Reading Vs West Ham United Match Preview
By Matthew Grant
March 13 2005
Alan Pardew returns to Reading for the second time looking for a priceless win to take some of the pressure off his shoulders. Reading are still looking for their first league win of 2005.
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TEAM NEWS | |||||
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Steve Coppell will be forced into making changes from the dull 0:0 match last weekend away at QPR. Les Ferdinand has picked up yet another injury with the 38 year old likely to be out of action for up to four weeks. So either Lloyd Owusu or Dean Morgan are likely to be partnering Dave Kitson upfront. After rejecting a move away from the Madejski last week, Nicky Forster could make a return to the subs bench. Ricky Newman will be looking to hold onto his place in the starting eleven with James Harper waiting in the wings to take his place. Bobby Convey is also pushing for a starting place after yet another impressive performance in the reserves scoring twice in a win over Colchester United in the week. Graeme Murty is also looking for a return after recovering from a angle injury which kept him out of the game at Loftus Road. If the Reading captain does not play then Andy Hughes will again fill in at right back. West Ham could give a debut to new signing Shaun Newton, the ex Charlton player signed from Wolves yesterday and could fill in at right back in the absence of Tomas Repka who is suspended following the Czech's moment of madness in head butting Preston's Brian O'Neill last weekend. Ex Reading manager, Alan Pardew can also call upon the services of Mark Noble, Anton Ferdinand and Luke Chadwick who all return from injury but Sergei Rebrov is defiantly out with a calf injury. Pardew is also with long term casualties Christian Dailly and Don Hutchinson. West Ham Key Player - Marlon Harewood | |||||
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FORM GUIDE | |||||
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Reading amazingly are still in the hunt for a Play-Off place after continuing their winless streak at QPR last Saturday with a 0:0 draw. The Royals are currently sixth in the table with the weekends opponents West Ham breathing right down their back. The Hammers are on the same points as Steve Coppell's men but do have a game in hand. Sheffield United are eighth and also on the same points as Reading with a game in hand. West Ham also go into the game on a bad run of form which has left Alan Pardew under a serious amount of pressure. Many West Ham supporters are starting to seriously question Pardew's management capabilities and a defeat to Reading would only add to the ill feeling amongst the supporters. | |||||
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PREVIOUS MEETINGS | |||||
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West Ham 1:0 Reading - 10/08/04 *League Cup - Reading won on peanlties. | |||||
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OTHER INFORMATION | |||||
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Ticket Information This game is still to sell out with over 1,000 tickets still remaining for the fixture. If paying on the day, Reading supporters must note that they will have to sign up for a member card in order to purchase tickets for the game. It is strictly One Ticket per member card holder. Member Cards are free of charge. West Ham supporters are advised not to travel to the game without a ticket as the full away allocation has been sold so no tickets will be available on the day. Try to arrive at the stadium as early as possible to avoid expected traffic delays building up to kick off. Please Click Here for the ticket prices regarding this game Other Useful Information Programme: £2.50 Ref Watch: Phil Joslin West Ham Unofficial Sites: Championship Fixtures Burnley vs Rotherham
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