The Tilehurst End - Reading FC 2-0 Birmingham City: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2018-08-16T14:08:27+01:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/174479032018-08-16T14:08:27+01:002018-08-16T14:08:27+01:00Fan Verdict: Royals Earn First Win Since April
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<img alt="Reading v Crystal Palace - Pre-Season Friendly" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oqch0DVokCP6UJ1ijLBGUlZk3N8=/0x0:3376x2251/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60859405/1007131860.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fanbase reaction to a comfortable victory over Birmingham City at the Mad Stad. </p> <p id="a8c5Qy">Reading headed into the Carabao Cup fixture looking for their first win in all competitions (including pre-season friendlies) since April, and they duly delivered with an impressive performance against a much-changed <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city">Birmingham City</a>. </p>
<p id="ff6CJA">A brilliant team goal opened the scoring, capped with an emphatic finish by Yakou Meite, and John Swift doubled the lead in the second half with a sumptuous free kick that dipped and swerved out of the reach of Lee Camp. Here’s what the Reading fans had to say about the win and some of the key moments of Tuesday night... </p>
<h2 id="X8N7tV">
<strong>Liam Moore</strong> </h2>
<p id="H2yH0l">It was pretty obvious before the game that this was going to be the fixture that saw Liam Moore integrated back into the side, but the question was how would his return be greeted by the Reading faithful? For the majority, very well. </p>
<p id="9IXsmu">Moore was also given the armband by Clement in the absence of Paul McShane, and slotted back in seamlessly with a typically solid display. Let’s have a look at what some of the Reading fans thought of Moore’s return. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anyone questioning Moore’s commitment to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a> shouldn’t have...100% and a great leader</p>— Mason Man (@Macey1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Macey1/status/1029456300059582464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liam Moore Captain ⚪️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a></p>— Joshua Lamb (@lambeyyy1871) <a href="https://twitter.com/lambeyyy1871/status/1029435865804750849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The teams are out and we're almost ready to go. Big cheer as captain Liam Moore's name is read out. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReadingFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReadingFC</a></p>— Tom Crocker (@TomJCrocker) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomJCrocker/status/1029442386487857152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="tmsK8o">
<strong>Mo Barrow </strong> </h2>
<p id="7iz1ld">Without doubt, Mo Barrow is one of Reading’s most powerful attacking weapons. His pace and trickery is enough to frighten most of the defenders in this league and Reading need him in the team consistently if they are going to challenge towards the top end of the table. </p>
<p id="uZa2fN">So, I think every Reading fan had their heart in their mouths when he went off injured midway through the first half on Tuesday night. With Sone Aluko, <span>Garath McCleary</span> and Adrian Popa all sidelined at the moment, it may leave the Royals with very little options on the wing. Here’s how <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/">Reading FC</a> Twitter reacted to the Gambian’s injury... </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge shame to lose Modou Barrow to injury. Looked bright as always. Hope he recovers quickly as the injuries to Reading wingers are really piling up. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a> <a href="https://t.co/jLoRZT1mRX">pic.twitter.com/jLoRZT1mRX</a></p>— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkReading/status/1029481224799178752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">McNulty and Baldock look very good. Meite a massive threat too. Very good first half that. Hopefully Barrow injury isn’t too bad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a></p>— Alex Stone (@_alexgstone) <a href="https://twitter.com/_alexgstone/status/1029458644469985280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good start from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a> but tailed off after scoring. Barrow injury awful news, given that he is always the chief attacking threat and the position has been absolutely decimated. Never known a club to have such persistent, widespread injury issues. Every single year.</p>— George Flood (@GeorgeFlood24) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeFlood24/status/1029456973161484288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yeah this is why Barrow shouldn't have played.... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a></p>— Nath St Paul (@NathStPaul) <a href="https://twitter.com/NathStPaul/status/1029449320037269504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="Z3Vh3c">
<strong>A win... finally!</strong> </h2>
<p id="9C99Ze">Reading have been searching for a win since a scrappy (but very important) 1-0 victory over Preston in April. The long wait finally came to an end on Tuesday night, which is the least Reading deserve considering their impressive performances in the opening two games of the season. </p>
