Pitman at the double - AFCB 3-0 Reading

Match Description

AFCB v Reading

21 October 2014

Attendance: 8899 (including 1073 Reading fans)

The home crowd enjoyed another good win although
weather conditions could have been better.

We might have expected Eddie Howe to make one or two changes to his squad for the Reading match, but he decided to keep things as they were for the previous Charlton game, perhaps as a reward for those who had done so well. A settled winning side is not such a bad thing as long as they keep winning. and Eddie Howe clearly felt confident that his side had enough to out shine a Reading side that saw Akpan and Blackman come into the starting line up. The omission of Glenn Murray probably gave the Cherries a lift too.

Match Summary
Reading won the first corner of the game after a Robson-Kanu run. AFCB soon got into their game though, and Daniels and Pugh looked especially strong on the left side. Reading's tempo was said to be better though on the AFCB blog so it seemed we were set for a tense game.

After 15 minutes it sounded like Reading were on top with Akpan having a deflected shot go for a corner. AFCB came back with a cross from Callum Wilson, but none of the AFCB players could get near it. Reading were still pressing though and had another corner on 20 minutes when a shot came in from Hal Robson-Kanu and went over the bar!

It was Robson-Kanu again who then cut inside and shot over a couple of minutes later. AFCB were starting to get a bit more joy once they passed the 25 minute mark, but Reading were also defending well and clearing the Cherries' attacks.

The deadlock was almost broken by Reading when Gunter hit the cross bar/post and the follow up went over! That was on 36 minutes. After 42 minutes AFCB won their first corner - quite a change to the Charlton match when they were 10 a penny. It was shortly followed by a second AFCB corner when Pitman had a shot blocked! AFCB came even closer then when Ritchie's cross, come shot, hit the post! so it was 0-0 at half time.

AFCB had had just two shots in the first half to Reading's seven, and neither team's keeper had been tested with a shot on target. Both teams had won three corners each and committed six fouls each, according to the BBC's stats. AFCB had kept 58 per cent of the possession.

I expected more of the same in the second half with reading pressing, but to our great pleasure AFCB took the lead on 50 minutes when Pugh had dashed down the wing and centred a cross for Callum Wilson to head home at the far post! Yes, a header!! If that wasn't good enough, just four minutes later Brett Pitman latched on to a defensive mistake to make it 2-0 to the Cherries! 

I imagine it was like watching a different game to the first half. What did Eddie say at half time? AFCB then won a couple of corners on the hour mark as they looked to press home their advantage. Just when you thought Reading may put up a fight, AFCB scored a third and Pitman got his second of the night. Ritchie's cross was volleyed in by Pitman on 64 minutes.

Nigel Adkins did his best to get his team more animated as they won a corner and while Norwood got a head to it the Cherries cleared to preserve their three goal lead. Reading made a sub with Cox coming off and Taylor coming on after 71 minutes. AFCB were still forcing the pace with Ritchie supplying a cross for Pitman that was header just wide. 

There was a bit of a scrap in the box moments later, but the referee calmed things down okay with reading players said to be furious. Marc Pugh then looked like he would score with a great volley, but somehow Reading's keeper kept it out. Fraser was then brought on in place of Ritchie on 79 minutes. It was all AFCB now and after another Wilson cross Frederici made another great save from Pitman with 10 minutes to go.

For all the Rantie fans the South African made an appearance replacing Wilson - the AFCB blog went mad in excitement! Reading also brought on the Pogrebnyak for Robson-Kanu. Rantie immediately went clear and had a shot saved! With a minute of normal time remaining Dan Gosling came on for Marc Pugh. 

In the end it was a convincing win for the Cherries that lifts them to eighth in the table and just five points off the top place.

Official AFCB Match Tweets

01: The game is underway here.

02: Reading have an early corner here...

