MATCH PREVIEW: READING (H)

22 August 2019

All the info ahead of Town’s home game vs Reading

- Everything you need to know ahead of Town vs Reading
- A look at José Gomes’ Royals
- Limited tickets available for the game

Huddersfield Town host Reading in the Sky Bet Championship at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday 24 August 2019; 3pm kick off.

Town face The Royals for the first time since their Wembley date in May 2017 which saw The Terriers secure promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Mark Hudson will be on the touchline once more at the John Smith’s Stadium following Jan Siewert’s departure from the Club last week.

As for opponents Reading, they picked up their first win of the season last weekend as they beat Cardiff City 3-0 at the Madejski Stadium. A double from summer signing George Pușcaș and a John Swift effort guided The Royals to three points.

The result was backed up with a point at the Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion.

TICKETS

There are limited tickets available in the Core Stand Upper and Lower tiers, the Fantastic Media Upper (Family Stand) and in the Chadwick Lawrence Stand, many with good views of the game!

Click here to buy!

iFOLLOW HTAFC

Huddersfield Town fans that live outside the UK can purchase an International Match Pass for £5.

Supporters who are in the UK will be able to listen to in-game commentary from the John Smith’s Stadium if they purchase an Audio Match Pass. The audio commentary is also available to those supporters who have monthly or season iFollow HTAFC passes.

For more information please CLICK HERE!

KIT

Town will be wearing their home kit on Saturday. Click here to buy yours!

THE OPPOSITION

Since the 2016/17 season, it has been a contrast in fortunes for the side from Berkshire. The Royals have finished 20th in both 2017/18 and 2018/19. Last season, Reading finished up with 47 points, making them three points better off than the previous season.

Reading began last season with Paul Clement in charge, however, the Manager departed the Club in December 2018. He was eventually replaced by José Manuel Gomes, with the Club in 21st place and above the relegation zone only on goal difference. Gomes steered the Royals clear of the danger zone, enabling him to start afresh this coming season.

It has been a sea of change at the Madejski this summer with a number of arrivals and departures at the Club, with Jose Manuel Gomes looking to mould a squad of his own. He has looked to freshen up the squad with the additions of attacking midfielder Ovie Ejaria from Liverpool FC, forward George Pușcaș from Inter Milan and striker Lucas João from Sheffield Wednesday. The Royals have also added the experience of Charlie Adam and Michael Morrison.

ONES TO WATCH

GEORGE PUȘCAȘ

The 23-year-old swapped Inter Milan for Reading in the summer transfer window. Puscas starred for Romania during the summer’s UEFA U21 Championships, scoring four goals during his team’s run to the semi-finals of the competition. The striker has scored three goals for The Royals so far, notching against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup and scoring twice in the win against Cardiff City.

LUCAS JOÃO

The 25-year-old forward joined Reading from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Sheffield Wednesday shortly before the summer transfer deadline. Coincidentally, João notched against his current employers on the first day of the season in The Owls’ 3-1 win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium. The Portuguese forward notched on debut for The Royals in their 2-1 defeat against Hull City.

LIAM MOORE

The defender joined The Royals in the summer of 2016 from Leicester City and has since become a regular fixture in the Reading backline. He won the Player of the Season award in 2017/18 and was named Club Captain prior to the beginning of the current campaign.

TEAM NEWS – TOWN

Mark Hudson will reveal the latest team news in his pre-Reading press conference on Friday.

TEAM NEWS – READING

Striker Yakou Méïté missed Wednesday night’s match against West Brom with a foot problem.

He joins Tyler Blackett and Jordan Obita who are both out injured.

Match Reports

MATCH REPORT: TOWN 0-2 READING

24 August 2019

Second-half goals from Ovie Ejaria and Michael Morrison condemned Huddersfield Town to a two-goal defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium.

26-degree heat and bright sunshine shone on the John Smith’s Stadium as Town welcomed in-form Reading to West Yorkshire to kick-off the bank holiday weekend.

Caretaker Head Coach Mark Hudson made two changes to the side that suffered defeat at Cardiff City in the week, with Adama Diakhaby replacing Isaac Mbenza and Jaden Brown coming into the side for his first Sky Bet Championship start in place of Tommy Elphick.

The introduction of Jaden Brown meant Terence Kongolo shifted into the centre of defence to partner Christopher Schindler, freeing up the left-back slot for Jaden Brown.

Hudson’s side started the game brightly with Adama Diakhaby having some joy on Town’s right showing some of his physical attributes and causing problems by running at his marker.

With some prior half-chances, the first real chance of the game fell in the way of Hudson’s side on the 25 minute mark. Town captain Christopher Schindler was up for a Rajiv van La Parra corner and rose the highest to send his header narrowly wide of the far post.

Van La Parra and Diakhaby switched side with the break approaching as Town’s Dutch winger had a penalty claim waved away. Having stormed into the box, van La Parra went down following an alleged push with the referee quickly waving away his protests; must to the disagreement of the Town faithful.

Alex Pritchard and Karlan Grant showed some neat link-up play to send Alex Pritchard through on goal, with the Reading defence getting back into shape before Trevoh Chalobah collected the ball and sent a rasping drive on the angle that so nearly swerved inside the far post; a good effort from the Chelsea loanee who had been influential in the heart of Town’s midfield.

After the first-half ended with Hudson’s side seeing 73% of the ball, the second period began with a golden chance for Town. Karlan Grant collected the ball inside the centre circle and wriggled his way through on goal and despite Adama Diakhaby providing some good support, Town’s top goalscorer took the chance on himself and saw his powerful effort well saved by Cabral.

Reading went straight up the other end with a succession of dangerous chances of their own. John Swift patiently drew the Town defenders across before slipping a square ball for Andy Yiadom to smash the ball against the crossbar. Town couldn’t clear as Reading quickly delivered a dangerous cross that picked out Lucas Boye who forced Kamil Grabra into a great save.

The Town faithful were in fine voice and rallied their side on the hour mark as Alex Pritchard found time to turn on the edge of the area and power a strike that forced Cabral into a great save.

Mark Hudson’s side were growing into the game as the Town front two of Karlan Grant and Alex Pritchard combined to create another dangerous chance. Pritchard played Grant behind the Reading defence as he squared to an unmarked Diakhaby who took a touch before the Reading defender got across well to block his shot.

Despite Town’s pressure, Reading took the lead. Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria played a neat one-two before firing past Kamil Grabara from the edge of the area.

Reading doubled their lead in the 84th minute as Michael Morrison rose highest from a corner and headed home to secure the win for the Royals.

Town’s Starting Line-Up (4-2-3-1):
Kamil Grabara; Jaden Brown, Terence Kongolo, Christoper Schindler (c), Florent Hadergjonaj; Trevoh Chalobah, Jonathan Hogg; Rajiv van La Parra (Isaac Mbenza, 69’), Alex Pritchard (Fraizer Campbell, 75’), Adama Diakhaby (Josh Koroma, 79’); Karlan Grant

Unused Subs:
Ryan Schofield, Tommy Elphick, Juninho Bacuna, Lewis O’Brien

Attendance: 21,847 (680 away)`

Standings