<p id="GfxD1d">Marc McNulty and Sam Baldock linked up very effectively together, Meite looked very good once again and Swift showed signs of rediscovering his form from Stam’s first season. Tuesday night’s victory was a massive monkey off the back and now Reading can look forward to Saturday afternoon against Bolton with confidence of getting another win. Reading fans on Twitter certainly reacted well to the 2-0 win... </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not often as a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a> fan I wake up to a win and a clean sheet </p>— Nick Crook (@nickmightyroyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/nickmightyroyal/status/1029624301455110144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice to see a Reading win tonight, even in the cup against a poor opposition. Hopefully that confidence boost we needed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a></p>— Paulo (@gutted27) <a href="https://twitter.com/gutted27/status/1029488964686761985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quality all over the park tonight, get a win Saturday and we’re be up and running <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a></p>— Matty Dempster (@DempsterRfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/DempsterRfc/status/1029482067111936000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to get a win under our belts, hopefully we've now got some confidence to get some wins in the league. Some really positive signs, nice attacking football on show. Good performances from Walker, Yiadom, O'Shea, Meite, Baldock and McNulty. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#readingfc</a></p>— Harrison Mitchell (@harrison1871rfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/harrison1871rfc/status/1029475885085351938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="KKVHTp"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p id="KOeeUQ">Tuesday night was a comfortable win - not every game will be against a second-string Birmingham City team, but the confidence that win will give the team is vital. Hopefully the boys can kick on now and start getting positive results in the league starting on Saturday afternoon against Bolton. Let’s all get behind the boys.</p>
<p id="22FRfr">URZ!</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/16/17692784/fan-verdict-reading-fc-2-0-birmingham-city-royals-bluesharry.chafer2018-08-16T08:00:02+01:002018-08-16T08:00:02+01:00Royals 2-0 Blues: The Alternative View
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<img alt="Birmingham City v Brighton and Hove Albion - Pre-Season Friendly" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TM8Qv2OoWz4TaDo2UVp8G3rylWc=/280x0:3328x2032/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60853979/1006824000.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It happened! Win number one of the season!</p> <p id="WTmlES">On a pretty pleasant night in RG2, Reading finally got their first win of the season. Yes this was the Carabao Cup, yes it was a youthful Birmingham side, but given the respective line-ups, really it was one that Reading had to win.</p>
<p id="G2hGk0">This was a pressure game for both sides with neither having had the greatest start to the season. The cup hasn’t really proved a brilliant competition for Reading over the years, and normally mass changes and managers giving youth players a start is the order of the day, generally lead to pretty poor games.</p>
<p id="J7vfBa">From Reading’s perspective it was interesting to see the man mountain in Sam Walker given a start (not that he had much to do until the dying stages of the game), and also to see the Marc McNulty/Sam Baldock partnership which for me looked excellent.</p>
<p id="5gwKN1">The Blues fans on the other hand have nothing to be happy with. Issues surrounding goalkeepers, investment and Garry Monk’s approach seem to be creating a toxic atmosphere around St Andrew’s with the butt of the tweets surrounding relegation (we’re only two league games and a cup game in!), the goalkeeping situation and investment in the club.</p>
<p id="nP6SMN">It’s fair to say that the Blues fans are expecting a long, hard season this year – something that I have no doubt that <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> and Wolves will take enjoyment from.</p>
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<h2 id="uMV0Qp"><strong>Social</strong></h2>
<h3 id="SEQJTE"><strong>Sour grapes?</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reading fans, lads,what are you doing?<br><br>Drums✔<br>Goal music✔<br>European songs✔<br>Embarrassing ultra 'block'✔<br>13th player is 'reading fans'✔<br><br>I think the best thing for you lot to do at this point is just start over again. Liquidate and start all over again <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFC</a></p>— Brad Cooper (@bradcoopa) <a href="https://twitter.com/bradcoopa/status/1029711327466545152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="ARRbFx"><strong>This automatic right to win that we keep seeing...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just not good enough losing to Reading. Need to foster a winning mindset not treat it as a leg stretch for fringe players...the aim of every club is to win matches. Fans have been let down again...I hope players and coaches are gutted but I somehow doubt it <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bcfc</a></p>— Bluenose (@Nortonian) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nortonian/status/1029486917585395712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="x4xeSg"><strong>Hang on... common sense?