The Tilehurst End - Brighton 2-2 Reading FC: Full CoverageReading FC blog run by fans, for fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52568/tte_fav.png2014-12-30T07:00:02+00:00http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/rss/stream/72120982014-12-30T07:00:02+00:002014-12-30T07:00:02+00:00Brighton and Norwich: Stats Insight
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<p>Steve Clarke's first game in charge saw Reading lose 1-0 to high-flyers Watford, but the Royals picked up a point at Brighton before beating Norwich two days later at the Madejski. Jonny Scott delves into the last two games to see what the stats show us. </p> <h4>Backs to the Wall</h4>
<p>I've said it before, and I'll say it again: <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Reading</a> play better when they are put under pressure. More often than not this season Reading have dominated games and lost, but when the opponent has held the lion's share of possession and chances, Reading have managed to nick a result out of nowhere. These past two games (especially <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Norwich</a>) are good examples of that.</p>
<p>Norwich held 53% of possession, while Brighton really showed up Steve Clarke's new ‘game management' strategy by holding a whopping 63% on Boxing Day. But for some poor last minute defending against Brighton, we would have walked away with all three points, so it can count as yet another example where Reading faced tough opposition and came away with, statistically at least, more than they deserved.</p>
<p>I don't know what it is about this team, but they struggle right now to convert a controlling position into a winning position. Perhaps Clarke has realised this already, and is allowing the team to play in a more defensive, direct style, or perhaps we have just come up against some very controlling sides in the last couple of games and have thrived as a result.</p>
<p>The stats support both: Norwich and Brighton are third and fifth in the league, respectively, in terms of their possession, while Reading's passing stats suggest that we have adopted a more direct style. With 24% of our passes against Brighton and Norwich going long, contrasting to, for example, 18% and 21% against Cardiff and Bolton.</p>
<p>As with most things, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, we came up against some possession-minded teams, but we also adapted our own style of play to play to our strengths. So, for now, don't expect Reading to be going out and dominating games of football, but do expect them to start picking up more points.</p>
<h4>Lord of the Wings</h4>
<p>One of Reading's main strengths over the last few seasons has been their wing play, and this season has seen a similar reliance on the wings, with a season average of only 22% of attacking play coming through the centre of the park. One particular stat that has bugged me from the start of the season, however, is the lack of balance that Reading demonstrate. The last two games have been even more painful viewing for me.</p>
<p>In the Brighton game, 46% of Reading attacks came down the right, compared to 33% on the left. In the Norwich game, it was even more right-heavy, with 52% on the right against 28% on the left. Our season average is 45% right with 34% left, so the past two games have gone beyond our usual in terms of reliance on the right.</p>
<p>This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Debatably, our best players sit on the right hand side, with <span>Garath McCleary</span> and <span>Chris Gunter</span> often combining to good effect. I just worry that we will become predictable, and opposition teams will learn to shut us down as an attacking threat by packing their left side with defensive players. Hopefully Clarke's apparent desire for a balanced back four (hence the return of <span>Jordan Obita</span> to left-back) will help to resolve this imbalance, although the early evidence does not seem to point this way at all.</p>
<h4>New Manager, New Problems</h4>
<p>Ask any Reading fan what our main defensive woe has been this season and they are likely to cry over our inability to deal with crosses. Discounting Greg Halford's long throw for Brighton, in the last couple of games we have not seen Reading concede headed goals from crosses. A new weakness seems to be appearing, however, that is quite worrying. I'm talking about pull backs to onrushing midfielders.</p>
<p>I know the Watford game is behind us now, but cast your mind back to Almen Abdi's goal. After some good movement down the left, the winger pulled the ball back across the face of the box and Abdi caught the ball on the run, smashing it past <span>Adam Federici</span>.</p>
<p>Think back to Brighton's second goal now. The ball makes its way to the left side of the box, where the player then pulls it back across, and Íñigo Calderón is charging in to smack the ball on the run. It was basically a re-run of the Watford goal, and just as much of a sucker punch.</p>
<p>For the Brighton goal it is painfully obvious that Reading's defenders were packed far too centrally, and allowed the cross to come in too easily. This is something that we will hopefully see tightened up in the coming weeks, and even though it's partly Gunter's fault for not marking his winger tightly enough, the midfield and central defenders need to take responsibility for stopping or blocking the shot as it comes in.</p>
