The mascot gonna get suspension for 2 game only.

today, reading has a home game against watford. no live coverage on tv, so have to rely on certain website for updates.

Sidwell and Lita both set to start as Coppell prepares for tough Watford tie

Steve Sidwell and Leroy Lita are set to return to the starting eleven for our game with Watford on Saturday.

Sidwell was not involved against Newcastle on Monday, but boss Steve Coppell has confirmed he will start in what could be the midfielder's final game at Madejski Stadium.

The boss did say however that he would not pick Sidwell on sentimental reasons, it would be a decision made from a footballing perspective.

He said, "Sid will definitely be playing. It's not for those [sentimental] reasons, I have to do what I think is right.

"I probably selected the last six teams in one go, before all the games. I did it one afternoon because I wanted to see the combinations.

"I'm close to satisfying that now, and we've been in a luxurious position to test a few things.

"Leroy will almost definitely start as well. His suspension put a spanner in the works. He was retrospectively condemned for an alleged incident.

"I'll spread my different permutations up front over the final two games."

Graeme Murty will not play again this season, but Glen Little has a slim chance for Blackburn.



Nearing the end
This final home game of the season marks the penultimate match of a superb campaign, and Coppell has been delighted with our progress.

"It only feels a couple weeks ago that we started against Middlesbrough, but the reality is that it's been a long journey for us.

"Thankfully it's coming to an end, and a reasonably happy one at that.

"The players want to finish as strong as they can, and it could be a great finish if we play well until the end.

"We won't breeze through, we want to be as high as we can."



Facing the Hornets
Watford were one of only two teams we failed to beat in the Championship last season, and we have found it unusually difficult against Aidy Boothroyd's team.

Coppell said, "They're hard to play and we've not been able to get the three points against them.

"This is another test, and it's high on our agenda to pass that test. It's something we've not done before.

"It's hard to explain why we've found it particularly difficult. There are various things.

"It'll be hard, with a high tempo. I've got got great respect despite the season not working out as they would have liked. You can't question their commiment; they're so resolute every week.

"I don't know Aidy, but you see his incredible optimism. In that situation I would be fairly down on occasion, but what he does must resound around the place. There's so much energy, enthusiasm and commitment.

"It will be uncomfortable for us. They'd love to beat us, they want to go out on a high and Aidy will have an eye on the future. The game means a lot to both sides."

source: readingfc.co.uk

Perhaps a good performance from Sidwell will be the best way to thank the home supporters?

Reading should be able to win this one and cement their UEFA Cup spot if the other teams slip up.

This post has been edited by alien2003: May 5 2007, 04:53 PM

Where's Sidwell going to end up? 100% Newcastle?

This post has been edited by Soulsareworthless: May 5 2007, 05:04 PM

Rumours saying he could be heading to Newcastle in summer but will he become 1st choice there? I cant see Roeder/new manager break up the partnership of Parker & Butt/Emre

Not 100% to Newcastle but his departure from Reading shud be close to 100% unless he change his mind.

This post has been edited by alien2003: May 5 2007, 05:06 PM

hope not but if his heart is already somewhere else, no point in keeping him at reading.

anyhow, all the best to reading. it has been the best season ever for me as a Royals supporter. They are going to Korea for a summer tour. hope Motor Trader Malaysia will bring them here as well, not for playing friendly but maybe for a press conference to introduce Reading FC to Malaysia's soccer fans.

---

Added on May 5, 2007, 5:19 pmBoss excited by Korea but unsure about Europe!

Steve Coppell is pleased to be going to Korea this summer, but he's still not sure about playing in Europe in the autumn!

The Royals have this week confirmed their participation in Korea's Peace Cup pre-season tournament in July, and the boss is very much looking forward to what he believes will be a fantastic experience.

He said, "Football and travelling are both education, so to combine the two just shows how fortunate we are to be in this job.

"This is a great opportunity to play teams from South America & Asia, and when would we get that opportunity again? We were sounded out, we had various options but we knew this would be tasty.

"Also we've got enough time after the tournament to come back and get into English mode again.

"Finance wasn't the main reason, but it was a consideration, of course. There's a lot of money if you win it, Spurs got $2million in 2005. But it's just a unique opportunity for us and time to change the usual routine of going to Sweden."

Steve questioned the significance of any marketing opportunities in the far east, and said the decision to participate was purely made on football grounds.

He said, "We won't be taking a container load of kit! Call me naive, but I don't see how we can tap into anything out there. In the far east you can get any team's fake shirt for less than a fiver, so I don't think they'd pay full whack for our strip.

"Maybe there are other ways of making money, I don't know.

"I believe we do have a strong following out there, but it's not necessarily to do with Seol. That's what I've been told anyway.

"We're a new team so a lot of younger fans like us; we're different. I don't think it's to do with Seol, I really don't."

While he is looking forward to Korea, he remains unconvinced about the benefits of potential qualification for the UEFA Cup.

He said, "I suppose I've been ambigious, because I want us to finish as high as we can, but I still maintain my thoughts on the UEFA Cup.

"Firstly, we're not going to win the thing.

"Second, it's not a great money spinner for the Club.

"Third, we'd need more players and that makes us a more cumbersome unit.

"It's just not that beneficial. Yes, we can say we got into Europe, but it doesn't actually mean a great deal.

"We could have a party if we qualify, but that won't help us next season, will it?!

"The Premiership is 100% my priority. An away day might be great for someone else, but not me.

"A nice day in Seoul in July will do me nicely!"

Our players have frequently said they would love to play in Europe, but Steve says he is certainly not at loggerheads with his squad.

"There's no conflict because we all want to finish with as many points as we can.

"People might think I'm sabotaging from within, but absolutely not. Wherever we finish, be it 5th. 7th or 9th then brilliant. We'll have deserved it.

"But don't ask me to celebrate and say 'oh brilliant we're in Europe!'"

The boss said in his post-match press conference on Monday night that he would play his reserves in Europe, but the irony was lost in some of the subsequent reports!

"I said it jokingly, the same way I said we'd have £200million to spend but someone still printed it!

"I've not even thought that far ahead!

"First of all we've got to get there, and there's immense competition around us.

"We'll deal with it if it happens, but who's to say that it will.

"I'll talk about it in the same way that I've talked about FA Cup finals. Our Premiership games are the number one priority by a massive distance."

source: readingfc.co.uk

---

Added on May 6, 2007, 2:42 amReading lost 0-2 to watford

This post has been edited by razlan: May 6 2007, 02:42 AM

Somehow the mascot bring more luck for Reading without him Reading lost to WATFORD????

Reading got push-out of top 7 by spurs, who won against charlton. now, they 8th

Chelsea made a move for Sidwell for free.. Is Reading becoming another Wigan?

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...r+Blues+medical

This post has been edited by maxizanc: May 13 2007, 01:22 AM

If you mean in terms of selling their players like Wigan did then I don't think so.

Sidwell refused to sign the new contract and will become free agent in summer so Reading has no choice in this case.

yes that was i meant.. Selling or release their best player is not a good choice.. I heard that Sidwell tempted by 50,000 p/w salary offered by Chelsea.. hmm

Wow Reading almost made it to Europe...maybe can play INTERTOTO

No doubt, Chelsea's contract looks more juicy compared to Reading ones.

Reading lost a good midfielder.

yeah...reading lost a good holding player...not easy to find another quality player though...
good fightback from reading against blackburn but simply not enough

Reading did quite well so far in the season. Just they need more quality players to improve the current squad. now Sidwell has left the club, they need to bang in more investment in midfielder.

Royals capture Cisse

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...S+CAPTURE+CISSE

I never heard of him.. so this is the replacement for Steve Sidwell?

Reading is the last season wigan..

Reading has a good back-up squad with their reserve being crowned 'Barclays Premiership reserve league champions'

The Royals were crowned national Barclays Premership reserve league champions last Friday night with a 2-0 win over Bolton.

Boss Brian McDermott told readingfc.co.uk, "It was a fabulous night. The Chairman was on the pitch with us, and he spoke to the boys before and after, which was a terrific lift.

"I didn't know all the fireworks were coming after the game, and I almost fell down a hole on the podium! I was ready to sue the Premier League!"

Brian wanted to pay homage to Nigel Gibbs, who coaches our reserves. "Watford's loss has been our gain. He has been terrific with the boys, as well as the first team. He's a great guy."

source: readingfc.co.uk

Reading to extend ground capacity



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...ing/6687041.stm

Brand new artist impression images are released of proposed Stadium expansion

11:10am, Friday 1st June 2007

The Royals have released two new artist impressions of our proposed Madejski Stadium expansion.

They give an indication of how the Stadium will look when work is complete.

Work will not begin until the summer of 2008, and it is envisaged that one stand will be done each year.





source: readingfc.co.uk

---

Added on June 16, 2007, 9:18 amExclusive pictures of our brand new away kit for the next Premiership season

readingfc.co.uk can now bring you full images of our brand new 2007/8 away shirt.

The full release will take place on Saturday 7th July, and pre-orders will be sent out in advance of that date.

The shirt is priced £38 for adults and £28 for children. Ladies shirts are £32.

The Premier League have launched new name & number printing for this season, as well as new sleeve badges, and you can order those with your new shirt.







source: readingfc.co.uk

This post has been edited by razlan: Jun 16 2007, 09:18 AM