</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We can use the usual excuses like it was only the league cup or it was a 2nd string team,but the fact is we need a win soon before the lack of confidence becomes a cancer that condemns us to another relegation battle. ☹️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KRO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KRO</a> <a href="https://t.co/l8jORUDLtb">pic.twitter.com/l8jORUDLtb</a></p>— monty (@montybcfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/montybcfc/status/1029479177140006918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="mwLmDv"><strong>Not convinced many keepers would have saved the goals...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just seen the goals from last night, I think Lee Camp has just about got up from trying to save them.... Christ he’s slow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blues?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blues</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bcfc</a> <a href="https://t.co/1n1LGuxgUU">pic.twitter.com/1n1LGuxgUU</a></p>— Pompey_Bluenose (@southcoastnose) <a href="https://twitter.com/southcoastnose/status/1029714919111974912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="T0iFyt"><strong>Seeing a trend...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Never put Lee Camp in goal, every again. Monk what are you thinking? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFC</a></p>— BCFC4EVER (@BCFC2018UPDATES) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCFC2018UPDATES/status/1029466541472067586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="kxl2z7"><strong>Yep... Lee Camp isn’t on many people’s Christmas lists...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What really hurts is we have a perfectly good goalkeeper sat at home watching 999 what's your emergency <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFC</a></p>— BeatusBluey (@Bluey_Bcfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bluey_Bcfc/status/1029466897606168577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="OXEKt2"><strong>Bit early for relegation talk...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Every game that passes makes me question my faith in Monk, writing is on the wall.This is a worse start to a season than the last two. Make of that what you will but defeat Friday would really start the panic. It would be 1 point out of 9 and that’s relegation all over it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFC</a></p>— Andy Bavington (@oftenpartizan) <a href="https://twitter.com/oftenpartizan/status/1029476992763273221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="RcMqf3"><strong>Just chuckle...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We underestimated. A Monk isn’t going to be enough to save us. We’re going to need the Pope or the baby Jebus himself <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFC</a></p>— spilt chips™ (@spilt_chips) <a href="https://twitter.com/spilt_chips/status/1029466573696839680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="WVvsS8"><strong>Um... not convinced...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I thought the performance was positive. Yes, we've not got the result, but Reading had the busier keeper tonight and I thought the youngsters were pretty sharp. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFC</a></p>— Gary J. Richards (@TheGJRichards) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGJRichards/status/1029474427975749632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="Nqq6zz"><strong>Think the word delusional is appropriate...</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blues making 11 changes proving that we're the big boys in this competition <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bcfc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CarabaoCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CarabaoCup</a></p>— Luke Phillips (@_lukephillips) <a href="https://twitter.com/_lukephillips/status/1029433393900150784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="Nctw2t"><strong>Song time - they just get better and better!</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rhythm is a Dan Scarr<br>It's a soul companion<br>You can feel it everywhere <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bcfc</a> <a href="https://t.co/0SqnkWsrkO">https://t.co/0SqnkWsrkO</a></p>— Joe Danks (@danksy1505) <a href="https://twitter.com/danksy1505/status/1029428203763494914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="67QAbd"><strong>Media</strong></h2>
<h3 id="iU72Hk"><strong>Enough said...</strong></h3>
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<img alt="World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship - Final Round" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZJwdU98EoivV-uC0uhzQyjsMfro=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/12057715/163142132.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images</cite>
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<h2 id="wGrPkU"><strong>Summary</strong></h2>
<p id="a8nkgC">Ok, so Birmingham had very much a fringe team, Reading rested only a couple of players and there was some sloppy play. However, a win is a win regardless of who you play. </p>
<p id="W74lur">It can’t be emphasised enough how much we needed this and it will mean nothing if we can’t kick on against Bolton on Saturday. The fixture list may not have been too kind to us, given us four Midlands clubs in the first five games, but what we have seen is some embryonic shoots of quality from some of the players. </p>
