The Tilehurst End - Bristol City 1-1 Reading FC: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2019-04-20T11:00:00+01:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/182720402019-04-20T11:00:00+01:002019-04-20T11:00:00+01:00Jose Gomes On Bristol City Draw: My Players Did Well
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<p>The gaffer was delighted with a performance that helped the Royals pick up another big point. </p> <p id="zgFTqg">The Royals’ good form continued with a Good Friday 1-1 draw against play-off chasing Bristol City. Yakou Meite scored his fifth goal in five games early in the second half to put Reading ahead, but Bristol City equalised to secure a point.</p>
<p id="if9nam">This result means Reading sit 19th and are five points ahead of Rotherham United with three games to play. Jose Gomes was happy with his players’ performance and felt we deserved the point - here’s what he had to say to both the <a href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk">official club website</a> and <a href="https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-boss-jose-gomes-16155146">Football.London</a>.</p>
<h3 id="1JPuZd"><strong>Gomes on picking up a point</strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="bQ37wg">“If you asked me before the game would I take a point from this game I would have said yes. But after we led for so long it feels like we lost two points so it isn’t a good feeling.”</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="vaOzbB"><strong>Gomes on trying to pick up three points</strong></h3>
<blockquote>
<p id="D7P9yv">“We had tasted the flavour of getting three points – and it was possible that we could get them; we made one mistake, and they scored an equaliser. What I can say is that my players did well – fought a lot, closed the route to our goal. We defended with the same formation that we played against Norwich, but a bit higher up the pitch. My players were brave and deserved at least the point that they got.</p>
<p id="Zw1xmE">“This is the Championship. In the Championship, everything can happen – just because we are playing away against a team that are at the top end of the table, we don’t think that it is impossible to win.</p>
<p id="C5rLeW">“Similarly, if we play at home against a team near the bottom, we cannot guarantee that we have three points in our pocket. In each game, we have to fight, prepare to win, do our job, and then we see what happens.”</p>
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<h3 id="OE2LRQ">
<strong>Gomes on Meite’s goa</strong>l</h3>
<blockquote>
<p id="ytFOki">“We prepared this free-kick combination, and the players got the result of their work. They were able to feel the success of their work, which they deserved.</p>
<p id="VEuh6l">“We used Andy’s speed playing wide, and Ovie played a very good pass. Sometimes in this kind of combination, a small mistake can destroy the combination. Ovie’s pass was great. Great movement and use of space from Andy, and good movement from Yakou as well in the moment to score. A very good moment for the team.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 id="ZOMusc"><strong>Gomes on Meite’s form</strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="t9jAe8">“It’s very good for him and it’s especially good for us. Hopefully he can keep his focus during these three days and he can do the same thing on Monday.”</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="zsJ5as"><strong>Gomes on Meite coming off </strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="yiTa6s">“The players never understand why they are being changed. Playing the number of minutes he has played, the idea was to let him rest and not push him for the 90 minutes and then not have all his energy on Monday.”</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="6PkJW9"><strong>Gomes on the fans</strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="YD7qFz">“They were amazing - I heard there were more than 2,000 of them. It’s incredible the way they support us. And you feel it during the game. You could hear them singing, supporting and pushing us. They also deserved a good result.”</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="F1TMtS"><strong>Gomes on enjoying games</strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="SzNTVS">“The players should enjoy their football. The way we work you can feel happiness daily in your work and when you are happy working it’s an incredible thing. The players really love to work, they are giving their maximum and they deserve this positive path we are doing together.”</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="1kTFYa"><strong>Gomes on playing over Easter</strong></h3>
