Reading Preview

[frosty]

, I think Benni will start as he causes them problems in previous encounters. I think he had about 3 goals chalked off there last season and scored 1.

Dropping either Roberts or Santa Cruz would be a bad decision - they both played really well on Saturday and got the 3 goals between them, McCarthy doesn't look like scoring apart from the penalty spot. Hence why he hasn't scored from open play since October.

[tony gale's mic]

Benni caused a lot of teams problems last season...

[Presty On Tour]

yeah I agree the both did some good work against Wigan but the fact that they are both traveling thousands of miles round the world is a concern.

Cruz is in South Africa and Roberts is playing in the Virgin Islands somewhere i think, whilst Benni and Matty are at home.

[tony gale's mic]

Isn't Benni in South Africa?

We should start with Santa and Roberts unless Hughes sees something in training that indicates they won't be upto the pace.

[Presty On Tour]

Isn't Benni in South Africa?

We should start with Santa and Roberts unless Hughes sees something in training that indicates they won't be upto the pace.

my mistake, Benni is in the squad. I honestly thought he had stopped playing international football.

[tony gale's mic]

Good news, Vogel has clearance. Might not start due to lack of match fitness but good to have the option.

[Ozz]

Not been to the Madjeski yet but I did see all our games at Elm Park including the 4-0 thrashing which was embarassing with a capital E. We still "owe" them for that.

Courtesy of Hobnob Anyone...Hobnob Anyone

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Anyone know any news on Santa Cruz and whether his injury is serious or not?

Bloody Mokoena! :|

[RoversFanUSA]

Well I have to say that im going to go with 3-1 Rovers win and i do have say that the away fans have to be in full voice. I was lucky enough to go to a reading v fulham game and do have say that they are a very loud home crowd. I have to agree that if we come out swinging we will take this game! UP ROVERS!!!

[roversmum]

Anyone know any news on Santa Cruz and whether his injury is serious or not?

Bloody Mokoena! :|

1. It had better not be, or

2. I hope Mokoena is nowhere near me on Saturday or I shall not be answerable for my actions

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Let's hope Benni didn't slip him a few quid to do the deed!

[SAS]

Im getting more and more worried about the three in africa, how they can play after an 14hour flight? with no rest and lack of sleep is beyond my means

However isuppose it wouldnt be if i had £40k to come home too.

still worried about them and readings lack of internationals that have probably had their feet up all night watching bents, benni and co

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

It's obviously a blow if Santa is injured, but not a complete distaster, we are not going to go down and Europe is a toss up, plus the fact that he has looked knackered mean a rest might be best for him.

Still, what was he thinking, in a friendly too.

[Silencio]

Roque got knocked for Paraguay last night. Benni scored (30th in 70 games for South Africa) so maybe it'll be BM and JR up front...

[Presty On Tour]

Roque got knocked for Paraguay last night. Benni scored (30th in 70 games for South Africa) so maybe it'll be BM and JR up front...

Good call and the axe won't make the 16 due to a training ground incident with mark hughes on friday!

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Roque is out for the rest of the season!

is what i expected to see when I woke up this morning.......no news is good news!

[LeftWinger]

I didn't read the tiny small print at the bottom of your post at first then Tim - and was about to cry!

[waggy]

very tough game on saturday,we must win,we will win.repeat till you fall asleep

[sanlorenzo]

Roque is out for the rest of the season!

is what i expected to see when I woke up this morning.......no news is good news!

According to an article in ABC Color a Paraguayan newspaper the team medical people indicate taht the ankle injury is not serious and the gaffer Martino saya that Blackburn fans need not worry about Roques ankle. Roque apparently flew back last night and should be back this afternoon. Cross your fingers.

[Ricky]

I'll be there and hoping for a decent game and a win.

[BRFC4EVA]

According to an article in ABC Color a Paraguayan newspaper the team medical people indicate taht the ankle injury is not serious and the gaffer Martino saya that Blackburn fans need not worry about Roques ankle. Roque apparently flew back last night and should be back this afternoon. Cross your fingers.

Had a look on the official website for the Paraguayan national football team and using my gsce spanish, basically understood a similar story to what you've just said Sanlorenzo-which is great news.

According to the official site, we've sold 1,500 tickets for this game already-that not too bad an effort. Tickets now on sale on the day of the game at Reading! Think we can get 3 points from this 1, Im going for a hard earned 2-1 victory

[TugaysMarlboro]

Just been down this morning to pick up 3 tickets for tommorrows game, asked the lass behind the counter how many we've sold to which her reply was "just over half our allocation."

[Nate]

Good preview - And that Reading player Robin Friday, what a guy. Anyone who kicks the Preston Hairdresser in the face and then has a dump in his bag is more than ok in my book!

This guy is a footballing legend

[LeftWinger]

A cult hero amongst the Reading fans is Robin Friday, winner of the clubs "Player of the Millennium" award. Friday was a very skillful center-forward who scored 55 goals in 135 appearances. He became legendary for his excesses both on and off the pitch, once on rounding a goalie, he stopped , turned flicked the v's at the keeper, before rolling the ball into the unguarded net.

Another time he reputably was so annoyed at playing against Mark Lawrenson, he was sent off for kicking him in the face, but got his revenge by going to the oppositions dressing room and defecating in Lawro's bag!

Thanks for that! Quality read! I'd never heard of this guy, but the more I read about him, the more I like him!

When he signed for Cardiff the manager asked why they wanted such a small fee for him - and his response was - "You'll See!"

[Lee]

And on arrival at Cardiff railway station he was promptly arrested.