<p id="iRuIFJ">Yakou Meite looked good, albeit a little raw and probably needs this season to mature, but he has come back from France a much better player than when he went. There are frustrating aspects to his game and he’s gonna be hammered a lot this season as well as praised. </p>
<p id="DADZwt">The partnership between Baldock and McNulty looks good, with Baldock in particular showing that he has a football brain with some excellent positional play and spins that will get him results this season. Andy Yiadom has set Clement a big problem as when <span>Chris Gunter</span> is fit, I can’t see him displacing Yiadom given his current excellent form. Having Liam Moore back is also a positive and all now seems to be forgiven.</p>
<p id="GSVSh1">All in all, although one game doesn’t mean we are going to be up there, there are reasons to be positive. Rome wasn’t built in a day and maybe we need a solid season this year to build upon.</p>
<p id="IUkbWQ">We go on – as said before, the Bolton game is mightily important to get the three points before we carry on our Championship journey with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/blackburn-rovers">Blackburn Rovers</a> and Aston Villa away.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/16/17695030/reading-fc-2-0-birmingham-city-alternative-view-royals-bluesdavemc_exile2018-08-16T07:00:02+01:002018-08-16T07:00:02+01:00Clement On Birmingham Win: Our Two Goals Were Excellent
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<img alt="Reading v Ipswich Town - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FwHJkfVd2cn556VH5Xf4IkSaP40=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60849869/952391428.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Reading got their first win of 2018/19 on Tuesday night and the manager was understandably delighted.</p> <p id="F7cBIS">Our first win of the season! We are through to the second round of the Carabao Cup after a 2-0 victory against Birmingham City.</p>
<p id="basutT">Liam Moore captained the side, and Paul Clement made plenty of changes from Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest. Yakou Meite scored our first and a late free kick by John Swift secured our place in the second round which will give us confidence going into the clash with Bolton on Saturday,</p>
<p id="drUzS8">Clement was very pleased with the victory and told the <a href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk">official club website</a> and <a href="https://www.football.london/reading-fc/">Get Reading</a>, “I’m really pleased – it’s our first win in a while. Overall I’m happy to be in the next round – there are lots of positive things.</p>
<h3 id="Ogjxk2"><strong>On players making their debut</strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="zFbm0w">“A few players that made full debuts today. It was a clean sheet for Sam Walker, John O’Shea came on at the end, and Marc McNulty played from the start.</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="oeDulv"><strong>On Reading’s attacking play</strong></h3>
<blockquote>
<p id="N8g3ob">“Our attacking play was good and we created a lot. I would have liked to be more comfortable, because at 1-0 you can always smell a chance coming for the other team – and they did have a couple of chances before we got our second.</p>
<p id="GLhdB6">“But our two goals were excellent. The second was a dead ball, a lovely strike, and that’s something that John practices.</p>
<p id="sslACS">“And I liked the first goal particularly. We split them apart with some really good movement.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 id="OsjAfy"><strong>On areas of improvement</strong></h3>
<blockquote>
<p id="lcmyzZ">“We have lots to improve on still. I saw loads of things that we have to get better at. We will play against some really good teams this season and we’ll have to keep improving all the time.</p>
<p id="SgoIaG">“Our togetherness and unity is going to be really important for us this season. When someone dips in form a little bit, someone else needs to be there. And that competition for places is healthy.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 id="FoV0ez"><strong>On the Bolton game</strong></h3>
<blockquote>
<p id="vmPYA2">“We’ve got to put in another performance on Saturday to get us up and running in the league.</p>
<p id="ycxMH8">“We are at home again and the support of our fans has been great.</p>
<p id="M0yKia">“The fans are starting to see the identity of the team and I think they quite like it.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="hCfu9F"></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/16/17693206/paul-clement-on-reading-fc-2-0-birmingham-city-royals-carabao-cup-round-onesophierfc102018-08-15T09:39:41+01:002018-08-15T09:39:41+01:00Reading Have No Wingers Left
<figure>
<img alt="Reading v Sheffield United - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qr8syNYWp8moUf8DhEqdUX1DSto=/152x0:4948x3197/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60843483/925128484.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Literally none at all. </p> <p id="LabJhs">Paul Clement has been seen desperately running around the Madejski Stadium in search of wingers. The Reading manager faces the tricky prospect of going into Saturday’s game at home to <a href="https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/">Bolton Wanderers</a> without any wide players as they’ve somehow managed to all get themselves injured. </p>
