Reading v Nottingham Forest Match Thread

From the highs of Birmingham, to the lows in Blackburn, to the worst Forest performance ever witnessed since records began.

It probably wasn't that bad. When at uni I remember Blackburn pumping us 7-1 at their place. I've seen some rubbish in league one and some outright disastrous promotion challenging seasons, but this rankled for a different reason. We've shown were actually a lot better than this. When key men are fit.

With the unfortunate news of Carayol being injured for several weeks we see the return of Pereirra from suspension. Well, we should do. I think if he plays Dumitru there when Hilda is available, someone will chin him.

Mills is another one back from suspension and we should hopefully see Vaughan (rib) return also. Mancienne may also return to the squad.

For Pinillos it's likely to come to early and Britt will likely come of the bench. I don't disagree with this. When he does get his first start I'd prefer it to be at home, rather than being risked away.

Team then:

Stojkovic
Lichaj Mills Perquis Traore
Lansbury Vaughan Cohen
Perreira Vellios Osborn

Henderson, Hobbs, Fox, Grant, Kasami, Lica, Assombalonga

Is that enough to win at Reading? Of course it is. It's also enough to draw and ultimately lose.

Who is going to turn up and take the game to Reading, or is it going to be another two goal surrender before half-time? Maybe a group hypnosis session? Convince them it's already the second half when it's in fact the first?

...and PM isn't helping either. The defence is woeful! Just one mistake a game please! That'd do for a start.

Form over the last 6:

Forest - LDLWLL
Reading - WLDDLW

Predictions then?

Although Reading had a game midweek (lost 2-0 Away to Arsenal) only 6 of the players that featured, played in the league fixture prior, featured at the Emirates. Tiredness shouldn't be a factor.

Reading have scored 17 goals and have the same GD as Forest. Minus three. Forest have scored 24. It seems wrong that we are 7 points and 11 places worse off. Oh for a decent defence.....

Forest have had a week further to work on that very defence and with the return of Mills (suspension) and Traore (nearing full fitness) we should be a lot more solid. The key man are Vaughan and Dumitru. Vaughan is as vital as Dumitru is detrimental to any aspirations of 3 points.

We've scored in every away game since Brentford back in August and in the last 6 are GF 8 GA 10, compared to Reading's GF6 GA8. It all points to a 1-1, but If we can line-up like my line-up, I see us winning 2-1. This is the championship after all.

Lose with that team and PMs time is nearly up.