Reading vs West Brom

2022 - 10 - 15

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Tilehurst End"

Reading vs West Brom: Match Preview 2022/23 (The Tilehurst End)

Reading finally get the chance to return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium this weekend as they welcome managerless West Bromwich Albion to Berkshire.

What they need now is a manager who’s up to the job and a Director of Football. Touching on injuries, it was always going to be a matter of time before Sam Hutchinson got injured. Winning four points from our last three games, I’d take that sort of form from now until the break to ensure we’re still in a reasonably healthy position next month. The QPR result was frustrating - but it wasn’t our worst performance of the campaign and the fact we were level with the hosts for so long is something we can take heart from. But today is a new day and if we can get another point or three on the board, it will be another step towards survival. Following Steve Bruce’s dismissal earlier this week, under-21s coach Richard Beale has been tasked with leading the senior team into battle and will be hoping to guide his side to a much better position today.

Reading FC v West Brom: Three changes for Royals as illness strikes (Reading Chronicle)

Paul Ince has been forced to make three changes from the defeat to Queens Park Rangers last Friday, with a virus sweeping through the camp.

Tyrese Fornah drops to the bench, with Tom Ince coming in from the start. Boss Ince will be missing himself, with Alex Rae on the touchline in his place, while keeper Joe Lumley is missing for the same reason. Paul Ince has been forced to make three changes from the defeat to Queens Park Rangers last Friday, with a virus sweeping through the camp.

West Brom starting XI v Reading as Richard Beale makes one change (Birmingham Live)

Albion interim boss Beale has called up young striker Reyes Cleary into the match-day squad; he joins Karlan Grant on the bench, along with fellow attacking ...

Albion interim boss Beale has called up young striker Reyes Cleary into the match-day squad; he joins Karlan Grant on the bench, along with fellow attacking figure John Swift. Reading, who are without boss Paul Ince today due to illness, start with former Albion striker Andy Carroll. That involves Taylor Gardner-Hickman, who has been introduced back into the starting XI in place of Okay Yokuslu.

West Brom player ratings v Reading as immense TGH & Phillips ... (Birmingham Live)

West Bromwich Albion posted just their second win of the season at Reading on Saturday as life after Steve Bruce began with three points.

A little more subdued towards the end of the first half but some of his deliveries in the second deserved to be converted. A couple of half openings in the first half, the closest of them deflecting just past the post. The goal he scored was beautiful, from the first touch to control the pass and then to progress into the box with a step-over before finishing nonchalantly. The second goal was all his own - determination and hard work and class. Sometimes he can apply himself to a point that he becomes a little erratic and his touch can be too heavy, or he commits a needless foul. Vital and impressive saves to keep out Loum and Meite in the second half, Ince and Hoilett too. A generally better showing in the second half. Junior Hoilett provided their best opportunity in the first half when he curled a ball to the near post. For a player to play three 90-minute matches in the space of ten days, having played desperately little since before Covid, is a testament to Kelly as a professional - not only that he's managed it, but he's looked comfortable too. He progressed into it and, after a trademark step over, he planted the ball in the near corner with a calm, side-footed finish. The finish was devastating and sent the away end behind the goal into delirium. There was plenty in Albion's performance to earn encouragement from those at the other end of the stadium who'd travelled south from the West Midlands.

Reading vs West Brom