<p id="MCYR7f">Modou Barrow and Yakou Meite are the latest players to potentially be on the sidelines - both starting the League Cup tie against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city">Birmingham City</a> but coming off during the game. According to Clement, who was speaking to the media after the game, Barrow’s groin tightened up, whilst Meite got a nasty bump on his arm. The manager said:</p>
<blockquote><p id="qGnl6e">“Mo and Yakou will be assessed before the weekend, but come on guys, we all know they’ll be out for the next six months.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="IZ2qFx">They join long-term absentees <span>Garath McCleary</span>, Adrian Popa and Callum Harriott - who hasn’t been spotted in a Reading shirt since the 1988 Simod Cup Final. Sone Aluko has also not been involved in the last two matches - no change there then. </p>
<p id="Nu5qaf">Desperate for wide options to play in his 4-4-2 system, Clement has been spotted sneaking around the Madejski Stadium, looking for wingers down the back of people’s sofas. Speaking exclusively to The Tilehurst End, Technical Director Brian Tevreden explained what happened:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="XFkYfI">“I’m not giving you your stupid quotes - Meite only got a knock on his ribs, not a ‘nasty bump on his arm’ so he’ll be back at the weekend and this whole piece will look stupid. </p>
<p id="vAjsjl">“And how did you get into my office?”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="7CMgGw">This may leave Paul Clement having to play his son, Pelle, as a makeshift winger. The Dutchman is normally a central player, but has been used out wide by Reading in the past. However, sources close to the player says he is “busy washing his hair” on Saturday so won’t be able to make it. </p>
<p id="OouSWq">However, John O’Shea, still giddy from the cheers he got from the Madejski Stadium crowd on Tuesday night, has said he’ll give it a go.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/15/17691908/reading-fc-have-no-wingers-left-royals-madejski-stadiumBucksRoyal2018-08-14T23:26:39+01:002018-08-14T23:26:39+01:00Player Ratings: Moore Back With A Bang, Swift Inconsistent
<figure>
<img alt="Sunderland v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xcaIt68CyviraW2vwkRws5U1_zQ=/0x0:3500x2333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60839429/885944616.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images,</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Vote for your man of the match from Tuesday’s win.</p> <h3 id="jQZxWW"><strong>Sam Walker: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="BRbmdu">Forced into a couple of late saves on a pretty quiet night. A promising glimpse at the new goalkeeper with initial suspicions that he is an absolutely massive human confirmed.</p>
<h3 id="PLMgCD"><strong>Andy Yiadom: 7</strong></h3>
<p id="pRKrHy">It is getting rather difficult to foresee Chris Gunter’s way back into the team amid Yiadom’s early days in Berkshire. The ex-Barnsley right-back is playing like he’s the one who’s clocked over 250 appearances for the club.</p>
<h3 id="WbsTwb"><strong>Liam Moore: 7</strong></h3>
<p id="dZtuGD">No dramas. No drama in amongst the fans as he led the team out, or as his name was read out. And, most importantly, no drama on the pitch. Calm, intelligent, and living up to his status as captain for the night. Hard to see why he won’t be in the team on Saturday.</p>
<h3 id="Jj8Dcz"><strong>Tiago Ilori: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="7Upr2O">Also solid and dependable, shifting across to right-back late on when required. The less Ilori hits the headlines, the better, and he’s quietly gone about his business so far this season.</p>
<h3 id="y30hcT"><strong>Tyler Blackett: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="lRZsat">Ditto. Looked confident in defence and only lacked a bit of combination play when coming into attack.</p>
<h3 id="GvklLR"><strong>Yakou Meite: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="CDndAF">It looks like Meite will be sticking around for the foreseeable future and hopefully he’ll develop and diversify his game in the meantime. Took his goal excellently, as he excels whenever he’s asked to use his pace or physicality. In the other moments... he’s less good.</p>
<h3 id="GXkvp4"><strong>Leandro Bacuna: 5</strong></h3>
<p id="Uw6u49">The Birmingham fans certainly enjoyed his skied shot from the edge of the area in the first half and a similar error in controlling the ball a short while later underlined that it’s tough to know exactly what Bacuna’s greatest strength is. Destined for a squad role in the coming months.</p>
<h3 id="wL5ief"><strong>John Swift: 5</strong></h3>
<p id="TzaTEb">Started badly, didn’t grow into the game, scored a great free-kick, and ended up somewhere in the middle. Swift seems to be such a confidence played that it’s no surprise he perked up after the goal, but in the 70 minutes beforehand his final ball was wayward, movement timid, and he misplaced even the simplest of passes.</p>
<aside id="4kNv9V"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Reading 2-0 Birmingham: Match Report","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17690658/reading-fc-2-0-birmingham-city-league-cup-2018"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="f00c0v"><strong>Mo Barrow: 5</strong></h3>
<p id="UGUdTa">Didn’t get into the game except for one rapid run down the flank. Withdrawn after picking up an injury that he initially tried to play through.</p>
<h3 id="3tWKU2"><strong>Marc McNulty: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="xYN4i8">There’s definitely something there. The Scot has a creative spark and does well in finding space in between the lines. Now it’s a question of gaining consistency, experience in dealing with strong defenders, and spotting a chance to grab that all important first goal.</p>
