Reading Vs Plymouth Argyle Match Preview


By Rob Tan
February 4 2005

Reading start February with a tricky home tie against Plymouth at the Madejski Stadium.The Pilgrims proved back in November they were more than capable of giving the Royals a scare.They'll be roared on by a strong 4,000 Green Army and the Royals will have to be at there best to stand a chance. MADEJSKI STADIUM

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

READING
VS
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

SATURDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY 2005

15:00 PM KICK OFF

MADEJSKI STADIUM, READING

TEAM NEWS
Steve Sidwell returns from suspension and should return to the starting line-up. Ricky Newman was booked twice during last Saturday's defeat against Leicester and is now, himself, suspended.

Nicky Shorey is fine to play having played the whole of last week's FA Cup game. Also in defence, Steve Coppell, now has another option at centre-back with the signing of Martin Keown - the former Arsenal legend could make his debut.

Glen Little returned to the right hand side of midfield against the Foxes and revealed after the game his move to the left was done specifically for Ipswich. Andy Hughes will probably be out on the left hand side of midfield.

Les Ferdinand will hope to continue up front to allow him to build on a solid performance last week and get fully match fit - as well as to make up for a glaring miss in front of goal that could only be put down to lack of match practice!

Up front Nicky Forster should partner Ferdinand, with Lloyd Owusu, Shaun Goater and Dean Morgan all available for Steve Coppell's final sixteen. Goater has hardly featured recently but Owusu and Morgan both scored for the reserves this week, as did wingers Bobby Convey and Paul Brooker. Dave Kitson is making good progress but will still be out for longer than Royals fans would like.

Plymouth have just signed Dexter Blackstock from Southampton and he could feature this weekend and it will be interesting to see how he performs. Strong forward Micky Evans could partner Blackstock, with Scott Taylor dropping to the bench.

Young Paul Connelly is out with suspension so David Worrell comes in at right back. The Pilgrims also have Akos Buzsaky on loan from Porto as a midfield option but David Friio could make his return.

Plymouth Argyle Key Player - Micky Evans
 

FORM GUIDE
Reading's start to 2005 hasn't been a disaster or a crisis, but it certainly hasn't been the stuff perhaps expected of promotion hunters - the Royals haven't won in the Championship in 2005 so far. Nicky Forster now joins Ivar Ingimarsson as top scorers in 2005, both with 2 goals - but these are the only goals the Royals have netted.

The consolation is that the defence has continued to look solid and few goals have been leaked, the addition of martin Keown to the squad should provide a further boost. With Les Ferdinand playing a good part of last Saturday's game and almost opening his account surely things can only get better at both ends of the pitch. If so, Reading should get back on the promotion trail against struggling Argyle.

Having started well the Pilgrims are now 20th in the League. Bobby Williamson's side haven't had a good 2005 either; they've picked up just one point. They are four points above the drop zone and would look on a win at Reading as a kick-start to their survival campaign.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Plymouth 2:2 Reading      02/11/04

Plymouth 3:1 Reading      12/03/94

Reading 3:2 Plymouth      18/09/93

Plymouth 2:2 Reading      08/05/93

Reading 3:0 Plymouth      31/10/92

OTHER INFORMATION
Around 18,000 tickets have been sold and tickets are available on the day. The Ticket Office opens at 9am.

Match day Programme - £2.50

Make sure to make your predictions on the 1871Royals Prediction League

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