Reading Vs Sheffield United Match Preview
By Rob Tan
April 3 2005
The Royals take on the Blades at the Madejski Stadium with a couple of recent wins under their belt after a very slow start to the year. Sheffield sit one place below Reading and this should be enough to make it an interesting encounter.
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TEAM NEWS | |||||
| The Royals have options up front with Dave Kitson, Nicky Forster, Les Ferdinand, Lloyd Owusu and Dean Morgan all pushing for inclusion in the squad this weekend. Shaun Goater who has not featured since falling out of favour under present manager Steve Coppell has now left Reading on loan at Coventry City where he links up with former team mate and skipper Adie Williams. Dave Kitson seems certain to start and with Nicky Forster back in favour after his match-winning goal against Brighton this would seem to be the front pair likely to start. In midfield Steve Sidwell and Ricky Newman should hold on to their places whilst with Glenn Little injured the wings may be taken up by Andy Hughes and Paul Brooker. Bobby Convey seems unlikely to feature having recently been back to the USA for international duty - on top of an allergic reaction he has had this week. The American apparently has had a reaction to the grass he was playing on - Steve Coppell playing an April Fool's joke on Royals fans? The boss has a sense of humour after all. At the back the usual five should start unless anything should arise between now and the game. This would leave Martin Keown, James Harper, Dean Morgan and Les Ferdinand the likely candidates for the bench - with 'keeper Jamie Young. Louie Soares has returned from his loan spell at Tamworth carrying an injury whilst Adam Federici continues at Maidenhead. Elsewhere defender Johnny Mullins almost scored for Kidderminster and Scott Rendell played for Aldershot. With all of the senior players bar Glenn Little fit and ready for selection none of the youngsters will have any chance of making the step up yet, but many are making good progress - defender Peter Castle's goal took the reserves through to the final of the cup earlier this week. Neil Warnock has praised his loan signing Danny Webber who apparently had wanted a permanent move to Bramall Lane - defender Danny Cullip has gone the other way as part of the deal. Webber has apparently also sealed a deal to move permanently which will just need to be confirmed when transfers are possible. The Blades have experimented in training this week with their front pairings. With Kabba and Gray, Gray and Webber and Kabba and Webber the combinations. Warnock has yet to decide which pair he will go with, with all three permutations showing promise. In addition the Blades have announced their selling days are over having seen several influential players leave them recently including Spurs' midfielder Michael Brown. The club has also recently continued its diversification with a property venture which the club hopes will raise significant revenues for the club over the long term. Andy Liddle is a doubt but Chris Morgan and Alan Quinn should be fit for the game. Leigh Bromby has been passed fit despite a nasty lump on his knee. Ashley Ward, Chris Armstrong and Alan Wright are all out and Hao Haidong is lacking match fitness. United striker Luke Beckett has gone on loan to Oldham. Other news is that Blades' goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been offered a new deal at Bramall Lane. Sheffield United Key Player - Michael Tonge | |||||
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FORM GUIDE | |||||
| Reading could be turning a corner having put an end to a winless run extending from late December to the win against West Ham. Despite losing to Rotherham the unlikely return of Nicky Forster gave the Royals a win against Brighton - so six points from nine. Home form continues to be strong despite the bad run and recent form against the Blades would appear to be a promising sign. However the Blades are just a place below Reading and will be looking to leap-frog the Royals into the play-off zone. Warnock's side has taken 10 points from a possible 18 in their last six games. They recently beat Burnley and drew with fellow play-off hopefuls Preston North End. The encounter between the sides is hugely important to both teams promotion hopes and neither side will want anything less than a win if they are to try to push on to get one of the all important play-off spots. United could be boosted by a recent trip to Cyprus and the support of over 2000 fans coming down in around thirty coaches paid for by the generosity of their club. | |||||
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PREVIOUS MEETINGS | |||||
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Sheffield 0:1 Reading - 14/08/04 | |||||
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OTHER INFORMATION | |||||
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Ticket Information Tickets still remain for this fixture with the club expecting a crowd in the region of 17,500. Please note all home games till the the end of the season are Member Card holders only. If you are yet to sign up for a Member Card then you can do this when you purchase your tickets. It is strictly one ticket per Member Card holder. Please Click Here for the ticket prices regarding this game Other Useful Information Programme: £2.50 Ref Watch: Michael Jones Sheffield United Unofficial Sites: Championship Fixtures Burnley vs Watford
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