<blockquote>
<p id="FTwJhc">“For the managers it’s hard to recover the players because Ovie was ill again. He had a small fever and if you saw him during the game he had his head down and was coughing a lot. It’s sometimes difficult to manage the fatigue of the players.</p>
<p id="yOUbsp">“But on the other side it’s amazing, being able to play two games in three days is incredible. You don’t have too much time to waste if you lose and too much time to celebrate if you win.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 id="IlGW06"><strong>Gomes on confidence</strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="exgGGl">“Confidence is high but we are playing a strong team in West Brom on Monday. They have very good players and are playing very well. We must stop their strong points and we will start preparing for them now.”</p></blockquote>
<h3 id="vofdyt"><strong>Gomes on West Brom up next</strong></h3>
<blockquote><p id="splB4B">“We have just two days to recover and prepare properly. The players will sleep, eat properly and use the days to recover for the game.”</p></blockquote>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/4/20/18507954/jose-gomes-on-bristol-city-draw-my-players-did-well-reading-fc-royalssophierfc102019-04-20T09:00:00+01:002019-04-20T09:00:00+01:00Bristol City 1-1 Reading: A Very Good Friday
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<img alt="Bristol City v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yXWTBZOrQufAeI2U6UHxneyHCR8=/0x78:2001x1412/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63642922/1143707125.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Reading travelled to sixth-place Bristol City looking for another result to help push them towards safety, and they got it with another impressive defensive display.</p> <p id="VsKEbb">Another vital point in the survival race was picked up at lunch time on Good Friday. Yes, it would’ve been brilliant if we could’ve held on to all three, but at the start of the day the majority of the 2,000 travelling Royals would’ve taken a draw in a heartbeat.</p>
<p id="KFg1Iz">As soon as the lineup was released, it was obvious that Jose Gomes was going for a similar way of playing to what he tried against Norwich City a couple of games ago - block off the spaces, defend your area and then look to spring counter attacks through Modou Barrow and Yakou Meite upfront.</p>
<p id="yz7yd3">It was a flat back five that the Portuguese opted for, with the ever improving midfield trio of Lewis Baker, Andy Rinomhota and Ovie Ejaria behind the in-form Meite and his best mate Barrow.</p>
<h2 id="tz68s9"><strong>First half</strong></h2>
<p id="y2lHHu">A few hairy moments as Bristol City tried to stamp their authority on the game, but all in all our back five and Martinez were rarely properly threatened. Of course the Robins have some good players - you don’t get into the play off positions for nothing in this league - but Gomes has made us a much harder team to beat, no matter who the opposition. </p>
<p id="JiNl8g">Meite forced a super stop from Max O’Leary, which was the the only real work either keeper had to do in the opening 45. And Liam Moore channelled his inner prime-Gareth Bale as he set off on a marauding overlap down the left flank only to see his ball in miss Barrow by a matter of centimetres.</p>
<p id="Un856m">Josh Brownhill, Andreas Weimann and Famara Diedhiou all continued to try and cause some problems in the Royals’ defence for the hosts, but all of their efforts were either snuffed out by the majestic Matt Miazga and Moore, or the final ball wasn’t quite there.</p>
<p id="uZdYa6">A very solid half for the Royals who managed to get into the break at 0-0, no less than their sturdy defensive efforts deserved.</p>
<h2 id="Pd0jnF"><strong>Second half</strong></h2>
<p id="DS5TUH">A pretty quiet game with no huge chances for either team stepped up a notch after the half time break and, when Lewis Baker was stood over a dead ball about 40 yards out, we were all expecting a cross into the box...</p>
<p id="xcB0nR">But then the Royals produced the greatest free kick routine in the history of free kick routines (okay, maybe a bit of an exaggeration) as Baker, Chris Gunter and Rinomhota all combined. The latter found Meite in the crowded penalty area, and he sent the travelling Loyal Royals into delirium.</p>