<h3 id="s6ozOW"><strong>Sam Baldock: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="zVb0M7">Complements McNulty well in his pace and preference to sit on the shoulder of the defender. Didn’t quite click for him in front of goal but played a key part in Meite’s opener.</p>
<h2 id="IhtxaF"><strong>Subs</strong></h2>
<h3 id="rrfAvt"><strong>Pelle Clement: 5</strong></h3>
<p id="m0jbkV">Introduced for Barrow and his lack of impact makes it hard to see Paul Clement ever using the Dutchman by choice, but injury problems could elevate him to a starting spot against Bolton nonetheless.</p>
<h3 id="OqWOn4"><strong>Andy Rinomhota: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="Z1tzZc">Perhaps not the midfield enforcer that the team are crying out for at the moment, the academy graduate made a couple of decent actions off the bench while also getting booked.</p>
<h3 id="Kf6D4M"><strong>John O’Shea: 10</strong></h3>
<p id="T0agnX">A flawless debut from the veteran defender. Made a number of key interventions and was an exemplary force in the backline for the final ten minutes, and the crowd loved every moment of it. And I’m not even being that sarcastic.</p>
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<input type="hidden" name="qp_d2039306" value="43327.3484490774-43327.3484679033"><div style="display:block;color:#6B6B6B;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif, Arial;font-size:1em;line-height:1.5;padding:13px 8px 11px;margin:10px 0px;clear:both" class="qp_a" onclick="var c=this.getElementsByTagName('INPUT')[0]; if((!event.target?event.srcElement:event.target).tagName!='INPUT'){c.checked=(c.type=='radio'?true:!c.checked)};var i=this.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('INPUT');for(var k=0;k!=i.length;k=k+1){i[k].parentNode.parentNode.setAttribute('sel',i[k].checked?1:0)}"><span style="display:block;padding-left:30px;cursor:inherit"><input style="float:left;width:20px;margin-left:-25px;margin-top:2px;padding:0px;height:20px;-webkit-appearance:radio;" name="qp_v2039306" type="radio" value="1">Liam Moore</span></div>
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https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17690744/reading-fc-2-0-birmingham-city-league-cup-2018-ratingsMarc Mayo2018-08-14T23:01:35+01:002018-08-14T23:01:35+01:00Reading 2-0 Birmingham: Match Report
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OyjrCgVa--Sf5ROKArPpMZIzZiY=/0x0:2149x1433/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60839221/889005766.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Two smartly taken goals were behind Tuesday night’s EFL Cup win.</p> <p id="KUSK7o">Yakou Meite and John Swift scored in either half to give Reading passage to the next round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, the Royals winning 2-0 over Birmingham City.</p>
<h3 id="FWmlHp">First Half</h3>
<p id="QBs4J9">Any sense of expectations going into a first round League Cup tie against a divisional rival will always be set around the team selection, and with five changes to their opponent’s eleven, victory was to be demanded of Reading from the outset.</p>
<p id="I8d7uo">For the first half, the game was played out exactly how those rotations would suggest. The hosts’ 4-4-2 creating enough pressure to keep Birmingham penned in with little by the way of a reply. Much of this was also down to Liam Moore’s return to the team, the only change in a back-four that basically only served to strengthen it.</p>
<p id="BsnVrv">With a calm base to build from, Reading were held back by their final ball over anything else in the first 45 and Meite’s 11th minute strike came via the only real moment everything fell into place. Some neat one-touch passing between Sam Baldock and full debutant Marc McNulty sent the Frenchman through, and he drilled home at Lee Camp’s near-post.</p>
<p id="ZOl2j3">The Blues’ intent to sit back and edge through to penalties didn’t alter until after the break and, bar a poorly cleared set-piece, Sam Walker enjoyed a quiet start to life at the Madejski Stadium.</p>
<h3 id="NUB7ZW">Second Half</h3>
<p id="Ou9nCC">Gary Monk sent his side out with much more edge in the second period, pushing Reading back with a Viv Solomon-Otabor header clearing the bar when it really should have levelled the match.</p>
<p id="vhQpFW">From then on, the Royals got their act together and nearly made the most of the burgeoning creative partnership of McNulty and Baldock, when the former’s sharp cross somehow evaded his teammate with the goal at his mercy. With the former Coventry man’s ability to drop off and find space, albeit with a slight lack of end product at this moment in time, combined with Baldock’s pace and finishing ability, there is something to build up for Paul Clement going forward.</p>
<p id="WaTufe">Alas it was John Swift who secured the win, stepping up for a close-range free-kick to end an otherwise sloppy performance by curling the ball delicately over goalkeeper Camp.</p>
<aside id="3czswm"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Player Ratings: Moore Back With A Bang, Swift Inconsistent","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17690744/reading-fc-2-0-birmingham-city-league-cup-2018-ratings"}]}'></div></aside><p id="F5AcVJ">Birmingham enjoyed a couple of chances that Walker was more than a match for in the open final moments of the tie, John O’Shea being introduced to shore up the defence amid initially ironic cheers that turned into full blooded cries of affection after the Irishman made a number of intelligent interceptions. However it was Meite who he came on for, due to an injury for the goalscorer that added to Mo Barrow’s earlier substitution to add two more fitness doubts into Clement’s mind for the weekend clash with Bolton.</p>
