Our last game was only a few days ago, Saturday to be exact in the FA Cup Fifth Round tie against Walsall where United won 2-0. The first goal was more or less set up by Michael Brown, his shot was too hot to handle as Saddlers keeper James Walker palmed away but Tommy Mooney just beat Zigor Aranalde to score. The second was defiantly set up by Brown, his jinxing run found him on left wing where he crossed onto the far post which was met by the head of Peter Ndlovu.
The Blades welcome back striker Dean Windass who missed Saturdays cup clash after being cup-tied but Neil Warnock may favour Tommy Mooney after he scored the opening goal against Walsall. Also back is defenders Shaun Murphy (CB) and Wayne Quinn (LB) who appeared last Saturday after fears that they could have missed the game to injury.
Possible Starting Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Phil Jagielka, Shaun Murphy, Robert Page, Wayne Quinn, Peter Ndlovu, Stuart McCall, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Dean Windass, Steve Kabba.
Reading moved up into fourth place on Saturday, level on points with the Blades, thanks to a 2-0 win at Millwall. The result was the Royals third successive win and leaves them in a strong position to challenge for a Play-Off place. Nicky Forster gave Reading the lead on the stroke of half time when he burst through. James Harper had the chance to make it 2-0 but his effort slapped against the crossbar. Substitute Darius Henderson made it two in three games
for him with a twenty-five yard wonder strike seven minutes from time. At times Millwall came forward with menace but Marcus Hahnemann kept them at bay with a string of superb stops.
Ricky Newman will serve the second game of a two-match ban. Reading currently have very few players out injured, indeed reserve players Bas Savage and Joe Gamble are the only players currently in the treatment room, both long term injury victims. Luke Chadwick, on loan from Manchester United, will likely start his third game for the club and will line up on the opposite flank to John Salako who has put in improved performances recently. The Royals are likely to be unchanged from Saturday’s line-up at Millwall and will again play a 4-5-1 formation.
Whilst Steven Sidwell, Nicky Forster and Marcus Hahnemann could all claim to be the star in Reading’s line-up, the recent capture of Luke Chadwick from Manchester United shows a real ambition to achieve a Play-Off place this season. Chadwick’s intricate footwork has impressed many a Royal fan so far.
The whole team has been playing well this season so there are very few weak links in the side. However, Marcus Hahnemann, who initially impressed at the club, has looked a bit suspect to crosses in recent weeks. An excellent shot stopper with great distribution the American international has been caught out on a couple of occasions recently by going for crosses he can’t make.Possible Starting Line-Up: Marcus Hahnemann, Steve Brown, Adie Williams, Nicky Shorey, Luck Chadwick, Andy Hughes, Richard Sidwell, Graeme Murty, James Harper, Nicky Forster, John Salako.
We would like to thank Rob Copper of Reading-Mad (www.reading-mad.co.uk) for helping us with this match preview.
During the 1997/98 season United met Reading twice at Bramall Lane, the first was in FA Cup round five where United won 1-0 thanks to a rare Lee Sandford goal, Carl Asaba played for Royals in this game.
Our second meeting was six fixtures later where United hammered Reading to a 4-0 victory. Graham Stuart scored on edge of half-time and Marcello made it two one minute into second half. Gareth Taylor grabbed a goal on 54th minute and Wayne Quinn fired in a 20 yard volley into top corner in last kick of the game.
Blades v Reading Record (includes cup):
Home P11 W7 D4 L0 F21 A6
Away P11 W4 D0 L7 F11 A12
Total P22 W11 D4 L7 F32 A18
One-to-Watch: Luke Chadwick (Reading)
Weak Link: Marcus Hehnenann (Reading)
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Reading