Preview: Reading v Bolton
Reading v Bolton Wanderers
Sky Bet Championship
Saturday 6 December 2014
Kick-Off 3pm
SETTING THE SCENE
Having gone through November unbeaten, Bolton Wanderers travel to Reading this weekend eager to continue their recent run and make amends for last season’s forgettable day at the Madejski Stadium.
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Following a seven-game winless run, the Royals’ form has improved in recent weeks after successive home victories against Blackpool and Rotherham United. However, that was followed by subsequent back-to-back defeats against Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City.
Yet Reading head into the weekend’s fixture having tasted victory in their last match away at Norwich City, ensuring Neil Lennon’s side will not underestimate their opponents heading into Saturday’s tie.
TEAM NEWS
Kevin McNaughton (hamstring) continues to be troubled by injury and will once again miss out.
Adam Bogdan (finger) and David Wheater (back) are both available, having come through 90 minutes unscathed for the Under-21s against Middlesbrough on Monday night.
Mark Davies (knee) and Marc Tierney (leg) remain long-term absentees.
LAST READING XI (v Norwich City, W 2-1)
Federici, Gunter, Kelly, Hector, Cooper, Norwood, Robson-Kanu, Obita, McCleary (Taylor 67), Williams (Blackman 84), Murray (Ferdinand 89)
ONE TO WATCH
Having seen Adam Le Fondre depart for Cardiff City in the summer, Reading chose former Royal Simon Cox as the man they wanted to replace the prolific marksman.
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The Republic of Ireland started his career with the Reading, but joined Swindon Town in January 2008 following a successful loan move.
Signing for West Bromwich Albion in July 2009, Cox helped the Baggies win promotion to the Premier League in his first season with the club, before later leaving for Nottingham Forest in August 2012.
Now back at the Madejski Stadium, Cox has enjoyed an impressive start to his second stint with the Royals, scoring seven goals in 18 league appearances.
MEMORABLE MEETING (Bolton Wanderers 4-3 Reading, 29 May 1995)
The most famous meeting between these two sides came in the 1995 Play-Off Final at Wembley, with promotion to the Premier League up for grabs.
Wanderers found themselves 2-0 down early on after goals from Lee Nogan and Adrian Williams, while Stuart Lovell had also missed a penalty for the Royals just after the hour-mark.
Buoyed by the introduction of Fabian de Freitas as half-time, the Whites fought back however with Owen Coyle halving the deficit with 15 minutes left on the clock, before de Freitas scored a dramatic late equaliser 10 minutes later.
Mixu Paatelainen but Bolton ahead for the first time on the day in the 105th minute, while de Freitas notched his second with just two minutes to go to firmly put the Trotters in the driving seat.
And while there was time for Reading player-manager Jimmy Quinn to net a late consolation, Wanderers held on to secure a famous victory.
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Reading v Bolton Wanderers
Sky Bet Championship
Saturday 6 December 2014
Kick-Off 3pm
SETTING THE SCENE
Having gone through November unbeaten, Bolton Wanderers travel to Reading this weekend eager to continue their recent run and make amends for last season’s forgettable day at the Madejski Stadium.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Following a seven-game winless run, the Royals’ form has improved in recent weeks after successive home victories against Blackpool and Rotherham United. However, that was followed by subsequent back-to-back defeats against Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City.
Yet Reading head into the weekend’s fixture having tasted victory in their last match away at Norwich City, ensuring Neil Lennon’s side will not underestimate their opponents heading into Saturday’s tie.
TEAM NEWS
Kevin McNaughton (hamstring) continues to be troubled by injury and will once again miss out.
Adam Bogdan (finger) and David Wheater (back) are both available, having come through 90 minutes unscathed for the Under-21s against Middlesbrough on Monday night.
Mark Davies (knee) and Marc Tierney (leg) remain long-term absentees.
LAST READING XI (v Norwich City, W 2-1)
Federici, Gunter, Kelly, Hector, Cooper, Norwood, Robson-Kanu, Obita, McCleary (Taylor 67), Williams (Blackman 84), Murray (Ferdinand 89)
ONE TO WATCH
Having seen Adam Le Fondre depart for Cardiff City in the summer, Reading chose former Royal Simon Cox as the man they wanted to replace the prolific marksman.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The Republic of Ireland started his career with the Reading, but joined Swindon Town in January 2008 following a successful loan move.
Signing for West Bromwich Albion in July 2009, Cox helped the Baggies win promotion to the Premier League in his first season with the club, before later leaving for Nottingham Forest in August 2012.
Now back at the Madejski Stadium, Cox has enjoyed an impressive start to his second stint with the Royals, scoring seven goals in 18 league appearances.
MEMORABLE MEETING (Bolton Wanderers 4-3 Reading, 29 May 1995)
The most famous meeting between these two sides came in the 1995 Play-Off Final at Wembley, with promotion to the Premier League up for grabs.
Wanderers found themselves 2-0 down early on after goals from Lee Nogan and Adrian Williams, while Stuart Lovell had also missed a penalty for the Royals just after the hour-mark.
Buoyed by the introduction of Fabian de Freitas as half-time, the Whites fought back however with Owen Coyle halving the deficit with 15 minutes left on the clock, before de Freitas scored a dramatic late equaliser 10 minutes later.
Mixu Paatelainen but Bolton ahead for the first time on the day in the 105th minute, while de Freitas notched his second with just two minutes to go to firmly put the Trotters in the driving seat.
And while there was time for Reading player-manager Jimmy Quinn to net a late consolation, Wanderers held on to secure a famous victory.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]