Reading Vs West Ham United Match Preview
By Mark Sugar
April 1 2004
The match is here!Its Reading Vs West Ham live on Sky Sports 2,kick off 12:30pm as Alan Pardew makes his first return to Reading since causing fury by leaving the club back in September to join the East London club.The match is a sell out as the 2 clubs look to gain promotion back to the Premiership
Reading Vs West Ham United
Saturday,3rd April 2004
Nationwide League Division 1
Madejski Stadium, Reading
Kick Off 12:30pm
Team News
Once again, Reading manager Steve Coppell has a number of injury problems which
will influence his team selection for the important clash with West Ham. Marcus
Hahnemann is still out with a medial knee ligament injury, sustained in the
goalless draw with Stoke City. He won't feature on Saturday meaning the number 1
jersey will be held by Jamie Ashdown, with Jamie Young on the bench. Left back
Nicky Shorey suffered a very rare foot infection hours before the clash with
Cardiff City on the 16th March. The infection has ruled him out for the season.
On-loan Coventry City defender Dean Gordon is expected to make his debut at left
back. Steve Brown will undergo knee surgery on Monday after still suffering with
a swollen knee which hasn't cleared since the 5-1 defeat to Rotherham United.
His absence will mean a defensive partnership of Ricky Newman and Icelandic star
Ivar Ingimarrson. Lloyd Owusu returns from a 3 game suspension. He is in line to
make his 1st start for Reading since signing permanently. That should mean a
place on the bench for Dave Kitson. Andy Hughes is expected to go back to his
right midfield role leaving Dean Morgan on the bench. Paul Brooker has signed
until the end of the season from Premiership side Leicester City. He will
probably be on the bench as well on Saturday. Kevin Watson suffered a recurrence
of a calf injury in the 2-1 win over Coventry. But Watson should be fit for
Saturday. Nicky Forster got a 60 minute run out in the reserves 2-0 defeat to
local rivals Oxford United. He along with Adie Williams could make the subs
bench on Saturday. Williams has been out with a knee infection. Joe Gamble,
Simieon Howell, Andre Fashanu and Joe Gamble are all out on-loan with lower
league clubs.
No team news for West Ham United yet.
Key player for West Ham: Marlon Harewood
West Ham Goal Scorer's:
| Name | League | FA
Cup |
Carling
Cup |
Other |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Connolly | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| Marlon Harewood | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Brian Deane | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Matt Etherington | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Bobby Zamora | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Christian Dailly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Neil Mellor | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Don Hutchinson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Nigel Reo-Cocker | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Kevin Horlock | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Michael Carrick | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Hayden Mullins | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Joel McAnuff | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jon Harley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire)
Form Guide
The Royals enter the match after a win against Coventry City. Goals from John
Salako and ex Manchester City striker Shaun Goater were enough as the Royals won
2-1.
The Hammers go into the match with a win in their previous match as well after a 2-1 victory over Gillingham at Upton Park. A 1st half goal from Bobby Zamora and a 2nd half strike from left winger Matthew Etherington was enough for the Hammers.
Previous League Meetings
13/09/2003 West Ham
United 1-0
Reading
Thanks to www.soccer-stats.com for the above information
Ticket News
Click here for the Ticket
News for the game
Division 1 Fixtures
Saturday 3rd April 2004
Reading Vs West Ham United 12:30pm
Gillingham Vs Cardiff City 15:00pm
Preston North End Vs Bradford City 15:00pm
Sheffield United Vs Nottingham Forest 15:00pm
Stoke City Vs Coventry City 15:00pm
Wigan Athletic Vs Wimbledon 15:00pm
Burnley Vs Norwich City 15:00pm
Crewe Alexandra Vs Rotherham United 15:00pm
Derby County Vs Walsall 15:00pm
Sunday 4th April 2004
Ipswich Town Vs West Brom 16:05pm
Thanks to www.bbc.co.uk/football
for the fixture list
League Table
| Current League Positions | P | W | D | L | F | A | P | |
| 4th | West Ham United | 39 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 58 | 41 | 63 |
| 9th | Reading | 39 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 49 | 52 | 60 |
Anything Else
REMEMBER TO MAKE YOUR
PREDICTION ON THE PREDICTION LEAGUE.
BACK THE BOYS AND MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COME ON URZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!