It’s been a busy week at Pride Park, a clinical win against Brighton on the back of a tired looking performance followed by the news that Paul Jewell was nominated as manager of the month and Rob Hulse being named as Championship player of the month for October, it’s good to see Derby make the news for the right reasons. The Rams visit the Madejski Stadium for a tough test of their recent fine run of form against a Reading team relegated with them from the Premiership last season.
Injuries are starting to bite for Paul Jewell’s small squad with defensive options being cut again with the news Dean Leacock is doubtful with an injury picked up in the Carling Cup win during the week. Tito Villa will want a start after his hat-trick to follow his goal against Forest on Sunday and with Rob Hulse returning it’ll be interesting to see who starts up front as the partnership between Hulse and Ellington was starting to blossom before the striker picked up a rib injury last Sunday.
Reading have played arguably the best football of any team in The Championship this season and have been on fire at the Madejski stadium winning seven of eight and netting twenty-eight goals in the process hitting Sheffield Wednesday for six, Luton for five and Crystal Palace and Swansea for four. Steve Coppell managed to keep together the majority of Reading’s Premiership squad and it’s showing, after a slow start they have been on the tails of the top two and have already won 3-0 at Molineux to firmly throw down the gauntlet in the promotion chase.
Vital Quotes:
‘It’s going to be a stern test for us but hopefully we can give them a stern test too.
‘We want to be positive in everything we do.’
Paul Jewell talks to Radio Derby about the Madejski clash
Reading Team News:
A full squad to pick from with Michael Duberry back in training but likely to name an unchanged side with recent results.
Player to watch: Kevin Doyle
Back to his prolific best this season and already the scorer of two hat-tricks and with eleven league goals to his name the Irishman has shown the form that had many Premiership clubs sniffing over the summer.
Derbyu County Team News:
Looking short at the back with both Martin Albrechtsen and Dean Leacock likely to miss out through injury so Lewin Nyatanga will continue in the centre of defence.
Player to watch: Tito VIlla
Scorer of a hat-trick of his own on Tuesday night and will be hoping to retain his place in the starting line-up alongside either Ellington or player of the month Rob Hulse. Will this be the start of a run of goals for the Argentinian?
Match Facts & Stats
Last five results
Reading
Preston North End (A) 1-2 S Hunt
Doncaster Rovers (H) 2-1 Bikey, Doyle
Queens Park Rangers (H) 0-0
Burnley (A) 0-1
Bristol City (A) 4-1 Doyle (2), N Hunt, Cisse
Derby County
Blackpool (A) 2-3 Commons, Sterjovski
Coventry City (A) 1-1 Hulse
Norwich City (H) 3-1 Green, Hulse, Kazmierczak
Nottingham Forest (H) 1-1 Villa
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) 4-1 Villa (3), Ellington
Match Prediction:
A massive test of Derby’s ambitions and abilities with Reading flying recently and looking to make a quick return to the Premiership. Deadly at home winning 7 of their 8 home games so far this season and unfortunately they will take this one after a tight game 2-1.
Next Fixtures:
11th Nov v Leeds United (Carling Cup Round 4) Pride Park