03: A vigilant #afcb defensive line clear the danger. The @SteveFletcher33 North stand are making themselves heard early on! #AFCBvREA

12: Just over 10 minutes gone and #afcb are yet to find their rhythm. It's been a cagey affair so far.#AFCBvREA

18: Wilson capitalises on a slip, but his cross flashes across the face of goal and #readingfc clear. http://bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

22: Pitman is through on goal but as he waits for the looping ball to drop the #readingfc get back to clear http://bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

25: Arter's name is chanted from the North Stand as he does well to ease the lively Akpan off the ball. http://bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

35: Both sides cancelling each other out here so far, with little goalmouth action at either end.

36: And with that, #readingfc carve out the best chance of the game as Gunter's shot comes off the post!

39: A clever corner routine finds Pitman inside the area but his shot takes a deflection and goes out.

44: Pugh's cross then can't find an #afcb player &#readingfc clear. That was the hosts' best chance.

45: What a chance for Ritchie! His curling shot from the right of the area clips the post

Half time: #afcb 0-0

46: The second half is underway.

50: GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL to #afcb !bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

50: It's that man Wilson again! He is unmarked and makes no mistake, heading home Pugh's cross to give #afcb the lead. 1-0. #AFCBvREA

55: GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL to #afcb!

55: #afcb capitalise on a defensive error and Pitman keeps his cool to slot home from inside the area. 2-0!

63: GOOOOAAAALLLLLLLL to #afcb !

64: Pitman has his second of the night, as he volleys home Ritchie's corner! 3-0 to #afcb !

Tonight's attendance is 8,899, with 1,073 #readingfc supporters. Thank you for your support.

72: Pitman, off-balance, heads Francis' cross comfortably wide. #afcb fans are chanting the striker's name.

73: A goalmouth scramble ends up in an #afcb free kick in their own area - but #readingfc are furious!

77: What a save from Federici! He somehow gets his body in the way to block Pugh's effort at the far post

80: Federici is playing a blinder! He again makes a save from point blank range, this time denying Pitman.

83: Wilson deservedly receives a standing ovation as he is replaced by Rantie. That's four goals in three games for Wilson.

86: Rantie almost has an immediate impact as he forces a save from Federici from a tight angle
 

90: We had no subs on Saturday, but tonight we have 3! Pugh is replaced by Gosling in #afcb's final change.

90+1: There will be four minutes of additional time to be played here. #afcb still lead 3-0.

FULL TIME: #afcb 3-0 #readingfc. What a night! Full report and reaction to come on http://afcb.co.uk . #AFCBvREA

AFCB:

Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Pugh, Arter, Surman, Ritchie, Wilson, Pitman.

AFCB subs: 

Smith, Harte, Gosling, Stanislas, Fraser, Rantie, Camp

Reading:
Federici, Gunter, Obita, Hector, Pearce, Norwood, Akpan, Robson-Kanu, Cox, Mackie, Blackman.

Reading Subs:
S Kelly, Cooper, Kuhl, Taylor, Stacey, Pogrebnyak, Andersen

Is Adkins under pressure as Reading come to Dean Court?

Nigel Adkins has not enjoyed a good run of results with his Reading team of late. The Royals have dropped to 16th in the league, but it is the manner of the defeats that will start to be piling pressure on the former Saint's manager. In their last four games Reading have conceded three goals a game in three of the four matches. Losing that many goals has seen their goal difference slip to -5, and the Royals will come to Dean Court looking to reverse the trend of recent games.

Nigel Adkins may just be finding the manager's seat getting a little hot at Reading.

It's the finishing of the Reading strikers that has been poor. While AFCB have been rattling in the goals with Callum Wilson consistently finding the net, it has not been quite the same for Reading. Their big threat is Glenn Murray who joined on loan from Crystal Palace in the summer, and while he has scored three in five games he has not been as available to start matches as much as Adkins would have liked, and two of those three goals came on his debut against Fulham. Simon Cox we know well from his Forest years, but he is back at the club where he started his career and will be another man that Elphick and Cook are likely to be up against on Tuesday night. 

Looking at their last match against Derby I was most impressed with Hal Robson-Kanu who looked most likely to score for Reading. The winger was subbed on 70 minutes in that game and has not scored this season, which may be hurting his confidence as he had good opportunities to score against Derby. That can also be said of Pavel Pogrebnyak who missed a sitter after he came on late in their last match. 

