Match Preview | Wanderers v Reading

Reading preview

With the international break concluded, Wanderers are back in league action this weekend and will be raring to go to get more points on the board.

A trip to Reading awaits for Ian Evatt’s men and the Wanderers’ faithful, all of whom will be buoyed by a home win against Derby County last time out.

Manager quotes

Ian Evatt:

“We’ve been there ourselves. It’s very sad to see football club deducted points. It affects the coaching staff, it affects the players, it affects the fans and it’s not a nice place to be.

“The points’ deduction can work in two ways. It can galvanise them as a club with almost that siege mentality or they can feel sorry for themselves.

“I would think it will be number one. I think the fans will galvanise the team and the team will try and galvanise the fans and it will become a difficult game for us and tough place to go.

“But for us, it’s to replicate that performance against Derby as best we can and hopefully get another three points.

“We’re ready to play again. It’s felt like a long couple of weeks but we’re ready to go again, refreshed and fully focused.”

Ian Evatt

Reading Manager Ruben Selles:

“We know now how much every single point means for us! And how much we need to fight for every point, because of these deductions. That is the way that we need to follow and it should not be a distraction for us.

“Now we play against Bolton. We have been competitive in every game we have played – that doesn’t matter if we are playing against a Championship team in the Carabao Cup or playing in League One. We go in with the same energy and the same idea, trying to put in a good performance to get the three points.

“I expect to face a really good team. Intense, aggressive, direct, and knowing exactly what they are playing for, with a really good mix between experienced players and players in their peak. So I can expect a hard game.”

Team News

Wanderers will be without Carlos Mendes Gomes who picked up a hamstring injury in an EFL Trophy game against Salford City. He is expected to miss approximately the next five weeks whilst he recovers from that knock.

Kyle Dempsey was monitoring a back issue ahead of the international break but the midfielder is expected to be fit to continue his fine start to the season.

Form guide

Inconsistent is possibly the word to describe the Royals so far this campaign with a mixture of results. Ruben Selles’ side have won two and lost four in the league this season.

Their last outing was 1-0 defeat away to Cambridge United which was broadcast live on Sky. The Royals will be looking forward to being back on home soil after two consecutive away league fixtures.

Reading currently occupy the 21st position in Sky Bet League with two points due to a total deduction of four points for off-the-field matters.

Wanderers went into the international break after a confidence-building 2-1 win over Derby County at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Goals from Dion Charles and Josh Dacres-Cogley claimed victory and cemented Wanderers’ second place spot in the division.

JDC

Officials:

Referee: Lee Swabey

Assistant Referees: Mark Derrien and Paul Kelly

Fourth Official: Leigh Crowhurst

Kick-off:

Saturday, 3pm

Tickets:

Pay on the day will be available for Wanderers’ supporters at Reading on Saturday.

Supporters will need to head for the South Stand Ticket Office when they arrive at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, to purchase their tickets.

Tickets will be available from 1:30pm on match day and must be paid for on a debit/credit card, as the Select Car Leasing Stadium is a cashless venue.

Coverage:

Supporters living outside of the UK can watch the game live via Wanderers TV with a match pass, which can be purchased HERE

Alternatively, UK supporters can listen to live full match commentary on Wanderers TV HERE.

Read Time: 4 mins