Down to the wire.
By: Ben | May 2nd, 2009
Amazing.
Brilliant.
And about time too!
Reading went into Monday’s game knowing that anything less than a win would leave their already slim hopes of Automatic Promotion in tatters. Results from the weekend went our way, Preston did the job again and beat Birmingham 2-1, fresh on the back of that demolition of Cardiff. The Brummies surrendered a one goal lead, a promising thought for this weekend.
Thus, the only Championship game on the Monday began… Norwich had the definite advantage of the run-of-play, as they dominated in strength and possession all throughout the first 45 minutes. Glen Little suffered a hamstring problem in the 42nd minute, and Coppell wasted no time replacing him with Stephen Hunt. No surprises there. What was unusual however, was that Kebe stayed on the left wing, and Hunt took to the right, supposedly both on their weaker sides. The gamble payed off extremely well however, when in the second half Kebe put a great cross into the box not once, but twice, and both were met with the head of Shane Long, who buried them into the net. If recent performances are anything to go by, the young Irishman (stop me if you’ve heard this before?) will be a vital part of any Premiership team. Long understandably got Man of the Match, but for me, special mention had to go to Bikey. The centre-back used his speed and power to cut out several potentially dangerous Norwich attacks, and the team will have felt more comfortable in knowing of his presence.
Fast-forward 5 days and you reach present time. Reading v. Birmingham. Last day of the season. Automatic Promotion hopes on the line. In the reverse fixture last December, we secured a comfortable 3-1 victory away, but Birmingham have proved their resilience; just look at the 10 man 2-1 win over Wolves. McLeish’s side will be doing everything in their power to secure a return straight back into the Premiership as will the Royals, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Reading have every chance tomorrow. A sell-out crowd means the atmosphere will be rife with expectations.
Perfect scenario? Beat Birmingham, Sheffield United fail to win at Palace.
Prediction? I don’t like flirting with chance, haha, sorry!
Play up Palace!
Next post, after the drink’s worn off.
Category: Team News
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