<p id="LHk6WM">A wonderful team move that we could never have dreamed of seeing in Paul Clement’s era at the Madejski Stadium. Yet another joy of having Jose Gomes at the wheel, and I just want to tell you all how good it feels.</p>
<p id="opYQyn">The sun was shining, it was a Bank Holiday weekend and Reading were winning 1-0 away from home. What a day, eh? Well, that was until Josh Brownhill was giving the freedom of Ashton Gate to head home at the back stick after a wicked ball in from substitute Niclas Eliasson.</p>
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<img alt="Bristol City v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PKXJe5hHZh7cYJNKReqd9SKEnoQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16177998/1143718575.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="KDnEvR">So, back on level peggings and the home team were pushing for a winner that would cement their position in the top six. Unfortunately for them though, they were up against a Reading team with new-found heart and fight, who don’t let any points lose their grasp easily. </p>
<p id="tiASC5">We also had some chances to win it ourselves as Nelson Oliveira looked hungry for his first goal since returning from his hamstring injury. However, a draw was the end result, and probably a fair one, as the Royals now look forward to another home game on Monday as the Baggies roll into Berkshire.</p>
<h2 id="eEhTzw"><strong>Final thoughts</strong></h2>
<p id="Aik0KA">A brilliant performance, a brilliant goal and a brilliant point. Just, brilliant. Every game now is huge and one that we have to pick up points in - and that’s just what we keep doing, it’s great to watch.</p>
<p id="VDGyLH">In a week where the bond between the fans and the club has just gotten stronger and stronger, the feel good factor is back at the club. We still have three more battles until the war is over, and it’s not going to be easy. But we, as fans, can rest assured knowing our players are now going to put their body on the lines to keep us in this division. </p>
<p id="XbEnIu">URZ!</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/4/20/18507749/bristol-city-1-1-reading-fc-a-very-good-friday-royals-robinsharry.chafer2019-04-19T19:17:29+01:002019-04-19T19:17:29+01:00Bristol City 1-1 Reading: Player Ratings
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<img alt="Bristol City v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yai3kK80t5Yx0NQJpxZI1lERyLM=/0x0:4103x2735/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63642834/1143714944.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>That man Meite scored again as the Royals gained a fantastic point at Ashton Gate, but did anyone else stand out for Jose Gomes’ men?</p> <h3 id="C7Q0li"><strong>Emiliano Martinez: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="sy9fgx">Reliant, assured and progressive with his distribution - a solid performance. Wasn’t called into any serious action as the five in front of the Argentinian keeper made sure he didn’t have to make any more wonder saves.</p>
<h3 id="BhtotB"><strong>Chris Gunter: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="gFnPIv">Continued his strong return into the starting eleven. A few wayward balls when he made his rare canters forward, but showed his experience and was defensively sound.</p>
<h3 id="9AdoM0"><strong>Andy Yiadom: 7</strong></h3>
<p id="w9lPiB">Mr Consistency. Whether he plays right back, right wing back or even centre back, you’re always going to get a 7/10 performance from the Ghanaian international. Turning into a fans’ favourite and is surely up there in the running for player of the season.</p>
<h3 id="V02cve"><strong>Matt Miazga: 8</strong></h3>
<p id="VxsDpF">My personal man of the match. A heroic goal line clearance in the first half, and was given the difficult task of playing up against Diedhiou, who didn’t have a sniff all afternoon. Would love this man to stay at least another year, as I would all the loan players to be honest... USA USA USA!</p>
<h3 id="QkwGo8"><strong>Liam Moore: 7</strong></h3>
<p id="yogODg">Our hero, our mate. Always puts his body on the line, and Friday afternoon was no different. Another solid display from the skipper.</p>
<h3 id="7GakMn"><strong>Tyler Blackett: 5</strong></h3>
<p id="Yq6BF6">Maybe a tad harsh as all of the back five were good as a unit, but he fell asleep for City’s equaliser - which could’ve been the difference between all three points and just one.</p>
<h3 id="1kH65w"><strong>Andy Rinomhota: 7</strong></h3>
<p id="h1qo3h">As tenacious as ever, he just loves a tackle this boy. The way he runs forward with the ball is priceless for getting us up the pitch when we play on the counter, another determined performance - with an assist as well.</p>
