</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/28/16709138/reading-fc-barnsley-form-records-previewThe Tilehurst End News Desk2017-11-27T14:27:18+00:002017-11-27T14:27:18+00:00Three To Watch: Barnsley (H)
<figure>
<img alt="Burton Albion v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZvYyaFulmkMJbk7cRYufU-P96Io=/0x0:4112x2741/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57754305/868732758.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Featuring a young attacking talent, a proven goalscorer and a former Royal. </p> <h2 id="J9BEMC">
<strong>Harvey Barnes</strong> </h2>
<p id="ByAt1F">The 19 year-old left winger is on loan at Barnsley from former Premier League champions Leicester City, where he graduated through the academy. He’s had a cracking start to life in South Yorkshire, having already registered five goals and four assists for the Tykes. That makes him, statistically, Barnsley’s best attacking player, with those nine goal contributions the highest return in the squad. </p>
<p id="EGIQ4q">In terms of playing style, Barnes loves to dribble at a defender before cutting inside onto his stronger right foot, then either having a pop at goal or playing in a teammate. In fact, he boasts the joint second highest number of shots per game in the Barnsley team (1.7), whereas only Adam Hammill and Zeki Fryers make more dribbles per match. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Tottenham Hotspur v Barnsley - Carabao Cup Third Round" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Rva8mOCKocHO2IkhF_AIY3lcUlM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9757071/849635238.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="3EChVG">His impressive attacking talent has caught the eye at international level too, with Barnes turning out for England’s u18 and u20 sides. In total, he’s grabbed six goals in eight games for the Three Lions’ youth teams. </p>
<h2 id="kXqZpl"><strong>Tom Bradshaw</strong></h2>
<p id="jPOaTc">A key beneficiary of Barnes’ attacking prowess has been top-scorer Tom Bradshaw - the Barnes-to-Bradshaw link has led to three goals this season, beaten only by Wolves’ Bonatini-to-Jota (four goals). In total, Bradshaw has found the net six times, which is likely helped by his tendency to get plenty of shots away - his rate of 1.9 per game is equalled only by Adam Hammill. </p>
<p id="zWjsEV">Unlike Barnes, Bradshaw moved upwards in the Football League to end up at Barnsley - he started his career at hometown club Shrewsbury, before joining Walsall. His impressive goalscoring record in the Midlands - 40 goals in 86 appearances - won him plenty of Championship admirers. </p>
<aside id="nx0Kyy"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Lower League Roundup: November 27th 2017","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/27/16704110/lower-league-roundup-november-27th-2017-one-two-reading-fc-efl"}]}'></div></aside><p id="e7p3BO">Amongst them were Reading, with then-manager <a href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/reading-fc-transfers-tom-bradshaw-10802526">Brian McDermott reported to be interested</a> in bringing Bradshaw to the Mad Stad around the time the forward lined up for Walsall in the FA Cup against the Royals. </p>
<p id="PjSVEI">However, he ultimately joined Barnsley later that year, where he’s scored 14 goals in 66 appearances. That may seem modest, but Bradshaw now has a big chance to shine in front of goal after the club lost striker Sam Winnall last January. </p>
<h2 id="xSbody"><strong>Angus MacDonald</strong></h2>
<p id="7BIMZ9">Continuing Barnsley’s tradition of developing centre halves that once appeared in Reading’s academy is 25 year-old Angus MacDonald (the other one is current Swansea City man Alfie Mawson). MacDonald never played for the Royals’ first team, instead featuring on loan for the likes of Basingstoke, Wimbledon and Salisbury. </p>
<aside id="IQAD6O"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Reading 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday: Back To Square One","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/27/16703930/reading-0-0-sheffield-wednesday-match-report-efl-championship-jaap-stam-royals-owls"}]}'></div></aside><p id="ZLaqbz">In the end, he joined Salisbury on a free transfer, before then making a transfer to another former loan side - Torquay United. In the summer of 2016, Barnsley shelled out the cash to land the highly-rated centre half, and he’s gone on to play more than 50 times for the Tykes since. </p>
<p id="OIjXfo">MacDonald <a href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/barnsley-v-reading-fc-former-11896210">himself admitted in September 2016</a> that games against Reading hold a special significance:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="CwjJD6">“The game means a little bit more to me. But I won’t change anything from the last few matches.</p>
<p id="RYpjft">“I had good and bad times there. It was disappointing when I got released. I was there a long time and I would have liked to have made an appearance.</p>
<p id="Rdklnm">“I was only around the first team a couple of times but it was a good experience. I am proud to be back in the same division as them.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="J9YcRN">Reading won that game 2-1. </p>
<p id="hbUr1h">Only time will tell, but MacDonald looks like being another entry in the ongoing ‘one that got away’ series. </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/11/27/16704172/three-to-watch-barnsley-reading-fc-jaap-stam-efl-championship-royals-tykesBucksRoyal