Reading (H) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Will Huddersfield start the new year with three points against Reading? Simeon from Reading fan channel, The Tilehurst End, gives insight on Town’s opponents in our latest match preview.
Happy New Year! If you’ll allow us time to reflect on 2020 for Huddersfield, it was another season of change, wasn’t it? Avoiding relegation by three points, bringing in a new head coach, new players and a new identity and we’re now well into the 20/21 season and we can see a side with green shoots emerging.
Players like Josh Koroma and Issac Mbenza have gone from the fringes into the heartbeat of this Carlos Corberán side. They say it’s the hope that kills you, but we’re starting to see a more promising Town side and positivity from the fans that has not been there since the first season in the Premier League. There’s still a long way to go and what looks like a summer of change coming up with several players out of contract, but provided that Carlos is allowed time and the resources to improve this team, then we could see something special.
Three points in their first match of 2021 would be a great way to keep the positivity going but Reading will do their best to stop that. Last season, Town didn’t win against Reading in either of their two league matches and sit sixth in the table after a strong start to the season. However, Reading have only won one of their last five away games, so who knows?
Someone who might know is Simeon from Reading fan channel, The Tilehurst End. So we spoke to him to learn more about Reading’s season, their new boss Veljko Paunović and where Town can get some joy from in today’s game.
Manager Veljko Paunović led Reading to a brilliant start of the season and won Manager of the Month in September. Photo source: Reading FC
What have you made of your season so far?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Most of us were worried about a relegation battle this season, given the random upheaval in the summer shortly before the start of the campaign, but we needn’t have been concerned!
The first eight games (seven wins and a draw) were fantastic, the subsequent four-match losing streak was bizarre (we improved in some ways but developed a habit for giving away cheap goals with avoidable errors), and the last 10 games (four wins, three draws, three losses) have been frustratingly stop-start due to injuries.
But however the season ends, it’s been a far more enjoyable one than we’ve had in recent years.
What are your general expectations for the rest of the season now that we’re well underway?
To stay in contention for the play-offs. Whether that ends with us missing out completely, staying in the top six or even breaking into the top two depends entirely on our injuries. When we’re at or near full strength we’re one of the best sides in the division, but we’ve struggled to get consistency because of injuries to Lucas Joao, Yakou Meite, Omar Richards, Liam Moore and others.
Manager Veljko Paunović led Reading to a brilliant start of the season that saw you top of the table for a while, can you tell us what Reading fans think of him and his approach?
We love him! He’s energised a group that’s majorly underperformed in recent years and is getting a lot more out of them this season. His excellent man-management was evident from his very first training session and that played a big part in instilling the hard-working, winning spirit that was so important in our run of seven wins from eight to begin the campaign.
Tactically he’s adapted his approach as the season’s gone on. Initially, he was more focused on making Reading hard to beat, but as the campaign’s progressed the playing style has become more expansive - although recent attacking injuries have prompted us to adopt a more conservative outset to pick up results.
Lucas Joao is the one to watch this season when fit, according to Simeon from The Tilehurst End. Photo source: Reading FC
Which player from your current squad do you think will be one to watch this season?
When he’s fit: Lucas Joao. He’s our top scorer and has been a consistent, varied source of goals, with a habit of popping up with a goal even when we’re not playing well. He’s also vitally important to our general style of play; Joao holds the ball up well and brings others into the game, making life a lot easier for Yakou Meite, Michael Olise and Ovie Ejaria. We’ve sorely missed that side of Joao’s game when he’s been injured.
The team brought in a couple of players over the transfer window, have you been impressed with the business, and have any of your new signings made a difference so far or you think will do well?
I’m more impressed by the amount of business than the business itself. Reading badly needed a squad rebalance in the summer and got that by letting go of a lot of senior players on frees and not bringing in too many to replace them. As a result, we’ve had a much leaner, more focused group, meaning the morale among those still here has been a lot better than it was last season when the squad was bloated.
In terms of specific transfers, Josh Laurent has been a steal on a free transfer from Shrewsbury Town. He played as a more advanced midfielder for Salop but we’ve converted him into more of an anchorman; he’s excellent at reading the game and shutting out danger.
Getting Ovie Ejaria on a permanent deal was great business although he’s yet to find consistency. Loanees Tomas Esteves, Alfa Semedo and Lewis Gibson haven’t made a particularly positive impact but they’ve been useful options in defence and midfield.
What are you expecting from the game against Huddersfield?
A scrappy three points. It’s a game that we really need to be winning if we’re to stay in contention for the top six, but it’ll be difficult due to our missing attacking talent.
Michael Olise is one of the great young talents in the Championship. Photo source: Reading FC
Is there anything Huddersfield need to be on the lookout for in this game?
Set pieces - they’re probably our best source of goals at the moment. We’re well equipped for them due to a great deliverer in Michael Olise, while our defenders (Tom McIntyre, Tom Holmes and Michael Morrison) are all threats in the box. The former scored from a corner on Boxing Day and almost did the same from a free kick at Swansea. We’ll often try a well-worked routine rather than lumping the ball into the box.
What are Reading’s weaknesses, is there anything Huddersfield can take advantage of?
If Sam Baldock’s starting up front on his own as he has done recently, your centre backs won’t have too much trouble. He can’t hold the ball up and Reading are no good at getting him in behind. Defensively our back four is pretty makeshift and, although it’s held up well in the last two games, it’s probably vulnerable on either flank, with Esteves and McIntyre pretty inexperienced in their positions.
What are your expectations for Huddersfield Town this season?
A top-half finish. You’ve bounced back well from last season’s problems to establish yourselves in midtable well but, although you seem to have a good, progressive manager to take you forwards, the top six is probably beyond you this season. Better to stick with him and develop for a proper crack next year.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
1-0 Reading. It’ll be a tight game but I can see us edging it from a set-piece goal.
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Reading? Let us know in the comments!