<h3 id="c10N9E"><strong>Lewis Baker: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="VnPOrn">Starting to find his feet now after a slow start. A better player when he’s allowed to dictate the play, but as City had the majority of possession he had to prioritise his defensive duties - which he did impressively.</p>
<h3 id="614u1h"><strong>Ovie Ejaria: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="ImpCQm">Involved in a heavy collision in the first half which he never looked the same after. As comfortable as ever on the ball, replaced by Tom McIntyre after the equaliser.</p>
<h3 id="oGXtDw"><strong>Mo Barrow: 6</strong></h3>
<p id="7srAzR">Ran his socks off as ever, and his pace is always going to be a threat on the counter attack. But, not really his day as his best mate Yakou Meite stole the headlines again.</p>
<h3 id="YV21BZ"><strong>Yakou Meite: 7</strong></h3>
<p id="jZMLXL">Maybe the goalscorer we’ve been crying out for has been waiting in the wings all this time. Another dogged display from the frontman, topped off with yet another goal. He’s now starting to mature as a player, and could turn into a vital player for the future.</p>
<h2 id="n6tShq"><strong>Subs</strong></h2>
<h3 id="a6a7hq"><strong>Nelson Oliveira: 5</strong></h3>
<p id="iZ11tD">Hungry to get his goal, but just wasn’t his day. Will be looking for one on Monday though, no doubt.</p>
<h3 id="xEnlOK"><strong>Tom McIntyre: 5</strong></h3>
<p id="vDRYoN">Was solid when he came on, won a few headers. Good experience for the youth product.</p>
<h3 id="dZDnzC"><strong>Garath McCleary: N/A</strong></h3>
<p id="N1cAaR">Not really on the pitch long enough to make a serious impact, stretched the tiring City defence a couple of times though.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="YLwwH9">
<h3 id="tPcMwL"><em><strong>Average: 6.23/10</strong></em></h3>
<p id="WjkTMa"><em>Who was your man of the match against Bristol City? Vote below, or </em><a href="https://linkto.run/p/7YJ3XWFS"><em>through this link</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/4/19/18507807/bristol-city-1-1-reading-fc-player-ratings-royalsharry.chafer2019-04-19T10:00:00+01:002019-04-19T10:00:00+01:00Scouting Report: Bristol City (Away)
<figure>
<img alt="Bristol City v Millwall - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Qt1KmQdGZ55sfqDbtl7ugqCUEik=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63640079/1067726124.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Lee Johnson's Robins pose plenty of threats which Reading will need to deal with. </p> <p id="m_-2003726388824102617docs-internal-guid-c93f2894-7fff-76f2-2f68-f6cc4f9b0085">Four games remain in the Royals' race for survival, and Bristol City are the next ones in their way. Lee Johnson’s side come into the game in good form and they will be very confident of securing a playoff spot come the end of the season. In their last fixture, they were defeated 2-1 by Aston Villa, which ended their streak of 5 games without defeat. </p>
<p id="i14VBc">Andreas Weimann has been in excellent form since his arrival in Bristol, with five goals and six assists in his 10 appearances so far. He will be Bristol City’s key man if they are to come away with the three points on Friday. </p>
<p id="f5KS97">Attacking set-plays is one of City’s main strengths, and the Royals will need to be wary of this if they are to get anything from Ashton Gate. 27% of Johnson’s side goals have come from dead ball situations, and Jose Gomes’ side can not afford to allow Bristol City to take advantage of this. </p>
<p id="kLwITE">One man who has definitely profited from City’s quality from set-pieces is frontman Famara Diedhou. He has 12 goals so far this season and is very threatening in the air. He averages 5.9 aerial duels won per game, and City’s midfield will be looking to play off the Senegalese forward and use him as a target man. Fortunately for the Royals, Matt Miazga has added some height into the Royals' back line and massively improved Reading’s ability to deal with balls into the box. </p>
<p id="RYpVpK">Lee Johnson will most likely set his side up in a flat 4-4-2 - this allows plenty of stability in the defence and midfield, but also lots of options going forward. Josh Brownhill has been a key player in the centre of the park for the Robins this season, and has contributed four goals and four assists. He and his centre midfield partner, Marlon Pack, compliment each other very well as Brownhill is better going forward, but Pack adds some stability to the back line. It is likely that Matty Taylor will start upfront with Diedhou and form a ‘big man, little man partnership’.</p>
