RamZone Match Preview - Reading vs. Derby
Tuesday, 18th Oct 2011 14:32 by Daniel J Sewart

A well earned point got the Rams back on track after the international break but they immediately face the stern test of two away games against two in form sides, the first of which sends them to Reading.

Reading vs. Derby

The Madesjski Stadium

8pm – Tuesday 18th October

Current Form – Last 5 League Matches:

Reading - 14th: W, D, W, D, W

Derby - 4th: W, W, D, L. D

Team News:

Reading:

The Rams will not have to worry about facing in form Royals midfielder Jay Tabb after he was knocked out and hospitalised during the wing over Burnley on Saturday. Perhaps former Ram Lee Grant was helping out his old club as it was his solid challenge that did the damage. He will miss the game as a precautionary measure due to him suffering concussion.

Another doubt is the Reading Captain Jobi McAnuff who is carrying an ankle injury while winger Jimmy Kebe looks set to return for the clash after a month on the sidelines.

Royals boss Brian McDermott hopes to continue the Royals 5 game unbeaten run when they welcome the Rams:

“We had four points from the first two games then we unexplainably lost four on the trot in the League. There was no panic, we don't do blame at the club, we just kept working, and got ourselves a really good win against Doncaster. Then we got five results in five games so we're getting back in amongst it and near where we want to be.”

"We're always working as a group, and I think there were eight changes in the team at Burnley from the team in the play-off final. So we're working with the team we've got, we've got a real solid group, the subs made a difference on Saturday and we always talk about the group.”

"We've worked on the defensive side; we've had two clean sheets which is good news. I know if we keep clean sheets we give ourselves a chance because we can score goals.”

Derby:

You hope that déjàvu is not setting in for the Rams as injuries begin to mount with John Brayford out for at least a month with a thigh problem and Steve Davies likely to be absent for at least 6 weeks and perhaps until the New Year following a skull fracture.

Russell Anderson is likely to once again fill the right back position after a decent display on Saturday while Maguire and Cywka will battle it out for the vacant strikers post as Nathan Tyson recovers from injury.

Callum Ball has also been mentioned by Nigel Clough as being given an opportunity to impress with the growing gaps in the first teams roster:

"Callum Ball will come into the squad and we will find solutions from within as best we can. Callum showed a great attitude to play for the under-18s as a centre-back on Saturday at the last minute and he was very good indeed. That's the kind of attitude we want to see and he does come into our thinking for tonight."

"It is a great thing for us when it comes to attracting young players as well, especially when you are competing against, in some cases, bigger clubs with better facilities. We can say to them 'if you can do the business, we will put you in the team”.

"Already we've seen it with Mark and Jeff, and Mason Bennett has already been on the bench at just 15."

DanJ’s Match Preview:

Injury problems are nothing new for the Rams in recent years but although Anderson was able to do a serviceable job in place of John Brayford – this is the injury that will be worrying Nigel Clough the most.

Although Derby has lost their top goal scorer in Steve Davies, there will be no shortage of replacements with their hand up for their chance to impress.

Maguire must be close to getting the nod with more height and strength than Cywka but the young Pole was impressive with two goals for the reserves mid-week and a good showing as a sub on Saturday.

Callum Ball will be in the squad and frankly I think with the Rams badly lacking a target man, they could do a lot worse than giving him the opportunity to make his mark for the first team. It would be great to see Ball on the end of the better work of Ben Davies and Craig Bryson as in recent games too much of their output has been wasted at the pointy end.

The most likely combination though is probably Cywka and Robinson as Clough may hope pace and youthful enthusiasm may cause the Reading defence some headaches from the outset. The Rams have shown more attacking tendencies this season and that combination would be in keeping with that style of play.

Reading are a tough nut to crack currently and the Rams will have regained some confidence after the result on the weekend but they will face a stern task taking anything away from a team who have not lost in 5 matches.

Dan J’s Score Prediction:

For some reason I think there will be goals in this one but unfortunately I feel that one too many will be scored against the Rams. I genuinely hope I am wrong.

Reading 2 - Derby 1