<p>-----</p>
<p>Clarke is doing something right, clearly, and is getting our guys playing more effective football. There is work still be done, but after two good results, and fairly reassuring stats, I have hope that we could see this team reach the potential we know that it has.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/30/7463001/brighton-and-norwich-a-statistical-review-reading-fcjonnnyscott8622014-12-29T13:52:08+00:002014-12-29T13:52:08+00:005 Things - Brighton and Norwich
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<p>A first point and a first win for new boss Steve Clarke as Reading face Brighton and Norwich in the festive period. Bucks Royal rounds the action up in the penultimate 5 Things of 2014...</p> <h3>1) Royals put on their shooting boots</h3>
<p>At our best this season under Nigel Adkins, Reading seemed capable of scoring freely, but conceding in equal number. In the last few weeks of the former boss' tutelage though, the Royals struggled to do the former, but goals still flooded in past <span>Adam Federici</span> - the game at St. Andrews being the extreme example of that, and being the straw that broke the camel's back for Adkins' time at the club.</p>
<p>However, in the last two games under Steve Clarke, noticeable improvements have been made. The defending against Brighton showed that there's still work to be done, but four goals in two games shows that Clarke has already improved Reading's threat in front of goal.</p>
<h3>2) Au revoir, Glenn Murray</h3>
<p>It seems that the Palace loanee has played his last game in the blue and white hoops. That may have not seemed such a disappointing prospect a few weeks ago when Murray wasn't finding the back of the net, but a brace against Brighton put him level with Simon Cox as Reading's top scorer with 8 goals. With worries over FFP still looming over the club, it's still unsure as to how willing Reading will be to fork out for the veteran striker. Not to mention, mid-table Championship football may not appeal to a player that could probably be playing regularly a division higher if he so wishes.</p>
<h3>3) Neil Adams watches Norwich lose to a side like Reading... twice</h3>
<p>Norwich aren't one of those sides that I dislike, and Reading haven't had too much of a bad history with the East Anglia side in recent years. That said, comments from Canary boss Neil Adams at the time of the reverse fixture that Norwich fans shouldn't be watching their side lose at home to a team like Reading aren't going to help. Norwich are a good side, and played attractive football in their Premiership stint, but they're not such an important club that a loss to the best side in all of Berkshire is out of the question. With that in mind, I was pleased to see <a href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-star-danny-williams-8355767">Danny Williams' comments</a> today about how Neil Adams inadvertently spurred Steve Clarke's side on to do the double.</p>
<h3>4) The fans are coming back</h3>
<p>At 19.430, Sunday's attendance was the highest home turnout of the season so far. That's an encouraging way to see out 2014, and bodes well for 2015 because it shows that the supporters are getting their belief back in the side. Fans won't mind seeing their team lose as long as they look like they're trying to win, but there was far too little of that in the last few weeks of the Nigel Adkins era. As confidence comes back into the fanbase, that will translate into performances on the pitch and points on the board.</p>
<h3>5) Return of the prodigal son?</h3>
<p>Now that Glenn Murray's loan deal in Berkshire has expired, so too has Royston Drenthe's. The Dutch winger was ejected from the club on transfer deadline day in the summer with a temporary move to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/sheffield-wednesday">Sheffield Wednesday</a>, but he could find himself back in Reading in the coming days. Steve Clarke will be well aware of Drenthe's reputation here, let alone of his reputation throughout his career, but he could be tempted to give him another chance to prove his worth. Steve Clarke sides are known for breaking with pace, and Drenthe offers just that.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/29/7460031/5-things-brighton-and-norwichBucksRoyal2014-12-27T17:18:08+00:002014-12-27T17:18:08+00:00Brighton 2-2 Reading FC: Media Roundup
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<p>Santa never gave us the our main present which was 3 points, but we did get our first point under Steve Clarke; this is how the media viewed the draw.</p> <p>After all the Christmas day turkey had gone down along with some bottles of red, the Royals travelled to Brighton for our Boxing Day game.</p>
