Can the Cherries trip up Nigel's Reading team?

If QPR's visit to Dean Court was a big game you would have to say that the Reading match now becomes almost a win or bust game for the Cherries. AFCB can't afford to leave anything on the pitch and must now give it their all against a Reading team who are in the box seat for a play-off place. Nigel Adkins will be sweating on this match as he knows even a point would still leave his Reading side as favourite's for the sixth place, but a defeat would not only open the door to Bournemouth but also, Brighton, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest any one of which could snatch that play-off place away from The Royals.

It's so close that goal difference could even come into play. So Bournemouth will need to do all they can in this game with what should be see as an opportunity and not a hurdle as they need a win and more goals. Having beaten Reading at the Madejski stadium earlier in the season, AFCB will be going for the double over The Royals.

But Reading have started to pick up points again a home draw against Huddersfield and an away win against Charlton Athletic has steadied the ship. They have some great players and among them the Cherries have to look to shackle Danny Guthrie who was at the heart of Reading's strong start against the Cherries when they played at Reading earlier this season. Royston Drenthe will be likely to have more minutes against AFCB than he did the last time the team met and Adam Le Fondre is now getting starts alongside Pogrebnyak.

As you will see from the form guide, Reading like playing away and that sends a signal to AFCB to be on their guard. It would be nice to have an extended season but things will need to go AFCB's way against Reading.  

I still feel that AFCB owe Nigel Adkins one for when he brought his Southampton side to Dean Court a couple of years ago (March 2011) and beating us 1-3 and scuppering our season a bit when we were doing so well. But let's face it, I think Harry Redknapp is the only ex-saints manager that most of us AFCB fans can like and we were not going to let his team win at Dean Court. So watch out Nigel - we're coming for you!

Reading Away form
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AFCB Home form
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It should be a good game tonight and a great atmosphere. Reading have a very strong team and I just hope we get an early goal to get us on our way. For more of my views ahead of tonight's game pop over to The Tilehurst End Blog who have kindly featured Cherry Chimes.  

In return Cherry Chimes invites you to see what the Tilehurst End thinks of tonight's match on Rival Lines.