Preview: Town – Reading

By Aston
November 22 2005

Team news, manager previews, betting odds and the officials ahead of Town’s game against Reading at Portman Road tonight.

Town manager Joe Royle is with out midfielder Owen Garvan and striker Adam Proudlock but other than their absence he has a full squad to choose from with Kevin Horlock returning to the side after missing the draw with Coventry due to suspension.

 

Town manager Joe Royle: “We are four games unbeaten and we need to have a right go at Reading.

 

“We have to do a lot better than we did at their place. I was disappointed with us there but perhaps that has been slightly qualified because they have gone on to show that they are the hardest team to beat in this division.

 

“We are still improving and Saturday in all ways except the cutting edge was one of our best performances of the season.

 

“We have to find goals and need to be more prolific in front of goal.

 

“Everywhere else is coming together. We looked balanced, athletic and passed the ball well. We created openings and chances - we now just have to stick them away.”

 

Town Squad: Dean Bowditch, Darren Currie, Jason De Vos, Nicky Forster, Kevin Horlock, Jimmy Juan, Jim Magilton, Jay McEveley, Richard Naylor, Sam Parkin, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Luis Sito, Shane Supple, Ian Westlake, Gavin Williams, Fabian Wilnis.

 

The Royal’s have left Dave Kitson in Reading after he picked up a head injury in training on Monday but he may well travel up to Suffolk after getting further treatment from the physio, Steve Sidwell is doubt with a toe injury but he should play while Brynjar Gunnarsson is in Iceland on personal grounds.

 

Reading boss Steve Coppell: “We're a target for teams now and everyone wants to beat us.

 

“Ipswich have us very much in their sights and it would mean a lot to their regeneration if they beat us. It's a big game for both teams.

 

“We have to be right. If we're not right then we'll get beat.”

 

The current temperature means the game should go ahead as planned but fog could cancel the game.

 

Match Odds from William Hill:

Town: 9/5

Draw: 21/10

Reading: 5/4

STB Prediction: Town 2-0 Reading (12/1 with William Hill)

 

Officials:

Referee: Paul Melin (Surrey)

Assistant Referees: Stephen Artis (Norfolk) and Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)

Fourth Official: Ian Searle (Hertfordshire)

 

Sources: EADT and Reading FC – the official website.

 

Talk about Town on our Message Board.