<p>In true fashion we will start with the<b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30543344">BBC</a></b> who gave a fairly good report, focusing on the fact that Brighton don't have a manager and <span>Adam Federici</span> seemed to be on a personal mission to ensure that Brighton didn't score. They point to the fact that at we had a control of the game right until Brighton's first goal, when they report that once the goal went in, Brighton were in the ascendency,</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11741/9620906/sky-bet-championship-brighton-snatch-late-point-with-2-2-draw-against-reading"><b>SkySports </b></a>give us a somewhat lopsided report of the game, with most of their effort devoted to the first half. The eight lines about the second half focused again on Federici being a one man wall and the late equaliser. An interesting point: the BBC give mention to our penalty shout in the first half on Cox, but they don't mention Obita's challenge on Danny Holla; Sky get it the other way around.</p>
<p>I am starting to find <b>TalkSport</b>'s coverage of the Championship a little disappointing, again they wrap up the whole league in one page, and I am sure that they could devote this league a little more coverage, but if you want to read the 6 lines that Reading get then you can find it <a target="_blank" href="http://talksport.com/football/championship-round-bournemouth-return-top-141226129942"><b>here</b></a>, and to sum it up: we can't hold a 2 goal lead, Brighton don't have a manager and the two player for Brighton that scored are... etc.</p>
<p>The local Brighton paper - <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/11689427.Calderon_grabs_late_equaliser_as_Albion_fight_back_from_two_goals_down/"><b>The Argus</b></a>, seems to give a reasonably balanced report of the game, more or less agreeing that with the two penalty shouts neither were rightly given. The focus of the attacking options from Reading was Murray (take it that has nothing to do with the fact he used to play for them!), however the difference in the reports on the game from the Argus and our very own GetReading is interesting, with the Argus saying it was a "<em>Stirring comeback</em>" and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brighton--hove-albion-2-8348564"><b>GetReading </b></a>insisting that it we had "<em>done enough</em>" to get three points!</p>
<p>Rounding up the rest of the coverage we have <a target="_blank" href="http://www.espnfc.co.uk/english-league-championship/match/395134/brighton-and-hove-albion-reading/report"><b>ESPN FC</b></a> who give a brief overview of the game, only interesting thing really is that they state that Brighton were a little unlucky not to go in level at the break with the Colunga effort rebounding of the post.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/reading/result/result-calderon-rescues-a-point-for-brighton_195614.html"><b>Sportsmole </b></a>give a little write up, again focusing on the goals, Cox's not given penalty and the rebound, but they also have all the stats for anyone that is interested in them.</p>
<p>Shortest report of the day goes to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2887786/Championship-round-loan-Derby-winger-Jordon-Ibe-returns-haunt-Birmingham.html"><b>Daily Mail</b></a>, who give us four lines and that's it, in the most briefest of reports.</p>
<p>All-in-all it's fairly disappointing all round, with the result, and the distinct lack of interest in the game from the media, hopefully a resounding win against Norwich on Sunday will change that and start our play-off march (maybe a little tongue in cheek there!)...</p>
<p>I will be back on Monday with hopefully a little more media coverage than today.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/27/7452835/brighton-v-reading-media-roundupdavemc_exile2014-12-27T11:04:26+00:002014-12-27T11:04:26+00:00Brighton 2-2 Reading: Player Ratings
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<p>You've read the <a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/27/7452775/brighton-2-2-reading-fc-last-gasp-equaliser-dampens-royals" target="new">match report</a>, now read what <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rfcfanmatt" target="new">@rfcfanmatt</a> thinks of what the players did individually, and don't forget to let us know who your man of the match was in the poll below.</p> <h4>Adam Federici: 7</h4>
<p>Some stunning saves in the second half, but was far too static for Brighton’s first goal and has to shoulder the blame for the moment which arguably changed the game.</p>
<h4>Chris Gunter: 6</h4>
<p>Let his man put the cross in for the equaliser but a far cry from some of his earlier performances this season. Hopefully he’s turned a corner and keeps improving.</p>
<h4>Jordan Obita: 7</h4>
<p>No dramas defensively but looks much better going forward. Hopefully the imminent arrival of Travner allows him to play on the wing as he can do more damage there.</p>
<h4>Alex Pearce: 7</h4>
<p>Our defence seems to have become a lot more solid now and Pearce is a big part of that; some good blocks and tackles, and there wasn’t a great deal more that he could have done for either goal. Still not back to his best for attacking set pieces, however.</p>
<h4>Michael Hector: 7</h4>
<p>Much the same as Pearce in terms of performance. He still misplaced a few long balls, but generally a very tidy performance for a young centre-half.</p>
<h4>Hal Robson-Kanu: 7</h4>
<p>A real turnaround for Hal, who had seemed to have gone backwards since his great season in the Premier League. Put in the cross for the opening goal and generally looked a lot more competent down the wing. The substitution came at the right time as he was starting to run out of steam but most fans would be very happy with his display.</p>
