The Rams head to Reading with little to play for but pride. Some of the kids may get a run for the team and give hope for the future – but don’t hold your breath.

Reading vs. Derby County  

Saturday 6th May 2011

Madejski Stadium - Reading

P 14 W 1 D 1 L 12 F 7 A 30

Last game at the Madejski

Wednesday 10th March 2010 -  Reading 4 vs. 1 Derby; Sunnu

Current Form:

Reading:  5/24 P 45 W 19 D 17 L 9 F 67 A 49

Leading scorers: Long (21lg2cp)

Derby: 19/24  Derby P 45 W 13 D 10 L 22 F 57 A 69

Leading scorers: Bueno, Cywka, Davies, Moore, Savage (4)

The Rams

Another poor season from the Rams and yet another poor showing at home to Bristol City. Eleven games lost at home - the same number as away - is just unacceptable and I venture any other manager would have lost his job.

Nigel Clough though has the backing of the board and is talking about replacing 10 players.

Departing Captain Robbie Savage thinks £10m needs spending on the team.

Are we really that bad?

During our 'purple' patch we looked capable of beating anyone. the 2-2 game against QPR was great to watch other than the last 2 minutes. It seems the players can play a bit.

What concerns me is that Clough and his team do not seem to be able to conjure any fight out of the team. We seem to be tactically naive and never seem to have done our homework on the opposition. We also do not seem to be as fit as other teams in this league.

Ten new players won’t change that if there is an underlying problem with the coaching. That’s something for the board to consider before they let Clough loose with the chequebook.

Robbie Savages final game. As I've already said good riddance in my book but ex Ram Andy Griffin has a different perspective. Talking to the Reading Post he said;

“I’ve come up against him in numerous Premier League games and I kind of know him to say hello to and have a little bit of chit chat with."

“Robbie is certainly a character and he has had a good career. What he says, you have to take with a pinch of salt sometimes, but it will be a shame to see such a colourful guy leave football."

“The way he has looked after himself has been admirable."

“He’s 36 and from what I’ve seen of him this season, he looks like he could go on for another season. A lot of people in football like him."

“And a lot of fans don’t like him, but it is a shame football is losing such a colourful and chirpy chappy.”

Probable Rams Team:

Atkins

Brayford Ayala Anderson Roberts

Robinson Savage Bailey Pearson

S.Davies Ball

Substitutes - Jones, Ward, Addison, B.Davies, Hendrick, Doyle, Pringle

Reading

It's the play offs for Reading and the bookies have them as outsiders. That doesn't worry Midfielder Jem Karacan who feels that the past experience of the squad will help. Speaking to the BBC he said;

"I experienced the play-offs with Steve Coppell, it killed me. I want to go out there and put things right."

"There's a few of the boys who were involved back then - there's a core to the team that have experienced a lot."

"And there's Ian Harte and Andy Griffin who've experienced Champions League football. We have boys who've won play-off games, like Matt Mills and Mikkel Leigertwood."

"So there's massive experience in the team and we'll be learning off them and they'll be sharing their experiences with us."

Another player talking up the Royals experience is former Ram Andy Griffin who also talked about his time at Pride Park;

“We’ve got another shot of getting into the Premier League and all the players and management staff has worked extremely hard."

“We’re extremely proud of where we are and everyone is delighted."

“Everyone to do with the football club deserves a big pat on the back. We’ve still got a job in hand to do."

“Hopefully we can extend our season by three games and get to the so-called Promised Land.”

 On his time at Derby he added;

“I was only there for six months and it was a very difficult six months,” explained the 32-year-old who left the club to join Stoke City.

“I didn’t really build up any affiliation towards the club. "

“It is a big club with great supporters and good infrastructure, but it is just another game of football that I can hopefully be involved with and win.

Current Reading Squad

No.  Position Player

1  Keeper Adam Federici

2  Defender Andy Griffin

4  Midfield Jem Karacan

5  Defender Matthew Mills (vice-captain)

6  Midfield Brynjar Gunnarsson

7  Midfield Jay Tabb

8  Midfield Mikele Leigertwood (on loan from QPR)

9  Striker Shane Long

10  Striker Noel Hunt

11  Midfield Jobi McAnuff

14  Midfield Jimmy Kébé

15  Defender Zurab Khizanishvili (on loan from Blackburn Rovers)

16  Defender Ívar Ingimarsson (club captain)

17  Midfield Michail Antonio

18  Striker Simon Church

19  Midfield Hal Robson-Kanu

20  Midfield Brian Howard

21  Keeper Ben Hamer

23  Defender Ian Harte

24  Defender Shaun Cummings

25  Midfield Jake Taylor

26  Defender Alex Pearce

28  Defender Sean Morrison

31  Keeper Mikkel Andersen

37  Midfield Jordan Obita

38  Midfield James Rowe

39  Striker Brett Williams

40  Midfield Lawson D'Ath

41  Keeper Alex McCarthy

45  Striker Mathieu Manset

46  Defender Ethan Gage

47  Midfield Erik Opsahl

48  Midfield Cameron Edwards

49  Midfield Ryan Edwards

What the Bookies think

The Rams are 4/1 outsiders here and given that fact we've only managed 1 win in 14 against Reading it's probably the right odds. Reading is at 6/10 on while the draw is 16/5.

Shane Long is a 6/1 bet for the first goal.

Theo Robinson and Steve Davies are both at 11/2 while our captain and joint leading scorer is at 11/1.

Information for travelling fans

Driving

Reading is about 100 miles from Derby and its M1 South to the M25 and M4 (or take the M40). You can see the stadium from the M4 as you approach Reading. Getting off the M4 can be a bitch on match days as can getting back on it at the end of the match. Arrive early.

Parking

There's some street parking to be had on Imperial Way if you arrive early. Some car parking to be had in various sites near the stadium. Personally I would drive into the town and take a slow walk back to let the traffic clear. There's some parking at the stadium however people are probably still trying to get out o the car park since the last time we were there.

Drinking

There are no pubs near the ground though you can get a pint in the holiday inn down the road. Best bet is to walk into the town. The natives are friendly so colours shouldn't be a problem.

Alcohol is on sale in the ground.

Mick's prediction

We have nothing to play for so expect no effort. Reading might save themselves for the play offs and maybe a few players will be rested. I still think our dismal record at Reading will continue.

Reading 1-0 Rams

As it is the final match of the season - I'd like to thank anyone who reads these previews and hopefully I will be back in the autumn.

 Have a good summer - Mick McDermott

Photo: Action Images

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