<p id="oppsYU">Ultimately, though, it will be Reading’s name in the hat for the second round draw and a first win since April in any kind of first-team match was a warmly welcomed sight by the Madejski crowd.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17690658/reading-fc-2-0-birmingham-city-league-cup-2018Marc Mayo2018-08-14T15:05:29+01:002018-08-14T15:05:29+01:00Royals vs Blues: League Cup Match Preview
<figure>
<img alt="Birmingham City v Brighton and Hove Albion - Pre-Season Friendly" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Euw9EYKEtgsF_opdQyMwlQPKZdo=/278x0:5234x3304/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60832249/1007217408.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Paul Clement’s Royals take on Garry Monk’s Blues for a spot in the next round of the Carabao Cup. </p> <p id=":om">Following a frustrating start to their Championship campaign, Paul Clement’s Royals now turn their attention to the EFL Cup, as they look to finally kickstart their season against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city">Birmingham City</a>. However, this could be a tall order against a side who have proven to be a bit of a bogey side for Reading of late - in fact, they have not beaten the Blues at the Madejski Stadium since 2013.</p>
<h2 id="SivGNO"><strong>Reading</strong></h2>
<h3 id="bqV8Bc"><strong>Form: LL</strong></h3>
<p id="rQz5lt"><strong>Last year: lost 0-2 in the 3rd round to Swansea City</strong></p>
<p id="drTWuF">After those agonising defeats to Derby and Forest, Tuesday night’s game against Birmingham not only gives Paul Clement the chance to rack up his first win of the 2018/19 season, but it also means that he may have the chance to give a run-out to some of the newer faces on display within the team.</p>
<aside id="wKVXu9"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"The Fringe Players In Line For An Appearance Against Birmingham City","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17687666/the-fringe-players-in-line-for-an-appearance-against-birmingham-city-reading-fc-royals"}]}'></div></aside><p id="Y1EWqf">It is likely that summer signings John O’Shea and Marc McNulty will be handed time on the pitch as they both make their way up to full fitness, with new arrival Sam Walker also in contention to replace regular stopper Vito Mannone in the Royals’ net. Leandro Bacuna and Pelle Clement could also be brought into the midfield, with formerly want-away and now ‘wants to stay’ Liam Moore another who is likely to feature in the squad. It would also not be surprising to see Clement give youth a chance, with Andy Rinomhota the most probable starter from the pool of young talent available to the boss.</p>
<h2 id="gzYTdO"><strong>Birmingham City</strong></h2>
<h3 id="qcHvRz"><strong>Form: DL</strong></h3>
<p id="09ZEuZ"><strong>Last year: lost 1-2 in the 2nd round to Bournemouth</strong></p>
<p id="tu0LxE">Like the Royals, Birmingham have faced stiff opposition in their opening two Championship games. After a promising home draw against Norwich City on the opening day, Garry Monk’s Blues slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the Riverside against Middlesborough, to leave the Midlanders at the foot of the Championship table alongside their EFL Cup opponents.</p>
<p id="mVX50e">The EFL Cup should therefore provide a welcome distraction, allowing Monk to also tinker with his line up and give new signings and fringe players a chance to impress the boss during the season’s early stages. The veteran goalkeeper Lee Camp, who signed for the Blues towards the end of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>, could come in to replace Connal Truman, who started Birmingham’s first two Championship fixtures. </p>
<aside id="kSZDUe"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Scouting Report: Garry Monk’s Birmingham City","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17683798/scouting-report-birmingham-city-home-reading-fc-carabao-cup-royals-blues"}]}'></div></aside><p id="MCKaaL">As well as this, defenders Wes Harding and £3.5 million signing Marc Roberts could also be given minutes on the pitch, in addition to striker Omar Bogle, once linked to the Royals himself, who has signed on loan from Cardiff. However, one player who will not be available to Garry Monk is loan signing Gary Gardner, who will be unavailable for the Blues, following his dismissal against Middlesborough on Saturday.</p>
<h3 id="LJsyWP"><strong>Prediction</strong></h3>
<p id="FO1StY">The Royals have come close in their last two games and have been unlucky to come away with no points on the board. With both sides making changes to their lineups, it should be a close affair, but I’m backing the Royals to get their campaign up and running with a hard-fought win.</p>
<p id="XgukKb">Royals 2-1 Birmingham</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17688162/reading-vs-birmingham-city-match-preview-royals-bluesWosty2018-08-14T13:36:40+01:002018-08-14T13:36:40+01:00The Fringe Players In Line For An Appearance Against Birmingham City