So the front line of Reading has been blunt of late and Nigel Adkins side has also been getting punished at the other end. Against Leeds though they did manage a goalless draw, so Eddie Howe will know they can defend well away from home on their day. Reading need a turnaround in fortune and AFCB must look to again get that all important first goal to really test the resolve of this Reading team who have had no win in their last five.

Reading's away form:
LWLDL

AFCB home form:
LDLWW

I was kindly asked by the Tilehurst End Blog to answer some of their questions on AFC Bournemouth ahead of tonight's game against Reading FC, so if my answers were not too bad they should appear on their site at some point today. 

"Allez, Allez, Allez OOOO, Allez, Allez, Allez OOOO. Allez, Allez, Allez OOOO - AFCB!" I expect a few will be singing that tonight, UTCIAD!

"There's more to come from this team," says Eddie

Ritchie bags two more goals against Reading last
 night as Bournemouth climb within two points of sixth place.

What has this team got that the other Championship teams are struggling to deal with? I think it's a real combination of things which have transformed the Cherries into a bit of a giant. The players are no longer seeing a team in front of them who can do them harm but are playing to their strengths and letting the opposition worry about them. They are creating so many chances that there is also a feeling of we can score at least one more than however many you can score. It's not a gung-ho style because the back four are very much aware of how important clean sheets can be.

So when Eddie Howe says "there is more to come from this team," what can we expect? I already can see that there is more movement up front than in any other Bournemouth team in the last few years and set-plays are actually becoming a valuable asset to the team, which has been unheard of in recent seasons. Getting even better though will only come with playing more games and this team has had quite a few new recruits this year with Camp, Kermorgant and Fraser not having played much or in some cases any part in last seasons promotion run. 

Yann stooped in with a great header last night to add
Bournemouth's third goal in a 3-1 win against Reading.

The speed in which Lee Camp and Yann Kermorgant have fitted in is remarkable. Yes, they are very experienced players, but other teams have added players since January and not had anywhere near as big an impact as Bournemouth's additions. I loved the way that even Nigel Adkins said he loved the way Bournemouth are playing and that they are a pleasure to watch. He may not have enjoyed Tuesday's game too much but there is no doubt that the Cherries are pleasing on the eye.

They said during the FA Cup game that Bournemouth were perhaps too nice to win games against the big clubs. It was shouted down quite rightly by Brendan Rodgers. Nice guys like Eddie Howe can be winners and his team's attractive football has an added bite to it now and the jaws and teeth look like they are getting bigger still.

Cherry Chimes talks to the Tilehurst End Blog

AFCB V Reading
Match Preview
Blogger Interview - The Tilehurst End

Cherry Chimes had the opportunity to quiz the The Tilehurst End about the Royals push for the play-offs and the thoughts of the blog's editor Dan Wimbush on his teams run-in.

CC: We are right at the business end of the season and Reading are in with a play-off shout, but do you think the team secure a top six place and what do you think about the run in of fixtures you have left - some games must stick out as very hard ones?

TTE: Well it's a mixed picture really but in my mind this game is going to be the hardest of our remaining six! After our trip to the South Coast we've got a home games with already promoted Leicester, and a probably promoted Burnley as well as games against teams with probably nothing to play for in Donny, Middlesbrough and hopefully Wigan. As an eternal pessimist I can still seeing us mess it all up but we're in a fantastic position to make the promotion lottery.

CC: Was the Barnsley game just a bad day at the office or do you think it's the pressure building up?

TTE: It was a horrendous day at the office but sadly was just one of a string of woeful home performances that have seen us win just two games in eleven. We really struggle against teams that sit back, which is why our home form is so bad but our away form has been so excellent. We really do have the ability to beat any team on our day and the more open the game the better!

CC: Would you say the majority of Reading fans are pleased with Nigel Adkins?

TTE: I think most fans sympathise with him at this stage because he was clearly sold a vision of the club that's very different to the reality. He set about trying to rebuild the side but the sudden departure of our owner left him with no funds and having to work with Brian McDermott's side who were used to playing a much different brand of football. Throw in a ridiculous injury list and keeping us in the top six has to be seen as a very good effort. Sure he's made the odd baffling decision but he's done well overall.

CC: If Reading get promoted what does Adkins need to do to make the team a stronger outfit at the top level?

TTE: A lot to say the least. The squad is largely made up of players who looked out of their depth last season in the top flight and few have taken significant steps forward. We'd need large scale investment across the pitch to be competitive but the likes of Crystal Palace show that with the right moves you can do it.

CC: Who would you say is the player that is your biggest goal threat at the moment?

TTE: Goal scoring hasn't exactly come easily in recent weeks, with Adam Le Fondre without a goal since January and Pavel Pogrebnyak also struggling in open play. Our midfielders are all chipping in with the odd goal which is nice and I suppose the real positive is that while no one player looks an outstanding threat, you can see just about any of the 10 outfield players scoring.

CC:  Royston Drenthe looked a great player when he came on against the Cherries at the Madejski. He seems to be getting more games for you now but it is surprising to see he only has two goals this season. How is he doing?

TTE: Drenthe had a fantastic August but an injury against Leeds in mid-September coupled with some undisclosed personal problems looked as if they'd see the Dutch winger out of the club with a whimper and without finding the net. Thankfully those issues seem to be behind him now and while he's still not dominating games the way many of us had hoped, he's become a lot more effective, especially away from home.

CC: You battered AFCB for the first 20 minutes or more at the Madejski but got caught with two quick breakaway goals, so what kind of game do you expect at Dean Court?

TTE: That game was typical of most of our home games this season, where we failed to make early pressure count before capitulating to sloppy defeats. We've one just once all season from going behind but likewise haven't lost when we've taken a lead. With that in mind the first goal is going to be absolutely crucial on Tuesday night and if we get it I think we'll have enough to hold on but if we go behind it could get ugly fast for the Royals.

CC: What do you think about your away form this season?

TTE: You can't be unhappy with a campaign that's seen 10 away wins including wins at QPR and Derby. We've not lost away since January and we've played some of our best football on the road this season, if only we could translate that to results at the Madejski Stadium!

CC:  Will it be easy to pick Reading's best player of the season?

TTE: Not really because no one player has had a consistently good season, as lots of players have played well in patches or have been steady but not spectacular. Young full-back Jordan Obita is winning plenty of hearts after his conversion to left-back while goal keeper Alex McCarthy has been outstanding at times. Adam Le Fondre was awesome in January while his strike partner Pavel Pogrebnyak has plugged away all season long and has earned the respect of Reading fans after a difficult first season at the club.

CC:  Are you surprised that Burnley and Leicester are so far ahead of the other teams in the league?

TTE: Yes and no, I don't think either have been amazing to watch but both have just had the consistency to get results where as the rest of us just seem to slip up far too often. There's not much difference between the top eight in terms of ability and potential but the fantastic team spirit at Turf Moor and the ruthless consistency at the King Power look to have seen both of them back to the Premier League.

CC: I had better ask what you think the score will be tonight?

TTE: I'm going for a very nervy and edgy 1-1, I think Bournemouth will come at Reading full steam and we might just catch you on the break. From there it's a big defensive effort from Reading but we can't quite hang on.

CC: Thank you for giving some detailed answers Dan. I know this is a difficult game for both teams and will be one of the crunch fixtures this Tuesday that could define so much of the season, not only for our two clubs but for others as well. It is an eagerly anticipated game by fans of the Cherries and imagine it is equally so among Reading's fans. In many ways I think the match at the Madejski was key in Bournemouth's season and it helped give our side belief. It is fitting that this big match at Dean Court will be an evening fixture and I hope it is a good atmosphere with many travelling fans expected despite it being a mid-week game.

For more news and thoughts on how The Royals are shaping up for this fixture please have a read of the recent reports on The Tilehurst End. Cherry Chimes has also written some answers for The Tilehurst End blog so you could well see some more of my thoughts about tonight's match up on this site at some point later today.

You'll also see that we have put a short snap poll up in the right hand panel to see who just may be the Bournemouth player who is likely to walk off with all the player of the season trophies this year. I've narrowed it down a bit but if your favourite isn't there click the other box!

Eddie got his tactics right

I'm pretty sure that Eddie Howe was feeling the pressure ahead of the Reading game. It was not that the Cherries had been playing badly, but they just hadn't got more than the odd point in the last dozen games. All you need then is to face another top six side away from home! However, the Reading game is virtually a derby for Bournemouth fans, and when you have more than 2000 willing your team on Eddie Howe must have told his players that it was time to forget about the last month or so and to go out and get the victory for the club, fans and for themselves.

The Bournemouth bench at the Madejski stadium.

The lads played with the passion and intensity to frustrate Reading. It was vital that the Cherries set their stall out to deny Reading that early breakthrough. So often we have seen Bournemouth fail to put up a strong enough defence against teams that really come at them, but that didn't happen at the Madejski. AFCB have been getting better organised away from home, but getting to half time being two-nil up was a massive boost that carried the team through.

The pleasing thing was that AFCB did not get deflected from their task when Reading were pounding the Bournemouth end with corner upon corner. The midfield three of Arter, Surman and O'Kane just formed a solid barrier through which the Royals could not break through. They were forced out to the wings and Daniels and Francis were ready for them, with Ritchie and Pugh also protecting the flanks. Any high balls that did make it into the box were swallowed up by Cook and Elphick. Lee Camp also showed his maturity with a confident catching display.  

Reading's Nigel Adkins said after the game that he was disappointed that they had not worked Lee Camp harder, but that was down to how hard AFCB worked in defence to keep Guthrie out of range and deny Billy Sharp of any easy opportunity in the box. They had not managed to do that as well in midweek when they played QPR, but AFCB are work in progress and now that they know they can shut out teams like Reading for a large part of the game that should give them confidence.

I am looking forward to the next few games now as it looks like the team has turned a corner and coming off the back of a hard series of games it has probably done them a lot of good. We could now see AFCB flourish.   

All Departments has also released its Kangreoo Court podcast on the 1:2 victory at Reading. Visit All Departments' website or listen on Cherry Chimes by clicking on the sound bar in the panel on the right hand side of this blog, just below popular posts. 

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.

Cherry Chimes talks to The Tilehurst End Blog - Reading v AFCB

Reading v AFCB

Match Preview

Blogger Interview

Cherry Chimes spoke to Reading blogger Dan Wimbush (Wimb) who writes on the Tilehurst End blog ahead of the Reading v AFCB match. Dan is not sure if the fans are yet warming to Nigel Adkins, but he is sure that Pavel Pogrebnyak is one of those making the right kind of impression at Reading FC this season. 

CC: What were you aiming to achieve when you started the Tilehurst End blog and have you been surprised by its growth, and what do you enjoy about writing on it?

TTE: I'm not sure I had many aims really!

To be honest it was just about setting up a website that I felt would be able to plug a gap in the online Reading FC landscape. When we started the Tilehurst End in early 2011 there really wasn't a place that Reading fans could go to read long-form analysis pieces, sure we had forums like Hob Nob Anyone and the Royals Rendezvous, but there wasn't a website or a blog that allowed people to write in depth.

So I did a bit of research and found a few fans that had tried to start blogs or websites before but had since dropped away and asked if they wanted to come on board. Together we started a website over on the Wordpress platform and after around 18 months we were fortunate to be picked up by an American based blog network called SB Nation that have really allowed us to grow and expand.

I never expected us to get to the stage where we had nearly 3,000 Twitter followers and up to 50,000 page views a month but that's a testament to the number and diverse range of writers we've been able to have on the website over the years.

Lately we're just launched a podcast and as somebody who used to love presenting on student radio, that's probably the area that I'm most fond of!

CC: How do you feel Nigel Atkins has done coming into the club and do you like what he says in his post match interviews?

TTE: Truthfully, I've not really warmed much to Adkins public persona. He's sadly typical of this generation of managers who have been through extensive media training and know what to say and not say. He doesn't have the history with the club that Brian McDermott had, nor has he had the successes that made fans warm to managers like McGhee, Pardew and Coppell.

What matters is how he gets the team playing and while I'm happy to write off last year's relegation, this season has been very much a mixed bag in terms of both style and substance.

You can certainly see that he's trying to change the playing style but sadly injuries and a lack of investment have meant that the transition period has been a bit more painful than many fans would like.

CC: No doubt you would like to be higher up the table but do you feel that your current league position is consistent with how your performances have been this season?

TTE: Yes and no....

If you looked at our performances across the campaign then it's not really a team you'd say deserves to be in the top six. We got thumped at Sheffield Wednesday, drew with Barnsley, Millwall and Bolton and only got out of jail against Yeovil thanks to a late penalty.

That being said we've thrown away plenty of leads late in games this season and with a bit of luck and help from referees (as I'm sure most fans say!) We could be a lot closer to the top two.

The most pleasing thing is that we're still in touch towards the top despite not getting out of second gear. If we're this high when we're playing badly, then hopefully the only way is up!

CC: Which players have you been pleased with this season?

TTE: Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy continues to show why he won an England call-up last summer and from what I've seen is the best goalkeeper in this division.

Winger Garath McCleary and fellow midfielder Danny Guthrie have also been in good form but recently it's the efforts of Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak that has been the most pleasing.

CC: Reading have only lost three times but you've had a lot of draws so do you think the team could be more attacking in its play or are you missing chances?

TTE: We're not really a team that creates tons of chances but we've done pretty well with the limited chances we've had. I think there was a stat recently that showed we had the best chance to goal conversion in the division so if we could get a bit more creativity we'd be a real force.

CC: Is Adam Le Fondre getting 90 minutes more often this season and does Adkins get more out of him than Brian McDermott did?

TTE: Alfie continues to divide opinion, because while his goalscoring record is impressive, his record as a starter is poor. In 37 starts for the club he's scored just 11 times but he's managed 19 in 43 from the bench, including setting a Premier League record for goals as a sub.

Sadly, Reading just don't create the volume of chances he needs to be a 90 minute player and with an increasing focus on ball retention and possession, he's not strong or dynamic enough to play up front on his own.

He really excels when the team is surging forward looking for goals in the final 20 minutes, when defences are tiring and his movement gets the better of a weary defence. I'm sure Le Fondre wants to start every week and he's not an awful forward, but sadly he's not proved himself in three years that he's worth an automatic start.

CC: Billy Sharp has only played in a couple of matches from what I can see - is he injured, he still hasn't scored for you yet has he? (the question was put prior to the mid-week game when Billy scored against Charlton - he just might get a warm reception from AFCB fans)

TTE: Nope! Sharp has played about 20 minutes for the club in 2 months and while he had to deal with a niggling injury, he's been fit enough to be on the bench in recent weeks but has just been overlooked.

Pavel Pogrebnyak has been in inspired form so there's no justification to drop him, while as mentioned we tend to go more 4-5-1 than 4-4-2. That's meant limited chances for Sharp and with the Southampton man due to go back to his parent club in five games time, there's suggestions that with funds to sign him permanently in question, maybe Adkins doesn't want to change the style to accommodate a player that might not be with us come 2014.

CC: Who are likely to get the goals for you at the moment and what are the strengths of your attackers?

TTE: As I've said, Pavel Pogrebnyak is in good form and has five goals in his last ten games. The Russian is big and strong and has added fitness and commitment to his list of attributes since the close of the transfer window.

Le Fondre and Sharp have both got goals at this level and if we do go 4-4-2, both will be hoping to partner the big man up front. Danny Guthrie has found the net a fair few times as well this season, while both former Bournemouth man Alex Pearce, plus Kaspars Gorkss are both threats from set pieces.

CC: Was the Nottingham Forest result the other night the best Reading have played away from home?

TTE: It's certainly up there. I think the second half at Derby was probably the best performance as a whole but when you factor in quality of opposition, injuries and recent form, the Forest game probably nicks it.

CC: You have been defending well but who has been the star defender for the team?

TTE: There hasn't really been a star defender but as mentioned Alex McCarthy has been sensational in goal and has kept us in plenty of games this season.

The men in front of him have been rotating all season due to injuries and suspensions so we're still yet to find a really settled back four.

CC: It's still close in the top half of the table, can you see Reading catching Leicester, Burnley and QPR by the New Year?

If our injury list clears up then certainly but right now we're missing a key cog or two that'll let us really compete with that top three. I don't expect Burnley to stay up there but QPR and Leicester look very strong and so it'll be tough for anyone to keep up with them.

I think we'll give automatic promotion a good crack but really I'd settle for a play-off place and hope we can make it sixth time lucky in the end of season lottery.

CC: What will AFCB fans enjoy about visiting the Madejski stadium - are the views good and is it a good atmosphere?

TTE: Despite being 15 years old now, the Madejski Stadium still holds up very well when compared to other new stadiums that have been built since the Taylor Report.

The facilities in the stadium are good and you'll get a great view from wherever you happen to be sat. If you're bringing young fans along then there's also a family area towards the front of the stand which stewards monitor, while away fans recently voted us the fourth best away day in the Championship. The only drawback is a lack of pubs in the direct vicinity of the ground but if you're travelling by train then the Three Guineas beside the train station is a designated away pub.

Atmosphere wise and sadly like most new stadia it does suffer from being quiet at times, especially if there's a few thousand empty seats. However, I do remember our battles with Bournemouth in Division 2 a decade ago attracting decent crowds and good atmospheres and fingers crossed we see that again!

CC: Thanks for answering all those questions Dan. I have heard that AFCB have an increased allocation for the game so it looks like we will bring a big crowd. We had 1400 at QPR and for this match we'll have 2000 supporters, so the noise should be good. With Nigel Adkins, Chris Baird and Billy Sharp at the Madejski it will be like taking on part of Southampton, so it could be quite lively on Saturday.

Please take a look at The Tilehurst End and why not have a listen to their latest podcast for some inside information. I have also given some answers to Dan's questions about AFC Bournemouth, so if you visit the The Tilehurst End you should see a story on Cherry Chimes at some point today.

10 things Cherry Chimes wishes had been different this season

AFC Bournemouth has had a fantastic season but there are just a few things that would have been nice to change. Can you guess any of Cherry Chimes top 10 changes that we would have liked to have happen?

10. I wish we could have mastered the penalty shot out against Oxford in the Capital One Cup, I so hate going out of cups in the first round.

9. Southampton, can't they be docked 10 points for unfairly sacking Nigel Adkins and have to play us in the Championship next season?

8. I wish one of those who came on loan had realised that coming to AFCB was not a holiday resort (I'll let you guess the player). Then again perhaps he was just not very good.

7. Eunan O'Kane decides it is not wise to collect the ball with his hands in the penalty area when playing Walsall.

6. Tommy Elphick manages to evade that tackle from MK Don's Ryan Lowe. 

5. Paulo Di Canio could have decided to leave Swindon Town earlier in the season so that they did not inflict that 4:0 drubbing on AFCB!

4. Super Fletch finds he can shed years and turns up at pre-season training looking like a 21 year old and comes out of retirement.

3. Wigan were not awarded a penalty in the first leg of our third round FA Cup tie and Eunan O'Kane's goal won the tie. AFCB then went on to Wembley, where Eddie Howe's team won the club's best ever trophy, the fans had a great day out and the Cherries go into Europe for next season. 

2. Paul Groves and Shaun Brooks had decided that diamonds are best worn on a girl's finger, so that AFCB would have had a better start in League One.

1. Brentford's O'Connor tells Marcello Trotta to take a long walk off a short cliff and grabs the ball from him to score in the 95th minute against Doncaster Rovers to promote Brentford and send 2000+ fans at Prenton Park delirious as AFCB fans celebrate being League One champions!

Have you any further suggestions that are printable?