It seems a bit incongruous to be writing about an upcoming fixture, when one of our own is lying in a West Midlands hospital, in a critical condition, after having the audacity to follow his team to their away fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers. I hope the local police force do everything they can to find the people responsible and serve them a punishment that befits the crime. Incidents, such as those above, bring home the fact – that it’s only a game for god sake! Reluctantly, I’ll proceed to write a rather insipid preview of what we have in store. Reading come to the Vic during a rather hectic period for them, having drawn at Bradford in the cup, they play their rearranged league game on Tuesday (10th March) and then host Bradford in a replay next Monday (16th), so four games in nine days is likely to take its toll on their squad – well let’s hope so anyway – and we end up benefitting from their busy schedule! Our games are usually closely contested, with only a goal in it either way, hopefully we will come out on top and continue our run of good form. Since the turn of the century, both teams have won six matches and there have been eight draws, so pretty even Stevens. We’ve obviously experienced the ‘ghost’ goal during that period and apart from the anti-Rodgers visit to Reading, the games haven’t made too many headlines – hopefully after Saturday, we’ll be cheering Watford from the top of the pile. Anyway, I’m going to leave it there, apart from saying that I hope the chap currently in intensive care and makes a full recovery so that he can get back to enjoying family life, with his wife and two young children! All the best mate….
At least some of their fans have shown a bit of decency in starting and contributing to a fund, best wishes nick #watfordfamily Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I went to Reading on my own this season as my boy was ill, I wore my coat with the Watford logo on it & I saw supporters openly in their colours and there wasn't the slightest hint of trouble nor animosity before, during or after the game. I like Reading.
We are surely playing Reading at the best possible time. They have a game this midweek and their FA Cup replay 2 days after our game. Given they have little to play for in the league, they may be resting players against us?
Possibly as you say they have little to play for in the league, they won't go down nor reach the play offs, but I sure hope it doesn't make us complacent.
Hopefully the players will see this as a great opportunity, rather than a free win. I can't see anything but a convincing Watford win, to be honest.
Only manage to get to a few games a season. This is one of them. The others so far have been Huddersfield and Brighton so I've yet to see us lose this season. I'm not sure if this makes me more or less nervous ahead of Saturday. But I'll keep the faith and predict 3-1.
For sure yes, on paper the next two matches should yield 6 points but we can't afford to be complacent or, as Joka said recently, over expectant. Plus Wigan did beat Norwich last week. Also as we have 3 tough games after the next two we must be focused on doing a professional job.
Yes things at the top are so tight every goal really matters so if we get in front on Saturday must be no easing up. fancy a 3-1 win.
Nice post Jelboy. Obviously I, among many others, absolutely share your sentiment regarding Nick Cruwys. All the best in recovery. I know it's take each match as it comes, but I'm more worried about Wigan away than Reading. Like mentioned already, this is a good time to play Reading given their fixture schedule. We must deliver a professional job. Bournemouth play Blackpool at home. We could do with a few goals to keep the GD up. I'm sure we would all take a 1-0 win, though.
The events at Wolves have really taken the shine off this season for me. Up to now I've been loving it. Should be celebrating a good away point and looking forward to the Reading game. Just doesn't feel the same... get well soon Nick.
I hope to God, now that we've drawn a game we don't go on a drawing spree to make up for the lack of draws. I have a nasty feeling we will though. Squeaky bum time folks!
Joka won't let them get complacent. Can't see Abdi being involved much in the next two games with the three biggies coming up. For Reading I'd go for: Gomes Paredes/Motta Cathcart Angella Anya Tozser Watson Guedioura Forestieri Vydra Deeney Hopefully give Ighalo some minutes at some point as well.
They will play a "weaken side" - which should help but then we would have scouting Reading's 1st teamers so they might come as a surprise... Lets win this for Nick..
If Abdi is fit he plays. No sense in resting him and having him rusty for the games with Boro and Derby. He said himself he likes to play as many games as possible.
I think it'd be good for us for Reading to win tonight. Even though they are 10 points clear of the bottom 3, looking at their forum, they are still looking over their shoulders nervously. Even though they should be well safe by now, a win tonight and that's 13 clear. Otherwise, they may be taking our game a little more seriously than we on here think. As already said, we cannot be complacent about anyone.
Agree on the complacency front but they are playing Bradford two days later for the chance to go to Wembley. They may well be prioritising that and the subsequent game at Charlton.
I'm pretty of jealous of Reading having a home game against a League One team for a place in the FA Cup semi finals. We haven't had a good run for a number of years, but it really comes down to luck. If we got some decent draws one year, no reason why we couldn't go on a run. Imagine we were in Reading's place and instead of drawing Arsenal in the semis we drew Villa. We'd be in with a shot of another Final. It COULD happen. This for me is the biggest motivation for getting promoted. Lumbering around in the lower mid-table doesn't excite me. Being a Prem team that has a legitimate shot at winning a cup does. Ultimately, clubs exist firstly to entertain their fans and secondly to win titles. We have never won one (even Luton have) and I want that to change one day! Promotion is our best chance. So let's beat Reading on Saturday for starters....
I detect a very understandable lack of enthusiasm regarding this game, for obvious reasons. Reading beat Brighton tonight and are now 13 points clear of drop zone so should relax on Saturday with eyes on possible Wembley semi final. They have only scored 39 and conceded 54 goals in 36 games. We should take advantage and take Reading apart and dedicate the win to Nick. Hopefully there will be better news on his condition by Saturday - come on Nick, come on you 'Orns...
In relation to nick cruwys, I couldn't agree more and it's nice to see that the teams that people support don't matter in tragedies such as this (I point to the Luton fan who came on here to wish nick the best of luck in his recovery) To the Reading game, a few weeks ago my mate (a reading supporter) was beginning to enjoy watching reading, Now he says he can barely bear to watch goalless game after goalless game, they can't score for toffees so if we can break them open quickly and get one, then hopefully we should go on and win with a nice clean sheet. If we fail to score quickly then we could see our fist nil-nil in a long time. Their large Russian fellow is starting for them up front and is absolutely shocking but does, like ff apparently, have a knack for diving. So could see ourselves losing to a jammy penalty. They have a bit of pace on the right wing so if Paredes doesn't defend they could open us up with long balls and crosses into their Russian geeza. I definitely haven't contradicted myself several times there or anything Just stating things that might happen during the game. I predict a professional 3-0 win
If Reading rest their best players & we walk it the other promotion contenders will be furious. :naughty:
I think this might decide the run in. As pretty much everyone from 9-20th has nothing to play for now it could have a big say in who goes up, which is why I think Bournemouth and Norwich will do it, because they have the most of this kind of fixtures left.
Reading still owe us a goal and we should show them no mercy if they play a weakened team. I'm sure we could handle the flack ...:fessi:
