MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h)

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Always seem to come into a home game V Brum on the back of a decent away showing and then don't turn up.

Re zonal marking we were far more man to man v PNE suggesting some input from elsewhere

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Awkward fixture is this one. You'd think we'd be favourites considering we should be buoyed after our win, new manager in charge and back at home but then you look at our record vs Birmingham at home and think otherwise.

There are certainly reasons to be optimistic though now.

[tmesis]

you look at our record vs Birmingham at home and think otherwise.

Colin Gordon once scored twice for us v Birmingham, so anything is possible.

[Stranded]

I never expect anything bar defeat from a home game v Brum.

But, we completed one double this week, so why not two.

Put all the pressure on Derby. Interestingly* Derby have only won 1 more game than us - would think it was much more than it is. Draws helping make up the gap, so a couple of which wins for us could be massive.

[morganb]

So, what tough decisions has Incie got to make:

Will he replace Hein with Southwood?
What will the defence look like if Baba is out injured - McIntyre at left back?
How bad is Laurent's injury and will Drinkwater have to start again?
What about the midfield - Tom Ince and Hoilett to start with Meite off the bench? How did Barker look on Saturday?

[Hound]

expect there won't be too many changes. The Meite decision is probably the big one. Ince and Hoilett perfectly capable so its not like he HAS to come back in. Wasn't getting a lot of honesty or info on the other injuries so be interesting to see who makes it, but will assume no one will be back. So reckon it'll be

Hein
Yiadom Holmes Morro McIntyre
Hoilett Rino Drinkwater Ince
Swift
Joao

Southwood, Meite, Camara, Clarke, TDB, Barker, whoever else is fit...

Not too dissimilar in set up, my guess is he'll go more 4-4-1-1 and bring Ince and Hoilett back a bit and a bit wider and be a bit more solid generally. Options to go 4-4-2 and Bring Meite on up top, Barker to the wing etc

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Agree I don't think it will be too dissimilar apart from McIntyre in for Rahman as an enforced change at left back.

I don't think Ince needs to come in and reinvent the wheel in terms of selection, but we need more of a backbone in the team and hopefully his and Gilkes' principles in the short time they've got to prepare for this game will try and bring that in. A nice confidence boost on Saturday as well as a change that we assume the players were hoping for should work in our favour as well.

Hopefully the likes of Ejaria and Laurent make the bench for this game, but let's not risk either if not possible.

Is Tetek out for the season?

[Pepe the Horseman]

How did Hein play on Saturday?

We're due a win against Birmingham at home. 2-0 Ince to score both.

[Zip]

Agree I don't think it will be too dissimilar apart from McIntyre in for Rahman as an enforced change at left back.

I don't think Ince needs to come in and reinvent the wheel in terms of selection, but we need more of a backbone in the team and hopefully his and Gilkes' principles in the short time they've got to prepare for this game will try and bring that in. A nice confidence boost on Saturday as well as a change that we assume the players were hoping for should work in our favour as well.

Hopefully the likes of Ejaria and Laurent make the bench for this game, but let's not risk either if not possible.

Is Tetek out for the season?

Yep agree with you and Houndy on the starting line up. Nope Tetek not ruled out for the season and should be back soon along with Dann and Halilovic but this is Reading FC 21/22 so God knows when they will be back.
It would also be good to have some honesty regarding Ejaria.

[Zip]

How did Hein play on Saturday?

We're due a win against Birmingham at home. 2-0 Ince to score both.

Yes Hein was in goal and I doubt whether that will change tomorrow night.

[SCIAG]

For me our survival is about Dann and McIntyre. If they are back and injuries are kind we can survive. Holmes just looks awful at the minute. Hopefully Ince can see the Drinkwater conundrum as well. We are more than capable of beating Brum.

To give Holmes some credit he did pretty well in the second half but since Dann’s injury we have been very vulnerable from crosses. Hopefully Dann is back for the Blackpool game although I suspect that’s optimistic. Important TMac got minutes yesterday as he is likely to start on Tuesday night. He needs to stay fit.

We will soon find out what the injury issues are with Ejaria. High time the club clarified what’s going on there.

I still don't know what's up with Ejaria, but do we miss him? Very much slows down play and has been poor. Certainly when trying to break down defences as we saw at Bristol would have been useful with close tight play, but Hoilett has been decent...and gives us width and pace. I'm happier with him.

Since Ejaria joined the club, we’ve consistently got more points and had better margins when he has been in the side. This season he is associated with the best “points average” of any player in the squad, joint with Meite.

I think he is getting a sort of reverse Popa effect while he is out of the team. People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. I rate them both, but Ejaria is better.

[Pepe the Horseman]

How did Hein play on Saturday?

We're due a win against Birmingham at home. 2-0 Ince to score both.

Yes Hein was in goal and I doubt whether that will change tomorrow night.

Yeh, wasn't expecting him to be dropped, just wondering how he played.

[NathStPaul]

How did Hein play on Saturday?

We're due a win against Birmingham at home. 2-0 Ince to score both.

Paul or Tom?

[Pepe the Horseman]

How did Hein play on Saturday?

We're due a win against Birmingham at home. 2-0 Ince to score both.

Paul or Tom?

[Millsy]

To give Holmes some credit he did pretty well in the second half but since Dann’s injury we have been very vulnerable from crosses. Hopefully Dann is back for the Blackpool game although I suspect that’s optimistic. Important TMac got minutes yesterday as he is likely to start on Tuesday night. He needs to stay fit.

We will soon find out what the injury issues are with Ejaria. High time the club clarified what’s going on there.

I still don't know what's up with Ejaria, but do we miss him? Very much slows down play and has been poor. Certainly when trying to break down defences as we saw at Bristol would have been useful with close tight play, but Hoilett has been decent...and gives us width and pace. I'm happier with him.

Since Ejaria joined the club, we’ve consistently got more points and had better margins when he has been in the side. This season he is associated with the best “points average” of any player in the squad, joint with Meite.

I think he is getting a sort of reverse Popa effect while he is out of the team. People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. I rate them both, but Ejaria is better.

Ejaria if used somewhat properly and when not tired is a big player for us. Yes there are irritating aspects to his game, but as I've said for months the oppo don't overmark him at their own risk. When they do work him out and have 2-3men streaming in on him whenever he's close to the ball his wonder goes down but miraculously there's loads of space for others to have a pop.

My only concern is with Paul in charge I'm not sure he'll get much of a chance ahead of Tom.

[genome]

How did Hein play on Saturday?

We're due a win against Birmingham at home. 2-0 Ince to score both.

From the dugout?

[genome]

Oh, someone's already made that joke


Erm


Posh down to 10 men

[NathStPaul]

Oh, someone's already made that joke


Erm


Posh down to 10 men

[Snowflake Royal]

How did Hein play on Saturday?

We're due a win against Birmingham at home. 2-0 Ince to score both.

Think he was ok. Don’t recall him being forced into many good saves. Lots of defensive scrambles ahead of him. Don't recall any mistakes.

But to be honest, I was so shocked we won I can barely recall anything.

[Hound]

I think he is getting a sort of reverse Popa effect while he is out of the team. People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. .

yes its a little strange. Obvs not everyone's cup of tea but he is a quality player. Would like to see him back asap now Pauno gone and with Joao and Meite back fit.