<p id="RaOEIL">My prediction for this game is a 2-2 draw. Both sides desperately need points, for two entirely different reasons. However, a point away at Ashton Gate would be considered a good result for the Royals, and would be classed as another point gained. The Robins would see it as two points dropped and this game could define how their season ends up. </p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/4/19/18507344/scouting-report-bristol-city-away-reading-fcTom Amies2019-04-19T09:00:00+01:002019-04-19T09:00:00+01:00Bristol City vs Reading: Match Preview
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<img alt="Bristol City v Reading - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K6RwaBKRx65xpPXmNBfTNKQerw8=/286x0:2944x1772/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63575749/898750600.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Lee Johnson’s playoff-chasing Robins stand between Reading and a vital three points. Who’ll come out on top?</p> <p id="uCL0C4">This fixture on Good Friday sees play-off contenders Bristol City face off against lowly Reading. A win for the Berkshire side would pretty much secure their Championship status for another season. However, a loss could drag the Royals back in to the scrap, with other relegation rivals also playing this Friday.</p>
<p id="gXfG5Z">An early morning wake-up awaits the travelling Reading fans. The 12:00 kick off in Bristol will be of great interest to teams around the relegation zone, who will be fascinated to see how Reading do in this game. </p>
<p id="aLu993">Teams in and around the play-off zone will be hoping that Reading get something out of this fixture to boost their chances of gaining ground on Bristol City, who currently sit in sixth position.</p>
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<h2 id="KmklUg"><strong>The last five</strong></h2>
<h3 id="uxa6WB"><strong>Bristol City: WWDWL</strong></h3>
<p id="n0gU0J">Frank Fielding is continuing to recover from a fractured hand and is likely to miss the rest of the season. New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic was signed on a short-term deal to cover Fielding’s spot. However, young keeper Max O’Leary has claimed the number one jersey in the past few games. Their goalkeeping injury woes seem to have stabilised recently after a crisis in that department earlier on this year.</p>
<p id="0zBN9O">Their disappointing away defeat to Aston Villa meant that the Villans went above them in the table. Home draws against relegation-threatened sides Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic will be seen as missed opportunities for City, who are currently competing in a very tight battle for play-off spots. However, their recent wins against play-off rivals West Brom and Middlesbrough could be crucial in the final couple of games, where they have the chance to solidify their place in the top six. </p>
<h3 id="r6LU8E"><strong>Reading: DWLDW</strong></h3>
<p id="UuMefy">John Swift is out of Friday’s tie against Bristol City after Jose Gomes confirmed in the week that the playmaker is sidelined for the rest of the season. However, the midfield looks just as strong with Andy Rinomhota, Lewis Baker and Ovie Ejaria in the middle. Saied Ezatolahi may also be back in time for the end of the season, having made good progress recently and featuring for the under-23s last Friday. His signing could be made permanent if he impresses Jose Gomes in the last few games of the season.</p>
<p id="niluv1">A vital win against Brentford last Saturday has taken the Royals one step closer to safety. However, they may require a few more points if they are to guarantee safety before the last match of the season against Birmingham City. A disappointing second-half performance against Hull City at the start of April is one of the only blips in what has been a successful couple of months for the club.</p>
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<h2 id="lG2rNH"><strong>Previous meetings</strong></h2>
<p id="fb6Lom">3/11/2018: Reading 3-2 Bristol City</p>
<p id="Exe1J1">26/12/2017: Bristol City 2-0 Reading</p>
<p id="hBBSFi">9/9/2017: Reading 0-1 Bristol City</p>
<p id="GPkx8s">2/1/2017: Bristol City 2-3 Reading</p>
<p id="8pVgUJ">26/11/2016: Reading 2-1 Bristol City</p>