<h4>Jake Taylor: 6</h4>
<p>A fairly quiet display, but nothing really went wrong for him either. Nearly scored with a header as well, but not the most threatening going forwards. As a youngster having a breakthrough season, that’s all you can ask of Taylor.</p>
<h4>Oliver Norwood: 7</h4>
<p>Once again, some incredible long balls which put Guthrie to shame. Not only was he part of a midfield which finally dominated a game, but he also put a brilliant cross in to set up the second goal. Easy to see why he’s a fan favourite.</p>
<h4>Danny Williams: 6</h4>
<p>Still to get back to his best but didn’t look particularly bad either. Did most of the dirty work in the middle but no spectacular moments like we know he can do.</p>
<h4>Simon Cox: 6</h4>
<p>Won the header to release Robson-Kanu down the wing in the first minute for the opening goal, but didn’t do a great deal after that. We know he can have quiet games but, like usual, always had the threat to grab a goal.</p>
<h4>Glenn Murray: 8</h4>
<p>A man of the match performance against his old club. Made a great run into the box for the opening goal (and had to put it on from quite a tough angle), put away the second with a good header and could probably have got a hat trick with a little more luck (and had he not been taken off so early). A silly booking for the clearest handball I’ve ever seen, but he’s a player that we’ll sorely miss if Palace take him back next month.</p>
<h4><b><u>SUBSTITUTES</u></b></h4>
<h4><span>Shaun Cummings: 6</span></h4>
<p>Quite a comfortable display considering he was playing out of position, and looked good going forward. Always seems to be dependable without being spectacular, and today was no different.</p>
<h4>Nick Blackman: 5</h4>
<p>Once again, lazy and greedy with the ball. Ran through and shot very wide when it was easier to pass, and missed a run to pick up a great ball played in by Cox. A real shame, as he started the season so brightly.</p>
<h4>Stephen Kelly: 6</h4>
<p>No real time to make an impact.</p>
<h4><b><u></u></b></h4>
<p><b><u> </u></b></p>
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<p><b><u> </u></b></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/27/7452787/brighton-2-2-reading-fc-player-ratingsThe Tilehurst End Guest Writer2014-12-27T10:56:32+00:002014-12-27T10:56:32+00:00Brighton 2-2 Reading FC: Match Report
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<p><a href="http://www.twitter.com/rfcfanmatt" target="new">@rfcfanmatt</a> makes his debut for The Tilehurst End with his match report from the Boxing Day Brighton game .</p> <p><span><i><b>Reading</b>: Federici; Gunter, Obita, Hector, Pearce (c), Norwood, Williams, Robson-Kanu (Kelly 80), Taylor (Cummings 58), Cox, Murray (Blackman 57). </i></span></p>
<p><span><i><b>Subs</b>: Andersen, Cooper, Kuhl, Tanner. </i></span></p>
<p><span>Following last week’s frustrating defeat at home to Watford, manager Steve Clarke tried to keep consistency in the starting 11, making only two changes. <span>Jake Taylor</span> and <span>Hal Robson-Kanu</span> came in for <span>Nick Blackman</span> and the injured <span>Garath McCleary</span>, meaning for the first time in a while the Royals would start an away game with two strikers up front. Only two games in for the new manager and already his selections seem to make much more sense than Nigel Adkins who continually frustrated with his tinkering.</span></p>
<p><span>There was something of a strange feeling around the game, with both sides used to meeting each other towards the top of the table rather than in the bottom third. It does seem that the two clubs are very similar, however, and both had great hope for the game with the recent managerial changes.</span></p>
<h4>First half</h4>
<p><span>This selection immediately paid dividends, with Simon Cox flicking it on to Hal Robson-Kanu, who burst down the wing and put a great ball into the box for Murray to fire home after just 40 seconds, despite there being a plethora of Brighton defenders standing around him in the box. After months of frustration from Robson-Kanu, it was great to see him make a real impact again, and he would go on to impress further in the match.</span></p>
<p><span>Reading then managed some further attempts at pressing, with there being a definite threat going forward, but Brighton also had some desire and this resulted in some open play during the first spell of the game. Robson-Kanu once again managed to play Jake Taylor in during one of our particularly threatening moves early on, whilst Brighton kept trying to press forward and had a penalty appeal turned down, despite not really posing any real goalscoring threat (with Darren Bent in particular being quite disappointing).</span></p>
<p><span>However, Reading then got a further foothold in the game after 26 minutes. After some disappointing corners from Norwood last week where he was floating them in rather than whipping them, he managed to put a great free kick in from the right flank, which provided a perfect opportunity for Murray to add a second goal (although it did take a fairly large deflection off the Brighton defender, but we won’t talk about that) with a bullet header. This led to an almost surreal feeling in the away end as we hadn’t had such dominance in an away game at all this season!</span></p>
