Roll on Reading - the Cherries are on their way

As one of the pre-season favourites Reading have done more than well enough to do justice to that tag. While the former Premiership club has had to slash its wage bill and squad size it has been rejuvenated with some talented players, as well by keeping a few of the Premiership stars. Nigel Adkins has great knowledge of the Championship having already taken Southampton up earlier in his managerial career, but he probably has more pressure on him to succeed with this team.

Adam Le Fondre has surprisingly not played as many games as you might expect in the team this season, but his successful antics as a late time sub in games last season still resonate in my memory, and there is surely not many more deadly finishers than him in the Championship. A player that has really been catching the eye is Pavel Pogrebnyak, who is a Russian international striker, who also had some games for Fulham in the Premiership last season. In the Royals' last game against Charlton though, it was Southampton-loanee Billy Sharp that got their winner in his first start for the club.

But Reading have a good mix with some young players as well. Hope Akpan in midfield was brought in from Crawley Town in the summer. Jordan Obita is a new star for the team who came on to score his first goal in the win against Forest just a week ago.

Further Premiership experience comes in the shape of  players like Hal Robson-Kanu on the wing and Chris Baird at full back who made many appearances for Fulham in the top flight and started out at Southampton. Wayne Bridge will also be a familiar name to most as the former England left back made a move from Brighton to reading in the summer, quite a coup for Adkins.

The man the Cherries will have to score against is Alex McCarthy. He has had a good season so far with the team only conceding 20 goals and Newcastle are said to be looking to make a move for him in January.

AFCB will have to do what no other team has managed this season, if they are to get three points at the Madejski stadium, because Reading are unbeaten at home. Still they have drawn four games at home so they haven't a perfect record.

Elphick is likely to lead the team out at Reading.

For those travelling to the game I saw an article that is just three years away from being very helpful to our travelling fans on the train although the BBC, like me, has trouble spelling Madejski. 

Reading Home form:
WWDDW

AFCB Away form:
LDLDL

If you have not already seen Cherry Chimes interview with Dan Wimbush (Wimb) of The Tilehurest End site, quickly clink on Rival Lines to see the article.

You will also find Cherry Chimes has given some answers in reply on the Tilehurst End Blog. So do visit this site as well.