<p id="s2ACV6">Reading have had a mixed spell of games against Bristol City in recent years, including two 3-2 wins. The pick of those matches has to be the 3-2 win in the 2016/17 season where the Royals came from 2-0 down. Liam Kelly’s clever finish and two strikes from Yann Kermorgant completed the comeback that day. </p>
<p id="4mESpr">The reverse fixture this season saw Bristol City equalise twice at the Madejski Stadium before Leandro Bacuna slotted in the winner, after a well-worked move by the Royals. With City completing the double over the Royals in the 2017/18 season, Reading will be looking to do the same to the Robins this season with a win at Ashton Gate this Friday.</p>
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<h2 id="gWdsWf"><strong>Quick-fire stats</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="URd0IA">Bristol City sit just one point above seventh placed Middlesbrough. However, City have a game in hand, something they will need to take advantage of if they are to stay in the playoff places.</li>
<li id="BSXBsO">The Robins have the worst scoring record in the top six, scoring 55 goals in 42 league games this season, four behind second and third-placed sides Leeds United and Sheffield United. League leaders Norwich City have scored 85. </li>
<li id="jOlASy">Reading have lost just three of their last ten league games, winning four and drawing the remaining three fixtures.</li>
<li id="VyzAR1">The Royals were on 42 points after 42 league games last season. After 42 games this season, they are two betters better off, on 44 points. However, they risk of relegation remains.</li>
</ul>
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<h2 id="gQcZ0S"><strong>Prediction</strong></h2>
<p id="bTjAnq">Was it last week’s win against Brentford? Is it Jose Gomes? Whatever it is, I’m strangely optimistic for this game against a very good Bristol City side. It might be another match where Gomes deploys five at the back, with Tyler Blackett slotting in at the back.</p>
<p id="BAPhXk">Defensive solidity will be needed and, if this can be achieved, Reading have a chance of getting something out of this game. If they do, it will put them one step closer to safety, something that’s desperately needed to avoid a nerve-racking final day like last year.</p>
<p id="ko7rUS">I’m going to go for an eventful, controversy-filled 1-1 draw. Yakou Meite or Nelson Oliveira to get on the scoresheet again? I think so. Come on URZ!</p>
<p id="vfGw24"><strong>Bristol City 1-1 Reading</strong></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/4/19/18412596/bristol-city-vs-reading-fc-match-preview-royals-robinsBucksRoyal2019-04-18T17:40:29+01:002019-04-18T17:40:29+01:00View From The Town End: Bristol City
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<img alt="Bristol City v Wigan Athletic - Sky Bet Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dUxR1EoJLUJol0RPa-SKpOpgqfo=/0x182:4797x3380/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63613406/1140808286.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The lowdown on Good Friday's opposition. </p> <p id="eFppg5">Reading's run-in is no easy task, with the Royals facing three sides chasing promotion through the playoffs. The first of those, Bristol City, are our opponents on Good Friday. </p>
<p id="BfDHVH">The Robins have gone from strength to strength under Lee Johnson in recent years, brushing off the disappointment of last season's fizzed-out promotion push, now sitting sixth in the table. </p>
<p id="UKrYZ2">So why is that? What's been the difference this time around, will the Robins finally reach the Premier League this season, and - most importantly - what chance do Reading have against them at Ashton Gate?</p>
<p id="uzaHhe">To find the answers to those questions, we caught up with Paul Binning, better known as The Exiled Robin. Find him on Twitter here, and many thanks to him for answering our questions on Bristol City. </p>
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<h3 id="k0Lmx4"><strong>Give us an overview of your season so far</strong></h3>
<p id="olCU90">It’s a difficult one to nail, honestly. We’ve been a bit up and down, not untypical with Lee Johnson’s streaky career to date, but the position and form generally has been a little unexpected - more hopeful and promising than many thought and quite exciting right now!</p>
<p id="zx4Y28">We started very averagely, having sold four key first-team squad players but then went on a little four-match winning run which took us up the table. Then we had another poor run with some quite awful performances included, until we went to Ipswich Town at the end of November and somehow scraped a 3-2 win. We didn’t lose again for months, rocketing us up the table. </p>