<p><span>A minute later and Brighton’s chances seemed to be halted further when Darren Bent came off with an injury. Although he had been disappointing in the game, such a prolific striker always has the risk of scoring (much like Adam le Fondre for us last season) and so it was something of a relief to see him leave the field. However, this seemed to mark the tide turning in the game, as Brighton seemed to rally and attack with much more intent.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">"Brighton decided to try the long throw which quickly reaped rewards."</div>
<p>After several unsuccessful moves forward, Brighton decided to try the long throw which quickly reaped rewards. Former Royal Greg Halford, who had already tormented us in 2014 when he scored for <a href="https://www.inthetopone.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Nottingham Forest</a> on New Year’s Day, launched the ball from a throw into the box. Federici stood static whilst Lewis Dunk flicked it to the far post for Jake Forster-Caskey to tap it in from all of 2 yards.</p>
<p><span>This seemed to inspire Brighton to push on again, with another long throw just minutes later ending with Forster-Caskey hitting the post. In the end, half time came at a good time for Reading, who could take a break from the increasing pressure and regroup.</span></p>
<h4>Second half</h4>
<p><span>However, the second half was very different, with Brighton becoming the dominant team. Whilst Reading had the odd chance going forward, it was apparent that the home side had changed their approach to an all-out attack to find an equaliser, and it was mainly thanks to Federici that the Royals didn’t concede in the opening 15 minutes of the second spell. Whilst the Australian goalkeeper might have some critics, nobody can deny the quality of his shot-stopping and there were numerous chances which Brighton would have put away if it were not for him.</span></p>
<p><span>After an hour, Clarke made two substitutions, bringing Nick Blackman on for Glenn Murray and <span>Shaun Cummings</span> for Jake Taylor. Cummings ended up lasting a whole two minutes before being booked for handball but seemed comfortable in the unorthodox (for him) role of right midfield. Whilst Brighton continued to push after this, the Reading defence seemed to handle this comfortably with little in the way of chances, and confidence increased further after 80 minutes when <span>Stephen Kelly</span> came on for Hal Robson-Kanu.</span></p>
<p><span>In fact, the last 10 minutes seemed to slightly open the game up more than anything, as Brighton’s insistence to push forward to grab an equaliser created gaps in their defence which Reading tried to exploit with some counter-attacks. Of particular note was Simon Cox’s break forward where he put in a measured ball which Nick Blackman simply didn’t notice, but <span>Jordan Obita</span> continued to show promise when breaking forward and Shaun Cummings managed to keep driving the ball forward with ease.</span></p>
<p><span>But anyone who knows anything about Reading knows that we like to make things hard work for ourselves, and it was perhaps inevitable that a Brighton equaliser was coming. After yet another wave of pressure, Colunga played a cross in and Inigo Calderon came storming in to the box unmarked to fire home in injury time. Frustrating to say the least, but it would be unfair to say that the home team didn’t deserve something from the game.</span></p>
<p><span>Overall, though, the performance seemed to be a massive improvement from other recent games, with our defence in particular looking much more solid and capable of soaking up prolonged spells of pressure. It was also pleasing to see a bit more luck going forward, although if the inevitable happens and Glenn Murray leaves in January it will leave us a lot sparser up top. However, football is a results-based business and we cannot afford to keep throwing away points, and this surely has to be something that Steve Clarke looks at improving with urgency. I have faith, however, as at the risk of sounding like Nigel Adkins there were a lot of positives to take away from the performance today. </span></p>
<p><span>We just have to remember, January tends to be our best month…</span></p>
<p><b>Read Matt's player ratings </b><a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/27/7452787/brighton-2-2-reading-fc-player-ratings" target="_blank">here</a><b>. </b></p>
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https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/27/7452775/brighton-2-2-reading-fc-last-gasp-equaliser-dampens-royalsThe Tilehurst End Guest Writer2014-12-27T09:23:36+00:002014-12-27T09:23:36+00:00Mixed Feelings For Clarke After Albion Draw
