READING v DERBY COUNTY COUNTY....................……….........................Sky Bet Championship Game 25
Select Car LeasingStadium, 1500, Monday 3rd January 2022
Well, no-one expected that!!! Going away on a balmy and barmy Thursday evening to Stoke and coming away with the three points after a stoic, battling, expert win. T'was a great night, but you lot kept distracting me with the on-line banter and comments which just added to the enjoyment. Good night all round - which made me realise how few of these we have had recently.
Could we make it four on the bounce - yes we have ridden our luck, but somehow I think Reading is a bigger test purely because of the lowly position they hold - we seem to struggle against the lower teams. Also, they are not are in a good place due to their points deduction (Call that a points deduction? ) 9 points? THAT's not a points deduction.......Anyway I look forward to the fans singing in unison "Fack the EFL"
Team selection may be a headache - again. They ALL want to play ffs. I know Shinne is still out and Colin will be agitating for a start and maybe Morrison could start and play really well but then Thompson and Plange deserve to start and Festy when he came on was unplayable......I'll let you sort it.......
And so to the other distraction, namely tv vat Gibson - can someone not point out to him the absurdities of his actions? Apparently, legal costs for Middlesbrough will far outweigh ours on what looks like a lost cause and if its personal, why doesn't he rock up to Mel's place and have it out there? Sorry, but to me, the whole thing is a weird, surreal, dystopian dream - unfortunately it's not
First game of the year - lets hope its a good one - without any fear (Gibson ) Anyway Happy New Year xxx
Team news:- Allsop, Byrne, Forsyth, Jagielka, Jozwiak, Bird, Lawrence (C), Davies, Knight, Thompson, Plange
comment by Peeder (U1684)
posted 15 minutes ago
Who thinks Bielik might get 20 v Coventry 🤔
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One or two would do me. 😉
Has Bielik been involved in any U23 games yet to be considered for the FA Cup? His return was too soon last season imo so we've really got to treat his return wisely.
The saying "never say die" was never so true. A game in which me and Mrs H had decided 'just wasn't our day' proved us wrong. At 2 0 down were were dead and buried but this lot of players never know when to lie down do they. The come back was simply incredible.
My comment yesterday that Reading would be ring rusty was proved to be wrong as they made the early running. Their plan was simple - "Get it to Andy Carroll". It did seem to be working as they went 2 up in the 2nd half and parked the bus making it even more difficult to break them down. How Reading can afford Carroll's wages is open to debate - but he was the player that caused us the most problems. Yes Hoilet scored 2 - but it was Carroll who made them.
Anyway it felt like a win for us in the end didn't it :
1. Goalie. Allsop. A good game. Not much he could do about the goals we conceded - especially Hoilets first which was a Worldie. Made an earlier save from Carroll's header which was reminiscent of Gordon Banks save against Pele all those years ago.
2. The Defence. Byrne, Jags, Curtis & Fozzie. I'll single out Byrne for praise as his constant work on the right flank was excellent. Curtis too. My MOM, what a player. What a goal.
3. Midfield. Bird, Tommo & Knight. Didn't do anything wrong, but IMO not quite as effective as in previous games.
4. Forwards. Loz, Joz & Ploz. Again, like midfield (for me) struggled to get much change out of the Reading defence. Ploz could well have done better from a free header following a corner....but other than that not much. However, he's young and learning the game at a higher level.
5. Subs. CKR, Ravel & Festy. CKR, our Talisman yet again. Doesn't seem to have much of a smile on his face these days but he does the business when he comes on. Ravel, a bit of an enigma for me and Festy - pace to burn but control / touch lets him down at times. All in all though I think bringing these 3 on as we have in recent games has proven to be an excellent tactic - which I cant fault.
So all in all a terrific result. Well done Derby. Well done the fans. We're keeping the dream alive .....UTR
Something else that's really encouraging - the comments from other fans (lots from Forest) at the end of the BBC report. Over 400 of them and the vast majority hugely complimentary.
Chicago ... even Forest fans can't fail to see how hard this team of ours is fighting. In my 50 years of going to games (March will be the 50th anniversary of my 1st game at the BBG) I've never been prouder of a team.
The youngsters are incredible, the old pros are inspiring.
As Liam R said "all you can do is try your best".
comment by Peeder (U1684)
posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
Chicago ... even Forest fans can't fail to see how hard this team of ours is fighting. In my 50 years of going to games (March will be the 50th anniversary of my 1st game at the BBG) I've never been prouder of a team.
The youngsters are incredible, the old pros are inspiring.
As Liam R said "all you can do is try your best".
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Totally agree, Peeder and Scouse. My years of support go back even further but I can't recall any other squad having a fight and spirit equal to this one except maybe under BC.