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<img alt="Reading v Crystal Palace - Pre-Season Friendly" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-z96J97imAUNEYPyNaN5gg6TD0c=/0x0:2772x1848/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60831383/1006834480.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Pelle Clement is one of a number of squad options looking to take their chance on Tuesday. </p> <p id="Mu3yke">Two league games into the new season, and Paul Clement doesn’t seem quite sure of his strongest starting XI. Reading’s team for the opening match of the campaign went through three changes for the trip to <a href="https://www.inthetopone.com/">Nottingham Forest</a> on Saturday, and is likely to be further altered for the visit of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/birmingham-city">Birmingham City</a> in the League Cup.</p>
<p id="XjD43V">After seven summer additions, the Royals have plenty of options throughout their squad who’ll want to grab their chance on Tuesday night. Paul Clement <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/12/17680334/paul-clement-reading-fc-royals-nottingham-forest-quotes">has confirmed that</a> there will indeed be changes, but not at the expense of putting out a competitive side that can win the tie.</p>
<blockquote><p id="A7Eg6L">“In our squad there is not a massive gulf in difference in quality. I will freshen it up and play some players who didn’t play against Forest but it will certainly be a team who can win the game. It will be a good side using the squad we have used in pre-season.”</p></blockquote>
<h2 id="HCqfAt"><strong>Who’s dropping out?</strong></h2>
<p id="Idg8Cp">So far, <strong>six</strong> players have played all 180 minutes of the 2018/19 campaign: Vito Mannone, Andy Yiadom, Tiago Ilori, Paul McShane, Liam Kelly and Modou Barrow. </p>
<p id="H9LRJN">With Reading well-stocked in goal, at centre-half and in the middle of the park, Mannone, Ilori, McShane and Kelly are probably the most likely to drop out. However, injuries at full-back and out wide mean Yiadom and Barrow could be forced to continue, </p>
<p id="QZhZyt">A further seven have started one or both of the matches against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/derby-county">Derby County</a> and Nottingham Forest: Omar Richards, Tyler Blackett, David Meyler, Yakou Meite, John Swift, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Sam Baldock. </p>
<p id="w7B86l">Richards or Blackett will almost certainly start - Reading don’t really have any other left-backs, whilst Meite is likely to be one of only two fit first-team wingers alongside Barrow. On the other hand, Meyler and Bodvarsson have racked up plenty of minutes so far and will likely be rotated out. </p>
<aside id="IKivu4"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"TTE Podcast Episode 164: No False Dawns In This Club","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/13/17685958/reading-fc-podcast-tilehurst-end-forest-championship-august-2018"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="MVv82V"><strong>Who’s coming in?</strong></h2>
<h3 id="APxd3w"><strong>The injured options that won’t made an appearance</strong></h3>
<p id="DreI1o">Reading have an extensive injury list at the moment that currently includes: Anssi Jaakkola, <span>Chris Gunter</span>, <span>Jordan Obita</span>, <span>Garath McCleary</span>, Sone Aluko, Callum Harriott, Dave Edwards and Adrian Popa. None of those players are likely to be back in time for the Birmingham game.</p>
<h3 id="YC5Df7"><strong>The fringe players hoping to make an impact</strong></h3>
<p id="h9QbSm">Despite all those injuries, there are still plenty of first-team options that haven’t yet made a start for Reading this season. Perhaps the most obvious is Liam Moore who, after backing down on last month’s transfer request, is available for selection. However, depending on his fitness levels, he may or may not get the full 90 minutes.</p>
<p id="tSidRj">Otherwise, new signings Sam Walker and John O’Shea are yet to get a minute of match action so need to get up to speed, with Leandro Bacuna, Pelle Clement and Marc McNulty all in need of practise. </p>
<h3 id="DsL8mi"><strong>Youngsters hoping to step up</strong></h3>
<p id="VmWFV3">With Sam Smith, Tennai Watson, Lewis Ward and Andrija Novakovich out on loan, there aren’t too many youngsters in line to make an appearance in the first team, but the closest right now is probably energetic midfielder Andy Rinomhota. With namesake Yiadom potentially needing a rest, we may see Rinomhota come in at right-back as he did in pre-season.</p>
<p id="ZC8jbX">Elsewhere, any of Axel Andresson, Josh Barrett, Luke Southwood, Tom Holmes or Danny Loader could be involved. </p>
<h2 id="pW0djs"><strong>Predicting the line-up</strong></h2>
<p id="sWCBqn">So far, Reading have lined up in a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1 under Paul Clement and we’re unlikely to see a big move away from that on Tuesday night. Expect to see the back four stay in place, but perhaps with a few alterations higher up to accommodate incoming players. </p>
<p id="kaP58V">Tactically, Clement could try to experiment with a midfield three that can control the middle of the pitch better than Reading have done in recent weeks. Up top, trying Baldock out as a lone striker is something that would help the team a lot - if we can make it work. </p>
<p id="309hnW"><strong>4-3-3</strong></p>
<p id="ioLHtc"><em>Walker; Yiadom, Moore, O’Shea, Richards; Rinomhota, Bacuna, Clement; Meite, Baldock, Barrow. </em></p>
<p id="hNnaku"><em>Subs: Southwood, Andresson, Blackett, Kelly, Swift, McNulty, Bodvarsson. </em></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/8/14/17687666/the-fringe-players-in-line-for-an-appearance-against-birmingham-city-reading-fc-royalsBucksRoyal