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<p>Steve Clarke was happy to earn his first point as Reading boss but rueful of some sloppy play which allowed Brighton to sneak a draw at the AMEX.</p> <p>Speaking to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/steve-clarke-brighton-skybet-championship-2165263.aspx?">Reading Official Website after the game</a>, Clarke spoke of his pleasure at a first-half display that saw Reading take a 2-0 lead.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We had a great start, came quickly out of the blocks and got ourselves in front. We started the game really well and were in total control. It was disappointing to concede from a long throw, we knew it was coming but we didn't deal with the first one very well; we panicked a bit. Obviously games change on momentum and the goal just before half time gave Brighton something to come and attack after the break. '</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Elsewhere the new Reading boss wasn't happy with the ball retention in the second period.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We probably sat a little bit too deep, tried to defend and didn't use the ball well enough in the second half. If we had, then I think we could've scored a third. We didn't and we got punished for it</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Clarke also took the time to Praise Adam Federici for his performance, while also paying tribute to Brighton, t<a target="_blank" href="http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-manager-steve-clarke-8349277?">elling Get Reading.</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>'Credit to Brighton. They're down there (in the league table) and fighting hard, and managed to dig out a goal at the end to get a point."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We'll have a full report up from the AMEX a little later on today right here on The Tilehurst End.</p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/27/7452753/mixed-feelings-for-clarke-after-albion-drawThe Tilehurst End News Desk2014-12-26T10:22:19+00:002014-12-26T10:22:19+00:00Match Preview: Brighton & HA FC v Reading FC
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<figcaption>Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>This years Boxing Day game sees Reading travel to the south coast to face manager-less Brighton; Phil Owtram rounds up all the action ahead of the game.</p> <p><span>Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Reading FC<br></span><span>League Championship<br></span><span>Friday 26<sup>th</sup> December 2014, KO 3PM<br></span><span>The American Express Community Stadium<br></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Referee: </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Graham Salisbury<br></span></b></p>
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<p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span>Reading (17<sup>th</sup>)</span></u></b><span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span><br></span></u></b> </span></p>
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<p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Form (all comps): LLDWL<br></span></b><span>Reading v Watford: 0-1<br></span><span>Birmingham v Reading: 6-1<br></span><span>Reading v Bolton: 0-0<br></span><span>Norwich v Reading: 1-2<br></span><span>Cardiff v Reading: 2-1<br></span><span>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Manager: </span></b><span>Steve Clarke<br>
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</span></b><span>So his first game didn’t go quite as planned, well not in terms of the result anyway. Steve Clarke’s first experience of managing at Madejski Stadium ended in defeat as a 6<sup>th</sup>-placed Watford left with all 3 points thanks to an Almen Abdi strike 20 minutes from time. The new manager had only had a couple of training sessions to get his points across but he made the call to bring back Alex Pearce to the starting line up as captain despite Nigel Adkins’ chosen stand-in club captain Chris Gunter also starting. With a weeks preparation, a Christmas party and some supposedly easier opposition - in Brighton – up next Steve Clarke will be hoping he can get off the mark on the South Coast on Boxing Day.<br> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>
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</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span>Brighton (22<sup>nd</sup>)<br></span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Form (all comps): DLLLD<br></span></b><span>Wolves v Brighton: 1-1<br></span><span>Brighton v Millwall: 0-1<br></span><span>Derby v Brighton: 3-0<br></span><span>Brighton v Fulham: 1-2<br></span><span>Norwich v Brighton: 3-3<br></span><span>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Manager: </span></b><span>Nathan Jones (caretaker) <br>
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</span><span>Caretaker manager Nathan Jones will have to pick up a Brighton side languishing in 22<sup>nd</sup> position in the table and without a win in 6 games. Former manager Sami Hyypia resigned on Monday after a dismal start to the season that has seen them register only 5 wins, of which 3 were in August and were followed by runs of 8 and 6 games without a win. Confidence is at an all time low and is a stark contrast from last season when they beat Reading to the final play-off spot in the dying seconds in May. Reading will be hoping to get one over tomorrow’s opponents as compensation for last seasons near miss.<br></span><span>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span>Last five meetings<br></span></u></b><span>08 Mar 2014<span> </span>Brighton v Reading<span> </span>D<span> </span>1-1<span> </span>League Championship<br></span><span>04 Jan 2014<span> </span>Brighton v Reading<span> </span>L<span> </span>1-0<span> </span>FA Cup<br></span><span>15 Sep 2013<span> </span>Reading v Brighton<span> </span>D<span> </span>0-0<span> </span>League Championship<br></span><span>10 Apr 2012<span> </span>Brighton v Reading<span> </span>W<span> </span>0-1<span> </span>League Championship<br></span><span>26 Dec 2011<span> </span>Reading v Brighton<span> </span>W<span> </span>3-0<span> </span>League Championship<br></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span>