<p id="EkBiEg">Then we had a dodgy month in February before an 18-day break due to internationals and Millwall’s cup quarter-final reinvigorated us. We went into that in poor form, looking tired and fans worried we were about to slip down the table again as per last season, but came back refreshed, re-focused and responded with wins at Sheffield United and Middlesbrough. Now it’s just a case of trying to hang on to sixth place.</p>
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<h3 id="i7xxWZ"><strong>Last season you started strongly then faded, but this time you’ve stayed in the top six. What’s been the difference?</strong></h3>
<p id="SPvyET">A few factors have played a part. Reflecting on last season, we seemed to almost go ‘all-in’ during October-December, going on a brilliant run but were a team who had to press high and work tremendously hard to succeed. Adding the cup run into a series of high-octane league victories exhausted us and we paid the price in the second half of the season. Key players looked jaded, our impressive one-touch football disappeared somewhat and we kept collapsing, typified by drawing 3-3 with Sunderland having been 3-0 up with 20 minutes to go, and later by an incredible 5-5 draw at home to Hull City. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Bristol City v Hull City - Sky Bet Championship" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/90w1QphoN1YdALLVCVysOBHK3UE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16161052/949596976.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Just the ten goals in this match last season...</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="iPeEBY">This time around we’re built on more secure foundations - with a virtually brand new back five - and seem to have played a little within ourselves for a lot of the season, maybe preserving energy better to ensure we don’t run out of steam so early. Our away form has really underpinned our success this year. Ten away victories, six of them with a clean-sheet and mostly at clubs in the top 14 have been more impressive than we’ve been at this level for over a hundred years (when we got promoted!).</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="vQp0gr">
<h3 id="cWINy3"><strong>How do you fancy your chances of promotion this season?</strong></h3>
<p id="TGMFLI">It’s going to be very tough. We still need three wins to guarantee a top six spot, but even then are likely to face Sheffield United, Aston Villa or West Brom - very strong sides with lots of quality throughout. But who knows, perhaps if we do get there we can be the underdog and the one no-one talks about and spring a few surprises. If anything we play better against the best sides and our most frustrating results and performances have come against the likes of Rotherham, Wigan and Ipswich.</p>
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<h3 id="9puQfm"><strong>What are Bristol City’s main strengths and weaknesses?</strong></h3>
<p id="XndNrH">Defensively we’ve been very strong, with Adam Webster and Tomas Kalas at the back proving our bedrock, but that’s slipped a little in the last few weeks. We’re on our third-choice goalkeeper due to injury, and as well as he’s played it might have unsettled those in front of him a little. </p>
<p id="fjAk8m">We’re strong down the left through Chelsea loanee (one of three we’ve got) and England under-21 left-back Jay Dasilva while, having signed in the summer, there have been promising signs in the last month that Andi Weimann is building a profitable partnership with top scorer Famra Diedhiou up front.</p>
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<h3 id="t6SO1v"><strong>How will the game go, and what will the score be?</strong></h3>
<p id="WYBftR">A glance at the league table suggests a comfortable win for us, but our home form is really quite poor - something like 19th best - and recent draws at home to Ipswich and Wigan show there are no guarantees when it comes to playing at Ashton Gate. </p>
<p id="zJ2H5L">Your recent from has picked up too with the threat of relegation staring you in the face, so it could be a good game. If we start like we did against West Brom recently (where we were 3-0 up inside 19 minutes) then we’ll win. But we’ve all seen too many slower, almost nervy performances to be over-confident. I’ll go for us to sneak a 2-1 win.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/4/18/18484526/view-from-the-town-end-bristol-city-reading-fc-royals-robinsThe Tilehurst End Guest WriterBucksRoyal