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</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span>Head to Head<br></span></u></b><span>This will be the 94<sup>th</sup> meeting of these two sides and it is the Royals that hold the better record winning 34 times to Brighton’s 29 with 30 ending in a draw. Last season both matches end in stalemate, they played out a 0-0 draw at Madejski Stadium in September with the game at the Amex ending 1-1 with Royston Drenthe getting the goal for the Royals. They also met in the third round of the FA Cup last season, which Brighton won 1-0. The two sides previously met on Boxing Day during the 2011/12 season although this time it was at Madejski Stadium and Reading won 3-0.<br></span><span>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span>Team News<br></span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Reading:</span></b><span> Danny Guthrie could feature now he has overcome a calf injury that has kept him out of most of this season. Jem Karacan is back in training but will not be thrown back into action until the New Year. Hal Robson-Kanu, Jamie Mackie (both hamstring), Pavel Pogrebnyak, Anton Ferdinand (both calf) and Hope Akpan (shoulder) are all out.<br>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Brighton: </span></b><span>Spanish<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>full-back Bruno starts his first of a three-game suspension against Reading for his sending off in the 1-1 draw at Wolves on Saturday. Captain Gordon Greer is touch and go as to whether he will be fit as he tries to overcome a knee injury, while striker Sam Baldock is close to being fit after a thigh problem. Craig Mackail-Smith has been recalled from a loan spell at Peterborough </span><span>but winger Kazenga LuaLua is side lined with a knee injury, while midfielders Dale Stephens (ankle) and Andrew Crofts (cruciate) are long-term absentees.<br>
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span>Prediction: </span></b><span>Brighton 0-1 Reading
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https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/26/7450379/brighton-hove-albion-fc-v-reading-fcPhil902014-12-26T08:00:02+00:002014-12-26T08:00:02+00:00Ref-Watch: Brighton (A)
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<figcaption>David Rogers/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It's days like Boxing Day that you might regret wanting to become a referee, as you step out on to a chilly pitch when you could be at home with your family. The_Biscuitman has all the details on Friday's official, Graham Salisbury. </p> <p><span>It's Christmas time. Wouldn't it be great if the referee for our Boxing Day clash against Brighton & Hove Albion was called something like Nick, Rudolph or Noel?</span></p>
<p><span>But no. It will be boring old* Graham Salisbury who will take charge on the South Coast. And he's not even from Salisbury. I know, massive let down.</span></p>
<p><span>The Lancashire official is into his 14th term in the Football League, and has reffed 18 games so far in 2014-15, including eight in the Championship, but is yet to take charge of a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/">Reading</a> game this season.</span></p>
<p><span>In fact, his last Royals fixture was almost three years ago, back in January 2012, when we won 2-1 away to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/watford-fc">Watford</a>.</span></p>
<p><span>He has officiated a further seven games that we've been involved in, resulting in four Reading wins, three defeats and one draw.</span></p>
<p><span>Back to this season, Salisbury has handed out three red cards, but they were all within a two week period back in September. Combine this stat with the 67 yellows he has given this season, and you get an average of 3.9 cards per game.</span></p>
<p><span>On to penalties, and he has pointed to the spot eight times this season, however only half of those chances from 12 yards have been converted.</span></p>
<p><span>So, I'm sure Mr Salisbury has received plenty of Christmas cards over the past few weeks (that is if he's well liked), but will he be handing out many at the AMEX? </span></p>
<p><span>Sorry. How could I not mention that joke at this time of year?</span></p>
<p><span>*If you're reading this Graham, I apologise refusely, this is just a presumption. You may not be boring and old, but then again, you are a referee. But peace and goodwill to all men, eh?</span></p>
https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2014/12/26/7449397/ref-watch-brighton-v-reading-fcOlly_Allen